It has been said that good communication is the bridge between confusion and clarity. When it comes to being disciples who make disciples, we need to understand the importance of communication. Communication in discipleship is what we are telling those around us with both our words and our actions. Do we know how to communicate the Gospel with our words? Are we living out the Gospel in how we live? Is what we are saying communicating the same thing as what we are doing? Any coach or athlete trying to lead a team towards one goal knows that if there if there is a breakdown in communication there is often confusion, questions and unhealthy tension.
Warm-Up:
Name a time when there has been a breakdown in communication on your team?
How did this breakdown lead to confusion?
As a follower of Christ, why is communication important to discipleship?
Workout:
Jesus communicated two “Great” statements to His followers: the Great Commandment and The Great Commission. In the Great Commandment, Jesus is teaching us how to be a disciple OF Christ. When asked by the Pharisees, “Which command in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). There is no confusion if we want to be a follower of Christ, we must love God and love people. This means we are to love God more than our sport and we are to love all who are in and outside of our sport.
Before Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection He communicated to the disciples The Great Commission: “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:18-20). The instructions are very clear: As followers of Christ, we are to be disciple-makers WITH Christ.
What should we be communicating to the world as disciples of Christ?
First, as followers of Christ, we will obey His commandment to love God first, others second, and ourselves third. Second, we will be disciples who make disciples.
When we communicate these two “Great” statements to the world in our words and actions, we will see Christ transform our world through HIS words and actions.
Wrap-Up:
What do Jesus’ two “great” statements communicate to you?
How well are you communicating to the world that you are a disciple of Christ?