To me sharing the gospel is Discipleship and Disciple making. What is the good news if it isn’t good to you, since the word “gospel” in Greek means “good message or good news”. This begs the question; Does the gospel content have to be put into practice before it is any good? Theoretically speaking, I don’t think so. However, If I were to share it, it must mean something to me. Why would you convince another when you’re not at all convinced yourself.
The church came as a natural outgrowth of the first century Christian movement. Over two millennia, it changed from a simple church, “ekklesia (Greek) – a gathering”, into institutional, ecumenical, and denominational entities. What coincided with the church ethos was two ideas prominently taught by Jesus himself implicitly and explicitly, the kingdom of God (heaven) and making Disciples. One focuses on the rulership of God, in the believer and through the believer all aspects of human institutions, such as marriage, family, corporations, etc., and the other the propagation of this Kingdom motif.
The word Disciple simply put is a follower. Jesus began his ministry rallying disciples around himself, spending time with them, going through interesting experiences with them, and even taught them the secrets of the Kingdom. He demonstrated love toward the disciples and taught them to do likewise. Also, he taught them to be obedient to the Father. Over and over, Jesus reminded the disciples that his total obedience to the Father is the core purpose here on earth. Before ascending into heaven, after his death and resurrection, Jesus taught them to make disciples, much like how he made his own disciples.
As a disciple of Jesus, one experiences the benefit of walking with Jesus, seeing Jesus at work, working in partnership with him, and enjoying the fellowship of other disciples. This is the good news of the gospel, at its most rudimentary level. I think, if the church were to grow, Discipleship and Disciple making must be the most natural form of propagation. Today, for church growth, we see more programming (large or small), outreach event, and media alternatives as replacements to Jesus’ Great Commission, namely discipling. Instead, these good ideas should be seen as supplements and extras. A wise person once said, Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing.
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