Becoming a Disciple Who Makes Disciples

Three ways you can share Jesus

Written by Curtis Sergeant on 07/05/2019

Series: Weekly Devotional

Tags: DiscipleDiscipleshipLeadershipGreat Commission


Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…

Matthew 28:19a

Final instructions are important. In the military, soldiers are supposed to act based on the last orders they receive.  People speaking from their deathbed speak of matters that are truly important. Jesus also emphasized some of His teachings by putting them last. After God raised him from the dead, He spent forty days with his disciples.  As that period drew to a close, He gave final instructions.

Who are these instructions for?

William Carey is considered by many to be the father of the modern missionary movement.  He said of this passage (Matthew 28:19-20) that “the promise is coextensive with the command.”  By that he meant that if we believe Jesus’ promise “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b) is applicable to every follower of Christ, that Jesus’ command to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19a) was also applicable to every follower of Christ.

What does it mean to make disciples?

The main command in this passage is to make disciples.  There are many ways to describe how this is to be done: 

First, we are to go do this under and by Jesus’ authority.  “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore…”(Matthew 28:18-19a)  He also told them how to do it: “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19b-20a)

The baptism can happen immediately, but note that “teaching them to observe” (or obey) all that Jesus commanded requires an ongoing process.  It does not merely require head knowledge, but heart-obedience to Jesus.  That means there needs to be an ongoing pattern of accountability for living out what we are learning and for passing it on to others.  If we do not establish such patterns for ourselves and those we are discipling then we are failing to follow this central instruction of Jesus.

Note too, that collectively, we are to make sure that this happens in every “nation” (or people group) in the world.  That means we have a responsibility not only among our own acquaintances where we live, but in every place and people group on earth.  In other words, Jesus is calling us to be engaged with His Kingdom around the world. 

How can I grow in my ability to make disciples?

When we think of this global enterprise, many people think of the Apostle Paul, considered by many to be the first Christian missionary. We can see his approach described in his first letter to Timothy, one of the disciples Paul made: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2)  In other words, we need to be concerned with growth in knowing and living out God’s instructions for ourselves, for disciples we are making, for the disciples they are making, and even for the generations that will follow. 

This may seem to be a difficult challenge, which is why Jesus’ authority (Matthew 28:18) and presence with us (Matthew 28:20) are so important.  Besides having the Holy Spirit, it is also God’s design for us to be learning from others and instructing others.  We are all meant to be followers and leaders as we relate to one another in the body of Christ.  Two great ways to get input for growing in this area to connect with us via the button below or to go through the free online training at zumeproject.com.


Pray this week:

Lord, let me learn to follow You more closely day by day, and bring others with me on this spiritual journey.  I want to demonstrate my love and gratitude for the amazing gift of salvation which You have given me, and to help others know and love you in the same way.


Who can you learn from and who can be learning from you as you grow in living out your faith and passing it on to others?

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member

Bitcoin BTC Price Near Inflection Point – Fresh Increase Likely

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Near Inflection Point -  Fresh Increase Likely

Bitcoin (BTC) Price Near Inflection Point – Fresh Increase Likely

 

  • Bitcoin price declined heavily yesterday and traded close to the $6,650 support against the US Dollar.

  • The price traded as low as $6,645 and it is currently recovering towards the $7,400 level.

  • There is a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $7,400 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair (data feed from Kraken).

  • The pair needs to clear the $7,400 and $7,512 resistance levels to start a strong upward move.

Bitcoin price seems to be forming a new support base above $7,000 against the US Dollar. BTC is likely forming a decent bottom and it could climb higher above $7,400 and $7,500.

Bitcoin Price Analysis

Yesterday, we saw a significant downside correction in bitcoin price below the $8,000 and $7,500 supports against the US Dollar. The BTC/USD pair declined heavily and even broke the $7,000 support and 100 hourly simple moving average. Finally, there was a spike towards the $6,650 support area, where buyers emerged. A swing low was formed at $6,645 and the price recently started an upside correction. It traded above the $7,000 and $7,050 resistance levels. Besides, there was a break above the 23.6% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $8,050 swing high to $6,645 low.

At the moment, the price is trading above $7,200, but it is facing a strong resistance near $7,400. There is also a key bearish trend line forming with resistance at $7,400 on the hourly chart of the BTC/USD pair. Moreover, the price is struggling near the 50% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $8,050 swing high to $6,645 low. If there is a proper break above the trend line and $7,420, the price could trade further higher.

An important hurdle is near the $7,512 level and the 61.8% Fib retracement level of the recent decline from the $8,050 swing high to $6,645 low. A successful follow through above $7,512 is likely to set the pace for more gains in the near term. The next key resistances are near the $7,720 and $7,800 levels. On the downside, an initial support is near the $7,200 level. If there are further declines, the price could retest the $7,000 support.

Looking at the chart, bitcoin price is currently trading with a positive bias above the $7,000 support. Therefore, there are high chances of a fresh increase above the $7,400 and $7,500 levels. Only a close below $7,000 could increase bearish pressure in the near term.

 

Technical indicators:

Hourly MACD – The MACD is back in the bullish zone, with a positive bias.

Hourly RSI (Relative Strength Index) – The RSI for BTC/USD is moving higher and is currently above the 50 level.

Major Support Levels – $7,200 followed by $7,000.

Major Resistance Levels – $7,400, $7,512 and $7,720.

 

Aayush Jindal

1 min ago

 

Alan Zibluk Markethive Founding Member