Why Discipleship? — Downline Ministries

The Great Commission is Jesus' plan to reach the world.

He lived it.
He commanded it.

Jesus’ final charge to His disciples was to go and make disciples of all nations and to teach them to obey everything that He had commanded them. The disciples knew what to do because Jesus had modeled the discipleship process with them.

85% of Jesus' public ministry was spent with his disciples.

Unfortunately, many Christ-followers today don’t know what it means to make disciples.

When asked if they’d “heard of the Great Commission,” half of U.S. churchgoers say they do not know this term. For the remaining 49% of churchgoers who have heard of the Great Commission, Barna reports that only “20% of Christian adults are involved in some sort of discipleship activity (e.g. Sunday school, fellowship group, meeting with a spiritual mentor, studying the Bible with a group, or reading and discussing a Christian book with a group).” However, they aren’t avoiding discipleship activities due to a lack of interest. One in three Christians is looking for one-on-one discipleship.

  So what’s the issue?

  Many Christ-followers feel ill-equipped to make disciples. They have willing spirits, but lack the tools they need to get started. Likewise, many churches feel the challenge of equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. This is why Downline exists! To come alongside churches and equip men and women to make disciples.