Should You Focus on Discipleship or Evangelism?

The thought of going out and evangelizing people can seem like something scary and uncomfortable. Most folks I know would prefer to avoid altogether. And none of us love the “bullhorn” guy who stands on the street and hollars at people to repent. Ick.

But how does anyone come to trust and love Jesus if they don’t know him or have not heard and experienced the truth about him? (Romans 10:14)

Yet interestingly, Jesus’ command in Matthew 28 was actually to go and make disciples who make disciples. Nothing mentioned here about evangelism.

So which is it, which is more important: discipleship or evangelism?

Let’s take a look.

For many of us, we see evangelism as what happens–the words, events, activities etc.– that brings us (or others) to the point of belief, or faith.

In contrast, we usually understand discipleship to be the process for growth in our Christian life after we’ve come to faith.

Evangelism “gets us in the door” and then the work of discipleship begins.

But let's look a little closer.

Are We Doing This Whole Thing Out of Order?

Another word for faith is “belief,” and the Bible clearly teaches us that all sin comes from not believing what is true about God. (Romans 14:23)

Discipleship is the process of moving from unbelief to belief about what is true of God and the gospel, in absolutely every area of life.

Jesus described it this way. He said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”

Okay, pretty clear and simple.

But then he went on to say something really interesting: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

In Jesus' view, the whole thing starts with learning to follow him–becoming his disciple. Living in his ways. As we enter that process, and as a result of it, our lives are transformed and we are set free from guilt, shame and the weight of sin.

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[duanestewart]

They are truly connected. But even with the discipleship, a man is not saved until he is born again, until he has turned from his lifestyle of practicing all "known" sin.

[ronelpetit-jeune]

If the disciples and apostles in the book of acts didn’t take the streets preaching the rocks would have to cry out as Jesus Himself says. Man’s institutionalization of the gospel have effectively watered down the message of the gospel. We must repent for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. John the Baptist and Jesus Himself preached repentance on the streets. We have created a factory of lukewarmness that must stop, it’s causing our Lord to vomit and be sick to his stomach.
Be richly blessed!

[RandyJohnsonCoral]

Well done. Thank you so much. I had some thoughts along these lines myself. I always saw discipleship as the key to everything. We are commanded to do it and to go into all the world and do it. I just hit subscribe and looking forward to much more. rj

[semsemkhayi]

Who are the people to focus on in making disciples?