In our last post, we discovered the first shift to Jesus-style disciple making: from seeing our identity as church members to seeing our identity as disciple makers. In this post, we’re going to discover Shift 2. And whereas the first shift asked, Who are we? Shift #2 explores the question, How do we live?
Let’s reread Jesus’ words, asking ourselves, How do we live?
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20)
Based on this passage, how did Jesus tell us to live? We get a big clue in the simple words, “Therefore go.”
“Go” means that we intentionally enter into relationships with lost people where they live, work, and play.
Here’s our problem. We aren’t intentionally building relationships with lost people.
In Reviving Evangelism, Barna found that roughly 40% of professing Christians don’t have a friend who doesn’t follow Jesus. In other words, part of the reason most churches in North America aren’t making disciples who make disciples is because we’re living in a Christian bubble.
If we want to return to Jesus-style disciple making, then we must shift from going to church to going to lost people.
Shift #2: From going to church to going to lost people
What would happen if every person, at every worship gathering, in every state was mobilized to go to lost people every week? Imagine if every neighborhood and network in our city were our mission fields. What if Sundays were for being refueled to then take the battle to the front lines throughout the week?
Just imagine, what could happen if every follower of Jesus lived a lifestyle of going?
Church members go to church. Disciple makers go to lost people.
How do we start to make this shift?
If you want to make the shift of going to lost people but don’t know practically how to get started, here’s one tool to help you: A Go List.
Why a Go List? The purpose of a Go List is to help you identity the lost people in your life you are going to intentionally build relationships with.
What is a Go List? A Go List is a list of the names of lost people from your spheres of influence.
How do I use a Go List? Write their names, pray for them, and spend time loving them through your words and actions.
So, why don’t you grab a piece of paper.
Title it “Go List.” Think through your spheres of influence. Family, neighbors, coworkers, hobbies, interest groups, volunteer organizations, or public places.
As you think through each group of people, write down every person you already know who doesn’t follow Jesus. If you don’t know anyone in those spheres, then ask God to help you meet people in those spheres who don’t follow Jesus.
Start to pray for the people on your Go List by name daily. In the time you already spend with them, use your words and actions to show them that you love them. Maybe ask them to hang out in order to spend more time building a relationship with them.
