Chapter 13: Evangelism and Disciple-Making

,

PART IV: SERVING, STRUGGLING, AND PERSEVERING

Overview: Every Believer’s Call to Share the Gospel

Evangelism and disciple-making are not reserved for a spiritual elite or specialised class of ministers—they are integral to the calling of every follower of Christ. To be a disciple is to engage in the mission of making disciples. The gospel, once received, is not to be concealed or hoarded, but proclaimed and shared with clarity, love, and boldness.

Evangelism is the intentional communication of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Disciple-making is the process of nurturing believers toward maturity through teaching, accountability, and spiritual formation. Together, they reflect the heart of God and the mission of the Church.

This calling is grounded not in human ambition but in divine commission. It flows from the character of God, who “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Christ Himself modelled this mission through proclamation, compassion, and relationship—and He has entrusted the same ministry to His Church.

Evangelism plants the seed; disciple-making nurtures the growth. A healthy Church is committed to both. Evangelism without discipleship leaves spiritual infants vulnerable; discipleship without evangelism stagnates in self-preservation. Both are necessary, urgent, and inseparable.

Scriptural Foundation: Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8

Matthew 28:19–20 records the Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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.”
This mandate defines the Church’s mission. Discipleship is more than a decision—it is a lifelong journey of learning, obedience, and reproduction. The command to “go” is not only geographical but intentional, calling every believer to active engagement in gospel witness.

Acts 1:8 complements this by identifying the source of power:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…”
Evangelism is not dependent on personal charisma or theological expertise, but on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. Every believer, regardless of gifting or background, is equipped to be a witness—locally and globally.

Together, these passages affirm that mission is not peripheral to the Christian life—it is central to the identity and purpose of the Church.

Practical Expression: Personal Evangelism and Global Missions

1. Personal Evangelism: Witnessing in Everyday Life

Personal evangelism is the faithful sharing of the gospel in the ordinary contexts of life—family, friendships, workplace, neighbourhood. It may take the form of conversation, literature, hospitality, public speaking, or acts of service combined with gospel proclamation.

Effective evangelism requires:

  • Courage – to speak when silence is easier;
  • Compassion – to love those far from God;
  • Clarity – to explain the gospel simply and truthfully.

1 Peter 3:15 urges believers to be prepared to “make a defense… with gentleness and respect.” Evangelism is not argumentation but witness—testifying to Christ’s saving power and inviting others into His grace.

2. Global Missions: Reaching the Nations for Christ

Global missions expands the call to cross-cultural contexts. Missionaries are sent to proclaim Christ among unreached or underserved peoples. Their work includes:

  • Language learning and cultural adaptation,
  • Church planting and discipleship,
  • Humanitarian aid and education,
  • Bible translation and leadership development.

The local church has a vital role in God’s global mission: praying, sending, supporting, and mobilising. Every Christian is called to be globally minded, whether by going, giving, or interceding.

Evangelism is not a private enterprise; it is the shared responsibility of the entire Church to bring Christ to the nations.

Reflection: Who Am I Reaching with the Gospel?

This chapter invites every believer to consider their role in the mission of Christ:

  • Am I actively looking for opportunities to share the gospel with those around me?
  • Do I understand the message of salvation clearly, and am I prepared to explain it faithfully?
  • Am I more concerned with comfort or reputation than with the eternal destiny of others?
  • Is my church intentionally engaged in both evangelism and disciple-making, both locally and globally?
  • Do I regularly pray for the lost, for open doors to share the gospel, and for the advance of God’s Kingdom?

Evangelism and disciple-making are not optional add-ons for the spiritually elite—they are marks of true discipleship. The question is not if one is called, but how one will respond.

A faithful witness is not flawless but faithful—present, prayerful, and prepared to speak of the hope they have in Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ grows and flourishes when every believer accepts their role in the mission and steps forward in obedience.

Key Scriptures:

  • Matthew 28:19–20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
  • Acts 1:8 – “You will receive power… and you will be my witnesses…”
  • 1 Timothy 2:4 – “[God] desires all people to be saved…”
  • 1 Peter 3:15 – “Always be prepared to give an answer…”
  • Romans 10:14–17 – “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?”
  • Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light shine before others…”
Home