Make disciples of all nations

We want to make disciples of all nations.  We are called to make disciples of all nations, Matthew 28 tells us to do so.
But what does it mean?

This is not making church goers, it's not about bums on seats.  It's about bringing people to a real and alive faith and encouraging them to become people whose lives are aligned with Jesus. It's about making Christians, in the truest sense of the word, in the whole of their whole lives.

It's not easy.
It's not quick.
There's no tried and tested formula.
But we are not alone, we have the Holy Spirit with us.

Most churches understand that you need to put effort into sowing seeds of faith and nurturing the new shoots which spring up.  Through alpha course and introductory groups most churches find success in bringing seekers to a commitment to Jesus.  But discipleship doesn't stop there.

Disciples are teachers, that's a long way from being someone who wants to learn and is at the beginning of their faith journey.  We need to keep providing opportunities for development of our disciples, whether they be 8 and in Sunday School, or in youth age 16, or a new member of messy church age 30 or a member of mother's union age 50 or a lifetime member of the church age 97.

What can we do therefore to help the process of making disciples?  Here are seven good ideas:

1. Seeker opportunities
2. Introductory courses
3. Home groups
4. Leadership strands
5. Visits to conferences or events
6. Excellent preaching
7. Mentoring and spiritual direction