Many in the Christian community know Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands Christians to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” But for many in that same community, they are confused about what that passage is commanding them to do. When looking at this verse, one must ask, "What is the commandment in this verse?" Many would place the commandment on the first word "go," but that’s not exactly true. In order to understand this verse better, let us look into its original language, Greek. The “go” in the verse is an aorist verb, making it a past-tense verb with an undefined duration of action. Therefore, the best literal translation of the verb “go” is “as you are going.” In other words, as you go through your life, make disciples of all nations. So yes, you are to go, but everywhere you go.

Since we now know that we are to make disciples as we are going through life, what exactly is making a disciple? For many in the church today, making disciples is synonymous with making converts, but there is a huge difference between the two. In order to be a disciple one must be a convert, but in order to be a convert one does not necessarily have to be a disciple.

In order to be a convert, one must simply be a follower of Jesus, and that is what most people in the twenty-first century church have become. However, they have not taken that further step in their walk in Christ or have not been given the opportunity to take that step. The church has really done people a disservice by not giving them the opportunity to be discipled or even given them the opportunity to learn how to disciple others.

In order to be a disciple, it requires one to become a student of one who has become mature in their faith. The difference is the person initiating the conversion takes an active role rather than a passive role. When one begins a new job, they are trained in order to be most effective at that role, but the church has gotten this idea that training to be a Christ follower is not necessary. This mindset seems to be as if someone is going to come from being a worldly sinner to a godly saint instantly after they are converted, which is completely ridiculous. Jesus not only commanded we do this, but he exemplified discipleship with his twelve disciples. If you would consider yourself just a convert, I would encourage you to find someone to disciple you. If you have been discipled and feel like you have been discipled well, I encourage you to find someone to disciple! Discipleship is essential to Christian growth and is a command from Jesus!