MULTIPLY – DISCIPLES MAKING DISCIPLES

Fran Chan – author

I have discovered a great book that I think is very much worth mentioning. ‘Multiply – disciples making disciples’ by Francis Chan.
Chan talks about how the Bible compels us to join God in what he is doing in and around us. He also says that studying the Bible is important, but the goal is never knowledge for the sake of knowledge.
I don’t know how many people have told me that they have read the Bible from cover to cover but there have been quite a few over the years. Reading the Bible this way is often because a person thinks that is what is expected of them, and perhaps over time, yes, it is. But in one sitting, well, if not one sitting, straight through from front to back is not recommended.

Chan says to teach what we learn, He says his book is not meant just to be read for the sake of reading but to be taught. Multiply obviously means to make more of and it makes sense that we are not just to read his book but to share the contents with others so that the words can reach many and take hold in their hearts. Chan even goes as far as including extra study material on his website so that more and more people can have access to it for free! James 1:22 says: ‘be doers of the Word and not merely listeners to it betraying yourselves’.

Discipleship is all about doing and living life together, teaching by example and living by example.

Jesus didn’t simply lead a weekly Bible study, he lived the life he taught. Jesus is calling us to live the life we teach also.

While Ephesians 4:11 says that He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, many think that these positions were not given to them and they may well not have been, but we must remember that we are all called to go outside the four walls of our church into our community and neighbourhood to share God’s love in many different ways. Showing the gospel in action is my favourite way and often the only option I have when I am wearing my school chaplain hat, as sadly we are forbidden to speak the gospel. Nevertheless people respond nicely to love and kindness through actions.

Here’s a couple of questions for you: Take a few minutes to write down how many people you have smiled at today and how many you may have helped in some small way.

Would you say that your church is more inwardly focussed or more outwardly focussed? Why do you say that?

Jesus gave His followers a command: “Follow Me,” And a promise: I will equip you to find others to follow Me.”