“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:2 NKJV
The Gospel as we know it, was first placed in the hands of the early disciples who were given the responsibility to go into all the world and preach. These men have passed away, but the Gospel is still being spread and men are still being saved in numbers because of their zeal and commitment towards the work. They trained and discipled people who did the same to others until the message of the gospel got to us.
God has placed the responsibility on every believer to “go into the world and make disciples of all nations.”(Matthew 28:19-20). The command to “make disciples” means that beyond preaching the Gospel, we must train and equip those who believe the message, so that they may continue in the way of the Lord, grow in their faith, and become preachers of the Gospel themselves.
God desires that we replicate what we have received, thereby truly leaving a godly legacy behind. We see the example of Jesus Christ, who taught and trained his disciples, after which He commissioned them to train others (Luke 10:1-12).
Apostle Paul is another example of a Teacher. He discipled Timothy (I Timothy 1:2, II Timothy 1:2), Philemon (Philemon 1:19-21), Onesimus (Philemon 1:10), Titus (Titus 1:4) and many other believers. We see Lois and Eunice, the grandmother and the mother of Timothy who brought him up in the way of the Lord and were commended for doing so by Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:5).
It takes selflessness and commitment to raise disciples. A good disciple must devote himself to teaching and training other believers in the Word and ensuring that proper doctrine is handed down and preserved.
Discipleship is God’s design for the spread of the Gospel and the reign of God’s Kingdom on the earth. As a believer, you must grow to the point of being able to train others. This is how you leave a godly legacy.
It is Christ’s command that we make disciples of all nations. It is not optional for the believer. We must rise to the challenge and ensure that we leave godly legacies behind. We must preserve the gospel’s message and true doctrine by handing them over to men who will continue in them.
Bible Reading Plan: Proverbs 25-26