The Three Relationships
Following Jesus primarily happens in the context of three relationships: Our relationship with God, with the Church and with the World.
“Make Disciples.”
In His last days with His disciples before ascending into Heaven, Jesus gave them what has become known as “The Great Commission.” His command to His followers is pretty simple – make disciples. Our first priority during our time on this planet is to guide others in following Jesus.
Much has been written in this regard and yet the Church, by and large, still seems to be confused as to how a disciple is made. The Three Relationships does not proport to have the way to make disciples, but what we have tried to do is create a simple and powerful foundation from which disciple-making can happen.
We believe disciple-making primarily happens in the context of three relationships. Our relationship with God, with the Church, and with the World. As we develop and deepen these three relationships in life rhythms, we grow as followers of Jesus and bring others along as well.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:18-20
“Jesus said…”
It was Jesus, who is God, who gave us the command and promised to be with us always in the process. It was He who said that He does only what the Father tells Him and does it for the Father’s glory. He told us to abide in Him and gave many metaphors describing the personal relationship we have with the God of the Universe through HIm. Our relationship with God is one of the Three Relationships.
“MAKE disciples…”
When we commit our lives to Jesus, we become part of the Church, the worldwide Body of Christ. Each member is a disciple – a follower of Jesus. The Bible tells us that the Church will not reach full maturity until each person in the Church does their part to grow the Church. A person cannot be a mature follower of Jesus if they are not committed to the Church. Our relationship with the Church is one of the Three Relationships.
“of all nations…”
All through the Bible we see that God has a heart for the nations. His end game is that every tribe, nation and tongue claim Jesus as Lord. Jesus regularly reminded the disciples that they were to be His witnesses everywhere. A follower of Jesus must think locally and globally at the same time when pursuing disciple-making. Our relationship with the World is one of the Three Relationships.