by John Shirk
Follow Me
The Great Commission is to make disciples. Jesus instructed us to teach them everything He commanded. Let’s look at His first command to His first disciples. In Matthew 1 Jesus tells Peter and Andrew, “Come, Follow Me.” They immediately left their nets to be with Jesus, to go where He went, to learn from His teaching, to do what He did, and to become like him.
This was more than classes to impart truth and teach them how to think. It was more than a commitment on their part to be more involved in times of spiritual devotion and practicing spiritual disciplines. It was more than leadership development which would enable them to move the masses to follow them.
Don’t get me wrong. Jesus did impart truth to them and teach them how to think. He showed them how to be devoted to God and practice spiritual disciplines such as prayer, generosity, and fasting. He developed them as leaders until they began a movement that changed the world.
But Jesus’ desire for His disciples was much more than that. Jesus wanted His disciples to learn from Him and act like Him, but more than that He wanted them to BE with Him and BECOME like Him. It was more than behavior modification, it was character transformation.
So they were with Jesus, following Him every hour of every day. They followed him into the boat to cross the lake in the middle of a storm.
Discipleship must go beyond learning the teaching of Jesus and learning to act like Jesus. We must learn to be with Jesus and let Him transform our character. It is more than reserving an hour every day for devotion. It is learning to spend every hour of every day with Jesus. Paul called it prayer without ceasing[1]. Brother Lawrence called it practicing the presence of God[2]. Jesus called it abiding in the Vine[3].
It can’t be learned in a classroom. It requires a relationship.
[1] 1 Thessalonians 5:17
[2] https://www.amazon.com/Practice-Presence-God-Brother-Lawrence/dp/1614279683
[3] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015&version=NIV
John Fischer The Catch 
John, I think you said something very profound. “It was more than behavior modification, it was character transformation.” What is the plan for taking people who say they believe in Jesus and transforming their character into one where it is easy and natural to do what Jesus commands?
Thomas,
I hope the next two Catches I wrote at least partially answered your question. I think when we gather with Jesus in community to learn from Him and put His teachings into practice by joining Him in what He is doing (loving God, loving our neighbors, loving our enemies and living out the Sermon on the Mount) our character is transformed and we grow to be like Him. Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” When believers who are farther along on the journey invite people to join them in following Jesus, disciples are made. Plans and programs can be useful tools, but relationships are where character transformation happens.