Converts or disciples?

Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

The reason I highlighted disciples is the very fact that I feel there is lack of discipleship in the church today, I have titled this post "Converts or disciples?" Because so often people become believers and then they stay in the convert stage without growing. Someone could profess Christianity for 10 years, and still not know their bible or show fruit.
Jesus's command is very simple, and very straightforward. Make disciples, where do we get the word disciple from? it comes from a greek word literally meaning "Learner".

How can a person learn unless they are taught? How can they teach unless they are sent? Don't you see?
Unless we are teaching the whole word of God and equipping them for every good work(2nd timothy 3:17) those people who are converts will not grow.

I'm reminded of the parable of the sower, when Jesus describes the soil that plants take root then wither when tough times come. those are converts who have not been taught. The world does not need "hit-run-missions" The world needs the word of God!
It's one thing to lead a person to Christ, another to actually have that person grow.


Our command is very simple, but the church has made it so complicated! We go out and hold these crusades, but then we move unto the next city. and what happens to those who got saved? I don't doubt that there's growth from some, but discipleship must be a emphasis.

Jesus didn't leave his followers alone, he spent three years with them. and He only had 12, one of which betrayed him. Did that change how he loved them? No! He invested in them, and because of that, they went out and formed the early church.
Jesus invested in them, it was relational evangelism. Not a hit and run mission. I'm not dissing those crusaders, but crusades without follow up is going to fail in the end.
so in closing:
Invest in someone today!