4 Chair Discipling by Dann Spader l Discipleship l Ministry l Jesus and Disciples l Twelve Disciples l Develop into a Disciple l Christian Faith

Challenge One: Come and See

This first challenge is given in John 1:35–39. It is the invitation to Andrew and John (who is assumed to be the second disciple) to “come and see.” This challenge gives us insight into how Jesus developed His initial relationships with several of His early disciples. Andrew and John were spiritual seekers who were engaged with the ministry ofJohn the Baptist, who preached that the Messiah was coming after him. In fact, John had just identified Jesus as the Lamb of God.

This simple challenge to “come and see” was built upon the premise that the Father through the Holy Spirit is drawing people to Himself (John 6:44), and our job is to simply discern who these people are and be ready to provide an answer to them why Jesus is the Savior (1 Peter 3:15). It is not a difficult first step. It simply requires us to be willing to be used by God to give the gift of time and show the love of Christ to those who are seeking God.

Challenge Two: Follow Me

The second challenge, represented by Chair 2, was given to many in various ways. We see it first in John 1:43, where we are told that Jesus“decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ ” This second challenge moves the seeker in Chair 1 to the status of a believer. It implies that a person has made a decision about Christ. An inner transformation has taken place. A seeker has been moved by the Holy Spirit to “repent and believe” and had decided to trust Jesus for salvation. Now they are ready to take the next step. The second challenge is, “Follow me.”

This challenge is a call to a deeper level of the discipling journey than just “come and see.” It assumes a desire to learn from the rabbi. It demands a learning process of walking in the steps of the master. It paints a picture of becoming like the one we are following, allowing Him to lead us. It demands that we walk as He walked, love as He loves, do what He did, serve as He served. It is a challenge to be a learner, which is what the word “disciple” (mathetes) literally means.

Challenge Three: Follow Me and I Will Make You Fishers of Men

This third challenge by Jesus is loaded with meaning. It is clearly strategic. First and foremost, the challenge is relational. As in the previous challenge, Jesus invites the disciples to “come and follow me.” But from this point forward, Jesus is going to make an even greater investment of time in these men, who will later become a part of His twelve apostles. These are not the Twelve yet—they are simply what I call His ministry team: a team of faithful followers that He is going to take deeper.

Second, this challenge is clearly intentional. Jesus clearly says, “I will make you.” He had a clear goal and a clear plan for developing His disciples as reproducing disciple-makers. Immediately after challenging these disciples to become fishers of men, Jesus led them on six “fishing trips” to give them confidence in sharing their faith.4 Shortly thereafter he led them intentionally on four additional mission trips, which extended over several days. He was intentional about developing His disciples as “fishers of men,” teaching them to reproduce their lives in others.

Challenge Four: Go and Bear Fruit

Jesus moves His disciples to a whole new level of relationship with Him, from Chair 3 to Chair 4. And the reason for this is clear. He will be going away soon, and they must “go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). Jesus is now saying, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).

The challenge here is similar to what Jesus will command His disciples in the Great Commission. They are to go and do what He did. They are to repeat the process in others. I have shown you, now go and do likewise. Go, make disciples of all nations, doing what I have done with you. This challenge is not easy, but it is simple. Fruit bearing requires that we “abide” in the Vine (Jesus) and allow the Vine to produce fruit through us. Our task is abiding. His task is bearing fruit. We will bear fruit to the degree that we abide in Him and walk as He walked.