Impact the World Around You and Beyond

The third element of making/becoming a disciple of Jesus is impacting the world around you and beyond. The Bible is clear that God's plan of redemption includes all that he created. He has commissioned us to make disciples of all nations, all people groups, and history as we know it culminates in a new heaven and a new earth. Jesus isn't kidding when he said, "I am making everything new!"(Revelation 21:5)

He is uniting the nations as one new race on the earth, many different languages, many different colors, but all raised to life in Christ Jesus! A forgiven and commissioned people! With our chains held high, we march on the world proclaiming the best news an ear could hear. All disciples of Jesus are called to make an impact on the world around them and beyond.

In the diagram below, you see that all societies on the earth have these domains. When trying to sort out where we should start this mission we can become overwhelmed. Engaging in these domains simplifies how we do this. You may be a teacher, a nurse, or a banker, all of which, in reality, are mission fields. This puts a new perspective on Monday mornings.



We no longer have to just punch in and punch out, rather we live as a missionary (def. one sent with authority) to our domains. Sure we want to live that way in our neighborhoods as well, but the beauty of the domain you work in is that people all over the world are working in that same domain. This gives you an opportunity to have a global impact! Currently, some of the most effective kingdom proclaimers are not 'traditional missionaries', rather businessmen, ambassadors, teachers, and doctors. They have a lot easier access to nations that 'missionaries' might not have. They also relate to people a lot easier as they engage them in their domain. Then as life happens, the opportunities come to demonstrate and proclaim the kingdom of God.

When you engage in disciple making, make it clear that they weren't saved for themselves, rather for God's global mission! Train them to clearly communicate God's redemptive plan (see our podcast for a series called The Story). Practice communicating grace and mercy. The more confident you are in communicating something, the more likely you will actually spit it out when opportunity arises... and trust me, the opportunity will always arise. All humans are wired to try to figure out meaning.

Let's go for it! What if we were a church that made disciples?