THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL

(GOFAMINT)
SUNDAY (BIBLE) SCHOOL WEEK. SEMINAR 3 – APRIL 26, 2024.

MAKING DISCIPLES: THE SOLE PURPOSE

OF SUNDAY (BIBLE) SCHOOL
Deuteronomy 31:12-13; Matthew 28:16-20.
Pastor Dr. Kehinde Olatunde Ogunyomi

INTRODUCTION
In Christianity, a disciple mainly refers to a faithful follower of Jesus. This term is found in
the New Testament only in the Gospels and Acts. In the ancient world, a disciple is a follower or
devotee of a teacher. A disciple in the ancient Biblical world actively imitated both the life and
teaching of the master. A Christian disciple is a believer who follows Christ and then offers his own
imitation of Christ as model for others to follow (1 Cor. 11:1). A disciple is first a believer who has
exercised faith (Acts 2:38). This means they have experienced conversion (which is the beginning of
a supernatural life) and put Jesus at the centre of their life and partook in the means of Christian
imitation (Eph. 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:1). The process of making disciple is called “discipleship”.
Discipleship is a period “when we start spending individual time with another Christian for the
purpose of having a ministry in his or her life - time together in the Word, prayer, fellowship, and
systematic training” (Keathley IV, 2004).
This task is placed in the hands of the Church to make disciples and not mere converts.
However, the role of the Sunday (Bible) School cannot be overemphasised, in that it assisted not only
in quality assessment but also, in the process of making disciples. Unfortunately, most of our
Churches are filled with mere converts. Who are carnal, worldly and babes in Christ, even though
most of them were converted many years ago. This showcase the failure of our Sunday (Bible)
School at discipleship. This paper therefore will attempt to explain the: process, necessity, role of
Sunday (Bible) School and rewards of making disciples.

I. THE JESUS’ MODEL OF MAKING DISCIPLES: Jhn. 14:12.

The model of what the discipleship process should be is the IDEA model proposed by Jesus
Christ, which is still working today.
The IDEA discipleship model begins with Instruction – Jesus verbally taught them. He
constantly used daily routines to instruct them; Demonstration – Jesus modelled truth and let His
men observe His life. He provided show and tell as He “walked the talk”; Experience – Jesus let His
men participate and apply the truth themselves. They got to practise the truth; and Assessment –
Jesus examined their shared experiences. He assessed their growth and gave them direction.
Therefore, this model depict discipleship process as “friendship with a spiritual perspective”,
or “friendship with a vision”. These descriptions put discipleship in the right perspective because
ninety percent of what a disciple learns is caught from our lives (discipliers) more than from our
teachings. We should place our emphasis on friendship and let people see how we deal with things,
how we study, how we pray, how we love etc. We do not want to just give them highlighted facts
similar to a curriculum or programme. We need to allow them see how we work through several
challenges and assist them work through the challenges themselves.
So, the process is friendship - friendship with a vision and discipleship plan must be with an
emphasis on relationships. Certainly, the doctrinal content is necessary as these two books can assist

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in this area: Foundation for Discipleship by The Gospel Faith Mission Int’l and Stepping Stones to
GOFAMINT Membership by E. O. Abina.
The goal of our discipleship will be to teach and develop the following qualities in the
disciple: Supreme love for God (Matt. 10:37-40), Study and devotion to God’s Word (John 8:31),
Denial of self - God-ward and man-ward aspects (Mark 8:34) and Reflection of Christ’s love towards
others (Matt. 22:39). Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus
Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit who resides in our hearts to overcome the pressures and
trials of this present life and become more and more Christ like. It is a final command Jesus gave in
Matthew 28:19-20 that says, “go make disciples … teaching them to obey all that I commanded you”.

II. THE NECESSITY FOR MAKING DISCIPLES: Matt. 28:19-20

Some people may be wondering why one should bother himself by proceeding further in making
disciples than merely stopping at accepting Jesus as Saviour. You may feel that conversion is all
that God requires. The focus of this heading therefore is to explain the need for discipleship.
1. To be conformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29, Luke 6:40, Ephesians 4:11-15):
Jesus did not only come to die for our sins, he also came to demonstrate the life of God
thereby inviting us to imbibe His life style. Discipleship which is a means of training us
so as to become like Christ is a necessity. The plan of God for us is not just to be like
another Christian. He commands that Jesus is to be our model. He is the master after
whom we must pattern our lives. Without discipleship, it is impossible to be like Christ.
That means failure to attain God's plan, purpose and design.
2. Getting Divine Revelation through Deeper relationship with Jesus (Matt 5:1-2, Matt
13:10-11; Mark 3:13-15): Another important need for discipleship is to foster deep and
intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He is interested in strengthening close
relationship with His children. He is not interested in friends who are "afar off" as it
were. That is why He calls whom He would, first to be with Him so as to be familiar with
His life and purpose and reveal His secrets only to His disciples as He delights in helping
His secrets disciples and to have glorious experiences (Luke 9:28-30).
3. Ability to withstand the storms of life (Matt. 5:7): Jesus closed His sermon on the
mountain in Matthew 5:7 with the illustration of some wise and foolish builders. The
WISE builder can be likened to a disciple because he hears the word and practices it.
Such a man is firmly rooted in God. In times of temptations, trials, problems, difficulties
and persecutions, he will remain unmovable. He can be shaken but he will not be
shattered. The restraining hand of God will be upon him so as to prevent him from
falling.
4. People are fashioned through discipleship (Matt. 4:18-19; Lk. 9:59-62; 14:25-26, 28,
31): The task of building God's people and fighting God's battles is not a simple one. That
was why Jesus did not commit the task to the multitudes, knowing fully well that the
multitudes are not dependable, reliable and consistent. They are not seeking Jesus
because they love Him and want to obey Him. They seek Jesus for food, employment,
healing, husband, wife and miracles. This is why Jesus has to raise the standard by calling
people into discipleship. Through this means those who are really His and who will be at
His disposal to build His Church and to fight His battles against His enemies will stand
out from the crowd.

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 5. It is only disciples that can have the right perspective: Through spiritual perspective,
disciples love God better because we understand the nature, mind and ways of God. This
perspective helps us to resist temptation. This is because as disciples with perspective, we
look at temptations or situations from God's viewpoint. We understand that the long-term
consequences of sin are greater than any short-term pleasure that sin might provide.
6. Discipleship produces convictions in believers: Howard Hendricks defined conviction as
“something you will die for while a belief is something you will argue about”. It is
convictions that motivate you to do what you want to do. It is possible for a Christian to
pray, read the bible, evangelize and attend service, contribute money by following
examples of others. This is good for babes in Christ. Little children naturally learn the
same way. However, to develop your own reasons (convictions) for doing what you do,
you must be a disciple of Jesus. Biblical convictions are important for spiritual growth
and maturity.
7. Discipleship raises the level of commitment of believers (Luke 14:33): One of the virtues
that is fast disappearing among the people of God is commitment. The level of the
commitment of the ministers and members of the Church depends very much on their
spiritual maturity. It is also true to say that, without conviction, believers cannot grow
spiritually.
Through discipleship, the commitment of the people will be raised, believers will be
committed to the vision of their Church and their leaders. They will be committed to fruitful
devotional lives, soul winning, praying, Bible study, Sunday school and other programmes of the
Church. They will be committed to labour for God faithfully as teachers, ushers, choir members
and so on.
III. THE ROLE OF SUNDAY (BIBLE) SCHOOL IN MAKING DISCIPLES: Deut.31:12-13
An effective Sunday (Bible) School is expected to be evangelistic, reach the unreached,
lead souls to Christ, be out to develop Christian character, and provide good platform for training
workers. The Sunday (Bible) School will successfully play the role of making disciples through
the following:
1. Effective Teaching and Dedicated Teachers (2 Tim. 3:16-17): For our Sunday (Bible)
School to be result-oriented, there is need for dedicated and God-fearing teachers to
handle classes seriously. The teaching must be sound that is Christ-centered, Bible-based
and not in philosophy of men. Teachers must communicate with the people in the
language they understand and allow members’ participation but not domineering during
teaching. They (teachers) must be teachable, word-equipped, Holy Ghost-led in order to
make disciples through his / her teaching in the school.
2. Conducive Socialisation: The interactions, connections, relationship and friendships
among members according to their age groups made available by the school provides the
environment for spiritual growth of the members of the school as it assisted them a lot in
experiencing Christianity.
3. Prevailing Prayers (Lk. 18:1; James 5:17-18; 1Jn. 5:11-15): The habits of praying for the
success of the Sunday (Bible) School activities many times before they begin to teach as
seen in the: good responses from students, salvation of their souls, deliverance, miracles,
blessings etc. Prayers plays great role in making disciples of Christ through the school.

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 4. Meaningful Follow-Up: Teachers and Secretaries in our schools should arrange to
follow-up new members to their homes immediately after the Sunday School. They must
continue this routine till they become disciples of Christ and thereafter. Likewise, old
members of the class must be visited on regular basis. The essence of follow-up or
visiting our class members are to know their: homes, problems, share the word of God
with them etc. This give us ample opportunity to proffer solutions to their needs, pray
with them and invite them to the next Church programme.
5. Thorough Planning and Class Monitoring: A good teacher will always plan ahead.
What method to use for a particular lesson. Materials required for the teaching: a well-
prepared note of lesson to use in communicating the message of the lesson appropriately.
Good planning would not only enhance spiritual development of the members but will
make them disciples of Christ.
6. Exemplary Lifestyle of the Workers (2 Cor. 3:1-3; Rom. 2:21-24): These are character
and competence of Christ as seen by others both in the Church and on the streets. It is a
lifestyle that corresponds to that of Christ that Men admires in us that makes them want
to follow Christ. The workers must be good examples to the members in all things that
concerned holiness and righteousness, always “walking the talk”, which will go a long
way in disciple making.
7. Recruitment of Members into Workforce: The deployment of members as intending
workers for training as workers, positions the school as disciple making. It is always a
purpose-driven employment of members to be workers in the Sunday (Bible) School
among the students. This metamorphosis from members of the Sunday (Bible) School to
Workers is an indication of spiritual transformation of the selected member which is a
proven method of disciple making in the school. Sometimes, the end result will be that
they become ministers in the Church.
Making disciples through the Sunday (Bible) School would be meaningful if workers and the
Sunday School officers are alive to their responsibilities. If they can work together as a team, to
do meaningful visitation and pray effectively for their members.
IV. THE REWARDS OF MAKING DISCIPLES: Lev. 26:3-13; Matt. 28:20; Rom. 10:15.
This act of making disciples is the most important and urgent task the Lord has
committed to every believer. Now talking about the rewards of making disciples, it is numerous
but I will mention a few of them here. We experience the following: The peace of God, God's
mercy, God's presence (Matt. 28:20), Success in one's endeavour (Jos. 1:8) and deep satisfaction.
The advantages of making disciples are: disciplined Church members, ability to withstand storms
of life; understand the nature, mind and ways of God, be grounded in the truth and more
commitment to the vision of their Church.
CONCLUSION
From the above, it can be said that the Great Commission has to do with going out to win
souls, building them up so as to make them to grow into the measure of the stature of the fullness
of Christ which the Sunday (Bible) School is not exempted. A disciple of Jesus is that convert
who learns at the feet of Christ with the aim and determination of putting into practice what he
learns so that he can be like Jesus Christ. It is someone who, having accepted Jesus as his Lord

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and Saviour, willingly and continually accepts the teachings of Christ, not only in belief but also
in lifestyle. He learns the words of Jesus and has the determination to be like Him every day.
Discipleship is not a short-term course. When starts, it continues throughout one’s life. It is a
lifelong walk and commitment.
The role of the Sunday (Bible) School is very germane in disciples making process as is
the first agency that will be in touch with raw materials (converts) for the process of making
disciples. Thus, the school must perform its role efficiently to be able to produce disciples that
will bring about Church growth. Much depends on our obedience and commitment to this
command. May we not be found to be a bundle of disappointment in Jesus' name (Amen).

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