You Are the Plan
From the very beginning, following Jesus has meant helping others follow Him too. Jesus said, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). When we choose Jesus, He doesn't just save us—He also sends us to help others know Him.
Every week, we see people choose to follow Jesus. This is called evangelism—sharing the good news about Jesus. But evangelism is just the first step. After someone decides to follow Jesus, they need someone to teach them how to live for Him. This next step is called discipleship.
Jesus showed us exactly how to do this. When He called His first disciples, He didn’t set up a classroom or hand out textbooks. Instead, He invited them to be with Him every day. They learned by watching and listening as Jesus lived among them. Jesus taught by His example—how He loved people, how He prayed, and how He obeyed God.
This means that real discipleship happens through relationships. When we share life with someone else, we show them what following Jesus looks like. And this isn’t just about new believers either. All believers need other mature Christians to guide and encourage them. We were made to make disciples, and we need to continue our own discipleship through community. Discipleship isn’t a class, and it doesn't conclude until the casket is closed.
Why is this so important? Because God’s plan to reach the whole world depends on it. The Bible says everyone can know something about God by looking at creation (Romans 1:20). But there’s a problem. Even though people see evidence of God, they still turn away from Him. Paul explains, “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks” (Romans 1:21, NLT).
Some people wonder, “How could a loving God send innocent people to hell if they’ve never heard about Jesus?” The answer is that there are no innocent people. Everyone, everywhere, has turned away from God and needs Jesus to be forgiven.
Here is the good news: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13, NLT). But for someone to call on Jesus, they must first hear about Him. Paul says:
People can’t call on Jesus unless they believe in Him.
They can’t believe unless they hear about Him.
They can’t hear unless someone tells them.
And no one will tell them unless they are sent.
This is how evangelism and discipleship connect: Evangelism introduces people to Jesus. Discipleship shows them how to follow Him. Both are necessary for God's plan to reach the world.
God’s plan is simple: He sends us. We tell others about Jesus. They believe and become followers. Then we disciple them, teaching them how to live for Him. Those new followers then go out and reach even more people. This cycle continues, spreading God's love around the world while the Kingdom multiplies. This is how we complete the Great Commission!
There is no plan B. You and I are the people God intends to use to reach the world. Many Christians ask, “What is God’s will for my life?” The answer is clear. God's will is for us to share Jesus with everyone—especially those who have never heard.
So, the real question is not “What is God’s will?” but “Will we obey God’s will?”
Will you share Jesus? Will you open your life to make disciples? Will you be the person God uses to change someone’s eternity?
You are God's plan to reach the world.
