Go Make Disciples - Darren Rowse
If you’ve been hanging around with us for a while, you’ll know that discipleship isn't just a buzzword at One Church—it's one of our core values.
We exist to be a church of disciple-makers, equipped and sent to help people discover Jesus, experience his love and grace, and join us as we follow him.
Recently, Pastor Darren Rowse shared an incredibly inspiring and practical message on this very topic, inviting both seasoned followers and curious explorers to consider what it means to truly walk with Jesus.
In this post, we’ll explore the three movements of discipleship, look at a simple, yet profound, invitation from the Bible, and offer some actionable steps and questions for reflection.
The sermon this post is based on is rooted in Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and the brief, powerful encounter between Philip and Nathanael in John 1:43-49.
What is a Disciple?
As Darren highlighted, drawing on the work of John Mark Comer, becoming a disciple involves three simple, yet profound, movements in our lives:
1. Be With Jesus
This is the starting point. Just like the first disciples who walked roads, shared meals, and sat with Jesus, our call is to spend time with him. This means being devoted to prayer and to the apostles’ teaching (what we now read in the Bible). It’s in this being that everything else flows.
2. Become Like Jesus
When you spend time with anyone, they rub off on you—you start to talk like them, see the world like them, and act like them. By being with Jesus, we gradually become more like him. This process is driven by the Holy Spirit and involves Jesus highlighting areas in our lives that need work, healing, and change. Disciples don't stay the same.
3. Do As Jesus Did
The Great Commission wasn't just an internal call; it was a mission! Jesus sends his apprentices out to do the things they saw him do: preach, heal, and love in practical ways. This is the outward expression of the change happening within.
"We as a church are passionate about changing people's lives. If you're a part of our church, we don't want you to be the same today as you are in three months time... We want you to change. We want you to grow in these things."
The Power of "Come and See"
It's one thing to read about discipleship in a vision document and another to actually live it out—especially the part where Jesus asks us to "go and make disciples". For many of us, this can feel intimidating. Darren admitted that even for him, hearing the word "evangelism" can bring up feelings of fear and discomfort. We often outsource this job to the "gifted" or the "extroverts."
But what if disciple-making could be as simple and spontaneous as sharing something you genuinely love?
That’s where the beautiful, short story of Philip and Nathanael in John 1:43-49 comes in.
Evangelism is Simply Sharing What You’ve Found
Philip, fresh off his own life-changing encounter with Jesus, immediately finds his friend Nathanael. His message is bursting with enthusiasm: "We have found the one Moses wrote about... Jesus of Nazareth!"
Nathanael, having some prejudices about Jesus' hometown, immediately throws out a classic Aussie skeptical line: "Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?"
Philip's response is the game-changer—it’s the perfect blueprint for sharing our faith:
“Come and see.”
Think about it: we do this all the time! We recommend books, movies on Netflix, great mechanics, or a brilliant coffee spot. We share what we’ve found to be good news with confidence and enthusiasm. Sharing Jesus is no different—it's simply inviting a friend to explore Jesus for themselves.
Don’t Get Caught Up in the Doubts
Philip didn't get into a theological debate about Nazareth’s history. He knew that what would ultimately convince Nathanael wasn’t his clever answer, but meeting Jesus.
"We invite people to encounter Jesus and Jesus takes over from there. Leslie Newbigan says, 'We do not bring people to Christ by clever arguments, but by bearing witness to what we have found and inviting others into that same discovery.'"
The Two Invitations
Darren concluded with two powerful invitations:
1. For the Followers: Be a Harvester
Jesus says, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore to send out the workers..." (Matthew 9:37-38).
Darren shared that right after Jesus says this, He sends out his disciples! The call is clear: don't just pray for revival—be willing to be a part of it. Be ready to step in when the time is right and say, "Come and see."
2. For the Explorers: Approach Jesus
Nathanael, despite his doubts, was curious. Philip’s simple invitation led him to approach Jesus. When Jesus saw him coming, he revealed a deep knowledge of Nathanael's heart, which instantly convicted him.
If you’re standing on the edge of the pool, wondering what it’s all about, the invitation is to continue to walk towards him. This might look like coming to our Alpha course, or it might be as simple as beginning a conversation with Jesus in prayer.
The journey of discipleship is an infinity pool—there’s always a call to go into deeper water. And it’s not just for us! We are all invited to be a part of the incredible mission to bring others into that life-changing water as well. Let’s be a church that is always changing, always growing, and always saying “Come and see” to the world around us.
One Way to Live it Out this Week
For the next week, choose one person you know who is restless, searching, or longing for something more. Simply pray a short, honest prayer for them every day. Then, look for one natural, non-pushy opportunity to simply be with them and listen to what they are searching for. You don't have to preach—just build the relationship.
A Short Prayer for your Week
Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting me into life with Jesus. Give me the courage and enthusiasm of Philip to share the good news simply and naturally. Help me to be a disciple who is always growing, and a disciple-maker who is always looking for the opportunity to say, "Come and see." Amen.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
Personal Reflection Questions:
Where are you currently at in the "infinity pool" of your journey with Jesus? Are you in the deep end, the shallow end, or just dipping your toes in as an explorer?
Thinking about the three movements (Be With, Become Like, Do As), which area do you feel the Holy Spirit is challenging you to grow in the most right now?
Who is one person in your life that you could naturally and spontaneously invite to "Come and see" Jesus this week, and what might that look like for them?
Small Group Discussion Questions:
What is one thing that you found most inspiring or challenging about this message on discipleship and being a "disciple-maker"?
Pastor Darren defined a disciple as an apprentice of Jesus. What does that term bring to mind for you, and how does it differ from simply being a "follower" or a "Christian"?
Reflecting on the three movements—Be With Jesus, Become Like Jesus, and Do As Jesus Did—which of these do you find the easiest, and which do you find the most difficult? Why?
Why do you think the idea of evangelism often makes us feel uncomfortable, and how does Philip’s simple invitation, "Come and see," change your view of what evangelism can be?
Darren spoke about knowing what the people around you are longing for or searching for. How do we get close enough to people in our homes, workplaces, or neighbourhoods to genuinely know their longings?
Nathanael’s doubt was immediately met by Philip's simple invitation and then Jesus’s profound encounter. When you share your faith, do you tend to get more caught up in answering doubts or in giving the invitation to meet Jesus? How can we better balance this?
Jesus said, "Pray for workers," and then immediately sent out his disciples. What is one practical step your group can take this week to actively participate in "the harvest" in your local area?
As a group, let’s share the name of one person we are currently praying for to meet Jesus and spend a few minutes praying for one another to have the courage to say, "Come and see," to them.