"... Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18-20.

The Disciple's Qualities

II Timothy 2:2-4. Basic Principles in Recruiting the prospective disciples.
The seven Qualities expected in the one who wants to be a disciple:
1). Teachability: Very important to be teachable. See if there is humbleness of heart to learn, putting aside preconceived ideas?
Lk. 2:46-47 "both listening to them and asking them questions.."--the young Jesus.
Is there Willingness to seriously learn with others in a training position?
2Tim. 2:2 "...heard of me among many witnesses..."

2). Commitment:Is a 2-way process demanding he involvement of lives.1 Chron.11:15-19 David
Jesus' commitment, even unto death.
DIsciple-maker must expend himself for his disciple and commit himself to him as he asked for a commitment in return.
2 -way process.
Acts 16:6-10. Paul's men committed themselves to him & the vision to Macedonia "and they went".
In both passages, men who committed themselves to David or Paul were leaders in themselves but followed them.
Commitment is to a vision & presupposes a commitment to a person (anointed of God).
e.g. Pouring into an uncovered vessel is easier than into a closed one. God only gioves vision to those in position whose lives are asanctified and consecrated to Him.
The disciple should be willing to be committed to the vision of becoming a disciple & disciple-maker with the help of his teacher/trainer.

3).Faithfulness: Important to stick on to task. Not just charisma or intellect. He that is faithful in little is also faithful in much. Lk. 16:6-12.
Faithfulness can be tested through:
i. the handling of little things: Lk. 16:10. It doesn't matter how popular because God looks at your record. One man and God is majority!
ii. the handling of worldly riches: Lk.16:11. "faithful in unrighteous mammon..."
Give of your tithes & offerings and God will honour you. Mal. 3:10.
iii. the handling of that which belongs to somebody else: Lk. 16:12 "faithful in that which is another man's..."
Accountability in the day to day life is necessary. Don't just delegate to anybody.

4).Ability: 2Tim. 2:2 "who will be able to teach others also".
a). Personal responsiveness to the word of God is essential: Don't commit the Word to any one who is not interested in Word himself; he won't be able to teach it if he fails to respond (e.g. baptism) to what he has already learned. Willing to apply truth to life.
b). Personal reproductiveness to the word of God is also essential:
MAtthew 13: 23. like receieving seed into good ground to bring forth fruit.
Jn. 15:16. chose you to bear fruit... that remain.

5. Steadfastness & Stickability: Steadfastness is perseverance in service. 1 Cor.15:58. Steadfastness is to do with commitment to a vision.
Everything you engage yourself to do will be to fulfill the vision.
Stickability: tenacity to stand firm under all conditions and circumstances.
1 Chron. 11:12-14. Eleazar & David fought till enemies fled, while others fled Stood their ground and fought.
Do you believe in what you are doing? The Lord Jesus stuck to the corss for our sakes.

6. Availability:
a. Availability means a single-hearted-mindedness without entangelement.
2 Tim. 2:4. "No man that warreth entangleth himself.."
We are in God's army.
Don't be a man of many ears! Or your commitment will be in question. Vice versa.
Availability means non-entanglement. e.g. Lk. 10:38-42 Martha not available to Jesus, entangled with tasks. Lk. 9:57-62.
Mary chose good part to listen to Jesus. If Martha was really serving she would have not complained!
Acts 8:26-40. Philip was available to the Lord.
Sometimes we seem to be serving the Lord but instead entangled & not doing what God intended for us.
Acts 9:10-19. Ananias was available to the Lord.
b.We can be entangled with our own thoughts and emotions.We need to be free.
Acts 16:6-10; 17:14-16; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4.
It is important to know, not just the names, but who they are.
To whom are we available?
We are available to the person we are committed as a result of our commitment to a vision.

7. Pleasing, Suitability: 2Tim. 2: 4. "please him who hath called him to be a soldier".
We are pleasing fistly not ourselves.
Suitable, not to ourselves but to the person who gave orders.
Reflected in our attitude and in our service.
We please the Lord by pleasing the people whom God has put under our charge.
As we please the Lord, our lives should be pleasing to others. This ties in with commitment, etc.

Basic Principles in Recruiting Prospective disciples:
1. Recruit to a vision, not an organization. An organization serves a vision. It can never be the vision.
2. Discipleship develops the whole man. Lk. 2:52- Physical, mental, social & spiritual. This implies training: Imparting knowledge (teaching), Equipping with skills (Training), Building Character (Transforming).
3. Recruit to help, not to use people. With concern for their spiritual welfare. Not to exploit people for own ends.
4. Be sure to give a realistic picture of yourself to disciple (Transparency). Humility- confess your weaknesses. Avoid the Danger- of idolising.
5. Keep proper balance between love and rebuke. Prov. 27:5-6.

The Lord's promise: "... and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Mat.28:20.