Why make disciples?
Jesus told his disciples to make disciples in Matthew 28:19-20. This is the Great Commission. Youth ministry is a disciple-making gold mine. But what is the motive? Why make disciples? Simply put, because we love God with our whole hearts, souls and minds. And we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. That s why we want young people to have the greatest gift of all the gift of an eternal relationship with Jesus. This is the great commandment Jesus spoke of in Matthew 22:37-38. As we learn to love God, he gives us love for others. Loving God, loving others Jesus loved God first and foremost. He showed this through his prayerful dependence on God. The disciples knew Jesus prayed (Luke 9:18; Luke 22:32; John 17:1). He showed them how to pray (Matthew 6:5-13). Jesus prayers demonstrated a life of dependence on the Father, not self. Prayer needs to be an essential component of our youth groups. A second way Jesus showed his love for the Father was through the priority of the word of God i
