The question often arises in our journey as disciples: Which is more challenging—bringing someone to faith (evangelism) or making disciples out of new converts? For many, sharing the Gospel is exciting, especially when witnessing someone choose to be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit. There is a profound joy in seeing people awakened to God’s love and truth, understanding the Oneness of God, and being born again into the kingdom. However, the real challenge comes after that first step of faith—when we invite people into a journey of transformation, guiding them to not only believe in Jesus but to allow the image of Christ to be formed within them. This is the heart of discipleship, and it’s a challenging process, particularly in today’s world, where instant gratification and personal comfort reign supreme.

The Challenge of Making Disciples in the 21st Century

While many are eager to be saved, transforming a believer into a true disciple of Christ can be a monumental task. We live in a time when self-interest, comfort, and personal opinions are at the forefront of many people’s lives. Society often promotes a culture of indulgence, and the idea of sacrificing one’s desires for God’s will seems radical and out of place. For many, the idea of following Jesus sounds inspiring until they encounter the parts of His teachings that call them to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him wholeheartedly.

In discipleship, we are called to a life of surrender, to crucify the flesh, and to “die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). This isn’t an easy path, especially as modern doctrines emphasize only God’s grace and provision, sometimes neglecting the vital teachings on self-discipline and sacrifice. In the Oneness Apostolic faith, we understand that grace empowers us to pursue holiness and conform to Jesus's image, not to remain as we are. But today’s world often resists these teachings, presenting comfort and self-satisfaction as greater priorities.

The Call to Pray and Fast for New Converts—and to Continue for Disciples

We have often seen a powerful call for prayer and fasting over new converts, urging them to recognize their need for the cross and the freedom of baptism in Jesus’ name. This emphasis on prayer is foundational; it ignites their spiritual journey and helps them grasp the weight of salvation. Yet, when it comes to discipleship, the focus often shifts. The emphasis turns toward teaching, doctrine, and knowledge. While these are essential, something vital can be lost if we abandon the fervency of prayer and intercession that first brought them to Christ.

Paul’s example with the Galatians is a powerful reminder of the intensity required for the journey of discipleship. He did not merely teach them; he travailed for them, expressing his deep longing and labour “until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). Paul’s intensity was unyielding, understanding that without fervent, ongoing prayer, the Galatians might be swayed by false doctrines, tempted by the world, or misled into believing that knowledge alone could sustain their faith. As disciple-makers, we should share Paul’s burden, interceding fervently that new converts would receive a deep revelation of Jesus as the One True God and that their faith would stand firm in a world full of compromise.

Why We Need Christ Formed in Us

Paul wasn’t satisfied with simply seeing people experience salvation; he was dedicated to seeing them transformed into the very likeness of Christ. Being a disciple is not merely knowing about Christ or following His teachings. It is to become like Him. It is to allow His Spirit to transform every part of our lives—our thoughts, actions, and desires—so that we reflect His holiness and love in a world that desperately needs to see Jesus. This transformation, however, cannot happen without God’s intervention and our continual surrender to His will.

The doctrines of grace and prosperity, while emphasizing God’s love and provision, can sometimes create an imbalance when they overshadow the call to holiness, obedience, and sacrifice. Grace, as we know it, is not a license to live comfortably at the expense of true transformation; rather, it empowers us to live a life that honours God in the face of sacrifice and discomfort. We need prayer to keep us anchored in this truth and to resist the temptation to follow a version of Christianity that is comfortable but lacks the power to change us.

The Role of Prayer in Apostolic Discipleship

Prayer is essential for discipleship because it aligns our will with God’s, allowing His Spirit to work in us. It’s not enough to teach people about the doctrines of Christ; we must also pray fervently that they will have the strength to live them out. Prayer, particularly intercessory prayer, invites God’s divine power into the areas of our lives that need transformation.

In discipleship, we pray for ourselves and those we disciple to have the grace to withstand the refining fire that comes with spiritual growth. We need the courage to confront our sins, surrender our will, and let go of comforts that hinder our walk with God. Only God can empower us to crucify the flesh daily, to forgive as He forgives, and to love as He loves. Our prayer should be that Christ may truly be formed in us and that His presence in our lives is more than skin-deep, impacting every facet of our being.

Crucifying the Flesh in an Age of Self-Indulgence

The calling to crucify our flesh is particularly difficult in an age that prizes self-indulgence. Daily, we are bombarded with messages encouraging us to prioritize our comfort, wealth, and personal freedom. Yet Jesus calls us to a path that often goes against these desires. He challenges us to “deny ourselves” and follow Him, even when it costs us something deeply personal. Discipleship means putting our ego, ambitions, and comforts on the altar, trusting that God’s plan and purpose are far better.

As disciple-makers, we recognize that discipleship requires more prayer than evangelism because it is an ongoing process. We cannot afford to reduce it to teaching and information alone. While knowledge helps believers understand, it is the prayer that empowers them to live the truths they learn. We need to pray with the intensity Paul displayed, labouring in the Spirit so that new believers will not only accept Christ’s cross but carry their own, daily crucifying their flesh and allowing the life of Christ to be formed within them.

Praying for God’s Intervention

True discipleship is not a task that can be accomplished by human effort alone. We need God to intervene, to open our eyes to His truth, to soften our hearts, and to strengthen our resolve. As pastors, leaders, and disciple-makers, we must spend time interceding for the people under our care, praying that they will grow beyond superficial faith and allow God’s Spirit to take root deeply within them.

Our prayer should echo Paul’s: that we would labour in prayer until Christ is formed in those we disciple. We must ask God to protect them from the distractions and deceptions of this world and to give them a hunger for His Word and His presence. Only through His intervention can we hope to raise up disciples willing to walk the narrow path of true transformation, allowing Christ to be fully formed within them.

A Prayer for Christ to Be Formed in Us

Let us pray that God would mould us into the image of Jesus Christ, and that we would not settle for a comfortable faith but instead strive for a life that reflects His holiness, love, and humility. May we continually seek His face, ask for His strength, and yield our hearts to Him. As we pray, we may be reminded that discipleship is not just a calling but a journey of becoming more like Christ. And in this journey, may our greatest desire be for Christ to be formed in us and in all whom we lead.

In a world that prizes comfort, may we choose the path of transformation, for it is there that we find true life. May we be true disciples, grounded in the Apostles’ doctrine, empowered by His Spirit, and conformed to His image, bringing His light to those around us.