What Does it Mean to Disciple Nations?

The Romans used the Greek term “ekklesia” for “governing a region”. However, they added the concept of “discipling a region”. When the Romans conquered a country or region, they sent in “ekklesias” to govern it. They knew they could not govern it in peace and have a long-lasting empire if they did not change the thinking of the people. The ekklesias would retrain them to become satisfied that they were citizens of a new kingdom, so that they would no longer desire their former way of life. This is what Jesus was referring to when He said Believers (His Ekklesia) were to disciple nations.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20; NIV)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

• Oh, get this revelation! God’s family was formed to disciple nations, not just make converts. Ponder this for a few minutes.
• Ask the Lord how you can participate in this discipling process in your realm of authority. If so, our nation will shift! Can you help change legislation? Can you write articles? Are you in a position to help rethink the way your company is doing business?
• Pray for God to open a door for you to speak into the next generation. Moms and dads, talk to your kids and their friends about godly principles. Educators and coaches, form relationships with your students and challenge their worldview. Pastors, especially children’s and youth pastors, you had better be able to preach the Word and defend it without bending to current cultural norms. Ekklesia, disciple!

A prayer you can pray:

Holy Spirit, teach me! Let me get this! I know this is going to shift America and change my life in the process! God’s family, the Ekklesia, of which I am a part, is meant to disciple nations—our nation! We are not doing that—yet! Show me how to disciple that part of the nation that is in my realm of influence. Give me strategies that attract both the saved and the unsaved. Thought processes can shift over time, if we patiently and respectfully keep going. Open doors for me to participate. May I learn all I can to bring the Word into the current culture and help shift America. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Today’s decree:

In Christ’s authority, I will work with the Family of God, the Ekklesia, to begin to disciple this nation in my realm of authority!