How does Judges 2:7 connect with the importance of discipleship in Matthew 28:19-20? Remembering Judges 2:7 “And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua and all the days of the elders who outlived him and had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel.” Discipleship Already at Work • Joshua’s generation didn’t merely know about God—they had personally “seen all the great work” He had done. • Their firsthand witness produced a living, obedient faith that spread outward to the elders who outlived Joshua. • For as long as those eyewitnesses were present, the nation kept serving the LORD. The Warning in the Next Verse Judges 2:10 bluntly reports, “And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that He had done for Israel.” The baton of faith was dropped. Lack of intentional, ongoing discipleship opened the door to idolatry and national collapse (Judges 2:11-15). Jesus’ Remedy—Matthew 28:19-20 “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, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Connecting the Dots • Judges 2:7 highlights the power of firsthand testimony; Matthew 28 commands us to pass that testimony on purposefully. • Joshua’s generation shows what happens when faith is modeled; Jesus commands an intentional strategy—going, baptizing, teaching—so no generation is left ignorant. • Where Judges exposes the cost of neglected discipleship, Matthew supplies the perpetual solution: continual disciple-making until Christ returns. Why This Matters for Us • Discipleship is generational insurance. It preserves truth beyond the lifespan of eyewitnesses. • It must be intentional. Good beginnings (Joshua) need constant reinforcement (“teaching them to obey”). • It is comprehensive: involves going (initiative), baptizing (identity), and teaching obedience (transformation). • It relies on Christ’s presence—“I am with you always”—the same divine power that sustained Joshua’s victories (Joshua 1:5-9). Practical Steps 1. Share stories of God’s works—personal testimonies make doctrine tangible. 2. Invest in younger believers one-on-one (2 Timothy 2:2). 3. Integrate Scripture into daily life rhythms (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). 4. Model obedience, not merely information transfer (James 1:22). 5. Encourage multi-generational mentoring in the local church (Titus 2:1-8). Other Scriptures Echo the Call • Psalm 78:5-7 – Teach the next generation so they “set their hope in God.” • 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ.” • 3 John 4 – “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Judges 2:7 shows the blessing of faithful, eyewitness discipleship; Matthew 28:19-20 turns that blessing into a standing order so every generation—and every nation—can serve the LORD continuously. |
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