COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

HOLISTIC DISCIPLESHIP

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. - Matthew 28:19-20a

Teaching them to observe all things requires holistic discipleship!

Holism: the view that an organic or integrated whole has a reality independent of and greater than the sum of its parts.

The practice of holistic medicine realizes that one must observe all things pertaining to the well-being of body and soul for ultimate health. The practice of Christian discipleship also must observe all things that Jesus commanded the twelve for there to be ultimate health and maturity of spirit, soul and body.

Many gifted and anointed people are lacking in one or more of the following:

Love, joy, peace, and all of the other fruit of the Spirit

Ruled spirit

Disciplined countenance

Strong marriages and families

Economic stability and stewardship

Social graces

Command of language

Personal hygiene and/or appropriate dress

Cross-cultural adaptation

Homemaking skills

Right attitudes

Etc., etc., etc.

Holistic discipling - speaking the truth in love - causes our disciples to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the Head - Christ (Ephesians 4:15), that they may stand perfect (mature) and complete (fully orbed) in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12).

The anxious longing of creation cries out for the manifestation of the (mature and fully orbed) sons of God. - Romans 8:19

Let’s follow Jesus’ example and commission to thoroughly disciple the nations, one person at a time.