Disciples Are Made Not Born

1. Discipleship Requires a Vision Beyond Organization

We do not decide to have an organization and then seek to staff it with a president, vice-president, and secretary.

Vision-driven ministry. True discipleship transcends organizational loyalty, focusing instead on God's vision. Organizations should serve the vision, not the other way around. The goal is to recruit people to God's purpose, not merely to fill positions within a structure.

Avoiding the organizational trap. It's easy to prioritize organizational success over genuine spiritual growth. A key is to ensure that activities are driven by a desire to meet spiritual needs, not just to boost statistics or break records.

Exalting Christ. The focus should always be on exalting Jesus Christ, not promoting a particular denomination or program. When Christ is lifted up, people are naturally drawn to Him, and the organization becomes a tool for His purposes.

2. Faithfulness Is a Privilege, Not a Favor

If we neglect this important principle, we run the risk of recruiting unfaithful men.

Volunteer basis. Involvement in God's work should always be voluntary, never coerced. God values quality over quantity and will not sacrifice the integrity of His work to gain more participants.

Avoiding the "favor" mentality. Recruits should never feel they are doing God or the leader a favor by being faithful. Instead, they should recognize the privilege and honor of serving Christ.

Quality over quantity. It's better to have a smaller group of committed individuals than a larger group of lukewarm participants. If programs cannot be staffed with the right people, it may be better to terminate them.

3. Depth Over Breadth: Grow Into Ministry

When you try to go into business rather than grow into business, you spread your resources thin and dissipate your efforts.

Thrust and conserve. Ministry should have a rhythm of thrust and conserve. Recruit a small band of individuals, then throttle back and build deeply into their lives. Only after they are properly discipled should you thrust out again.

Avoiding the shotgun approach. It's better to focus on a few individuals and disciple them thoroughly than to try to reach a large number of people superficially. This ensures that the ministry is effective and sustainable.

Prioritizing depth. The goal is not to hit every deer in the clearing but to bring home one or two. This requires a commitment to in-depth training and discipleship, rather than a broad, shallow approach.

4. Tailor Ministry to the Person, Not Vice Versa

Our goal should be to help them, and people can usually tell the difference.

Meeting individual needs. The focus should be on helping individuals, not using them to accomplish a vision. Determine what each person needs and tailor the ministry to meet those needs.

Prioritizing being over doing. The Lord is far more interested in what a person is than in what he can do. The initial stages of discipleship should focus on character development, not skill acquisition.

Avoiding the "cookie-cutter" approach. Each person is unique, and the discipling process should be tailored to his or her individual needs, gifts, and circumstances. This requires a willingness to be flexible and adaptable.

5. Holistic Development: Teaching, Training, Building

Recruitment, to discipleship, therefore, must continue during the training process.

Three dimensions of growth. Discipleship must encompass teaching (imparting knowledge), training (imparting skill), and building (imparting character). All three are essential for holistic development.

Recruitment and training intertwined. Unlike other pursuits, recruitment and training go hand in hand in the Christian life. The training process must continually recruit the would-be disciple to Christ.

The building process. Building involves changing a person's sense of values and affecting his whole personality. This is accomplished through Bible study, creating a supportive environment, and prayer.

6. Love and Rebuke: A Balanced Approach

Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed.

Love as a mark of discipleship. Love is a defining characteristic of discipleship, but it must be blended with rebuke. This requires a willingness to confront sin and challenge others to grow.

The importance of discipline. The church has surrendered its responsibility to discipline one another. Faithful Christians are willing to give and receive rebuke, recognizing that it is an act of love.

Avoiding the "scoffer" mentality. People are often afraid to rebuke others because they fear rejection. Disciples must cultivate a teachable spirit and be willing to receive correction with humility.

7. Servanthood: The Mark of True Leadership

The mark of leadership is servanthood.

Leading by example. True leaders serve, not command. They show people what to do by personal example, rather than simply telling them what to do.

The servant's heart. Disciples must be willing to roll up their sleeves and serve others, even in menial tasks. This requires a willingness to put the needs of others before their own.

Fending against pride. All Christians like to be called servants, but few want to act like one or be treated like one. This tendency, which is based in human pride, must be recognized and resisted.

8. Reproduce Your Life, For Better or Worse

You reproduce after your own kind whether you like it or not.

The power of example. Disciples will naturally imitate their leaders, for better or worse. It's crucial to be the kind of person you want your disciple to become.

Consistency is key. Leaders must live consistently with their teachings. If they preach one thing but do another, their disciples will likely follow their actions, not their words.

Personal responsibility. Leaders must take responsibility for their own growth and development, recognizing that their lives will have a profound impact on those they disciple.

9. Assurance and Prayer: Cornerstones of Follow-Up

Every person who has the Son has life.

Reiterating salvation. Ensure the new believer understands the plan of salvation and has assurance of eternal life. Address any doubts or uncertainties they may have.

Praying for growth. The majority of New Testament prayers focus on the growth and maturity of new Christians. Pray specifically for their spiritual development and protection from temptation.

Frequent visits. Visit the new believer soon and frequently after his decision for Christ. This is especially important during the initial days and weeks, when he is most vulnerable to Satan's attacks.

10. Consistent Spiritual Diet: Word and Prayer

Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.

Quiet time. Encourage the new believer to establish a consistent quiet time with the Lord, including prayer and Bible reading. Provide practical guidance and resources to help him get started.

Bible reading. Start with small portions of Scripture, preferably from the New Testament or the Psalms. Help the new believer develop a love for God's Word.

Bible study. Teach the new believer how to feed himself from the Word of God. Expose him to mature Christians who can feed him, but emphasize the importance of learning to study the Bible independently.

11. Love and Acceptance: The Soil for Growth

There is one thing it is impossible to give people too much of, and that is love.

Tender loving care. Envelop the new believer with love and acceptance. Make him feel a part of the family of God.

Involve him in your family. Invite him over for meals and make him feel a part of your family. Share your life with him and let him see your love for others.

Involve him in the church. Introduce him to the warmth and fellowship of the church. Help him find a place to serve and connect with other believers.

12. Conviction and Perspective: The Arch Stones of Training

For he looked steadily at the ultimate, not the immediate, reward.

Conviction and perspective. These are the two most important aspects of the training process. They are essential ingredients in "The Art of Discipling."

Principles over methods. Focus on teaching principles rather than methods. Help the disciple understand the "why" behind what he does, not just the "how."

Meeting needs over techniques. Focus on meeting the needs of others, rather than developing and imparting techniques. This requires a willingness to listen, empathize, and serve.

Last updated: April 3, 2025