Transforming Discipleship

1. Discipleship is the core mission of the church

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).

The Great Commission. Jesus' final command to his followers was to make disciples, not just converts. This mandate forms the foundation of the church's mission and purpose. Discipleship involves more than just bringing people to faith; it's about helping them grow into mature, reproducing followers of Christ.

Current discipleship deficit. Many churches today focus on programs, attendance, and numeric growth, neglecting the deeper work of disciple-making. This has resulted in a "discipleship gap" where many believers lack depth in their faith and struggle to live out Christian principles in their daily lives.

Signs of the discipleship deficit:

• Lack of biblical knowledge
• Minimal lifestyle differences between Christians and non-Christians
• Few believers actively sharing their faith
• Limited involvement in ministry beyond Sunday attendance

2. Traditional approaches to discipleship have fallen short

"We have tried to make disciples through programs."

Program-centric approach. Churches often rely on classes, seminars, and structured programs to disciple believers. While these can be helpful, they often fail to produce lasting transformation or equip people to disciple others.

Limitations of traditional methods:

• Information-focused rather than relational
• One-size-fits-all approach
• Lack of personal accountability
• Limited opportunities for modeling and practice

Shift in mindset needed. Effective discipleship requires moving from a program-based model to a relational, life-on-life approach that emphasizes personal investment, practical application, and reproducibility.

3. Jesus' model: Invest deeply in a few to reach many

"Jesus staked the future of his ministry on his investment in a few."

Strategic focus. Jesus chose twelve disciples to be his closest followers, investing deeply in their lives over three years. This intentional approach allowed for:

• Internalization of Jesus' message and mission
• Multiplication of impact through trained disciples

Preparatory empowerment process. Jesus adapted his leadership style to the disciples' readiness level:

1. Living example (observation and imitation)
2. Provocative teacher (instruction and questioning)
3. Supportive coach (guided practice and feedback)
4. Ultimate delegator (independent ministry)

Long-term vision. By focusing on a few, Jesus created a sustainable model for exponential growth and impact that would far outlast his earthly ministry.

4. Paul's approach: Spiritual parenting for maturity

"Paul's writings are sprinkled with images of spiritual fatherhood and motherhood."

Parental discipleship model. Paul viewed discipleship through the lens of spiritual parenting, guiding believers through various stages of growth:

1. Infancy (imitation)
2. Childhood (identification)
3. Adolescence (exhortation)
4. Adulthood (participation)

Key elements of Paul's approach:

• Modeling Christ-like behavior
• Emotional investment and nurturing
• Challenging growth and maturity
• Empowering for ministry and reproduction

Goal of maturity. Paul's ultimate aim was to present everyone "mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:28), fully equipped for life and ministry.

5. The power of triads in discipleship

"I stumbled on a change of approach that has led to a 75 percent reproduction rate in an ever-growing network of church-based disciple-making strategy."

Triads vs. one-on-one. Discipleship groups of three (triads) offer several advantages over traditional one-on-one mentoring:

• Reduced pressure on the discipler
• More dynamic interaction and dialogue
• Multiple perspectives and wisdom
• Increased potential for reproduction

Peer mentoring model. Triads create a non-hierarchical environment where all participants can learn from and support one another, fostering mutual growth and accountability.

Reproducibility. The simplicity and effectiveness of triads make them easily replicable, allowing for exponential growth in discipleship networks.

6. Three essential elements for transformative discipleship

"When we (1) open our hearts in transparent trust to each other (2) around the truth of God's Word (3) in the spirit of mutual accountability, we are in the Holy Spirit's hothouse of transformation."

Transparent trust. Creating a safe environment for vulnerability and honesty allows for deep personal growth and healing.

Truth of God's Word. Engaging with Scripture provides:

• Teaching (foundational knowledge)
• Reproof (conviction of sin)
• Correction (guidance for change)
• Training in righteousness (practical application)

Mutual accountability. Committing to a covenant of growth and holding one another responsible fosters consistent progress and lasting change.

7. Creating a reproducible discipleship model

"Disciples cannot be mass produced. We cannot drop people into a program and see disciples emerge at the end of the production line. It takes time to make disciples. It takes individual personal attention."

Key components of a reproducible model:

• Simple, transferable structure (e.g., triads)
• Bible-based curriculum
• Covenantal commitment
• Focus on both personal growth and reproduction

Long-term perspective. Building a discipleship culture takes time and patience. Start small, focusing on quality relationships and gradual multiplication rather than rapid expansion.

Empowering reproduction. Equip and encourage disciples to start their own triads, creating a multi-generational network of discipleship.

8. Practical steps to implement a discipleship strategy

"How can we grow self-initiating, reproducing, fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ?"

Start with prayer. Seek God's guidance in selecting potential disciples, looking for qualities like loyalty to Christ and teachability.

Extend clear invitations. Present the discipleship opportunity, explaining expectations, commitment, and potential impact.

Use a structured approach. Implement a curriculum that covers essential aspects of Christian growth and provides a framework for discussion and application.

Foster multiplication. Throughout the discipleship process, cast vision for reproduction and equip participants to disciple others.

Evaluate and adjust. Regularly assess the effectiveness of your discipleship efforts, making necessary adjustments to improve impact and reproducibility.

By implementing these principles and practices, churches and individuals can create a culture of intentional discipleship that fulfills Christ's mandate and transforms lives for generations to come.

Last updated: November 5, 2024