To equip pastors with a vision and strategy for making disciples at every age and stage of life, creating a culture where spiritual maturity and multiplication are the norm, not the exception.
Introduction: The Commission that Never Expires
Opening Thought:
“Jesus didn’t just call us to build crowds—He commanded us to make disciples.”
Scripture Anchor:
“Go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19–20
Prompt for Reflection:
“What does a fully discipled person look like in your church—and do you have a clear path for getting them there?”
What Is the Disciple-Making Element?
Definition:
The Disciple-Making Element focuses on the spiritual formation of people from birth to death—moving them from new believers to mature, reproducing disciples, or what we call “spiritual grandparents.”
Why It Matters:
- It fulfills Jesus’ Great Commission.
- It builds depth, not just width.
- It creates sustainability and multiplication across generations.
Key Lanes of Disciple-Making
Each lane plays a vital role in helping people grow in Christ.
1. Kids Ministry
- Goal: Lay a biblical foundation and introduce children to a personal faith.
- Focus Areas: Top 50 Bible Stories, reading the bible, prayer, experiencing God, family discipleship
- Guiding Question: “Are we just entertaining kids or making little disciples?”
2. Youth Ministry
- Goal: Help students develop a personal and resilient faith in Jesus.
- Focus Areas: Three-year approach with Bible engagement, connecting with God, worldview, Identity, belonging, and spiritual habits.
- Guiding Question: “Are our teens being prepared to stand firm and stand out in culture?”
3. Adult Discipleship in Groups
- Goal: Create communities for spiritual growth, accountability, and mission.
- Focus Areas: Life groups, mentoring pairs, discipleship huddles, Sunday classes. See Disciple-Making Masterclass for more information.
- Guiding Question: “Do we offer clear next steps for every adult to grow deeper?”
4. Sunday Morning Services
- Goal: Inspire, teach, and form discipleship habits in the gathered church body.
- Focus Areas: Bible-based preaching, Christ-centered worship, personal application, response opportunities.
- Key Insight: Sunday is not the only place discipleship happens—but it’s often the first.
- Best Practices: Include “next steps” in sermons to move people beyond the moment.
- Guiding Question: “Are our services designed to grow disciples, not just fill seats?”
6. Ministries as Discipleship Vehicles
- Definition: Every ministry (worship, outreach, hospitality, etc.) becomes a place of intentional spiritual growth.
- Key Principle: Serving is not just doing—it’s becoming.
- Guiding Question: “Do our ministry teams know they’re part of the discipleship process?”
7. Generational Growth & Reproduction
- Concept: Disciples become disciple-makers. Spiritual “parents” become “grandparents.”
- Language: From “attending” to “reproducing.”
- Guiding Question: “Who is being discipled, and who are they discipling?”
Assessment Activity: Discipleship Pathway Checkup
- Do we have a clear discipleship path for each life stage and environment?
- How do we help a new believer take their next step?
- Where do we currently lack intentionality in spiritual formation?
- Are we measuring attendance or transformation?
- How can Sunday services become more intentionally disciple-forming in your context?
- Are you currently discipling people or managing programs?
- What’s one lane of discipleship in your church that needs better alignment?
Rate (1–5) the strength of each lane:
- Kids
- Youth
- Adults
- Sunday Services
- Ministries
- Generational Reproduction
Application: Building a Culture of Discipleship
Challenge to Pastors:
“Identify one group or environment (kids, youth, adults, Sunday services, etc.) where you will focus new energy on intentional discipleship this quarter.”
Ideas for Action:
- Create a “Discipleship Moment” at the end of every Sunday message.
- Train group leaders to mentor emerging leaders.
- Develop milestone pathways for every age group.
- Clarify how each ministry leader contributes to the disciple-making mission.
Closing Thought:
“Discipleship isn’t a ministry of the church. It is the ministry of the church.”