Making disciples involves a deliberate and intentional process of nurturing Christ-followers in their relationship with Jesus Christ and equipping them to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Jesus’ method of discipleship was relational, intentional, and holistic. He invested more than three years (26,280 hours) nurturing the spiritual growth and development of 12 disciples. The following are the basic principles we discover in Jesus’ discipleship process.

Personal Relationship

Jesus built personal relationships with his disciples. He spent time with them, ate with them, traveled with them, and engaged in conversations with them. Through these interactions, he got to know them intimately and demonstrated care and concern for their well-being.

Key Point: Building authentic relationships with individuals is key to making disciples. Invest time in getting to know them, listen to their stories, and show genuine care and concern for their well-being.

Teaching and Instruction

Jesus taught his disciples through both formal instruction and informal conversations. He used parables, sermons, and direct teachings to convey spiritual truths and principles. Jesus’ teachings covered a wide range of topics, including the kingdom of God, love, forgiveness, servanthood, and the process of discipleship itself.

Key Point: Provide biblical teaching and instruction to help individuals understand the foundational truths of the Christian faith. Study the Bible together, discuss theological concepts, and explore practical applications for daily living.

Modeling

Jesus didn’t just teach his disciples verbally; he also lived out the principles he taught. His actions, attitudes, and interactions with others served as a model for his disciples to emulate. Jesus’ life demonstrated humility, compassion, selflessness, and obedience to God, providing a practical example of what it means to follow him.

Key Point: Set an example of what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Demonstrate love, compassion, humility, integrity, and obedience in your own life, serving as a positive role model for others to follow.

Encouragement and Support

Throughout their time together, Jesus corrected his disciples when they misunderstood his teachings or acted inappropriately. He provided guidance, encouragement, and correction as needed, helping them to mature in their faith and understanding.

Key Point: Offer encouragement, support, and accountability to individuals as they navigate their faith journey. Celebrate their successes, offer guidance in times of struggle, and walk alongside them through both joys and challenges.

Equipping for Ministry

Jesus gave his disciples opportunities to apply what they had learned by sending them out on missions. He empowered them to preach, teach, heal the sick, cast out demons, make disciples, and perform other acts of ministry. These experiences allowed the disciples to put their faith into action and grow in their understanding of Jesus’ teachings.

Key Point: Help those you disciple discover and develop their spiritual gifts and talents, teach them that they can be empowered to use their God-given gifts to serve others and advance God’s kingdom. Provide opportunities for practical ministry involvement and leadership development.

Prayer

Jesus prayed for His disciples. Pray consistently for the individuals you are discipling, asking God to guide them, strengthen them, and empower them by His Spirit.

Key Point: Prayer is essential in the process of making disciples because it acknowledges our dependence on God’s grace and guidance.

Multiplication

Jesus gave this command to the apostles just before He ascended into heaven. This command is for all His disciples:

“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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

“Make disciples” is the primary command of the Great Commission. “Going,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” are how we fulfill the command to “make disciples.”

Key Point: Encourage those you disciple to replicate the process by investing their lives in the lives of others. Discipleship is not meant to be a one-way relationship but a cycle of growth and multiplication, where each disciple becomes a disciple-maker themselves.

Ultimately, making disciples is about following the example of Jesus Christ, who invested in the lives of His followers, teaching them, empowering them, and sending them out to continue His mission. It requires love, patience, humility, and a commitment to walking alongside others as they grow in their relationship with God.