Four Foundations for Effective Discipleship

Foundation #1: Keep Jesus at the Center

There is no single method for effectively discipling people in Christ. But one thing is absolutely necessary: You must show others how much Jesus means to you and how much you love him. 

People need to see that following Christ is more than something we teach—it has genuinely transformed the way we live. Peter wanted to know what following Jesus meant for his life after leaving everything behind. Peter bluntly asked Jesus, “We have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” (Matthew 19:27, ESV). Peter’s life would go on to demonstrate what wholehearted devotion to Jesus looked like. This love for Jesus became a great testimony to the early church—and to us as believers today. 

Therefore, those wishing to disciple others need to express their genuine love for Jesus and how much he means to them. Paul understood that Christ himself—not merely a method or philosophy—had to remain at the center of his ministry. He told the Corinthians, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2, ESV). 

As the church considers how to better disciple people to become more like Christ, we should not become so caught up in methods and skills that we miss the heart of discipleship. Our goal is to foster a deep love for God and His Son, Jesus.

Foundation #2: Culture Over Programs

Just as every country has a culture, so too does every church have its own unique culture, whether the church can identify it or not.

Understanding your church’s culture is like understanding the type of car you have and its purpose. You would not want a tow truck doing laps on a racetrack or a Formula 1 racecar towing a totaled car. 

Likewise, we might accidentally be trying to implement programs or ministries in ways that our culture works against or at least is not equipped for. First, you have to understand the current culture of your church.

Ask yourself the following questions to consider how your culture affects the effectiveness of discipleship: 

• What values does your church lean into? 
• What behaviors are encouraged or praised at your church? 
• Is there a typical tone or emotion present in worship services? 
• What traditions seem untouchable, and which traditions seem more relaxed? 

Understanding the current culture is not enough. If you want discipleship to grow in your church, intentionally cultivate a culture of discipleship. 

In a culture of discipleship, people expect to learn from one another, serve alongside one another, talk about their faith, ask meaningful questions, and intentionally help one another grow in Christ.

Church leadership should set a tone that encourages this kind of discipleship. Church culture is shaped by the way people talk publicly and privately, the questions leaders ask, the conversations they have, and the goals communicated through the church’s programs and ministries.

Programs can support discipleship, but they cannot create a discipleship culture on their own. The success of a church’s discipleship program depends on its culture; give it the attention it deserves.

Foundation #3: No Untouchable Ministries

A large part of discipleship is allowing people to step up and take on ministries or functions of the church, or at least be given opportunities to try. This cannot happen if there are certain ministries that are tightly held by a group of people or an individual.

If someone is gifted for a ministry, part of serving well is preparing others to serve alongside them—and perhaps one day take their place.

Our Lord Jesus is the master teacher and maker of disciples. He modeled this kind of discipleship. He did not simply allow the disciples to watch him minister; he gave them opportunities to participate in the work. We read of how he commissioned his disciples: “And he [Jesus] called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 10:1, ESV). 

Paul teaches the church of Ephesus that church leaders should strive to equip others for ministry: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11–12, ESV).

For discipleship to work, people need to be equipped, encouraged, and given opportunities to serve and minister to others. Churches should be willing to ask some uncomfortable questions:

• Are there ministries that depend entirely on one person? Would the church be at a loss if that person could no longer serve in that ministry?
• Are people discouraged or seen as “trying to take over” if they want to help or contribute to a ministry? 

If the answer is yes, that may be discouraging discipleship. Giving people opportunities to serve does not mean treating ministry as the measure of their worth. Our churches should teach that a person’s value within a congregation does not come from what they can do or produce, but from simply being part of God’s family. 

Therefore, we should be mindful to hold our ministries with open hands and intentionally prepare for new people to participate in the church’s ministries.

Foundation #4: Pray for God to Bring the Increase

If we want our congregations to grow in discipleship, we must ultimately depend on God to bring about that growth.

Some in the Corinthian church had begun dividing themselves according to the church leader they preferred, including Paul and Apollos. The people were under the impression that the church’s success was dependent on having the right human leader. Paul corrected this way of thinking, saying, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6–7, ESV).

Effective discipleship requires both a genuine love for Jesus and a genuine dependence on God to bring the growth.

God is the One Who makes His Kingdom grow and transforms people’s lives. He may use our VBS programs, music, sermons, Bible studies, and other ministries—but the growth ultimately comes from Him. Invite God into the process of discipleship in your church by simply spending time in prayer with Him. Pray for God to bring growth in people’s lives and give direction for how the church can best plant and water.

Building on the Four Foundations for Effective Discipleship

Discipleship is an important, lifelong call given to us by our Lord Jesus that deeply impacts the health of our churches. It makes sense for churches to take time to consider how to do it and to know what works and what does not work. 

In the end, discipleship that works is not primarily the result of finding the perfect method—it is about cultivating a heart for God and Jesus. A church that loves Jesus, intentionally builds a culture of discipleship, holds ministry with open hands, and depends on God for the growth already has the foundations it needs for effective discipleship. 

We fervently ask God to bring growth and to make us a church that produces fertile soil without rocks. We are ready for God’s Kingdom to continually grow in the hearts of all the people. We plant. We water. We invite others to join us in the work. And we trust God to bring the increase.