Hey there, church planters! By faith, I’m believing that you are outward-focused and reaching people who were from Christ. So let’s talk about turning those new believers into disciple-making machines (okay, maybe just faithful followers of Jesus for now). We know we need a process for discipleship. It doesn’t happen by accident.
The Hard Truth About Discipleship
You’re staring at those fresh faces in your congregation, wondering if you should hand them a Bible, a small group signup sheet, or just give them a hug and pray for the best.
Here’s the deal: Most discipleship programs fail.
Ouch. That hurt to write.
But they fail because we overcomplicate things. We try to turn baby Christians into seminary professors overnight. (Spoiler alert: It doesn’t work.)
The Simple Success Formula
Want to know what does work? Here it is:
Start With Story
Everyone’s got one. Your new believers need to understand their story matters. They need to:
- Know their before-Jesus story
- Understand their Jesus-moment story
- Start living their with-Jesus story
Make It Sticky
Remember how Jesus taught? He used stuff people actually understood:
- Seeds
- Fish
- Bread
- Wine
- Family drama (seriously, read those parables again)
Do the same. Connect faith to real life. If you’re discipling a teacher, use classroom examples. Got a businessman? Use business analogies. You get the idea.
The Four Fs Framework
Let’s break down each F and see how they work in real life.
1. Follow – Daily Steps with Jesus
Following Jesus isn’t a Sunday-only sport. It’s more like brushing your teeth – you’ve got to do it daily, or things get nasty.
Practical Steps
- Create a simple Bible reading plan (think Instagram stories, not War and Peace)
- Teach prayer as an ongoing conversation, not a formal presentation
- Use tech to your advantage (YouVersion reminders, daily devotional texts)
- Show them how to journal their journey (bullet points count!)
Red Flags to Watch For
- Over-commitment burnout
- Religious box-checking
- Comparison trap with “more mature” believers
2. Fellowship – Building Real Community
The first 72 hours after someone commits to Christ are crucial. That’s your window. Miss it, and you’re playing catch-up.
Connection Points
- Immediate small group placement (even if it’s not perfect)
- Coffee dates with established members
- Group text threads (yes, really – it works)
- Regular social events (food always wins)
Making It Stick
- Assign peer mentors
- Create shared experiences
- Build serving opportunities
- Foster natural friendships
3. Focus – Finding Their Ministry Sweet Spot
Discovery Process
- Spiritual gifts assessment (but keep it simple)
- Past experience inventory
- Passion exploration
- Test drives in different ministries
Development Steps
- Observe (let them watch)
- Participate (let them help)
- Lead (let them try)
- Multiply (let them teach)
Warning Signs
- Over-commitment
- Under-utilization
- Mismatched placement
- Burnout signals
4. Fish – Natural Faith Sharing
The Art of Natural Evangelism
- Teach them to share their story in 60 seconds
- Help them identify their current relationships
- Show them how to invite without pressure
- Practice responding to common questions
Practical Tools
- Story practice sessions
- Role-playing scenarios
- Social media witnessing
- Invitation strategies
Making It All Work: The Nitty-Gritty Details
1. Keep It Simple
- Create clear next steps
- Use visual progress markers
- Establish regular rhythms
- Remove unnecessary complexity
2. Make It Personal
- Regular check-ins
- Customized growth plans
- Celebration of individual progress
- Adaptation to learning styles
3. Track Progress
Create measurable markers like:
- Bible reading consistency
- Prayer journal entries
- Service participation
- Relationship building
- Faith sharing attempts
4. Celebrate Wins
Recognize:
- First Bible reading completion
- Prayer breakthroughs
- Ministry participation
- New relationships formed
- Faith sharing attempts (not just successes)
5. Adjust as Needed
Monitor:
- Engagement levels
- Feedback patterns
- Attendance trends
- Spiritual growth markers
- Community integration
The Reality Check: Embracing the Mess
Here’s something nobody tells you about discipleship: It’s messy. Real Messy! Like, “why-did-I-sign-up-for-this” messy.
Common Challenges
- Inconsistent attendance
- Life crises
- Relationship conflicts
- Faith doubts
- Schedule conflicts
Success Strategies
- Build flexibility into your system
- Create multiple entry points
- Establish rescue protocols
- Develop support networks
- Maintain open communication
The Bottom Line
Remember: Progress isn’t always linear. Sometimes, the biggest growth happens in the messiest moments. Your job isn’t to create perfect disciples; it’s to create an environment where discipleship can happen naturally and consistently.
Jesus spent three years with His disciples, and they still had questions at the end. Even Peter denied Jesus three times, and he still went on to do great things. So maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for your new believers too.
Your Next Steps
- Stop trying to create perfect Christians
- Start creating authentic relationships
- Build systematic touchpoints
- Trust the process
Keep your systems simple, your relationships strong, and your expectations realistic. And always remember: The perfect discipleship system isn’t the one that looks best on paper – it’s the one that actually produces disciples who make disciples.
Now go make some disciples! (And maybe grab some coffee first. Ministry runs on caffeine, after all.)
Want to make this work? Start small, stay consistent, and keep adjusting. And don’t forget to enjoy the journey!