Discipleship and Evangelism – Christian Life Today

A Biblical Approach

Discipleship and evangelism are at the heart of the Church’s mission. Jesus calls us to make disciples, teach them His Word, and equip them to serve within the body of Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV) – “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.”

A disciple of Jesus is someone who:

Loves Jesus and Follows Him – John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.”
Loves the Word and Obeys It – Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Loves the Church and Serves in It – 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Designing a Discipleship Process Around Your Purpose

If your church’s purpose is to make disciples who love Jesus, treasure His Word, and serve His Church, then your role as a pastor or church leader is to design a strategic roadmap. This roadmap guides people intentionally through each stage of spiritual growth.

Think of it like a discipleship diamond, similar to a baseball diamond: each base represents a key step in the journey of becoming a fully formed disciple.

The goal: move people to the “third base” where they are fully committed disciples, actively living out their faith, and helping your church fulfil its mission.

Three Practical Steps for Discipleship

Step 1: Love Jesus and Follow Him (Reach)

Use your Sunday services as the “front door” of your church.
Ensure visitors feel welcomed and included.
Preaching should be evangelistic, offering practical opportunities to respond to Jesus every week.
Scripture: Matthew 4:19 – “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Step 2: Love His Word and Obey It (Teach)

Connect Groups or small groups provide an environment to study Scripture deeply and encourage obedience.
Focus on nurturing a love for God’s Word and applying it in daily life.
Scripture: Colossians 3:16 – “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.”

Step 3: Love the Church and Serve in It (Mobilise)

Provide clear opportunities for members to serve through volunteer teams.
Make it easy for people to discover their gifts and participate in the mission of the church.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:12 – “To equip God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”

Measuring Discipleship Growth

A clear process allows you to track spiritual growth:

How many people attend Sunday services?
What percentage participate in Connect Groups?
How many are actively serving in the church?

Example:

100 attendees on Sunday
50% in Connect Groups → goal: increase participation.
20% serving actively → goal: mobilise more volunteers.

A disciple can be defined as someone who is:

Baptised and filled with the Spirit (Acts 2:41-42)
Engaged in a discipleship study
Actively making other disciples

This roadmap can be adapted to fit the size and culture of your church. Courses like Building Your Ministry Plan can provide step-by-step guidance.

Foster Friendships with the Unchurched (Evangelism in Action)

Cutting down on unnecessary programs allows your congregation to build meaningful relationships with non-believers.

Encourage members to:

Spend time with friends outside the church.
Share meals and engage in community activities.
Use tools like Meetup.com to connect with people with similar interests.

Friendship Evangelism Tips:

Share personal testimonies naturally.
Encourage members that theological expertise is not required to share Jesus.
Lead by example and build authentic relationships.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:22 – “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Summary:

A clear, intentional, and measurable approach to discipleship and evangelism is the most effective growth strategy for your church. Focus on reaching, teaching, and mobilising your people while creating authentic relationships with the unchurched. Following this roadmap, your church can fulfil its mission of making disciples who love Jesus, treasure His Word, and serve His Church.