What is a Disciple?

A disciple is someone who is learning and living the ways of Jesus, and leading others to do the same.

Becoming a disciple doesn’t happen all at once. It happens over time as we are being formed by the Holy Spirit. And disciples aren’t perfect. After all, even the Apostle Paul described himself as a ‘wretch’. But it does mean we’re in the process of being transformed. And if any of the three elements are missing, that should get our attention.

What is the Process of Becoming a Disciple?

Jesus led his disciples through 3 basic phases: Explore, Develop, and Multiply. At each stage, he invited them to take a ‘next step’.

  • Explore: ‘Come and See’ is the invitation to explore who Jesus and discover what it looks like to be a disciple.

  • Develop: ‘Follow Me’ is the invitation to learn and live the ways of Jesus.

  • Multiply: ‘Feed My Sheep’ is the invitation to lead others in learning and living the ways of Jesus.

Our process can be illustrated like this:

Progress through the process isn’t measured by information. It’s measured by obedience which demonstrates itself in life change. So, our process isn’t focused on content. Instead, we look to develop outcomes by integrating habits into our lives.

In the Explore Phase, we anticipate the following outcomes:

  • Desire to be a disciple. The individual demonstrates a desire to learn and live the ways of Jesus, and lead others to do the same.

  • Responding to the Gospel. The individual receives God’s gift of grace by faith and invites Jesus to be his/her Savior and Leader.

  • Baptism. The individual gives public testimony of his/her faith through the ordinance of baptism.

These outcomes are facilitated through the following habits [click on links for a tool to develop that habit]:

  • Church Community. The person is regularly engaged in Christian community. This doesn’t necessarily mean attending worship services or other church programs. But it does mean being part of a community that is exploring what it means to be a disciple together.

  • Bible Reading. The person is learning who Jesus is, and about what it means to be a disciple. This reading is primarily focused on the Gospels.

  • Prayer. The person is learning how to interact with God through prayer.

In the Develop Phase, we anticipate the following outcomes:

  • Walk. The person is walking in the power of the Spirit.

  • Talk. The person can share their story and God’s story.

  • Feed. The person is feeding themselves from God’s Word.

  • Clean. The person is living a transformed/holy life.

  • Identify. The person understands who we are and whose we are in Christ.

These outcomes are facilitated through the following habits:

  • Obedience to Scripture. It’s not enough to know what the Bible says. It must change how we live.

  • Spirit-led Prayer. Jesus gave us the outline. The Spirit leads us into becoming a person of prayer.

  • BLESS Practices. Disciples live missionally. BLESS is a great strategy.

  • One Anothering. The ‘One Anothers’ of Scripture provide a guide for experiencing relationally connected lives.

  • Serving. God has given us gifts, passions, and a story that He expects us to use to serve Him and the world.

In the Multiply Phase, we anticipate the following outcomes:

  • Intentional Relationships. The person is investing in intentional relationships that lead people to salvation and through multiplication.

  • Spiritual Reproduction. The person is being used by God to lead at least one person to Christ every three years.

  • Producing Disciple Makers. The person is responsible for 2-3 streams of disciple making activity that have reproduced to the 2nd or 3rd generation.

These outcomes are facilitated through the following habits:

  • Spiritual Accountability. Being transparent and accountable to others about one’s own spiritual journey.

  • Relationships with pre-Christians. Actively and intentionally building relationships with people who are far from God.

  • Intentional Disciple Making. Leading 3-6 people through the Disciple Making Process.

Disciple Maker Tools:

An essential part of being a disciple is making disciples. On this page, you’ll find resources to help you both be and make disciples who make a difference.

Prayer Tools:

Bible Engagement Tools:

The B.L.E.S.S. Practices

The B.L.E.S.S. Practices provide 5 everyday ways to love your neighbor and change the world. B.L.E.S.S. is an acronym which reminds us to:

  • Begin with Prayer

  • Listen with Care

  • Eat Together

  • Serve in Love.

  • Share Your Story.

Click Here to watch a series of sermons which further explains the B.L.E.S.S. practices.