Complete Guide to Discipling Others
Master Jesus' strategy for making disciples who make disciples. Multiplication, mentorship, and fulfilling the Great Commission through spiritual reproduction.
👥 The Great Commission Is YOUR Mission
Jesus didn't give the Great Commission to pastors, missionaries, or "ministry professionals." He gave it to every disciple. Including you.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." — Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)
Go. Make disciples. Teach them. Baptize them. Repeat. This isn't optional. This is your mission.
The Discipleship Crisis & Opportunity
Understanding the current state and the transformative potential of authentic discipleship
The Current Crisis
The church in the Western world faces a profound crisis that rarely makes headlines: while millions profess faith in Jesus Christ, relatively few are experiencing genuine discipleship.
- Most churchgoers cannot articulate a clear plan for their spiritual growth
- Believers struggle with consistent Bible engagement
- Limited ability to help others follow Christ
- Perpetual spiritual infancy, unable to digest solid food (Hebrews 5:12-14)
The Great Opportunity
This crisis presents an unparalleled opportunity. When the church returns to Jesus' model of making disciples—everything changes.
- Investing deeply in committed believers
- Equipping them to multiply their spiritual influence
- Creating a culture where discipleship is central, not optional
- Fulfilling the explicit command of Jesus—the Great Commission
Why This Guide Exists
This guide exists because the Great Commission is not a suggestion for pastors and missionaries—it is a command for every Christian.
You do not need a doctorate in theology to help someone follow Jesus more closely. You do not require perfect spiritual maturity to mentor a younger believer. What you need is:
- Clarity
About what discipleship actually means
- Practical Frameworks
To apply it in real relationships
- Confidence
That God works through ordinary believers
Who Should Use This Guide
Individual Believers
Sensing God's call to mentor one person or a small group
Small Group Leaders
Managing Bible studies or life groups seeking deeper transformation
Sunday School Teachers
Moving beyond information transfer to genuine spiritual formation
Church Staff & Pastors
Designing discipleship systems for entire congregations
Campus Ministers
Functioning outside traditional church structures
Marketplace Missionaries
Discipleship happening wherever believers gather intentionally
📖 Understanding "Disciple" - The Core Meaning
The English word "disciple" derives from the Latin "discipulus", meaning "learner" or "student." In the Greek New Testament, the primary term is "mathetes" (μαθητής), which carries similar meaning: one who learns from a teacher, typically through personal association and practical apprenticeship rather than formal classroom instruction.
However, discipleship in biblical terms extends far beyond academic learning. When Jesus called His disciples, He was not primarily establishing a school where students attended lectures on theology. Rather, He inaugurated a radical form of formation that integrated cognitive, behavioral, relational, and spiritual transformation through daily proximity and life-on-life transmission.
Phase 1: Jesus' Discipleship Model
Return to the Master's original strategy for making disciples
He Chose the Few
Jesus invested deeply in 12 disciples, especially 3 (Peter, James, John)
He Did Life Together
Discipleship wasn't a class—it was life-on-life for 3+ years
He Modeled Everything
Jesus showed them how to pray, preach, serve, love
He Sent Them Out
Jesus sent the 12 and the 70 to minister on their own
He Multiplied Through Them
The 12 became 120, then 3000, then millions
Phase 2: Multiplication Framework
Why disciples MUST make disciples—the only way to reach the world
Addition (Wrong Strategy)
One person wins people to Christ, disciples them, but they don't reproduce
The Math:
1 person wins 10 people per year = 10 disciples after 1 year, 20 after 2 years, 30 after 3 years
Problem:
Grows linearly. Limited by your capacity.
Multiplication (Jesus' Strategy)
You disciple 2, those 2 disciple 2 more, and the cycle continues
The Math:
Generation 1: 2 | Generation 2: 4 | Generation 3: 8 | Generation 4: 16 | Generation 5: 32
Result:
Exponential growth. Can reach the world.
Phase 3: The 12-Month Discipleship Process
A proven framework for discipling someone from new believer to disciple-maker
Q1: Foundations (Months 1-3)
Establishing core spiritual habits
Q2: Growth (Months 4-6)
Deepening relationship with God
Q3: Ministry (Months 7-9)
Serving others and sharing faith
Q4: Multiplication (Months 10-12)
Learning to disciple others
Phase 4: Practical Steps
How to actually disciple someone from start to finish
Choose Wisely (FAT Principle)
Look for people who are Faithful, Available, Teachable
- Faithful: Show up consistently, follow through
- Available: Have time to invest
- Teachable: Humble, willing to learn
Extend the Invitation
Personally invite them into a discipleship relationship
- Explain what discipleship is
- Set expectations (time commitment, accountability)
- Pray together about the decision
Meet Regularly
Weekly or bi-weekly meetings for 12 months minimum
- 90-minute sessions work well
- Consistent schedule is critical
- Meet in person when possible
Follow the Process
Use a proven curriculum or framework (like the 4-quarter model)
- Don't wing it—have a plan
- Adapt to their needs
- Focus on transformation, not information
Model, Don't Just Teach
Let them see your life—the good, bad, and ugly
- Invite them into your daily life
- Be authentic about struggles
- Show them how you pray, study, serve
Release Them
After 12 months, commission them to disciple others
- Celebrate their growth
- Challenge them to find 2 people
- Stay available for mentoring
Want the Complete Discipleship Manual?
This interactive page covers the core framework. For the full 45-page guide with detailed multiplication strategies, 12-month discipleship curriculum, and practical worksheets—download the complete resource.
Ministry Goals Tracker
Track your discipleship relationships and ministry commitments
Will You Make Disciples?
The Great Commission is not optional. Download the complete guide and start your first discipleship relationship today.