Disciple Making Principle #2 – Definitions of Disciple Making

Dear Discipleship-First Friends,

Last week we began a series of articles on 10 Key Principles for a disciple making church. Today’s post is an overview of the second key disciple making principle.

It is vital to use clear definitions. If we realize that the core mission of the local church is disciple making (Principle #1), then, in that context, it becomes it’s very important that we understand and agree on what exactly we’re talking about because different people will have different definitions (and understandings). For example, you might think a disciple is one thing and I might think it’s something else. And if I’m trying to create a disciple, but my vision of that disciple is different than yours, then that’s going to make it hard for us to work together and be successful.

A few years ago, I worked with several other key leaders from national disciple making networks and organizations, to collaborate on developing some really specific definitions around disciple making.  And I can’t say it enough… what we want are really clear definitions.  You can CLICK HERE to download our free eBook to read all of the definitions.

Here are two key definitions…

How do you define a disciple? Matthew 4:19 is a good framework. We’re not saying that in Matthew 4:19 Jesus intentionally gave a definition, but there is a definition there that is really helpful. So, Jesus is talking to his disciples, and he says, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” It’s the same thing in Mark 1:17. So, what is a disciple? We can put everything in the Bible in this one expression: A disciple is somebody who’s following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and they’re joining the mission of Jesus. This definition is very helpful because you literally work on it the rest of your life, but you can start on it tomorrow if you’re just now making that decision.

A second definition that I think is very important is disciple making. So, as a church or as a ministry, we want to be crystal clear on what it means to make disciples. If we look at Jesus, he shows us by how he made disciples and what must be involved. This one is super simple: a disciple maker is a person who intentionally enters into relationships to help people follow Jesus, be changed by Jesus, and join the mission of Jesus.

Again, these are just two key definitions. As a church or ministry leader, we recommend that you meet with your team if you want your core mission to be disciple making. Then, work with your team so that you have agreed upon definitions. You want to make sure that you are all talking about the same thing and that you have shared understandings… not just of what you mean when you define a disciple, but what you mean when you describe the various parts of making disciples.

If you find this information helpful, you can CLICK HERE to check out all 10 of our disciple making principles.

For King Jesus,

Bobby Harrington, Point Leader

Discipleship.org

CLICK HERE to watch the Principle #2 video now

To learn more, you can go to Discipleship.org and check out these useful (free) resources:

How does disciple-making fit into the Church? (Free eBook) What Is Church? And How Important Is It?

Helping people to become mature in Christ: (Free eBook) Recreated to Be Like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus