The Perfect Method: How Jesus Made Disciples

Dear Discipleship-first Friends,

Christians rightly focus on Jesus’ message—but often overlook His method. Yet the way Jesus made disciples reveals divine wisdom for transforming lives today. His approach wasn’t just effective for the first century—it remains the perfect model for every generation.

Jesus’ method of disciple making remains the perfect model for transforming lives through love, relationships, and intentionality.

The Forgotten Half of the Gospels

Christians have long studied what Jesus said, but not enough have studied what Jesus did. The way He made disciples embodied love, wisdom, intentionality, and deep understanding.

Scripture affirms that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge dwell in Christ” (Colossians 2:3).

Yes, Jesus adapted to His culture and used familiar teaching methods. But His approach went far beyond the rabbis of the day—it reflected the heart and mind of God Himself. The principles He modeled are transcultural: they have been found to work among all peoples, in every place, at all times.

Jesus, the perfect human being, demonstrated the perfect way to form disciples.

“If we truly want to understand Jesus’ mission, we must study not only His message—but His method.”

To help us grasp the significance of His approach, here are six reasons Jesus’ method remains the best model for disciple making today.

Jesus’ Method Makes Love Central

During seminary, I conducted a study to identify the top themes emphasized in the New Testament. One virtue stood above all others: agape love. Paul wrote that love surpasses spiritual gifts, knowledge, and even sacrificial service (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Without love, “I gain nothing.” Faith, hope, and love endure, “but the greatest of these is love.”

Jesus also said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Yet most churches today are not designed to cultivate love. Large gatherings and packed schedules often leave little room for deep, relational investment. Many Christians are so busy focused on preaching, praise & worship, and programs that they struggle to simply find time to love people well.

In contrast, Jesus’ model makes love the foundation of discipleship. When we follow His example, love becomes both the environment and the outcome of spiritual growth.

Jesus’ Method Reaches Both the Lost and the Saved

Jesus discipled people before and after they came to faith. His intentional and relational approach was consistent throughout their journey.

In truth, according to Matthew 28, evangelism and discipleship aren’t two separate this—they’re the front end and back end of one continuous process. Jesus’ Great Commission captures this beautifully:

“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.”— Matthew 28:19–20

The first step—leading people to faith and baptism—introduces them to Jesus. The second—teaching them to obey—helps them mature.

Evangelism, then, is pre-conversion discipleship. As my friend Alex Absalom puts it, “Discipleship begins at hello.” And it ends with “Go and make disciples of others.”

“People far from God can begin learning from Jesus before they ever believe in Him.” Whether reaching unbelievers or maturing believers, Jesus’ method proves effective for both.

Jesus’ Method Produces Real Transformation

Many Christians today live much like non-Christians. Sermons inspire, but often don’t transform. Programs inform, but seldom shape hearts.

Meanwhile, social media, work environments, school, and entertainment disciple people daily—shaping values, priorities, and desires. The church now faces a discipleship crisis, where digital culture often forms believers more than their faith communities do.

Jesus’ method offers the solution. His approach was life-on-life: eating, walking, talking, and serving with His disciples. Through close, intentional relationships, He modeled what obedience looked like in everyday life.

We follow Jesus’ method today when we enter into people lives to intentional help them trust and follow Jesus … as we invite them into our homes, meet them at coffee shops, join them at church assemblies, text them, call them, and hang out with them.

Jesus showed that disciples aren’t mass-produced—they’re hand-crafted, one at a time.

Jesus’ Method Unites Churches and Leaders

In a world of division and ideological diversity, unity within the church can feel elusive. Yet Jesus’ method gives church leaders and churches in different faith traditions a shared anchor.

Robert Coleman’s classic The Master Plan of Evangelism (1963) persuaded generations of Christian leaders that Jesus’ way is the best way. For over 55 years, Coleman taught this model in leading seminaries around the world.

Older leaders appreciate it for its biblical foundation; younger leaders love it for its relational authenticity. Across generations and denominations, Jesus’ method builds unity around a common mission.

Younger leaders are particularly drawn to Jesus method today. The love the emphasis on relationships, authenticity, transparency, and intentionality.

“The closer we align with Jesus’ method, the more united we become around His mission.”

Jesus Commanded Us to Make Disciples—Using His Method

Jesus didn’t merely command disciple making; He modeled it.

He showed His followers how to raise up intentional, relational leaders (Luke 10:1–12). He emphasized the supremacy of love (John 13:34–35) and then commissioned His disciples to reproduce what He had done with them.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher.”
— Luke 6:40

The apostle Paul modeled and taught the same method (2 Timothy 3:10-14).

The Great Commission assumes that we will disciple others as Jesus discipled us. His command includes His method.

Jesus’ Method Works—Then and Now

From the beginning, Jesus invested deeply in a few. He called His first disciples early (Matthew 4:18–22; Luke 6:13) and spent most of His time with them.

Scholar Bill Hull estimates that Jesus spent up to 90% of His ministry with the Twelve. They traveled, ate, worked, suffered, and learned together. Through that investment, Jesus shaped the men who would carry His mission to the ends of the earth.

Paul continued the same model—discipling Timothy, Silas, and others. He wrote:

“The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
— 2 Timothy 2:2

From Jesus to Paul to today, the intentional, relational way of disciple making remains effective because it reflects God’s design for growth.

Conclusion: Returning to the Ways of Jesus

Programs can fill rooms, but only Jesus’ method fills hearts. His life-on-life approach—rooted in love, relationship, and obedience—remains God’s plan for transforming the world one person at a time.

If the church truly wants renewal, we must return to the way of the Master. Jesus’ method isn’t outdated—it’s divinely timeless. When we follow it, we don’t just make converts; we make people who look like Jesus.

Takeaway

The message of Jesus cannot be separated from the method of Jesus.
His way is not just a way—it’s the way to make disciples who transform the world.

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