How to Develop a Discipleship Plan that Equips and Empowers Disciples for Mission

A young man speaks passionately in a church setting, embodying the spirit of equipping and empowering disciples for their mission.

The primary goal of discipleship is to draw individuals closer to Christ and mold them into His likeness, enabling them to live for His glory and fulfill His mission. This journey requires intentional transformation and evangelistic fervor. As Vaus (2004) aptly states:

"If churches are not accomplishing this, all cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, and even the Bible itself become a waste of time" (p. 167).

Hirsch (2015) emphasizes that failure in discipleship leads to failure in all other aspects of church life (p. 122). Similarly, Bosch (2002) asserts that discipleship is rooted in a personal relationship with Christ, not mere adherence to impersonal commands (pp. 58–62). Discipleship thrives not only within the church walls but also in the world, as Christ modeled.

1. The Core of Discipleship

Defining a Disciple

A disciple is more than a follower; they are:

• Learners: Continuously seeking to know Christ and emulate His life (Ephesians 5:1).

• Witnesses: Actively making other disciples by sharing the gospel (Matthew 28:19).

Discipleship encompasses two vital dimensions:

• Maturation: Growing in Christlikeness through love, service, and mission.

• Evangelization: Actively multiplying disciples who, in turn, disciple others.

Bosch (2002) warns against viewing discipleship as mere obligation. Instead, it must emerge from "a rich and deep relationship with Jesus" (p. 61). Hirsch (2015) echoes this by emphasizing that discipleship must encompass the transformative power of a living relationship with Christ (p. 122).

The Trinitarian Model

Discipleship is firmly rooted in the mission of the Trinity:

• The Father: Calls disciples to a life of love and righteousness, reminding them of their adoption as His children (Ephesians 3:17).

• The Son: Exemplifies servanthood and calls disciples to lives of compassion and service (Matthew 20:28).

• The Spirit: Sends disciples into mission, empowering them to make more disciples (Acts 1:8).

Baptism symbolizes this commitment, not as a prerequisite to discipleship but as an outward declaration of an internal transformation (Matthew 28:19).

2. Addressing Challenges in Discipleship

The Consumer Mentality

Modern churches often face a consumer mindset among members, where individuals expect to receive rather than give. Willard (2008) laments that many churches are filled with "disciples who have not decided to follow Christ" (p. 14). Factors contributing to this include:

• Hedonism: A self-centered pursuit of personal fulfillment.

• Narcissism: The desire for recognition, often motivating service for the wrong reasons (Lidório, 2018).

  
  

This cultural drift contradicts the sacrificial and missional nature of discipleship modeled by Christ. Addressing these issues requires a shift from self-centeredness to God-centered living, emphasizing service, mission, and transformation.

3. Designing a Discipleship Plan

A robust discipleship plan must focus on three key areas: assimilation, training, and sending.

3.1 Assimilation: Welcoming New Believers

Assimilation involves helping new believers feel connected to the church body. Rick Warren (2016) highlights five unspoken questions that newcomers ask:

1. Do I belong here? – Create small groups and affinity spaces to foster belonging.

2. Does anyone want to know me? – Build opportunities for genuine friendships.

3. Am I needed? – Emphasize the value of each person’s unique gifts.

4. What’s the benefit of joining? – Clearly explain the personal and spiritual benefits of commitment.

5. What is required of me? – Set clear expectations for involvement and growth.

Practical Steps for Assimilation

1. Multiple Entry Points: Encourage participation through worship services, small groups, or ministry involvement.

2. Progressive Commitment: Use models like North Point Church's “Hallway to Kitchen” approach to guide members toward deeper engagement (Rainer & Geiger, 2011, p. 112).

3. Focus on Relationships: Foster environments where individuals can build meaningful connections and experience community.

3.2 Training: Maturing Disciples

Training moves beyond imparting knowledge to fostering practical, reproducible skills. Rand Pope (2017) notes that true training integrates teaching with exemplification and application (p. 33).

Barriers to Effective Training

1. Lack of emphasis on equipping members for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-13).

2. Focus on events rather than systematic growth.

3. Over-reliance on outdated methods that fail to engage effectively.

Developing a Training Framework

Training must address three developmental stages:

1. Making disciples who make disciples.

2. Equipping leaders who train others.

3. Preparing church planters to establish new groups.

Suggested Training Model

Training Format	Target Area	Frequency	Audience	Objective
Small Groups	Personal Discipleship	Weekly	All members	Cultivate spiritual practices
Leadership Classes	Small Group Leadership	Monthly	Potential Leaders	Develop leadership skills
Mission Intensives	Church Planting Preparation	Quarterly	Selected Candidates	Equip for church planting

3.3 Sending: Empowering for Mission

Sending disciples is the culmination of the discipling process. It involves commissioning individuals for ministry and mission, both locally and globally (John 20:21).

Steps to Foster a Sending Culture

1. Celebrate Commissioning: Regularly recognize and pray for individuals being sent into ministry or mission.

2. Develop Leaders: Create systems to identify and mentor future leaders. Ferguson (2018) advocates for tracking leadership development through measurable goals (p. 193).

3. Encourage Mission Participation: Offer opportunities for short-term mission trips and local outreach initiatives to ignite a passion for service.

4. Integrating the Discipleship Plan

Implementing a discipleship plan requires intentionality and alignment with the church’s vision and mission. A practical roadmap might include:

• Initial Steps: Assimilation pathways for new believers.

• Ongoing Training: Regularly scheduled workshops and leadership development programs.

• Regular Sending: Celebrate and support those stepping into new ministry roles.

Conclusion

A comprehensive discipleship plan focused on assimilation, training, and sending can transform a church into a thriving community of disciples. As disciples mature, they will naturally engage in making more disciples, ensuring the church's health and mission.

By rooting the plan in biblical principles and contextualizing it to the needs of the community, churches can fulfill their calling to advance God’s Kingdom with effectiveness and joy.

References

• Bosch, D. J. (2002). Transforming Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis.

• Ferguson, D. (2018). Formador de Heróis. Brasília: Palavra.

• Hirsch, A. (2015). Caminhos Esquecidos: Reativando a Igreja Missional. Curitiba: Esperança.

• Lidório, R. (2018). A Natureza da Igreja. Disponível em: https://ronaldo.lidorio.com.br.

• Pope, R. (2017). Movements That Change the World. Downers Grove, IL: IVP.

• Rainer, T. S., & Geiger, E. (2011). Igreja Simples. Brasília: Palavra.

• Vaus, W. (2004). A Guide to Evangelism Discipleship. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker.

• Warren, R. (2016). Uma Igreja com Propósitos. São Paulo: Vida.

• White, E. G. (2013). Serviço Cristão. Tatuí: CPB.