The Christian life is the journey of becoming more like Jesus.
It's not simply a one-time conversion nor is it behavior modification; it's a continuous, intentional, and transformative process. For pastors and church leaders, this is the core of our efforts at spiritual. Though that process is different for everyone, we do find general guidelines in the way Jesus interacted with those closest to Him during His earthly ministry.
These interactions provide the timeless blueprint for effective, transformative discipleship.
1. Radical Commitment + Self-Denial: The Cost of Discipleship
Discipleship begins with a call to commitment. That commitment is synonymous with self-denial. Jesus never sugarcoated the cost of following Him. He didn’t offer a comfortable, convenient life. This is a key challenge for modern ministry—we must not, in our attempts to reach people with the gospel, neglect the costly call of following Him. Becoming a disciple requires a willingness to deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow Him—no matter the cost.
Consider the rich young ruler. Here was a good, moral, and successful man, but when challenged to sell his possessions and give to the poor, he walked away. This invasive command of Jesus is a reminder to us that there is no area of our lives that is “off limits” to the Lord. True discipleship demands that we surrender our own agenda, ambitions, and comforts to align completely with Christ's mission. Discipleship is an all-or-nothing proposition that requires surrendering personal comforts, ambitions, and resources to prioritize following Jesus:
Then Jesus told his disciples,
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24).
2. Discipleship is Demonstrated in Service and Humility: The Call to Servant Leadership
In the kingdom of God, the hierarchy is inverted. Greatness is not measured by authority or prestige, but by service and humility. This is not only the foundation of biblical, servant leadership; it’s the call on every disciple. The early disciples often argued over which of them was the greatest. In response, Jesus gave them a powerful object lesson: He took a towel and a basin and washed their feet, a task reserved for the lowest servant. This act didn't just model humility; it redefined leadership. It showed that power in the kingdom is found in stooping down, and authority is expressed through selfless care for others.
But Jesus called them to him and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant" (Matt. 20:25–26).
3. The Power of Intentional and Relational Community: The Engine of Discipleship
Jesus did not disciple the twelve from a distance. His method was incarnational and relational. Discipleship, then, is not a solitary endeavor but is primarily forged within the context of intentional community. This relational discipleship model is vital.
Jesus spent roughly three years in a constant, intimate relationship with His disciples. He taught them, but they also learned by watching Him interact with the sick, debate with the Pharisees, and pray in isolation. They learned by being with Him. Relational proximity and intensity are vital because they allow for genuine vulnerability, accountability, and the immediate application of truth.
Discipleship suffers when we only offer large, impersonal gatherings. Conversely, discipleship thrives in an intimate, intentional community where we learn through shared life, mutual accountability, and constant proximity. This is why a healthy small group strategy is essential.
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).
4. Discipleship Culminates in Mission and Replication: The Call to Make Disciples
The goal of discipleship is not just personal holiness or knowledge; it is mission and replication. This is the core of a disciple-making culture. True disciples go and give the same journey of wholeness, healing, and freedom to others that they have experienced. Jesus spent three years preparing His disciples not only to be followers, but fishers of men. In Jesus’ blueprint, discipleship is inherently missional. As church leaders, this must be our end goal.
Jesus’ final command before His ascension articulated this mission: to go and make disciples of all nations. The blueprint is not complete until the knowledge and the character that a disciple has received are passed on to the next generation of followers. In fact, a disciple’s growth could be measured by their capacity to help others grow. The Lord’s final instructions transformed His followers from students into apostles, from learners into ambassadors, tasking them with carrying the good news to the ends of the earth.
Rooted churches strive to embody this lesson by emphasizing that a person isn’t finished with Rooted until they’ve facilitated Rooted for others. The 10-week Rooted experience is a discipleship starting point that has propelled hundreds of thousands towards a new season of following Christ. It is a proven tool for discipleship replication.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20).
The Master's blueprint is clear and challenging. It calls us to radical commitment, expresses itself through humble service, is nurtured in intentional community, and finds its purpose in replication. T
To follow Jesus is to engage in this four-part, lifelong process. It is simultaneously the most demanding and most rewarding journey a person can undertake, one that promises not worldly gain, but life eternal and a world transformed. This is the heart of a biblical discipleship pathway.
How Does Your Church's Blueprint Measure Up?
Jesus gave us the perfect model for making disciples. But how do you know if your current strategy is effectively following that model?
Take our Discipleship Strategy Assessment to get a clear, personalized report. It will help you evaluate your church's overall strategy, the needs of your small group leaders, and the current state of discipleship in your congregation.
