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How can the church help prepare prospective workers to be sent locally and globally to make disciples? These are four elements of a discipleship process that any church can adapt and use with its disciple-makers.

1. Assessment | Helping disciples take inventory of their lives

Where are the disciples in their journey with God? To what extent are they meeting God through prayer, His Word and community? What does “learning to live and love like Jesus” look like in their relationships at home, with friends of the opposite sex, and with those inside and outside the faith? What does their financial management look like as an indicator of readiness to be entrusted with greater responsibility? Do they know the Scriptures well enough to be able to help another person learn to live and love like Jesus? Is their giftedness apparent to themselves and others? What experience do they have in serving others and making disciples?

Assessment evaluates the disciple’s “call,” giftedness and readiness to be sent.

2. Spiritual Formation | Godly character and holistic maturity

Based on the assessment, a discipleship process can be personalized to meet the needs of the disciples where they are. Areas to be addressed are spiritual growth, personal/family/financial stability, biblical worldview and understanding of global and cross-cultural issues, and preparedness in ministry. The process involves study, introspection, mentoring, community and accountability.

3. Mentoring | Heart-to-heart discipleship

The discipling process is always done in the context of authentic relationships. Mature and more experienced believers come alongside the disciples to encourage and empower them in an atmosphere of grace and truth. Mentoring is key to all aspects of the discipleship process to understand better what is going on in the hearts of the disciples.

4. Ministry Experience | The laboratory for serving in community

Observation in real-life settings is crucial for ongoing assessment and growth. Reputation in the family, church and job are indispensable indicators of progress. The disciples’ experience should include serving in the area of their giftedness or profession, involvement in discipling others, participating in or leading a small group, local cross-cultural opportunities, and short-term opportunities abroad.

Any church with a heart to prepare prospective workers can implement these four basic elements of a discipling/preparation process. For more discussion on how, please contact us.