A disciple-maker is a follower of Jesus who intentionally helps another person know Christ, obey His teaching, grow in spiritual maturity, and become able to help others follow Jesus too. Disciple-making is therefore more than sharing information or leading a class. It is the intentional reproduction of a life that is being shaped by Christ.
A Disciple-Maker Is First a Disciple
Someone cannot faithfully reproduce what they are unwilling to live. A disciple-maker continues learning, obeying, repenting, praying, and abiding in Christ.
A Disciple-Maker Helps People Follow Jesus
The goal is not attachment to the leader. The goal is increasing dependence on Christ, His Word, His Spirit, and His church.
A Disciple-Maker Teaches Obedience
Matthew 28:20 does not say merely to teach what Jesus commanded, but to teach people to obey what He commanded.
A Disciple-Maker Builds Relationships
Disciple-making requires enough relational closeness for truth, questions, correction, encouragement, and example to become visible.
A Disciple-Maker Reproduces
Second Timothy 2:2 describes truth being entrusted to faithful people who will teach others also. Multiplication is built into the biblical pattern.
A Disciple-Maker Depends on the Holy Spirit
Human effort cannot produce spiritual life. The disciple-maker serves faithfully while trusting God to transform hearts.
A Disciple-Maker Is Not a Spiritual Celebrity
Biblical disciple-making can happen quietly in homes, workplaces, churches, friendships, and small groups.
The Goal Is Mature, Reproducing Followers of Jesus
A disciple-maker helps a person move from receiving truth to living it, and from living it to helping someone else do the same.