Have you ever wished someone would just walk with you, even come alongside you, in your faith? Someone who could help you grow, call you out, and simply be there?
We use the word “discipleship” quite often in the church without clarifying its definition. It’s like going to the gym with a friend who’s further along than you. They show you how to train, encourage you when you want to quit, and one day they will release you to help someone else. Discipleship is spiritual training, side by side. If the gym does not resonate with you, then consider this: it’s like a road trip. You could drive alone, but it’s a lot easier when someone’s in the passenger seat helping you navigate. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about not traveling alone.
Discipleship is not complicated; it’s about not doing life alone. We weren’t meant to do life alone (Hebrews 10:24-25). Here are three things to remember about discipleship.
- It starts with following Jesus, not with being perfect.
There may be a misconception that discipleship is for those who have it all together or who are spiritually elite. However, it’s for anyone willing to take a next step toward Jesus. It begins with an obedient response to Jesus’s call: “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). When Jesus invited His first disciples—ordinary fishermen—He wasn’t looking for those who had everything together. He was looking for people who were willing to leave behind comfort, pride and control in order to walk with Him in faith. That same invitation extends to every believer today.
Salvation is a personal experience of God’s grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9), and discipleship is the ongoing process of sanctification as you grow more like Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit (Philippians 1:6). The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. As we walk with Jesus daily, our minds are renewed (Romans 12:1–2), and our hearts are gradually conformed to His image.
- It happens in authentic, real relationships.
Growth comes through honesty, encouragement and accountability with people who genuinely care about your walk with God (Proverbs 27:17). Discipleship is deeply relational. While personal spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible study are vital, Scripture makes it clear that we were never meant to grow in isolation. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” We need people around us who speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), who hold us accountable (James 5:16), and who encourage us when we feel weary (Galatians 6:2). At Church at The Mill, we do this through Mentor Groups and Small Groups, which you can learn more about here.
In the New Testament, there is a common theme of believers meeting together regularly, encouraging one another, breaking bread, and devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42–47). Discipleship thrives where trust is cultivated and Christ is the center of conversations, struggles, and celebrations.
- It’s meant to multiply.
As someone invests in you, you’ll grow and eventually be able to invest in someone else. That’s how the Church grows stronger (2 Timothy 2:2). The goal of discipleship is never just personal growth; it’s testifying to God’s faithfulness and spreading the gospel. Paul shows this clearly in his words to Timothy:
“What 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). In other words, we are called to pass on what we’ve received to others, who will then teach and disciple even more believers.
This is generational discipleship: receiving the truth, living it out, and passing it on. It’s the pattern Jesus set when He poured into the twelve, and it’s the pattern the early church followed as the gospel spread from city to city.
We hold firmly to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20), making disciples of all nations, as a purpose and mission as believers. Every believer—not just pastors or leaders—has a role to play in the disciple-making process. As we grow, we are called to share our faith, invest in others, and be part of a multiplying movement of disciple-makers.
Now what?
Now that we’ve defined discipleship, what do we do now? If you’re longing for someone to walk alongside you, or you’re ready to invest in someone else, don’t wait. Talk to someone at the Next Steps area at your campus, or jump into one of our discipleship opportunitie.
