Three Key Levels of Discipleship

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In what ways do you serve in your church? I've asked this question to many Christians across the country in churches where I've led training in disciple-making. "I'm a greeter, deacon, teacher, choir member, nursery worker, small group leader, or security team member" are typical answers that people give.

All of these areas of service are important. However, the one thing I've never heard anyone say is that "I'm a disciple maker." No one seems to view personal disciple-making as the main way that he or she serves in the church. This must change for us to reach our world for Christ.

The problem is that a vast number of American churches fail to equip their people to be disciple makers. Though most churches have at least one level of discipleship, there are three levels that are important. Regrettably, the third and most vital level is the one most often neglected.

FIRST LEVEL DISCIPLESHIP

The first level of discipleship is what many call Life Groups or Sunday School. These are small to larger sized groups that generally meet at the church on Sunday mornings or in other settings throughout the week. The main purposes of these groups is to study the Bible, build community, pray together, and care for one another.

This is a basic or entry level of discipleship with a rather low degree of accountability. However, these groups often serve a vital role in the church. This is frequently where Christians are introduced to the basics of Bible study, build a strong sense of biblical community, and do great ministry in caring for others within the group.

SECOND LEVEL DISCIPLESHIP

A second level of discipleship is some form of midweek Bible study. These are medium sized groups that generally meet on a Wednesday night or midweek morning.

These groups are important in that they provide mid-level discipleship involving a deeper level of Bible teaching and doctrinal education. Homework and personal study is often expected and there is a slightly higher degree of accountability involved in these groups.

As helpful as this level of discipleship can be for spiritual development, the sad reality is that most believers get stuck at this level. Over the years they merely go from one Bible study to the next and never progress to the third level. The consequences of this on the church are catastrophic.

THRID LEVEL DISCIPLESHIP

A third level of discipleship involves small discipleship groups or what many call D-Groups. These are smaller groups of three to five people who can meet anytime and anywhere for intentional disciple-making. There is a much higher degree of accountability in these groups related to practicing the spiritual disciplines of daily Bible reading, journaling, and prayer. These groups involve personal mentoring, interactive Bible study, and serving together in missional ministry and evangelism outside the walls of the church.

A high priority of these groups is leadership development and reproducing new disciple makers. Participants in these groups learn to make disciples who make disciples as a way of life, and leaders frequently multiply out to begin new groups. Multiplication is a must at this level of disciple-making.

This third and highest level of disciple-making is the missing link in most churches. It's what holds churches back from truly reaching our world for Christ. The Great Commission of the church is to make disciples who make disciples. It's tragic that most church goers at best are stuck in first or second level discipleship and rarely progress to the third level. 

Even more tragic is the fact that many pastors fail to understand their responsibility to train third level disciple makers. As a pastor, you want your church to be successful in all three levels of discipleship. However, if you could lead your church to excel in only one level of discipleship, it should be the third level. Jesus started His disciples out at this level and it resulted in a disciple-making movement that changed the world. We desperately need to reignite this disciple-making movement in our world today, but most pastors and have no real plan for how to accomplish this.

This is where D-Life can help. D-Life exists to equip common people to be Christ-like disciple makers. Through D-Life, we are helping churches across the country to make great strides in third level disciple-making and these churches are seeing exciting results. It is in these churches that people are beginning to say, "I'm a disciple maker." And when people begin to see personal disciple-making as the main way they serve in the church, it makes all the difference.

​For more information on D-Life or to schedule D-Life training in your church, please reach out to me or go our website at: livethedlife.com. Please share this post with others and leave us a comment below.