Why Discipleship Doesn’t Come with a Certificate

Many believers long for a clear discipleship checklist, but true spiritual growth can’t be measured by curriculum completion or certificates. Discipleship is less about finishing a program and more about faithfully investing your life in someone else’s spiritual journey.

As a disciple of Jesus, I found myself longing for something I couldn’t easily find in the Bible—a simple discipleship checklist. I wanted a clear, step-by-step guide I could use with someone else. My idea was that once we crossed off every item on this expansive list, I could hand over a certificate of completion and declare the job finished.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how unrealistic that was. My checklist would likely evolve over time and differ from others based on denomination, culture, or personal priorities. There was no universal standard.

As I explored available options, I grew uneasy with the popular idea that completing a curriculum equals spiritual maturity. Finishing a workbook doesn’t mean someone is a whole disciple. While many discipleship tools attempt to measure maturity, I remain skeptical. Some programs treat discipleship as a finish line—once someone reaches a certain level, they’re labeled “mature,” as if their spiritual formation is complete.

Here’s the problem: spiritual maturity is subjective and slippery. I’ve known people who could ace a seminary exam but fail miserably in godly living. Others live with visible godliness but lack solid biblical knowledge. These charts and assessments can’t capture the full picture. I’m wary of any system that places people in fixed categories when we are all incomplete, inconsistent, and in progress.

Any measurement of spiritual health is riddled with human limitations. On top of that, our progress isn’t linear. Lessons I thought I had mastered last year often require review again. A “certificate” doesn’t prevent the need for future correction. Even if I’ve followed well so far, I know there are more twists ahead—and I’ll need guidance again. In discipleship, no one fully arrives on this side of eternity.

Initially, I tried to create a definitive list. Instead, I discovered something better: a flexible paradigm. While crafting a strategy, I stumbled upon a biblical model that was both simple and profound. Tucked within just three verses of Scripture, I found a plan that made perfect sense.

The more I studied it, the more convinced I became that we don’t need a new system—we need a reorientation. We need to return to the basics: one disciple giving all they can to help another follow Jesus more closely. If we let go of generic models and unrealistic expectations, we can start dealing with where we are and begin to see real spiritual progress.

Discipleship is the intentional investment of a believer for the instruction and imitation of another disciple.

All of us have lived through soaring victories and painful failures. Discipleship is the opportunity to use those experiences to help someone else grow. No matter how much or little you feel you have to offer—are you willing to give it away?

In the following pages, I want to introduce you to a plan for Distinctive Discipleship. It’s so simple, I hesitated to write it down. But as I began sharing it with others, I was encouraged by church members and leaders alike to make it available more broadly. Many were craving something unique, yet uncomplicated. Once I realized I wasn’t alone in my frustration with vague standards, I developed this into multiple formats to help believers craft a personalized growth plan.

This model can be used for your spiritual growth or to help guide someone else—your child, a mentee, or a small group member. It doesn’t require a special curriculum, specific programs, or cultural adaptation. It’s simple, memorable, and adaptable for any person in any nation.

At the end of this process, there are no certificates—because only Jesus has the authority to hand those out. When we finally see Him, we will finally be like Him (1 John 3:2). Until then, let’s keep making slow but steady progress toward Christlikeness.