At its core, “disciple” means “learner.” In Jesus’ day, it wasn’t even a super spiritual word—it just identified someone studying under someone else. And learning didn’t usually happen in a classroom. It happened while doing life together. You couldn’t call yourself a disciple if you listened from the back row. You had to follow the teacher closely, watch their lives, and copy what they did.
That’s precisely what Jesus did with his twelve. He picked a few people, poured everything into them, and showed them how to live. Then he told them to do the same with others. Discipleship is surprisingly simple in concept—it just takes commitment.
So why don’t we do it?
- Apathy – We’re distracted. Other stuff feels more important.
- Insecurity – We think we’re not spiritual enough yet.
- Complexity – We’ve made it sound harder than it is.
- Unavailability – We don’t want to put in the time or effort.
- Unclarity – We don’t even know where to start.
That’s where we can change. It’s time to stop making excuses and start taking steps. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to be willing.
I want to give you a simple plan to help you grow. It is not a checklist or some massive to-do list; it is just a solid, biblical starting point you can use. You won’t be a thoroughly discipled expert by the end of it, but you will have a game plan to help you grow and potentially help someone else succeed, too.
At one point in my journey, I desperately wanted a spiritual checklist. If I could just work through a list with someone and check every box, we’d be done. But I realized that doesn’t work. People are too different, life changes, and honestly, no one ever “arrives” when it comes to faith. You can’t print a certificate for someone and call the process complete.
Some people know much about the Bible but don’t live it out. Others live godly lives but don’t know much about Scripture. Discipleship isn’t about hitting some maturity level—it’s about constantly growing, even if it’s messy or slow.
So instead of chasing some perfect list, I found a simple plan in the Bible that works no matter where you are in life. It’s flexible, repeatable, and super easy to remember. You don’t need fancy books or programs—just a heart to grow and help others succeed.
This guide will help you build your own plan using six areas. You can use it with a best friend, family member, or small group. We don’t hand out badges at the end; we celebrate progress along the way. Jesus is the only one who hands out rewards anyway, and his is worth waiting for. Until we see him, let’s keep helping each other grow.
We’ve made excuses; now, let’s make disciples.
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