Laying the Foundation: Why Disciple Making Is the Heart of the Church

 

What if church wasn’t just about showing up on Sunday, singing a few songs, and heading home? What if it was about something bigger—like becoming disciples who make disciples, living out Jesus’ call every single day? That’s the picture we get from the early church in Acts 2:42—believers devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Not just coexisting, but *participating* in a vibrant, purposeful community. That’s God’s design for us, and it’s the key to any church that wants to thrive. Let’s unpack what disciple making really means and how it’s not just a program—it’s the heartbeat of following Jesus.

 

Discipleship Isn’t Optional—It’s Who We Are

 

Here’s a hard truth: too many of us have bought into the idea that being a disciple is an extra credit assignment for the super-committed. You know, something for the Tuesday women’s group or the Wednesday men’s Bible study. But Jesus didn’t see it that way. When He said, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), He wasn’t handing out a suggestion—He was giving us our marching orders. A disciple isn’t someone who’s mastered the Christian life; it’s anyone who’s heard Jesus’ call, turned from sin, trusted the gospel, and said, “I’m in—wherever You lead.”

 

So why do we treat it like an add-on? Maybe it’s because we’ve split evangelism (sharing the good news) and discipleship (growing in faith) into two neat boxes. But the Great Commission doesn’t play that game—it’s one seamless mission: lead people to faith, baptize them, and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded. It wasn’t a class—it was a way of life. Shouldn’t every church be that kind of place?

 

Disciple Making = Christian Living

 

Let’s ditch the idea that discipleship is a separate category with its own sign-up sheet. It’s not a program—it’s the air we breathe as followers of Jesus. Sure, special studies or small groups can help us grow, and that’s awesome. But everything in the church—every sermon, every potluck, every prayer—should point us toward becoming better disciples and making more of them. It’s not about adding “discipleship” to the to-do list; it’s about seeing our whole Christian journey through that lens.

 

Take the first disciples. When Jesus called those fishermen in Mark 1, they didn’t sign up for a seminar—they dropped their nets and followed. Same with Matthew the tax collector. Jesus said, “Follow me,” and Matthew was out the door, leaving his old life behind. A disciple is just that: someone who hears Jesus, repents, believes, and goes where He goes. That’s where it starts—with His call, not our checklist.

 

Knowing Before Doing: Paul’s Playbook

 

Here’s where it gets practical. A lot of discipleship talk focuses on doing—prayer, Bible study, serving others. All good stuff! But the Apostle Paul flips the script. In Colossians 1:9-10, he prays for believers to be filled with knowledge so they can live lives worthy of God. For Paul, “knowing” comes before “doing.” Doctrine isn’t some dry theology class—it’s the foundation for how we walk with Jesus. The Great Commission’s “teach” isn’t about dumping facts; it’s about teaching obedience to Christ’s commands.

 

So, if your church is big on spiritual disciplines but light on biblical truth, you might be building on sand. We need both—head and hands—working together. When we know who Jesus is and what He’s done, the doing flows naturally.

 

No Church, No Discipleship

 

Let’s be real: you can’t make disciples in a vacuum. God wired us for community, and the church is His “Plan A” for growing us up in faith. Sure, para-church groups have done amazing work with small groups and one-on-one mentoring—I’ve been blessed by that myself. But when discipleship gets too individualistic, we miss the bigger picture. It’s in the messy, beautiful chaos of church life that we learn to follow Jesus together. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer warned, if you’re not in community, you’re in danger of going it alone—and that’s not what Jesus had in mind.

 

Start with the Kids

 

Want to see disciple making take root? Look at the next generation. Jesus didn’t brush off the kids brought to Him (Matthew 19:13-15)—He welcomed them. If we’re serious about this, our churches should pour into our children, discipling them from the cradle. Pastors, parents, leaders—don’t sleep on this. The mission starts with the little ones in our pews.

 

Disciples Are Missionaries

 

Following Jesus isn’t a solo gig—it’s a mission. When He called those fishermen, He didn’t just say, “Follow me.” He said, “I’ll make you fishers of men.” Every disciple is a missionary, not in the “pack your bags for Africa” sense (though maybe!), but in the “live on purpose” sense. We’re learning to follow Jesus ourselves, and part of that is helping others take their next step—whether they’re new believers or just a few paces behind.

 

This hit me hard: if I’m a disciple, I’m on mission. Not just the pastors or the “official” missionaries, but me—and you. Ephesians 4:12 says leaders equip the saints for ministry. That’s us! We’re the hands and feet, making disciples as we go.

 

Let’s Get Moving

 

So, where do we start? First, see yourself as a disciple—not tomorrow, but today. Then ask: Is my church a place where disciple making is normal, not a side hustle? Do we welcome seekers, walk them to faith, and guide them into maturity? It’s not about perfect programs—it’s about a culture where Jesus’ call echoes in everything we do.