Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

Living the D-Life: Six Practices of Disciple-Making

  • May 30, 2021
  • Dr. Bill Wilks
  • Alabama, Latest News

Living the D-Life: Six Practices of Disciple-Making

Disciple-making is not a program; it’s a lifestyle. This is a big truth. Jesus said, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19). Clearly, this was no call to join a discipleship program but an invitation to a lifestyle of disciple-making. According to Jesus, this lifestyle is the supreme purpose of every believer. You cannot be a true follower of Jesus without becoming a fisher of men.

Common misconceptions

There are some common misconceptions in today’s church about disciple-making. Some think it is evangelism, as it means having gospel conversations and seeking to lead others to Christ. Certainly, this is a vital part of disciple-making. But making converts is not the same as making disciples. You can do evangelism without being a disciple maker, but you cannot be a disciple maker without doing evangelism.

Others think disciple-making is Bible study. It involves great studies where people go deep into the Bible. Again, this is a vital part of disciple-making, but there is a problem. Many participate in great Bible studies and then want to know when is the next one and the next one and the next one. We are making great Bible learners but not disciple makers.

Christ’s model

With no buildings or budgets, Jesus launched a disciple-making movement that exploded upon the world. In comparison, the church today has discipleship programs but few disciple-making people. We must exchange our misconceptions about discipleship for Christ’s model of disciple-making.

Jesus made disciples who made disciples; He didn’t make any other kind. Apart from multiplication, there is no real discipleship. Multiplication is the key to reaching our world for Christ. However, most churches today lack a simple process for equipping believers to make and to multiply disciples. For the most part, we are attempting to reach the world by addition, and we simply cannot keep pace.

By reading the gospels, we learn there are six practices of disciple-making that Jesus modeled for us with His discipleship group. These six practices are:

  1. Fellowship
  2. Teaching
  3. Prayer
  4. Ministry
  5. Multiplication
  6. Accountability

During the next few issues of The Baptist Paper, we will unpack these six practices and learn how to use them in living a true lifestyle of disciple-making.


Upcoming D-Life boot camps

Huffman Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama
Sunday, June 6
2–6 p.m.

NorthPark Baptist Church, Trussville,
Alabama
Saturday, August 28
9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Stone Ridge Baptist Church, Alexander
City, Alabama
Sunday, September 19
4–7:30 p.m.

Lawndale Baptist Church, Greensboro, North Carolina
Saturday, October 23
9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight
    The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • Reaching the next generation: the difference between struggling, succeeding
    Reaching the next generation: the difference between struggling, succeeding
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.
  • Amplify

Related Posts

The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight

Recently I toured the Bunker at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. It was the secret location where the U.S. Congress would move in case of

China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries

 The Chinese Communist Party, which restricts Christian ministries, is clamping down even tighter with the institution of new legal restrictions. The relief group Barnabas Fund

Reaching the next generation: the difference between struggling, succeeding

Many churches are having a difficult time reaching the next generation with the message of Jesus Christ. Not only are churches struggling to connect with

IMB Journeyman learns faithfulness, flexibility in move from Ukraine to Poland

When training to be a missionary, instructors and mentors emphasize the need to be flexible, even fluid. Jaden Williamson listened but never thought he’d be

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
Menu
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
Menu
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2022 TAB Media Group

  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel