Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Sunday School Lessons
  • Classifieds

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
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • What is a transhumanist worldview? The answer explained at DBU lecture.
    What is a transhumanist worldview? The answer explained at DBU lecture.
    April 20, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for April 26
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for April 26
    April 20, 2026/
    0 Comments
  • BGCT to study relationship with Baylor over recent concerns
    BGCT to study relationship with Baylor over recent concerns
    April 20, 2026/
    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.

Related Posts

What is a transhumanist worldview? The answer explained at DBU lecture.

An Oxford University philosophy fellow compared and contrasted the biblical and transhumanist worldviews during Dallas Baptist University’s fourth annual Baptist Distinctives Lecture.

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for April 26

Here’s the Bible Studies for Life Sunday School lesson commentary for April 26, written by Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi.

BGCT to study relationship with Baylor over recent concerns

In an advisory sent to Texas Baptists the afternoon of April 17, Texas Baptists Executive Director Julio Guarneri said the convention will study its relationship with Baylor University following concerns over recent campus events.

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for April 26

Here’s the Explore the Bible Sunday School lesson commentary for April 26, written by Don Fugate, senior pastor of Foxworthy Baptist Church in San Jose, California.

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

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • The Kids Edition
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2026 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • The Kids Edition
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe

Hi reader.
We’re a nonprofit Christian news ministry. 
Our mission is to provide grace-filled, trustworthy journalism from a Christian worldview. We make our reporting freely available online because we believe people should have access to reliable information.

Reader support helps sustain this work, offset rising costs, and allow us to continue providing affordable resources to churches and ministries. If you value this work, would you consider supporting our mission today?

Support Our Ministry

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