Principles of Christian Discipleship

Knowing the Bible
Knowing the Bible is foundational for Christian discipleship. It involves regular reading, study, and meditation on Scripture to understand God's character, His promises, and His commands. Through the Bible, we learn who God is, what He has done, and how we are to live as His people. Discipleship encourages not just knowledge, but application—living out biblical truths in daily life and allowing God's Word to shape our beliefs, actions, and relationships.

Lordship to Christ
Submitting to the lordship of Christ means recognizing Jesus as the ultimate authority in every area of life. Discipleship is not just about acquiring knowledge or following religious routines; it is about surrendering our will, desires, and decisions to Christ. This involves daily choosing to obey Him, allowing His teachings and example to shape our character, priorities, and actions. True discipleship calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23), trusting that His ways are good and lead to abundant life.

Understanding the Gospel and its Counterfeits
Understanding the gospel means grasping the good news that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—not by our own works or efforts. The gospel centers on Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and new life for all who believe. Discipleship requires clarity about this message, as well as discernment to recognize and reject counterfeit gospels—such as legalism (salvation by rule-keeping), moralism (salvation by being good), or prosperity teachings (faith guarantees health and wealth). True discipleship keeps the focus on Christ’s finished work and calls us to live in joyful response to His grace, not in fear or self-reliance.

Working Toward Christian Maturity
Christian maturity is a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ in character, attitude, and action. It involves growing in love, humility, patience, and obedience as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. Maturity is not measured by knowledge alone, but by the fruit of the Spirit evident in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). Discipleship helps us identify areas where we need to grow, encourages accountability, and provides support as we pursue holiness. The goal is not perfection, but steady progress—becoming increasingly conformed to the image of Christ and equipped to serve others for God's glory.

Living with Wisodom
Living with wisdom means making choices that reflect God’s truth and character in everyday life. Wisdom is more than knowledge; it is the practical application of biblical principles to real situations. Discipleship encourages us to seek God’s guidance through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel, helping us discern right from wrong and make decisions that honor Christ. Living wisely involves humility, teachability, and a willingness to learn from both successes and failures. It also means considering the long-term impact of our actions on ourselves and others, striving to live in a way that brings glory to God and benefits those around us.

Planning to Lead Others
Planning to lead others is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship. As we grow in our own faith and maturity, we are called to intentionally invest in others—helping them follow Christ as we have been helped ourselves. This involves prayerfully identifying people to disciple, preparing ourselves through study and personal growth, and seeking opportunities to share what we have learned. Effective leaders model humility, authenticity, and a willingness to serve, recognizing that leadership in the church is about equipping others for ministry (Ephesians 4:12). Discipleship is not meant to end with us; we are called to multiply by training others who will, in turn, disciple more people, creating a legacy of faithfulness for generations to come.

Hallmarks of a Healthy Discipleship Relationship

Word-Centered
The Bible must remain central to any type of healthy discipleship relationship. Without a focus on Scripture, any lines of study or relationship will tend to go sideways and get off-track.

Mentor / Mentee
There ought to be a coach-player type of relationship in play. While there is mutual benefit in discipleship for everyone involved, there should some version of mentorship from a more experience believer in place, typically older to younger.

Tough-Minded
Healthy discipleship relationships are marked by a willingness to speak the truth in love, even when it is difficult. Both the mentor and mentee should be open to honest feedback, gentle correction, and accountability. Growth often requires facing uncomfortable truths and being challenged to change, always with grace and humility.

Clear Expectations
Without clear expectations, there is a high likelihood of disappointment and confusion. We need to have clear expectations for what we’re doing and should remain committed to the things we agree upon.

In-Person and Local
If possible, meeting together in-person is better than meeting remotely. While remote meetings are possible, there are a ton of non-verbal cues that get missed or overlooked when not meeting together in the same space.

Shared Studies
Studying the same book of the Bible or topical areas of study in a mutual way is a great method to keep on similar paths in discipleship. Working through the same study keeps our minds and hearts focused on similar issues and makes for better consistency in discussions and godly pursuits.

Prayer-Focused
A good discipleship relationship is marked by mutual prayer and encouragement through prayers. This means praying together and also praying for one another when not together. This assumes that we share important details with one another in order for our prayers to be relevant and effective.

Life and Doctrine
There is a combination of life and doctrine that happens in Christian discipleship. It’s not one or the other. Living a godly life stems from good doctrine, and the two are inseparable. One cannot live a godly life without knowing the Lord, and the primary means of knowing the Lord is by way of the Bible.

Same-Sex
Healthy discipleship relationships are most effective when they occur between individuals of the same sex. This approach fosters openness, accountability, and trust, while also providing appropriate boundaries and avoiding situations that could lead to misunderstanding or temptation. Same-sex discipleship allows for deeper discussion of personal struggles and spiritual growth relevant to each person's life stage and experiences.

Consistent Communication
Healthy discipleship relationships thrive on regular, open communication. Consistent check-ins, whether weekly or biweekly, help maintain accountability, foster trust, and ensure both mentor and mentee are engaged and growing together. This ongoing dialogue allows for timely encouragement, prayer, and addressing challenges as they arise.