What’s next after saying “yes” to Jesus?
Ask any ten believers—even church leaders—and you’ll probably get twelve answers! This isn’t an easy question to answer well, but your church needs a solid answer. Here’s why:
- Once people believe in Jesus, they need direction because Spiritual growth is not automatic. People need more than a Bible reading plan or a list of correct things to believe. YES! These things are vital, but memorizing the Apostles’ Creed and the Book of Numbers doesn’t equate to following Jesus.
- Providing a picture of biblical discipleship will help people grow. It will create a “space” for people to encounter Jesus and grow to be more like him.
- Your definition of a disciple will provide a balanced answer and help remove personal bias. Without a plan for spiritual growth to reveal their blind spots, a person will only pass on their personal experience.
- Obedience to Jesus is deeper and broader than reading the latest Christian devotional … or an ancient classic!
- Defining spiritual maturity gives your church a strategic advantage. Difficult decisions become much easier. Leaders become equipped to serve. Church programs and processes have a clear way to evaluate and expand. All of this is on top of helping believers live lives of surrendered obedience to Christ.
What should your answer look like? It ought to be biblical, basic, and balanced.
BIBLICAL — This is essential. Your spiritual growth pathway must be grounded in God’s revelation. While you may think this is obvious, too often churches have discipleship plans that more cultural than biblical.
BASIC — If it’s not simple, people won’t remember it. Your pathway should be communicated in fewer than two minutes and on one cocktail napkin.
BALANCED – Your pathway ought to be both practical and principled. Make it practical, but not so practical that it’s only viewed as a checklist. And make it principled, but not so principled that people don’t know what to do because they are caught up in heady ideals.
God made the church to create disciples. What does this mean for your church? I’d love to help you identify a clear path with understandable next steps that excite and empower your people.
