Start Making Disciples

Many churches prioritize Bible study—but is that enough to form disciple-makers? Lifeway reports that 46% of churches say Bible study is their top group objective, while only 16% focus on intentional disciple-making. At Disciples Made, we believe it’s time to aim higher. Discover why information alone can’t transform lives—and how a shift toward character, calling, and multiplication can help your church thrive.

After nearly two decades in ministry, Jason Phelps was burned out, carrying the weight of church leadership alone. But everything changed when his church partnered with Disciples Made. In this honest reflection, Jason shares how our 12-month Platinum Coaching Journey helped him raise up everyday leaders, reshape culture, and rediscover the joy of multiplying disciples. If you're tired of doing it all, this is your invitation to experience breakthrough.

Too often, churches celebrate activity over transformation. But thriving disciple-makers know that clarifying and celebrating the right wins—those rooted in character and calling—shapes culture and multiplies impact. Discover practical ways to shift your focus and fuel real Kingdom growth.

Discover why obedience to Jesus, not personal competence, is the starting point for lasting disciple-making impact—and how your next step of obedience might change everything.

One of the biggest roadblocks to intimacy is vulnerability. Many leaders wonder: Can I be real with those I lead? The truth is, without vulnerability, real relationships can’t happen—whether in the church, the workplace, or our personal lives.

In our latest monthly webinar for Disciple-Makers, The Power of Vulnerability in Discipleship, we explored the critical role of trust, intentionality, and authenticity in disciple-making relationships. Disciple-making is not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about creating deep, intentional relationships that foster transformation.

It’s natural for church leaders to want their congregations to thrive, and numbers often feel like the easiest metric of success. But what if the very strategies designed to keep people in the pews are the ones holding the church back from true growth?

In our quest to make Jesus’ church more relevant, we’ve fallen short in helping Jesus’ followers burn bright with spiritual influence. The time has come to Re-Imagine Discipleship. Let’s dive into three compelling reasons why re-imagining discipleship is essential in 2025, and how you can make 2025 your year to shine.

As we step into the Advent season, we’re reminded of the anticipation and hope that marked the arrival of Jesus. But beyond the twinkling lights and festive carols lies a profound truth about our faith journey: obedience trumps competence. Advent invites us to prepare our hearts, not by perfecting our skills, but by surrendering to God’s plan. Let’s explore how radical obedience can lead to unexpected freedom and growth, transforming not only our lives but also our communities. ✨

My Dad was a devoted reader, reading “for awhile” every night before bed. That habit led to the outcome of his being well-read. Recently, I’ve intentionally emulated that, connecting with that piece of his legacy. But a recent challenge from a friend sparked a thought: What if, in my quest to be a “devoted reader” like my Dad, I “devoted” more of that reading to spiritual pursuits?

Apprentices are people you choose to mentor. The best apprentices desire to grow, demonstrate initiative, and make sacrifices to gain wisdom from a good mentor. 

Experienced mentors know a powerful truth… the benefits of routinely developing apprentices far outweigh the investments. Every follower of Jesus can live more Fully Alive as they identify, develop, and release apprentices throughout their life.

How Do I Find the Best Peers To Walk With Me?

Peers share a similar phase of spiritual development as you. They have similar hopes and ambitions as well as similar challenges and limitations. Peers are not in front of you or behind you, but stand side by side with you in your pursuit of Jesus…

Mentors are seasoned in their walk with Jesus, filled with wisdom on how to live Fully Alive, and able and willing to share that wisdom with others. Finding a great mentor is challenging, as many mentor and apprentice relationships are initiated by the mentor… not the apprentice. This is certainly true in the biblical examples. Paul chose Timothy. Jethro offered unsolicited advice to Moses. Elijah chose an unsuspecting Elisha to be his successor as prophet. Even Jesus, the ultimate mentor, selected His disciples to their great surprise.

Jesus came so you could live Fully Alive.

Since the secret to living Fully Alive is to actually die to your own desires and inclinations, which seems “upside-down” and contrary to what most of us want out of life, then we must admit from the outset that     WE.     NEED.     HELP!

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” —Jesus (John 10:10)

I am not easily intimidated. I like a good challenge. I love jumping headlong into opportunities and running full steam at them.

Here, I suggest a third question to guide your answers to the first two: Will you allow your longings for intimacy and influence to drive you to Jesus, now and for the rest of your life?

The question I invite you to consider in this blog is, “Were your longings for intimacy and influence so powerful that they caused you to try and fulfill them in ways that caused more pain than joy?”

Two questions started haunting me in my middle school years. I couldn’t put words to them at the time, but in those tender years of emotional and physical development, these two questions influenced my feelings and behavior more than anything else.

Bakers measure ingredients to make tasty cookies. Business executives measure key performance indicators to stay profitable. Sports teams measure points to make games exciting for their fans. Construction workers measure materials twice to ensure a good cut.

Your greatest impact will not be a result of your effort and hard work. Your greatest impact will flow from the work Jesus is doing in and through you. Put succinctly, Impact flows from Identity.

An arch is reliably strong because its apex equally distributes weight to two bases, which form a single, continuous structure. As weight compresses down from above the arch, the foundational bases absorb weight equally.