How do I make a disciple? Make no mistake: there is no formula or ten-step process for making disciples. However, when Jesus told His disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations,” I believe they understood what He meant. After all, they had been discipled by Jesus and had observed firsthand the way He made them His disciples.
When it comes to making disciples, we can look to how Jesus discipled the apostles and how they replicated His methods as they discipled others. I addressed seven key principles here, but the first overarching principle I see in disciple-making is this: we seek to help others learn to depend on Jesus—not us—above all.
Neil Cole helped me see a tangible context for applying Jesus’ way of discipleship today. Life Transformation Groups (LTGs) are simple, reproducible, and focused on becoming disciples of Jesus rather than followers of a human leader. Anyone can participate. You do not need special training or a workbook. You need only a Bible and a few people willing to journey with Jesus together.
The process involves reading significant portions of Scripture through discovery Bible study questions, pursuing transparent Christian friendship, and praying for people in your life who need spiritual direction and connection with Jesus.
Neil explains LTGs in depth in his book Search and Rescue. The article below also introduces the idea of an LTG. Over the years, I have adapted Neil’s process to fit my own context, and I am generally less rigid in how I use it. I have also created a printable bookmark with helpful discovery Bible study questions and a quick guide for an LTG meeting. I have found it useful to keep nearby while reading God’s Word and meeting with an LTG partner.
- Click Here To Read Short Explanation of LTG’s (PDF)
- UPDATE: Simple Church Bookmark For LTG’s
- Search and Rescue (Neil Cole’s full Book on LTG’s)
For those of us in simple church, we really believe that if we make disciples, we can let Jesus build the Church. How could an LTG be a great catalyst for seeing simple churches birthed in your city?
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me gustaria obtener material para ayudar a experder mi misterioa en la costa grande del estado de gURERRO MEXICO SE LO AGRADECERE YA QUE SU MARTEIL EN DE SUMA IMPROTANCIA MUCHAS ! GRACIAS1
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Gavin, I have found this to be immensely helpful, too. Over time, I found LTG format to be a bit restrictive. Since there is nothing magic about this process, I looked for something a bit different and found Chris Suitt and his BIG (Bible Impact Group). It builds on Cole’s LTG and allows for a little more flexibility around Scripture reading (not how much, but what). For me, it matches up with my experience of life a bit more.
Cole’s approach is great, too! As you state, there is no magic formula for this. I believe Jesus is the only way to the Father, but that there are a lot of ways to Jesus! Just wanted to mention Suitt’s BIG model for anyone who might be interested to check it out. His book, More Than a Sunday Faith, describes the model in detail, and more info can be found on his web site: http://www.morethanasundayfaith.com/ – look under the Resources menu for more.
Hope this can be a help to someone. As long as true disciples are being made, those who listen to the Master’s voice and respond in faith, variations in method or model, as long as they conform to Jesus’ own, don’t matter too much! Thanks for all your help in this regard. You are a blessing to me!
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