Discipleship Road Map

If being more like Jesus is our destination, then discipleship is the road – it’s how we get there. On our discipleship journey or road trip, it is important to assess where we are on the map so we know where the next on-ramp is and where to begin the discipleship process.

Off the Map (Not Curious)I’m Lost (Curious)I’m Found (Believer)Tailgating Jesus (Disciple)HOV Lane (Disciple Makers)

“I like this road I’m on and don’t see a need to search for a new one.”

“I don’t like this road I’m on. I believe or at least hope that there might be a better one out there.”

“I found the road that ultimately leads to Heaven. I believe that Jesus paid the toll for me to be on this road even though I don’t deserve it. I don’t quite understand how to read His map (Bible) or talk to Him (prayer). I rely on others to stay on the road and for fuel (spiritual development and growth).”

“I’m hanging out with Jesus and I am learning to closely follow Him in all the ups and downs and winding back roads of life. I’m living in community with other travelers on the same road. I know how to refuel along the way.”

“I’m helping others find the Jesus-road, read the map, and closely follow Jesus. I look and pray for others I can help.”

If you are interested in being discipled or leading others in discipleship, please complete and submit the self assessment.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Additional information on what it means to be a disciple can be found below.

Discipleship Self Assessment

6 Marks of a Disciple

Disciples are followers of Jesus. They have turned from their sin and trusted in Jesus as their Savior. They have died to themselves and surrendered their lives to Him as Lord. Christ now lives in them, transforming everything about them from the inside out.
Just like any road, there are mile markers that tell you how far you have gone. We have identified 6 mile markers of faith that represent milestones in the discipleship journey. They are signs of being a disciple of Christ and are areas to be developed until we reach our destination – our eternal home in Heaven.

Renewed Heart and Affections

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

Disciples have a heart that beats for God and desires what He desires. The moment we believe and put our faith in Jesus accepting Him as our personal Savior we exchange a spiritually dead heart for one of life (Eph. 2:1-10). A once dead heart comes to life and is renewed. As we follow Jesus, our affections (our desires, our values, where our passions lie, and tender attachments) are set on things of God, and those affections grow to supersede the attractions of sin and the things of this world. We learn to love what He loves, value what He values, and hate what He hates. They grow to obey God out of desire, not simply out of duty. Our renewed affections lead us to know more about Him through the Bible.

Reformed Mind

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Co. 10:5b NIV
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Col. 3:2 NLT
…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 NIV

Disciples of Jesus are passionate about the Bible and are biblically grounded—they believe what Jesus says. The Bible is God’s love letter to us and one way in which He reveals Himself to us. Disciples of Jesus trust the truth of Jesus and view the world around them through the lens of God’s Word. As we abide in Jesus, reading, hearing, studying, understanding, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word, He molds and reforms our minds to become like His. Reformed minds lead to obedience.

Refined Will

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

Disciples completely submit everything to Jesus.
As we read God’s Word and do what it says, God refines our will removing any impurities or unwanted elements. Disciples do not obey to make themselves right with God, or to add anything at all to the work of Christ, but out of the faith, hope, and love (Eph. 2:8-9). The more we walk according to God’s Word, the more Jesus conforms our ways to His will. We turn away from living for ourselves to living for God and His purposes.

Reclaimed or Rediscovered Purpose

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.  They worshiped together at the Temple each day…And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 NLT

Disciples connect with other disciples, express their love for God, and are missionally engaged in the community.  Jesus has not only transformed our way of life; He has revolutionized our reason for living. Compelled by God’s grace, we build relationships in the community (and around the world) to help others and share the gospel of Christ – in essence, disciples creating disciples. We also recognize that we are designed for worship as well as community with other believers and hold all these main purposes in balance and equal priority.

Real Relationships

Love your neighbor as yourself. Matt. 22:39
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I John 1:7 NIV

Disciples live in community through real and genuine relationships. We are all broken; however, we try to hide our brokenness from others. But if we stop pretending and admit our brokenness, we bring it into light. Jesus redeems it and thus creates deeper community and fellowship. Then we can be better helpers and servants exhibiting sacrificial compassion and love for one another.

Restructured Resources

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights… James 1:7 NIV
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Proverbs 3:9 NLT

Disciples believe that all our resources are gifts from God and structure the expression of those gifts accordingly. Our resources consist of our time, talent, and money. Instead of being selfish with our resources, we restructure or reallocate our resources to generously use our time, talent, and money for God’s purposes and the expansion of His kingdom.