The Call of Discipleship

We live in the information age. At no other time in history has so much information been available at our fingertips. The Bible alone has been translated into over 900 English versions since William Tyndale’s 1526 translation (1). By some estimates, there are between 10,000 and 20,000 Christian podcasts on Spotify and that doesn’t even begin to account for social media influencers or YouTube creators. On the academic front, there are 245 accredited seminaries, along with a vast number of online learning platforms (2).

There has never been a better time in history to gain information about Christ, the Bible, and Christianity in general. So why, then, is faith declining? Why have practicing Christians fallen from 46% to 24% of adults over the past 25 years? (3) Why is our culture becoming increasingly comfortable with debauchery and outright sin?

There are many ways one could answer these questions, but I believe Scripture has already given us insight because this is not a new problem. We often think our generation is unique, but humanity is still the same as it has always been. We just have newer and shinier devices.

In his first letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul addresses this issue early on:

“I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children. For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Therefore, I urge you to imitate me.”
1 Corinthians 4:14–16 (CSB)

Did you catch that? Paul highlights that the issue is not a lack of teachers, but the need for spiritual fathers, Paul for them, who play a formative, relational role in a believer’s life.

Other translations echo this truth:

“For though you may have 10,000 guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers.” (NET)

“For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father.” (NLT)

“For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers.” (ESV)

These believers did not need more information. They needed spiritual fathers, Paul in this case, who could correct them with both truth and grace.

What’s Missing in the Modern Church

This, I believe, is what is missing in much of the modern church today. We have countless teachers, but very few spiritual fathers. Young believers often lack mentors who will walk with them, talk with them, and model what it looks like to follow Jesus faithfully. Instead, many are left to navigate their faith through online echo chambers and algorithms fueled by confirmation bias.

Information is not the issue. Discipleship is.

We don’t need more content. We need more disciple-makers. We need discipleship, period.

So, what does discipleship look like, and how do we actually live it out? Let’s dive in.

Discipleship Is for Everyone

First and foremost, discipleship is for everyone. Every believer is called to “go and make disciples,” as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19. Not every believer should immediately begin discipling others on day one, but discipleship is a core part of the Christian life. A believer who keeps their faith entirely to themselves stunts their own growth and ignores one of Jesus’ final commands.

I appreciate how the Fellowship of Christian Athletes frames discipleship through their E3 Model: Engage, Equip, and Empower. Every believer should find themselves somewhere in this process where they are being engaged with the gospel, equipped by the gospel, or empowered to share the gospel.

Practically speaking, discipleship looks like chasing after Jesus and inviting others to join you along the way. You don’t need to be a tour guide; you just invite someone on the journey. Start by inviting others to church. Join a small group where you can grow. Seek out a mentor who can meet with you one-on-one. Or consider meeting weekly with someone who could benefit from walking alongside you in faith.

Discipleship Is Not Just Teaching

Discipleship is not merely teaching. Though teaching can certainly be a part of it. Discipleship is much more relational driven than authoritative driven.

In my experience, many believers shy away from discipleship because they don’t feel they have enough biblical knowledge to teach someone else. But this misses the point. Recall Paul’s words to the Corinthians. The problem wasn’t a lack of instruction. Discipleship is about inviting a younger believer to imitate Christ alongside you as you both navigate life together.

Discipleship can look like grabbing coffee once a week to discuss a book you’re reading together. It can mean serving side by side in a church ministry. It might look like an older woman inviting a young mother over to talk honestly about the challenges of motherhood while the kids tear up the room. It could be a group of older men welcoming a younger guy into their regular morning breakfast routine. It might even be inviting a friend to join you on a camping trip.

Discipleship doesn’t need to be fancy or overly structured. What matters is that the relationship points toward Jesus and His teachings. Discipleship requires time and a shared life. It builds relational capital, so encouragement is possible during hard seasons and loving correction is welcomed when someone goes astray. That is discipleship. Don’t overcomplicate it.

Discipleship Is What the Church Needs

Did you know that only two out of every five Christians are actively involved in discipleship? (4) Discipleship is what the big “C” Church desperately needs, but it’s not something the small “c” church (the local institution) can provide on its own.

Too often, we complain that the church doesn’t offer enough small groups or doesn’t have a ministry that fits our schedule. But if Matthew 28:19 applies to every believer and I believe it does, then we must take ownership of the opportunities God places before us. If you see a need, perhaps God is calling you to help meet it.

We are not passive spectators; we are human beings with agency. It’s time for the people of the Church to care for one another through intentional discipleship relationships. Older men must model godliness for younger men, and older women must train up younger women, just as Paul instructs in Titus. We don’t need grand, world-changing strategies. We simply need to faithfully invest in the lives God has placed around us.

Conclusion

The church needs strong discipleship, and that responsibility begins with the congregation. Pastors can only do so much. We as the Church, must step into one another’s lives the way the early church did.

Find community. Find connection. Find Jesus—together.

Be a disciple-maker.

God Bless,

Tate Tobiason

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