I am dependent on my GPS to get me where I’m going. Even in my hometown, I always plug in an address because I don’t trust myself not to get distracted or confused en route. Maybe you aren’t as directionally challenged as I am, but I bet there are times when you depend on the GPS turn-by-turn to get you where you need to go. The reality of driving is that you need both a destination and a turn-by-turn plan to get there. Without the destination, you will drive and make turns all day but never get anywhere. Without the planned route, you will never reach your destination.
Disciple-making is similar. You need a goal and purpose for your time together to create the route and turns necessary to get there. You have to know where you’re going first. In Colossians 2:6-7, Paul details what it means for us to grow in Christ, and as disciple makers, that is our big-picture goal. We want to help the women around us become rooted and built up in Christ, so they will abide in Him and faithfully make disciples of others. Here are five goals that break down what that means.
Remember
“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord . . .” (Colossians 2:6a)
I want them to remember the gospel.
Every person’s story of salvation begins with the gospel. Jesus has saved us from the power and penalty of sin and brought us into a loving relationship with God. We are made new because of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. This is foundational to what we believe, why we have hope, our future, and our purpose today. For every struggle, stress, and strain in life, the gospel is the provision. The women you disciple need the gospel every day. They need to learn to remember the transformative truth of what Jesus has done for them and others. At every turn, remind them of the truth and urge them to remember.
Resemble
“ … so walk in Him,” (Colossians 2:6b)
I want them to resemble Christ.
Life in Christ is a story of growth. As God reveals truth to us, we hear and obey, making us look more like Jesus. As we experience trials of every kind, God works them to make us look more like Jesus. We will never perfectly resemble Christ in this life because we will still battle the presence of sin until we are face-to-face with Christ. So, we continually turn from sin and obey God’s Word. There’s no shame in where you or your disciples are. But God’s Word tells us we don’t have to stay there. By God’s grace, He continually transforms us into the image of His Son. Encourage your disciples that in all things, God is working to make them look more like Jesus. They need only trust and obey Him and praise Him for His transforming power in their lives.
Reproduce
“ … having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him … ” (Colossians 2:7a)
I want them to be rooted in Christ and reproducing themselves in others.
I learned to plant myself in the Word of God within a disciple group. Like a tree doesn’t jump and run in a storm or drought, the disciple knows where her nutrients come from. She is firmly rooted in Christ and nourished by His Word. Encourage her in the delight and sufficiency of Scripture. Teach her spiritual disciplines to equip her to commune with God through Bible reading, Scripture memorization, Bible study, and prayer. Display the beauty of being rooted in the community of God’s people within the local church. Challenge her to invest deeply with His people and watch how God provides for her and through her. Our purpose is to reproduce what God has done in us in those around us, so we don’t keep this growth to ourselves. Reproduction is a product of being rooted in Christ. As our roots grow deep, God produces fruit that reaches and builds up the people around us.
Remain
“ … and established in your faith, just as you were instructed … ” (Colossians 2:7b)
I want them to remain in Christ through all the changing seasons of life.
We must abide in Christ—make our home in Him. Life is not only on the mountain tops where joy abounds, and the view is clear. There will be many valley seasons that are hard and dark. Prepare your disciples to remain in Christ in those seasons. He will meet them there with strength, comfort, provision, and growth. They must only abide. Teach them that God’s goodness is always true, even when their circumstances do not feel good. Remind them that growth is continual. It will not end when your disciple group ends; instead, as we remain in Christ, we will experience His constant love, presence, and instruction.
Respond
“ … and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:7c).
I want them to recognize God’s goodness in all things and respond with thanksgiving.
God’s Word calls believers to thanksgiving at every turn, and this should be one of your goals as a disciple-maker, too. As disciples, we should be overflowing with gratitude. Not only when things are going well or according to our plans. Always. God gives us endless reasons to be thankful, and walking in it is a mark of obedience. Model this for them. Your disciples will not only hear from God as they study His Word alongside you. They will not only hear your encouragement and equipping as you disciple them. They will also watch you and do what you do. That is built-in accountability for you. As you remember, resemble, reproduce, remain, and recognize, let your life be overflowing with gratitude.
Knowing how you want to build up the disciples God has given you to invest in allows you to choose the best ways to spend your time together. This is your GPS navigation. Encourage them to remember, resemble, reproduce, remain, and respond so they may grow up in Christ. You are not responsible for outcomes; trust God for those. Be faithful in what He’s called you to—to “make disciples of all the nations … teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). I’m rooting for you as you walk in obedience, friend!
