These questions are designed to help church leaders take a step back and deeply evaluate their discipleship framework. They provide a foundation for honest, realistic, and meaningful reflection, uncovering blind spots and ensuring the church is faithfully stewarding its mission to make disciples who make disciples.
Evaluating the Current Framework
What is our definition of a disciple, and does our current framework align with this definition?
What metrics are we using to assess discipleship success? Are they primarily attendance-based, activity-based, or transformation-based?
Are we prioritizing head knowledge over heart transformation and practical obedience? What do our actual practices say about what we are prioritizing?
What core values are we imparting to our congregation? Are they consistently taught, highlighted, and exemplified by our leaders?
Spiritual Formation and Growth
How are we addressing different stages of spiritual growth (new believers, maturing Christians, and leaders)?
How are we equipping people to learn, practice and master spiritual disciplines for their own spiritual growth (such as lectio divina, the prayer of examen, confession, and Sabbath rest) and to pass them on to others?
How are we teaching people to discern and obey God’s voice in daily life? What opportunities exist for practicing this in a supportive environment with loving guidance?
Are we intentionally and strategically equipping our people with practices they can remember, repeat, and reproduce in others?
Community and Accountability
How are we fostering authentic relationships and discipleship communities where people can practice mutual encouragement, loving accountability, and unconditional love?
Do people in our church feel seen, valued, and known as they grow spiritually? What is our feedback mechanism for this goal? Are we involving a cross section of our congregation to get a varied and fuller view of this progress?
How are we helping believers actively engage in ministry, service and mission as part of their discipleship journey? Are we introducing and empowering them in a growing variety of ways they can minister to others, inside and outside of church?
Engaging the Whole Person
How does our discipleship framework promote emotional health, relational wholeness, and meaningful cultural engagement?
How are we equipping people to live out their faith in their families, workplaces and communities?
Systemic and Cultural Barriers
Are there systemic or cultural obstacles within our church that hinder effective discipleship? What will we do about it?
How are we intentionally discipling people to move beyond complacency, consumerism, and legalism?
Do our leaders embody the kind of discipleship we hope to cultivate in others?
Future Thinking
What will the fruit of our current discipleship efforts look like in 5, 10, or 20 years?
Are we preparing people to thrive spiritually in an increasingly post-Christian culture?
How are we cultivating resilient believers through holistic discipleship, enabling them to thrive in a culture of anxiety, stress, and diminished joy?
God-Centered Vision
Is our discipleship plan driven by human effort and secular agendas, or reliance on the Holy Spirit?
How are we creating rhythms and spaces for our church to behold God together and individually?
Are we actively seeking God’s direction for new strategies and practices, or are we stuck in what’s comfortable (in what has always been done)? Are we adapting to the growing challenges and demands of our changing world, with Holy Spirit's leadership?
Empowering Gifts and Callings
How are we identifying, nurturing and empowering the unique giftings, callings, and passions of individuals within our church?
Do we provide practical opportunities for people to discover and develop their spiritual gifts through training, mentorship, and hands-on ministry?
Are we creating pathways for people with non-traditional or less visible gifts to serve and thrive in our community?
How well are we equipping people to use their gifts in contexts beyond the church walls (e.g., workplaces, neighborhoods, mission fields)?
Supporting Diversity in Calling
Are we unintentionally prioritizing certain gifts (e.g., teaching, leadership) while neglecting others (e.g., hospitality, mercy, intercession)?
Do those with apostolic, prophetic, evangelistic, or entrepreneurial callings receive the same support and encouragement as those with shepherding or teaching gifts?
How are we cultivating a culture of collaboration among people with diverse gifts, ensuring they learn to value and complement rather than compete with one another?
Leadership and Stewardship
Do our leaders intentionally mentor and release others into leadership roles, or are they holding on to responsibilities that could be shared?
Are we regularly assessing whether we are stewarding people’s gifts well, or are we letting them stagnate due to lack of opportunity?
How well are we stewarding the resource, time, and energy God has entrusted us to support all members - not just those that reflect the dominant culture or gifting of the leadership?
Are we empowering both men and women to walk fully in their God-given callings within and outside our church ?
Apostolic and Missional Focus
Are we providing training, encouragement, and resources for those with apostolic and pioneering tendencies to plant, lead or initiate new works? Do we view apostolically-minded individuals as catalysts for growth and mission, or do we unintentionally see them as disruptive? Are we fostering an environment where innovation, risk-taking, and creativity (hallmarks of apostolic and pioneering giftings) are welcome and encouraged?
Do we celebrate and send out individuals who feel called to serve beyond our congregation, or do we unintentionally discourage them by focusing solely on internal ministry? How are we partnering with those called to serve outside the walls of the church, such as workplaces, schools, or missions?
Are we equipping people with the skills, spiritual depth and maturity needed to step into their callings with confidence?
Do future church planters and missionaries need to leave their current church context to be effectively trained in disciple-making strategies, or are these methods already being modeled in our lifegroups?
Self-Reflection and Repentance
Are we inadvertently favoring those whose giftings align with our own comfort zones or leadership style? Are we unintentionally favoring leadership styles, gifting, or personalities that mirror those of our church staff (or the more senior leadership)?
Do we have mechanisms in place for regular feedback from the congregation to identify areas where people feel overlooked or underutilized?
Vision and Culture
How does our overall discipleship culture encourage every believer to see themselves as a vital part of God’s mission? How are we cultivating a culture where everyone feels valued and vital to the mission of the church, regardless of their role? Do the token “models” of our people we typically highlight in the church service reflect this diversity?
Are we teaching people that spiritual gifts are tools for service and mission, not status or identity?
Do we have a clear vision for empowering people to live out their callings in alignment with God’s purposes for His church and the world?
By asking these questions—and developing new ones that specifically address areas of weakness—leaders can evaluate whether their church is effectively equipping believers to grow in Christlikeness, discover and use their God-given gifts, and live on mission for His glory. This process calls for humility, prayerful discernment, and a readiness to adapt as the Spirit leads. It also requires a collective effort from church staff (and other spiritually and ministry mature volunteers) to fully understand and engage with the current reality of this mission.
Ultimately, thoughtful reflection and action on these questions can help churches create a culture where every believer is valued, equipped, and sent to fulfill their calling in alignment with God’s purposes.