The purpose of a lens is to view things better. The lenses we use do not replace our eyes but enhance their abilities. In discipleship, we have to encourage one another to see the whole picture of transformation, as we look through these three lenses to see God's truth with clarity:

The GOSPEL Lens

• The most foundational level is the gospel. People are transformed when they encounter the gospel again and again. Leaders must view discipleship through the lens of the gospel and help their people constantly preach the gospel to themselves. 

The DISCIPLINE Lens

• Discipleship must also be viewed through the lens of discipline. The Scripture challenges believers to pursue God and to train themselves for godliness. This demands discipline on our part. Spiritual disciplines are essential for transformation. 

The IDENTITY Lens

• This is the new identity of believers. As people realize the ramifications of the gospel in their lives—the reality that they have a new identity—they are empowered by the truth of their new character to live worthy of their new calling. 

While God changes people through His truth, people are most likely to recieve the transformative truth of God when they are in a vulnerable posture. These three postures of vulnerability help increase the level and rate of transformation you can experience. 

Weakness

• Real discipleship involves a perpetual recognition of our great need... When we realize that we are utterly helpless without His grace and power in our lives, we are in a vulnerable posture that welcomes His transformation... In fact, God uses trials, pain, and suffering to lovingly put His own into a posture of weakness resulting in deep transformation; God graciously uses suffering, opposition, and overwhelming circumstances to perfect His own.  

Interdependent

• Transformation is likely to occur when a believer has truth applied to his or her life while in an interdependent posture. A dependent posture is unhealthy as the believer finds security and worth in another person rather than in Christ (a form of idolatry)... Equally destructive is independence as the believer attempts to live his faith alone... Transformation best occurs when a believer is in an interdependent posture with other believers. 

Outward

• We are to be actively involved in bringing the Kingdom of God to bear on earth. We also grow by turning outward. 

The final ingredient is leadership. We need people who can rightly apply God's truth to others in a vulnerable posture. Without that leadership, would-be disciples are just wandering around aimlessly, waiting for one day to turn into the next. 

Healthy Leaders

• A healthy leader goal is to help people have the right lenses in which to view the world. They can point to circumstances and apply biblical truth, helping people see in a whole new way. They can help people find meaning and direction as they together go through the constant process of making sure our lenses are made from the right stuff.