Discipleship is the heartbeat of the church and the process through which believers can grow in their faith. Effective discipleship doesn’t happen by accident but requires us to be intentional. Here are several discipleship models that churches can implement to develop mature followers of Christ. We don’t need to be running them all, but it is worth asking which models could work well for your church.

The ONE-ON-ONE Mentoring Model

This represents perhaps the most intimate form of discipleship. Based on Jesus’ own approach with his disciples and Paul’s relationship with Timothy, this model pairs a mature believer with a newer Christian. These partnerships involve regular meetings for Bible study, prayer, accountability, and life application conversations. The strength of this approach lies in its personalised nature, allowing mentors to address specific growth areas and challenges unique to the mentee.

SMALL GROUP Discipleship

Here we focus on creating community-centered spiritual formation. Groups of 6-10 people meet regularly to study Scripture, share life experiences, pray together, and hold one another accountable. This model builds on the early church pattern seen in Acts, where believers gathered in homes. These small groups create safe spaces for vulnerability and authentic relationships while distributing the discipleship responsibility across multiple mature believers rather than relying on a single mentor.

The CLASSROOM Model

This model offers structured teaching in larger settings. This approach, similar to Jesus teaching the multitudes, involves systematic biblical instruction on doctrines, spiritual disciplines, and practical application. Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and discipleship courses fall into this category. The strength of this model is its ability to establish foundational knowledge and reach larger numbers of people simultaneously.

EXPERIENTIAL Discipleship

Here we focuses on learning through active ministry participation. Following Jesus’ pattern of sending disciples out to practice what they’d learned, this model places believers in ministry contexts with guidance from experienced leaders. Service projects, mission trips, and apprenticeship roles provide hands-on learning opportunities. This approach recognizes that spiritual growth often accelerates when faith is put into action.

The FAMILY-BASED Model

Leveraging the home as the primary discipleship center can be highly effective. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 establishes parents as the primary spiritual influencers of their children. Churches supporting this model equip parents with resources and training to lead family devotions, meaningful conversations, and service opportunities. This approach acknowledges that the hours spent at home far outweigh church attendance time.

HOLISTIC Discipleship

This addresses the whole person—spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational aspects of life. This model recognizes that spiritual formation doesn’t happen in isolation from other life dimensions. Programs might include emotional healing ministries, financial stewardship training, physical health initiatives, and relationship development, all connected to spiritual growth principles.

DIGITAL Discipleship

Here we utilise technology platforms for spiritual formation. Online courses, video mentoring, mobile apps for Bible reading and prayer tracking, and virtual small groups extend discipleship beyond physical gathering limitations. This model meets people where they increasingly spend their time and provides flexibility for those with challenging schedules.

The most effective churches often implement multiple models simultaneously, recognising that different people respond to different approaches. A thoughtful discipleship strategy might include entry-level options for new believers and deeper engagement opportunities for maturing Christians.

Whatever models a church chooses, effective discipleship requires clear pathways, intentional leadership development, consistent accountability, and measurable growth markers. Above all, genuine discipleship always points people toward Christ-likeness rather than mere knowledge accumulation or behavior modification. When implemented thoughtfully, these models create environments where believers can “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

“As you reflect on these discipleship models, which one or two do you believe your church currently implements most effectively, and where do you see opportunities for you to strengthen or expand this approach?”

“How might you better integrate these various discipleship models to create clearer pathways for spiritual growth that meet people at different stages of their faith journey?”

“What specific barriers or challenges do you see in your congregation that might prevent full engagement with these discipleship models, and how might you address them?”

“If your church were to adopt one new discipleship model from this article in the next year, which would you recommend as most transformative for your particular congregation and why?”