By Dick Papworth
Pass on what you’ve learned!
Some years ago, the Holy Spirit impressed on me how blessed I had been as a young man to be taught the Scriptures and to witness the godly example of those older in the faith. Now it was my turn. God was calling me to both be a disciple and to disciple others.
What is discipling?
Discipling is simply a relational process in which a more experienced Christian believer helps guide and support another person in his or her spiritual walk. It’s not just about giving advice—it’s about walking alongside someone as they learn to grow spiritually and live out his or her faith.
The Scriptures teach it
Jesus spent most of his time teaching and training a small group of men, the disciples. After his resurrection, He told the disciples to teach others what they themselves had learned from Him: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul instructed young Timothy similarly: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV)
Paul also instructed older women to teach younger women concerning their marriages, the raising of their children, and their character: “Older women . . . are to teach what is good, and so train the young women.” – Titus 2:3-5 (ESV)
Real life examples
By God’s grace, one-on-one and group discipling has been happening in the assembly where I serve. It has been encouraging to see younger men whom I have discipled grow spiritually.
Many years ago, one of our youth leaders began gathering our high schoolers in his home for Bible study. These times eventually had a profound effect on many of the youth, including our own daughters who today are going on for the Lord and serving Him.
One of our elders discipled and did a Bible read-through with a high school young man for two years. Today that young man serves as an elder and is shepherding and discipling others.
A woman in our fellowship met regularly with a younger woman and taught her how to be a godly wife, train her children, and run a household.
How to get started
Many Christians have never been discipled themselves and, therefore, may not know how to disciple others. Here are four simple suggestions:
Discern need
Because people have different needs and are at different levels of spiritual maturity, their need for discipleship will look different. As 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (ESV) says, “We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” Some need admonishment. Some need encouragement. Some need practical help. All require patient teaching.
What to do when you meet together
Trust God for wisdom and for the Holy Spirit to move in the heart of the person you’re discipling. Read, discuss, and apply Scripture together. The goal is to engage him or her with both the meaning of the text and how to apply it to life.
Share from your heart and experience. Talk about your victories and be transparent about your failures. Pray for each other.
Discipling others is how to leave a lasting legacy.
This article was originally published in the March 2026 edition of "Missions" magazine, a publication of Christian Missions in Many Lands