What does it mean to be a disciple-maker?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament does not use the phrase “disciple-maker,” but it repeatedly shows God’s people teaching, shaping, and leading others to faithfully follow Him. A disciple-maker is someone who helps others know God, obey Him, and pass His truth on to the next generation. Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says that parents were commanded to diligently teach God’s words to their children throughout everyday life. Proverbs 22:6 repeats that parents are instructed to train children in the way they should go.
  
• Israel was warned not to forget God’s works but to make them known to their children and grandchildren (Deuteronomy 4:9). This echoes what Psalm 78:4-7 and Psalm 145:4 say about telling the next generation about God's mighty works so they would place their hope in Him.
  
• One generation was to tell the next about God's works and warnings (Joel 1:3). 
  
• In Joshua 4:21–24, memorial stones were set up so future generations would ask about God’s works and learn to fear Him. These stones were used as a memorial and as a way of discipleship. 
  
• Moses was one of the clearest examples of a disciple-maker. He not only led Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3–14) but also taught them God’s commands and instructed them to pass God’s truth down to future generations (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:6–7). Moses also invested in Joshua, publicly commissioning and preparing him to lead after his death (Numbers 27:18–23; Deuteronomy 31:7–8).
• Joshua continued this pattern by leading Israel to obey God and calling the people to covenant faithfulness. At the end of his life, he challenged the nation, “Choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15), urging others to remain faithful after him.
  
• Elijah discipled Elisha by mentoring him closely and preparing him to continue God’s work (1 Kings 19:19–21; 2 Kings 2:9–15). Disciple-making involves intentional investment in another person’s spiritual growth and mission.
  
• Ezra devoted himself to studying God’s law, obeying it, and teaching it to others (Ezra 7:10). This is a foundational picture of disciple-making: learning God’s truth, living it out, and teaching others to do the same.

from the new testament

• In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples: helping them know Christ, follow Him, and obey Him.
• Paul the Apostle told Timothy to entrust truth to faithful people who would teach others, an essential pattern of discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2).
• Disciple-making happens as we intentionally teach and apply God's Word (Colossians 3:16) and as we remember and imitate the faith of those who have taught us God's Word (Hebrews 13:7).
• Discipleship was also to happen in families, as Deuteronomy 6:6-7 had instructed. Fathers are instructed to bring up their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
• Discipleship was also to happen across generations, as modeled in the Old Testament. Older believers are instructed to teach and model godliness to younger believers in Titus 2:1–8.
• In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Discipleship is intentional, helping others follow Jesus, but equally important is living out one's faith so others see what faith in action looks like. Much is caught rather than taught even in intentional disciple-making.
• Paul the Apostle was a disciple-maker. He mentored Timothy, Titus, and many others, teaching them doctrine, modeling faithful living, correcting them, and entrusting ministry to them. 
  
• Timothy was an example of having been discipled. In addition to being mentored by Paul, 2 Timothy 1:5 shows that Timothy’s faith was also influenced by his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.
• Barnabas encouraged and strengthened believers and helped develop Paul, even as others were hesitant to trust him (Acts 9:26–27; 11:22–26). Disciple-makers do not only teach; they encourage, invest in, and help others grow into maturity.
  
• Priscilla and Aquila privately taught Apollos more accurately about the faith (Acts 18:24–26). Disciple-making often happens personally, relationally, and outside formal settings.
• Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of a disciple-maker. He intentionally called disciples (Matthew 4:19; Mark 3:13–14), lived closely with them (Mark 3:14), taught them truth (Matthew 5–7; John 13:13–15), corrected them (Matthew 16:23; Luke 9:55–56), modeled obedience to the Father (John 6:38; 13:15), and sent them out to continue His mission (Matthew 28:19–20; Luke 10:1–3). Jesus did not simply gather crowds; He transformed followers who would then help transform others (John 17:18).
  

implications for today

How many likes did you get? How many followers do you have? Our culture obsesses over building platforms and gaining influence, but Jesus never commanded His followers to build audiences—He commanded them to make disciples.

A disciple-maker is not simply someone with Bible knowledge or a leadership title, but someone who intentionally helps other people follow Jesus through truth, encouragement, example, correction, prayer, and consistent investment. And guess what? All believers are called to be disciple-makers. Disciple-making often happens in ordinary moments: parents teaching their children about God at home, friends reading Scripture together, older believers mentoring younger believers, and Christians encouraging one another through struggles and sin. Much of discipleship is not flashy or public; it is daily faithfulness lived so closely that others can see what following Jesus actually looks like. It is intentionally pointing people to Jesus.

This means we cannot treat Christianity as a private faith meant only for personal growth. Jesus did not save us merely to consume sermons, attend church, or gain knowledge for ourselves; He calls us to help others grow in Him, too. Every Christian is influencing someone, whether intentionally or unintentionally, through words, priorities, relationships, and daily choices. What kind of disciples are we helping create? A life centered on Christ should leave behind more than personal success or comfort. It should leave behind people who know, love, obey, and follow Jesus more faithfully because we walked with them toward Him.