Reigniting Your Church’s Passion for Discipleship: 5 Strategies to Build Momentum in 30 Days

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV): “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What would it look like if your church was fully committed to making disciples—intentionally, relationally, and with the same urgency that Jesus spoke of in the Great Commission? Are we building true disciples or just filling our schedules with church activities?

In last week’s article I challenged us as leaders to ask whether we’re truly making disciples or merely staying busy. This week, I want to offer practical steps to help your church refocus on its primary mission—making disciples. When Jesus gave the command in Matthew 28 (and elsewhere), He wasn’t making a suggestion; He was handing us the core mandate of the Church.

Listen, I understand—many churches drifted from disciple-making years ago. For a while, we assumed that if the doors were open, people would come. And maybe that was true in the 1950s, when Sunday mornings offered little else to compete with church attendance. But that era is long gone.

Today, disciple-making happens through intentional relationships. It’s about walking with people, one-on-one, through the ups and downs of life, showing them what it means to follow Christ in a world offering so little joy or peace. The pandemic only highlighted the problem—many of our own members didn’t return to church, let alone newcomers.

So how do we get back on mission in today’s culture? How can we make disciples in a way that’s engaging, relational, and faithful to the Gospel? Let me share with you five strategies that can reignite your church’s passion for disciple-making within the next 30 days.

Start with a Simple Discipleship Group

Most of the churches I consult with have less than 50 people showing up on Sunday mornings.  Often they see their limited resources as a barrier to making disciples. But the truth is, you don’t need a lot of people or resources to start. Begin with a small group of individuals who are passionate about seeing others come to faith and grow in their relationship with Christ.

This approach mirrors what John Wesley did so effectively. He started with small groups—Classes, Bands, and Society Meetings—that focused on prayer, Bible study, and accountability. You can do the same by retooling an existing Sunday school class, small group, or mid-week prayer meeting.

The key is to shift the focus to intentional disciple-making, starting with ourselves first. Instead of just going through the motions of reading a lesson or study guide, ask deeper, more engaging questions like, “Where have you seen God at work in your life this week?” Create space for people to share their struggles in following Christ, which builds transparency, prayer, and even repentance.

Relational discipleship starts by modeling it ourselves before we can guide others. These small, intimate gatherings will serve as a strong foundation for your church’s spiritual growth. You’ll witness lives being transformed, and deeper connections will be formed—both with God and with one another.

Create Clear Pathways for New Disciples

When I first assess a church’s discipleship efforts, one of my key questions is: What is your intentional discipleship plan for new believers? More often than not, the response is a shrug or a vague answer.

Without a clear discipleship plan, new believers are at risk of fading away. It’s like scattering seed on rocky ground—it might sprout, but without roots, it quickly withers (Matthew 13). To ensure new believers not only stay but grow, you need a simple, intentional pathway that guides them into a life of discipleship and connection with others. The goal here is to remove barriers that might keep people from engaging in disciple-making.

Here’s an easy-to-implement example:

• Step 1: Connect them to a mentor and a group – Right away, help new believers get involved in a small group or a service group where they can build relationships and receive guidance from a mature believer.

• Step 2: Invite them into your life – Don’t limit your invitations to church events. Take them to lunch, grab coffee, or invite them to a BBQ or casual gathering. These personal connections build trust and a sense of belonging.

• Step 3: Provide clear next steps – On day one, give them a simple booklet or pamphlet that outlines their next steps in following Christ and getting connected to the church.

• Step 4: Celebrate their decision – Acknowledge and celebrate their choice to follow Christ in both public and personal ways. This reinforces their commitment and makes them feel valued.

With a clear process in place, new believers will have the support they need to grow roots in their faith and the church community. Connect. Invite. Guide. Celebrate.

Equip and Empower Leaders

Intentionally training your disciple-makers is key to creating a sustainable discipleship culture. Even in smaller churches, having just two or three dedicated leaders is enough to start. The training doesn’t have to be overwhelming, but it should focus on relational discipleship—teaching leaders how to connect deeply with others and guide them in their faith journey. I have written a Leader’s Guide and a Student Guide that covers this material.  I am also available to come to your church and teach it.

Why is this approach so effective?

1. Shared Responsibility: Disciple-making isn't just the pastor's job—it's the responsibility of the entire congregation. When members take ownership of this mission, it multiplies the church's ability to impact lives. Trained leaders can reach far more people than a single pastor ever could.

2. Relational Depth: Leaders who are equipped for relational discipleship can foster deeper, more personal connections with those they mentor. This creates an environment where real spiritual growth happens as people walk alongside one another, offering support, accountability, and encouragement.

3. Sustainability: A church's discipleship efforts should never depend on one person. By empowering leaders, you create a framework that can continue long-term, even if leadership changes. This makes your church’s disciple-making efforts scalable and able to adapt as the congregation grows.

4. Multiplication Effect: When well-trained leaders pour into others, those disciples can eventually become disciple-makers themselves, creating a multiplying effect. This approach fuels long-term growth, as new leaders are continually developed within the church.

Empowering leaders transforms your church’s discipleship model into a sustainable, reproducible system that extends beyond the efforts of the pastor alone. This not only strengthens the church community but ensures that disciple-making becomes a core function of the church for years to come.

Incorporate Discipleship into Existing Ministries

Disciple-making should be at the heart of every ministry in your church. If a ministry isn't helping people grow in their relationship with Christ, we need to ask ourselves: Why are we doing it? Whether it’s outreach, youth group, choir practice, or small groups, every effort should intentionally point people toward Christ and spiritual growth.

So how do we do that? Over the next 30 days, take a fresh look at each ministry and event. Ask yourself: What’s working? What’s not? I’m not suggesting you throw everything out and start over, but instead, assess what you already have in place. Could small changes or adjustments refocus these efforts on making disciples?

Many church events are traditions we do each year, but sometimes they serve more as internal gatherings than opportunities to engage the community. Think about how you can tweak these events. Could changing the location or how you invite people make your community feel more welcome?

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—just build on what you’re already doing well. The goal is to ensure every ministry is aligned with your church’s mission of making disciples. Find your One Excellent Mission[1], and pursue it with intentionality.

Celebrate Early Wins

If you want more of your congregation to embrace relational disciple-making, celebrate every victory—no matter how small. Share stories of spiritual growth, baptisms, and life transformation happening within your church. When you highlight these moments, you inspire others to get involved in what God is doing through discipleship.

Challenge yourself to find something to celebrate every Sunday for the next month. Whether it's a new relationship being formed, someone taking their first steps in faith, or a small act of service—acknowledge it and cheer it on.

Consider launching a 30-day discipleship focus with a memorable name that people can rally behind. Design tee shirts with slogans like “More Than Sunday” or “Walk Together, Grow Together” to build excitement. Encourage members to share testimonies of how they're connecting with others outside of the church. Celebrate those stories—applaud, shout "Amen!"—make it fun and exciting to be part of the mission.

This kind of celebration builds the momentum your church needs to reignite its passion for disciple-making and get back to its core mission.

You can do this! Reigniting your church’s passion for discipleship doesn’t require a massive budget or a huge congregation—it just requires intentionality and a willingness to walk alongside others. Start small, take practical steps, and trust that God will honor your commitment to His mission. You’ll be amazed at the life transformation and growth that begins to take place.

If you need guidance or support along the way, I’m here to help. Whether it’s through coaching, resources, or training, I’m available to walk with you as you refocus your church on the call to make disciples.

If you need help don’t hesitate to reach out to me at sam.peters@smallchurchcoaching.com

If you've found this article to be helpful, I'd appreciate you sharing it on your social feeds to be a blessing to others. Follow me on my social feeds to see more articles like this on leadership and discipleship.

#DiscipleshipMatters#ReigniteTheMission#WalkTogetherGrowTogether#IntentionalChurch#RelationalDiscipleship

[1] Small Church Big Opportunity, S. Peters, 2015