REFRESH | Seven Reasons Your Church Needs to Focus on Discipleship
By Jeff Jones
As pastors, we are entrusted with the spiritual growth of our congregations. Establishing a systematic discipleship program is one of the most effective ways to nurture this growth. I have served the same wonderful assembly of believers at Hilltop Free Will Baptist Church since 1987.
Over the decades, nothing has impacted our church more than systematically going through the Word of God via Discipleship Groups (D-Groups).
At Hilltop, we utilize Foundations: A 260-Day Bible Reading Plan for Busy Believers by Robby Gallaty. This plan includes journals tailored to the Old Testament, New Testament, and a third that covers strategically selected chapters providing a foundational understanding of the Bible.
Currently, Hilltop Church has 26 D-Groups, each comprised of five to seven individuals who meet weekly to discuss five devotional studies completed throughout the week. Men meet with men and women with women, fostering accountability and community.
Gallaty’s HEAR Journal method has been transformative for us. It encourages participants to:
H — Highlight a text that stood out during reading. E — Explain the text in one to two sentences. A — Apply the text to their lives. R — Respond in prayer.
These weekly meetings spark challenging and convicting conversations, and our members have witnessed tremendous spiritual growth.
Here are seven reasons your church should focus on discipleship:
People intentionally engage with Scripture. HEAR Journals provide a structured approach. Each reading includes a brief context summary to guide participants. This method fosters a deeper understanding of God’s Word. We’ve seen lives changed. Initially unsaved, a man in our group came to Christ within four months — in a Bojangles restaurant at the end of our meeting!
Discipleship promotes accountability and community. D-groups foster accountability and build meaningful relationships. Members pray for one another and share their spiritual journeys, creating a profound sense of belonging. Discipleship is not meant to be a solo endeavor but a shared journey that strengthens the bonds within your church family.
People are empowered to live out their faith. Daily engagement with God’s Word equips people to face life’s challenges with biblical wisdom. This practice impacts their decisions at work, at home, and in the community, empowering them to live out their faith authentically.
Leaders are developed. D-Groups naturally cultivate leaders. After one or two years of participation, members are encouraged to start their own groups. At Hilltop, we’ve seen many individuals step up and embrace the opportunity to lead, expanding the reach of discipleship within our church.
Spiritual disciplines are strengthened. Through D-Groups, members grow in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and studying God’s Word. One memorable discussion in my group centered on fasting, which led several participants to embark on a two-day fast, deepening their understanding and practice of this spiritual discipline.
Discipleship leads to more discipleship. Because of D-Groups, a culture of discipleship has grown in our church. People are encouraging others to get involved. It is not mechanical but vibrant and natural.
Worship is enhanced. When people have studied Scripture, they are ready for the worship service. For those involved in D-Groups, church is not just something you do on Sunday; it is part of your life.
Investing in discipleship is crucial for the health and vitality of any church. As a pastor, I want to influence every pastor to get involved. Pastors, I urge you to consider implementing a discipleship program in your church. Church members, I urge you to get involved in a discipleship group in your church.
The spiritual growth you will witness is worth every effort. Let’s prioritize discipleship and watch as God transforms lives and communities through His Word.
About the Columnist: Dr. Jeff Jones began serving Hilltop Free Will Baptist Church in 1987 and became the pastor in 1996. He holds degrees from Southeastern Free Will Baptist College, Bob Jones University, and Liberty University. He is the outgoing chairman of the North American
Ministries board and was recently appointed to serve as president
of Southeastern Free Will Baptist College.
