Helping someone learn to make disciples is one of the most exciting things a Christian can do, and lessons 10, 11, and 12 in our flagship Pursuit series are designed to help you do it. To guide someone to go “full circle” and get on mission with Jesus, you need to walk them through the three reasons to make disciples (Lesson 10), point them to the “3 Es” process (Lesson 11), and invite them to practice the “5 Disciple-Maker Essentials” (Lesson 12). As a mentor, your goal is not to force a rigid religious routine, but to serve as a clear, encouraging guide as they start investing in others.
Understanding the Call to Make Disciples
To start this journey, we have to look at why we do this in the first place. Many Christians believe that sharing their faith is only for pastors or missionaries. But when we look at the Bible, we see that Jesus gave this mission to every single believer. In Matthew 28, He laid out what we call the Great Commission. He did not say this to a select group of super-spiritual leaders. He said it to ordinary people like you and me.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
We can highlight three distinct reasons to get on mission with Jesus. First, we do it because Jesus commands it. It’s a matter of obedience and love for our Savior. Second, we do it because the world desperately needs the hope of the gospel. People all around us are hurting and looking for answers. Third, we do it because we actually grow when we help others grow. There’s nothing quite like watching a friend take their first steps toward God.
When you teach your mentee these truths, you help them shift their mindset. They begin to realize that they aren’t just consumers of religious goods. Instead, they are active participants in God’s kingdom. This realization is the spark that turns a spiritual consumer into an active disciple-maker.
The Three Es of the Disciple-Making Process
Once your mentee understands the “why,” they need to know the “how.” Many believers want to help others, but they simply don’t know where to start. That’s where a simple, reproducible framework comes in. At PursueGOD, we use a very clear process called the “3 Es.” These three simple words represent the entire journey of disciple-making: engage, establish, and empower.
First, we teach people how to engage with those around them. This means building real relationships with people who are far from God. It’s not about being pushy or fake. It’s about being a genuine friend, listening well, and looking for opportunities to talk about spiritual things. You help your mentee understand that they don’t have to start with a sermon. They just need to start with a conversation.
Second, we show them how to establish those new believers in their faith. This is where the Pursuit series fits in. Remind your mentee that it’s as simple as doing with someone else what you have been doing with them.
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Third, we empower them to do the same for others. This is the step that so many ministries miss. If you only engage and establish, the process stops with you. But when you empower your disciple, you train them to go out and find someone else to help. This is how we achieve spiritual multiplication.
The Five Essentials of a Great Disciple-Maker
As your friend begins this exciting work, they need to keep five essential mindsets in mind. These five principles keep the relationship healthy and focused. They are the guardrails that prevent disciple-making from becoming overwhelming or confusing.
- Commit to a real relationship. Discipleship is relationship, and none of this matters if you don’t care about the person you’re mentoring. John 15:12-17
- Share the right truth at the right time. Pay attention to the kinds of topics that they need to talk about, and don’t cram your favorite conversations down their throats. Luke 12:12, 1 Corinthians 2:14
- Just do your part, not God’s. You can’t make someone else pursue God; just walk alongside them and keep showing up, even if they don’t! Acts 8:29
- Point it all to Jesus. Remember, you’re not just helping someone become a better person; you’re helping them meet Jesus.
- Pray, pray, pray. Keep a prayer journal and make a habit of praying for the people you are mentoring – and let them know you’re doing it.
Remember to keep it simple. If the process is too complicated, people will think they can never do it. We want to use language that anyone can understand. We use simple tools that anyone can copy. When your disciple sees how easy it is, they’ll believe they can do it too.
Helping Your Mentee Take the First Steps
Now that your friend has the tools and the framework, it’s time to put it all into action. Knowledge without action doesn’t lead to growth. As their mentor, you can help them take two incredibly practical next steps to get moving.
The first step is to create a “prayer list” of people who need help. Ask your mentee to think about their friends, family members, coworkers, or classmates. Have them write down three names of people who seem open or who are going through a tough season. Encourage them to pray for these people every single day.
The second step is to pick a topic and send an invitation. Tell your mentee to look through the PursueGOD library and find a conversation starter that fits one of the people on their list. Maybe it’s a topic about stress, parenting, relationships, or doubt. Once they find it, they should send a quick text: “Hey, I saw this short video and thought of you. I’d love to grab lunch and hear your thoughts on it.” This simple step takes away all the pressure. Your mentee doesn’t have to be a theologian. They just have to care enough to start a conversation.
The Takeaway
Becoming a disciple-maker is the ultimate goal of the Christian life. When you help your mentee understand the call, use the 3 Es, and apply the five essentials, you’re setting them up for a lifetime of fruitfulness. Help them take action today by praying for their list and sending that first invitation. This is generational disciple-making, and it’s what Jesus had in mind all along.
