DisciplesPath
Most churches want to make disciples, but many don't have a clear plan.
Why do so many churches struggle with discipleship?
50% of churches are trying to make disciples without a clear plan. And half of those with a plan say it still isn't reaching the whole congregation.
It's not about effort or commitment. It's a clarity problem: unclear stages, languages, and next steps.
DisciplesPath gives your church a shared, measurable pathway for spiritual growth — from first-time guests to fully formed disciple-makers.
DisciplesPath might be exactly what you've been looking for if your church:
Has a heart for discipleship but lacks a clear, church-wide plan
Has multiple programs running in silos without a connecting thread
Wants to see real, measurable spiritual growth without adding complexity
A complimentary discipleship plan for your entire church
For Pastors and Church Leadership
See a clear picture of your church's overall discipleship health, based on real data from your congregation. You'll know exactly what to focus on next.
A clear church-wide pathway for making and multiplying disciples
For Your Church's DisciplesPath Team
Everything your team needs to implement and sustain a unified discipleship pathway.
Group discussion tools and meeting agendas
Training resources for implementation
Flexible timeline that fits your church’s pace
For Church Members
A short, confidential assessment that helps each person understand where they are on their discipleship journey.
Confidential, judgement-free assessment
Your pastor will share clear, personal next steps for spiritual growth
A simple, repeatable process your church can follow regardless of size and structure
This process typically unfolds over six months, flexible enough to fit your church's pace and rhythm.
Step 1: Discover
Define discipleship biblically. Together, your leadership team will explore what the Bible says about discipleship.
Step 2: Discern
Evaluate your church. Learn the current reality of discipleship in your congregation using assessments and team discussions to identify strengths and growth areas.
Step 3: Design
Make it count. Move from discerning clarity to designing confidence. Build or refine your church’s discipleship pathway: from first-time guests to fully formed disciple-makers.
Step 4: Deploy
Lead toward transformation. Put the plan into action. Train leaders, implement across departmental ministries, and evaluate growth through measurable outcomes.
See where your church stands with our confidential course on Lifeway’s Ministry Grid training platform.
You will be prompted to log in to Lifeway’s Ministry Grid training platform. If you are not an existing Ministry Grid user, you will be prompted to create an account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn More About Discipleship
Articles from Lifeway Research and Lifeway Staff
Are You Making Disciples or Just Building Attendance?
Connection matters, but it's not the same as transformation. Here's how church leaders can shift from measuring participation to measuring growth.
American Theology Is Stable but Complicated
A survey of 3,000+ Americans finds core theological beliefs holding steady — but inconsistencies about the Trinity, biblical authority, and sin reveal where churches still have ground to cover.
How to Create a Discipleship Plan for an Established Church
The four steps in the DisciplesPath process can help any established church move forward with its unique discipleship plan.
8 Critical Signposts of a Healthy Church
Christians should grow in these discipleship signposts. Conversely, if you’re not seeing growth in these areas, discipleship may have stalled out.