Discipleship Essentials: The Absolute Must-Haves To Beginning A Faith Journey
Stevie and the Misadventures in Whittling
When Stevie retired, he had grand plans for his golden years. "I'm going to find a hobby," he declared to his family, who had gathered for his retirement party.
“What kind of hobby?” asked his daughter, Julie.
Stevie waved his hand vaguely. “Something creative, like woodworking. I’ve always admired those handmade rocking chairs. I’ll make one of those.”
Stevie’s family exchanged skeptical glances. This was the same man who once tried to fix a squeaky door and ended up with the doorknob in his hand and the hinges bent in two different places.
The next day, Stevie decided to dive headfirst into his new woodworking venture. Unfortunately, he had no tools. Not a saw, not a plane, not even sandpaper. All he had was an old kitchen knife with a wobbly handle that had seen better days.
“That’ll do,” Stevie muttered, eyeing the knife and a branch he’d found in the yard.
He sat down at the kitchen table, set the branch in front of him, and began to whittle. Within minutes, the knife slipped, and Stevie’s thumb became intimately acquainted with the sharp edge.
“Ow! It’s fine, just a scratch,” Stevie said to himself, even though the paper towel he’d wrapped around his thumb quickly turned red.
His wife, Martha, walked in and raised an eyebrow. “What on earth are you doing?”
“Carving!” Stevie said proudly, holding up a vaguely stick-shaped stick.
Martha squinted. “Is that… supposed to be something?”
“It’s going to be a spoon,” Stevie replied confidently.
“Right now, it looks like a hazard.” She handed him a Band-Aid and walked off shaking her head.
Stevie persevered. Over the next few weeks, he attacked his branch with the enthusiasm of a lumberjack but with none of the finesse. The kitchen knife grew duller by the day, and the branch now resembled a chewed-up pencil.
Frustrated, Stevie started watching woodworking videos online. The woodworkers in the videos had shiny chisels, clamps, and something called a lathe. Stevie had no idea what a lathe did, but he wanted one.
“Why do I even need all that stuff?” he grumbled. “This kitchen knife should be enough!”
Spoiler alert: It wasn’t.
One fateful afternoon, Stevie tried to “smooth out” his latest masterpiece using sandpaper he’d made by gluing salt to a piece of cardboard. The result was a block of wood that now had wood splinters and salt embedded in it.
When Julie came to visit, Stevie proudly showed her his “projects.”
“Dad, is this… a toothpick?” she asked, holding up a jagged sliver of wood.
“No, that’s supposed to be a duck,” Stevie replied.
Julie blinked. “Where’s the beak?”
“It’s a work in progress!”
That evening, Stevie’s family held an intervention. “Dad,” Julie began gently, “we think you need some… help with your woodworking.”
Stevie crossed his arms. “I’m doing fine.”
“Dad,” Martha interjected, holding up one of his “spoons,” “you tried to eat soup with this last night, and it broke in half.”
The following weekend, Stevie’s family presented him with a surprise: a beginner’s woodworking kit complete with chisels, a saw, and real sandpaper—not the salt-and-cardboard contraption he’d been using. They also handed him a book titled Woodworking Basics: A Beginner’s Guide.
“Read the book first,” Julie warned.
Reluctantly, Stevie agreed. He read about tools, techniques, and—most importantly—how not to injure himself. Armed with this newfound knowledge and proper tools, Stevie went back to his workshop (aka the garage).
His first project with the new tools was a simple birdhouse. It was lopsided, the paint job was questionable, and the door hole was too small for any bird larger than a hummingbird, but Stevie was ecstatic.
“I made this!” he said proudly, showing his family.
“It’s… charming,” Martha said diplomatically.
But from then on, Stevie’s woodworking improved. He realized that having the essential tools and knowledge made all the difference. Before long, he was making sturdy stools, picture frames, and yes, even a decent rocking chair.
As Stevie rocked in his chair one evening, he smiled. “You know,” he said to Martha, “I’ve learned something important.”
“What’s that?”
“If you’re going to try something new, make sure you have the right tools and information. Otherwise, you’ll just end up frustrated. Or bleeding.”
Martha smiled. “I’m glad you’ve figured that out. Now, what are you carving next?”
Stevie grinned. “I’m thinking… a boat.”
Martha sighed. “Start small, Stevie. Start small.”
The Foundation of Discipleship
Discipleship is the call to follow Jesus Christ and live according to His teachings. It is not merely about attending church or knowing about Him; it is about a transformative relationship with the Son of God. True discipleship requires surrendering one’s life, mind, and heart to Jesus.
Unfortunately in today’s world, where distractions abound, many people settle for a shallow understanding of Christianity. But discipleship calls for a radical, all-encompassing commitment that impacts every area of life. It is not about just being a "Christian" but about becoming a true disciple of Christ—someone who is continually growing, learning, and embodying a Biblical worldview.
The journey of discipleship is not a solitary one. It involves walking alongside others in the community of believers, learning from mentors, and serving others. It is an ongoing process of transformation that molds your character to reflect the heart of Jesus. In the next few minutes we’re going to take a look at the essential mindsets and beliefs every disciple must embrace as well as the tools and relationships necessary for growth.
Mindsets for Discipleship
When deciding to follow Jesus, the mindset you adopt is foundational to your journey of discipleship. By very definition, you cannot be a disciple of Christ, you cannot be a Christian, without adopting the proper mindset and view of a few key things. Mindset and belief system is the very core of repentance. Without the proper mindset, your commitment to Christ may falter when challenges arise. Here are three key mindsets every disciple must embrace:
A Mindset of Obedience and Transformation Discipleship begins with the willingness to obey Jesus in all things. Jesus’ call is not a suggestion; it is a command (Matthew 28:18-20). The disciple’s mindset should be one of surrender to His will, trusting that His commands are for our good and His glory. The disciple’s mindset is that of understanding our hearts and minds are deceived and wicked and therefore we must submit to His, knowing His ways are higher than ours. Discipleship is not about personal achievement but about conforming to the image of Christ. The goal is transformation, and obedience is the way we participate in this process.
The Mindset of a Servant Jesus modeled servanthood in His life and death (Mark 10:45). To be a disciple, you must adopt a servant’s mindset, willing to put others' needs above your own. Jesus was a selfless servant to others, and therefore you will need to be a servant to others; not just Jesus Himself. This servant mentality counters the world’s emphasis on power, control, and individualism. Jesus teaches us that greatness in His kingdom comes through humility, not through status or influence. A true disciple seeks to serve others rather than seeking to be served.
The Mindset of Lifelong Commitment Discipleship is not a one-time decision but a lifelong journey. Following Jesus requires enduring commitment, even through hardship. Jesus Himself warned His followers that the road would not always be easy (Luke 9:23). As a disciple, you must expect trials and challenges, but also be confident that Jesus is with you through them all (Matthew 28:20). A disciple does not abandon the path but remains faithful, always seeking to grow in knowledge and obedience.
The mindset of a disciple is rooted in obedience, servanthood, and lifelong commitment. These attitudes shape your approach to following Jesus and determine your success in becoming more like Him. Cultivating these mindsets will ensure you are prepared for the journey ahead, equipped to grow in your relationship with Christ, and ready to engage with others in love and service.
Essential Beliefs to Hold as a Disciple
So, you’ve decided to follow Jesus. That’s incredible! But let’s be clear: following Jesus isn’t just a surface-level decision; it’s a commitment that transforms how you think, believe, and live. To walk this path well, you need a solid foundation. That foundation? Your beliefs.
Think of beliefs as the roots of a tree. If they’re strong and anchored in truth, the tree will stand firm, even in a storm. Again, by very definition, if you can’t adopt these beliefs, you can’t call yourself a disciple of Jesus. Here are some of the essential beliefs every disciple of Jesus must hold close:
1. Jesus is Savior AND Lord
Let’s get to the heart of the matter: Jesus isn’t just a good teacher, a prophet, or a moral example. He is the Savior of the world (John 3:16). But there’s more. He’s not just here to rescue you from sin; He’s also your Lord. That means He has authority over every part of your life. He’s your boss. He’s your master.
This belief changes everything. It’s easy to say, “Jesus is my Savior,” but submitting to Him as Lord? That’s where true discipleship starts. If you’re holding onto control over your life, it’s time to loosen your grip and let Him lead. Trust me—it’s worth it.
2. The Bible is Your Ultimate Authority
We live in a world full of competing voices, all claiming to have the answers. But as a disciple, you need one clear voice to guide you: God’s Word. The Bible isn’t just a collection of ancient texts; it’s alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). It teaches, corrects, and equips us to live in step with God’s will (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
This means you don’t just read Scripture occasionally—you rely on it. You study it. You memorize it. You apply it faithfully. You selflessly adopt a biblical worldview in which you will look at every aspect of the world around you through. Make it your compass. When culture pulls you one way, or your feelings push you another, the Bible keeps you grounded in God’s truth. Having the Bible as your primary source of direction and authority in life is essential.
3. Grace and Repentance Go Hand in Hand
Here’s the beautiful paradox of discipleship: You’re saved by grace, not by what you do (Ephesians 2:8-9). But that grace isn’t a license to live however you want. It’s an invitation to repentance—a turning away from sin and toward God.
Repentance is a big deal. It’s not about guilt-tripping yourself or trying to “earn” God’s favor. It’s about recognizing the weight of sin, confessing it, and allowing God to transform you. Grace covers you, but repentance changes you. Repentance leads you towards the Bible’s call towards holiness. Just as He who called you is holy, so should you strive towards holiness in the way you talk, live, and even think.
These aren’t all encompassing, and they aren’t the only beliefs that you’re expected to adopt, but they are the first foundational steps that will lead towards greater principles and views.
Why These Beliefs Matter
You might be wondering, “Why do these specific beliefs matter so much?” Because they shape your entire worldview. They help you see life through the lens of God’s truth—a Biblical worldview. And let’s be honest: in a world that’s constantly shifting, a Biblical worldview is your anchor.
Believing that Jesus is Lord keeps you grounded in your purpose. Trusting the Bible as your authority helps you navigate tough decisions. And understanding grace and repentance gives you the freedom to grow without fear of failure.
Let’s Keep Growing
Discipleship isn’t about knowing everything right away. It’s about starting where you are and letting God build your faith step by step. These beliefs are your starting point, your foundation. So, take a moment to reflect. Are these truths shaping your life? Are they guiding your decisions? If not, don’t worry—this journey is a process, and God is patient.
Essential Relationships to Strengthen Your Walk
Discipleship thrives in relationships. Jesus Himself modeled this truth, living and ministering in community with His disciples. He invested in them, walked alongside them, and sent them out to disciple others. If you want to grow as a follower of Christ, you need three essential types of relationships: mentors to guide you, peers to encourage you, and disciples to pour into. Let’s dig deeper into each.
1. Mentors: Learning from Those Who’ve Gone Before
Mentors play a critical role in discipleship by providing wisdom, accountability, and guidance. Paul modeled this relationship with Timothy, referring to him as his "true child in the faith" (1 Timothy 1:2). A mentor is someone who has walked the road of faith ahead of you and can offer insight into your struggles, celebrate your victories, and challenge you to grow.
A good mentor doesn’t have to be perfect, but they do need to be spiritually mature. Look for someone who consistently seeks God’s Word, demonstrates a life of prayer, and bears spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Practical Steps to Find a Mentor:
Pray for God to lead you to the right person.
Be intentional: approach someone you admire in your church or community and ask if they’d consider meeting regularly.
Stay teachable. A mentor’s role isn’t to tell you what you want to hear but to help you grow in Christlikeness.
Remember, mentorship isn’t about dependency. It’s about learning to stand firm in your faith while being guided by someone with more experience.
2. Peers: Walking Alongside Fellow Disciples
While mentors guide you, peers walk with you. They’re the brothers and sisters in Christ who journey alongside you through life’s ups and downs. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us of the strength found in companionship: "Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow."
Peers provide encouragement when you’re weary, correction when you stray, and shared joy in spiritual victories. The early church demonstrated this beautifully: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). This fellowship sustained them and allowed their faith to flourish.
How to Cultivate Peer Relationships:
Join a small group or Bible study. These are excellent spaces to build deeper connections.
Be vulnerable. Real community grows when you share your struggles and joys honestly.
Commit to accountability. Find a trusted friend who will regularly check in with you about your walk with Christ.
Peers remind you that you’re not alone. Together, you can bear one another’s burdens and celebrate God’s faithfulness (Galatians 6:2).
3. Disciples: Passing on What You’ve Learned
Discipleship isn’t complete unless you’re also discipling others. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 calls every believer to "go and make disciples of all nations." This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command.
Discipling someone doesn’t mean you have to have all the answers. It simply means sharing what you’ve learned and walking with someone as they grow in Christ. Paul encouraged Timothy to pass on what he had received: "What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).
Ways to Start Discipling Others:
Pray for God to show you someone who needs encouragement in their faith.
Invest in relationships with new believers or younger Christians.
Be intentional about teaching and modeling spiritual habits like prayer, Bible study, and service.
Discipling others strengthens your own faith. As you share God’s Word and witness someone else grow, you’re reminded of His power and faithfulness.
Why These Relationships Matter
Discipleship isn’t a solo journey; it’s a communal process. Mentors provide guidance, peers offer support, and disciples keep you outward-focused. These relationships form a cycle of growth and multiplication, ensuring that the body of Christ continues to flourish.
Take a moment to reflect. Do you have a mentor? Are you walking with peers who encourage you? Are you investing in someone else’s faith? If not, start praying and seeking these connections. Discipleship happens best when we walk together, following Jesus as a community.
Essential Tools for Growing as a Disciple
Discipleship isn’t just about what you believe or who you walk with—it’s also about what you do. Tools are essential for any journey, and the path of discipleship is no different. As a follower of Jesus, you need resources and habits that help you grow closer to God, serve others, and stay grounded in your faith. Let’s explore four essential tools every disciple should use.
1. A Well-Worn Physical Bible: Your Daily Bread
In a world dominated by digital screens, there’s something uniquely powerful about holding a physical Bible that bears the marks of your faith journey. A well-worn Bible—dog-eared, highlighted, underlined—is a testament to time spent in God’s Word. Scripture isn’t just a book to read; it’s your daily bread, guiding you in truth and equipping you for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
A physical Bible allows for deeper engagement. You can write notes in the margins, circle key verses, and reflect on the passages that have shaped your life. Over time, your Bible becomes a personal history of God’s faithfulness.
Practical Tips for Using Your Bible:
Set aside daily time to read, study, and meditate on Scripture. Start with a gospel or a reading plan.
Highlight verses that resonate with you, and write down your reflections or prayers.
Memorize Scripture. Commit key verses to heart so God’s Word is always with you, even when your Bible isn’t.
2. Prayer and Meditation: Staying Connected to God
Prayer is the lifeline of a disciple. It’s how you communicate with God, share your heart, and align your will with His. Jesus modeled a life of prayer, often withdrawing to spend time with the Father (Luke 5:16). As His followers, we’re called to do the same.
Meditation complements prayer, allowing you to reflect deeply on God’s Word and listen for His guidance. Psalm 1:2 says the blessed person’s “delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.”
Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Prayer Life:
Create a daily habit of prayer. Start with five minutes and build from there.
Use a prayer journal to record requests, answers, and reflections.
Incorporate Scripture into your prayers. Pray the Psalms or use verses as prompts.
Meditation doesn’t require silence or perfection—it simply requires your focus. Let God’s Word dwell richly in your heart, and you’ll find your relationship with Him deepening.
3. Service and Ministry: Living Out Your Faith
Discipleship is active. It’s not just about learning and growing; it’s about living out your faith through service. Jesus came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45), and He calls us to do the same. Service allows us to reflect Christ’s love to others while also cultivating humility and compassion in our hearts.
Ministry doesn’t always mean preaching or leading a Bible study. It could be volunteering at a local shelter, mentoring someone younger in the faith, or simply being available to help your neighbor. The key is to step outside of yourself and serve in Jesus’ name.
Practical Ways to Serve:
Get involved in your church’s ministries—children’s programs, outreach teams, or worship.
Look for opportunities to serve in your community.
Make service a habit in your daily life, like helping a coworker or encouraging a friend.
Service transforms both the giver and the receiver, reminding us that discipleship is about more than personal growth—it’s about advancing God’s kingdom.
4. Spiritual Disciplines: Habits That Shape Your Heart
Spiritual disciplines are intentional practices that draw you closer to God. These include fasting, solitude, worship, confession, and more. They’re not about earning God’s favor but about positioning your heart to hear His voice and be transformed by His Spirit.
Paul encouraged Timothy to “train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). This training requires effort and consistency, but the rewards are eternal. Spiritual disciplines strengthen your faith, increase your dependence on God, and help you resist the pull of the world.
How to Build Spiritual Disciplines:
Start small. Choose one discipline—like fasting or journaling—and practice it regularly.
Combine disciplines. For example, pair prayer with solitude or meditation with worship.
Be consistent. Growth comes from steady effort over time.
Remember, spiritual disciplines are tools, not ends in themselves. They help you focus on Jesus and become more like Him.
Putting It All Together
Each of these tools—a well-worn Bible, prayer and meditation, service and ministry, and spiritual disciplines—plays a vital role in your discipleship journey. They help you know God more deeply, live out your faith more fully, and grow into the disciple He’s called you to be.
Which of these tools do you already use? Which ones could you develop further? Don’t try to master them all at once—start with one and let it become a natural part of your life. As you do, you’ll find yourself growing in love, wisdom, and Christlikeness.
Walking Forward as a Disciple
The journey of discipleship is the most rewarding and transformative path you can walk. It’s not always easy—Jesus never promised it would be—but it’s a life filled with purpose, hope, and the joy of knowing Him more each day.
Throughout this book, we’ve explored the essential mindsets, relationships, and tools that help shape you into a follower of Christ. We’ve seen the importance of surrendering your life to Jesus, embracing the biblical worldview, and building strong relationships with mentors, peers, and disciples. We’ve also discussed practical tools like a well-worn Bible, prayer, service, and spiritual disciplines that equip you for growth.
The question now is simple: What will you do with what you’ve learned?
Discipleship isn’t just a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment to live for Christ. It’s choosing to pick up your cross and follow Him, to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love others as He has loved you (Matthew 22:37-39).
Take the next step, no matter where you are in your walk. Spend time in God’s Word. Reach out to a mentor or begin investing in someone else. Lean into prayer and service, and watch how God works through you.
The world needs disciples who reflect Jesus—people who live differently, love sacrificially, and stand firmly on the truth of God’s Word. By stepping forward in faith, you become part of the mission to make Him known.
As you go, remember that you’re not alone. Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He is faithful, and He will equip you for every step of the journey.
So go—grow as His disciple, make disciples of others, and live boldly for His glory. The adventure of following Jesus is just beginning.