Question
How can I help others grow in their faith? (discipleship)
Analysis
The foundation, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus's parting command defines the mission:
"All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.", Matthew 28:18-20 (WEB)
The single main verb is "make disciples" (Greek mathēteuō); "going," "baptizing," and "teaching" are the participles that surround it. Discipleship is not merely converting, it is forming people who obey "all things" Jesus commanded, over time. The command is bracketed by Jesus's authority ("All authority… has been given to Me," Matthew 28:18, BSB) and his presence ("I am with you always," Matthew 28:20, BSB), so the disciple-maker works under his commission and with his help.
The reproducible pattern, 2 Timothy 2:2
Paul gives the mechanism of multiplication:
"The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.", 2 Timothy 2:2, WEB
Four "generations" appear in one verse: Paul → Timothy → faithful people → others. Discipleship is designed to reproduce, not dead-end. The criterion is faithfulness ("faithful men") and teachability-to-teach ("able to teach others also").
Growth is God's work, 1 Corinthians 3:6-7
A guard against pressure or pride: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6-7, WEB). The disciple-maker is responsible for faithful planting and watering; the growth itself is God's. This frees the helper from playing Holy Spirit and refocuses on faithful means.
Discipleship happens in community, Hebrews 10:24-25
Faith does not grow in isolation. The "not solo" principle is foundational (Genesis 2:18; Acts 2:42-47):
"Let's consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another.", Hebrews 10:24-25, WEB
The verbs are mutual and intentional: consider how to provoke one another toward love, keep meeting, encourage. Most of the New Testament's growth commands can only be obeyed in actual relational presence.
The "one another" toolkit
The NT contains ~50 commands using allēlōn (G240), "one another", together they sketch the whole shape of how believers grow each other:
| Category | Sample commands | References |
|---|---|---|
| Love | Love one another | John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8; 1 Peter 1:22 |
| Burden-bearing | Bear, serve, forgive one another | Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13 |
| Truth-telling | Speak truth, confess, exhort one another | Ephesians 4:25; James 5:16; Hebrews 3:13 |
| Encouragement | Encourage and build up one another | 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 10:25 |
| Teaching | Teach and admonish one another | Colossians 3:16 |
Restoring those who stumble, Galatians 6:1-2
Discipleship includes gentle correction when someone falls:
"Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren't tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (WEB), Galatians 6:1-2
The posture is restoration, not condemnation, "in a spirit of gentleness" and with self-awareness ("looking to yourself"). Helping someone grow includes walking with them through failure.
Building up, 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The plain, repeatable command: "Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do" (1 Thessalonians 5:11, WEB). The Greek oikodomeō ("build up") is construction imagery, patient, additive, intentional strengthening of another person's faith.
Being ready to explain the hope, 1 Peter 3:15
Helping others grow (and reaching those outside) requires being able to articulate the faith, but in a particular manner:
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear.", 1 Peter 3:15, WEB
Two halves matter equally: readiness (know what you believe and why) and manner ("with gentleness and respect," BSB, the more common modern rendering). Defending or explaining the faith without gentleness violates the verse.
Putting it together, a biblical profile of disciple-making
| Element | Biblical basis | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Commissioned by Jesus | Matthew 28:18-20 | Acting under his authority and presence |
| Reproducible | 2 Timothy 2:2 | Investing so they can invest in others |
| God-dependent | 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 | Plant and water; trust God for growth |
| Communal | Hebrews 10:24-25; the one-anothers | In a church / fellowship, not alone |
| Restorative | Galatians 6:1-2 | Gentle correction; burden-bearing |
| Edifying | 1 Thessalonians 5:11 | Encouraging and building up |
| Articulate and gentle | 1 Peter 3:15 | Ready to explain, with respect |
The fellowship synthesis cited here adds the means through which this normally runs today: small groups and meals (Acts 2:46), confession and accountability (James 5:16; Matthew 18:15-17), prayer partnership, and corporate worship and teaching.
A note on emphasis (multi-view)
Traditions weight the means of growth differently, e.g., the role of the sacraments (baptism and Lord's Supper) in formation, the necessity of formal church membership, and how structured "discipleship programs" should be. This reference presents these as legitimate differences and endorses none; see the "Contested points" section of and the theme for fuller treatment.