2 simple questions to assess your ministry effectiveness

Rob Streetman March 27, 2019

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There are two simple questions any Christian can use to assess their obedience to Christ and the effectiveness of their ministry:

1. Who is discipling you?

2. Who are you discipling?

If you cannot answer the first question, you are likely not being discipled. Unless you are in their inner circle, this is not your pastor nor your Sunday School teacher. Making disciples requires a relationship. 

It is impossible to underestimate the impact a disciple-maker can have on a person’s life (mentor is the secular term). Much of God’s grace flows down the channels of authority He has assigned for every Christian. This is not limited to teaching, counseling, etc. The life of Christ is miraculously transmitted through the disciple-making relationship (e.g., faith, courage and peace).

The Great Commission is God’s prescription for our participation in the advancement of His kingdom. Finding those He has designated for our spiritual apprenticeship is vital to our inclusion in His story. Furthermore, it is impossible to make disciples without first being made.

Consequently, you may have to ask someone to disciple you. Before you do, ask God to identify that person. He loves talking with His children about such things.

Failure regarding the second question is a strong sign of spiritual disobedience. This is a hard judgment. It is also fair, grounded in truth and offered in love. 

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…’”(Matthew 28:18-19).

Perhaps we have lost respect for the Great Commission because we fail to appreciate the claim behind it. The One who has been given all authority in heaven and earth has commissioned His followers to make more followers. 

Those in leadership should ask these discipleship questions of their team and those entrusted to them. Depth is not only more important than breadth, it ultimately creates the breadth that is most profitable to the kingdom of God.

How do I know if I’m disciple-making?

It is surprising how many new believers think a “disciple” is a higher-grade of a Christian and only disciples are commissioned for more. Christianity is not a caste system. Every believer is a disciple of Christ.

It seems that many in the Church (here in America) have a limited idea about making disciples. Disciple-making may include studying the Bible, leading a mission trip and evangelism, but it is not defined by them. Jesus defined disciple-making by the relationship He nurtured with His disciples. This is a lifestyle, not a program or activity. It is perhaps the greatest expression of Christ’s life in His disciples.

Education and maturity are not prerequisites for disciple-making (though they certainly help). A day-old Christian can disciple another with what they have already learned. Every Christian can encourage, exhort and comfort. 

In closing, let me encourage you that God has placed desires in the heart of every Christian—to be made a disciple and to be a maker of them. Ask Him to stir that desire into a passion. Ask Him to identify His disciple maker for you. Ask Him to show you those you are to disciple. He loves talking with His children.

Photo source: istock 

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Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

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