GO! Evangelism - Evangelism and Discipleship: What Happens After Conversion?

Evangelism is the starting point of the Christian faith, but discipleship is where spiritual growth and transformation truly happen. After someone makes the decision to follow Christ, they begin a lifelong discipleship journey, learning what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.

What Is Discipleship?

The definition of discipleship can be understood as the process of growing in faith, learning from Jesus, and becoming more like Him. It involves teaching, mentoring, and modeling Christ-like behavior. According to the Bible, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) is not just a command to evangelize but also a call to nurture and train new believers.

In essence, discipleship is defined as guiding others to maturity in Christ. It’s about cultivating habits of prayer, studying Scripture, and living out faith in action.

How Does Discipleship Relate to Evangelism?

Evangelism and discipleship go hand-in-hand. While evangelism focuses on spreading the Gospel, true discipleship ensures that new believers don’t remain spiritual infants but grow into mature Christians. Discipleship provides the tools and support necessary for a believer to thrive and share their faith with others, as described in this article on how to witness to anyone.

The Role of Discipleship Training

Discipleship training equips believers with knowledge and skills to live out their faith and disciple others. This involves studying what the Bible says about discipleship, engaging with key teachings, and applying them to everyday life. For example:

Prayer and Worship: Encouraging personal and corporate prayer to grow closer to God.
Scripture Study: Exploring passages like John 8:31, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”
Community Building: Participating in a church or small group for accountability and encouragement.

Verses About Discipleship

The Bible offers numerous passages that highlight the importance of discipleship. Some key verses about discipleship include:

Matthew 16:24: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
2 Timothy 2:2: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
Luke 14:27: “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

These verses underscore that true discipleship requires commitment, sacrifice, and active participation in God’s mission.

The Discipleship Journey

The discipleship journey doesn’t end — it evolves as believers grow closer to Christ. By engaging in resources concerning the one thing you should do to become an evangelist and understanding that not all roads lead to heaven, believers are better equipped to guide others.

Discipleship is foundational to the Christian faith. By understanding the definition of discipleship and embracing its challenges and rewards, every believer can experience profound spiritual growth while advancing God’s Kingdom.

GO! Evangelism Ministry is a champion of street evangelism. We have developed GO! Gospel Tracts in more than 50 languages to aid efforts preaching eternal life and hope beyond the world's hardships. Consider becoming a street evangelist by using our GO! Gospel Tracts to preach to the masses in the open streets! Contact us or visit our website to learn more and get started with spreading the message of God effectively! You can also purchase our book GO! Evangelism: So Simple, Yet So Powerful Evangelism on Amazon!

We, at GO Evangelism Ministry, Inc., have been supporting gospel ministries across the globe in their mission to spread the Word. Thanks to our tracts, the Gospel is spread every day, in countless parts of the globe, in numerous languages.

At GO Evangelism Ministry, Inc., we have GO! Gospel Tracts that will move anyone into lending their ear to your message. You can develop a highly effective Tract Ministry by including a select choice of tracts in your evangelism efforts. In doing so, you and everyone you touch through your ministry will reap the eternal reward of The Word!