At the heart of the Christian life is a call to grow and to reproduce. As we finish this series on what it means to be a “WELL Disciple”—one who Worships, Evangelizes, Learns, and Loves—we are reminded that the journey of discipleship is not just about personal growth. It’s about investing in others, passing on our faith, and leaving a spiritual legacy that outlives us.
Jesus did not call us to be fans or spectators. He called us to be disciples—and disciple-makers. As we wrap up this focus on WELL Discipleship, we look to Scripture, spiritual principles, and practical tools to help us move from being passive believers to active, reproducing disciples of Christ.
The WELL Framework: A Quick Review
Before we dive into the heart of reproduction, it helps to revisit the four pillars that make up the acronym WELL:
- Worship: A daily, intentional act of expressing God’s value through our actions, our priorities, and our praise.
- Evangelize: A readiness and willingness to share the good news of Jesus with others.
- Learn: A continual hunger to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word and His character.
- Love: A Christlike compassion that moves us to care for others and speak truth, even when it’s hard.
Each of these areas fuels our spiritual growth. But spiritual maturity doesn’t stop at internal transformation. Healthy disciples reproduce. They pass on their faith, their learning, and their passion for Jesus to others.
We Are Born to Reproduce
Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, famously wrote a small but powerful booklet titled Born to Reproduce. In it, he challenges Christians to consider whether they are spiritually sterile. “Where is your man? Where is your woman?” he asks. “Where is the one you’ve invested in, the one who is walking with Jesus today because of your influence?”
It’s a haunting question—but a necessary one.
When Jesus walked along the shore of the Sea of Galilee and called Peter and Andrew, He said, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people” (Matthew 4:19, NLT). From the very beginning, the goal was not simply to follow—but to become a fisher of others. To reproduce.
The Biblical Model of Reproduction
The New Testament gives us clear examples of what reproduction looks like. The Apostle Paul, for example, was constantly investing in others—Timothy, Titus, Epaphras, and others—helping them grow, mature, and lead.
Paul writes in Colossians 1:6 (NLT), “This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives—just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”
A true disciple isn’t just changed. A true disciple becomes a change agent.
Peter also exemplifies reproduction. In 2 Peter 1, he challenges the church to grow in their knowledge of Christ and to live productive lives, reminding them over and over again of the truth. Why? Because he knew he wouldn’t be around forever. He wanted to leave a legacy of truth, godliness, and love.
He writes: “I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone” (2 Peter 1:15).
This is what disciple-making is about. Passing on what matters most. Not hoarding knowledge, but handing it off. Not just growing ourselves, but helping others grow.
Why Many Don’t Reproduce
So why is it that many Christians never reproduce?
According to Dawson Trotman, there are five key reasons:
- Sin: Unconfessed sin can block spiritual fruitfulness.
- Fear: Fear of rejection, failure, or not knowing enough can paralyze us.
- Lack of purpose: Without a clear sense of mission, we drift into spiritual complacency.
- Busyness: We get caught up in the urgent and forget the important.
- Misplaced priorities: We do lots of good things, but not the most important thing.
These are real obstacles. But they’re not immovable. With God’s help, we can overcome them.
Making Disciples Requires Intentionality
You don’t become a disciple-maker by accident. Just like you don’t become a strong athlete by accident or build a thriving business by chance. It takes a plan. It takes practice. And it takes passion.
Think of it like fishing. Jesus used that analogy for a reason.
If you’re going to fish:
- You need the right equipment.
- You need to go where the fish are.
- You need to be patient.
- You need to know what to do when you catch one.
In the same way, if you want to make disciples:
Practical Tools for Making Disciples
Many people hesitate to make disciples because they don’t feel ready. But you don’t need to be a seminary graduate. You just need a heart for people, a willingness to learn, and some practical tools.
1. The Finding God New Testament
This simple resource includes key topics for new believers:
- Cornerstones: Foundational teachings.
- First Steps: Basic habits of the Christian life.
- Bible reading plans.
- Answers to big questions.
- Key verses to memorize.
Give one to a new believer. Go through it with them. Assign a section and discuss it. Or read it together. You don’t have to know everything. You just need to walk with them.
2. Growing in Christ Booklet
Produced by The Navigators, this 13-lesson guide walks through basic discipleship topics with Scripture memory, discussion, and practical application. Perfect for one-on-one or small group settings.
3. “The Story” Gospel Tool
This resource presents the Gospel in the context of the entire Bible story—Creation, Fall, Rescue, and Restoration. It’s especially helpful for people with little or no Bible background.
You can give someone the booklet, use the app, or walk through the illustrations with them. It’s accessible, engaging, and deeply biblical.
4. DiscipleshipLibrary.com
A goldmine of over 60 years of discipleship materials, teachings, and resources from seasoned disciple-makers. Use it for your own growth or as a training tool.
Reproduction Starts With Relationship
Making disciples isn’t about programs. It’s about people. It’s about life-on-life relationships. It’s about walking alongside someone else as they walk with Jesus.
Think about it this way:
- If you met someone who just had a baby and they said, “We’re just going to leave him in the car and let him figure it out,” you’d be appalled.
- But how often do we do that spiritually? We lead someone to Christ, hand them a Bible, and say, “Good luck.”
New believers need spiritual parenting. They need someone to feed them, teach them, encourage them, and show them what it means to follow Jesus.
That someone could be you.
The Paul and Peter Model: Pray, Teach, Encourage
In Colossians 1, Paul gives us a beautiful picture of reproduction:
- He prays for them.
- He reminds them of the gospel.
- He encourages their growth.
- He desires for them to be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding.
He writes, “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit” (Colossians 1:10).
Peter’s words echo the same urgency. In 2 Peter 1:12-15, Peter pledges to keep reminding the believers of the truth—even though they already know it. He knows his time is short. He wants the truth embedded in their hearts before he departs.
How to Start Reproducing as a WELL Disciple
Here’s a simple five-step process to begin living as a reproducing disciple:
1. Pray for God to lead you to someone
Ask God to show you someone you can disciple. Maybe it’s someone at work, in your small group, or even in your family.
2. Be available
Keep your eyes open for spiritual conversations. Carry a New Testament or a gospel tract. Be ready to speak and share.
3. Use simple resources
Pick one or two tools—like the Finding God New Testament or the Growing in Christ booklet—and start walking someone through them. You don’t have to be an expert.
4. Meet regularly
Set a weekly or bi-weekly time to connect. Read Scripture, talk about life, pray together.
5. Encourage reproduction
Let’s Not Waste the Time We’ve Been Given
Peter’s words remind us that time is short. Life is fragile. We don’t know how much time we have left.
“I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone,” Peter writes (2 Peter 1:15).
We’re all leaving a legacy. The question is: what kind?
- Will we be remembered as people who worshiped, evangelized, learned, and loved?
- Will our lives be marked by spiritual fruit?
- Will we have spiritual sons and daughters to point to?
Who Is Your One?
As we close this series on WELL Discipleship, I want to leave you with a simple challenge: Who is your one?
Who is the one person God is calling you to invest in?
- Maybe it’s someone who just started coming to church.
- Maybe it’s a neighbor or a coworker who’s open to spiritual things.
- Maybe it’s your own child or grandchild.
Ask God to show you. And then go.
Because disciples who reproduce are disciples who are walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
Let’s be WELL disciples. Let’s be reproducing disciples. Let’s make a difference that echoes into eternity.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
Originally shared 12.1028 as How WELL Disciples Reproduce. Updated 2025