7-Day Plan · Step 5 of the Pathway

Making Disciples

Jesus told His followers to make disciples and to teach them to obey everything He commanded. This plan walks through seven passages of Scripture that show what that looks like in practice.

Grow in the Word. Walk in the Commission.

7 daysKJV ScriptureRead · Understand · Apply · Pray

How to use this plan

Each day follows the same seven steps. Read the passage first and let Scripture speak before the commentary does. All quoted Scripture on this page is the King James Version; everything outside the quotation boxes is explanation written to help you understand and apply the passage.

Read — the passage itself, in full.
Understand — what it means in context.
Key Truth — the central point in one sentence.
Reflect — an honest question to sit with.
Apply — one concrete action.
Pray — bring the day to God.
Next Step — what carries into tomorrow.

Day 1

What Is a Disciple?

Read

Matthew 4:18–22 (King James Version)
¹⁸And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
¹⁹And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
²⁰And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
²¹And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
²²And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

Matthew 4:18–22 on BibleGateway ↗

Understand

Jesus met Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John while they were at work beside the sea of Galilee. He did not begin with a program or a method. He began with a call to Himself: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Notice who does the making. The men follow; Christ forms them. Matthew records their response plainly — they left their nets, and James and John left the ship and their father, and followed Him. In this passage a disciple is someone who leaves what he was holding in order to walk with Jesus Christ, and who is being made by Christ into someone God uses to reach others.

Key Truth

A disciple follows Jesus and grows toward helping others follow Him.

Reflect

What are you still holding on to that Jesus is calling you to set down in order to follow Him more closely?

Apply

Write one honest sentence describing what following Jesus actually looks like in your daily life right now — not where you wish you were, but where you are.

Pray

“Lord Jesus, You called ordinary working men away from their nets and made them fishers of men. Teach me to follow You closely, without holding back what You ask me to leave behind. Make me useful in Your hands for the sake of others who need You. Amen.”

Next Step

Ask God to bring one person to mind whom you could help follow Jesus. Write that name down. You will pray for that person every day for the rest of this plan.

Day 2

Teach Them to Obey

Read

Matthew 28:16–20 (King James Version)
¹⁶Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
¹⁷And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
¹⁸And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
¹⁹Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
²⁰Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:16–20 on BibleGateway ↗

Understand

These are the risen Lord’s parting words to the eleven. Jesus states His authority first — “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” — and only then gives the command. Disciple-making rests on Christ’s authority, not on our ability or personality. Then look carefully at what He commands: go, teach all nations, baptize, and teach “them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” To observe means to keep, to guard, to put into practice. The goal is not merely that people know what Christ taught, but that they live it. And the command ends with a promise: “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Key Truth

Disciple-making helps people understand Christ’s teaching and put it into practice.

Reflect

When you learn something from Scripture, do you usually stop once you understand it, or do you go on to obey it?

Apply

Name one clear command of Christ that you already understand but have not been practicing. Take one specific step of obedience today.

Pray

“Lord Jesus, all power in heaven and in earth is Yours, and You send Your followers on that authority and not on their own. Make me a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only. Help me lead others toward obedience and not only toward information, and thank You that You have promised to be with us alway. Amen.”

Next Step

Thank God for the person who first taught you to obey Christ’s Word. Then ask Him whether you are to do the same for the name you wrote down yesterday.

Day 3

Read Scripture Together

Read

2 Timothy 3:14–17 (King James Version)
¹⁴But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 on BibleGateway ↗

Understand

Paul is writing to Timothy, a younger believer he had personally discipled. He tells Timothy to continue in what he has learned, “knowing of whom thou hast learned them” — sound teaching came to Timothy through Scripture and through trustworthy people. Paul then says what Scripture is able to do: it makes a person “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Scripture points to Christ; it is not an end in itself. Because all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so that the servant of God is thoroughly equipped for every good work. Discipleship that drifts from Scripture becomes personal opinion, however sincere.

Key Truth

Scripture must remain the foundation of biblical discipleship.

Reflect

Is the guidance you give others drawn from God’s Word, or mostly from your own experience and preference?

Apply

Open the Bible with one other believer and read a short passage aloud together. Ask two questions: What does this passage say? What does it call us to do?

Pray

“Father, thank You that all Scripture is given by Your inspiration, and that it is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. Keep me anchored in Your Word. Teach me to handle it faithfully, and to open it with others rather than offering them only my own opinions. Amen.”

Next Step

Choose the book or passage you would open first with the person you are praying for. Keeping it simple is wise — a Gospel is a good place to begin.

Day 4

Pray and Walk Together

Read

Colossians 4:2–6 (King James Version)
²Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
³Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
⁴That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
⁵Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
⁶Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Colossians 4:2–6 on BibleGateway ↗

Understand

Paul asks the Colossians to continue in prayer — watchful and thankful — and to pray specifically that God would open a door for the message of Christ. Even an apostle in chains depended on the prayers of other believers. Paul then turns to daily life: walk in wisdom toward “them that are without,” meaning those outside the faith, redeeming the time; and let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. Prayer, wise conduct, and gracious speech belong together. Disciple-making is not a lesson delivered at a distance. It is prayer, ordinary life, and honest conversation shared with someone who is watching how a Christian actually lives.

Key Truth

Disciple-making involves Scripture, prayer, and sharing real life together.

Reflect

Would the person you are praying for describe your speech as gracious? Would they describe your life as worth following?

Apply

Pray by name for that person today, asking God to open a door. Then invite them into something ordinary — a meal, a drive, a task — and give them your honest attention.

Pray

“Father, teach me to continue in prayer, watchful and thankful. Open a door of utterance for the word of Christ. Make my conduct wise toward them that are without, my time well spent, and my speech alway with grace, that I may know how I ought to answer every man. Amen.”

Next Step

Set a regular time to pray for that person, and keep it. Steady prayer over weeks does more than an intense day.

Day 5

Encourage Growth and Obedience

Read

Hebrews 10:19–25 (King James Version)
¹⁹Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
²⁰By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
²¹And having an high priest over the house of God;
²²Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
²³Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
²⁵Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:19–25 on BibleGateway ↗

Understand

Everything here rests on what Christ has already done. Believers have boldness to enter the holiest “by the blood of Jesus,” through a new and living way He consecrated, and they have a great high priest over the house of God. Only then come the three exhortations: let us draw near, let us hold fast, and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. That third one cannot be done alone. It requires assembling together and “exhorting one another.” The word “consider” is deliberate — believers are to think carefully about how to stir one another toward love and obedience, rather than leaving encouragement to chance.

Key Truth

Believers help one another grow in love, obedience, and faithfulness.

Reflect

Who is thinking carefully about how to encourage you? Whom are you thinking carefully about in the same way?

Apply

Encourage one believer specifically today. Not a general compliment — name something you have seen God doing in them, and tell them plainly.

Pray

“Lord Jesus, thank You that by Your blood I may draw near to God with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Help me hold fast the profession of my faith without wavering, for You are faithful that promised. Teach me to consider others deliberately, and to provoke them unto love and to good works. Amen.”

Next Step

Make sure the person you are discipling is not walking alone. Bring them with you into the gathering of believers.

Day 6

Train Them to Share Christ

Read

2 Corinthians 5:14–21 (King James Version)
¹⁴For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
¹⁵And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
¹⁶Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
¹⁹To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
²⁰Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
²¹For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2 Corinthians 5:14–21 on BibleGateway ↗

Understand

Paul names what moves him: “the love of Christ constraineth us.” Because Christ died for all and rose again, those who live no longer live for themselves. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. God reconciled believers to Himself through Jesus Christ and then entrusted them with the ministry and the word of reconciliation, so that they stand as ambassadors for Christ with a plain message: “be ye reconciled to God.” Verse 21 states the gospel itself — the sinless Christ was made sin for us, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. A disciple who is growing should learn to say this clearly and truthfully, without pressure and without altering it.

Key Truth

A growing disciple should learn to faithfully share the gospel with others.

Reflect

Could you explain the gospel from this passage in your own words, in under two minutes, without leaving out the cross or the resurrection?

Apply

Practise explaining the gospel using verse 21 — who Christ is, what He did, and how a person responds. Then share it as God gives opportunity, and leave the results with Him.

Pray

“Father, thank You for reconciling me to Yourself through Jesus Christ, and for entrusting me with the word of reconciliation. Let the love of Christ constrain me. Make me a faithful ambassador with clear and honest words, and help me show others how to speak of Him as well. Amen.”

Next Step

Do not only share the gospel — show someone else how. Let the person you are discipling hear you explain it, then ask them to try it in their own words.

Day 7

Multiply Disciples

Read

2 Timothy 2:1–2 (King James Version)
¹Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
²And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:1–2 on BibleGateway ↗

Understand

Paul’s first instruction is not a strategy but a source: “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” The strength for this work is God’s grace, not our willpower. Then Paul describes multiplication in a single sentence. What Timothy heard from Paul he is to commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Count the links — Paul, Timothy, faithful men, and others also. Four generations in one verse. Biblical disciple-making does not stop with the person you are discipling; it continues through them to people you may never meet.

Key Truth

Biblical disciple-making multiplies when disciples begin making other disciples.

Reflect

If the person you are praying for began discipling someone else next year, what would you want to have given them first?

Apply

Draw the four links on paper: you → the person you are discipling → someone they could help → someone that person could help. Pray over each link.

Pray

“Lord, make me strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, for I have no strength of my own for this work. Give me faithful people to entrust Your truth to, and let it continue on to others also, further than I will see. Amen.”

Next Step

Begin. Take the name you wrote on Day 1 and ask them this week to read Scripture and pray with you.

After Day 7

The Plan Is Finished. The Multiplication Begins.

Seven days do not make a disciple — Christ does, over a lifetime. What the plan gives you is a rhythm you can keep with one other person for as long as God gives you together.

FOLLOW: Keep following Jesus yourself.
READ: Open God’s Word together.
PRAY: Pray with and for one another.
OBEY: Put Scripture into practice.
SHARE: Carry the gospel to others.
MULTIPLY: Help the person you’re discipling begin discipling someone else.

Optional deeper study

Making Disciples — the 30-day plan

A longer walk through the same journey in five stages: following Jesus, being formed by Him, loving and serving people, sharing the gospel, and making disciples who make disciples. It keeps its own progress, separately from the plans above.

Go deeper with the 30-day plan →

The Pathway

Grow in the Word. Walk in the Commission.

The whole journey

From hearing the gospel to disciples who make disciples

Hear the Gospel
Follow Christ
Grow in the Word
Become a Disciple
Share the Gospel
Make Disciples
Help Those Disciples Make Disciples

Begin

Choose one person. Pray for them. Open Scripture together. Begin making disciples.

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