How Long Does It Take to Make a Disciple?
We need to acknowledge one key element before we get too far into this topic: the definition of a disciple. That will be an upcoming article, and I’ll add a link to it once it is published. Until then, I will give a “simple” definition as: “A disciple is someone who is able to independently walk in relationship with God.”
Using that definition, how long should it take for you to help another person “independently walk in relationship with God?”
Let me ask a different question to begin to move toward the answer. How long should it take for a newborn child to walk independently of his parents? An internet search brings up a common answer of 12 to 15 months from birth. A 3-month-old child is certainly human, but obviously hasn’t reached the ability to be an independent person. And a 3-year-old child who isn’t walking certainly has some cognitive or physical impediment that prevents his independence.
Could we use a similar measure for how long it takes to disciple another person? I believe we can. And the time might even be shorter if you’re not starting with a “newborn babe in Christ” (1 Peter 2:2).
I recently received an email from a discipleship ministry. The writer began a story about how she had been discipling another person “for years.” Of course, the purpose of the story was to elicit a donation to the ministry. But I stopped at “for years” and wondered what was going on in that relationship. Why was it taking so long?
I believe it takes longer to “disciple” someone when one of two things are present. We either don’t know what a disciple is (thereby, the definition), or we’re not focused on discipling the person to reach the definition (measurement).
I know that I can disciple someone in as little as six months to no more than two years. If they have gotten a good start in their faith, it can take as little as six months. If he is just come to Christ from an unchurched background, it could take longer. Anything longer than that indicates something wrong with the learner (disciple) or the teacher (disciple-maker).
I’d love to hear (or read) your comments on this!