The 5 Essential Ingredients to a Disciple-Making Movement

In a world desperate for hope, the call to the Great Commission feels more urgent than ever. Yet, traditional church models, built on addition rather than multiplication, are falling short of the global task. Buildings, programs, and centralized leadership have created high barriers to entry, leaving many outside the fold. If we want to see a movement that truly reaches every people group on earth, it’s time to shift our thinking. It’s time to embrace the principles of disciple-making movements (DMMs).
DMMs are not theoretical. Across the globe, in some of the hardest-to-reach regions, these movements have exploded. Through simple, reproducible methods like Discovery Bible Study (DBS), ordinary people are leading others to Jesus, baptising them, and equipping them to make disciples who make disciples. This isn’t just a strategy for the Global South. With churches in the West facing crises of faith, declining attendance, and increasing disconnection, DMM principles are more relevant than ever.
So, what makes a disciple-making movement possible? Here are five essential ingredients that can help shift mindsets and spark multiplication wherever you are.
1. Reproducibility Through Simplicity
Movements thrive on simplicity. The more complex the model, the harder it is to replicate. Disciple-making movements are built on practices that anyone can adopt—without the need for expensive buildings, sound systems, or bible college degrees.
In some of the most remote corners of the world, DBS is leading to mass salvations. Why? Because it’s accessible. Groups meet in homes, under trees, or wherever people can gather. The simplicity of DBS—reading scripture, asking basic questions, and obeying what is learned—removes the barriers that often hinder multiplication.
But why should we care about simplicity in the West, where resources abound? Because complexity kills multiplication. Programs, events, and traditional church structures can unintentionally stifle organic growth. Many people today don’t feel comfortable stepping into a church building, but they’re willing to join a conversation over dinner or coffee.
A businessman in Melbourne Australia, spent years inviting people to church with little success. But when he invited them to his home for a casual dinner and Bible study, they came. It wasn’t about the building or the program—it was about the relationship and the safe space to explore faith.
Simplicity also empowers ordinary believers. You don’t need a degree or a title to lead a DBS. All you need is a willingness to open the Bible with others. Movements grow when disciples become disciple-makers, not watchers of leaders.
2. Prayer Is The Engine Room
Prayer is the engine room of every disciple-making movement. Without it, there’s no power, no direction, and no heart for the lost. But prayer isn’t just about ticking a spiritual box. It’s about aligning with the heart of the Father and catching His vision for the world.
Most people don’t naturally have a burden for the lost. That burden is birthed in prayer. When we pray, God softens our hearts and opens our eyes to the need around us. Prayer also fuels boldness. When you’ve spent time in the presence of God, it becomes easier to step out in faith.
Practical prayer is key. Prayer walks keep evangelism local and grounded in the community. Mapping your oikos—your relational network—is another powerful tool. Who in your life doesn’t know Jesus? Family? Friends? Coworkers? Neighbours? Start praying for them by name.
Consider this: within a single church, there’s a vast untapped mission field. If every believer mapped out their oikos and began praying for those people, the potential reach would be staggering. And it’s not about bringing those people to a church building—it’s about meeting them where they are.
Prayer is the first step toward multiplication. If we’re not praying, we’re not truly engaging with God’s mission.
Because it’s accessible. Groups meet in homes, under trees, or wherever people can gather. The simplicity of DBS—reading scripture, asking basic questions, and obeying what is learned—removes the barriers that often hinder multiplication.
But why should we care about simplicity in the West, where resources abound? Because complexity kills multiplication. Programs, events, and traditional church structures can unintentionally stifle organic growth. Many people today don’t feel comfortable stepping into a church building, but they’re willing to join a conversation over dinner or coffee.
A businessman in Melbourne Australia, spent years inviting people to church with little success. But when he invited them to his home for a casual dinner and Bible study, they came. It wasn’t about the building or the program—it was about the relationship and the safe space to explore faith.
Simplicity also empowers ordinary believers. You don’t need a degree or a title to lead a DBS. All you need is a willingness to open the Bible with others. Movements grow when disciples become disciple-makers, not watchers of leaders.
3. Casting Vision for the Lost
Movements are fuelled by vision. Without it, they stagnate. In every Discovery Bible Study, the vision for reaching the lost must be front and centre.
When new believers are introduced to DBS, they should understand from the start that this isn’t just about personal growth. It’s about multiplication. For example, one young woman who joined a DBS was immediately given the vision: “This is about reaching others for Jesus.” She didn’t wait to become an “expert.” She simply started sharing what she was learning with friends and family.
Multiplication happens when every disciple sees themselves as a disciple-maker. If the lost are not the focus, groups will stop reproducing. Vision keeps the movement alive.
Here’s a practical tip: at the end of every DBS session, ask two key questions:
- How will I obey what I’ve learned today?
- Who will I share this story with?
These questions reinforce the mission and encourage immediate action. When the lost are the focus, movements grow.
4. Leaders Need to Stop Being the Centre
Traditional leadership models often place the leader at the centre, dominating discussions and showcasing their knowledge. But in a disciple-making movement, the leader’s role is to facilitate, not control.
A true leader empowers others to engage with scripture, discover its meaning for themselves, and obey it. This shift is crucial. If a group relies on a leader’s expertise, it won’t multiply. But when every member feels equipped to lead, the potential for reproduction skyrockets.
This approach is rooted in the biblical principle of the priesthood of all believers. Every disciple is called to make disciples. It’s not about knowledge; it’s about obedience. The Great Commission isn’t a call to teach understanding—it’s a call to teach obedience to Jesus’ commands.
One powerful example comes from a prison DBS. After discovering Jesus, one man shared the study with his brother, a Muslim. Soon, both were baptised. The new believer didn’t wait for a pastor or a program. He simply obeyed and shared what he knew.
Leaders must embrace this mindset: success isn’t measured by how much they teach but by how well others grow and multiply.
5. Stories Go Viral
Stories have power. They’re memorable, shareable, and impactful. The early church thrived in an oral culture where stories about Jesus spread rapidly. Today, the principle remains the same: storytelling is central to disciple-making movements.
Jesus Himself used short, relatable parables to teach profound truths. These stories were simple enough for anyone to understand and remember. In the same way, DBS encourages participants to share biblical stories with others.
Here’s why this works:
Stories Stick: People are more likely to remember and retell a story than a sermon or lecture.
Stories Are Relatable: Biblical stories often connect to real-life struggles, making them accessible to non-believers.
Stories Inspire: Personal testimonies about God’s work in your life can encourage others to seek a relationship with Him.
In DBS, one of the key questions is, “Who can I share this story with?” It’s not about preaching or debating—it’s simply about sharing. For example, someone might share the story of the woman at the well with a friend who is struggling with shame or rejection.
The gospel is good news, and news spreads through stories. By centring storytelling, we can make the teachings of Jesus accessible to everyone—even those who feel disconnected from traditional religion.
Conclusion
The five ingredients—simplicity, prayer, vision, servant leadership, and storytelling—are the foundation of disciple-making movements. These principles are not just for the Global South. They’re for every context, including the post-Christian West.
The Great Commission calls us to go and make disciples, not just attend services. It’s about multiplication, not addition. By embracing these principles, we can spark movements that reach beyond the walls of the church and into the lives of those who desperately need the hope of Jesus.
Now is the time to step out, simplify, pray, cast vision, release control, and share stories. The harvest is plentiful. Will you join the movement?