Introduction
No shock here: men need discipleship. We need to grow into spiritual maturity. But instead of ranting about why the American Church dropped the ball, I verified the biblical basis for discipleship…. then decided to fix it in my corner of the Kingdom.
My mission: Help men rediscover authentic masculine Christianity—the kind that’s bold, purposeful, and powered by Christ’s energy. Like Paul says: “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me” (Col. 1:29). That power fuels a dynamic, fascinating life. I want every brother to taste it. The goal is noble. The “how” is brutal. But it’s in that grind where men meet God, discover who they truly are, and unlock a life of Purpose, Meaning, and Significance.
First few posts: Biblical basis for discipleship and spiritual growth, proof it’s missing in much of the American Church, and clear definitions of what I mean by both. Sounds basic? Good—strong foundations win wars.
Then we’ll hit the four pillars of a man’s life: Faith, Family, Fitness, Finances. Overarching rule: I’ll teach you how to think, not what to think. Let’s roll.
Biblical Basis for Discipleship
Passage 1: Matthew 28:16-20 (The Great Commission)
The eleven hit the Galilee, mountain spot Jesus picked. They saw Him—worshiped, though some doubted. Jesus stepped up:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Key Takeaways:
- Command = make disciples, not just convert/evangelize (v.19).
- How = baptizing + teaching (v.20).
- Teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded (v.20).
- He’s with us the whole way—till the end.
Clear orders. Clear method. Baptism and teaching form disciples. This isn’t optional—it’s for every believer. You included. No excuses.
Passage 2: Ephesians 4:9-16
(In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus gifts the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers (v.11).
- Their job: equip the saints for ministry, for building up the body (v.12).
- Ministry = building up Christ’s body (v.12).
- Goal: unity in faith, knowledge of the Son, mature manhood, full stature of Christ (v.13).
- Result: No more childish tossing by waves/doctrine/tricks (v.14). Speak truth in love, grow into Christ the Head (v.15). Whole body—every joint working—builds itself up in love (v.16).
Pastors/teachers equip. We do the work: strengthening, maturing, building the body. I’ve seen the gap in American churches—men aren’t equipped, then aren’t stepping up to mature others. That’s changing here. That is the core of the biblical basis for discipleship.
Passage 3: Colossians 3:16-17
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Key Takeaways:
- Word of Christ must dwell richly in us (v.16).
- Proof = we teach and admonish one another (v.16).
- “One another” = everybody’s job, not just pros (v.16).
- Outcome: Every word/deed in Jesus’ name (v.17).
These three passages lock it in. Want the full exegesis—context, how I landed here, how they connect? Hit the Resources tab.
Bottom line: I’m equipping men to grow spiritually, own their God-given roles, then turn around and disciple others. Living out your Purpose in God? That’s the most thrilling, significant life possible.
Men—let’s build.
Pete is Out.