Disciple-making is always communal, whether in the initial phase of evangelism or the later phases of sanctification.
Teaching and training one another toward Christlikeness requires a pedagogy situated on both vertical and horizontal axes. Discipleship is situated on a vertical axis because we can do nothing without Christ and by the Spirit. It is situated on a horizontal axis because all who trust Christ are called to make Jesus-followers. Therefore, all believers are to look for Spirit-led teaching and learning opportunities that form habits of thinking, feeling, and being like Christ.
We teach and learn habits of thinking so we might better think God’s thoughts as one mind, striving together to come to a consensus about hard and easy things. Such teaching goes well beyond simple processes and programs, for these, however well designed, cannot by themselves train us in the habits of thinking required for the level of unity God desires. The needed habits of thinking are daily and deep, developed in the context of relationships with other believers.
We teach and learn habits of feeling, cultivating values and emotions in the midst of conflict and harmony. Together, we learn to understand the world through God’s eyes and love one another with God’s heart.
We teach and learn habits of being, helping one another remember that we are always the body of Christ, living a shared life in him. We create opportunities to grow as persons in community in Christ by creating ample communal spaces in our buildings, programs, and schedules.
