Start Here: Our Approach

Receiving and Passing On the Mission

Jesus gave his church the mission to make disciples of all nations. The risen Jesus commissioned his followers to testify about him, make disciples, baptize new believers, and teach them to obey everything he commanded (Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8). This mission has continued from the apostles through generations of believers to us today.

The apostles received this mission from Jesus and entrusted it to others. They passed on Christ’s teaching to faithful believers who could teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2), and their teaching has been preserved for the church in Scripture. In that sense, the mission is like a baton passed from one generation of disciples to the next: we receive the teaching, priorities, and practices of Jesus and his apostles, live them out faithfully, and help others do the same.

Now we are called to receive this mission and faithfully pass it on. You may want to help others know and follow Jesus but still wonder where to begin, whom to reach, or what to do next. The Gathering Network equips ordinary believers to put the mission into practice through biblical training, practical tools, Christian community, and ongoing coaching.

Equipping You to Make Disciples

The four pathways below will guide you to know and share the gospel, understand the mission, grow in community, and become equipped to lead others. Together, they provide a clear starting point for advancing the Great Commission within your natural networks of relationships.

1. Know and Share the Gospel

Make sure you understand the Christian message, have personally responded to it, and can explain it clearly to others.

  • Start here: The Path to God: A simple, introductory lesson to understand how to know God through Jesus Christ.

  • Put it into practice: Starting an Evangelistic Study: Learn simple ways to invite non-Christians in your natural networks to explore the Christian message with you.

2. Learn the Mission

Understand the mission Jesus has given his church and how reaching people, strengthening believers, developing leaders, and multiplying churches fit together.

  • Start here: The Mission: Make Disciples of All Nations: Learn the mission Jesus gave his church: go into all the world; proclaim the good news of his death and resurrection; call people to repent, trust in Jesus, and receive forgiveness; baptize new believers; and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

  • Put it into practice: Our Approach to Making Disciples: Learn how we seek to reach people for Christ, strengthen believers in the faith, and develop leaders who can help others do the same.

3. Grow in Community

Learn how disciples grow and are strengthened together through the life and gatherings of the church, especially through Scripture, prayer, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and mutual ministry.

  • Start here: The Weekly Assembly of the Church: Explore a biblical vision for simple gatherings where believers worship God, grow together, care for one another, and participate in Christ’s mission.

  • Put it into practice: The Discipleship Series: Use biblical lessons designed to help believers become established in the faith, discuss Scripture together, and faithfully live out their faith in their families, churches, and neighborhoods.

4. Get Equipped and Lead Others

As you grow, learn to disciple others, develop new leaders, receive coaching and encouragement, and, as God provides opportunity, help start and strengthen churches.

  • Start here: Leadership Development: Learn how God develops Christians as leaders to advance Jesus’s mission, including learning to evangelize non-Christians and disciple Christians in community.

  • Put it into practice:

    - Individual Coaching and Prayer: Grow with the help of a coach who will encourage you in your character, key relationships, evangelism, and discipleship.

    - Group Coaching and Prayer: Join other leaders to pray, learn, work through challenges, and encourage one another as you carry out the mission.

    - The Leadership Training Program: Develop the biblical understanding and practical skills needed to help start, strengthen, and multiply churches.

Ready to go deeper?

Learn our framework to see in more detail how reaching people, strengthening believers, and developing leaders work together as part of a simple, biblical approach to making disciples.