Word Count: 394 – Est Read Time: <2 Minutes
What’s Up?
Christian education has failed to produce true disciples. We’ve prioritized knowledge over transformation, and it shows.
So What?
Churches are declining, and the world isn’t being transformed by believers. We’ve filled heads, warmed hearts, but we’ve failed to engage hands. If we don’t change our approach, we’ll continue losing ground.
The Point Is …
Information Without Transformation is Useless
Bible knowledge doesn’t make disciples—practice does. If people don’t act on what they know, what’s the point?Faith Formation Requires Accountability
We need small groups that do more than study—they must challenge members to live like Jesus every day, not just on Sundays.Discipleship is a Lifestyle, Not a Program
Teaching someone how to pray isn’t the same as actually praying. The same goes for serving, giving, and sharing the Gospel.Behavior-Based Small Groups Are the Future
The fix isn’t abandoning small groups—it’s repurposing them. Groups must hold members accountable for living out their faith in real life.
And … ?
At some point, we have to admit that our discipleship models are failing. Jesus didn’t command us to go and teach theological trivia—he told us to make disciples. But for decades (centuries, really), Christian education has been all about absorbing knowledge with no expectation of real-life application. Knowing how to study the Bible devotionally isn’t the same as actually opening it and engaging with God’s Word. Knowing how to pray in different ways isn’t the same as spending time with God. And as Socrates pointed out, the unexamined life isn’t worth living—so why are we content with believers who don’t reflect on their actions, attitudes, and spiritual growth?
Small groups were supposed to be the answer, but instead, they became Christian education hour 2.0. We watched videos, read books, and had great discussions, but at the end of the day, our hands stayed in our pockets. That has to change. Real discipleship demands action. Whether it’s micro-groups or small groups, the key is accountability—not for what we know, but for what we do. Because at the end of the day, if we aren’t living it, we never really learned it.
Action!
It’s time to rethink discipleship—start by restructuring your small groups for accountability and transformation, not just discussion. Get your copy of the Disciple Making Blueprint and launch life-transforming small groups.
