I went to one church for over 30 years, and I was never discipled.

I ask myself, was that my mistake or the church’s?

I attended Bible college in my early twenties. Does that count as discipleship? I don’t believe it does, because that’s not what Jesus taught.

The disciples spent three years living in each other’s pockets with Jesus, listening, learning, and doing.

They saw how Jesus spoke to people, how He handled pressure, how He prayed, and how He obeyed God. What He said and did weren't separated.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19–20 ESV).

When I look back, I can see I was taught Scripture, yet I was left to work out what it meant on my own.

No one walked close enough to see what was going on in my life. I slipped through the cracks. That shouldn’t happen within the church.

Exhort one another every day… that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13 ESV).

The exhorting described in Scripture is inviting, beseeching, calling, and comforting.

That being said, it requires time and people who are willing to be present in each other’s lives.

I believe the church is responsible for creating an environment for discipleship—meaning, teaching truth, walking with people, and knowing their lives.

The individual is responsible for being open, being known, and following Jesus in obedience.

Where it breaks down is in the gap between the two.