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Don’t Let Bad Timing Undermine Your Discipleship Pathway: 5 Steps to Get It Right

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THE MINISTRY MBA

10 Practical Courses to
Lead a Thriving Church

Timing is Everything in Discipleship

Have you ever tried to have a meaningful conversation with a teenager before lunch? Or pitched a new idea to your team during their busiest season? Chances are, you didn’t get the response you hoped for. The message might have been perfect, but the timing? Not so much.

In discipleship, timing often determines whether a seed takes root or bounces off rocky soil. The right message delivered at the wrong time misses its mark—and it might even push people further away from growth.

Here’s how you can master the art of timing to transform your church’s discipleship pathway.

 

The 5 Rights Framework: A Quick Review

Churches often fall into a “church-centric” mindset, where programs serve the institution rather than the people. This approach misses the mark. A great program isn’t great if it doesn’t inspire spiritual growth or move people forward on their discipleship journey.

The 5 Rights Framework provides a people-centered approach, ensuring your programs meet people where they are and guide them toward their next step.

The Five Rights:

  1. The Right Person: Understand your audience. Are they seekers, new believers, or lifelong disciples?
  2. The Right Message: Share the truth they need in a way that resonates.
  3. The Right Time: Meet people when they’re most open to growth or change.
  4. The Right Way: Deliver your message in a method that engages and connects (e.g., online, in-person, one-on-one).
  5. The Right Next Step: Give them a clear action to deepen their faith.

By aligning these elements, your programs stop being events on a calendar and start becoming intentional steps on the discipleship pathway.

 

The Power of the Right Time

Perhaps you’ve been here: You invite a seeker to a Bible study on the Gospel of John, but the session dives so deeply into theology that the room of Seekers and Students feels overwhelmed (NOTE: You can read about Seekers, Students, Shapers, and Stewards HERE). Or you ask a busy parent to attend a workshop in the middle of their kid’s soccer season.

Even with the best intentions, poor timing can create barriers instead of bridges.

Timing isn’t just about logistics—it’s about readiness. Where are they in their spiritual journey? Are they juggling too much to engage, or are they in a moment of reflection, seeking guidance?

 

How to Discern the Right Time

Timing is about meeting people where they are—not where you wish they’d be. Here’s some tipes to get it right:

1. Read Their Season

What phase of life or faith are they in?

    • A Seeker might prefer low-pressure events like an Alpha course.
    • A Steward is ready for deeper commitments, such as leading a small group.
      NOTE: You can read about Seekers, Students, Shapers, and Stewards HERE
2. Anticipate Life Rhythms

Consider community patterns. Are you launching during the school year, holidays, or busy seasons? Think like a farmer: When is the soil most fertile?

3. Respect Emotional Readiness

Are they overwhelmed, hesitant, or resistant? Timing matters as much as the message. Pay attention to cues that indicate readiness—or the lack thereof.

 

Practical Steps to Nail the Timing

Here are four actionable strategies to improve the timing of your discipleship efforts:

  1. Test the Waters
    Start small before launching a full-scale program. A Seeker might engage in a one-night book club before committing to a 10-week Bible study.
  2. Survey the Crowd
    Ask your audience about their preferences. When are they most likely to engage? Weekday evenings, Sunday afternoons, or digital options? Listening is key.
  3. Provide On-Ramps
    Offer low-commitment options. For example, a Shaper could start with a “Serve Sunday” before committing to an ongoing ministry role.
  4. Leverage Milestones
    Use reflective moments like New Year’s or Easter to introduce next steps. These times naturally align with a person’s openness to growth.

 

A Practical Example: Timing for a Seeker

Let’s say a Seeker attends your Christmas Eve service. This is the perfect moment to invite them to a January faith series when resolutions are fresh, and schedules are more open. Consider options like:

  • A casual “Faith Q&A Night.”
  • A digital devotional series for the new year.
  • A short-term small group for those exploring faith.

When your timing aligns with their life rhythms, the likelihood of engagement skyrockets.

 

The Win: Meeting People in Their Moment

When you master the art of timing, your programs aren’t just well-planned—they’re transformative. The Right Time ensures the Right Person hears the Right Message in the most impactful way.

And isn’t that how God works? Through perfectly timed opportunities that draw people closer to Him.

 

Call to Action:

✅ Download the 5 Rights Assessment Worksheet to evaluate your discipleship messages: DOWNLOAD HERE.

✅ Contact me for consulting or workshops to help your church increase your discipleship effectiveness.

Ready to transform your discipleship pathway? Learn more about our Discipleship Accelerator and our NEW DISCIPLESHIP ASSESSMENT TOOL.

** NOTE: I have dozens of churches scheduled to measure discipleship in their churches in Q1 2025. I have room for a few more. Let me know if you want more information on our custom discipleship measurement process.

 

Quotes for Inspiration:
  • “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
  • “God’s timing is perfect even when it doesn’t align with ours.”
Resources for Further Learning:
  • The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero
  • Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger

 

One More Thing…

You’re probably aware of our Church Accelerator Community. All our Partners have unlimited access to our resource section, full of courses, frameworks, supporting documents, and our new Custom AI tools (Sermon Outline Creator, Sermon Evaluator, Small Group Question Writer, and more).

Partnership starts at ONLY $49, which gets you about $5,000 in resources. Don’t wait. Become a partner today.

Check out the Strategic Partner and Community Partner options if you’d like personalized coaching for you, a staff member, or your church. I limit the number of these options to maximize my investment in each church and pastor. Let me know if you are interested.

Leading With You,
Dr. Gavin Adams

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