Have You Ever Gotten Lost on a Hiking Trail?
Maybe the signs weren’t clear, or the trail seemed to disappear. You had a destination in mind but couldn’t figure out how to get there. It’s frustrating and can make the journey feel overwhelming.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is how some people feel in your church.
Think about your church’s discipleship pathway. Are the next steps clear, or are people left wondering, “Where do I go from here?”
The Right Next Step is the linchpin of discipleship. Without it, even the best program can feel like a dead end.
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:
- The Right Person: Understand your audience. Are they seekers, new believers, or lifelong disciples?
- The Right Message: Share the truth they need in a way that resonates.
- The Right Time: Meet people when they’re most open to growth or change.
- The Right Way: Deliver your message in a method that engages and connects (e.g., online, in-person, one-on-one).
- The Right Next Step: Give them a clear action to deepen their faith.
By aligning these elements, your programs stop being just events on a calendar and start becoming intentional steps on the discipleship pathway.
Why the Right Next Step Matters
Discipleship is about direction, not a destination. Each step should naturally lead to another, creating a clear path toward spiritual maturity.
However, many churches design programs as isolated events. People attend, enjoy (hopefully), and leave—without knowing what to do next.
When People Don’t Know Their Next Step:
- Seekers remain curious but never commit.
- Students stall in their growth.
- Shapers struggle to apply their faith.
- Stewards miss opportunities to multiply their impact.
(NOTE: You can read about Seekers, Students, Shapers, and Stewards HERE)
The Right Next Step ensures that every experience is part of a larger discipleship journey.
How to Design the Right Next Step
1. Clarity Is Key
Ambiguity is the enemy of action. Clearly articulate:
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- What the next step is
- Why it matters
- How to take it
2. Make It Accessible
The next step should feel achievable. Don’t ask for a leap of faith when a small step will do. Focus on incremental movement.
3. Align with the Person’s Stage
Tailor the next step to their spiritual maturity:
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- A Seeker needs a low-pressure invitation.
- A Steward needs a challenge to lead or disciple others.
Practical Ways to Define the Right Next Step
1. Use Milestones to Mark Progress
Break the discipleship journey into clear, measurable milestones:
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- For a Seeker: Attend an Alpha Course.
- For a Student: Join a small group or start a daily Bible reading plan.
- For a Shaper: Begin serving on a ministry team.
- For a Steward: Mentor someone or lead a group.
2. Create a Clear On-Ramp
Make the next step easy to find through announcements, signage, or personal invitations.
3. Provide a Personal Touch
Encourage leaders or volunteers to personally invite others to take their next step. A personal connection can make all the difference.
4. Celebrate Progress
Recognize and celebrate when people take a step forward. This reinforces the importance of the journey and inspires others to follow.
A Practical Example: Moving a Seeker Forward
Let’s say you host a community event, and several Seekers attend. What’s their next step?
- Clarity: Communicate the next opportunity to explore faith, such as an Alpha course or Q&A night.
- Accessibility: Make the invitation low-pressure and easy to say yes to, like signing up online or via text.
- Alignment: Focus the event on their questions or curiosity, not heavy theology or deep commitments.
When Seekers know their next step and feel confident taking it, they’re more likely to move forward in their journey.
The Win: Creating Momentum in Discipleship
The Right Next Step isn’t just about keeping people engaged—it’s about helping them grow.
Every clear, purposeful step leads to:
- Deeper faith
- Stronger discipleship
- Greater spiritual maturity
When people know where they’re going and how to get there, they’ll move forward with confidence and purpose.
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:
- “Discipleship is about direction, not a destination.”
- “Ambiguity is the enemy of action.”
Resources for Further Learning:
- The Ministry MBA: 10 Practical Courses to Build a Thriving Church
- Discipleship Pathway Templates and Checklists
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