What does discipleship look like at New City?
by Ray Peoples, Discipleship Pastor
At New City Church, we believe that the heart of the church is not just about Sunday services, programs, or events; it’s about people growing in their relationship with Jesus. Discipleship is the key to spiritual growth and transformation. It’s about living out the teachings of Jesus, helping others grow in faith, and becoming a fellowship that reflects His love and purpose.
But how does this happen practically? How do we build a culture of discipleship that goes beyond a one-time event or program? We believe it happens through a process of intentional investment in people at various stages of their walk with Christ. This is where our framework of discipling pathways comes into play. These stages of discipleship are not just for individuals to grow, but also for our church to become a discipling community that supports, challenges, and equips each other to follow Jesus more closely.
Spiritual Foundations – Coming to Know Jesus
Discipleship starts with discovery. It’s the foundational moment when someone first encounters Jesus and begins to understand who He is and what He offers. For many people at New City Church, this starts with an invitation to explore their faith, ask questions, and hear the Gospel for the first time. It’s the moment of discovering God’s love, grace, and the reality of His Kingdom.
In Spiritual Foundations, the focus is on helping people take their first steps in faith. This may involve inviting people into small groups, offering Bible studies, or simply walking alongside someone as they begin to understand the Gospel. It’s the stage where new believers start to learn the basics of Christianity, and their hearts begin to soften to the Holy Spirit’s transformative power.
This phase is crucial because we want everyone who walks through our doors to know that they are welcome—no matter where they are on their faith journey. We want to create an environment where people feel safe to ask questions, to doubt, and to wrestle with their beliefs, knowing they are not alone in their journey.
Experiencing God – Growing in Christlikeness
Once someone has encountered Christ, the next step is spiritual maturity and growth. Discipleship is not a one-time event; it’s a lifelong process of growing more like Jesus. In Experiencing God, the focus shifts from discovery to deeper growth. This is where we move beyond the basics of faith and start to explore what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus.
For people in Experiencing God, the goal is a new look at spiritual maturity. We encourage people to begin to look for places that Jesus is active and join Him there. It's about developing character and aligning one’s life more closely with the values of God’s Kingdom and the voice of Jesus. This is where people begin to see the fruit of discipleship in their lives—joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more. They begin to understand their identity in Christ and the calling He has for their life.
D3 Discipling Pathway – Transformative and Intentional Relationship with Christ.
The final phase of discipleship is known as D3. D3 is an intentional framework New City uses to equip individuals to see transformation in their life but also in the lives of others. Discipleship is not a process that ends with personal growth; it leads to multiplication. As we grow in Christ, we are called to help others grow as well.
For those in the D3 stage, it’s not just about being discipled but about actively investing in the lives of others. This is where the church moves from being a group of individuals growing in faith to a community that actively works together to make disciples. The mission of the church becomes about reproducing faith in others—helping others discover Christ, grow in Him, and become disciple-makers themselves.At New City Church, we believe that every believer is called to be a disciple-maker. It’s not just for pastors or leaders; it’s a responsibility for everyone who follows Jesus. That’s why we emphasize equipping people to disciple others, whether it’s through one-on-one mentoring relationships, leading City Groups, or serving in children’s or student ministry. Discipleship is not just an internal process—it’s a movement that ripples outward, reaching others with the love and truth of the Gospel.
A Discipling Culture at New City Church
Discipleship isn’t a program; it’s a culture. At New City Church, we’re committed to creating a discipling culture where every person is intentionally discipled, and every person is actively involved in discipling others. We believe this culture is built through relationships—relationships that help us grow in Christ, relationships that challenge us, and relationships that send us out to impact the world.
This culture of discipleship is not just about personal growth; it’s about the Kingdom of God expanding. As more people encounter Jesus, grow in Him, and make disciples, the church becomes a vibrant, multiplying force that reflects the heart of God to a world in need.
Why Discipleship Matters
Discipleship matters because it’s the heartbeat of the church. It’s through discipleship that we grow in our understanding of God, deepen our relationship with Him, and become the people He’s called us to be. It’s through discipleship that the Gospel spreads, and the Kingdom of God advances. Without discipleship, the church becomes stagnant. With it, the church becomes a living, breathing community that reflects Jesus to the world.
At New City Church, we are committed to seeing people move through every phase —growing in their relationship with Christ, becoming more like Him, and making disciples who make disciples. We invite you to join us on this journey, whether you’re just beginning to discover Jesus, are growing in your faith, or are ready to invest in the lives of others. Together, we can create a culture of discipleship that transforms lives and glorifies God.
If you have more questions or want to take part in any of our discipling pathways, I encourage you to talk to your campus pastor or email d3info@newcitychurch.com.