Multiplication doesn’t happen automatically. Over time, even healthy disciple-making cultures can lose momentum as people become discouraged, distracted, or disconnected from the mission.
In this episode, Ben Borgman and Pastor Craig Etheredge discuss what churches can do when disciple-making multiplication slows down. Drawing from their experience leading and developing disciple-makers, they share four practical ways to maintain fruitfulness: be intentional about who you invite, build a healthy pathway before asking people to multiply, set clear expectations from the beginning, and continually celebrate and support those doing the work.
The goal isn’t simply to get more people into groups. It’s to develop faithful disciple-makers who multiply their lives in others for a lifetime.
Overview:
- 00:00 Maintaining disciple-making momentum
- 04:04 Challenges in Personal Growth
- 08:03 Managing initial enthusiasm fade
- 09:52 Core principles for disciple-making
- 13:34 Encouraging personal commitment and growth
- 17:24 Helping people explore faith
- 22:02 Setting expectations for Grow Groups
- 25:07 Building deeper relationships
- 28:16 High Commitment in Disciple-Making
- 31:04 Living fruitful lives through faith
- 35:33 Guest shares wisdom and gratitude
- 36:23 Show notes and helpful links
Discussion Questions:
- What factors most commonly contribute to the slowdown of multiplication in your church or ministry context?
- How can leaders develop and implement effective strategies to keep disciple-making momentum?
- How do you determine who to invest in deeply, and what criteria do you use for selection?
- In what ways have you communicated (or seen communicated) expectations to potential group members, and what has been most effective?
- What are the main differences between the two, and why is it important to distinguish them?
- How can skipping foundational steps affect long-term fruitfulness and multiplication?
- What strategies can keep momentum going once initial enthusiasm tapers off?
- How can leaders maintain high expectations without discouraging or overwhelming participants?
- How can you create a system for celebrating and communicating these stories within your church or ministry?
- Would you rather have a few highly committed disciple-makers or larger numbers with less engagement? How does this perspective shape your approach to ministry?
