By Joel Comiskey, Making Disciples in the 21st Century Church
We’ve often said that giving glory to God is the ultimate motivation for cell-based ministry. That conviction hasn’t changed. But this February, I want us to take a fresh step—from vision to practice—from what we believe to how we live it out.
In simple terms: How are our ministries, week by week and person by person, forming disciples who reflect Jesus and give glory to God?
I’m increasingly convinced that making disciples must guide everything we do in cell ministry. Yet I’ve also come to realize that we don’t always clarify the full scope of what making disciples truly involves.
Yes, a disciple is someone who increasingly reflects the image of Jesus—and that remains our central aim. Yes, I continue to believe that cell church ministry is the best local-church strategy for forming disciples.
But there’s more.
Becoming like Jesus is not something the local church accomplishes on its own. True discipleship also includes personal practices and spiritual rhythms that each believer must intentionally cultivate—time in Scripture and prayer, fasting, Sabbath rest, marriage intimacy, holiness, and obedience in everyday life. These are not optional extras; they are part of the journey of following Christ.
As I reflect on my own teaching, I realize that I’ve often emphasized discipleship primarily from the church perspective—cells, coaching, and community—without always giving adequate attention to the personal dimension. That began to shift in 2025. As Mario and I taught seminars throughout the year, we consistently highlighted both levels of discipleship: life together in the church and life alone with God. Mario has been calling leaders back to this healthy, biblical balance.
With just three weeks together in February, here’s the focused journey I’m proposing. Click here if you’d like to receive the daily blogs in your inbox:
- February 8–14: Biblical Foundations for Making Disciples. Becoming Christ’s disciples is the goal of the Christian life. We glorify God as His character is formed in us. This transformation always involves both community—the local church—and personal obedience to Christ.
- February 15–21: Becoming Like Jesus through Cell Church Ministry. We’ll explore how every part of the cell church—cell, celebration, equipping, coaching, prayer, and mission—works together to shape disciples who increasingly reflect Jesus.
- February 22–28: Becoming Christ’s Disciples through Spiritual Disciplines. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, rest, marriage intimacy, holiness, and daily obedience. Every believer has a personal walk with Jesus—supported by the church, but never replaced by it.
My prayer is that this month helps us see discipleship more clearly, live it more fully, and lead it more faithfully—all for the glory of God.