One of the main goals of a Christian life is to follow Jesus and help others do the same. Discipleship—walking alongside others in their faith journey—is at the heart of Jesus’ commandment to His followers.
Traditionally, discipleship has happened face-to-face, in churches, coffee shops, and small groups. But today, the digital world offers us new tools and ways to connect with people all around the world, giving us fresh opportunities to fulfill Jesus’ command in ways we couldn’t have imagined before.
Perhaps the most unique feature of this current era in human history is that, for the first time ever, our physical location is not a primary factor and determining our opportunities, relationships, and ability to interact with others.
So, how can we use the new digital world to make disciples? Let’s take a look at five ways we can use digital tools to make disciples of Jesus.
1. Share Content that Inspires and Educates
One of the best things about the digital world is the power to share ideas, stories, testimonies, and teachings far and wide. A single video, blog post, podcast, or social media post can reach thousands, even millions of people. Just like Jesus used stories and parables to teach people about the kingdom of God, we can use digital storytelling to inspire and educate others and urge them to enter God’s kingdom.
By creating meaningful content we can help people understand the basics of Christianity or go deeper into their faith. Content like this is a great way to share the truth about who Jesus is, what it means to follow Him, and how His love can change lives.
2. Build Community through Online Groups
Discipleship isn’t just about teaching; it’s about relationships. Relationships help us grow, encourage us in hard times, and keep us accountable. While we often think of community as something that happens in person, we can also build real connections online. Social media groups, Zoom Bible studies, and messaging platforms like Discord allow people to join together to pray, study, hang out and support each other generally.
By creating online communities, we can help people feel connected, even if they’re physically apart. Small groups can meet over video calls, share prayer requests in group chats, or dive into deep discussions over forums. These online communities can become places where people feel safe, encouraged, and challenged in their walk with God.
3. Use One-on-One Mentorship
Discipleship works best when it’s personal, and digital tools can help us connect with people individually. We can use one on one video calls, voice messages, or even simple texts to stay in touch with those we’re mentoring.
These relationships give people a safe space to ask questions and receive guidance as they walk through their faith journey. Even though it’s digital, these moments can be deeply meaningful if we show genuine care and commitment.
4. Model a Christ-Centered Life Online
If we’re trying to disciple others, we need to live out our faith in everything we do—even in our online lives. Every comment we post, every story we share, and every interaction we have online reflects who we are as Christians. People learn from watching others. This is true in person and online.
The average Christian spend six hours a day on screens. This is 1/4 of our entire lives so we need to make the time we spend in the online space and intentional reflection of our commitment to Jesus.
A big part of digital discipleship is modeling what it means to follow Jesus in every area of our lives. That means showing kindness in our interactions, being humble in our words, and sharing the hope and love we have in Jesus. When others see us living our faith authentically online, it gives them a real-life example of what it means to follow Christ.
5. Break Down Barriers to Reach People Everywhere
One of the most incredible things about digital discipleship is that it allows us to reach people we might never meet in person. Digital tools let us go beyond geographic, cultural, and even language barriers. This means we can disciple people from different countries, backgrounds, and walks of life.
Even language is no longer a barrier. New digital tools allow you to choose a target language and have all your content expertly translated automatically.
With digital tools, we can obey the great commission as we connect with people from around the world, bringing them the message of Jesus in a way that resonates with their culture and experience. It’s a unique chance to see how God’s love unites people across differences, and we can be part of that from wherever we are.
While making disciples in a digital world may look different from traditional discipleship, it’s still very real and impactful. Technology allows us to reach and connect with people we would never have met otherwise. It lets us share God’s truth, build relationships, mentor others, model our faith, and reach beyond borders to share the message of Jesus.
The digital world will certainly feel different, but the heart of discipleship remains the same. It’s about building real relationships, sharing God’s love, and walking alongside others as they grow in their faith.
Jesus said, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Even in digital spaces, His presence and His work are there. Let’s embrace this opportunity and see how God can use us to make disciples in a whole new way.
Let Medialight Improve Your Level of Media Confidence
For the past 15 years Medialight has been training ministry leaders from over 40 nations to use media and the online world to fulfill the great commission to make disciples of every nation. We are based in Southeast Asia and understand the realities of doing ministry in a context where followers of Jesus are a minority faith. We also understand the limited finances of most churches, schools and Christian non-profits in the developing world. We can help you grow in your use of media today.
Get Started Today
My friend, it’s never going to be easier than it is today. The tools you need are accessible, and the opportunities to reach people with the message of Christ are greater than ever before. By taking even small steps toward improving your digital skills, you’ll be opening new doors for evangelism, engagement, and discipleship.
Don’t wait. Start your digital journey today, and watch how God can use these tools to extend the reach of your ministry and transform lives. We’re always here to help!
Here’s our Discussion Question: What’s the most difficult part about learning to use media for mission?
Share this post