Look at your calendar. Would it be obvious from how you spend your time that you are a disciple of Jesus?
Now, look at your bank account. Is there evidence of a heart devoted to Christ?
Think about your conversations this past week. Did your speech bring glory to God?
We know that we are not saved by our schedules or our spending; salvation is a gift of grace alone. Yet, the gospel never stays contained in the heart. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). If the Gospel has truly transformed our hearts, it will also transform our wallets, our weeks, our words, and our works.
Below is a list of diagnostic statements to help you assess if your walk with Christ is deepening. This is not a checklist of legalistic requirements to earn God’s love. It is a set of “spiritual thermometers” to test your faith. As Paul encourages us, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Hopefully, these common rhythms of a disciple’s life will help us assess where we could be missing the mark.
1. Am I Glorifying God (Worship and Devotion)
These practices are focused on recognizing and exalting God’s worth through both individual and corporate actions.
Personal Practices
- I pray during scheduled and spontaneous times every day.
- I verbally express gratitude to God for daily blessings.
- I regularly give a percentage of my income as an act of worship and faith.
Communal Practices
- I worship with my church family every week.
- I use my spiritual gifts to serve in a specific ministry.
- I join in the church’s corporate prayer meeting or special times of worship.
2. Am I Growing as a Disciple (Fellowship and Maturity)
These practices focus on personal and corporate transformation, growing in knowledge, faith, and Christ-like character.
Personal Practices
- I read and meditate on the Bible every day.
- I listen to a sermon, podcast, or teaching on a theological topic beyond the Sunday sermon.
- I practice self-control by denying a specific pleasure or comfort (e.g., extra screen time, certain foods) to focus on Christ.
Communal Practices
- I share at least one meal a week with a fellow church member.
- I regularly study the Bible in community with other believers.
- I actively work to reconcile conflict or misunderstandings with others as a demonstration of Christ-like forgiveness.
3. Am I Making Disciples (Evangelism and Mission)
These practices focus on obeying the Great Commission by sharing the Gospel and leading others to faith and maturity in Christ.
Personal
- I pray daily for at least three non-believing friends, neighbors, or co-workers.
- I intentionally start Gospel conversations (gossiping about Jesus, sharing my testimony or explaining salvation).
- I make use of my time or resources to serve a person in need outside of my immediate family.
Communal
- I invite non-believing friends to my home or to a church service.
- I participate in a local church outreach or mission project at least once a year.
- I pledge financial support through my church or directly to a missionary or missions effort.
Feel free to write these down in the front of a journal. Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on them, asking yourself if busyness, distraction, or laziness are crowding out these basic disciplines of a disciple.
What else would you include? What is a habit you cultivate that helps you to better glorify God and grow as disciples who make disciples.
This piece was adapted from Nathan Creitz’s newsletter. Subscribe here.