“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus’ message in this verse is clear. This command, known as “The Great Commission,” stands as one of Christianity’s most profound and challenging directives. It has rung through centuries yet remains one of the most under-executed mandates in modern Christian practice. Despite the simplicity of the instruction, many believers find themselves hesitant or seemingly unable to fulfill this fundamental calling.
Why is this the case? What holds so many believers back from fulfilling one of the most vital aspects of their faith? In this article, we’ll uncover 13 key reasons why Christians often avoid making disciples. What might be standing in the way of fulfilling this divine mission?
Lack of Discipleship Experience
Many Christians have never personally experienced meaningful discipleship. This lack of experience creates a significant gap in their understanding of true spiritual mentorship. Without a living model to emulate, they struggle to conceptualize how to disciple others, leading to a cycle of spiritual stagnation and isolation.
This absence of experience creates uncertainty and confusion about the process of discipleship. Just as an apprentice gains mastery by watching and learning from a skilled mentor, believers need visible, intentional examples of spiritual guidance to effectively nurture and strengthen another’s walk in faith.
Busy Lifestyle and Time Constraints
Modern life is hectic, with professional demands, family obligations, and personal commitments leaving no room for intentional spiritual growth. Many Christians consider discipleship another task to fit into an already packed schedule. This mindset creates a divide between daily responsibilities and their spiritual purpose.
The nonstop rhythm of today’s world fosters a false sense of achievement through constant activity, making deep spiritual connections seem out of reach. Overwhelmed by busyness, believers may need to pay more attention to the truth: discipleship isn’t an extra burden but a way of life that brings purpose and transformation to every aspect of their journey.
Consumer Mentality
The influence of consumer culture has profoundly impacted the church. It has turned spiritual communities into marketplaces where individuals seek personal satisfaction and spiritual entertainment. Christians increasingly approach faith as a product to consume rather than a transformative journey to share, which results in discipleship being reduced to a mere transaction rather than a meaningful relationship.
Feeling Underqualified
Many Christians feel insecure about their spiritual adequacy, convinced they must reach an unattainable level of perfection before guiding others. This crippling self-doubt becomes an unseen obstacle, keeping gifted disciple-makers from embracing their calling, as they mistakenly believe discipleship demands complete theological expertise.
The truth, however, is that discipleship is about sharing a journey of grace, not showcasing spiritual perfection. No matter their stage of faith, every believer holds unique insights and experiences capable of deeply influencing someone else’s walk with God. Breaking free from this sense of inadequacy begins with accepting vulnerability and understanding that spiritual growth is a shared, ongoing journey.
Belief That Only Experts Can Disciple
A widespread misconception within Christian communities is that discipleship belongs solely to pastors, theologians, or those with exceptional spiritual maturity. This hierarchical view creates an artificial separation between “spiritual experts” and ordinary Christians, leaving many to feel exempt from their calling to make disciples.
Remember that Jesus deliberately chose ordinary individuals such as fishermen, tax collectors, and those marginalized by society to carry his message. Spiritual influence is not confined to titles or expertise but is accessible to anyone willing to answer the call.
Lack of Vision
Many Christians approach their spiritual journey without a clear or compelling vision for discipleship. They might view it as an abstract idea rather than a vibrant, life-altering mission. Many fail to see its importance without a clear understanding of why discipleship matters.
This lack of vision is often a result of insufficient teaching and modeling within the church. When congregations fail to highlight and embody the transformative impact of disciple-making, believers struggle to see their unique role in this divine mission. The result is a stagnation of faith that ripples through future generations.
Cultural Individualism
Western cultural values often prioritize personal autonomy and individual success, which contradicts the biblical vision of community and interdependence. This individualistic mindset leads many Christians to treat their spiritual journey as a private, solitary pursuit, ignoring the collaborative essence of discipleship found in Scripture.
Lack of Intentionality
Effective discipleship requires an intentional, strategic commitment beyond occasional interactions or surface-level conversations. Too often, Christians take a passive approach to spiritual relationships, waiting for organic moments of connection rather than actively creating opportunities for meaningful mentorship.
This passive mindset mirrors a broader cultural tendency to shy away from vulnerability and avoid long-term, sometimes challenging, commitments. True discipleship calls for dedicating time, emotional energy, and a readiness to walk alongside someone through their spiritual journey. Unfortunately, this is an effort that many believers find intimidating in a world driven by instant gratification and superficial connections.
Personal Priorities
Personal ambitions, career goals, and individual pursuits often precede spiritual responsibilities. This approach creates a hierarchy of priorities that marginalizes disciple-making. Many Christians compartmentalize their faith, treating spiritual growth as a secondary concern instead of the central focus of their lives.
The subtle seduction of personal success can blind believers to their higher calling, causing them to pour far more energy into temporary achievements than this mission. This misalignment of priorities transforms discipleship from a fundamental Christian responsibility to an optional, peripheral activity.
Fear of Rejection or Failure
The fear of rejection or inadequacy in guiding another’s spiritual journey can hold Christians back, preventing them from embracing disciple-making roles. This fear could present as a defense mechanism, shielding believers from vulnerability and the emotional discomfort of spiritual mentorship.
The leading cause of this fear is a fundamental misunderstanding of discipleship as a performance-driven task rather than a grace-filled journey of mutual growth. By focusing on potential failures, Christians overlook the transformative opportunities found in authentic, courageous spiritual relationships.
Comfort and Laziness
Spiritual comfort can become a subtle trap, lulling Christians into complacency and undermining discipleship’s dynamic, challenging nature. Many believers gravitate toward the predictability of their familiar spiritual routines, avoiding the discomfort of engaging in someone else’s spiritual transformation.
Misunderstanding of the Great Commission
Many Christians interpret the Great Commission as a generic missionary mandate rather than a personal, immediate call to spiritual multiplication. This misunderstanding turns a direct divine instruction into an abstract concept, making it feel disconnected from everyday spiritual life.
When Christians view discipleship as optional, they fail to see it as an essential part of their Christian walk. The command to “make disciples” becomes a vague suggestion, rather than a clear, actionable directive that applies to all Christians.
Spiritual Warfare
The enemy’s strategic opposition to disciple-making is a profound, often overlooked aspect of spiritual resistance. Understanding that effective discipleship threatens the forces of evil, spiritual forces actively work to discourage, distract, and derail believers from their transformative mission.
This unseen battle often presents itself through subtle discouragement, heightening feelings of inadequacy, seeds of doubt, and systemic barriers that make disciple-making seem overwhelming. Christians must cultivate spiritual awareness and resilience, recognizing that their hesitation could be a deliberate spiritual strategy aimed at preventing the expansion of God’s kingdom.
Making Disciples One Person at a Time
Discipleship is not an optional part of Christian faith; it is the core of our spiritual calling. The barriers we face are opportunities for us to grow personally and spiritually. Each challenge invites us to trust God, step beyond limitations, and embrace transformation.
Discipleship is for every believer, regardless of spiritual maturity. Each Christian has a story of grace that can inspire spiritual growth in others. Consider these barriers not as obstacles, but invitations to trust more deeply, love sacrificially, and join in God’s redemptive plan. The next disciple is waiting, not for perfection, but for a willing heart.
Will you answer the call?
More From Hope No Matter What
12 Christian Practices That Do More Harm Than Good
13 Myths About Salvation That Confuse Believers
13 Lies Christians Believe About Their Faith that Lead to Discouragement
15 Common Reasons People Reject Jesus
Vidivir is a dedicated high school teacher and a loving mother of three. With over a decade of experience as a blogger and article writer, she has honed her craft in storytelling. As a devoted church lector and servant of God, she combines her passion for writing with her faith, aiming to inspire others through her words.