If the contemporary church were a ship, it might look a lot like a luxury cruise liner. It would boast fine dining, world-class entertainment, comfortable staterooms, and endless activities. It would be impressive, attractive, and full of people. Yet beneath the surface, something vital would be missing—an engine strong enough to navigate storms and carry the vessel to its destination.
This image captures a danger many churches face today. We are tempted to invest heavily in what is visible—programs, performances, and polished appearances—while neglecting the unseen foundation of discipleship. The result is a church that looks appealing but lacks the power of the gospel to sustain its mission.
In Acts 20:17–32, the Apostle Paul gives us a powerful picture of what true discipleship looks like. As he speaks to the Ephesian elders for the last time, Paul reminds them of his ministry among them and warns of the dangers that come when discipleship is ignored. His example offers the church today a powerful and much needed warning.
Why Discipleship Matters
During his three years in Ephesus, Paul invested deeply in people’s lives. He taught them God’s Word, trained leaders, and modeled faithful obedience. He wept with them, prayed with them, and warned them about false teachers who would distort the truth. His goal was not entertainment but transformation—bringing men and women to repentance and faith in Christ.
Without such intentional discipleship, Paul knew the church would drift. He warned that “savage wolves” would come, even from among their own number, to draw people away (Acts 20:29–30). Without strong teaching and personal guidance, believers become vulnerable to false doctrine, shallow faith, and moral compromise.
The same danger exists today. When churches replace biblical discipleship with motivational speeches, entertainment, or cultural trends, they may still draw a crowd—but they lose their spiritual engine. The result is eventual decline. But don't be fooled the decline may not be in numbers but rather a decline of true spiritual transformation by the power of the gospel.
Paul’s Model for Discipleship
So what does biblical discipleship look like in practice? In Acts 20, Paul’s words and actions highlight seven essential qualities that every church must recover if we are to remain faithful to Christ.
1. Discipleship Requires Presence
Paul reminds the elders, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you” (v. 18). He was not distant but present, living among them, teaching both publicly and from house to house (v. 20).
Discipleship is more than sermons or lectures—it is life shared. Just as God sent His Son to be present with us, so we must be present with one another. True discipleship happens when we enter into each other’s lives, walking together through joys and struggles. The problem with this approach today is that it takes far too much of our time. It's easier to record a video or stand on stage in front of thousands than it is to be a meaningful part of someone's life. Discipleship that is both personal and present requires huge investments of time, it's not "scalable" on an individual level. If you want to take part in this type of Biblicical discipleship you must choose to limit yourself to discipling a few people. Jesus managed to disciple 12 people and I doubt any of us could do more than that at any given time.
2. Discipleship Requires Teaching
Paul did not hesitate to declare “the whole will of God” (v. 27). He preached repentance, faith in Christ, and the grace of God. Teaching was at the heart of his ministry.
It's great and necessary to "do life together" but that on it's own will never constitute true Biblical discipleship. Sound doctrine and teaching is not optional. Without it, the church drifts into error and confusion. Discipleship requires consistent, clear teaching that shapes both belief and behavior. Every Christian needs to be both a learner and, in some capacity, a teacher of God’s Word. This means investing time into personal Bible study, this means reading and studying God's Word together.
3. Discipleship Requires Consistency
Paul spent three years in Ephesus, teaching “day and night with tears” (v. 31). His ministry was marked by perseverance.
Discipleship is not a quick program or weekend seminar. It requires steady investment over time. Like physical training, spiritual growth comes through repeated exposure to God’s Word and ongoing encouragement to obey it. There will be failures in our discipleship efforts, but we must not give up. With regularity and consistency we will see fruit over time.
4. Discipleship Requires Hard Work and Service
Paul describes how he worked with his own hands (v. 34–35) to provide for himself and for others. These simple acts of sacrifice and hard work on behalf others is an important aspect of discipleship.
When I think of the men who discipled me, all of them were hard workers, whether it was the work of diligent study or the work of their hands. True discipleship must be expressed not only through our words but through a disciplined, hard working, and service oriented lifestyle.
The fruit of mature faith comes only through diligent labor.
5. Discipleship Requires Humility
Paul served “with great humility and with tears” (v. 19). Humility is the soil in which discipleship takes root.
Without humility, we resist correction, ignore conviction, and attempt to point others to ourselves rather than to Christ. A proud teacher may impress people, but only a humble disciple-maker will truly lead others closer to Jesus.
6. Discipleship Requires Patience
Paul endured hardships, opposition, and tears as he ministered (vv. 19, 31). Yet he did not give up.
Discipleship is often slow and frustrating. People stumble, resist, and sometimes walk away. But patience reflects trust in God’s power to save and transform. By persevering through difficulties, we display the same long-suffering love that Christ shows toward us.
7. Discipleship Requires Attentiveness
Paul urged the elders to “keep watch over yourselves and all the flock” (v. 28). He knew spiritual dangers were real. Wolves would come to deceive and destroy, and the only defense was vigilant shepherding.
If you are going to engage in discipleship you can be sure that sooner or later Satan will be looking for a way to discourage, distract, or tempt. Discipleship means being alert—not only to our own spiritual condition but also to the needs and vulnerabilities of those whom you are discipling. Regular accountability, prayer, and fellowship help keep us awake to the enemy’s schemes.
The Cost of Neglecting Discipleship
When discipleship is neglected, the church inevitably drifts.
Holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. - 1Ti 1:19 NIV
Paul’s warnings to Timothy (1 Tim. 1:3–6, 19–20) show the results: false doctrines take root, consciences are seared, and faith is shipwrecked. Unfaithfulness in teaching leads to unfaithfulness in conduct, and sin is soon justified rather than confessed.
This downward spiral does not usually happen overnight. It begins with small compromises—replacing biblical preaching with entertainment, neglecting personal accountability, softening calls to repentance. Over time, truth is lost, and the church begans to look more like a cruise ship than a battle ship.
A Call to Return
The church today desperately needs to recover Paul’s vision for discipleship. It is not glamorous or easy. It requires presence, teaching, consistency, hard work, humility, patience, and vigilance. Yet when these qualities are embraced, the church regains its true engine—the gospel of Jesus Christ at work in transformed lives.
Every believer has a role to play. Pastors must prioritize teaching and shepherding. Elders must guard doctrine and care for the flock. Members must invest in one another’s lives, encouraging, correcting, and pointing each other to Christ.
More than a Cruise Ship
A cruise ship church may look impressive, but it cannot weather the storms of false teaching, sin, suffering, and persecution. Only a church anchored in discipleship can endure.
Paul’s words in Acts 20 remind us that discipleship is not optional. It is the very heartbeat of the church. If we are to remain faithful, we must bring back discipleship—not as a program or trend, but as a way of life.
Let us commit ourselves afresh to the hard but joyful work of making disciples, trusting that God’s Word of grace will “build us up and give us an inheritance among all those who are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
