Digital Discipleship in a Changing Culture
This article considers how elders and ministry leaders can use digital tools wisely while keeping disciple making rooted in relationship, Scripture, prayer, service, and embodied presence. Technology can help churches communicate and connect, but it remains only a tool in the hands of people seeking to form mature followers of Jesus.
- Digital tools should serve the purpose of growing mature followers of Jesus.
- Church leaders can evaluate new platforms with openness, flexibility, discernment, and a commitment to presence.
- Face-to-face interaction remains essential for clear communication and meaningful discipleship.
By Jared Johnson
Our culture transforms before our very eyes, particularly when it comes to technology. In this digital age, how can we make disciples who make disciples? How do we communicate effectively when people communicate so differently, as we use the latest technology to make more followers?
Of first importance, we do what we can to meet people where they are. Paul tried “to find common ground with everyone, doing everything [he could] to save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22, New Living Translation). Technology is just one kind of tool we adapt and deploy to advance God’s kingdom. Reddit grew from 300 million monthly users in 2018 to roughly 1.25 billion monthly users in 2025. Facebook has grown from 2-3 billion users over the same time frame. Massive numbers of people digitally connect with one another throughout the world, and many of them follow Jesus.
Digital Tools Are Still Only Tools
Elders can—and must—become increasingly familiar with digital tools that ultimately serve one purpose: growing more mature followers of Jesus. Whether we use live video and social media to converse with far-flung individuals, AI to hone lessons and discussion guides, or any other technological tool, they are only tools. A tool never does the work; the person wielding it does.
Human nature will never change, so what we do to make followers, broadly speaking, won’t change. To make followers, we always need:
- Real relationship between (among) people
- Formation through God’s Word
- Intercession on each other’s behalf
- Giving ourselves by using spiritual gifts
- Humble acceptance of care from others
Some of that can be experienced digitally, but some cannot. Using digital tools in making disciples requires us to proceed with caution, much like driving in a construction zone. As we onboard digital tools for disciple making, consider building those platforms using these four filters.
Four Filters for Digital Discipling
“Look! Here’s something new!”
We can be open-minded with critiquing skepticism. Though digital discipling platforms seem so new, Solomon’s words remain true: “Sometimes people say, ‘Here is something new!’ But it’s actually old; nothing is ever truly new” (Ecclesiastes 1:10). Much of “technology” is just a different expression of what has always been.
“When I’m with . . .”
Make adjustments. We can critique and be flexible at the same time. Paul ministered with a spirit of flexibility. He wrote “when I am with” (NLT) or “I became” (New International Version) four times in 1 Corinthians 9 (twice in verse 20, once each in 21 and 22). He adjusted appropriately and often. Social media’s role has changed noticeably in recent years. Filter bubbles and algorithms inflicted on us are so strong it’s almost pointless to post. As social media changes, we can also adjust.
“The ear tests words . . .”
Be picky when it comes to digital discipling. Not every itch needs to be scratched, as some are best ignored. “The ear tests words just as the mouth distinguishes foods” (Job 12:11 and 34:3). Just because a new tool is out there doesn’t require that we spend our limited time on it.
“As one speaks to a friend”
Be present. Nothing will replace physical presence in God’s economy, nor in his kingdom. If embodiment was important enough for God Incarnate, it is important for us here, now, today, tomorrow, and beyond. Millennia ago, God Almighty “would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11). It was such a profound experience it got a sequel in Jesus’ transfiguration. God walked with Adam and Eve. He had a chat with Abraham. He sat down regularly with Moses. He walked dusty streets with us for 33 years. Digital platforms, no matter how advanced they become, will never replace the power of presence.
Presence, Humility, and Lasting Influence
Frankly, much of the time we sink into digital effort may be an attempt to convince ourselves that we have a wider reach and deeper influence than we really do. One of my favorite non-Bible books is a conservationist’s annual journal. In one month’s entry, he pondered various questions while deciding which trees to cut to make improvements to his farm. After pages of thinking out loud, he summarized with this: “What would I do if my farm were further north, where white pine is abundant and red birch scarce? I confess I don’t know. My farm is here” (emphasis added). With humility, are we willing to say to others and ourselves, “I confess I don’t know about that over there; my influence is here?”
So then, how do we communicate effectively when people communicate so differently? By far, face-to-face interaction does the heaviest lift to minimize misunderstanding between believers. Beyond that, “Let conversations be gracious and attractive” (Colossians 4.6) rather than acerbic and caustic. We’ll communicate effectively when we’re open-handed in our mindset, gracious in our outlook, and loving in our approach.
How can we employ the latest tech to make more followers? I will keep using these four filters before onboarding a digital tool prematurely. From social media to AI to live video, think and ask what is best for your given ministry setting.
MySpace has withered. ChatGPT will fade. But God’s Word endures forever. Being a super-practitioner of the latest-greatest whizz-bang isn’t what makes more devoted followers of King Jesus. By the Holy Spirit’s prompting and enabling, we do.
Author: Jared Johnson
Jared Johnson serves as operations director of e2: effective elders.
