“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”  (Matthew 28:19-20)

This verse, well-known as the “Great Commission” at the end of the Gospel of Matthew, is the common stepping-off point for any discussion of “discipleship” – what a Christian is called to become and to do. But beyond suggesting they were to “teach them to observe all that I have commanded,” did Jesus ever give His disciples a “road map” of how to actually make disciples?

How Did the Early Church Make Mature Disciples?

When the narrative in Acts arrives at chapter 6, the post-Pentecost church has been in existence for around two years. By then, multiple threats have already assaulted her. Early persecution is evident – Peter and John are arrested and jailed for healing a lame man and preaching Christ (4:3). Other threats emerge, sadly, from within the Body itself – falsehood (5:1-11), politics (6:1), and prejudice (6:1). In addressing these last controversies, the Apostles propose an organizational solution: “…pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom…” (6:3).

By the second year of its existence, some of those in the early church were obviously “maturing disciples” – enough so that matching the description Peter establishes is quickly and clearly evident in at least seven lives. The Apostles identified, put forward, and commissioned these exemplary disciples (6:5-6).

How did they get there? What process was used to “disciple” these men so that they were immediately recognizable amidst a congregation that may have numbered 50,000 by some estimates? Is there somewhere earlier in Acts that describes a process, a road map, or a curriculum that led these men to become sufficiently mature, faithful, and trustworthy to be given the responsibilities called for in Acts 6?

There is.

Acts 2:42: The Early Church’s Discipleship Roadmap

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

The context: Pentecost arrived. The Apostles had all “apprenticed” under Jesus, and the Holy Spirit now empowered them in a new, permanent, and profound way. Then 3,000 people believed and received baptism (2:41). Now what? With historical proximity to Jesus Himself, the Apostles had the power and presence of the Spirit residing and guiding from within. Surely, then, they pursued Christ’s call to “make disciples” with the highest degree of fidelity.

This verse describes a roadmap for genuine, faithful “discipleship.” The word “devoted” (continuing steadfastly) and the definite article (The) are connected grammatically to all four phrases. As if to say –

“And they were continuing steadfastly in The teaching of The Apostles, and continuing steadfastly in The fellowship, continuing steadfastly in The breaking of The bread, continuing steadfastly in The prayers.”

1. Devotion to the Apostles’ Teaching

The early disciples obeyed the Apostles’ teachings and put them into practice. They “observed all that I commanded you.”

2. Devotion to Christian Fellowship

Devotion to the fellowship communicates fierce loyalty to one another. It plays itself out in the following verses (2:43-46) – awe, sharing resources, unity, gladness, sincerity, and praise for God and from people (2:47).

3. Devotion to the Breaking of the Bread

The Breaking of the Bread means taking communion together, which was practiced regularly, even daily, among these new believers (2:46).

4. Devotion to Prayer

Devoted to The Prayers (the plural is accurate) is likely referring to the practice of daily, corporate prayer that continued formally at the Temple (3:1, cf. Psalm 119:164).

To this God Himself adds His benediction: “… and the Lord added to their number, day by day, those who were being saved.”

Granted, these are only personal routines, daily practices. But these “ordinary means of grace” were the life rhythms of the early church. Surely, they knew how to “make disciples.” Because they did!

Ordinary means of grace were the life rhythms of the early church.

Why These Four Practices Produce Mature Disciples

What outcomes might we expect if we applied ourselves to this descriptive road map? How might doing so align us with the priority of Jesus?

In Mark 12:30 Jesus responds to a question about the greatest commandment – “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” (cf. the “great hearing” of Deuteronomy 6:4-9.)

Often, we worship God primarily with our minds. What would it look like if we engaged heart, soul, and strength intentionally as well?

Often, we worship God primarily with our minds. What would it look like if we engaged heart, soul, and strength intentionally as well?

I submit that diligently pursuing each of the “four devotions” of Acts 2:42 in living out our Christian lives will bring conformity to this greatest of commands. Moreover, one will become naturally a maturing disciple of Jesus – those who are “of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom” (6:3). Here’s how I see it:

Biblical Teaching Renews the Mind

Obeying the Apostles’ teaching – Learning, understanding, and, above all, doing what is articulated in the New Testament will grow us in wisdom, grace, and knowledge (2 Peter 1:18). Our MIND will be washed, restored, and renewed (Ephesians 5:26; 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and we will become people of proven character (Hebrews 5:14).

Fellowship Develops Spiritual Strength

Committed to the Fellowship – Giving our lives away like Jesus, for the sake and the good of others, reflects a powerful sense of spiritual STRENGTH. Jesus’ greatest act of strength was on the cross, willingly embracing the horrors of our sins to pay for our forgiveness – the “forgiver” always “pays.” It reflects divine presence; God is among us. (Consider the Great Commandment of John 13:34-35 – “…by this all will know….”)

Communion Brings Rest for the Soul

Returning to the Cross – The sacred Cup and Bread call for clear-eyed reflection on the cross. That is what it cost my Savior to set me free. To regularly remind myself to “proclaim the Lord’s death, until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26) assures me that, as a forgiven believer, I am no longer at enmity with God. As I figuratively “take His yoke upon me,” I find rest for my SOUL (Matthew 11:28-30) and experience His lasting peace.

Prayer Ignites the Heart

Reliance upon Him – The regulated, formal, and daily times of prayer at the Temple were a means of keeping people looking to God. This life has certain holds on us. It captures our attention at almost every moment. But if we were to pause several times daily, turning to the Lord in prayer (however briefly), that would divert our attention to the true and everlasting reality we have in Christ. My devotion to praying throughout the day will grow my hope. It will ignite my HEART. I will begin to experience a reliant confidence in God that I hadn’t known before, and a joyful anticipation of what is coming!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your mind, with all your strength, with all your soul and with all your heart.

The Biblical Roadmap for Making Disciples

Acts 2:42 provides a simple biblical model for discipleship: believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, Christian fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. These four practices shaped ordinary Christians into mature disciples characterized by wisdom, spiritual strength, peace, and dependence on God and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, I humbly submit that Acts 2:42 is our discipleship roadmap, and the Holy Spirit our trusted navigator.

Acts 2:42 is our discipleship roadmap, and the Holy Spirit our trusted navigator.

Copyright © 2026 Len Crowley. All rights reserved.