Two figures stand on a glowing mountain peak with a dotted path climbing up one side and down the other.
A Guide for Disciple-Makers

The 6 Keys to Discipleship

MARK 9:1–9

What Jesus did with Peter, James, and John on the mountain is a pattern for everyone who walks with others toward him.

By Eric Scofield · ejscofield@me.com
The Passage

Up the Mountain with Jesus

1Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!” 2Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, 3and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. 4Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. 5Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” 8Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them. 9As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. MARK 9:1–9 · NEW LIVING TRANSLATION

Highlighted phrases mark each of the six keys in the passage.

The journey at a glance: a mountain with Vision, With, and Lead on the climb, Lift at the peak, and Experience and Down on the way back.
The Six Keys

The Climb

KEY 01

Vision

“SEE THE KINGDOM” · MARK 9:1

Know where you are taking them.

It does not matter where you meet with your group; it does matter that you know where you want to arrive. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to give up meeting together. Keep meeting, and know where you are going.

I remember a mentor of mine asking about our sophomore class, “What do you want them to have experienced and learned by the time we arrive in May?”

TRY THISWrite one sentence describing where you want your group to be at the end of this season, and share it with them.
KEY 02

With

“WITH HIM” · MARK 9:2

Discipleship happens in time spent together.

There are 168 hours in a week, and you need to spend some of them with the people you are discipling. Going to them and being with them is crucial. Show up at “their thing”: their office, their home, their practices, their games. Get some quality time.

Look for ways to double dip. Ride together, run errands together, or take something you already have to do and see whether it can become time together.

TRY THISLook at your calendar this week and find one “double dip”: a drive, an errand, or a practice you can share.
KEY 03

Lead

“LED THEM” · MARK 9:2

You are the leader, not a bystander.

Remember to speak up, take the lead, and take initiative.

I remember when a group did something they probably should not have. I spoke up and said, “We need to make this right.” It was not popular, but they still talk about it. It was a leadership moment.

I also remember when a leader in my life took me to breakfast with six notes written on his page. Each one was an observation about my life and where I needed to grow. It was humbling.

TRY THISName one thing your group needs you to speak up about, and decide when you will say it.
KEY 04

Lift

“WATCHED” · MARK 9:2

When in doubt, focus on the life of Jesus.

If you don’t know what to do, read from the Gospels and look into the life of Jesus. Scripture tells us that when Jesus is lifted up, he will draw all people to himself (John 12:32).

I currently have a group doing daily devotionals. It may not be perfect, and there are days people miss, but we are looking at the life of Christ every day! You can never go wrong doing this.

TRY THISPick one Gospel and read a short passage together each day this week.
The Six Keys

The Sending

KEY 05

Experience

“A CLOUD OVERSHADOWED THEM” · MARK 9:7

People remember experiences more than anything else.

Trips, meals, events, walks, hikes, times of solitude, “two by two” walks, retreats, camps: these are what stay with people.

One group we led still talks about a day trip we took to a camp that was closed for the season. Nothing significant happened. We each spent an “hour with the Lord” by ourselves. Yet for four years, that was the event people mentioned most.

TRY THISPlan one experience in the next month: a hike, a meal, a retreat, or an hour alone with the Lord.
KEY 06

Down

“WENT BACK DOWN THE MOUNTAIN” · MARK 9:9

Send them back to live their faith in the real world.

The most important thing you can do is send them back into their families, their work, and their schools to live out their faith. It is crucial that they have the tools to live it “down the mountain”: on their team, with their friends, in the car, in their classes, at the office.

John 15:16 talks about “fruit that will last.” That is what going down the mountain produces.

One group I led as teenagers is now in their 50s, and their kids following Christ is the “fruit that will last.”

TRY THISAsk each person, “Where will you live this out tomorrow?” Then follow up.
Keep It Close

The Six Keys in Review

  • 01Vision

    Know where you are taking them.

  • 02With

    Spend real time in their world.

  • 03Lead

    Speak up and take initiative.

  • 04Lift

    Keep your eyes on the life of Jesus.

  • 05Experience

    Create moments they will remember.

  • 06Down

    Send them to live it out.

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit.”

JOHN 15:16 · NLT
Reflection Questions
  1. Which of the six keys comes most naturally to you? Which is hardest?
  2. Who is one person you could invite “up the mountain” this season?
  3. What experience shaped your own faith most, and who led you there?
  4. Where is your group’s “down the mountain” this week?
Written by Eric Scofield · ejscofield@me.com
↓ Download the printable PDF