A simple platform for effective discipleship
There is a CHAMPION within every
child of God!!
Scroll down for more information or click the link below to watch a video.
Coaching Disciples
Behind every champion there is a good coach.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
FAQ's
What is coaching?
You may be surprised to find out that we’re not talking about sports. Coaching originated in the academic world in the 1830s, when one student came alongside another student to help them prepare for an exam or pass a course.
How does it work?
Think of it as an ongoing, progress-oriented conversation that flows naturally around a loving connection, with accountability, focus, and encouragement (CAFE). Coaching Disciples is one disciple helping another disciple in their quest for growth and progress, to hear Christ say one day, “Well done.”
Coaching Disciples draws not only from how Christ asked questions to determine interest, create awareness, facilitate understanding, and promote ownership but most importantly as our model for discipleship. His platform for discipleship was His relationship with His disciples.
Why should I consider Coaching Disciples?
It is simple. Anyone, from teens to senior adults, can do this with minimal training. You do not have to be a gifted teacher, just a willing friend. It is not for the lazy, however. It is designed to be both a learning resource and a coaching handbook.
It is user-friendly. The format is easy to navigate and you’ll work through it at your own pace.
It contains everything you need. The material is divided into two sections, the Learning Guide and Coaching Helps and contains everything you need to get started on a life-long journey helping others become champions for Christ.
It is effective. For all the reasons mentioned above, Coaching Disciples is a dynamic that is already seeing lives changed by providing a progress-oriented connection, accountability, help in staying focused, and encouragement. After all, Jesus is real, His Word is alive and powerful, and the Holy Spirit guides us into truth.
It follows the model of Christ. Jesus' platform for discipleship was His relationships with His disciples.
It fulfills Christ's command to "love one another". Coaching Disciples is not intended to undermine or replace the roles of shepherds and teachers within the Body of Christ, but rather to augment them. In keeping with Christ’s command to love one another, it leverages the skills of coaching: listening, asking good questions, and pressing for action. Most importantly, it is a great way to fulfill His command to “love one another” and our commission to multiply disciples.
How much does it cost?
The cost is only $24.95 for the notebook or $10 for the PDF version. It is a one-time purchase that will provide a lifetime of benefits. In addition, the cost includes membership in the Coaching Disciples Network, which will hopefully be up and running by summer, 2025. The network will include a member’s forum, access to professional coaches when help is needed, and future training opportunities at a reduced cost.
Contact us if you'd like more information or click the picture above to purchase your copy.
Click here to purchase your copy!
The Story behind coaching disciples
What will it take to make Jesus smile?
From the author -
You might say that the concept of coaching disciples originated in early 2023 while coaching a bright young church planter. After we had caught up with each other, I asked what he wanted to work on during our time together. He replied, "I'd like to find a way to provide a coach for every new believer and every new member in our church."
In many ways, however, this project began more than three decades ago. As a young pastor, I realized that despite offering all the courses and classes available at the time, the majority of my congregation was not growing in faith and love. At that time I began to search for a more effective method of discipleship. The answer eventually came but more through a process of understanding than a flash of bright light. It started with the awareness that all the people who were growing and serving Christ had one thing in common. They were "in" His Word, rather than just "under" His word.
Another step along the way was the realization that if I helped people discover a solution or a truth for themselves, they were much more likely to apply it. This led me to the Principle of Discovery and the "ownership" that results from it. Chaplaincy training for disaster relief and first responders taught me the importance of listening and asking questions, which pointed me in the direction of coaching. But it was only when I received training and began coaching leaders, that it all came together.
Coaching Disciples is built on numerous insights gleaned from Scripture. Among them are that Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, is therefore, still both Teacher and Lord (John 13:13). We also believe that there is a champion within every child of God (2 Tim. 4:7-8), and that each of us will one day stand before Him and give an account of ourselves (2 Cor. 5:9-10).
About the time that I realized the Lord was directing me to put this together, I had an opportunity to have a brief coaching conversation with my 11 year old grandson. While riding to the store, I asked him to tell me about the last time he did something to make his mother smile. After some discussion about this, I then asked, "What can you do tomorrow that will make your mama smile?"
He came up with two or three good ideas and I sent him home with plan. That little coaching conversation, however, led to an even more important question.
What can we do to make Jesus smile?
Coaching Disciples is about one disciple walking alongside another disciple to help him or her become a champion for Christ providing the one-another connection, accountability, help in staying focused, and encouragement to stay faithful.
Considering His commands to love one another and produce disciples, I believe helping others become champions is a great way to make Jesus smile.
- Jeff Mann, author
Gallery
Workshops & More
Coaching the Called
Shepherding With Skill
Shepherding With Skill
January 25th, 2025
8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Highly interactive and specifically designed for those who want to help leaders reach their potential and fulfill their God-given assignments, the Coaching the Called workshop will focus on coaching skills, techniques, and tools. Completion of the Coaching Disciples material is required.
Location:
The Church at Old Town
815 Hwy 52 E
Helena, AL
"And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."" Colossians 4:17 ESV
Shepherding With Skill
Shepherding With Skill
Shepherding With Skill
March 8, 2025
9:00 am to 11:30 am
Most pastors agree that ministry is more difficult than ever, reporting the lack of workers as a top concern. In addition, most leaders deal continually with stress, frustration, and disappointment.
Shepherding with Skill is a specialized workshop for pastors and ministry leaders who want to take their ministry capacity to a new level in making disciples and advancing the kingdom.
Learn how combining a simple change of perspective with a few simple skills can not only result in more committed volunteers, but can help reduce stress and frustration, and ultimately restore the joy in your own ministry.
Location:
Faith Fellowship
5456 Main Drive
New Hope, AL
"With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand." Psalm 78:72 ESV
Coaching Children
Shepherding With Skill
Coaching Children
Coaching Children
is an interactive learning event for parents and those involved in children's ministry, who want to see their children become the Champions God intend for them to be. Topics will include how children learn, how coaching can facilitate ownership, goal setting, and forward thinking.
Dates and locations for 2025 are not yet determined.
If you are interested in participating and/or hosting a Coaching Children's workshop, please contact us.
"...Jesus said, "Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 19:14 ESV
Consulting
Individual Coaching
Coaching Children
We offer free consulting for leaders and churches who want to incorporate or make Coaching Disciples their platform for discipleship.
Contact us for more information.
Individual Coaching
Individual Coaching
Individual Coaching
We offer individual coaching services to help others think forward, set goals, develop plans, and find solutions to problems.
We will work together to create a customized plan to enable you to become the Champion you want to be.
Contact us for more information.
Meet the author
About the Author
Jeff Mann is a long-time veteran of ministerial leadership, overseeing both large and small organizations comprised of staff and volunteers. He holds degrees in Civil Engineering and Theology and describes himself as an "unapologetic Biblicist". His coaching training has come through the SEND Network of the North American Mission Board and through Creative Results Management through which he completed the Coaching Mastery Certificate Program. He serves as a consultant for churches and associations and In his contractual relationship with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, he trains coaches and oversees a network of coaches who coach church planters and other leaders.
Other works he has produced include The Locker Room: A Biblical Paradigm of Church, D52: Journey at the Feet of Jesus, and The Door: A Short Novel. You can find out more at www.willownet.org.