“The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2
Hikers know the difference between heading into the brush or walking a marked trail. One is exhausting and unclear; the other is obvious and navigable. It’s meant to be followed by others. Disciple-makers think like trailblazers. They focus on being followed—not just finishing.
A disciple who only gathers followers creates dependence. Paul didn’t just lead Timothy; he taught Timothy how to lead others. He passed on patterns, not just principles—ways of teaching, walking, and handing off the faith. That’s a trail-maker that multiplies.
A reproducible process requires clarity and consistency. It’s the willingness to say, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” It’s building simple trail sections—Scripture, prayer, accountability, service—that any faithful man can pick up and carry forward. Disciple-makers leave trail markers.
application
A reproducible process reshapes how a man thinks about discipleship. Instead of asking, “How many men are following me?” he asks, “How many men are learning to lead others?” That shift changes everything. It moves a man from being the center of the trail to being a guide who points the way to Christ.
Multiplication means simplicity. Complicated systems die when the leader leaves. Simple, biblical rhythms multiply. Open the Word together. Pray together. Ask honest questions. Serve together. Then invite the man you’re discipling to do the same with someone else. That’s the 2 Timothy 2:2 pattern in motion—truth received, entrusted, and passed on.
The Trail journey involves instruction and practice. Let men see how you structure conversations, how you follow up, how you encourage and correct. Hand them the map and walk with them until they’re confident to lead the next group down the trail. A reproducible process doesn’t depend on one man’s strength; it depends on many faithful men walking the same marked trail.
live it out
This week, identify one man and invite him into the disciple-making process. Show him how you prepare, ask questions, pray, and follow up. Then ask him to practice it—perhaps with his son, a friend, or another believer. Keep it simple and repeatable. Trails are multiplied when someone else learns to mark them. Start handing out trail markers.
Consider this: “If you stepped off the trail today, would the path you’ve walked be clear enough for others to follow—and extend?“
Boys are wired from a very early age to follow in their dad’s footsteps: “This is how dad walks.” “This is how dad laughs.” “This is how dad dresses.” Men, if you have sons or daughters, you’re already a disciple-maker.
Photo by Daniel Lincoln on Unsplash
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Traits describe the man God desires—
Paths develop the man God uses.
