5 Abilities Every Disciple Must Develop

If you want to grow, you've got to develop. Growth is not automatic—it's intentional. And development requires discipline. Let me walk you through five foundational abilities that will help you lead yourself well, so you can lead others effectively.

1. Absorb

Wherever you are, be there. Don’t miss what the day is trying to teach you. Soak it up. Take in the words, the atmosphere, the lesson. Casualness leads to casualties. If you’re casual with your time, your calling, your team, you’ll miss out on what God is trying to reveal. Be a student of life—stay alert and absorb.

2. Respond

Let life speak to you—and respond with wisdom. Don’t just feel emotions, learn from them. Emotions are educators. Let them strike you, then let your mind process and respond. Absorb and respond. That’s maturity.

3. Reflect

Take time to look back on what you’ve learned. Don’t let your days blur together. Build the discipline of reflection:

• At the end of the day, ask what God showed you.

• At the end of the week, review what stood out.

• At the end of the month, take half a day and go back over your notes.

• At the end of the year, take a weekend and reflect with solitude. What worked? What didn’t? What needs to change?

Reflection turns experience into insight. That’s where development happens. Don’t just move forward—grow forward.

4. Act

Once you have insight, act on it. Discipline means doing what needs to be done, even when emotions say otherwise. Neglect starts small—then becomes disaster. Don’t make excuses; take action. Don’t settle for 97%. Walk away from the old life. Step into the new one, fully committed.

5. Do Your Best

You can’t do everything, but you can do your best. That’s discipline. That’s leadership. Don’t confuse doing all you can with doing what you’re best at. Take these three steps:

• Do what you can.

• Do the best you can.

• Don’t let rest become a way of life—make it a necessity, not a lifestyle.

We’re not here to live in survival mode. We’re here to thrive, and that takes excellence.

Bonus Ability: Share

This isn’t just about you. Pour out what you’ve received. Share what you’ve learned. That’s how capacity grows. We don’t lack capacity—we lack sharing. When we give, God fills us again. Keep pouring, and He’ll keep refilling.

Setting Goals with Vision

The future doesn’t design itself—you’ve got to design it. Goals turn potential into purpose. Don’t just drift. Decide what you want. Write it down. Then ask yourself: “Who do I need to become to achieve this?”

Don’t set goals too low—God’s vision is higher. Don’t sell out—His plan is better. Don’t compromise your values—your future depends on them.

Discipline develops you. Sharing expands you. And vision pulls you forward.

Let’s grow. Let’s lead. Let’s develop the five abilities that will shape our future.