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Jesus created a community of disciples. They were to learn from him and become like him. They were then to encourage other people to become his disciples. 

Making disciples has been fundamental to the church all through history, and should be at the heart of fresh expressions as well.

So if you are developing a fresh expression among young children and parents, you might want to ask: 'What does discipleship mean in this context? Who is being discipled and in what ways?'

A fresh expression that starts with a short prayer at the end of a weekly sewing circle might ask a similar question: 'What would help people to grow in the faith in this situation?'

Can a community be described as a fresh expression of church if no vision for discipleship is in mind? Jesus told his followers, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...' (Matthew 28.19).

Being a disciple of Christ is more than attending a course: it's about breathing Jesus in all that you do. It is 'whole life' discipleship that goes way beyond personal devotions and church attendance. It involves allowing every aspect of life to be under the influence of God.

This is reflected in the teachings of Jesus, which extended from personal behaviour to international relations – his statement 'love your enemies' was highly political in a country in which Roman rulers were hated. 

Discipleship is lifelong.

Fresh expressions encourage discipleship in ways that work for the people involved. For those who live fluid lives and refuse to be tied down, this may mean going 'with the flow' of the issues they face at a particular time.

Instead of following a structured programme of teaching, discipleship may involve responding to questions and problems as they arise. Christian principles can be learnt as specific issues are tackled. Paul's letters are full of doctrine, but they addressed practical questions.

For many who are suspicious of authority, the approach may rely on encouraging individuals to discover God's will for themselves, guided by the Spirit, rather than telling them what to do.

'Here's a passage of Scripture; here are some of the different ways people have understood it; prayerfully ask: what might God be saying to you?'

But for other people who feel overwhelmed by choice or who live chaotic lives and long for life to be more simple, a more helpful approach may be top down: 'This is what you should do.'

Fresh expressions tend not to be excited by single models of discipleship – 'this course worked well in York; let's do the same.' They prefer to develop or adapt approaches so as to fit the particular context.

Discipleship in fresh expressions may be very different to inherited church. For example, rather than inducting people into existing church, fresh expressions often disciple people who are in the process of forming church.

Rather than assuming that people know the Christian story, fresh expressions may need to teach the very basics of the faith.

Rather than focusing on creedal knowledge, fresh expressions may start with practical knowledge - 'What should we do in this situation?'

Fresh expressions are beginning to think about discipleship in radically new ways.

We are working on a section of the Guide that will be devoted specifically to this.

Principles that inspire fresh expressions are summarised...