An illustration that I have used with coaching church leaders is The Grace Discipleship Fountain. It conveys the importance of the Holy Spirit’s enablement in church ministry and also four important discipleship contexts. (See also this site’s Coaching tab / Strategic discipling.)

Foundational Scriptures:

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37,38

“And He [Christ] Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11,12 [emphasis added]

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2 [multiplication]

On May 25, 2025 I preached on grace discipleship and explained this diagram. (The sermon begins at minute 33.)

Application: If you find this illustration to be helpful, remember the priority of the Spirit-filled life (Eph 5:18) and evaluate the degree to which these discipleship contexts are cultivated in your life and ministry.

JBW