Move Beyond Teaching: How to Build Environments That Actually Train Disciples

Part 2 in the Teaching and Training Series

by Shane Stacey & Dave Rhodes

In Part 1 of this series, we named a common problem: many churches have misdiagnosed the lack of disciple-making momentum as a spiritual apathy issue—when it’s often a training gap. We clarified the difference between teaching (imparting knowledge) and training (developing competency), and why both are essential for building a culture of multiplication.

But even after recognizing the need for training… how do we actually build it?

In this second installment, we explore how church leaders can cultivate environments where training—real disciple-developing, skill-building, mission-activating training—can flourish. And we’ll share the practical frameworks, questions, and rhythms that make it possible.

Why Training Changes the Game

When we think about the shift necessary to add effective training environments in church, we often start by asking this question: “Why does my gym take my personal transformation more seriously than most churches do?”

That’s not a throwaway line.  It names the problem in our systems: we believe in transformation, but often don’t build environments for it.

• We preach sermons with high expectations… but without development pathways.
• We stir up desire in our people… without equipping them with the “how.”
• We fill heads with content… but rarely build the competence needed to live it out in everyday life.

If teaching gets people inspired to try, training keeps them focused to grow. We often say it this way:

“We don’t get coaching simply because we’re doing something badly. We get coaching because we are taking something seriously.”

The Differences: How to Know You’re Actually Training

So how can you tell if you’ve moved beyond teaching and are truly creating training environments?

Here are five key distinctions to watch for:

Training = Content + Competency in Context

Remember, Scripture isn’t just for teaching—it’s also for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) And training means: practice, failure, feedback, and repetition in the real world.

You can’t train the crowd from the stage.  You train in smaller spaces where people are seen, known, and coached.

What Makes Training Effective?

Drawing from our work with churches, here are three principles that shape powerful disciple-training environments.

1. Close the Gap with Accountability

Not spiritual policing—but spiritual partnership.

“Did you do the thing?” becomes:
“How did it go?”
“What went well?”
“What felt difficult?”
“What did you learn?”

This kind of feedback loop is essential for real growth. Without accountability, inspiration leaks.  With it, formation takes root.

Years ago, we were speaking with a leader of disciple-making movements in India, where they have seen explosive growth of people coming to Jesus and developing to where they are making other disciples. 

When we asked him why he thought we haven’t seen the same kind of repeated patterns of multiplying disciples in the U.S., he shared a powerful insight.

“Each week, you gather a crowd of people and you teach them and inspire them with the truth of Scripture. You give them great information and ideas about following Jesus. Then, the next week, you do the same thing again without any way of knowing if they’ve actually put anything into practice that you’ve taught them. 

Our approach is different. We teach truth and skills in a smaller environment and then challenge them to spend 15 minutes in the next week practicing what we talked about. The following week, we talk about how it went, what they experienced, what worked and what didn’t work. We provide feedback and coaching. We don’t just move on to the next topic.” (quote is paraphrased)

2. Name the Competency You’re Training For

One major problem? We haven’t named the skills we want to develop.

What does your Dream Disciple actually do? If we can’t name the competencies of the kind of disciples we want to create, we won’t know how to train them.

At Clarity House, we often help churches articulate disciple “roles” (e.g., Intentional Friend, Sent Leader) and then ask: “What specific skills must that role be able to live out?”

Example: A disciple who’s an Intentional Friend must know how to handle conflict, learn to apologize well, and recognize the image of God in others.

Now you’re not just teaching a concept—you’re training a capacity.

3. Use the Four Movements of Breakthrough Training

Every Clarity House training environment follows this framework:

1. Say It — Introduce the concept (teaching)

2. See It — Show a demo or example (modeling)

3. Try It — Practice it in real time (coaching)

4. Tie It — Connect it to the larger story and next steps (vision)

Training isn’t just theory.  It’s giving people a chance to see it, do it, and reflect on it—with others.

From Micro Skills to Culture Shift

Training isn’t just about better programs. It’s about cultivating a new mindset—across your staff, volunteers, and systems.

Start small.

• Teach your team to ask: “Who can I bring along?” rather than doing ministry on their own.
• Debrief every shared experience with four simple questions.
  1. What did you see?
  2. What would you do differently?
  3. What did you learn?
  4. Who could you share this with?

This one shift—seeing everyday ministry moments as training opportunities—can transform your culture from the inside out.

From Information to Transformation

Here’s what happens when you start building training environments:

• Our environments shift from content transfer to skill development.
• Leaders stop just facilitating and start coaching.
• People move from listening to living.
• Churches stop counting attendance and start multiplying impact.

And it all starts when leaders ask: “Am I investing as much in building a training center as I am in building a teaching center?”

Training takes more time. It requires us to slow down. But it produces something deeper: disciples who know what to do—and are confident to do it again.

Application: Take One Small Step Toward Training

Before you overhaul your discipleship strategy or launch a new ministry track, start here—with these simple shifts. Each one is designed to spark movement in your church, not just add noise. These small steps are accessible, actionable, and aligned with what we’ve explored so far.

Reframe your next “Bible study” as a training session.

Instead of simply asking, “What stood out to you?” or “How can we apply this?”—choose one key practice from the passage, and spend time developing it together. For example, if you’re in Matthew 6, don’t just talk about prayer. Practice praying with your group. Model different types of prayer. Debrief afterward: What felt awkward? What felt natural? What did you learn about talking with God?

Shift the focus from knowing the Word to practicing the way of Jesus.

Ask: “Who can I bring along?”

Start looking at your everyday ministry moments—hospital visits, sermon prep, facilitating a small group, outreach planning—as opportunities to invite someone to shadow you. They don’t need to lead; they just need to watch, ask questions, and reflect with you afterward. Before long, they’ll be ready to step in and lead too.

Jesus didn’t just perform ministry—He brought others with Him.

Debrief every shared experience with these four questions:

1. What did you see?
   Let the person name what stood out—especially the things you may not have noticed.
   
2. What would you do differently?
   Create a space for reflection and learning without shame.
   
3. What did you learn?
   Help them articulate how the experience is shaping their understanding and skills.
   
4. Who else could you take this to?
   Reinforce learning through multiplication. Sharing what you’ve just practiced helps cement it.

These questions turn every shared moment into a mini-lab for growth and replication.

Every one of these small steps reflects the essence of a training culture: relational, replicable, and rooted in practice—not just information. You don’t need to wait for a new program or a better curriculum. You can start by reframing what you’re already doing with a new lens.

Start where you are. Train who you’re with. Use what you have. That’s how disciples multiply.

---

At Clarity House, we specialize in guiding church teams in articulating a shared vision coupled with disciple-making clarity. We’d love to help you and your team. If you want us to assess your current mission statement, feel free to set up a free conversation with our team.