4 Habits to More Effective Outreach and Discipleship

By Tan KT
Book Review: 21 Days to Becoming a Disciple Maker by Jim Britts

A Book That Answers an Ongoing Question

After finishing 21 Days to Becoming a Disciple Maker, I wish this book had been available earlier.

Back in 2017, I was asking hard questions about disciple-making in the modern, complex, and deeply diverse Asian city where I live - Singapore. One persistent question was: How can I and other like-minded teams of Jesus followers help people discover and follow Jesus when they have no interest in church?

This book clarifies that question and challenges my assumptions about what it means to be a disciple-maker (Day 1). It introduces paradigm shifts (Day 2), surfaces personal doubts (Day 3), and encourages through real-life stories.

The 21-day journey format helps develop four specific habits for effective disciple-making, especially among those outside traditional church settings.

Habit #1: Praying for Someone to Disciple

Disciple-making starts with prayer, and Britts makes that clear right from the beginning.

He introduces a practical approach: first, pray for yourself (Day 4), then for others (Day 5), and eventually, pray with others in community (Day 6). I appreciate how he made this habit easy, especially with the FRANCE sheet (pg. 38), a simple tool to organize prayer efforts. The Prayer Calendar (pg. 45) resonated most with me, pushing me to stay connected with those I’m praying for.

Britts wraps up this habit with Jolene’s story (Day 7), in which simple prayers for her neighbors led to open doors and the start of discovery groups – a relatable story that inspired me to put this habit into practice.

Habit #2: Engaging with Potential Disciples

Next, Britts follows up with a call to action.

He invites readers to develop a mission mindset (Day 8), identify people who are spiritually searching, and engage them in meaningful (Day 9), spiritual (Day 10), and discovery conversations (Day 11). I found this especially needful for modern city life, where conversations often stay on safe, surface topics. The Conversation Quadrant (pg. 56) was a practical tool that helped me visualize how to move conversations deeper, and I appreciated the helpful questions, tips, and stories that came with it.

For those wanting to grow in this area, our EV Boleh! Abiding Evangelism Workshop could be a helpful next step.

Habit #3: Meeting with Your Disciple

Disciple-making doesn’t stop at conversation; it continues through intentional relationships.

Britts encourages us to journey with those showing spiritual openness by using the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) approach (Appendix C). It’s a simple, reproducible way to explore Scripture together, with an emphasis on meeting regularly (Day 12), listening to both the Word and the Spirit (Day 13), and fostering accountability through obedience (Day 15). Day 16 greatly impacted me, as Britts reminded me that ordinary people like us can disciple others toward conversion and baptism.

If you want to practise this together, our Disciple-Making Team Training (DMTT) offers a hands-on, team-based approach in leading discovery groups, which could be helpful for you and your teams.

Habit #4: Multiplying Disciples

By Day 18, the focus shifts to multiplying disciples.

Britts explores the challenges of disciple-making in modern cities where many are resistant to the church. I appreciate how he showed practical ways we can empower our disciples to reach their networks by applying the concept of oikos (Day 18). Drawing from Jesus' example and personal stories, Britts challenges us to disciple others into the fruitful life Jesus envisions (Day 19).

Finally, It was reassuring to hear from Britts that fruitfulness and success take time and that we can lean on a supportive community as we keep going for the long haul (Day 20).

An Invitation to Join the Journey

If you are wrestling with making disciples in an urban harvest field where many are indifferent or resistant to formal or institutional expressions of church, this book is worth reading. 

The book can be completed in a quick, two-hour read, but I recommend doing it the way it was designed: one chapter a day. Applying the habits and tools takes intentionality, so going through the book together as a group or community can be especially helpful.

If you’re heading on a personal retreat, check out the Prayer Retreat Template (Appendix E), which could be a great way to reflect on the book’s content and your disciple-making journey.

Discipling the Urban Harvest provides practical insights and encouragement to walk with God in multiplying discipleship in an increasingly urban world - growing as children of the Father, serving the communities He has called us to, and discipling those hungry to know Him.