As we continue to discuss making disciples, I have one more illustration to share that could be a practical tool to help you visually explain how a God-glorifying life should look.

In the 1930s, The Navigators founder Dawson Trotman created a discipleship tool he called “The Wheel®,” which has been used ever since to illuminate and clarify the motion of the Christian life.

As you talk with the person you’re helping to grow, you can begin to explain the elements of this illustration:

The Volitional Dimension (How You Relate to Yourself)

• The Hub: Christ as Your Center (Galatians 2:20)
• The Rim: Obedience to Christ (John 14:21; Romans 12:1)

The Vertical Dimension (How You Relate to God)

• The Word Spoke: God’s direct voice showing us not only who He is, but how to live and interact with others (2 Timothy 3:16; Joshua 1:8).
• The Prayer Spoke: Our natural response to God as we experience Him through His Word (John 15:7; Philippians 4:6,7).

The Horizontal Dimension (How You Relate to Others)

• The Fellowship Spoke: Building each other up through community and loving relationship (Hebrews 10:24,25)
• The Witnessing Spoke: Our responsibility to share the Good News of Christ with the world (Romans 1:16).

For further reading on this illustration, take a look at The Navigators resource here.

When we consider both the vertical and horizontal aspects of the Christian life, we see how our centeredness in Him holds us together, and our obedience puts practical action to these key relationships, helping us gain traction for forward motion as we grow in Christ.

Take a moment and practice sketching out The Wheel so that this tool is ready to pull out of your disciplemaking toolbox when you need it. 

Is there a relationship or interaction on The Wheel you need to strengthen in your own life? 

Is there someone in your circle of influence who could benefit from your sharing this illustration with them?