Have you ever been asked a question so important that it changed your perspective on ministry and life? Many years ago, a visiting preacher asked me, “What are your Pathways?” At first, I wasn’t entirely sure what he meant. He explained: "If someone indicates today they want to be a follower of Jesus, what are your Pathways; what happens next that would lead them on in the faith and ensure they are established and growing in their faith?"
I replied, "Well, they would come to church, and attend a home group." He agreed that would be a good thing, but that's not a pathway. They might meet the right people and get introduced to the Bible, they might be coached into a spiritual journey, they might hear the right thing at the right time and respond appropriately, but they might not.
As we spoke, I realised the heart of his question: How do we ensure that new believers—not to mention those who have walked with God for some time—are guided along a clear path of discipleship and support? I came to see just how critical intentional “Pathways” are for nurturing faith. Discipleship is far too precious to leave to mere chance.
Martin Luther saw this in his day, writing catechisms to ground believers in doctrine and devotion. Luther saw the need when he wrote: “The deplorable destitution which I recently observed, during a visitation of the churches, has impelled and constrained me to prepare this Catechism or Christian Doctrine in such a small and simple form …Alas, what manifold misery I beheld! The common people, especially in the villages, know nothing at all of Christian doctrine; and many pastors are quite unfit and incompetent to teach. Yet all are called Christians, have been baptized, and enjoy the use of the Sacraments, although they know neither the Lord’s Prayer, nor the creed, nor the Ten Commandments, and live like the poor brutes and irrational swine. Still they have, now that the Gospel has come, learned to abuse all liberty in a masterly manner.”
George Whitefield recognised the power of organised discipleship after observing John Wesley’s success in forming small groups and classes. “My brother (John) Wesley acted more wisely than I. The souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined together in classes, and so preserved the fruit of his labours. I failed to do this, and as a result my people are a rope of sand."
Each story points to the same truth: We need real, structured support to grow deeply in Jesus.
At Careforce Lifekeys, we’ve made it our mission to craft such Pathways—practical, thoughtful steps that help people move from the first spark of interest in Christ to a life committed to following Him with all their heart. The goal is never just to fill seats on a Sunday. It’s to see men and women grounded in faith, certain of what they believe and confident in how they can continue to grow.
Friend, if you’ve ever led someone to Jesus or had a hand in guiding a new believer, you know the joy of seeing them get it: the moment when God’s truth sinks deep into their heart. But you also know how easily confusion or uncertainty can creep in. By establishing clear Pathways—like foundational classes on the basics of faith, small groups designed for genuine connection, or practical teaching sessions—we ensure no one falls through the cracks. We create space where questions can be asked, doubts can be expressed, and faith can be built on a sure foundation.
I invite you to consider the issue of Pathways in your own context. Perhaps you’re a church leader longing to see your community flourish, or you’re a committed volunteer looking for ways to help new believers find their footing. Maybe you’re a seeker, curious about Christianity and eager to ask, “What comes next?” Whatever your place on the journey, I urge you to lean in. Ask the hard questions and form supportive structures that keep people moving forward.
No believer should ever walk alone. Let’s take the time to plan, prepare, and pray over these Pathways, because the faith of every man, woman, and child is worth it. My prayer for you is that this message lights a spark of vision and determination—leading to a church, a family, and a community where each precious life finds a clear route to deeper fellowship with Jesus.
Below is one of 8 sessions from the Pathway we call Knowing Christ. When people respond to Christ at an altar call, you can never be really sure why they responded. What do they really believe? Why are they responding? What do they need to hear and understand to establish their response to Christ on a firm foundation and a life of faith and obedience? After years of thinking this through, I came to settle on eight issues that can help those who are finding it hard to believe, or are not sure exactly what it is they are being invited to believe. Here’s what this pathway addressed:
Escaping the Matrix of Materialism
The Bible and Jesus the Son of God
Jesus and the Cross
Jesus and the Resurrection
Grace and Works
Repentance
Faith
Baptism
This series equipped facilitators to nurture people responding to Jesus, leading them down a Pathway of truth to discover faith, and seal that faith in the act of Baptism. It became our foundational pathway for new believers.
Below is Session 2. Just yesterday, I began a journey with an old school friend that I pray will end in his receiving Christ and being baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I sent him this teaching session, and we'll discuss it together next week. In this session, I make a passing reference to Session 1, where I used the movie The Matrix to set the scene. If you really want to see that session, I'd be glad to share it with you by email.
I trust you'll find this session a blessing to you. May it encourage you and your church to think about YOUR Pathways. People need them.
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