Intentional Discipleship

Discipleship is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Some of us are drawn to quiet acts of service, while others find joy in bold expressions of our faith. But no matter the path we take, what matters most is our intent: our desire to follow the Savior more fully and live out His teachings with purpose and love.

How can we become more intentional in our discipleship? How can we move beyond simply checking boxes and instead allow our faith to truly burn within us, shaping our choices and influencing our hearts?

1. Start with a Willing Heart

The journey toward becoming an intentional disciple begins with a simple yet profound decision: the choice to follow Christ. Whether you’re someone who has always been committed to the gospel or you’re just beginning to discover its beauty, the first step is a desire to learn and grow. Discipleship requires more than passive belief—it calls for action, sacrifice, and a heart willing to be molded by the Master.

Consider the Savior’s call to His disciples: “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19). It wasn’t just an invitation to physically follow Him; it was a call to leave behind the distractions of the world and walk a path of spiritual devotion. Intentional discipleship begins when we make the conscious choice to prioritize Christ in our lives.

2. Even the Smallest Efforts Count

We often feel that discipleship demands grand gestures, constant perfection, or tireless effort. But the beauty of the Savior’s gospel is that even the smallest act of faith is significant. Sometimes, we are only able to offer what feels like a tiny, flickering light of belief—and that is enough. Jesus Christ honors every effort, no matter how small, as long as it comes from a sincere heart.

If all you can do today is say a short prayer, offer a kind word to a friend, or open the scriptures for a few minutes—know that these small actions are counted as discipleship. The Lord magnifies our humble offerings. Just as the loaves and fishes were multiplied to feed thousands, your small efforts, placed in the hands of the Savior, can bless your life and the lives of others more than you realize.

In the Book of Mormon, we read about the stripling warriors, a group of young men who courageously fought to protect their people. Yet, often overlooked are their fathers—men who had made a covenant not to take up arms but still found ways to contribute to the cause. Though they weren’t on the battlefield, they offered provisions to sustain their sons; their efforts were vital to the cause. This story is a powerful reminder that every role in discipleship matters. It’s not just the bold and visible acts that count, but also the quiet, behind-the-scenes efforts. Whether we are the ones on the battlefield or those providing the essential support, each contribution is vital in building God’s kingdom. Even the smallest effort offered with love and intent has eternal significance in the Lord’s eyes.

Discipleship is not about doing everything perfectly. It’s about trying. It’s about continuing to move forward, trusting that Christ will make up the difference with His grace. Every small step matters because each step brings you closer to Him.

3. Be Present in Your Spiritual Practices

In our busy lives, it’s easy to let prayer, scripture study, and church attendance become routine, a check on our ‘to do list’. We can fall into the habit of going through the motions without really connecting with the Spirit. Becoming intentional means pausing to reflect on the ‘why’ behind these practices. Why do we pray? Why do we read the scriptures? It’s not simply to fulfill a duty—it’s to draw nearer to God, to know Him, and to hear His voice in our lives. It’s about building a relationship with our loving Heavenly Father, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

When we approach these moments with purpose, they become sacred opportunities to deepen our discipleship. Try setting aside distractions and making these practices more meaningful. A heartfelt prayer, a few extra moments pondering scripture, or truly engaging with church teachings can transform your spiritual habits from routine to relationship.

4. Seek to Serve with Love

True discipleship is active. It is lived out in our interactions with others. The Savior taught, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Being intentional in our discipleship means looking for ways to love and serve those around us—whether in big ways or small.

This doesn’t mean you need to lead a grand service project (though that’s wonderful if that’s where your heart leads you!). Sometimes, discipleship looks like smiling at a stranger, listening to someone who needs to talk, or being there for a loved one who is struggling. It’s in the everyday moments of kindness and compassion that we truly reflect the love of Christ. When we serve with the pure intent to uplift and bless, we become His hands and heart in the world.

5. Embrace Your Unique Discipleship Journey

Not everyone’s path to discipleship looks the same. Some may find great joy in teaching others, while others might connect through quiet reflection and personal study. It’s important to remember that discipleship is not about comparison. The Lord knows our hearts and the gifts He has given each of us.

The apostle Paul reminded the early Saints that “there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4). As you seek to become more intentional in your discipleship, embrace the unique ways in which you connect with Christ. Whether it’s through music, art, writing, teaching, or acts of service, use the talents God has given you to strengthen your faith and uplift others. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to be a disciple, as long as you are seeking to follow Him with a sincere heart.

6. Christ’s Enabling Power is Always There

We all go through seasons when our discipleship falters. We might find ourselves struggling to feel connected to God, overwhelmed by life’s demands, or weighed down by feelings of inadequacy. During these times, it’s easy to feel as though we are failing in our efforts to follow Christ. But it’s precisely in these moments that the enabling power of Jesus Christ’s Atonement becomes most apparent.

Christ is always there to strengthen us, even when we feel like we are falling short. He offers us grace—not just to cleanse us from sin, but to empower us to do more than we ever thought we could. When we lean on Him, He lifts us. He carries us through our weaknesses and helps us to become the disciples He knows we can be. His Atonement makes it possible for us to rise again and keep moving forward, no matter how many times we stumble.

7. Stay Focused on the Savior

Intentional discipleship requires us to fix our gaze on Christ. In a world filled with distractions and conflicting priorities, it can be easy to lose sight of what matters most. But if we make the Savior the center of our lives—if we intentionally focus on Him—everything else begins to fall into place.

The prophet Isaiah said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee” (Isaiah 26:3). When we intentionally center our thoughts, actions, and hearts on Christ, we find peace and purpose. Take time each day to remember Him, whether through prayer, scripture study, or simply pausing to reflect on His love. As we do, we’ll find that our hearts burn brighter with the fire of faith.

8. Continue Moving Forward in Faith

Discipleship is not a destination—it’s a lifelong journey. There will be moments when we stumble, when doubts creep in, or when we feel distant from the Savior. But becoming intentional in our discipleship means that even in those moments, we keep moving forward. We trust in God’s plan for us and rely on the grace of the Savior to lift us when we fall.

The scriptures remind us that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Faith requires effort, patience, and perseverance. When we consciously choose to keep moving forward—especially in the face of difficulty—our discipleship becomes not only a commitment but a testimony of our love for the Savior.

Let Your Light Shine

Discipleship is a deeply personal, yet profoundly communal experience. As you strive to become more intentional in your discipleship, remember that your light—your example—will inspire others. The fire of your faith will not only warm your own heart but will ignite the hearts of those around you. Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf beautifully reminds us, “Discipleship is not about doing things perfectly; it is about doing things intentionally. It is your choices that show what you truly are, far more than your abilities.” Each choice you make, no matter how small, reflects your desire to follow Christ. It’s not about being perfect, but about walking with purpose, trusting that the Savior will magnify every effort. This intentional living, grounded in our love for the Savior, transforms us and ignites a fire within that grows brighter with each choice we make.

Let us each, in our own unique way, choose to follow Christ with purpose and love. As we do, we will find that our discipleship becomes not just a series of actions, but a way of being—an intentional, beautiful, and joyful walk with the Savior.

So, let your light shine. Become the disciple you were meant to be, and watch as that fire of faith burns brighter and brighter.