The Power of 360° Support: October’s Theme for Disciple-Making Leaders
As we step into October, the Disciples Made community turns our attention to a theme that is absolutely essential for every disciple and disciple-maker: 360-degree support. If you’ve been with us through the rhythms of the year, you know we’ve spent the first eight months unpacking the core DNA elements of our disciple-making ecosystem — character, calling, obedience, perseverance, and more. But now, as we round the corner toward year’s end, we’re asking a deeper, legacy-shaping question:
How do we sustain all of this for the long haul?
The answer is accountability, but not in the old-school, heavy-handed way you might be used to. In the Fully Alive framework, accountability isn't about shame or checklists. It’s about something far richer, far more life-giving — it’s about being fully known, genuinely encouraged, and consistently supported as you pursue the masterpiece mission God has placed on your life.
Redefining Accountability
Accountability in our community is defined this way:
"Allowing others to encourage you toward your desired outcomes, to celebrate you when you win, and to spur you forward when you fall behind."
This isn’t about pointing fingers; it’s about linking arms.
What if every leader had people who consistently celebrated their wins, reminded them who they were when they lost their way, and lifted them back up again — not out of obligation, but out of love? That’s what a 360° support system offers.
The 360° Support Circle: Paul, Barnabas, Timothy
Disciples Made encourages every disciple to surround themselves with three key types of relationships:
A Paul (Mentor) – someone ahead of you, helping guide you toward spiritual maturity and wisdom.
A Barnabas (Peer) – a trusted friend who walks beside you, encourages you, and challenges you in love.
A Timothy (Apprentice) – someone you're investing in, modeling a life fully alive in Jesus.
This triangle creates what we call the 360° Support Circle, and it’s not just theoretical. As leaders shared during our recent webinar, these roles often overlap and evolve. Friendships deepen. Apprentices grow into peers. And mentors step in with life-changing perspective when we need it most.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
Let’s be honest — too many leaders flame out. Some blow up their lives. Others simply burn out and fade away. Both leave damage in their wake. But leaders don’t fail because they didn’t want to finish well — they fail because they didn’t have the structure to help them thrive.
This is why October’s theme is more than a conversation. It’s a call to action.
Now is the time to identify your three. Not tomorrow. Not when you're in a crisis. Now — while you're thinking clearly and committed to going the distance.
Your Legacy Starts with Support
If your dream is to leave a disciple-making legacy — one that impacts your family, community, and generations beyond you — then having a healthy 360° support system isn’t optional. It’s essential.
So here’s your challenge this October:
Name your Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy.
Thank them. Invest in them. Learn from them.
If you’re missing someone in that circle, ask God to reveal who it could be — and take a step toward intentional connection.
A legacy of disciple-making doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through intentional relationships, built on encouragement, trust, and accountability — the kind of support that transforms not just you, but everyone around you.
Let’s build it together.
Want to learn how to build your 360° Support Circle?
Check out our free Explorer-level course: “Who Do I Need on the Journey?”
👉 Click here to access the course
Stay Fully Alive,
The Disciples Made Team