The Well-Rounded Christian Life
Before we trusted in Christ, we learned to coordinate many facets of life. We had relationships,
finances, education, family, career, exercise, intimacy... Complicated and often chaotic! A
Believer now learns to live over again. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It’s no longer I who
live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me. Gal. 2.20 NLT
A Disciplemaker trains young Disciples in this Christ-lives-in-me life. The WellRounded Wheel diagram shows six different areas God will develop in us. It’s
simple to draw and easy to discuss.
Aspects of a Well-Rounded Wheel*
• the rim, hub and spokes are all essential for a wheel. Are there essentials for
a Christian? Yes. (draw the diagram and label it)
• the Hub used to be ME. Now it’s JESUS. We center our life around him. He
helps us make our decisions, determine our lifestyle and birth our dreams (discuss Gal. 2.20; Col.
2.6-7; 3.3-4; 2 Cor. 5.17)
• the Rim used to be do-my-thing. Now it’s love-and-obey-God. We move forward by obeying
Jesus’ teachings and putting them into practice (discuss John 14.21; Matt. 7.24-25. Matt. 28.19)
• the four Spokes are the connectors, two vertical, two horizontal. The vertical spokes connect
us to God. The horizontal spokes connect us to our world. Jesus helps us reconnect.
• The Bible is God’s primary way to connect to us. We learn to listen to his voice as we
read and ponder his Word. (discuss Joshua 1.8; 2 Tim. 3.16;John 8.31-32; Col. 3.16)
• Prayer is our primary way to connect to God. We have a continuing conversation with
God about things of interest to both of us. (discuss Phil. 4.6-7; John 15.7; 1 Thess. 5.17)
• Church is our connection to other Christians. We’re adopted into God’s family and we
worship, study, love and share life together (discuss John 13.34-35; Heb. 10.24-25; Rom. 12)
• Good News describes our connection to others. We become salt and light, living the
Jesus-life by our words and actions. (discuss Col. 4.4-6; 1 Pet. 3.15-16; Matt. 5.13-16)
Practical discussion
• are the parts of the wheel understandable? Do you see these in other Christians? In your life?
• why are they all necessary? Which seem to be neglected in Christians?
• how can the concepts in the Well-Rounded Wheel help fix the brokenness of our lives?
• what part(s) will God need to develop in you in order to be well-rounded?
• where should we start? May need to be directive (this becomes the basis for future training)
• ask the Disciple to explain the Well-Rounded Wheel to another, labeling the six parts
Final thought: start with the Hub. Get connected to Jesus. Let him show you what to do next.
Our life is full of brokenness - broken relationships, broken promises, broken expectations. How can we live
with that brokenness without becoming bitter and resentful except by returning again and again to God's
faithful presence in our lives. -- Henri Nouwen
*
derived from the Navigators’ Balanced Christian Life wheel