Discipleship Training

Complementary Tools and Frameworks to the Discipleship Series

1. Our Primary Evangelism Tool

We use a lesson called The Path to God with those in our networks as both a diagnostic and educational tool. For non-Christians, it explains how they can know God through Jesus Christ. For Christians, it clarifies how they can be assured of their salvation. Since we cannot assume that people understand the basics of the Christian faith, beginning with this tool allows us to discern where they are spiritually while also teaching the foundations of the faith. For those who are already Christians, we then encourage regular study of The Discipleship Series (see the lessons below) on a weekly basis, so that they are established in the apostles’ teaching (sound doctrine) and learn to disciple others.

2. Ministry Coaching

Ministry coaching serves as the relational and spiritual glue that holds generations of disciples together. Through intentional guidance, prayer, and accountability, it helps believers, by God’s grace, grow in maturity and faithfully create the next link in the disciple-making chain.

  • Individual Coaching and Prayer – One-on-one ministry coaching two or more times a month provides personal accountability, encouragement, and prayer for making disciples of Jesus Christ.

  • Group Coaching and Prayer – Men and women gather regularly for shared learning, encouragement, and prayer as they advance Jesus’s mission together.

The Discipleship Series

Part One: Foundations of the Faith

Part One serves as a one-year curriculum designed to ground disciples in sound doctrine and sound living. It equips believers to know God truly and to follow Christ under his authority in every sphere of life—personal, family, church, and everyday relationships. From conversion and spiritual disciplines to church life, relational love, and spiritual warfare, these studies build a comprehensive foundation for growth in Christ and participation in his mission.

1. Beginning the Christian Life

These studies introduce the story of Scripture and the core truths of conversion and new identity in Christ.

  • 1.1 Becoming a Christian: Explains who God is, the reality of sin and judgment, the identity and work of Jesus, the nature of repentance and saving faith, and the meaning of baptism.

  • 1.2 Our New Life in Christ: Teaches believers what God has done for them in Christ and how their new identity shapes their desires, priorities, and patterns of obedience.

  • 1.3 The Story of the Bible: From Creation to the Return of Christ: Traces God’s plan to create, redeem, and restore all things in Christ, giving disciples a unified understanding of Scripture and God’s saving purpose.

2. Christian Living

These studies train disciples to live faithfully in the household, in the gathered church, in Christian community, and among their relational networks.

  • 2.1 The God-Centered Family: Trains households to order their lives according to God’s design for marriage, parenting, and family discipleship.

  • 2.2 The Gathering of the Church: 1 Corinthians 11:2–14:40: Builds understanding of the weekly gathering—its order, purpose, spiritual gifts, mutual care, and celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

  • 2.3 Loving One Another in Christian Community: Calls believers to concrete practices of love—encouraging the weak, speaking truth, bearing burdens, forgiving offenses, and pursuing reconciliation.

  • 2.4 Reaching Our Networks for Christ: Equips believers to share the gospel within their relational networks—families, friends, coworkers, neighbors—through clarity, compassion, patience, and consistent witness.

  • 2.5 Following Jesus in Today’s World: Addresses the most pressing challenges disciples face in modern life—identity, sexuality, technology, money, culture, and relationships—with biblical clarity and pastoral wisdom.

3. Spiritual Formation

These studies cultivate the inner life, spiritual disciplines, perseverance, and Christlike character.

Part Two: The Apostles’ Teaching:
Strengthening and Protecting the Churches

Part Two traces the unfolding revelation of God as the apostles strengthened and protected early Christian communities through their teaching. The stories of Scripture together form the foundation of a Christian worldview, showing how God’s truth shapes all of life. Studying the New Testament in its chronological order—from James to Revelation—allows disciples to follow how the apostles addressed real challenges of faith, doctrine, obedience, and endurance as the church spread and matured. From the earliest letters that grounded believers in genuine faith and perseverance, to the middle writings that refined doctrine and ordered church life, and finally to the later writings that preserved truth and sustained hope, we witness God’s revelation unfolding through lived history. This approach deepens faith, sharpens discernment, and forms a biblical way of seeing the world.

The Stories of the New Testament

The apostles proclaimed one unified story: God’s redemptive purpose moves from creation to new creation through Jesus Christ. They taught believers to see all of Scripture fulfilled in him—his life, death, resurrection, ascension, reign from heaven, and promised return—so that the church’s faith rests securely on God’s saving work and unchanging purpose.

  • The Story of Jesus: Luke (early 60s): Presents Jesus as the compassionate Savior who brings God’s mercy to the poor and outcast, teaches the way of righteousness and trust, and fulfills God’s redemptive plan through his suffering, death, and resurrection.

  • The Story of the Church: Acts (early 60s): Shows how the risen Christ continues his mission through the Holy Spirit, empowering the apostles to preach the gospel, form new communities, and carry the message from Jerusalem to the nations as the church learns to live under his reign.

Early Writings (AD 45–51)

The apostles sought to establish believers in the essentials of faith and obedience. They addressed confusion, persecution, and moral testing with practical guidance rooted in the gospel. These letters clarified genuine faith and taught believers how to endure with hope.

  • James (45–48): Calls believers to live out genuine faith through obedience, integrity, mercy, and wisdom.

  • Galatians (48–49): Defends the gospel of grace and protects believers from returning to law, preserving their freedom in Christ.

  • 1 Thessalonians (50): Encourages holiness, brotherly love, and endurance as believers await the return of Christ.

  • 2 Thessalonians (50–51): Corrects confusion about the Lord’s coming, urging steady faith, diligent work, and courage under pressure.

Middle Writings (AD 55–68)

As the gospel advanced, the apostles refined and clarified doctrine, addressed disorder, and organized maturing congregations. They strengthened believers in holiness, unity, and endurance, urging them to hold fast to sound teaching and the transforming power of the gospel.

Letters for Church Formation and Correction (AD 55–57)

  • 1 Corinthians (55): Confronts division, immorality, and disorder, calling believers to unity and holiness grounded in the gospel.

  • 2 Corinthians (56): Displays humble, authentic ministry that rebuilds trust and strengthens confidence in God’s power through weakness.

  • Romans (57): Unfolds the righteousness of God in salvation, joining Jew and Gentile in one faith and one mission centered on the gospel.

Letters from Paul’s Roman Imprisonment (AD 60–62)

  • Ephesians (60–62): Proclaims the mystery of the gospel that unites all people in Christ and equips them for spiritual maturity and good works.

  • Philippians (60–62): Encourages joy and perseverance through humility and partnership in the gospel, even in suffering.

  • Colossians (60–62): Exalts Christ as supreme over all things and fully sufficient for salvation and maturity.

  • Philemon (60–62): Appeals for reconciliation between brothers in Christ, showing how the gospel transforms relationships.

Gospel and General Letters (AD 60–67)

  • Mark (60–65): Portrays Jesus as the suffering Son of God whose cross defines the nature of true discipleship and leads to glory.

  • Hebrews (60s, pre-70): Strengthens weary believers by revealing Jesus as the final high priest whose covenant and sacrifice surpass all others.

  • Matthew (60s): Reveals Jesus as the promised Messiah and teacher who fulfills Scripture and commands his followers to live out the kingdom of heaven.

  • 1 Peter (62–64): Encourages believers to stand firm in suffering, living holy lives that testify to the grace of God.

Pastoral and Protective Letters (AD 63–68)

  • 1 Timothy (63–65): Instructs leaders to teach sound doctrine, model godliness, and steward the household of faith wisely.

  • Titus (63–65): Guides young congregations to establish healthy leadership and display good works that honor the gospel.

  • 2 Timothy (64–67): Charges emerging leaders to guard the truth, endure hardship, and proclaim the Word faithfully.

  • 2 Peter (64–65): Warns against false teachers and moral corruption, urging believers to remember the apostolic word and grow in godliness.

  • Jude (65–68): Calls believers to contend for the faith and persevere through mercy, truth, and prayer.

Later Writings (AD 85–96)

In these final writings of the Bible, the apostle John preserved the truth of Christ’s person and work for the next generation. He encouraged believers to remain faithful amid deception and opposition, grounding their confidence in Jesus’ love and the certainty of his return.

  • John (85–90): Reveals Jesus as the eternal Son who gives life to all who believe, inviting disciples to know and abide in him.

  • 1 John (90–95): Strengthens confidence and purity through the tests of love, obedience, and confession of the truth about Christ.

  • 2 John (90–95): Cautions believers to reject deceivers who deny the incarnation and to continue walking in truth and love.

  • 3 John (90–95): Commends faithful servants and warns against prideful resistance that hinders gospel partnership.

  • Revelation (94–96): Unveils the victory of the Lamb over evil, strengthening believers to endure, worship, and hope for his return.