Lesson 1 – Introduction to Discipleship

Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Lesson Goals: At the end of this lesson, the disciple should…

1. What is the “Great Commission”?
2. What is a “disciple”?
3. Know and Determine the Life Stages of a Christian.
4. Ask the commitment of the disciple for an 8-week course

Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the

Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with

you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

A disciple is a ______________________ of Jesus.

Jesus  12 Disciples  >>>>>>  YOU

The life stages of a Christian (2 Peter 3:18)

1. __________________ (Eph 2:1-, 1 Cor 2:14, Jn 8:47)

2. __________________ (1 Pet 2:2)
3. __________________ (Heb 5:11-12)
4. __________________ (Col 2:6-7)
5. __________________ (1 Jn 2:13, Jn 15:16)
A strong committed Christian is a… (2 Timothy 2)
Lesson 2 –Understanding Salvation and Baptism
Objectives: at the end of the lesson, the disciple should
1. Understand what it means to be “saved”.
2. Understand Assurance of Salvation.
3. Understand the need and importance of publicly identifying with Christ in Baptism.

Introduction: What a wonderful day it was in your life when you trusted Jesus as your
Saviour, turning exclusively to Christ for your redemption. The Bible uses rich metaphors to
describe that moment:
You passed from darkness to light. ACTS 26:18
You were born again. JOHN 3:3, 1 PETER 1:23
You have been redeemed—bought back. 1 PETER 1:18—19
You are adopted into God’s family. ROMANS 8:15

Can I Lose My Salvation? Sometimes after a person trusts Christ as Saviour, they begin to
worry that maybe something they do wrong will make them lose the promise of eternal life.
Thankfully, it is not possible to ever lose your salvation. Here’s why:
God’s gift is forever. John 10:28—29, John 5:24, Romans 6:23, John 3:16
Our relationship is sure. John 6:37
We have a “security deposit.” 2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14

What if I Don’t Feel Saved? Sometimes a Christian may not feel saved and thus may doubt
that they ever truly were saved. God wants you to have assurance of your salvation—knowing
that you are His child. How can we have this assurance?
We have assurance because of God’s __promises__. Romans 10:13, Titus 1:2
We have assurance because of God’s __presence__. ROMANS 8:16
Note: The Holy Spirit also convicts us when we do wrong so we will change. But we can resist His voice. One of the
dangers of that, however, is that if we refuse to listen to His voice convicting us, we may find that we don’t hear His
voice reassuring us of our salvation. Thus, sometimes Christians doubt their salvation because they have blocked the
voice of the Holy Spirit giving them assurance. 1 JOHN 3:24
We have assurance because of God’s __love__. Romans 8:35-39
We have assurance because of God’s __work__ in our lives. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Hunger for the Word of God. 1 PETER 2:2
Growing obedience to God’s commandments. 1 JOHN 2:3
Love for other Christians. 1 JOHN 2:10
We have assurance because of God’s __chastening__. Hebrews 12:5-11

Why Should I Be Baptized?

Baptism is an exciting step of obedience after you are saved because it is an outward
expression of your inward decision. It is in no way part of your salvation, but it is one of the first
ways we can demonstrate that we want to obey our Lord’s commands. (JOHN 15:14) While
baptism is not part of salvation, it is an important step of obedience to Christ. By following the
Lord in believer’s baptism, you are obeying Christ and showing others that you are glad He is your
Saviour. Notice these important truths regarding baptism:
Baptism is an ___________________.
The Bible teaches that baptism is a symbol—an outward expression of an inward decision.
In the life of every Christian, baptism is an important first step of obedience to God that declares
to others your faith in Christ. Just as a wedding ring identifies a husband with his wife, baptism
identifies a Christian with Christ. That identity is with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
(Romans 6:3-5) Baptism is your way of saying to everyone, “Jesus saved me, and I’m not ashamed
of Him. I want to live now for Him.” Baptism also identifies a Christian with the local church and
its doctrine. In the New Testament, people who were baptized were added to the church. (Acts
2:41-42)

Baptism is for _____________ Christian.

The Bible teaches that baptism is for anyone who has personally accepted Christ as Saviour.
Baptism does not save or wash away sins. It simply shows on the outside what Jesus already did
on the inside. Acts 8:36—38 There are three important reasons to be baptized:
Christ commands it. Matthew 28:19
Christ was our example. Matthew 3:13
Believers in the Bible practiced it. Acts 2:41

If you have trusted Christ as your Saviour and have not been baptized since, you should choose
to be baptized as soon as you can.

Baptism should be by __________________. Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12

The word baptize literally means “to plunge or to dunk.” The Bible teaches that you should
be baptized in water by immersion rather than by sprinkling. Because baptism is a picture of
Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, only immersion correctly pictures this.

Baptism should take place ___________ after salvation.

In the Bible, baptism always took place right after salvation. It was an immediate and glad
response of someone who found salvation and wanted to publicly identify with Jesus. (Acts
16:30—33, Acts 2:41) Even if you were baptized before your salvation, you need to be baptized
in accordance with Scripture after your salvation. How can a Christian’s relationship with Christ
start off right if they refuse to follow Him or are ashamed of Him before others? When a Christian
is not willing to be baptized, they are missing the blessings of committing themselves to Christ
through obedience and losing the testimony they might have through public identification with
Him. (James 4:17) Baptism is an exciting step of obedience to your Saviour. If you have not been
baptized since your salvation, make plans to do so soon!

Application
Salvation is the greatest gift any person has ever been given. But Satan will do everything
he can to cause you to question if you are really a child of God. To avoid or counter those doubts,
there are three important steps you can take:
1. Settle in your own heart that salvation is forever. Record the date when you trusted Jesus as
your Saviour somewhere where you will see it regularly (perhaps in the front of your Bible).
Review the verses in this lesson and even memorize some of them. That way, if doubts begin to
come to your mind, you have truth to use as ammunition against them.
2. Share your testimony and your doubts (if and when they arise) with a mature Christian. (Your
pastor or the person who is discipling you would be a good person to share this with.) Not every
Christian encounters times of doubt concerning their salvation, but some do. Satan would have
you think that you are all alone and that “real Christians” wouldn’t have those questions. That is
simply not true. Sharing these kinds of struggles with a mature Christian gives you a prayer
partner—and someone to remind you of God’s promises!
3. Publicly declare your salvation by being baptized. Baptism not only identifies you with Christ
to others, but it has a way of cementing in your own heart the truth that Jesus has saved you—
forever.
Lesson 4 – Church and Fellowship
Once you have accepted Christ as your Savior, it is important to attend a
Bible-believing local church. Although church attendance does not save us or get
us to Heaven, it is very important to God and a vital aspect to Christian growth.
The church is more than a building; it is a place where Christians meet together to
grow in God’s Word, to glorify God and to build lasting friendships with other
Christians. (Acts 20:28, John 1:12, John 15:5, Eph 5:25, Eph 2:21, 1 Cor 12:1, Eph
2:20)

WHY church?
1. To Preach the Word of God Acts 13:5
2. To Provide Fellowship Acts 2:42
3. To Provide Encouragement Hebrews 13:17
4. To Practice Baptism Acts 18:8
5. To Observe the Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthians 11:23-27
6. To Spread the Gospel Romans 10:13-15
7. To Help Christians to Grow in Grace Eph 4:15
8. To Disciple New Christians Ephesians 4:12
9. To Bring Glory to God Ephesians 3:21
Lesson 5 – Ministry and Spiritual Gifts Eph. 4:7, 11
The spiritual gifts mentioned in the New Testament, primarily in Romans 12
and in 1 Corinthians 12, fall into three categories: sign (2 Cor. 12:12, Heb. 2:3–4),
speaking, and serving 1 Pet. 4:10–11.

Romans 12:6-8
6
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with
simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with
cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:8-10
8
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit;
9
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same
Spirit;
10
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning
of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of
tongues:
Spiritual Gifts Test
These questions are designed to aid in discovering how God has uniquely gifted you for
His work. Using a scale of one to five, five being the strongest, answer each question. Be
sure to answer all of the questions, and to wait until you have completed each question
to score your test.
10. I can organize people and delegate
1. I am always looking for practical easily. 1 2 3 4 5
ways to help. 1 2 3 4 5
11. I am an easy mark for stray
2. I enjoy public speaking and teaching. animals, especially if they are hurt. 1 2
12345 345

3. I find it easy to motivate people to 12. I have a desire to give quietly

do the right thing. 1 2 3 4 5 without public notice. 1 2 3 4 5

4. I am a take-charge person who can

usually bring order out of chaos. 1 2 3
45
5. I am very sensitive to the emotional
state of others. 1 2 3 4 5
6. I am able to discern wise
investments so as to have more to
give. 1 2 3 4 5
7. When people are in my home, I like
to wait on them “hand and foot.” 1 2 3
45
8. People often tell me that I helped
them understand things better. 1 2 3 4
5 17. People in emotional distress often
9. I am always uplifting those who are
around me. 1 2 3 4 5
13. I often stop to help motorists in
trouble (if not dangerous). 1 2 3 4 5
14. I prefer systematic Bible teaching
as opposed to a series of unrelated
topics.
12345
15. When people ask my advice, I
suggest a definite course of action.
12345
16. I enjoy a team effort more than
doing the work myself. 1 2 3 4 5
come to me for comfort. 1 2 3 4 5
18. I am motivated to give unto the
Lord at His prompting, not man’s.1 2 3
45
19. I sometimes get irritated when
others don’t jump in to help. 1 2 3 4 5
20. I find it easy to illustrate spiritual
truths and make them clear. 1 2 3 4 5
21. I tend to be optimistic—always
giving hope. 1 2 3 4 5
22. People who talk about problems,
but never take action, irritate me. 1 2 3
45
23. I am sometimes accused of being
too soft on sin. 1 2 3 4 5
24. I have a desire to give gifts that are
of high quality. 1 2 3 4 5
25. I find it almost impossible to say no
to others. 1 2 3 4 5
26. Disorganized messages (with no
outline) irritate me. 1 2 3 4 5
27. Even in failure, I see the potential
in people. 1 2 3 4 5
28. I am a goal-oriented person. 1 2 3 4
5 “cheerleader.” 1 2 3 4 5
29. I am reluctant to confront people; I
don’t want to hurt them. 1 2 3 4 5
30. I have a tendency to test
faithfulness by how people handle
funds. 1 2 3 4 5
31. I prefer a “behind the scenes” role.
I am not an “up front” person. 1 2 3 4 5
32. I get upset with people who use
verses out of context. 1 2 3 4 5
33. I am able to encourage others,
even when I am suffering. 1 2 3 4 5
34. I am “pushy” and demanding--
driving people to the limit. 1 2 3 4 5
35. I love ministering to the sick, to the
poor, and to the handicapped. 1 2 3 4
5
36. It is important to be involved in
meeting the church’s financial need.
12345
37. I find it difficult to delegate; it is
usually easier to do the job myself.
12345
38. People tease me about being a
“bookworm.” 1 2 3 4 5
39. People tease me about being a
40. Some say projects are more
important to me than people are.
12345
41. Others tell me that I am a good
listener. 1 2 3 4 5
42. It is important to consult with my
spouse to determine how much to give
to a project or ministry. 1 2 3 4 5
Spiritual Gifts Test Answer Key
Directions: Transfer the number you circled
to the blank beside the corresponding
question. Add the totals up in each column.
The highest possible score in one column
would be 35. For example, if you answered
question one by circling the “5”, you would
record that answer as follows: (1. 5 )
1. ________ 2. ________ 3. ________
7. ________ 8. ________ 9. ________
13. ________ 14. ________ 15. ________
19. ________ 20. ________ 21. ________
25. ________ 26. ________ 27. ________
31. ________ 32. ________ 33. ________
37. ________ 38. ________ 39. ________
Totals: ________ ________ ________
Helps Teaching Encouragement
4. ________ 5. ________ 6. ________
10. ________ 11. ________12. ________
16. ________ 17. ________ 18. ________
22. ________ 23. ________ 24. ________
28. ________ 29. ________ 30. ________
34. ________ 35. ________ 36. ________
40. ________ 41. ________ 42. ________
Totals: ________ ________ ________
Administration Mercy Giving
Lesson 6 – The Word of God
Even though the Bible is made up of 66 books and divided into two sections (Old
and New Testament), it has one message. The Bible is a guidebook to Christian living.
As believers we should make regular Bible study a part of our daily activities.
Spending time in Bible reading and prayer is to our spiritual lives what eating and
resting is to our physical lives. How is your spiritual appetite right now? Are you strong in
the Lord? Jeremiah 15:16, Psalm 119:103, Psalm 34:8

Advantages of Bible Study Psalm 119:18, Psalm 119:11

A. The Word of God brings growth
1 Pet 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may
grow thereby:

B. The Word of God helps us resist temptation

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

C. The Bible has the power to change lives

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword...

When should we read the Bible?

Acts 17:11b they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched
the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Enemies of Bible Reading

A. Wasting Time
B. Fatigue
C. Disinterest
D. Distraction
E. Lack of Discipline

As you read the Bible look for S-P-E-C-S.

Sin to be forsaken.
Promise to be claimed.
Example to be followed.
Command to be obeyed.
Stumbling blocks to be avoided
Lesson 7: The Importance of Witnessing
Soulwinning: Presenting the gospel (good news of Christ's death, burial,
and resurrection) to any person at any time with the goal of leading
that person to Christ.

Enemies of Soulwnning
a) Satan
b) Self
c) Saints
d) Sinner
e) Sin

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is
wise.

1. Reproducing Work
Psalm 1:3, 126:5-6, John 4:35, 15:8,16, 1 Corinthians 3:6

2. Rescuing Work
Win- capture, catch, seize
Luke 5:10, Proverbs 14:25, 1 Corinthians 1:21, James 5:20, Jude 22-23

3. Rewarding Work
He that wins souls is wise
He who doesn't win souls is stupid

Romans 10:15, Philippians 3:6, Ephesians 5:16, Luke 15:10, 1

Thessalonians 2:19, Revelations 4:10,