While our library contains thousands of individual topics, The Pursuit stands as our flagship discipleship series. Think of it as a “spiritual map” for a journey with God. The Pursuit is a 12-lesson series designed to teach the essentials of biblical Christianity and help people go “full circle” in their faith. Those who are new to Christianity will be invited to trust Jesus for salvation. Those who are young in their faith will be challenged to honor God through their habits and lifestyle. And everyone will be empowered to become a disciple-maker using this series as the primary tool. But all of it starts with the first three topics in the series, which are designed to help you engage with the person you’re mentoring.
Why the First Three Topics Build a Secure Foundation
Many people approach Christianity with heavy misconceptions shaped by legalism or cultural secularism. They might view God as a distant cosmic cop waiting for them to mess up. Because of this, we don’t start our discipleship journey by pointing out human failure. Instead, we begin by showing people who God really is. By focusing first on God’s love (Lesson 1), we paint a positive, inviting picture of faith. Seekers and new believers need to understand God’s heart before they can comfortably address the reality of sin.
John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
When we begin here, we invite people into a relationship rather than a set of rules. This shifts the entire dynamic of your meetings. Your disciple learns that God is actually for them, not against them.
Relational Trust Over Rules
Once you establish God’s goodness, you can transition into the trustworthiness of His Word (Lesson 2). In our modern culture, people have plenty of doubts about the Bible. We don’t expect people to blindly accept scripture without asking hard questions. Lesson 2 of our series tackles these doubts head-on by looking at historical, textual, and personal evidence.
After discussing the Bible, you will explore human identity through the lens of the Imago Dei, which is the image of God (Lesson 3). Every single person has incredible value because God created them on purpose. This truth establishes a deep sense of security and self-worth.
Genesis 1:27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Understanding this biblical foundation is essential. It completely changes how your disciple views themselves and others. It prepares their heart to receive the grace of Jesus with open arms.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start Discipling Others
Discipleship is not a lecture, so you do not need to act like a professional professor. It’s simply a conversation between two people seeking God together. Encourage your mentee to join you in a simple rhythm you can use to structure your time:
- Prepare: First, prepare on your own before you meet. Encourage your disciple to do the same thing. Read the article or listen to the podcast lesson, take some notes in a journal, and let the truth sink in. This preparation ensures that you both have something valuable to bring to the table.
- Discuss: Next, meet up and talk it out together. You can grab coffee, hang out at a park, or meet in your living room. Use the discussion questions as a guide, but feel free to let the conversation flow naturally. Active listening is your greatest tool during this step.
- Repeat: Move on to the next topic and repeat the process. Along the way, invite a wholehearted commitment. Take God at his Word when he promises that those who seek him will find him (Jeremiah 29:13).
This simple structure takes the pressure off you as a mentor. You don’t have to know all the answers. You just need to guide the conversation and point your friend toward the truth.
Connecting the Dots Back to Jesus
Every single topic in the first phase of this series points directly back to Jesus. We see God’s loving character most clearly through the life and ministry of Christ. We find the ultimate fulfillment of the scriptures in His death and resurrection. Even our identity as image-bearers is restored and perfected through our relationship with Him. As you walk through these lessons, keep bringing the conversation back to Jesus. He is the anchor of our faith and the ultimate goal of our spiritual pursuit.
When you disciple someone this way, you’re doing more than just sharing information. You’re helping them build an active, thriving relationship with their Creator.
The Takeaway
Jesus called his followers to make disciples, and our Pursuit series puts a tool in your hands to help you to do it. By starting with the first three topics of the series, you build a foundation of safety, biblical trust, and identity. You’re helping people see that God loves them, His Word is reliable, and they have infinite value in His eyes. Grab a friend, open up the first lesson, and take that first step together today.
