Discipling Through Topics 1-3
Module #1 in The Pursuit is an introduction to God and the Bible, focusing on the heart of God for people. Here's how to disciple through it.
Talking Points:
- Lesson #1 lays out the three truths for a pursuit of God: God is for you and pursuing him can change your life, but you have to commit to doing it with your whole heart. John 10:10, Jeremiah 29:13
- Lesson #2 outlines three reasons to trust the Bible, addressing historical, textual, and personal proofs. It ends with a simple challenge: if you’re willing to come to God on his terms and take him at his word, then Jesus promises you’ll discover the truth. John 7:16-17
- Lesson #3 explains the foundational concept of “Imago Dei” – that we’re all created in the image of God. This provides the basis for human rights and gives everyone a purpose in life: to love God, others, and ourselves. Genesis 1:26, Matthew 22:37-39
Discussion Questions:
- Read Matthew 8:2-3. Why is it significant that Jesus touched the leper? Have you ever felt cast aside or unworthy of God’s love?
- Read Mark 2:17. Based on this verse, what type of person is Jesus after? Why do you think that is?
- Read Jeremiah 29:13. What do you think it means to look “wholeheartedly” for God?
- Which of the three evidences for the Bible’s reliability is most compelling to you, and why?
- Read John 7:16-17. Why do you think “doing the will of God” is a prerequisite for discerning whether Christ’s teachings are true?
- Why is it important to have a framework for where you get your value and purpose? How do you see our culture wrestling with these ideas today?
- Read Matthew 22:37-39. What does it look like to love the way Jesus describes in this passage?
- Which of the three topics in this module are you most interested in talking about as a mentor? Why?
See Also:
Discipling Through Topics 4-6
Module #2 in The Pursuit covers the first arrow in a full-circle pursuit: how to start a relationship with God by trusting Jesus. Here's how to disciple through it.
Talking Points:
- Helping a person understand sin – and how it has affected him or her personally – is fundamental to the gospel pathway. That’s what Topic #6 is about.
- Understanding who Jesus is – and what he did – is central to biblical, saving faith. That’s what Topic #5 is about.
- The “Trusting Jesus” module in The Pursuit leads to Topic #6, which is where a person has the opportunity to make a personal response of faith.
- Be sure to pray for your mentee as you bring him or her through this module. At the end of the day, you can’t pursue God for someone – but you can help them get started.
Discussion Questions:
- Read Genesis 3:1-3. Why do you think the serpent started with a question? How did that question change Adam and Eve’s behavior?
- Read Galatians 5:19-21. Why do you think Paul takes the time to list out a bunch of sins? How have you and others justified some of these sins?
- Read John 1:1 and Colossians 1:15-17. Why is it important to believe that Jesus is fully God? How would it impact Christianity if he were something less?
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead? How would it impact the basic Christian message if he didn’t?
- Make a list of the “right information” we need to be saved. Explain what it means to have the “right attitude”.
- Read Romans 3:22. What does the verse say we have to do to receive the gift of salvation? Why do some people have a hard time believing that God loves them despite their past? Explain.
- Read Romans 10:9. Have you ever helped someone make a confession of faith in Jesus? Describe what happened.
- Which of the three topics in this module are you most interested in talking about as a mentor? Why?
See Also:
Discipling Through Topics 7-9
Ready to help someone learn about honoring God as a Christian? Take them through the third module in The Pursuit.
Talking Points:
- The goal in Topic #7 is to help your mentee see that their life will begin looking different now that they’re a Christian. But they can’t do it alone.
- Topic #8 talks about the “Big 3” for victory: God’s Spirit, God’s word, and God’s people.
- Topic #9 drills down on the “Big 5” spiritual disciplines that will strengthen your faith muscles and help you grow as a Christian.
Discussion Questions:
- Read Matthew 28:19. Why do you think some people become Christians and yet never get baptized?
- Baptism is one of the easiest steps of obedience. Make a list of some of the harder things you’ll have to do as a Christian.
- Share a time when you relied on willpower to accomplish a goal – and it didn’t work. What led to your failure?
- Read Galatians 6:1-2. In your opinion, what does it look like to bear the burdens of others? Share an example.
- Give yourself a grade on each of the five spiritual disciplines. Which one are you most eager to improve? Why?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. What does prayer look like in your life? What have you learned about the power of prayer?
- Read 2 Corinthians 8:7. What do you think Paul meant by “excel in giving”? What could it mean for you today?
- Which of the three topics in this module are you most interested in talking about as a mentor? Why?
See Also:
Discipling Through Topics 10-12
If you're helping someone go "full circle" in their pursuit of God, the last three topics will help you finish the job.
Talking Points:
- Topic #10 gives three reasons to make disciples, and they appeal to three different types of people.
- Topic #11 lists the three qualities necessary for going “full circle”: conviction, submission, and boldness.
- Topic #12 makes it clear how to make disciples using the PG resources. The process is described by 3 E’s: engage, establish, and empower.
- The two “next steps” for your mentee are to (1) create a list of people who could use their help and (2) pick a topic or category that would engage that person… and send it out with an invitation to talk. 2 Timothy 2:2
Discussion Questions:
- Share about a person who has encouraged you in your pursuit of God. What did they do that was so impactful? Response
- Read Matthew 4:19. Why do you think Jesus picked fishermen instead of Pharisees as his disciples? Which group of people do you most relate to? Response
- Read Ephesians 4:11-12. What’s the pastor’s job in the church? What’s your job? Response
- Describe the pathway for disciple-making in your own words. What’s the point to taking someone through a discipleship track? Response
- What’s your part in a mentoring relationship? What’s their part? What’s God’s part? How does knowing this information take the pressure off of you as a mentor? Response
- For someone who hasn’t had their defining moment of faith, how do you know when it’s time to point them to Jesus? Response
- Make a list of a few people who might be interested in going through a discipleship track with you. Begin praying for those people.
- Which of the three topics in this module are you most interested in talking about as a mentor? Why?
See Also:
- How Jesus Kept Peter on Mission (Mark 14:27-31, 66-71)
- How Well Do You Know Your Bible? (Mark 12:28-34)
- The Cost of Discipleship (Mark 8:31-9:1)
- Training the Twelve (Mark 3:7-19)
- Why Make Disciples?
- Discipling Through Topics 1-3
- Value #5: We’re On Mission With Jesus
- The Holy Spirit’s Role in Disciple-making
- Discipling Through Topics 10-12
- Expectations in Mentoring
- Getting Rejected in Mentoring
- Disciple-Making Tips for Introverts
- How to End a Failed Mentoring Relationship
- Discipling Through Topics 7-9
- Discipling Through Topics 4-6
- The Tension Between Relationship and Mission as a Mentor
- Tracking Your Discipleship Relationships
- Pushing Past the Awkward in a Mentoring Relationship
- Am I Qualified to Baptize Someone?
- How to Power Through in Mentoring
- Here’s What You’ll Get Out of Mentoring
- Boundaries in Mentoring Others
- The Mentoring Law of Discovery
- Next Steps in Mentoring
- Frameworks Make Mentoring Better
- Methodolatry vs. Disciple-making
- You Were Born to Reproduce
- 7 Tips for Getting Started as a Mentor
- Help! I Don’t Have Anyone to Mentor
- How Long Should You Mentor Someone?
- The Maturity Myth
- Sharing the Right Truth at the Right Time
