The Taglish
Pursuit ProjectThe Pursuit Project is an international initiative designed to translate a discipleship track (see below) that equips believers around the world to fulfill the Great Commission. This project is funded by generous donations of churches, businesses, and individuals.
Topic #1: Stress
Key Points:
- Parents and their kids’ stress. Parents: things have changed since you were a teen. You need to take the time and effort to learn what stresses your kids and not assume their experience is just the same as yours
- Talk about your stress. Kids, be honest about your stress. Your parents may know you better than anyone, but they’re not mind readers.
Talk About It
- What stresses you out? Why?
- Do you think your family knows what stresses you? Why or why not?
- Parents, what are some challenges you faced as a teen? Explain.
- Why is it important for parents not to ignore or brush off a teen’s stress? Share an example if you have one.
- What are some ways kids can be more open and honest with their parents about stress?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #2: Toxic People
Key Points:
- We can all be toxic sometimes.
- In the long run, people who don’t recognize they’re toxic end up lonely and miserable.
- It takes courage to stand up to toxic people around us.
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Who are some toxic people you’ve known? Share a story if you’re comfortable.
- How do we go about deciding if someone is toxic? Explain.
- Are there times you’ve been toxic, maybe without realizing it until later? Explain.
- What do you think are healthy boundaries with the toxic people you know? Explain.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #3: Gossip
Key Points:
- Gossip is a way for the gossiper to feel better about themselves while lowering the person being gossiped about.
- Whether you try to counter gossip or to directly tell others to quit it, you have to make the choice to stop gossip when it comes up in your friend circles.
- When people consistently prove that they are gossips and they don’t have any plans to change, you need to take steps to find a healthy distance from them.
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Have you ever gossiped or been gossiped about? Share a story if you have one.
- Why do you think gossip is so common across time and cultures?
- How can you “opt-out” of gossiping? Why is it important to do it?
- Do you know any people you’d describe as “toxic” gossipers? Without gossiping, describe these people.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #4: Habits
Key Points:
- Certain things need to be done, and if you don’t do them, others will suffer. That should be a huge motivator for doing things you don’t want to do.
- Your opportunities to do things like join a sports team, learn a musical instrument, or study art or theater are not the sorts of opportunities many teens your age in other parts of the world have or will ever have.
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- What are some chores or responsibilities you hate having to do? Why do these things rub you the wrong way?
- What are some time-wasting habits you have or some bad ruts you fall into?
- What are some hobbies or school subjects you really enjoy? Why?
- Why do you think perspective is so important when it comes to doing the things you don’t want to do?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #5: Saving Faith
Key Points:
- Our problem is sin. Romans 6:23
- Our solution is Jesus. Galatians 1:4
- Our response is faith. Romans 3:22
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Read Romans 6:23. Make a list of the ways sin can bring “death” into our lives.
- Why does it offend some people today to think that Jesus did 100% of the work to save us?
- Read Romans 3:22. Is it hard to believe that anyone can be made right with God by trusting in Jesus? Explain.
- Read John 10:10. What does it mean that Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #6: What Is Sin?
Key Points:
- The biblical concept of “sin” is about missing a goal of loving God and others.
- Sin is about more than doing bad things; it’s also about self-deception. Genesis 4:7
- Sin is a deep, selfish impulse that drives much of our behavior. James 1:14-15
- Jesus was perfectly sinless, but offered his life for our sins. 1 Peter 2:22-24
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- How does this video define sin? How would you define it?
- On a scale of 1 (Mother Teresa) to 10 (Hitler), how bad of a “sinner” are you? How do you think someone else would rate you?
- Read James 1:14-15. Give an example of how sin is a selfish impulse. Where do you think that impulse comes from?
- Do you believe that Jesus was sinless? Why or why not?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #7: Who Is Jesus?
Key Points:
- The story of Jesus the Messiah goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:15
- Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be wounded so he could heal others. Isaiah 53:5-8
- Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. Romans 4:25
- The power of Jesus is available to all who follow him.
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- What, if anything, did you learn about Jesus when you were younger?
- Read Genesis 3:15. How does is this a prophecy about Jesus?
- What do you think the Old Testament people of God expected in a Messiah?
- Read Isaiah 53:5-8. How did Jesus fulfill this prophecy? Why did he have to do it?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #8: The Faith Response
Key Points:
- Faith takes the right information and the right attitude. (Acts 2:37-38)
- Coming to faith changes your past, present, and future. (Ephesians 1:13)
- No one can choose faith for you, and no one can force you to choose. (Romans 10:9)
A Sinner’s Prayer:
“Jesus, I recognize I’m a sinner. I know that you died on the cross and rose from the dead so that I could have life. I’m turning from my sin now, and I’m turning to you in faith. I trust in you alone to forgive my sin and give me new life. Thank you for this free gift. Amen.”
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Do you have any questions about Jesus that are keeping you from putting your faith in him? Make a list and talk about each one.
- Describe the “attitude of faith” in your own words. Is that your attitude toward Jesus? Explain.
- Read Romans 3:22. Do you believe that verse applies to you? Why or why not?
- Have you made the personal decision to trust Jesus for salvation? If so, when? If not, are you ready to do it today? Pray the prayer above with a group or mentor.
Topic #9: A New Life
Key Points:
- The Spirit leads us. (Ezekiel 36:26)
- The Bible guides us. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
- Other believers help us. (Galatians 6:1-2)
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Read Ezekiel 36:26. Describe the difference between a “stony” heart and a “tender” heart.
- Read 2 Timothy 3:16. Share a scripture verse that has been “useful” for you.
- Share a teaching from the Bible that surprised you when you first heard it. Did you obey it? Why or why not?
- Read Galatians 6:1-2. Share a time when another believer helped you on to the right path.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #10: The Spirit
Key Points:
- Christians have a new nature on the inside with old habits on the outside. Galatians 5:13-14
- Honoring God is more about the Spirit’s work in you than about your own personal will power. Galatians 5:16-17
- Walking by the Spirit leads to increasing evidence of “fruit” in our daily lives. Galatians 5:22-25
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Name a person who was radically changed after coming to faith in Jesus. Describe the change.
- Name one or two things that changed in your life after you became a Christian. How long did it take for those things to change?
- What’s the difference between relationship-based life change and rule-based change?
- Look at the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5. Which one is easiest for you? Which one is hardest?
- Name one or two things that haven’t changed in your life, even though you know they should have. Why has it been difficult to change those things?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #11: Reading the Bible
Key Points:
- Have a plan. Especially if you’re new, start by reading the Bible one book at a time.
- Go slowly as you read the Bible. Take your time. Try to understand each passage you are reading. Joshua 1:8
- Be interactive with the Bible. Ask questions about your reading.
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- What is your favorite book of the Bible? Why?
- What book of the Bible are you most interested in reading?
- Read Joshua 1:8. What does it look like to study and meditate on God’s word regularly?
- What are some reasons that it is difficult to study the Bible?
- How do you know how to apply God’s word to your life?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #12: Learning to Pray
Key Points:
- Pray to grow close to your father, like you’re in an actual relationship with him. Matthew 6:9
- Pray to get in step with your king – for his will to be done and not yours. Matthew 6:10
- Pray to lean on your provider because you need what only he can offer. Matthew 6:11-13
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Do you ever feel like prayer is complicated? Explain.
- Read Matthew 6:7-8. What would you say is the essence of “Gentile” or pagan prayer? How is Christian prayer different?
- When you pray “Your will be done,” what are you actually saying to God?
- Read Matthew 6:11-12. If God already knows our needs, why pray for daily food?
- Read Matthew 6:13. What inner battles – spiritual, mental, or emotional – do you face on a regular basis? How can prayer prepare you for those battles?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #13: Full Circle
Key Points:
- Jesus wants his followers to go “full circle” and help others pursue God. Matthew 28:19-20
- True spiritual maturity is not about how much you know, but how much you love. Matthew 22:37-39
- The most loving thing you can do is to help someone pursue God. 2 Corinthians 5:14
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Who is helping you pursue God? How are they doing it?
- Define “full circle” faith in your own words. Where are you on the circle?
- How do most churches define “spiritual maturity”? How does this video define it?
- Do you think you can help someone else pursue God? Why or why not?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #14: How to Disciple
Key Steps:
- Invite people into a meaningful conversation. Ephesians 4:11-15
- Invest in them one topic at a time, using a discipleship track.
- Empower them to go do the same thing. 2 Timothy 2:2
Podcast:
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Who personally helped you to pursue God? How did they do it?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much do you care to “invest” in others? Why do you rate yourself this way?
- What are some typical roadblocks to disciple-making? Make a list.
- What would happen to the Christian Church simply chose not to make disciples?
- Make a list of a few people who might be interested in going through this track with you. Begin praying for those people.
Topic #15: From A to X
Key Points:
- Disciple-making can be defined as a series of conversations, helping people move from A to X.
- Truth must be discovered, so keep planting seeds one topic at a time. 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
- You can’t pursue God for someone, so encourage them to take ownership of their pursuit. Jeremiah 29:13
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Who first shared their faith with you? How did they go about it, and why was it helpful to you?
- Share about something that was hard for you to grasp or accept at first. How did you get from A to X?
- Read 1 Corinthians 3:6-8. What happens if we don’t let people discover truth over time?
- Is there anything stopping you from discipling? Explain.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Topic #16: Next Steps
Next Steps:
- Pray for God to open a door for disciple-making.
- Practice with the topics in this discipleship track.
- Encourage one another to never give up.
- Mobilize and start a new discipleship relationship.
- Follow up every month or quarter.
Talk About It
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Who in your life can you invite into a discipling relationship? Which discipleship track would be best for them?
- Why does a trainer need to encourage the mentor-in-training? What are some ways to do it?
- Read John 15:16. Do you think the disciples would have ever mobilized if Jesus hadn’t been so direct about it? Explain.
- Imagine that you’re discipling someone a year from now. What does your follow up relationship look like with your trainer? How often are you still connecting?
- Can you see yourself using these five steps to empower the next person to make disciples? Why or why not?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
Discipleship Track FAQ
Q. How do discipleship tracks work?
Discipleship tracks are designed to help you go "full circle" with a group or mentor over the course of 12 or more weeks. Just cover a topic every week with a group or mentor, watching the video ahead of time to prepare for the conversation. Connect in person or on the phone and use the discussion questions provided to learn together. The goal is to help you pursue God "full circle", which is our picture of discipleship:
Q. What is the structure of a discipleship track?
Discipleship tracks are divided into four sections. First you'll get warmed up with topics we think you'll find interesting. Section 1 helps you through Step 1 in a "full circle" pursuit, laying out the basics of faith and helping you trust Jesus for salvation. Section 2 lays the groundwork for Step 2, showing you the importance of honoring God in your daily life as a Christian. The final section will help you go "full circle" and become a disciple-maker, showing you how to help someone else through this discipleship track.
Q. What if we need more than 12 weeks?
Then take more time! We recommend covering additional topics at the end of any section as needed for your own pursuit of God. For example, if you need more time to get connected before talking about faith or the Bible, cover additional topics in Section 0. If you need more time to investigate the claims of Christianity, cover additional faith topics in Section 1. If you need more time to talk about honoring God in your daily life, cover additional topics in Section 2. Slow is fast, so take your time as you work through this discipleship track.
Q. What's next when we finish this track?
The ultimate goal is to equip you to go "full circle" and help someone else through this discipleship track. So once you've completed this track, join the movement and bring someone else through it! This doesn't mean you have to stop meeting with your group or mentor. Continue to cover additional topics from one of our sites as needed.
