Bible Study Lessons for Small Groups
In Matthew 28:19-20 of the New Testament Jesus Christ commanded that His followers continue to be and make disciples of Himself. But what is a disciple of Jesus Christ? A disciple of Jesus Christ is a believer who is in the process of becoming more like Christ: displaying His character, daily living out His values and disciplines, answering Christ’s call to a life of service to others.
Small Group Disciplemaking & Training Tools for Small Group Leaders
Bible study lessons are important tools in disciple’s spiritual growth process. We are blessed to be able to study the Bible so that we can come to know God’s truth and seek to do His will. The following lesson resources are designed for small group bible study but can always be use for one-to-one discipleship as well. We have organized these bible study lessons by the four spiritual growth phases used by Jesus as recorded in the New Testament Gospels. For a more detail on these phases read Bill Hull’s classic book, Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker.
COME AND SEE – Level 1 Exploring Christ
The major intent of the first level of the Come and See phase is to introduce a non-believer to Jesus Christ and guide them through the process of accepting Jesus as their personal Savior. A disciple who has completed this phase has come to understand that Jesus Christ is God and has accepted Him as his/her personal Savior. They have given testimony of their faith in Christ by being publicly baptized and regularly participate in personal and public worship (more details of this phase).
Download Exploring Christ Bible Study Lessons (42 lessons, 110 pages)
COME AND SEE – Level 2 Embracing Christ
The major intent of the second level of the Come and See phases is to assist the new believer in connecting in the fellowship of the local church and teach them basic truths of the faith. A disciple who has completed this phase has committed to vital relationships with other Christians in the context of a small group and other fellowship opportunities beyond their participation in public worship. They have gained assurance of salvation and a basic understanding of the Bible and the foundational beliefs of Christianity (more details of this phase).
DownloadEmbracing Christ Bible Study Lessons (41 lessons, 102 pages)
FOLLOW ME – Established in Christ
(adapted from Steps Toward Spiritual Growth)
The major intent of the Follow Me phases is to established the believer as a disciple and as a witness for Christ in a lost and hurting world. A disciple who has completed this phase has become a “fisher of men,” being intentional in winning and building disciples. They have developed many basic Christian habits, learned their spiritual gifts and are ready to lead or serve in ministry. They prioritize obedience to Christ above all else, even if suffering is necessary (more details of this phase).
Download Established for Christ Bible Study Lessons (52 lessons, 130 pages)
BE WITH ME / REMAIN IN ME – Equipped & Empowered
BE WITH ME – Equipped for Christ
The major intent of the Be With Me phase is to deploy disciples as disciplemakers, leaders or helpers of ministries, those who can reproduce the training, character and functions they have acquired thus far in following Jesus. Also, the intent is to further challenge and support disciples to maintain basic habits and add new habits; to deepen their Christian character and resemblance to Jesus Christ. A disciple who has completed this phase has become a genuinely maturing follower of Jesus. They are a bold and resourceful witness to the gospel, having learned to be fruitful even in the face of rejection, suffering, or sacrifice. They have life and ministry experience so that they not only walk consistently with the Lord, but have developed the character, skills, and training to lead other disciples into leadership and service (more details of this phase).
REMAIN IN ME – Empowered for Christ
The major intent of the Remain In Me phase is to sustain a lifestyle of increasing Christ-likeness and spiritual reproduction. A disciple in this phase is sustaining all that they have gained as humble servant of Christ completely sold out to Him and in love with Him. They exhibit the fruit of the Spirit and remind an observer of what Jesus must have been like. They have been deployed in service or leadership and are a leader of leaders or a trainer of other servants. They serve others constantly in a significant way focused on their area of giftedness. They are in ongoing accountability relationships with other faithful disciples that provide love and support and help build and maintain the character, obedience, faith and fruitfulness described throughout the New Testament (more details of this phase).
Download Equip-Empower Bible Study Lessons (48 lessons, 128 pages)