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W H AT I S D I S C I P L E - M A K I N G ?

At Grace Bible Church, we are committed to helping people find and follow Jesus. That is our simple
way of summarizing the mandate for our church, shaped by four key passages. When pulled together,
these verses give us a biblical understanding of our call to make disciples.

BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING
Matthew 28:19-20 | Call to Disciple-Making

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with
you always, to the end of the age.”

Ultimately, the task that we are given as the church is to make disciples – this includes many steps and
strategies, many people and places. But sharing the gospel and helping others to grow closer to Jesus
are non-negotiables of our faith. Disciple-making is the key strategy that Jesus gave to the people of the
church, not just the organization of the church.

Acts 1:8 | Scope of Disciple-Making

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in
Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Jesus also defines the scope of making disciples. We are to go to all nations, literally every people group
on earth, to make him known. The strategy is an ever-growing movement of believers reaching those in
their sphere of influence, impacting three different types of people: those near us and like us (Jerusalem),
those near us and not like us (Judea), and those not near us and not like us (ends of the earth). This
biblical strategy has a profound impact on how we go about our responsibility of disciple-making -
knowing that our contribution can affect world-wide and eternal outcomes.

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2 Timothy 2:2 | Personal Disciple-Making

“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will
be able to teach others also.”

It is so important to understand that the role of the church (the organization) is to “equip the saints
for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:12) in the background while frontline ministry is primarily
conducted by the people of the church in their everyday lives. Paul passed on everything he knew about
ministry to Timothy, who was entrusted to pass this knowledge on to faithful people who would carry on
the process with others – until everyone had a chance to hear. That is how the gospel came to us; that is
how it continues on to others: faithful Christians helping people find and follow Jesus.

Colossians 1:28 | Goal of Disciple-Making

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present
everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within
me.”

The goal of making disciples has two ends. First, we help increase the number of people who are
reconciled to God through the forgiveness He offers through His Son. Second, we invite people into a
growth process that helps mature our relationship with Jesus – becoming more like him in our actions
and attitudes. “Discipleship” is that growth process – nothing more, nothing less.

Though there are many ways of achieving the goal of making disciples, Grace Bible Church has spent
considerable time trying to break down how this growth process can best work in our own cultural
context while holding fast to biblical principles.

Now that we have discussed “what is discipleship” and “why we should become disciple-makers,” the rest
of this Disciple-Makers Guide will focus on how disciples are made. Please peruse the Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQ) at the end of each section for additional insights.

FAQ
+ Who is called to make disciples?
Everyone who follows Jesus is commanded to be a part of making disciples. There is no standard to the
number of people, but there is the expectation that we would commit to passing on what we know to
others who will do the same.

+ Is disciple-making a lifetime commitment or a “seasonal” participation?

Disciple-making can best be seen as a lifelong commitment, but not necessarily happening with the same
people. As you go through different phases of life, your commitment to making disciples might look very
different in form, but will hopefully share many of the same elements in function.

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
+ What should motivate disciple-making?
Ultimately, disciple-making is a response to the calling of God to be involved in fulfilling the Great
Commission. It isn’t to gain spiritual stature or make people become just like you. It is to help them grow
into the people that God created them to be and serve the way God created them to serve – as well as
teaching them how to make disciples, too!

+ Is disciple-making a leader-follower dynamic or more of a co-journ?

While there are certainly aspects of leadership involved, disciple-making is an invitation for others to join
the direction that you are already traveling. You might be close to those you invite or you might be a few
more steps ahead – but everyone is moving in the direction of greater spiritual maturity.

+ What should my expectations be for disciple-making?

Making disciples can be a very fluid experience at times. Sometimes the relationships gel, sometimes
they don’t. Some people are very committed to the process while others misunderstand the time and
focus it takes to mature. Our role is to offer the opportunity to grow spiritually, and then see how God
works when people respond.

+ What is the difference between a Bible study, a community group and disciple-making?
While studying the Bible is certainly a key component of making disciples, the overall goal is more than
just increasing knowledge. Discipleship is about transforming lives. True community is best built by
tackling God-sized goals together – and becoming a disciple will entail more than finding a comfortable
group of friends. (Many groups that are called Bible Studies and Community Groups are disciple-making
groups.)

+ What is required of me as a disciple-maker?

A disciple-maker needs to follow through on three commitments: 1) Be willing to prioritize their own
relationship with God, 2) Be committed to teach, coach, mentor and model for those they are discipling,
and 3) Be focused on building the kingdom of God, not something for themselves.

+ What is required of those whom I disciple?

It is important that people understand being discipled is a mutual commitment to the leader and the
other participants. There will certainly be reading, journaling, and opportunities to stretch their faith by
speaking to others about their relationship with Jesus. Our role as leaders is to clearly explain what those
steps of faith will look like semester by semester.

+ From where does the term “disciple” come?

The term “disciple” comes from a common Greek word “mathetes” which means learner or follower. But
Jesus chose this common term and gave it new meaning to describe those who were following Him and
His kingdom. The term disciple is used throughout the all four gospels, but Paul’s letters used the word
“apostles” (sent ones) to describe our role in being sent out.

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
+ How many people are in a discipleship group?
The number can vary based on opportunity and capacity. Taking a new believer through some follow up
materials is a great way to start. Gathering 2-3 people to dig into the Scriptures together is a great next
step. Some will have the time and opportunity to lead a larger discipleship group with their peers. What
is important is that we discern how the Lord wants us to steward our time and gifts. Just remember, it
isn’t how many we can teach, it is how many can we help grow towards maturity!

+ How much do I need to know to help make disciples?

Too many people wait too long before they begin helping others. They think they have to know
everything and be able to answer all the questions. In reality, a person who wants to make disciples
needs to be committed to walk side-by-side with people to find the answers together. (For those young
in their faith, having a discipleship coach can be especially helpful!)

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
1. SELECTION

I N V I T E W I S E LY

Through the process of selection, some people you invite will say “no” while others who aren’t yet ready
might show interest. So, offering an invitation to discipleship is a decision we don’t want to rush. Jesus’
own experience gives us some great wisdom in how to manage these invitations.

Biblical Understanding:
Luke 6:12-13 | Jesus spending the night in prayer

“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And
when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon,
whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and
Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas
the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.”

Jesus spent a night in prayer before inviting His twelve disciples to follow Him. At the time, Jesus had
large crowds following Him around for various purposes (interest, healing, teaching, etc.), but He wanted
to devote Himself to a smaller group that would carry on the ministry after He was gone. This was a
serious decision! And ours should be, too. To whom will we invest the time, hoping that they will become
disciple-makers to another generation?

Luke 9:23 | Jesus challenging people to life change

“And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let Him deny Himself and take up His cross daily and
follow me.’”

The main thing that Jesus wanted people to understand was that a commitment to follow Him meant
they couldn’t just stay the same. Becoming more like Jesus means we stay less like ourselves – it involves
life change, in behaviors, speech, thinking and priorities. It takes a denial of our own desires to believe
that God will provide all that we need. His Kingdom becomes more important than our kingdom.

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
1. Who might I ask?
Just as Jesus entered into a specific time and place, God has placed each of us into a unique context to
share His love and to represent Him. Our context includes anyone that we commonly encounter on a
regular basis which gives us the ability to have influence in their lives.

First brainstorm some names using our Every Neighbor Map.

Ask These Questions:

Where do you spend your time (or want to
spend your time) building relationships?
Live: neighborhood, dorm, apartments LIVE
Learn: major, department, academic clubs, Fraternities/Sororities
Work: place of employment or people you meet through your work
Play: sports teams (adult or kids), clubs, hobbies
exercise, interests
WORK

As you pray for people in your sphere of influence,

ask God to clearly show you who might be ready to take
the next steps in their spiritual journey alongside you.
Is there someone He is consistently placing on
PLAY
your heart and mind?
Is there someone who is especially accessible to you?

2. Do they know Jesus personally?

We believe that every person needs to have a gospel clarifying
conversation. This is especially important for people who
have grown up in and around the church, but might not have
understood how to know God personally through His Son, Jesus
Christ.

TOOLS: Sharing the Gospel

Three Circles (our tool link)
The Bridge (our tool link)
Downloadable app with training on how to share your faith:
https://www.cru.org/us/en/digitalministry/apps-tools/godtools.html

It is very important that we share the gospel to the point of decision and get a chance to ask people,
“What prevents you from starting a relationship with God today?” if they never have.

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
 SELECTION POR
E V E RY N E I G H B O R M A P 3X3
Have they believed in Jesus? Consider the people where you live, learn, work, and play.
“No.”
Consider the people
Ask if you could help to answer any questions they inmay
thosehave that prevent them from believing. Ask if
spheres.
you can pray for them. Some you may know
well. Some you may
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Ask if they would like to begin reading the Bible with you met.
toSome
learnyou
more about what God is like.
may need to meet.

TOOL: Discovery Bible Study Also consider

those with whom
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F. A . I . T. H . D E M O N S T R AT I O N
growing spiritually by asking: church
These questions should be used to help assess a person’s 7
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Once you have generated a list of people that you could ask, walk through Will you
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following repres
that have proven helpful in evaluating a person’s readiness to begin and to continue in a discipleship your fa
relationship:
Faithful (able to be challenged and to follow through)
Available (in both time and priority – they will prioritize our time together)
Initiative (show initiative with you and take steps of faith with their friends)
Teachable (submit to God’s Word as an authoritative voice)
Humble (exhibit a learner’s heart, able to follow

6. Pray for God’s continued direction and wisdom, then invite them into a discipleship relationship.

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
FAQ
+ What if people say “no” to my invitation to be discipled?
Though many people have made an initial commitment to Jesus, fewer have chosen to proactively learn
about the implications of their faith within a discipleship community. Not everyone will say “yes” to us,
and we may discern that others are not ready for the commitment to which we are asking – and that is
okay. We should stay most committed those who will benefit from the group we are trying to lead.

+ Where can I learn to better share the gospel?

There are many ways to learn how to share the gospel. Start with some of the tools that we have
developed (link to DM Toolbox) or download God Tools from the App store – it has a short training
included. Perhaps the best way is to identify someone who needs to hear the gospel and invite a more
experienced friend to help you initiate and allow you to watch them model this conversation. Our church
staff is happy to help find you this kind of help as well as providing some equipping for this skill.

+ Is it okay if they bring friends?

Yes! The best environment for making disciples is one where friends are invited to hear the gospel
and be given a chance to respond. If you are leading a group where people need to share traumatic or
more private experiences, please show a sense of understanding their temporary need for privacy and
community.

+ Do the people I am discipling have to attend Grace Bible Church?

No! It is great for everyone who is being discipled to have a rich church experience. But there are many
who don’t have a church to call home, and helping them find a natural place of worship will only help
them to grow in their relationship with God.

+ What book can help me be a better disciple-maker?

The best book starting out is the Masterplan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman. This book explains the
methodology of Jesus in a simple and informative manner, and will help any reader gain a better grasp on
disciple-making.

+ How many people are in a discipleship group?

A discipleship group is not defined by its size. Starting out with one other person is fine, but having three
to five people in a group has proven to be really effective at giving everyone a chance to speak.

+ Can I have a co-leader help me?

We actually encourage every new group to name an “apprentice” leader who can walk beside you
through the challenging parts of disciple-making. It is great to have someone share the load, help with
creativity and be ready to launch a new group when the time comes. Starting with this apprentice gives
another dimension to people becoming engaged in helping people find and follow Jesus.

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
+ Do I disciple everyone who asks?
It seems strange that Jesus would not invest time in everyone equally. Luke 8:38-39 and Luke 9:57-62 help
us to realize that there might be some really good reasons to say no to people who state they want to be
led:

It is possible that they can serve more effectively somewhere else (Luke 8)
Some might not have the right motivation for following (Luke 9)
Others might not understand or be able to match the level of commitment to the discipleship process
(Luke 9).
You might not have time to take on other people because of the number of people you already have
(Luke 6).

All of these are good reasons to tell someone you can’t be the primary person from whom they can learn
– but you might be able to help them find another place!

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2 . P O R T R A I T + PAT H WAY

D I S C E R N M AT U R I T Y + U N D E R S TA N D R O L E S

Like every relationship, our relationship with Jesus takes time to mature. But often, spiritual maturity can
be a complex concept, and we can be left not really knowing where we are in the process. On one hand,
we can strive to perform in our own strength, but we need to know that we can’t earn any of God’s love
– it is there for the enjoying. On the other hand, we can abandon all efforts and assume that God will
take us where He will – but He invites us to be part of the process. Below are a few biblical truths that
help us to understand a more balanced approach to growing in our relationship with Jesus.

Biblical Understanding:
2 Corinthians 5:17 | We are a new creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has
come.”

First, when we believed in Jesus, we became a new creation. We are no longer bound to the habits of
our old life – but working out new habits and patterns takes time. Through the filling of the Holy Spirit,
we are now empowered to make new and right choices that build our character, grow our faith, and
enflame our godly passions.

Ephesians 2:8-10 | We are His workmanship

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9
not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Second, though our good works haven’t earned us any part of salvation (that is a free gift!), we have
been created to do good things as part of God’s creation. Even more specifically, we have been given
a role, or a calling, to make a specific impact in the lives of our friends and culture. This means our lives
have purpose – to become more like Jesus as we fulfill the reason for our creation.

Ephesians 5:1 | We imitate God

F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

Third, spiritual maturity can be measured as in proximity to Jesus in attitudes and action. We don’t learn
much by comparing ourselves to others, but by holding ourselves up to the standard of Jesus himself.

1. In what areas does this person need to grow to be mature in Christ?

It is hard to help someone grow if we don’t know where they are. It is also hard to help if we don’t know
where they are going! Spiritual maturity is the destination of disciple-making - but how do we know
where we are in the process?

We use a “portrait of spiritual maturity” to help us answer that question.

Instead of just saying “be like Jesus” or making a long list of attributes, we have described the growth
process along two categories. The first category is growth in the relational spheres that exist for every
believer: with God, with the church, and with the world. Here, believers can grow in their relationship
with Jesus, learn how to participate in God’s family, the church and to impact their neighbors, city and
PORTRAIT
the nations. PATHWAY
3X3 GRID ROLES
The second category
Each role below is aincrucial
provides areas of transformation.
element in the overall This
development of the disciple. All disciplers should recognize
is where
whichGod
of theseis roles
working
they aretostrong
grow us what
or weak we know,
in providing. Weak who
we believe ourselves
areas should to be, by
be supplemented and what
other we actually
influencers in the do as
disciple’s life.
a Christian. When placed on a grid, these two categories
create a grid of nine areas that are useful in assessing
T E toward
a believer COAC
AC H I N Gmaturity. As we assess H I Narea,
each G we
Providing Providing motivation
want to affirm the& growth that has already
understanding taken place and
& exhortation
acknowledgeknowledge
where growth still needs to happen.
MODELING M E N TO R I N G
Here are some
Providing explanations
example &of each area and
Providing a few
wisdom &
demonstration counseling
questions to help us get a sense of where we are or need
E X P LO R ATO RY Q U E S T I O N S to grow.:
EXPERIENCES
1
What questions/challenges do you have about God, the Bible, At every stage there are certain moments, events, or resources
or Christianity? How well do you know the Bible? Understand the that accelerate a disciple’s growth toward becoming more like
TRUTH
Bible? StudyOF GOD
the Bible? Christ. Here are some basic experiences a person in each stage
2John 14:6 | Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth,
would need.and the life; no one comes to the Father but
How did Jesus live? How did Jesus interact with people? What was
through
Jesus about? InMe.”
what ways does your life point to God or imitate
Christ? What in your life doesn’t? CURIOUS CO M M I T T E D
3
What questions do you have about God, the Bible,Aor Christianity?
believer engaged in their life Gospel sharing moments
How much do you see the fruit of the Spirit in your life? What sins
What about God is difficult
are consistent struggles for you? Why? for you to understand? Gospel clarity Deeper bible study and
Invitations to experience methods
4How well do you know the Bible? Understand the Bible?
What is the Church? Why did God establish the Church? What grace, love, and truth Engagement opportunities
How
does the do
Churchyou do?gain
What understanding of who
is your church’s plan/strategy God is andQuestions
to help what He has told us about
answered Himself?
Leadership opportunities
people find and follow Jesus?
5
How do you study the Scriptures? How often?
What does biblical community look like? How are you connecting CO N V I N C E D COAC H
Who
with otherisbelievers?
Jesus?What’s
What is the
good? What’sgospel?
lacking? What is your exposure and understanding
Personal discipleship ofofChristian
Clarity mission andtheology?
6
What are your spiritual gifts? How are you using them? How are Community and service purpose
you using your time, talents, money, and resourcesFwithin and for the Basic beliefs
I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S A T G R A C E - B I B L E . O R G Strategic input
church? Basic practices
CHRIST-LIKE IN CHARACTER
Ephesians 4:24 | And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in
righteousness and holiness of the truth.
What would you say the defining characteristics of Christ are?
How did Jesus live? How did Jesus interact with people? What was Jesus about?
In what ways does your life point to God or imitate Christ? What in your life doesn’t?
What does your devotional life look like?
How does your private life match up with your public life?

WALK BY THE SPIRIT

1 John 2:6 | The one who says he abides in Jesus ought himself to walk in the same manner as Jesus
walked.
How much do you see the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
What sins are consistent struggles for you? Why?
When do you experience God’s presence or favor in your life?
In what areas do you feel your walk with God is thriving? Struggling? What do you need to change?
How do you listen to God? In what ways are you obediently following God’s leading?

PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH

Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My
witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.
What is the Church?
Why did God establish the Church? What does the Church do?
What is your church’s plan/strategy to help people find and follow Jesus?
What do you know of your church’s doctrinal positions?

UNITY IN LOVE
Philippians 2:1–2 | Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love,
if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of
the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
What does your community with other believers look like? What is great about it? What is lacking in it?
How do you build connections with other believers?
How are you blessing other believers? How are they blessing you?
How do you handle conflict and/or disagreements? Forgiving and being forgiven?
What is your view of and experience with authority?

PARTICIPATE IN THE CHURCH

Hebrews 10:24-25 | And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not
neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as
you see the Day drawing near.
What is your involvement in the local church? What role do you play? Why are you doing these things?
What are your spiritual gifts? How are you using them?

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How are you using your time, talents, money, and resources within and for the local church?
How are you personally helping people find and follow Jesus?

CULTURE OF THE WORLD

Colossians 4:5 | Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
What do you know about a Christian worldview and how it differs from other worldviews?
What aspects of the world, apart from Christianity, do you feel most knowledgeable in?
What do you see God doing in current events and cultural issues locally, nationally, and globally right
now?

COMPASSIONATE IN ACTION
Matthew 9:36 | Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and
dispirited like sheep without a shepherd
How do you view those far from God? How does God view them?
What steps do you take to demonstrate the love of God to people far from God?
Which people or groups of people are the hardest to love or interact with for you?

SHARE YOUR FAITH

Mark 16:15 | And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
How do you engage with those far from God about God? Describe the most recent time?
What are the spheres of influence which God has given to you to represent Him?
What stops or limits you from engaging others about your faith? Why?

2. How can I help them move forward in their spiritual journey?

In every discipleship relationship, there or four roles that the disciple-maker should fill that will create
a well-rounded environment for growth. If even one of these roles are ignored, we run the risk of a
lopsided growth experience. The goal is not to be strict about which behavior fits in which role – there is
plenty of room to overlap. But we should understand which of these roles fit well into our spiritual gifting
and where we need to expose those being discipled to the gifts of other people.

These four roles combined together help to keep people moving toward maturity while also navigating
around or through big obstacles in their path (fear, confidence, laziness, ignorance, resistance, etc.).

4 DISCIPLE-MAKER ROLES
1. Teaching – providing understanding and knowledge
Helps other learn from God’s Word
Facilitates learning through drawing others out
Delegates some teaching to other members of group

2. Coaching – providing motivation and exhortation

Believes the best in people and motivates them to move in faith
Can be corrective to improve level of maturity
Communicates vision for the group to head into a similar direction
F I N D M O R E R E S O U R C E S AT G R AC E-B I B L E.O R G
3. Mentoring – providing wisdom and counsel
Helps a person process life through the mentor’s stewardship of experiences
The mentor helps the person become the best version of themselves, not a duplicate of the mentor
Plays role of encourager to those they are leading

4. Modeling – providing example and demonstration

Exhibits key behaviors necessary for growth and calling
Is “first through the door,” allowing others to observe before leading
Sometimes models “stretch” behaviors that are not their greatest skill

FAQs
+ What if I’m not the best Bible teacher?
This is how the Body of Christ and disciple-making work together. We have stellar teachers who broadly
help people to understand God’s Word and serve as a backdrop or safety net for learning. But nothing
is as powerful for growth as a group of like-minded people gathering together over God’s Word to
discover who God wants them to become. The church can also help with equipping tools and a coaching
structure for disciple-makers to make sure everyone feels confident in their leadership.

+ How do I know what to teach / what materials to use?

Generally, the value of discipleship is in the relationship, not the materials. However, we have created
what we think is a normative pathway that builds a strong foundation of general beliefs and skills, and
highly encourage everyone to use these materials to share in the same learning as we develop a larger
strategy to reach our community and help fulfill the Great Commission.

+ Do I have to complete all the materials?

Completing the materials will give a sense of closure and help to cover most of the important topics -
but dealing with the questions and interests of the people you are discipling also has great value. Our
core curriculum takes less than two years and many other materials can be substituted into the timeline.

+ How do I know which disciple-maker role is necessary at what time?

The name of each role is from the disciple maker’s perspective, but it also a description from the
perspective of what a disciple needs. Remember, the whole chart is designed as a spectrum with a lot of
overlap. Just ask good questions, like, “What is holding you back from taking your next step of faith as a
believer?” – and the answer to which role will become more apparent.

+ Does modeling mean I need to be sharing my faith?

In short, yes! A good leader will model all aspects of the believer’s responsibility, even if those behaviors
are new or fall outside of their skills and/or experience. Being a good model means an attempt to expose
every participant to the most important parts of spiritual maturity (devotional time, initiating with others,
sharing the gospel, and the common spiritual disciplines – just to name a few…).

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+ Is there a Grace Group leaders’ training I can attend?
Yes! At the beginning of every academic year (usually in August) we gather all of our different group
leaders together (sometimes church-wide and sometimes by campus) and try to provide a little more
training for the next year. It is a really helpful time to hear from both staff and other group leaders about
best practices, new vision and what materials will be the semester focus. Ask your campus pastor for the
next dates.

+ Who is my primary church contact as a leader?

This changes over time as we onboard new coaches into our system. But if you have questions or needs,
start by emailing both your campus pastor and assistant. Once a coach has been assigned, they should
be getting in touch with you.

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3. LAUNCH

P L A N + S TA R T

The best leadership traits for a successful group are simpler than you might think:
Have a plan and try to stick to it
Be prepared for every meeting
Don’t monopolize the conversation but make sure to involve every person
Be flexible and listen to input

So what makes a good plan? Below you will find the answers to a couple of key questions and a checklist
that will ensure you are thinking through many of the details.

1. What discipleship materials would be best for starting out?

We have given this quite a bit of thought! Grace Bible Church has developed a core curriculum of
materials that we think are best for a new believer and those new to discipleship. They are designed
to help provide the best foundation for walking with Jesus for a lifetime. The order of materials is as
follows:

Rooted - introductory study establishing believers in basics of following Jesus.

Cover to Cover - Grace Sermon series covering the Bible’s overarching storyline.
Colossians or 2 Timothy - introductory studies to learn how to study the Bible inductively.
Why Theology Matters - to be written
Ruth or Jonah - learning to study Old Testament narratives.

These materials are not designed to cover everything a person can know, but contain all that a new
believer or follower of Jesus should know to have a vibrant relationship with God for a lifetime. They are
also designed to be used alongside a number of equipping tools that augment a person’s discipleship
experience).

2. How can Grace Bible Church help people grow and take the next step?
Large Gatherings (Sunday morning and other venues) – collective worship and teaching
Equipping Experiences (mission trips, outreach, etc.) – corporate accelerators of growth

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We must not confuse church activities as the growth process, but see them as being additive to the
growth process. Church participation does not equal discipleship, but aids discipleship!

TOOL: Grace Group Check List

How often will we meet as a group?
Will I meet with people individually outside of group time?
What day of week will we meet?
What time of day will we meet and for how long?
Where will the group meet? (always the same?)
Do people have important time constraints?
How will we handle childcare/babysitting?
Food: meal, snack, BYO, rotate providing?
How will our group grow? (church provided, find our own, network)
Does anyone in the group have special needs?
How will people get the materials?
What is our “homework expectation”?
Will we meet over holidays and summers?
Is this group bounded by relationships (ongoing) or materials (temporary)?
Is this group focused on any demographic (age, campus, language, life stage)?

FAQs
+ Should I create expectations for our time together?
Knowing the expectations of a group is always helpful. Some of the common ones are covered in the
checklist (above). However, it is important that the participants know the vision of the group and the
direction of where it is going.

+ How can I structure our time together?

Every group should be loosely structured around three key values that we want every participant to
experience: Relational Connection, Biblical Growth and Missional Engagement. As a church, we often
talk about Connect, Grow and Engage (CGE) as a way to “experience grace” – and this can happen
even when you meet one-on-one. Connection happens as we seek to be involved in the details of each
other’s lives, sharing deeply about what is happening. Growth happens when we interact over God’s
Word as a source of truth and authority, learning more about Him and what He has asked us to do. And
Engagement happens when we seek to apply what we have learned to others outside our group. Prayer
can happen throughout, and is a part of all three values!

+ Is there someone that can help me with mastering the content of the materials?
Our hope is to be able to resource and equip every disciple-maker with a flexible coaching strategy. The
low end could include some simple leaders’ guides that explain some of the harder passages – perfect
for the self-learner. The mid-level would include semesterly “kick-off” meetings with other leaders to
share best practices and introduce that semester’s discipleship material. And for those who want more
input on a regular basis, we have offered monthly content meetings to hear how the materials could be

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taught. We are also working on delivery systems that include online and in-person coaching. Contact
your campus pastor if you have any needs in this area.

+ Do I have to go in a prescribed order for the available materials?

We recommend that the materials in the Core Curriculum be covered in the order described, but other
equipping resources and Bible studies are free to be used on interest-level basis.

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