The course is designed for one-on-one or small-group discipleship with a mentor to help you and guide you through. The lessons are structured in such a way as to encourage you to think and to come to the answers for yourself through study and meditation on God’s word. There is care and accountability built in because being a disciple is not merely about acquiring knowledge. It is about applying that knowledge to our lives and building good habits and practices.
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The Basics
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Introduction: The Great Commision
The great commission that Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew chapter 28 is the same commission that we have. To make disciples of all nations.
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How the Course Works
The course has been designed for one on one discipleship or small group (3-4 people) study. It is meant to cover. not just the study of scripture and how it can be applied by the believer, but also to incorporate important aspects (or what should be important aspects) of the daily life of every believer.
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The Bible
The ministry is called “There is an Answer, and it offers guidance on life’s big questions: finding purpose, overcoming addictions, escaping hopelessness, understanding the world, and being right with God. The answer to all these is found in one book: The Bible.
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Biblical Interpretation
HOW THE BIBLE CAME TO US?
The Bible is made up of the Old and New Testaments.
The word “testament” means “covenant” or “agreement” and speaks of God’s dealings with man from the beginning of creation (Genesis) to the return of Christ. (Revelation)
It was written over 1400 years ago by 40 different authors.
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Start of the Journey
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Salvation
THE START OF THE JOURNEY
By this point, you will be meeting with an individual (or small group) who has recently become a believer and received salvation. (Make sure that is clear with them)
Giving one’s life to Christ Jesus and receiving His salvation is the first step for the new believer.
The first step in a lifetime of walking with God, learning from Him and becoming progressively like Him.
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Born Again
THE NEW CREATION
Being “born again” involves a personal journey of transformation. While our spirit is made right with God, our soul—comprising our mind, will, and emotions—requires deliberate effort to align with God’s will. This journey is not about condemnation or believing lies that question our salvation but rather about making choices that lead to growth.
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New Life
GROWING UP
We are righteous (right standings’ sacrifice) before God, but that doesn’t mean because of Jesus we’re the finished article. There is maturing to be done, growing, sanctification.
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Commands of Christ
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Repentance
TURNING TO GOD
Repentance involves a sincere change of heart and mind, turning away from wrongdoing and turning towards God. It’s not just about feeling sorry but making a genuine shift in behaviour and attitude. For disciple-makers, explaining repentance is crucial, as it’s a continuous process of aligning with God’s will and is essential for spiritual growth and maturity.
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Believe
SIMPLE FAITH
To put our faith in God is simply deciding to trust in the character and promises of God. To put our faith in Christ Jesus is to believe that He is the son of God and that He died for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. It is by faith that we become the beneficiaries of these promises.
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Water Baptism
BORN AGAIN
Baptism is a command from Christ, a fundamental aspect of following Him, not an optional extra. It goes beyond merely an outward display of commitment or a religious ritual. Baptism holds deep spiritual significance, symbolising a profound transformation and marking the beginning of a new life in Christ. The act carries significant spiritual consequences, reflecting an actual inner change and commitment to a life of faith.
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Holy Spirit Baptism
A PROMISE
Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a powerful and undeniable experience for believers, offering a profound encounter with God's presence and transformative power. It is marked by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, igniting a vibrant and Spirit-filled Christian life. This divine experience often brings spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing, serving as tangible evidence of God's work.
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Love God
WHAT IS LOVE?
We demonstrate our love for God by obeying Him. It is not about feelings, it is about faith. It is not about saying that we love Him, it is about showing that we love Him.
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Love Others
A NEW COMMANDMENT
The command to "love people" is central to living a life that pleases God. When we truly grasp and practice this, we find that it naturally leads us to fulfill all other commands. However, for many, this is perhaps the most challenging of all commands. Loving God, who is perfect and has showered us with countless blessings, feels much easier than loving people, who are flawed and can often test our patience.
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Pray
COMMUNION WITH GOD
Prayer, for a disciple of Jesus, is as essential and natural as breathing. When Jesus taught His disciples about prayer, He didn't say "if you pray," but rather "when you pray." This wasn't just a suggestion; it was an expectation for those who follow Him.
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Worship
WHAT IS WORSHIP?
In 2005, while giving a commencement speech at an American University, the novelist David Foster Wallace made this statement. “Everybody worships something.”
Wallace was right of course. Some people worship money and things, others worship people such as famous celebrities or sports stars. Some people worship ideologies or institutions. Some people worship themselves.
What are you devoted to? Who or what is number one in your life?
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Give
LOVE OF MONEY
For many people, talking about money and possessions can feel uncomfortable, almost like a taboo subject. However, it's important to recognise that Jesus and the apostles frequently addressed this very topic.
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Communion
DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE
As followers of Jesus we should regularly gather at the Lord’s communion table, obeying His command to continue partaking in it until He comes again. As we take the bread and the cup, our focus is drawn to Christ, and we are reminded of the immense sacrifice He made for us. We reflect on His life, His death, and His resurrection, recognising the profound impact these have on our salvation.
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Gather Together
THE CHURCH COMMUNITY
No Christian can truly reach spiritual maturity or discover their genuine calling and purpose in life without being an active and committed part of the body of Christ—the Church.
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Pictures of the Church
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Family
HOUSEHOLD OF GOD
The concept of the family is central to how God views His people and how He expects us to view one another. In God’s eyes, we are not just a collection of individuals but a family, bound together by His love
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Body
MANY PARTS
Some people believe that the Church is divided into two distinct groups—the clergy (professional ministers) and the laity (non-professionals). However, this is not the way God views His Church, nor is it how He wants us to see ourselves. In God's design, the Church is far more unified and interconnected.
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Flock
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
A visit to the catacombs in Rome reveals a powerful image—a picture on the wall of Jesus as the shepherd, carrying a lamb on His shoulders. This image beautifully encapsulates the Biblical concept of leadership among God's people: the shepherd who lovingly cares for his sheep.
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Becoming a Christian
Meet your teacher: DAVID LAVERY
David has been in full-time Christian ministry for over twenty years. He has pastored two churches and been involved in various new church plants. He has lectured at Bible Schools in the UK and abroad and is a well-travelled conference speaker. David has been married for over thirty years and has two grown-up daughters.