Lesson 1

Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The Gospel of John proclaims that Jesus is the one who brings light into our lives. (John 10:10, John 14:6, John 1:4,5,9,14)

So many of us Christians are hungry for a more abundant life. We deeply need to know what the truth is in so many life choices we have to make. For so many of us, we too often seem to be stumbling around in darkness, despair and disillusionment. We desperately need the light of God to shine more brightly in our lives. We need a permanent hope, and not the empty promises that this world provides. (Matthew 4:16, Matthew 6:23, Matthew 25:30, Luke 11:35)

The purpose of Christian discipleship is to help other Christians get to know Jesus Christ better. The real Jesus Christ as He is revealed in God’s word—not a fictional empty figment of our imaginations that we want Him to be because that what is most comfortable for us. (Matthew 28:19-20)

As people get to know the real Jesus Christ, they also find the truth, the light, the permanent hope, the abundant life they are searching for. As a discipleship leader, you have decided to be one of those people who guide other Christians to get to better know the Christ of the Scriptures, and in doing that, you are helping them to find the way, the truth, and the life that Jesus is waiting to give them. (1 Peter 1:3-5, Matthew 11:28-29)

We are so glad you decided to become a discipleship leader!!! Thank you for wanting to help other Christians to more consistently walk in the truth and freedom of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So, why should you become a discipleship leader in the church? So you can be that very important person in the lives of other Christians who lead them to the real answers that can only be found in Jesus Christ! (John 1:17, Acts 4:12)

In this training, you will learn how to effectively share this Truth and freedom with other Christians. This will change their lives, and it will encourage you greatly as you watch it happen!

It is important not to forget the last words of our Lord to us just before he ascended into Heaven. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Evangelism is really important. Without it, there can be no discipling. But it is important not to confuse the two. Evangelism is when we communicate the message that Jesus lived, was sacrificed, and was then raised to life again to reconcile sinners to the Almighty Holy God. It is the Church’s ministry to unbelievers who are not yet Christians. (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 3:21-25, 1 Corinthians 15, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 10:9)

In contrast, discipleship is the Church’s ministry to Christians—those who have already trusted Christ’s sacrifice as payment for their sins. Discipleship is when Christians publicly identify with Christ and are taught to understand and treasure all Jesus taught us, knowing that He is with us and will not abandon us. (Galatians 2:20, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-11)

What we are about in this discipleship course is teaching you how to teach other Christians to better understand and treasure what Jesus taught in His Bible and to encourage Christians that Jesus is helping them, and also reassuring them that Jesus will never abandon them. As their minds are renewed with the understanding of these truths, they will be transformed into a life characterized by light, and truth, and freedom from sin, and joy. AND YOU GET TO WATCH IT ALL HAPPEN! (Romans 12:1-2)

In this training course are 11 more lessons (and lots of guided practice) that will teach how to be a really great discipleship group leader. We start by teaching you how to do this with the Traction adventure app, but that is to prepare you to do this faithfully and effectively with the entire word of God.

.	Lesson 1: Why learn to lead discipleship groups?

	Jesus said, “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly.” He also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The Gospel of John proclaims that Jesus is the one who brings light into our lives. (John 10:10, John 14:6, John 1:4,5,9,14) So many of us Christians are hungry for a more abundant life. We deeply need to know what the truth is in so many life choices we have to make. For so many of us, we too often seem to be stumbling around in darkness, despair and disillusionment. We desperately need the light of God to shine more brightly in our lives. We need a permanent hope, and not the empty promises that this world provides. (Matthew 4:16, Matthew 6:23, Matthew 25:30, Luke 11:35) The purpose of Christian discipleship is to help other Christians get to know Jesus Christ better. The real Jesus Christ as He is revealed in God’s word—not a fictional empty figment of our imaginations that we want Him to be because that what is most comfortable for us. (Matthew 28:19-20) As people get to know the real Jesus Christ, they also find the truth, the light, the permanent hope, the abundant life they are searching for. As a discipleship leader, you have decided to be one of those people who guide other Christians to get to better know the Christ of the Scriptures, and in doing that, you are helping them to find the way, the truth, and the life that Jesus is waiting to give them. (1 Peter 1:3-5, Matthew 11:28-29) We are so glad you decided to become a discipleship leader!!! Thank you for wanting to help other Christians to more consistently walk in the truth and freedom of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So, why should you become a discipleship leader in the church? So you can be that very important person in the lives of other Christians who lead them to the real answers that can only be found in Jesus Christ! (John 1:17, Acts 4:12) In this training, you will learn how to effectively share this Truth and freedom with other Christians. This will change their lives, and it will encourage you greatly as you watch it happen! It is important not to forget the last words of our Lord to us just before he ascended into Heaven. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Evangelism is really important. Without it, there can be no discipling. But it is important not to confuse the two. Evangelism is when we communicate the message that Jesus lived, was sacrificed, and was then raised to life again to reconcile sinners to the Almighty Holy God. It is the Church’s ministry to unbelievers who are not yet Christians. (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 3:21-25, 1 Corinthians 15, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 10:9) In contrast, discipleship is the Church’s ministry to Christians—those who have already trusted Christ’s sacrifice as payment for their sins. Discipleship is when Christians publicly identify with Christ and are taught to understand and treasure all Jesus taught us, knowing that He is with us and will not abandon us. (Galatians 2:20, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 6:3-11) What we are about in this discipleship course is teaching you how to teach other Christians to better understand and treasure what Jesus taught in His Bible and to encourage Christians that Jesus is helping them, and also reassuring them that Jesus will never abandon them. As their minds are renewed with the understanding of these truths, they will be transformed into a life characterized by light, and truth, and freedom from sin, and joy. AND YOU GET TO WATCH IT ALL HAPPEN! (Romans 12:1-2) In this training course are 11 more lessons (and lots of guided practice) that will teach how to be a really great discipleship group leader. We start by teaching you how to do this with the Traction adventure app, but that is to prepare you to do this faithfully and effectively with the entire word of God.