HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL (instructions for the Pastor / Discipler)

The Materials

This manual is designed to assist you in training new Christians and fulfilling the Great Commission as found in Matthew 28:18-20:

- Leading others to Christ
- Baptizing them
- Teaching them

As a mature Christian you have the solemn responsibility and wonderful opportunity to help new Christians grow spiritually. Your goal for those that you train should be that they "might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10). You should give your disciple a folder in which to keep the lessons, the Personal Data Inventory, and Lesson 1. Both the Personal Data Inventory and Lesson 1 should be completed before you meet together. Note that a Progress Report should be completed and submitted to the office after every two lessons. Foundations for Christian Living covers basics of the Christian life. To help you teach more effectively, this manual includes an objective and an overview for each lesson.


Before Each Lesson

1 Give the disciple the appropriate lesson one week before your next session. Do not hand out all the lessons at once. Have your disciple record the day and time of your next appointment at the top of the lesson.

2 Spend time praying for the spiritual growth of the one you are discipling.

3 Prepare for the session by carefully studying the lesson and discipler's notes and by learning the memory verse (s).

4 Ask the disciple for any prayer requests he has. Pray together before you begin your session.

5 Review the memory verse from the previous lesson.


Reminders In Teaching New Christians

Each one has a different background

- Spiritually
- Financially
- Morally
- Mentally

Every new believer grows spiritually at his own pace.

The convert may not always seem interested.

Family distractions may arise during the teaching of this course.

In many instances, Christianity is completely new to the believer.

There will be areas of weakness, sin, bad habits, or worldliness that must be detected and dealt with patiently and biblically.

New Christians often doubt their salvation at times during the period immediately following conversion.


Reminders In Teaching Mature Christians

Occasionally, someone going through the discipleship program will have already attained a measure of Christian maturity (i.e. transfer from another church, etc.).

Stress the biblical position of baptism by immersion (Lesson 2), separation (Lesson 4), and soulwinning (Lesson 8). If the believer understands these areas, he will be able to serve the Lord and grow spiritually at your church.

Don't neglect basics or assume maturity or knowledge. Go through each lesson carefully taking time to answer questions.

Don't be intimidated by the questions that the more mature Christians may raise. If you don't have the answer immediately, write it down and submit it to the pastor or talk with the pastor at the first opportunity.

Be careful about doctrinal error - especially Charismatic tendencies. If you detect some problems, consult the pastor.

Challenge the mature believer to church membership early in discipleship.

Encourage the more mature Christian to go soulwinning with you frequently. Soulwinning increases the desire to grow in Christ and give up sinful areas of life. A heart that sees the need will do what's necessary and biblical to be effective.


Guidelines For Discipleship

Discipleship should be scheduled weekly.

Discipleship is best scheduled at the home of the new convert(s).

Discipleship's effectiveness in the local church hinges on cooperation with the pastor's leadership.

Communication must be maintained between discipler and the pastor. Progress Reports should be submitted to the church office after every two lessons, and counseling problems should be handled expediently.

As a discipler, you should avoid talking about yourself or your problems unless this will clearly help the disciple spiritually.

If you have problems communicating a particular truth or need additional materials, contact the pastor.

Don't let the sessions become merely a social visit; however, learn to enjoy the new Christian and let him know you look forward to the lessons with him.

If the disciple is not willing to be baptized and join the church after Lesson 2, check the following:

Is he really saved?

Have you failed to teach him the Lordship of Christ?

Does he have hidden problems that have not yet surfaced? (Immorality, bitterness, opposition from family members, unconquered bad habits, etc.)

Never discuss with anyone else personal or private information which the disciple shares with you. Keep it confidential!