Begin Long Term Discipleship
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Tell the Story: The Wise & Foolish Builder from Matthew 7:24-27
Retell the Story together. Matthew 7:24-27
Read the Story aloud. Matthew 7:24-27
*As you continue with Long Term Discipleship it may become difficult to story New Testament Letters. In this case read the text aloud and have each person read it several times silently.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling 3-Circles, My Story, or One of the previous 9 stories
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Gather
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read the Command: In Hebrews 10:24-25, Jesus says…
Tell the Story: The first church from Acts 2:36-47
Retell the Story together.
Read the Story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- Who is the church? Acts 2:41 - Baptized believers in Jesus
- What does a church gathering do? Acts 2:36-41 - Proclaim the gospel & make disciples; baptize believers, obey God’s Word, take Lord’s Supper, Pray, Love and fellowship together, give to each other's needs, Praise and Worship God.
- When does a church gather?Acts 2:46, Hebrews 10:24-25 - Regularly.
- Where does a church gather?Acts 2:46, 5:42, 17:5-7, 18:7, 19:9, 20:20; Romans 16:1-5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philemon 1:1-2 - Homes
- Why does the church gather? 1 Corinthians 10:31, Hebrews 10:24-25 - Glorify God, encourage, and hold one another accountable.
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Give
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together.
Read the Command: In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus says…
Tell the Story: The Widow Gives from Mark 12:41-44
Retell the Story together.
Read the Story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- What should we give to God? Our money, time and our lives.
- Why should we give to God? 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 - Give generously, and we will receive generously. God loves a cheerful giver.
- How do we give to God? 2 Corinthians 9:7 - Cheerfully, not under compulsion. Matthew 6:1-4 - Secretly, not for recognition
- Who do we give to? Acts 4:34-35 - The church gave to all who had need. 2 Corinthians 9 - A collection was given to a church.
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Lord's Supper
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together.
Read the Command: In Matthew 26:26-28, Jesus says…
Tell the Story: Jesus’ Last Supper from Luke 22:7-20
Retell the Story together.
Read the Story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- What is the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:26 - a symbol of the Lord’s death
- Why do we eat the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:26 - His body was broken and His blood was spilt.
- How do we receive the Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - We must examine ourselves, confess our sins to God and remember Jesus died to give us forgiveness.
- Who should receive the Lord’s Supper? Acts 2:42, 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Baptized disciples devoted to Jesus.
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Love
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together.
Read the Command: In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus says…
Tell the Story: The Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37
Retell the story together.
Read the story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- What is “love”? John 15:13 and 1 Corinthians 13
- Why do we Love? John 13:34-45, Because Jesus loved us first. Love teaches the world about Jesus.
- Who do we love? Matthew 22:37-39 - First we need to love God, then we need to love our neighbors.
- How do we love? John 14:15 - Loving Jesus means we obey Him. John 21:17 - Loving others means telling them what God has done for you.
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Persevere
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together.
Read the Command: In Matthew 10:22, Jesus says…
Tell the Story: The persecuted believers from Acts 5:27-42
Retell the story together.
Read the story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- Who will be persecuted?
- Matthew 10:16-33 - Every disciple of Jesus can expect persecution.
- What is our hope amidst persecution?
- 2 Corinthians 4:5-18 - Our eternity is secure in Heaven.
- Hebrews 12:1-2 - Fixing our eyes on Jesus, who faced persecution for us.
- How can we persevere when persecuted?
- Matthew 5:11-12 - Don’t fear, but rejoice!
- Matthew 24:13-14 - Keep proclaiming the Gospel until the end!
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Go... Make Disciples
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together together.
Read the Command: In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus says…
Tell the Story: The Samaritan Woman from John 4:4-42
Retell the story together.
Read the story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- Who should we share with? John 4:16 - our families, friends & neighbors
- What should we say? John 4:29 - The woman shared her story and Jesus’ story (the gospel)
- Who is qualified to go? John 4 - The Samaritan woman was! Every believer.
- How should we go? Luke 10:1-11 - In groups of 2 or 3 throughout our neighborhood and city: 1) praying, 2) sharing, and 3) looking for “Persons of Peace” to disciple in the very same things we are learning here.
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Pray
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together.
Read the Command: in Matthew 6: 9-13, Jesus says…
Tell the story: Jesus teaches about Prayer in Matthew 6: 5-15
Retell the story together.
Read the story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- Why do we pray? Matthew 6: 9-13 - God hears us. We desire His will to be done on earth.
- How do we pray? By simply talking with God.
- “Our Father...” = God is your heavenly father
- “Hallowed be your name...” = Ask for God to glorify himself through your life
- “Your kingdom come, Your will be done... ” = Surrender to God’s kingdom and will being done in and through your life
- “Give us today our daily bread...” = Ask for your needs
- “Forgive us our debts...” = Ask for forgiveness of any sin
- “Deliver us from the evil one...” = Pray for the deliverance when you face temptation
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Be Baptized
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together.
Read the Command: In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says…
Tell the Story of Phillip and the New Believer from Acts 8:26-39
Retell the story together.
Read the story aloud.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- What is “Baptism”?Romans 6:3-4 -Baptism is a symbol of our life, death and resurrection.
It also means that we have died to our old life and been raised to a new life with Jesus. - Why should we be baptized?
Matthew 3:13-15 - Jesus received baptism, so should we. Receiving baptismmeans we have identified Jesus as our Lord. - Who should be baptized?Acts 2:38 - Everyone who repents and believes.
- How should we be baptized?Matthew 3:16 - Jesus went down into the water.
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.
Repent & Believe
The Commands of Jesus
LOOK BACK (1/3 of your time)
Check-In
Share a meal, or refreshment. Go around the group and introduce yourselves and talk through a “Get to know you” question.
Check-Up
- How did you obey?
- Who did you train?
- Did You share your story, or God's story with anyone?
Share the Simple Church Vision using the handout (click here for pdf)
LOOK UP (1/3 of your time)
Read Acts 2:36-47 to cast vision for being church together.
Read The Command: In Matt 4:17, Jesus says…
Tell The Story: The Sinful Woman from Luke 7:36-50
Retell the story together from Luke 7:36-50.
Read the story aloud from Luke 7:36-50.
Discover:
Discover:
Pray then use the Sword Bible Study Method to discuss the story and reveal its meaning for our lives.
Practice:
Practice:
Practice retelling the story or the 3-Circles.
Explore More:
Explore More:
- What does “Repent” mean?
Repent means turning from sin and following Jesus. - What does “Believe” mean?
Believe means choosing to trust Jesus as Lord. - Why should we repent?
Read Romans 3:23; 6:23; 10:9 - Who should repent?
Acts 2:38-41 - Everyone must repent for forgiveness. - What is assurance?
1 John 1:9 says when we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us John 10:28 says our salvation belongs to Jesus.
LOOK Forward (1/3 of your time)
OBEY - TRAIN - SHARE (never skip)
Have everyone in the group pray for the spirit to show them how to answer these questions, then make commitments, write the commitments down and share commitments with the group each week.
- How will you obey this passage?
- With who will you share your story or God's story with?
COMMISSION & PRAYER
Pray and ask God to prepare the hearts of the people who will be hearing about Jesus this week. Ask him to give you the strength to be obedient to your commitments.