WE CAN BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT WE TEACH

The Foundation of Discipleship

The Shema was considered the center of Jewish teaching in the Old Testament. For this reason, the focus of all Jewish discipleship content is rooted in these verses:

“These are the commands, decrees, and regulations the Lord your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees, you will enjoy a long life. Be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road…”
— Deuteronomy 6:1–9 (NLT)

Jesus affirmed that this content is the center of all discipleship:

“One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?’ Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
— Matthew 22:35–40 (NLT)

In both the Old and New Testaments, we see that all discipleship content can be organized around three primary relationships:

Love for God
Love for self
Love for others

Therefore, discipleship should intentionally focus on these three areas.

INTENTIONALITY IN DISCIPLESHIP

If we plan how we disciple, we can better balance a variety of topics in each category. Strategic planning allows us to disciple people across different subjects simultaneously.

It’s important not to simply focus on the topics we personally enjoy. A spiritual diet focused only on what we prefer will lack the fullness needed for healthy growth. We must be aware of our tendencies because they naturally influence the churches, groups, and individuals we lead.

Sharing what we have personally learned is vital. The true power of discipleship lies in sharing not just information, but experience. When we share our own journey, the content comes alive for others.

RESOURCES

After creating a discipleship plan, finding appropriate resources is the next challenge. Many churches provide libraries of study books, videos, and curricula — either in physical or digital formats. Additional materials can also be found online or at Christian bookstores.

It is wise to seek feedback from your pastor or discipleship leader about the resources you choose. They may offer valuable guidance and recommendations based on their experience.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What are my favorite topics to study, read, and talk about?
What topics do I tend to avoid?
What would a balanced discipleship plan look like over the course of a year?

A LIST OF KEY TOPICS

Beginning

The Gospel (Sin, Repentance, Faith, Grace)
Water Baptism
The Holy Spirit (Indwelling, Walking With, Empowerment, Gifts, Fruit)

Relationship with God

Reading the Bible
Studying the Bible
Prayer
Hearing God’s Voice

Ourselves

Identity (In Christ, Gender)
Personal Purpose
Overcoming Evil and Temptation
Health and Healing (Internal and Physical)
Making Wise Choices
Handling Money (Earning, Saving, Investing, Giving)

Relationships with Others

Marriage (Sexuality, Communication, Family Patterns, Roles & Responsibilities)
Parent-Child Relationships
Friendships
Church Relationships
Evangelism
Making Disciples

Theology

The Bible (Inspiration and Authority)
Creeds (Biblical and Historical)
Bible Overview (Creation, Israel, Jesus, Church, Future)
Understanding God (Father, Son, Spirit)
The Spiritual Realm (Seen and Unseen: Angels and Demons)
Humanity (Soul, Spirit, Body)
Sin and Salvation
Eschatology (Key Events, Perspectives)

KEY BIBLE STORIES AND CHAPTERS

Hebrew Writings (Old Testament)

Genesis 1:1–3:19 — Creation and Fall
Genesis 12, 28:10–15, 32:22–28 — Israel’s Beginning
Genesis 37, 39–46 — Joseph’s Story
Exodus 1–14 — Moses and Pharaoh
Exodus 19–20 — The Ten Commandments
Deuteronomy 6–7, 11 — Obedience from Love
Judges 1–2 — Cycles of Disobedience
1 Samuel 7–9, 15–17 — Saul and David
2 Samuel 5, 7–9, 11–12 — David’s Life
1 Kings 2–3, 6, 11 — Solomon’s Reign
1 Kings 11–14 — Division of Israel
1 Kings 17–19; 2 Kings 2, 4 — Elijah and Elisha
Job 1–2, 38–42 — Job’s Story
Psalms 1, 19, 23, 139 — Favorite Psalms 1
Psalms 6, 22, 38, 51 — Favorite Psalms 2
Proverbs 3, 16, 5, 7, 31 — Wisdom
Isaiah 9, 53 — Promises of Jesus
Jeremiah 11–12, 23, 31 — The New Covenant
Jonah 1–4 — Jonah’s Journey
Daniel 1–6 — Exile and Faithfulness
Hosea 1–2 — God’s Love for His People
Nehemiah 1–2, 4–5, 8–9 — Rebuilding Jerusalem
Esther 1–8 — God’s Sovereign Hand

Christian Writings (New Testament)

John 1:1–18 — Jesus as God
Luke 1–2 — Jesus’s Birth
Luke 4:14–44 — Jesus Begins Ministry
Matthew 5–6 — Jesus’s Teachings
John 3 — Salvation Explained
John 5 — Jesus’s Miracles
John 11 — Power Over Death
John 15 — Abiding in Jesus
Matthew 26–27 — Jesus’s Arrest and Crucifixion
John 20; Luke 24 — Resurrection and Ascension
Acts 2 — The Holy Spirit Comes
Acts 9, 16–19 — Saul’s Transformation
Acts 10–11 — Gentiles Receive the Gospel
Romans 3 — Sin, Faith, Salvation
Romans 7–8 — Our Struggle and Victory
1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 5 — Love
1 Corinthians 15 — Eternal Life
Galatians 2–3 — Freedom in Christ
Galatians 5 — Life in the Spirit
Ephesians 6 — Spiritual Armor
Philippians 1–2 — Humility
Hebrews 1, 11 — Jesus and Faith
James 1; 1 Peter 1 — Good Works
1 John 4 — God is Love
Revelation 21–22 — The New Heaven and Earth

Choosing Content