How to Become a Disciple

1Lesson 1: Jesus Calls: “Follow Me”

Read: Mark 1:14-20

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”Mark 1:17 (ESV)

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.Matthew 9:9 (ESV)

Key Points

• Discipleship begins with Jesus' call, not our résumé. He chose fishermen and a tax collector, not religious experts.
• His call is personal: “Follow Me.” A disciple is first of all with Jesus (Mark 3:14).
• Following means leaving things behind: nets, a tax booth, old priorities (Luke 9:23).
• The call comes with a promise: “I will make you…” Jesus does the making.

Talk About It

• Why do you think Jesus chose such ordinary people?
• What “nets” are hardest for you to leave behind?
• Where in your week do you most need to hear “Follow Me”?

Practice This Week

Read Mark 1:14-20 each morning this week. Write down one thing Jesus is asking you to leave, and one thing He promises.

2Lesson 2: The Cross and the Empty Tomb

Read: Luke 23:33-24:9

“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (ESV)

Key Points

• Following Jesus led to Jerusalem and a cross. He died for our sins, in our place (1 Peter 3:18).
• He was buried and raised on the third day, just as He said (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
• The cross means forgiveness; the empty tomb means new life and certain hope.
• A disciple's whole life rests here, not on our strength, but on what Christ has done.

Talk About It

• What does the cross tell you about how much God loves you?
• How does the resurrection change the way you face death, grief and fear?
• Why did Paul call this message “of first importance”?

Practice This Week

Read Luke 23-24 this week. Each day, thank Jesus for one thing the cross and empty tomb mean for you.

3Lesson 3: Saved by Grace Through Faith

Read: Ephesians 2:1-10

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)

Key Points

• Salvation is God's gift, not our achievement. Even the faith that receives it is His work in us.
• Good works do not buy God's love; they are the fruit of a life He has already made new (Ephesians 2:10).
• We follow because we are loved, not to become loved.

Talk About It

• Where are you tempted to earn God's love?
• What good works might God have prepared for you this week (Ephesians 2:10)?

Practice This Week

Each night this week, name one way you tried to earn God's love, and thank Him that in Christ it is already given.

4Lesson 4: Made His Own

Read: Romans 6:1-11

“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 (ESV)

“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”Romans 6:4 (ESV)

Key Points

• Jesus' own plan for making disciples has two parts: baptizing and teaching (Matthew 28:19-20).
• Christians understand how God makes us His own in different ways. See what your church teaches below.
• Whatever your church's practice, a disciple's identity is “in Christ”: forgiven, belonging and new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Talk About It

• What does your church teach about Baptism, and why?
• How would your week change if you lived each day as someone who truly belongs to Christ?

Practice This Week

Talk with your pastor about the next step your church offers: Baptism, Confirmation, membership or instruction.

5Lesson 5: Abide: The Word and Prayer

Read: John 15:1-11

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”John 8:31-32 (ESV)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”John 15:5 (ESV)

Key Points

• Jesus said true disciples abide in His word (John 8:31). Scripture is how the Teacher keeps teaching.
• A branch does nothing apart from the vine (John 15:5). Daily time in the Word and prayer keeps us connected.
• Start small and steady: one Gospel chapter a day, morning and evening prayer, the Lord's Prayer.
• Use your church's tools for prayer (see below).

Talk About It

• What keeps you from daily time with God's Word?
• What time and place could become your daily meeting with Jesus?
• Who could read along with you?

Practice This Week

Read one chapter of the Gospel of Mark each day (16 days) and pray the Lord's Prayer morning and evening.

6Lesson 6: Life Together in the Church

Read: Acts 2:1-47

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”Acts 2:42 (ESV)

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”Acts 2:1-4 (ESV)

Key Points

• Jesus made disciples in community: twelve, then seventy-two, then the Church.
• At Pentecost the Holy Spirit came in power on the disciples (Acts 2:1-4), and they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers.
• Discipleship is never a solo project. Weekly worship and a small circle of believers keep us growing.
• See how your church gathers and feeds its people below.

Talk About It

• Who are two or three believers who know how you are really doing?
• Which of the four parts of Acts 2:42 is weakest in your life right now?

Practice This Week

Be in worship every week this month, and invite one person to join you for a meal after.

7Lesson 7: Walk in the Spirit

Read: Galatians 5:13-26

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”Galatians 5:25 (ESV)

Key Points

• The fruit of the Spirit is what a disciple's character looks like as the Spirit forms Christ in us.
• We disciple through this fruit: patience, kindness and gentleness open doors that arguments never will.
• Fruit grows slowly. Keep in step with the Spirit day by day.
• Our 9-week plan walks through one fruit each week.

Start the 9-Week Walk in the Spirit Plan

Talk About It

• Which fruit is most visible in your life? Which is least?
• Who has discipled you mostly by their fruit?

Practice This Week

Start the 9-week Walk in the Spirit plan, one fruit each week.

8Lesson 8: Sent to Make Disciples

Read: Matthew 28:16-20

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”John 20:21 (ESV)

“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

Key Points

• Every disciple is sent. The Great Commission was given to the whole Church, not only to pastors.
• Disciples multiply: what you have heard, entrust to faithful people who can teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).
• Start where God has placed you: your household, other Christians nearby, and neighbors who don't know Jesus.
• Listen first, share your story, share the good news, invite, and keep walking with them.

Talk About It

• Who has God placed in your life to walk with in faith?
• Who is one person you could begin meeting with to read Scripture?
• What makes sharing your faith hard, and what would help?

Practice This Week

Pray daily for three people by name, and ask one of them this month, “Can I tell you why my faith matters to me?”