NE T RESPONSE
When a person comes to Christ for salvation, it is a response – a response to God’s invitation of grace to begin a restored relationship with him. The response that we should have to salvation is discipleship. In fact, if we don’t respond to a new believer with discipleship, the potential of spiritual growth is overwhelmingly reduced. We must respond to salvation with discipleship if we expect to advance the kingdom of Christ.
REASON
The reason for NEXT is to come alongside new believers in Christ to help them get planted on their spiritual journey. The topics that are covered are intentionally basic and simple in nature, keeping in mind that most of these areas will be brand new for the disciple.
RELATIONSHIP
NEXT is a tool that provides foundational information for the disciple, but the end goal is merely information transfer. The core of being a Christ-follower is growing relationally, with God and with others. As the disciplemaker, you are encouraged to go beyond the information and cultivate the relationship so that, from the outset, the disciple understands this critical piece of the spiritual journey. Let them see your life so that they can follow your example. This is the key to true discipleship. On the following page, you’ll find a disciplemaker guide that provides a brief overview of each session along with some suggested conversation starters that are relationally focused. There are also four pages at the end of the book created to take notes, if desired.
RAMP
NEXT is a collection of twelve sessions for a new believer that can stand alone. But NEXT is also designed to serve as a primer that ramps up to Xchange, a dramatically more extensive discipleship experience. Xchange is a one-to-one track that approaches discipleship with the goal of a comprehensive spiritual and relational growth, ultimately preparing the disciple to become a disciplemaker. For more information about Xchange, visit www.DiscipleXchange.com.
RESOLVE
In the midst of our busyness, we can lose sight of what has high value and importance. In this context, we must develop the resolve to disciple. There is a reason that Christ commissioned us to make disciples. He understood the power of advancing the kingdom through multiplying ourselves. Go, make disciples.
DISCIPLEMAKER GUIDE Each session in NEXT follows the same template, for the most part. The sections in each session are clearly marked with icons that are self-explanatory. The only exception is the star ( ). Building spiritual disciplines will be important right from the outset. The star indicates a suggested Bible verse to memorize. You can model spiritual discipline by memorizing the verses too. To help you get a sense for each session, you’ll find the following:
A snapshot of each chapter.
Things for which to be careful.
Conversation starters.
SESSIONS ONE: YOUR NEW IDENTITY When we experience the second birth, it’s important to begin to understand who we’ve become in Christ. Why? So we can live out our new identity. Session ONE focuses on a sampling of the new identity we have in Christ. The purpose is to build confidence in your disciple in revealing the ways that God views us as believers. As you get off the starting line with your disciple, keep it simple! Remember, this is the first step in a very long journey. Don’t overwhelm your disciple with too much information. Focus on the beauty of our new identity in Christ. • • • •
Over the years, has God been part of your thoughts? What picture do you have of God? Is that different now than it used to be? What’s your perspective of how God views you? Has that changed since you became a Christian?
NEXT
ONE
Your New Identity
From the moment you were born, much of your physical identity was already launched: DNA, physical features, and so on. There wasn’t anything you could do to change these characteristics. You were who you are from the moment of birth!
NEW THOUGHT When you asked Christ to come into your life, you experienced another birth, a second birth. Your first birth was physical, your second birth was spiritual. Your first birth was external, your second birth was internal. This comes to light when we dial in to a conversation that Jesus was having with a man named Nicodemus.
In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. John 3:3-6
KEY POINT
God ignited a new life in you when you believed in him from your heart and depended completely on Jesus for your salvation. When you surrendered your life to him, his Spirit brought your spirit to life. In that moment, you were born spiritually.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13
DON’T MISS IT!
At the moment of your second (spiritual) birth, you immediately have a new identity that God gives to you.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION the old is gone, the NEW IS 2 Corinthians 5:17 COME!
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WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT YOUR NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST? YOU ARE NOW CLOSE TO GOD
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
YOU ARE NOW SPIRITUALLY ALIVE
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5
YOU ARE NOW GOD’S CHILD
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1
YOU ARE NOW USABLE TO GOD
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10
YOU ARE MUCH MORE TO GOD THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
As you look at your new identity in Christ from these different angles, which one stands out as the most encouraging?
TALKING POINTS
Are there any of these identities that you struggle with? Ones that are hard to believe?
BRINGING IT HOME
As we go through life, from childhood through old age, we continue to develop and discover who we are. Your spiritual life in Christ will be the same. It will be a journey of continued discovery of your identity in Christ. Your spiritual birth ignited a relationship with God that will continue to unfold throughout your lifetime.
Begin to include some of these identities in your conversations (prayer) with God. For example, thank him for being his child, for being spiritually alive, and so on.
MOVING AHEAD
NEXT
TWO
The Bible
Now that you have experienced a second birth, as in the first moments of your physical birth, nourishment is critical. One of the primary ways that we are spiritually nourished is by reading and studying God’s Word, the Bible.
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1Peter 2:2-3
NEW THOUGHT Jesus reminded us of our absolute need for the Bible for our spiritual growth.
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
There are numerous reasons why the Bible is so critical to our spiritual growth.
KEY POINT
THE BIBLE IS GOD’S DIRECT WORD TO US
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
THE BIBLE ANSWERS THE FOUNDATIONAL QUESTIONS OF LIFE
Why am I on the planet? What is God like? What is God’s desire for my life? What happens when I die? Where did evil come from? How does my life matter? How do I approach God? The Bible is a light that gives definitive answers and clarity to the countless questions of life.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
THE BIBLE COMMUNICATES TO OUR INNER BEING
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
THE BIBLE FUELS US TO LIVE FOR GOD
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63
THE BIBLE IS OUR MORAL COMPASS
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9
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HOW DO I READ THE BIBLE?
After learning the benefits of reading the Word of God, you are still faced with the reality that the Bible can be overwhelming. It is helpful to understand that the Bible is a collection of 66 books. Knowing where to start can be a challenge. Here is a suggested list of books in the Bible to start reading. At the same time, experiment with adding one chapter from Psalms and one chapter from Proverbs each day.
John Mark I John
Genesis Exodus Ephesians
Galatians Luke Matthew
I Corinthians II Corinthians Romans
DON’T MISS IT!
Here are some things to keep in mind as you read the Bible.
PRAY BEFORE YOU READ
Simply ask God to show you what he wants you to understand as you read.
Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your word. Psalm 119:18
USE THE WORDS OF THE BIBLE FOR PRAYER
You can express your heart to God using passages from the Bible. The book of Psalms is especially good for this type of prayer.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18
GET IN A ROUTINE
Most likely, you have a routine with your meals during a typical day. Consider the Bible to be as necessary as the meals you eat. Your spiritual habits directly impact your spiritual growth.
Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. Deuteronomy 11:18
DON’T WORRY IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING
The Bible is full of profound and mysterious passages. When you come across something you don’t understand, don’t get stuck. God will reveal what he wants you to know. Learning the Bible takes time; digest it in bite-sized pieces!
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. Matthew 16:17
APPLY WHAT YOU READ!
We don’t read the Bible to merely glean information. Rather, God wants to bring about transformation. Apply what you read to your everyday life – it will be life-changing!
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22
TOOLBOX
Here are some helpful tools that can boost your experience in reading the Bible.
The Bible Project (jointhebibleproject.com) YouVersion Bible App (youversion.com) Project 52 (lifebiblestudystore.com)