Introduction to Basic Discipleship

We've all had those conversations that naturally shift from the everyday into something deeper. As we move through the Conversation Quadrants—from casual chats to meaningful connections, into spiritual discussions, and finally to sharing the Gospel—we often find people who are genuinely hungry to know more.

This is where the invitation to a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) comes in. It's not about convincing someone to join a formalized class or attend an event. It's about inviting them to open the Word with us and discover who Jesus is for themselves.

How to Extend the Invitation

Keep it simple and relational. When someone shows openness during a spiritual or Gospel conversation, we can say something like:"I've been reading through some stories about Jesus recently, and it's been really impacting how I see things. I'd love to get together with you (or a few friends) to read and talk about it. Would you want to check it out with us?"

The Goal

The goal isn't to be the expert in the room. Our aim is to facilitate a space where God's Word does the heavy lifting. We want to read a passage, ask simple discovery questions, and let the Holy Spirit speak directly to their hearts as we begin discipling others for Him.

This sets the foundation for our next seven meetings together.

Meeting 1: Where are we going?

We want to start this first meeting with full transparency: the purpose of our time today is to figure out exactly where we are going together.

To keep us grounded and moving forward, every time we meet, we are going to frame our conversation around five simple questions. In this first gathering, we are going to walk through them in real-time.

1. How are you doing?

What are your highs and lows for this week? This isn't just small talk; we want to get into the nitty-gritty of life and genuinely share where we are at mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

2. Where are we going?

This is our compass. We ask this every week so we never lose our bearing. Today's Discovery Bible Study anchors this goal, and it will set our trajectory every time we meet. It's all about following and fishing.

3. What are we getting out of the Word?

This is where we open the text. For our first Discovery Bible Study, we are looking at Matthew 4:18-22.

To break this down, we look at the passage through three simple lenses:

• Head: What did you learn from the text?

• Heart: What kind of emotions does this elicit from the characters in the story, and from you?

• Hands: Based on what we just read, what does this make you want to do?

4. How are your people?

We don't want to just focus inward. We ask about the people in our lives—our families, our friends, and those we are discipling. How can we pray for and support them? (The Conversation Quadrants App is very helpful here.) 

5. What is your goal?

We end with action. Based on what we discussed and read, what is one tangible goal we are stepping into this week?

Why We Use These Five Questions

After working through all 5 questions, it is important to explain why we use this framework.

These five questions give us a sustainable rhythm. They keep us mission-focused without losing sight of our everyday lives. By asking these same questions every week, we build a habit of looking upward to Jesus, looking inward to our own hearts, and looking outward to those we are discipling for Him.

Meeting 2: The Gospel

1. How are you doing?

What are your highs and lows for this week?  

2. Where are we going?

Read Matthew 4:19. We are all about following and fishing.

3. What are we getting out of the Word?

This is where we open the text. For this meeting, we are looking at two passages about the Gospel.

First, we read the foundational verse: Romans 6:23.

Then, we look at the passage where Paul describes the essence of the Gospel: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

To break this down, we look at the passages through three simple lenses:

• Head: What did you learn from the text?

• Heart: What kind of emotions does this elicit from the characters in the story, and from you?

• Hands: Based on what we just read, what does this make you want to do?

4. How are your people?

Update the Conversation Quadrant App 

5. What is your goal?

We end with action. Based on what we discussed and read, what is one tangible goal we are stepping into this week?

Meeting 3: Repent & Believe

1. How are you doing?

What are your highs and lows for this week?  

2. Where are we going?

Read Matthew 4:19. We are all about following and fishing.

3. What are we getting out of the Word?

This is where we open the text. For this meeting, we are looking at two passages about what it means to repent and believe.

First, we read the foundational passage: Mark 1:14-15.

Then, we look at a real-life example of repentance and salvation in the story of Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10.

To break this down, we look at the passages through three simple lenses:

• Head: What did you learn from the text?

• Heart: What kind of emotions does this elicit from the characters in the story, and from you?

• Hands: Based on what we just read, what does this make you want to do?

4. How are your people?

Update the Conversation Quadrant App 

5. What is your goal?

We end with action. Based on what we discussed and read, what is one tangible goal we are stepping into this week?

Meeting 4: Be Baptized and Receive the Holy Spirit

1. How are you doing?

What are your highs and lows for this week?  

2. Where are we going?

Read Matthew 4:19. We are all about following and fishing.

3. What are we getting out of the Word?

This is where we open the text. For this meeting, we are looking at two passages about what it means to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.

First, we read the foundational passage, the Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20.

Then, we look at the story of Jesus being baptized and the Holy Spirit descending upon Him: Mark 1:9-11.

To break this down, we look at the passages through three simple lenses:

• Head: What did you learn from the text?

• Heart: What kind of emotions does this elicit from the characters in the story, and from you?

• Hands: Based on what we just read, what does this make you want to do?

4. How are your people?

Update the Conversation Quadrant App 

5. What is your goal?

We end with action. Based on what we discussed and read, what is one tangible goal we are stepping into this week?

Meeting 5: The Word

1. How are you doing?

What are your highs and lows for this week? 

2. Where are we going?

Read Matthew 4:19. We are all about following and fishing.

3. What are we getting out of the Word?

This is where we open the text. For this meeting, we are looking at two passages about the importance of being saturated in God's Word.

First, we read the foundational passage: Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

Then, we look at a real-life example of relying on the Word with the temptation of Christ: Matthew 4:1-11.

To break this down, we look at the passages through three simple lenses:

• Head: What did you learn from the text?

• Heart: What kind of emotions does this elicit from the characters in the story, and from you?

• Hands: Based on what we just read, what does this make you want to do?

4. How are your people?

Update the Conversation Quadrant App 

5. What is your goal?

We end with action. Based on what we discussed and read, what is one tangible goal we are stepping into this week?

Meeting 6: Prayer

1. How are you doing?

What are your highs and lows for this week?  

2. Where are we going?

Read Matthew 4:19. We are all about following and fishing.

3. What are we getting out of the Word?

This is where we open the text. For this meeting, we are looking at two passages about the importance of prayer.

First, we read the foundational passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

Then, we look at a real-life example of persistence in prayer with Jesus' story of the persistent widow: Luke 18:1-8.

To break this down, we look at the passages through three simple lenses:

• Head: What did you learn from the text?

• Heart: What kind of emotions does this elicit from the characters in the story, and from you?

• Hands: Based on what we just read, what does this make you want to do?

4. How are your people?

Update the Conversation Quadrant App 

5. What is your goal?

We end with action. Based on what we discussed and read, what is one tangible goal we are stepping into this week?

Meeting 7: Make Disciples

1. How are you doing?

What are your highs and lows for this week?  

2. Where are we going?

Read Matthew 4:19. We are all about following and fishing.

3. What are we getting out of the Word?

This is where we open the text. For this meeting, we are looking at two passages about making disciples.

First, we read the foundational passage, the Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20.

Then, we look at Paul's instructions to Timothy on generational discipleship: 2 Timothy 2:1-8.

To break this down, we look at the passages through three simple lenses:

• Head: What did you learn from the text?

• Heart: What kind of emotions does this elicit from the characters in the story, and from you?

• Hands: Based on what we just read, what does this make you want to do?

4. How are your people?

Update the Conversation Quadrant App 

5. What is your goal?

We end with action. Based on what we discussed and read, what is one tangible goal we are stepping into this week?