Chapter 1 Questions

1. Look up the following passages. What do you learn about the character and power of God?

Genesis 1–2

Luke 9:10-17

John 2:1-11

John 3:3-8

Ephesians 2:12-13, 19

2. Look up the following passages. Fill in the blanks and then describe in your own words—based on the Scriptures—God’s purposes for believers in Christ.

The _______________ life (John 10:10)

The _______________ life (Romans 1:13; Galatians 5:22‑23; Colossians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 16:15)

The _______________ life (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27)

3. Let’s consider the “invested life” more closely.

What spiritual gifts has God invested in you?

What natural talents has God invested in you?

How are you developing those gifts and talents?

4. How would you describe the difference between Christians (Acts 11:26) and disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; John 15:8)?

5. What are your answers to the “two simple questions” of chapter 1?

Who is investing in you, including those who invested in you in the past?

Whom are you investing in?

6. What are your needs in terms of learning discipleship? What are the costs you face for living the invested life?

7. Consider the testimony of the Haywards (starting on the next page). What was Edith Hayward’s dream? What dream is God stirring in your heart?

Chapter 2 Questions

1. Look up the following passages. What patterns do you see emerge in terms of biblical discipleship?

Exodus 2:16–4:18

Exodus 18:5-24

Deuteronomy 34:9

Joshua 1

1 Kings 19

John 1:35-42

Acts 9:18-30

2. Look at Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:2. To how many generations of disciples does Paul refer? What makes this so important?

3. What’s the difference between being a spiritual adult and a spiritual parent? What biblical qualities are necessary to be a good spiritual parent?

4. A true disciple is a person who actively seeks three things. What are they?

5. “All disciples are believers, but not all believers are true disciples.” What does this mean? Why is it important?

6. Look up the following verses. What’s the central element of being a true disciple?

John 5:19

John 1:43

Matthew 9:9

1 Corinthians 11:1

1 Timothy 4:12, 15

7. Describe the difference between being a teacher and being a disciple maker.

Chapter 3 Questions

1. Have you ever had a “Paul” in your life, an older and wiser believer who took you under his wing and invested in your spiritual growth? If so, reflect back on that relationship and note what made it special and important to you. If not, what would you find valuable about such a relationship?

2. Do you have a “Barnabas” in your life—a friend who loves you, encourages you, and keeps you accountable? If so, what makes that person so valuable? If not, who are some people who could become a “Barnabas” for you?

3. What are some qualities you have that would make you a good “Timothy,” someone a “Paul” would want to invest in?

4. If you have never been discipled, what are the reasons holding you back?

5. Study Titus 1:7-9. What character traits should define a church leader?

6. Is there a difference between the character that should define the life of an elder and the character that should define the life of a disciple maker? What should be the standard for the person discipling you?

7. How do you feel about the notion that “too many churches invest far too little in their lay leaders”? How is your church doing? How can your church do better in this area, if it is lacking?

8. Study Titus 2:1-8. Why should you avoid being discipled by (or discipling) someone of the opposite sex?

Chapter 4 Questions

1. What are the three most dramatic ways Jesus has changed your life since you’ve become a Christian? How might this testimony help younger believers grow?

2. Read Mark 3:13-15. What are four distinctive elements of the way Jesus discipled men? How would you say you’re doing in each of these four areas?

3. Look up the following passages. Describe the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus and his disciples.

Matthew 12:18

Mark 1:10

Luke 4:1, 14, 18

John 16:7-15

4. Look up the following passages. Describe the role the Holy Spirit should play in our lives as disciples and disciple makers.

John 4:24

Galatians 5:16

Ephesians 5:18

Ephesians 6:17

5. Evaluate yourself. Do you ask God every morning to fill you with his Holy Spirit? Do you continue to ask him throughout the day to keep you filled with his Spirit? How well would you say you understand what it means to do ministry in the power of the Holy Spirit? In what areas would you like to improve?

Chapter 5 Questions

1. Read Luke 6:12-13 and John 15:16. Who chose the Twelve—Jesus or the Father? What lessons should we draw from the process Jesus went through?

2. Read 1 Samuel 16:7. Who chose David to be king of Israel—Samuel or God? What is God looking for in the leaders he raises up for his people? What is he not looking for?

3. What principles is God trying to teach us in these passages about how to find people we are to disciple?

4. Who are some younger believers in your “fishing pond” whom God seems to be putting on your heart as potential “Timothys”? Next to each name, make notes about their F.A.T. content.

Chapter 6 Questions

1. Write down some of the small, manageable tasks you need to complete as you get started making a disciple.

2. What are some of your goals for this new relationship? Examples should include spiritual/discipleship goals but may also include family goals, professional goals, health/fitness goals, etc.

3. What book of the Bible are you going to begin studying verse by verse, chapter by chapter? What are some of the things the Lord is teaching you through this portion of Scripture?

4. Why is baptism important? Why isn’t baptism essential for salvation?

5. Why was Jesus baptized? Why was Paul baptized?

Chapter 7 Questions

1. What are some issues in Scripture in which you sense the need to go deeper?

2. Evaluate yourself. Are you regularly fellowshipping with other believers? Do you tithe and give offerings on a consistent basis? Are you staying pure in heart, especially when it comes to being sexually pure?

3. Look up the following passages. What do those verses say about sexual purity? What does that mean for you?

Proverbs 6–7

Galatians 5:16

2 Timothy 2:22

James 1:14-15; 4:1-2

1 Peter 2:11

1 John 2:16

4. What are two key characteristics of a good leader? How can you develop those characteristics in yourself?

5. What are your spiritual gifts?

6. What are indications to yourself and to others that these are not just natural talents but real spiritual gifts from God?

7. Are you serving the Lord using your spiritual gifts or your own strength? How can you improve in this area?

8. What are the four purposes of the church? What can you do for and in your local church to help accomplish these purposes?

Chapter 8 Questions

1. What does the Bible teach is the difference between praise and worship?

2. What makes worship so vital to our experience as disciples of Jesus Christ?

3. Do you worship God on your knees? Why or why not?

4. Does your church give you the opportunity to worship on your knees during the Sunday morning service? Why or why not?

5. What are some of the benefits of learning to bow down before the Living God?

6. What are the things that distract you from silence and solitude and true worship?

7. What specific steps can you take to make more time for God?

Chapter 9’s Give an Account

Spiritual Audit: The Great Commandments

Loving God

On a scale of 1 to 10, how am I doing in the following areas? What are my goals for the coming year?

Consistent daily prayer time with God.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Consistent daily Bible study time with God/depth of Bible knowledge.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _____________________
_________________________________________

Consistent weekly worship time/depth of understanding of biblical worship.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Physical and mental purity.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Loving Others

On a scale of 1 to 10, how am I doing in the following areas? What are my goals for the coming year?

Loving my family and friends.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Consistent practice of hospitality.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Consistent acts of service.

Score (1-10):_____

Turning the other cheek.

Score (1-10):_____

On a separate page, list some times you’ve turned the other cheek and not repaid evil for evil this past year.

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Spiritual Audit: The Great Commission

Evangelism

On a scale of 1 to 10, how am I doing in the following areas? What are my goals for the coming year?

Confidence in sharing my faith in Christ and leading someone to make a decision to trust Christ as Savior.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Confidence in sharing my personal testimony with nonbelievers.

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Regularly presenting the gospel message to nonbelievers.

Score (1-10):_____

On a separate page, list specific people you shared the gospel with this year.

My goal for the new year: _______________________

Discipleship

1.  Who is investing in me?

2.  Whom am I investing in?

3.  What are my discipleship goals for the new year?

Spiritual Gifts

1.  What are my spiritual gifts?

2.  On a scale of 1 to 10, how confident do I feel that I am effectively using my spiritual gifts and am trained and equipped to help others discover, develop, and use their spiritual gifts?

Score (1-10):_____

My goal for the new year: ______________________