MODULE 0: Discipleship — Meeting 1

Discipleship : Meeting 1

OUTCOME: The disciple establishes a meaningful friendship with his or her discipler.
At its core, discipleship is done through friendship. Therefore, an adequate place to start any disciple making effort is to establish a meaningful friendship! This beginning module is designed for the disciple and his or her discipler to get acquainted with one another (if they haven’t already), while also learning the ins and outs of what the discipleship relationship will look like.

Starter Questions

For the Discipler

• Where are you from? 

• What do you do?

• How long have you been attending your church? 

• Do you have any family? 

• What are your favorite hobbies? 

• What’s your story about how you came to Christ?

• What are you hoping to gain from this discipleship relationship?

• When are good times for us to meet?

• Where is a good place for us to meet?

​

In obedience to Jesus, I commit to discipling (name of disciple). I will make time to meet with them regularly, pray for them daily, come prepared to meetings, and be an exemplary model of Christian living.

How to Make Your First Discipleship Meeting Count

​

The first meeting sets the tone for everything that follows. It does not need to be deep or polished; it needs to be warm, honest and unhurried. Think of it as the first conversation of a long friendship rather than the first class of a course. Plan for about an hour, choose a comfortable place with few interruptions and put your phones away.

​

For the discipler

​

Go first when answering the starter questions. When you share your own story — including the messy parts — you give your disciple permission to do the same. Listen more than you speak, take a few notes you can pray over later and ask follow-up questions that show genuine interest. Before you leave, agree on your next meeting time and place.

​

For the disciple

​

You do not need to have everything figured out. Share honestly about where you are with God right now, what you hope to gain from discipleship and anything that makes you nervous about the process. Good questions are a sign of a healthy discipleship relationship, not a lack of faith.

​

Why a Discipleship Covenant Matters

​

A covenant may sound formal, but it simply puts into words what both people are committing to. Writing it down protects the relationship from vague expectations and makes it easier to stay faithful when life gets busy. The discipler commits to meet regularly, pray daily for the disciple, come prepared and model a Christ-like life. The disciple commits to meet regularly, complete assignments, come prepared and follow their discipler’s spiritual leadership — with the aim of one day discipling someone else.

​

Read both covenants aloud together, talk about any part that feels unclear, and sign and submit them before your next meeting. If either of you cannot fully commit yet, say so; it is far better to adjust the rhythm now than to drift apart later.

​

More Starter Questions to Keep the Conversation Going

​

If you finish the list above and want to keep talking, try a few of these:

​

• Who has had the biggest influence on your faith so far?

• What is one season of life when you felt especially close to God? Especially far?

• What does a normal week look like for you?

• What is one thing you wish more people knew about you?

• What are you most excited about in the year ahead? Most anxious about?

​

Choosing Your Next Step

​

At the end of this meeting you have two options. If discipleship is new to you both, watch the Discipleship Training Session 1 video and bring your notes to Meeting 2. If you already know each other well and understand how discipleship works, you may move straight to Module 1: Prayer by watching the Voice video. Either way, close your time by praying for one another.

​

ASSIGNMENT

OPTION 1: Watch the Discipleship Training Session 1 video by Pastor Jake Thurston from The Ransom Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Take notes and come prepared to discuss the video at your next meeting.

​

Continue the Pathway — You are in Module 0: Discipleship, Meeting 1 of 4. Next: Meeting 2 — Why Discipleship Matters. Every essay, worksheet and video for this module is collected on the Module 0 resources page.

Option 2: Begin the Prayer Module.  If you and your discipler already feel acquainted enough and have a good grasp on discipleship already, then feel free to move along to Module 1 on Prayer. Watch the video, Voice by Pastor Phil Wiseman, Lead Pastor of Table Church to prepare you for this module. Write down a few thoughts to share at the next meeting.