Basic Discipleship Topics: Free Printable

So, you’ve decided to start discipling someone, but what are the basic discipleship topics that you should cover? Where do you begin? Should you make a plan or just wing it every time that you meet together? There are so many angles that you can take in how to disciple someone. It can be overwhelming to know where to start!

Over the years, I have built up a list of basic discipleship topics that are helpful to cover with those I am discipling. This list is not meant to be a comprehensive list of topics to cover, but a starting point in thinking about where to begin or where to go from where you are already at. It is also not the only component to discipleship. Discipling others is not just sharing content with them, but sharing our lives with them as we walk alongside one another, modeling what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus ourselves. So, while the content for discipleship is so important, I also want to remind you that it is about sharing our lives with those we are pouring into. Spend time together. Welcome them into your home and your life. Grow in your relationship to one another and to God. I love how 1 Thessalonians 2:8 says this so well:

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8

As we help others walk with Jesus, one of the most impactful things we can do is show them what it looks like to follow Jesus in our own lives. I firmly believe that discipleship is a “with them” approach, whether we are living life together doing the dishes or discussing the Bible or a topic from this resource, we are walking through these things together as we learn from one another how to apply the truths of the gospel to our everyday lives.

Before I get to the list, let’s talk about how to decide what to talk about in discipleship relationships.

What to talk about in discipleship:

There are so many things to think about, but here are some simple things to get you thinking as you begin discipling someone. Of course, all of this first takes beginning to grow in a relationship with this person and developing a trusting relationship.

Assess where they’re at in their walk with the Lord.

• What biblical truths do they need to learn?
• Do they have a firm grasp on the gospel?
• What areas of character do they need to grow in?
• What skills do they need to grow in as they disciple others?
• Are they equipped to pass on their faith to those around them?

Ask them what areas they want to grow in.

One of my favorite ways to use this basic discipleship topics resource sheet is to give it to the person I’m discipling and ask them to think and pray over ways they want to grow. From there, we can discuss where they’re at, what they would like from our time together, and how I can be an encouragement to them in our relationship.

Spend time in God’s Word and in prayer together!

If nothing else, get time in God’s Word together and spend time praying together. As you do this, discuss how you’re doing in your walk with the Lord and how to encourage one another toward Christ.

Start with the Basics.

We never get beyond the basics! And we want to make sure those we meet with aren’t either. I always start with an in-depth look at the gospel, having Christ as Lord of your life, obedience to Christ, how to read the Bible, pray, have fellowship, and witness to friends. Starting with the basics helps you to see where they are at in their walk with the Lord in so many ways and is always an encouragement!

Teach from your own experience.

We don’t just want to be passing along information, but also sharing what God has personally done in our lives. So, as you go through these different basic discipleship topics, share from your own experience. Share how God has worked in your life or is currently working in your life on this topic. Learn and grow together. Be honest, humble, vulnerable, and real with what God has done and is doing in your life.

Whatever you decide to do, be flexible!

After you have come up with a plan together, it can be easy to think that you need to stick to the plan, but that isn’t generally how it goes. Make a plan, but be flexible with it! It’s not about the plan, but about growing in our relationship to God and allowing Him to work through our time together. If the person you are meeting with is struggling with something in particular, throw the plan away for the day so that you can care for them in what they are going through. Be available, thoughtful, and allow God to guide your time together.

With that being said, let’s jump into some of the topics! I’m just going to list the topics to give you ideas, not to present a curriculum. From there, you can develop a plan for how you personally have grown in these areas that you discuss together. Get ready, the list is long, but stay tuned for the end where there is a printable to use for your own personal discipleship relationships.

Basic Topics for Discipleship:

The Basics of the Christian Life:

New Believers

                  The Five Assurances 

                  Wheel Illustration

                  Read the Bible together

                  Clear Understanding of the Gospel

The Word of God

    7 Minutes with God

                  Read the Bible Together

                  Hand Illustration

                  Scripture Memory

                  Inductive Bible Study

Topical Studies

Cross Referencing

Using Different Translations

Prayer

                  ACTS Prayer Method

                  Prayer Hand

                  Simple Prayer List

Praying the Names of God

How to Spend a Day in Prayer

Fellowship

                  Reasons for true fellowship

Lordship

Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

      My Heart, Christ’s Home by 

Robert Boyd Munger

                Submission- Areas of struggle

Doctrine

                  Jesus

                  Holy Spirit

                  Trinity

                  Salvation

                  Baptism

                  Authority of Scriptures

                  Identity in Christ

                  Satan

Ministry:

Witnessing/Discipleship

                  Bridge Illustration

                  Personal Testimony

Born to Reproduce by Dawson Trotman

                 Make a Discipleship Plan for them to use with others

Prayer in Ministry:

-For someone to disciple

-For the nations (Operation World)

-For non-Christian family/friends

Great Commission/Multiplication

World Vision/Missions

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Warfare

Helpful Books on Witnessing/Discipleship

Tyranny of the Urgent by Charles E. Hummel

                 Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

                 Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman

The Lost Art of Disciplemaking by Leroy Eims

Maturity in Christ:

Character

                  Fruits of the Spirit

                  Servanthood

                  Thankfulness

                  Holiness

                  Obedience

                  Forgiveness

                  Faith

                  Tongue/Speech

                  Humility

                  Generosity/Giving/Money

                  Trusting in God’s Promises

Relationships

                  Manhood/Womanhood

                  Dating/Marriage

                  Sexuality

                  Family/Children

                  Submission/Authority

                  The Church

                  Friendships

Life Issues

                  Time Management

                  Work

                  God’s Will

                  Goal Setting

                  Lust

                  Pride

                  Suffering/Trials

                  Accountability

                  Conflict/Anger

I have tons of resources to help get you started in some of these topics if you head over to my Discipleship Resources Page. There you will find many of these specific resources mentioned, so head over there to check them out!

Basic Discipleship Topics Printable

*This resource is meant to be shared! If you found it helpful, please share it with family and friends, use it as you disciple others in your life, and continue passing on a love for being a disciple of Christ who makes disciples!*