GRADE
All churches
10-12
Understanding God
Andy & Kim Harrison
(Gaining a proper concept of God)
All churches
10-12
Seek, Share, Serve
Andy & Kim Harrison
(Living a life of intentional evangelism)
All churches
10-12
Becoming Christlike
Andy & Kim Harrison
(Developing the character of Christ)
Another study choice…
Essentials
for Life After High School
Compiled by Dwayne Ulmer
& Dwayne McCrary
(13 Sessions)
Another study choice…
LifeTrak (Older Youth)
LifeWay
(13 Sessions, Pub. Quarterly)
Another study choice…
How Now Shall We Live?
Charles Colson & Nancy Pearcey
(8 Sessions)
GRADE
Large Churches
7
Smaller Churches
(7-9)
Right Choices
Josh McDowell
(Decision Making)
Large Churches
8
Smaller Churches
(7-9)
The Mind of Christ
T. W. Hunt & Claude V. King
(Becoming like Jesus)
Large Churches
9
Smaller Churches
(7-9)
Masterlife
Avery T. Willis
(Christian Life & Growth)
Another study choice…
Share Jesus Without Fear
William Fay & Ralph Hodge
(4 Sessions)
Another study choice…
Jesus On Leadership
Becoming a Servant Leader
C. Gene Wilkes
(5 Sessions)
Another study choice…
Vital Truth
LifeWay
(24 books, 4 sessions each)
GRADE
Large Churches
7
Smaller Churches
(7-9)
Search for Significance
Dawson McAllister & Robert S. McGee
(Self Esteem)
Large Churches
8
Smaller Churches
(7-9)
When God Speaks
Henry & Richard Blackaby
(Discerning God’s voice)
Large Churches
9
Smaller Churches
(7-9)
Experiencing God
Henry Blackaby
(Knowing & Doing the Will of God)
Another study choice…
Survival Kit
for Youth
Ralph W. Neighbor, Jr.
(11 Sessions)
Another study choice…
The Student God Uses
Henry & Tom Blackaby
(6 Sessions)
Another study choice…
Vital Truth
LifeWay
(24 books, 4 sessions each)
A farmer cultivates the seed so that it may grow.
He takes great care of it, protects it, nourishes it,
etc. Through all of his efforts, his vision is not on
the seed, but upon what the seed will become. This
is an excellent comparison to keep in mind as you cultivate, care for,
and train the disciples in your group. Ask the Lord to give you vi-
sion for what each of your students will
become
. He is so faithful to
let you see, if you ask Him. He already sees the finished result: their
perfection in Christ. You need to “see” this, too. This will be the
very thing that will help you to continue cultivating on the days
when you feel like your labor is in vain. The farmer does not see an
ear of corn the day after he plants the seed. He continually gives the
basics for the life, the growth and the fruit of the seed, day after day,
week after week. And finally he reaps the harvest. As a Discipler
you will want to continue to give love, discipline, patience, kindness,
etc. over and over again.
“...for in due time we shall reap if we do
not grow weary.”
(Galatians 6:9)
In following the Lord’s example of initiating a rela-
tionship with us through His Son, we are to model
His example by being initiators in relationships.
This is especially true of the relationship between
the Discipler and the students in his or her group.
For example, when you happen to see a student who is in your
group, don’t wait for him to come and say, “Hi.” You be the first
one to go up to him. If the student misses a Discipleship meeting,
don’t wait for her to come to you, go to her. Make sure you are also
taking the initiative in doing fun things with the student in your
group as well. Look for opportunities to get on their turf. If he
plays football, go watch him play in a game. If she likes to go shop-
ping, take her shopping. Go to where they are, instead of waiting
for them to come to where you are. Do not think of taking the ini-
tiative as a one time effort. Continue to make phone calls. Con-
tinue to send encouraging notes. Continue to set up times to meet
even if they skip their one-on-ones. (It will happen) Decide now on
your role as an initiator for the whole year, regardless of whether or
not they
ever
initiate anything with you.
Communication is essential in building relation-
ships. Learn to be the kind of communicator that
puts others at ease to communicate with you. Ask
good questions. Be a good listener, even if what
they talk about seems trivial to you. Do not make the student, who
For all your words of wisdom, remember that hu-
mility is the best teacher. Let the students in your
group know that you are a disciple , too. (The word
disciple means “learner.”) Place more emphasis on
what God is teaching
you
, rather than on what you
think you need to teach
them
. They are learning much more from
what you do than from what you say. For example, let them know
how your Bible Study is speaking to you. Let them see you work-
ing on Scripture Memory. Let them see your burden for lost peo-
ple. Let them see your heart. If you visit a nursing home, take one
of your students with you. You ma never be the Bible Study
Leader in your church. You may never teach a Sunday School
Class. But your youth are watching you, and they are learning form
you. There are so many ways that you can teach without ever for-
mally “teaching.” Remember, Jesus took the disciples with Him
when he ministered to the sick. They watched how He responded
to those who opposed Him. They observed His value system. It is
interesting that He never organized a Bible Study group. Nor did
He teach in a classroom. Instead, He taught from His life, and His
disciples learned from Him. The most memorable things your stu-
dents will learn from you will more than likely happen during a
time when you never planned for them to learn from you at all. Do
not be afraid to let them observe your life: strengths
and
weak-
nesses.
People need to be loved. People need to
know
that
they are loved. You will be amazed at how your
genuine love impacts the students in your group.
Let it be evidenced through your verbals and your
non-verbals. Communicate your love in many creative ways. Let
them know how much they mean to you. Often the dynamic of a
great big bear hug will be greater than anything else you can do.
Give them a picture of what Jesus is like. Allow Him to love your
students through you. And do not be afraid to give your heart away.
The Higher Goal
. So far, we have looked at ways
that you can be effective with the youth that have
been entrusted to you. How can we sum up your
responsibility as a Discipler. It is simply this:
Give
them a picture of what Jesus is li
ke. If your goal is
to get them to perform by completing a bunch of Bible Studies,
memorizing a bunch of scripture, etc., then you will do whatever it
takes: manipulate, bribe, etc., to get them to do it. If your goal is get
them to like you, then you may find it difficult to hold them account-
able for commitments they have made or sin they are holding on to.
Neither extreme gives a true picture of what Jesus is like. Jesus
gives us a picture of one who requires commitment from His follow-
ers, but who shows mercy when they do not live up to their commit-
ments. You must also take into consideration this overall goal (
to
give them a picture of Jesus
), when it comes to things like how you
respond, what tone you use when you teach, etc. There is rarely a
ministry opportunity (even the very ministry that takes place in your
own home!) when you should not ask yourself, “Will I give them a
picture of what Jesus is like if I do so-and-so?” Simply be an imita-
tor of Jesus in all that you do, and the Lord will use your life to im-
pact many.
probably feels intimidated seated across from an adult, feel uncom-
fortable or stupid because he could not think of anything to say. Try
to think of things that she enjoys and would feel comfortable talking
about. Do not expect to get into some great theological discussion
when you meet one-on-one with your students. Do not take it per-
sonally if a student does not spill his whole life’s story by the third
time you have met. It takes time to earn the role of confidant. This is
why the relationship part is so important in ministering to the stu-
dents in your group. Don’t pressure. And by all means do not give
in to the temptation to wrap up your self-esteem in how someone
confides in you. Discipling is not about how a student makes you
feel about
you
, but rather how you love and serve
them
without ex-
pecting anything in return.
