If Bible teachers want to disciple students toward spiritual growth, they need some objectives for getting there. Discipleship doesn’t usually just happen.
Start with a Broad Objective for Discipling Your Students
Since Jesus identified love for God as the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-40) then it only makes sense that growing in their love for Him becomes a top priority in discipling others. That requires helping students get to know the God who is love better, not just about Him, but to truly know Him personally and relationally. That changes people from the inside out and they become more and more fully devoted to our Lord.
Getting to “know and rely on the love God has for us” leads to loving others, the second greatest commandment. As Scripture says, “we love because he first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:16-19).
Specific Objectives in Discipleship
Our specific objectives grow out of the broad objective. Here are some ways to show love for God and others:
- spend time with God in His Word
- communicate with God in prayer
- worship God in spirit and in truth
- emulate Him with Christ-like character
- become faithful and cheerful givers
- develop Christ-like relationships
- serve God and one another
- reach out to others with the love of God
For help reaching these specific objectives, click on the above links. Also, check out the worksheets at: Teacher Discipleship Resources (The worksheets are part of the Teacher’s Role in Discipling Students Bundle but can be ordered separately.)