Every follower of Jesus Christ enters the faith with a need to learn and grow. If the seed of faith is to take root, it must be cultivated with better understanding and sprout forth new desires in life. Paul tells the Ephesians this is for unity of the faith and maturity that is measured in the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). A biblical plan is then needed to disciple a new believer. A plan that instructs, encourages, even admonishes and corrects. A discipleship plan based on God’s Word is the only approach that helps believers learn and embody the “good” of the good news of Jesus. Without a plan, a new convert will be unprepared for life’s struggles and the spiritual attacks that in evidently come.
This plan must be centered on the gospel of Jesus and dependent on the Holy Spirit working in the life of the believer. Knowing the gospel centers on Jesus, the discipleship plan must then ultimately be Christ-centered. The gospel is not some impersonal force, but rather the truthful message of what Jesus has accomplished for the believer. Gospel comprehension and gospel living centered on Christ will guard against shallow living that is swept away by distractions or apathy. It also emboldens believers to share the good news that move beyond bumper-sticker, gospel presentations.
To this end, below is a basic gospel-centered discipleship plan, that ideally should be led by a more mature believer but may also be used by the new believer themselves. There are four areas I touch on: knowing the gospel according to the Bible; knowing what salvation is; a simple bible reading plan for beginners; and, some books to read that will help further understanding of the faith.
1. Know the Gospel in a Verse. Below are some verses from the Bible that clearly articulate what the gospel is. These single verses are short enough to memorize.
Mark 10:45 “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.”
Romans 1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.”
(Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8—when learned together they depict everyone’s condition, the danger we are all in, and the rescue given)
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 5:8 “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 “Though [Jesus] was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (Rich in his love and grace and salvation!)
1 Timothy 1:15 “Christ came into the world to save sinners.”
1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Revelation 5:9 “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”
2. Know Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:3-4 Grace from God the Father (initiated) and Jesus Christ (accomplished) “who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from this evil age,” to whom be the glory (purpose).
Ephesians 2:5,8 By grace alone a follower of Jesus is saved, not by their effort or ability.
Romans 10:10 Believe and confess (through means of faith).
3. Scripture to read and study (This should be done daily. Just like the physical body that needs food and is strengthened by eating daily meals, so Scripture feeds the soul and nourishes the believer—Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Psalm 19:7-11; and Psalm 119):
- Begin with the Book of Philippians—this will help the believer rejoice in the truths about Jesus and treasure him because he is the object of the Christian’s joy. In other words read why Christians say, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.”
- Read the Gospel of John—A biography of Jesus’ life given so a person will believe Jesus is the Christ and have life in him.
- Use Pastor Garrett Kell’s . Pastor Kell provides an excellent plan to understand the overall picture of the Bible.
4. Books to read:
- Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul
- God is the Gospel, John Piper
- A Gospel Primer, Milton Vincent
- Concise Theology, J.I. Packer
- Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, John Piper
- Habits of Grace, David Mathis
- Spiritual Disciplines, Don Whitney
- God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible, Vaughn Roberts
- Finally Alive, John Piper
- Gospel Fluency, Jeff Vanderstelt
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.