There is some research that suggests that engaging the Bible at least four times a week contributes greatly to spiritual growth. Although teaching through the Growth Areas will expose you and whoever your working with to scripture, there is no substitute for personally engaging the Bible on a regular basis. If the material you are covering with the person you are discipling does not have a Bible reading plan, please consider the following suggestions for each STAGE. Use this video to motivate you!
OPTION 1 KeyVerses
Paul Johnson (CNBC) has a great tool for those who need small doses of Scripture with a brief commentary. This is designed to be texted daily to the person you are discipling. Digital natives may be more comfortable with this format. You can copy and paste from the pdf and even insert their name in the appropriate spots. There are three different pdf’s with 7 weeks (35 days) worth of Scripture each specifically selected for the CURIOUS. Here are the subjects:
OPTION 2 Seven Stories Of Hope
Although there are a few versions of 7 STORIES OF HOPE (like Jeff Sundell’s), David Worcester has put together 7 stories to use from each of the 4 gospels (28 stories total). Although these are designed mainly to be read together with a DISCIPLE MAKER they can be assigned as individual readings as well. Just make sure to take time to discuss it with them. You can find it here.
OPTION 1 KeyVerses
Paul Johnson (CNBC) has a great tool for those who need small doses of Scripture with a brief commentary. This is designed to be texted daily to the person you are discipling. Digital natives may be more comfortable with this format. You can copy and paste from the pdf and even insert their name in the appropriate spots. There are 7 weeks (35 days) worth of Scripture specifically selected for the BELIEVERS learning about specific subjects.
- Basics
- God
- Jesus (part 1)
- Spirit
- Good News
- God’s Word
- Jesus (part 2)
- Prayer
- Doing Life Together
- Growing Spiritually
- Jesus (part 3)
OPTION 2 The Gospel of Mark Survey
Kesavan Balasingham, senior pastor at Fellowship Church Rouge Park, created a 3 week reading plan for the Gospel of Mark, a favorite resource for new BELIEVERS. Although the pdf is designed to help you organize 6 meetups the reading plan only lasts for the first 3 weeks. You can find it here.
OPTION 1 The Bible Project
Tim Mackie and Jonathan Collins of The Bible Project have put together a stunning visual resource for Scripture. Their vision is to create a 5-7 minute overview of every book of the Bible and have now attached it to a corresponding 1 year Bible reading plan. If you sign up for email updates, they’ll email you the scripture and the videos or you can download their app (in beta form). Take a look at the video below explaining how it works. (Single Page PDF)
OPTION 2 Look At The Book
You’re probably familiar with John Piper at Desiring God ministries but many people haven’t discovered the Look At The Book series of videos they’ve created. Unlike most teaching videos, all you see for the entire 8-10 minute video is Scripture being dissected and mined for its meaning. It’s especially useful because Piper gives tips on how the viewer should handle scripture in their own studies. He also provides study questions for each video. One series in particular, The Greatest Chapter, is especially meaty as he provides 32 videos on Romans Chapter 8. Here is a sample of the one of the videos:
OPTION 3 The Navigators Reading Plan
Many are familiar with the Navigators and they have a good selection of Bible Reading plans from you to choose from. Take a look at their selection here.
OPTION 4 THE MESSAGE: SOLO An Uncommon Devotional
Euguene Peterson created a devotional using selections from The Message Bible and a reading method known as lectio divina. There are some valid criticisms of the lectio divina approach to scripture. The goal of Bible Study is to find what the Scriptures are trying to say not what the scriptures are trying to say to me. But someone who is grounded in their understanding of Scripture can find this method useful for reflection and meditation. You can find several options for the SOLO devotional here.
OPTION 5 The Story Bible: The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People
Max Lucado and Randy Frazee give you a reordered and abridged version of the Bible that reads more like a novel than a Bible. It is an excellent tool for understanding Scripture as one continuing story and the lack of chapter and verse numbers gives a different experience to reading the Bible. You can find more info about The Story Bible here.
DISCIPLE MAKING STAGES 