Biblical Evangelism and Discipleship

This course presents the biblical principles that guide evangelism methods. It describes forms of evangelism and provides lessons to use in discipling new converts.

Course Description

This course is a tool to help the church fulfill its mission. The course emphasizes the centrality of the local church, showing that the gospel is the mission of the church, and that the nature of the gospel should shape the church. By explaining the basics of the gospel, this course corrects errors of modern methods that do not lead a sinner to genuine conversion and Christian living. Thus, the student will be equipped to develop his ministry.

Most of the lessons of the course can be taught as complete topics for various kinds of groups. For example, a lesson can be used to teach a method for presenting the gospel.

In this course, students are learning how to make disciples. Shepherds Global Classroom has produced a discipleship resource specifically for use with new believers. This discipleship lesson book, Cultivate Discipleship Lessons, is available for download from shepherdsglobal.org. Each of the 26 lessons in Cultivate Discipleship Lessons includes a teacher guide and student pages.

Course Objectives

(1) To explain the implications of the gospel for the nature and design of the church

(2) To review the basic doctrines of the gospel

(3) To train believers in practical methods of evangelism

(4) To understand the responsibility of the church for discipleship

(5) To define and describe the task of discipleship

(6) To learn practical methods for leading a small group for discipleship

(7) To provide a series of lessons to be used in discipleship of new converts

Explanations and Directions for Class Leaders

Notes to class leaders are included throughout the course with directions for specific parts of the lessons. They are italicized.

Discussion questions and in-class activities are indicated by ►. For discussion questions, the class leader should ask the question and allow students to answer. It is not necessary that the question be thoroughly answered in the discussion. The lesson material will answer the question. If the same student usually answers first, or if some students do not speak up, the leader can direct the question to someone: “Isaiah, how would you answer this question?”

Each lesson ends with assignments. Assignments should be completed and reported before the next lesson time. If a student does not complete an assignment, he can do it later. However, the leader should encourage students to keep on schedule so that they learn more from the class.

Students will complete writing assignments of several kinds. Usually the class leader should collect written assignments at the beginning of the class time. (Two of the assignments (Lesson 6, Assignment 1, and Lesson 14, Assignment 1) do not need to be turned in, only reported.)

Students will also present the gospel to many people using the methods learned in class. After each presentation, they will write about their experiences and share in class about how the presentations went. They will prepare an evangelistic sermon for adults and a lesson for children. There are two tests in this course, over Lessons 5 and 10. Students should write the answers from memory without looking at any material or talking to each other. No answer key is provided for the class leader, because all answers are easily found in the lesson text.

Lesson 13 includes directions for distributing gospel tracts. The students will need to know where to get some tracts for distribution. If possible, bring a supply to that class session.

If the student wants to earn a certificate from Shepherds Global Classroom, he should attend the class sessions and complete the assignments. A form is provided at the end of the course for recording the assignments completed.