Introduction

We have set up our websites as simply and easily organized as we can. This is a tough task because we have over a thousand content items from over thirty years of research and practice. Our goal is to provide you with the best most comprehensive and practical tools and resources you need to grow your spiritual life and church closer to Christ, and in so doing impact your neighborhood and world.

How these Studies are set up: We set our studies up in "Topical" categories, so you can pick and choose your own discipleship plan and path. We also set up for you many of our courses in "Curriculum Levels," 101, 201... Even these are very flexible and comprehensive fit for any Bible believing Christian across denominational lines who want to grow closer to Christ.

Theological Perspective: We take the highest view of God's most precious Word; we are Reformed, Conservative and passionate Evangelicals who want to seek the heart of Christ and thus see the Church reformed closer to Christ as LORD. Our materials, articles and studies are written from an "inductive perspective," thus we do not read into the Text any preconceived denominational perceptive or theological agenda, although what usually comes out is a "Reformed" view. Because the Reformed view simply means a logical deduction and expansion of the text from its original meaning and context. Our curriculums are used by virtually every denomination from Reformed, Mainline to Charismatic, Baptists and even Catholics who want more out of Bible Study.

Who are they for: Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Church Leaders, Seminary Professors and Students and any Christian who wants more than a tickling message. Originally these materials were written for pastors overseas in our training centers in Russia, India and 80 other countries. We write them to be flexible and cross cultural. However, our main writer is an educated mix blood American pastor who also teachers overseas. These are easy to learn and teach curriculums on how we can study and know God's Word so we can apply His precepts. These studies have also been designed and have been used for High School and Adult groups very successfully all over the world! It requires little effort on the leader's part, other than to read through it, and have a love and desire to get into God's Word for yourself. Because if you do not have a love and passion to be intimate with God, then how will you be able to communicate it to those God has entrusted to you for discipleship and leadership?

What about Men's or Women's groups: Our resources are also designed to be used individually and are also not gender exclusive, as they can be used by women's as well as men's groups. In our experience, most Men use the Accountability and Character Studies and the Women groups tend to use the Fruit of the Spirit and Faith Studies first. Both also use our Small Group Curriculum Model Doing Life Together.

What about Mentoring and Small Groups: Thus, any of our materials can be used for small groups, mentoring, in large groups, retreats, personal devotions or group discipleship. These can also be used for Bible studies and even sermon resources. We have extra resources on our Mentoring and Small Groups channels. Mentoring  Small Groups

How Can I use them as a Leader: If you are the leader, the opportunity is yours to put more into it if you have the time. If you are in a pinch, all you need to do is read through it first and go for it. The Lord will use you! But as with anything important, the more effort the "more" results you will receive in your own life and then impart on your students. You can give it to your students in advance, maybe a week before so they can read through and familiarize themselves with it, or you can just jump in and use it as a discussion platform or use it as teaching material. "They are user friendly."

• Keep in mind many of our studies have far more material and Scriptural passages than you need or will use. Thus, when you read through it, first mark which points you feel led to cover and use the rest for a second time or give to them as a handout for their own.

• So the hard part is the maturity of the leader, the easy part is teaching the subject. So spend time in prayer for the Lord to use you, for Him to guide you, read through the material and Bible passages and go for it in love and grace, because He loves you and will use you!

• Remember we cannot do the work of God unless we are the People of God, we cannot teach what we do not know or do!

• You can customize these resources for most any situation: For youth groups, small groups, Sunday school, retreats, or personal study.

And most important do not forget to pray! We recommend spending at least ¼ of your time in prayer. Pray before class with the leaders, then start off with an opening prayer, and end in small groups of 3 to 4 for prayer.

Permission: YES you may go ahead use and reprint and share our studies and articles. All we ask of you is to keep us in prayer, keep the name of our ministry, the authors name, link or URL address www.discipleshiptools.org and any copyright information on the resources, and feel free to tell others especially pastors what we have to offer. And, of course, we always need partners and supporters to keep this going.