We at CEP are regularly asked what materials we recommend for discipling people. There are many different ways we could respond and we do answer differently according to the circumstance.  We have been encouraged to develop a PCA, CE/P discipleship program, but we have not done so because we believe that there is no one best way to disciple people. Those who have thought they have developed “the way” have realized that one program does not work for everyone in every situation. Those who think they have the final answer have not been honest with themselves or with God. 

For years we have suggested that you design your approach, as we do at CEP, according to the particular circumstance and purpose. Having said that, there are good programs available that can serve as useful resource tools. Discipleship Essentials is one of those tools. Though Ogden’s twenty-one lesson study guide favors a triad approach, it can be used one-on-one, in a class, or in other small group settings. 

The book is divided into four sections: Growing Up in Christ, Understanding the Message of Christ, Becoming like Christ, Serving Christ. Those sections include topics such as prayer, worship, the Trinity, man as God’s image bearer, grace, redemption, justification, adoption, the Holy Spirit, witness, the Church, and spiritual warfare.  The book’s format comprises reading sections, inductive study, and workbook style questions and answers.  Each topic has a “core truth,” a Scripture lesson, reading, and memory verse.

Ogden suggests that three things are essential to develop a discipleship environment: 1. the unchanging truth of God’s Word, 2. transparent relationships in the Holy Spirit’s laboratory, and 3. mutual accountability.  He writes, “What would happen to the church of Jesus Christ if a majority of those who claim to follow Christ were nurtured to maturity through intimate, accountable relationships centered on the essentials of  God’s Word?  Self-initiating, Christlike disciples would be the result.”

While admitting that tools do not make disciples, he has given us a good tool to help us with the discipleship process.  He deals with certain truths, but takes the approach that modeling is still the most influential method of impacting people.  That is why honest, open, transparent relationships are so much a part of the process.  As Aristotle once said, “We do learn best from our friends.”  The rising generations are turned off by the lack of authenticity (realness), integrity, and spontaneity in the church.  Being genuine, identification, and living out our faith on a day-to-day basis is winsome.

I agree with Ogden that three or four people involved in this type of discipleship is most effective.  I also agree that we must be careful to include elements such as family relationships, church membership, attendance, and participation, as well as our own personal quiet time (study and prayer). All are important in the process of growing in Christ.  Those need to be dealt with up front as part of the process, and Ogden does not leave out or by-pass those ingredients.