Bible Study 12.5: Making Disciples for the Long Term

Topic Connection

Topic 12 concludes the course by moving from conversion into baptism, Christian doctrine, worship, communion, church belonging, service, leadership development, and long-term gospel witness.

This Bible study trains Christian leaders and outreach teams to welcome new believers into patient, accountable discipleship rather than treating conversion as the end of ministry.

Ministry Training Purpose

This 60-minute study equips leaders serving through a local church, church plant, Soul Center, chaplaincy, or Christian ministry to:

• guide new believers toward Christian belonging

• develop a patient discipleship pathway

• prepare believers for baptism and communion

• teach foundational Christian doctrine

• protect privacy and personal testimony

• recognize conversion costs

• provide appropriate support and referrals

• develop new leaders without rushing them

• build long-term gospel witness

• trust the Holy Spirit with spiritual growth

Primary Scripture

Matthew 28:18–20

“Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”

Supporting Scriptures

• Acts 2:41–47

• Romans 6:3–4

• 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

• Galatians 5:22–23

• Ephesians 2:8–10

• Ephesians 4:11–16

• Philippians 1:6

• 1 Timothy 3:1–7

• 2 Timothy 2:1–2

• 1 Peter 4:10–11

Ministry Training Outcome

By the end of this study, participants should be able to create a patient and accountable discipleship pathway that moves a new believer from initial faith toward baptism, church belonging, Christian formation, service, and possible future leadership.

60-Minute Schedule

1. Welcome, Opening Question, and Prayer

Time: 5 Minutes

Opening Question

Ask each participant:

What is the difference between helping someone make an initial profession of faith and helping that person become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ?

Allow several brief responses.

Leader Introduction

Explain:

Christian ministry does not end when someone says, “I believe in Jesus.” Conversion begins a lifelong journey of learning, worship, obedience, fellowship, service, and transformation through the Holy Spirit.

For someone leaving Scientology, this journey may also include grief, changing relationships, unfamiliar Christian vocabulary, loss of community, financial concerns, and uncertainty about religious authority.

A faithful ministry does not merely help someone leave an old religious identity. It welcomes that person into a new life and community under Jesus Christ.

Opening Prayer

Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—we thank you for saving us by grace through Jesus Christ. Give us wisdom to make disciples with patience, truth, humility, and love. Protect us from manipulating people, rushing their growth, or using their stories for our own purposes. Help us welcome new believers into healthy Christian community and long-term faithfulness. Amen.

2. Scripture Study One: Making Disciples

Time: 10 Minutes

Read Matthew 28:18–20

Ask one participant to read the passage aloud.

Observation Questions

1. What authority does Jesus claim?

2. What command does Jesus give his followers?

3. What actions are included in making disciples?

4. In whose name are disciples baptized?

5. What are disciples taught to do?

6. What promise does Jesus give his followers?

Interpretation

Jesus does not command his followers merely to gain decisions or secure professions of faith. He commands them to make disciples.

Making disciples includes:

• going to people

• proclaiming the gospel

• inviting faith in Christ

• baptizing believers

• teaching obedience

• forming Christian community

• trusting Christ’s continuing presence

Baptism identifies the believer with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and welcomes the believer into the visible life of Christ’s people.

Teaching is also central. New believers need to understand the gospel, Scripture, Christian doctrine, prayer, worship, ethics, service, and church life.

Jesus does not command leaders to control the disciple. All authority belongs to Jesus.

Christian leaders serve under Christ’s authority. They do not become unquestionable spiritual masters.

Ministry Application

Ask:

• How could a ministry focus on conversion while neglecting discipleship?

• What happens when a new believer is baptized but receives little teaching or Christian friendship?

• What dangers arise when leaders treat disciples as people who belong to them?

• How does Christ’s authority limit the authority of church leaders?

Leadership Principle

Christian leaders do not gather personal followers. They help people become disciples of Jesus Christ.

3. Scripture Study Two: The Life of the Church

Time: 10 Minutes

Read Acts 2:41–47

Ask another participant to read the passage aloud.

Observation Questions

1. What happened after people received the message?

2. To what practices did the believers devote themselves?

3. How did believers relate to one another?

4. How were practical needs addressed?

5. Where did worship and fellowship occur?

6. What qualities characterized their shared life?

Interpretation

The early believers entered a visible community shaped by:

• the apostles’ teaching

• fellowship

• the breaking of bread

• prayer

• generosity

• hospitality

• worship

• shared life

• public witness

Christian belonging is more than attendance at an occasional meeting. It includes relationships, responsibilities, worship, learning, service, and mutual care.

The breaking of bread includes shared meals and points toward communion. Communion repeatedly directs the church back to Christ’s sacrifice and grace.

No believer advances beyond the need for Christ.

The church is not a collection of spiritually ranked individuals. It is one body whose members depend upon grace and serve one another.

Supporting Scripture Discussion

Read Galatians 5:22–23.

Ask:

According to this passage, what kind of character does the Holy Spirit form?

Discuss the fruit of the Spirit:

• love

• joy

• peace

• patience

• kindness

• goodness

• faithfulness

• gentleness

• self-control

Explain that Christian maturity is measured more faithfully by Christlike character than by public visibility, organizational rank, impressive knowledge, or claims of extraordinary spiritual ability.

Ministry Application

Ask:

• Which practices from Acts 2 should appear in a healthy discipleship pathway?

• How can a church help a new believer form genuine Christian friendships?

• Why are generosity and practical care part of discipleship?

• How can leaders avoid making new believers feel like ministry projects?

Leadership Principle

Long-term discipleship develops through biblical teaching, Christian relationships, worship, service, and the gracious work of the Holy Spirit.

4. Topic Comparison and Ministry Interpretation

Time: 10 Minutes

Spiritual Advancement and Christian Discipleship

Explain that someone coming from Scientology may be familiar with a graded path of advancement.

Progress may be associated with:

• completed courses

• auditing

• higher levels

• increased knowledge

• improved ability

• measurable achievement

• recognition or status

Christian discipleship differs at its foundation.

Salvation is received by grace through faith. It is not earned through spiritual progression.

Ephesians 2:8–10 teaches that believers are saved by grace, not works, and then created in Christ Jesus for good works.

Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the price of salvation.

Comparison Chart

Shared Words That Require Clarification

Christian leaders should not assume that familiar words have shared meanings.

Discuss these examples:

Salvation

Christian salvation is rescue from sin, condemnation, death, and separation from God through Jesus Christ.

Freedom

Christian freedom is not unlimited autonomy. It is freedom from slavery to sin and freedom to live faithfully under Christ.

Spiritual Growth

Christian growth is not progress toward unlimited ability. It is growth in love, holiness, wisdom, humility, service, and dependence upon God.

Eternal Life

Eternal life is restored fellowship with God, culminating in bodily resurrection and new creation.

Church

The church is the body of Christ, not merely an organization that distributes religious services.

Ministry Interpretation Questions

Ask the team:

1. How should we explain salvation without describing it as another graded path?

2. How can we honor a new believer’s abilities without assigning spiritual rank?

3. How should we respond when someone expects rapid advancement into Christian leadership?

4. How can we teach that Christian practices are gifts of grace rather than spiritual technologies?

5. What signs show that someone is developing a new identity in Christ?

Leadership Principle

Christian discipleship begins with grace, continues through grace, and produces faithful service rather than spiritual superiority.

5. Team Scenario and Leadership Practice

Time: 10 Minutes

Scenario: “I Am Ready to Lead”

Elena became a Christian eight months ago after spending twelve years in Scientology.

She attends worship regularly, has been baptized, and speaks confidently about her conversion. She has professional leadership experience and knows Scientology terminology better than anyone else in the congregation.

Several church members believe Elena should immediately begin leading an outreach group for former Scientologists.

Elena tells the pastor:

“I already know how to lead people. I have more experience with Scientology than anyone here. Waiting feels like the church does not trust me.”

The pastor has several concerns:

• Elena is still learning foundational Christian doctrine.

• She sometimes describes prayer as a procedure that should produce predictable results.

• She becomes defensive when people question her interpretation of Scientology.

• Several relatives remain Scientologists.

• Her public testimony includes details about other people.

• She is grieving the loss of former friendships.

• She strongly associates leadership with personal value.

Small-Group Questions

Divide participants into groups of three or four.

Ask each group to discuss:

1. What gifts should the church affirm in Elena?

2. What concerns should the pastor address?

3. What risks could come from placing her into leadership immediately?

4. How could the church avoid rejecting or discouraging her?

5. What service roles could she begin now?

6. What training should precede leadership?

7. How should the church protect her testimony and family privacy?

8. What evidence of readiness should leaders observe over time?

9. What professional referrals might be appropriate?

10. How can leaders communicate that waiting is formation rather than punishment?

Role-Play

Assign three roles:

• Elena

• the pastor

• an elder or mentor

Practice a five-minute conversation.

The pastor should:

• affirm Elena’s gifts

• explain the difference between giftedness and readiness

• protect her from exploitation

• propose meaningful service

• establish a development pathway

• invite her response

• avoid shame or control

Suggested Leadership Response

Elena, your gifts and experience matter, and we are grateful that you want to serve. We are not saying that you cannot become a leader. We want to help you become rooted in Christian doctrine, healthy relationships, accountable service, and an identity centered on Christ. You can begin serving now under experienced leadership while we develop a pathway toward greater responsibility.

Behavior the Leader Should Correct

The leader should gently correct:

• treating personal experience as universally authoritative

• sharing private information without permission

• equating Christian maturity with rank or ability

• resisting appropriate correction

• seeking authority as proof of personal worth

• turning prayer or discipleship into spiritual technology

• speaking disrespectfully about current Scientologists

Leadership Principle

Patient leadership development honors gifts while protecting the believer, the church, and the people who may be served.

6. Local Discipleship Planning

Time: 10 Minutes

Ask the group to develop a pathway that their local church, Soul Center, church plant, or ministry could use with a new believer coming from Scientology.

Stage One: Welcome and Safety

Identify how the ministry will provide:

• respectful listening

• freedom to ask questions

• privacy

• honest Christian identity

• freedom from pressure

• assessment of immediate practical concerns

• appropriate professional referrals

Planning Question

Who will meet with the person during the first month?

Stage Two: Gospel Understanding

Identify how the ministry will teach:

• the Triune God

• creation

• sin

• the person of Jesus Christ

• the cross

• bodily resurrection

• salvation by grace

• repentance and faith

• the work of the Holy Spirit

Planning Question

What foundational Christian course, mentor, or study will be used?

Stage Three: Baptism Preparation

Identify who will explain:

• the meaning of baptism

• the church’s baptism practice

• public identification with Christ

• expectations of Christian discipleship

• the role of the local church

Planning Question

How will the church ensure baptism focuses on Christ rather than sensational details about the person’s former religion?

Stage Four: Church Belonging

Plan opportunities for:

• worship

• small-group participation

• communion

• Christian friendship

• hospitality

• pastoral care

• practical support

• questions about church leadership and practices

Planning Question

Who will help the new believer build relationships beyond the ministry leader?

Stage Five: Supported Service

Identify meaningful service roles that do not require immediate authority.

Examples include:

• hospitality

• community meals

• practical assistance

• prayer support

• facility preparation

• service projects

• supervised outreach

• administrative support

Planning Question

What role would allow the person to serve without making the former religious identity the center of ministry?

Stage Six: Leadership Development

Develop expectations concerning:

• Christian character

• doctrinal understanding

• humility

• teachability

• confidentiality

• healthy relationships

• respect for boundaries

• willingness to serve without recognition

• training

• endorsement

• accountability

Planning Question

Who has authority to confirm that a person is ready for leadership?

Stage Seven: Long-Term Witness

Plan how the believer may be equipped to:

• love family members who remain Scientologists

• answer questions respectfully

• share the gospel with permission

• avoid exaggeration

• protect private information

• serve neighbors

• participate in church mission

• trust the Holy Spirit with outcomes

Planning Question

How will the church support the believer when gospel conversations do not lead to conversion?

Safeguards

The discipleship plan must not involve:

• psychotherapy by untrained ministers

• trauma treatment

• medical diagnosis

• legal advice

• covert investigation

• deprogramming

• pressure to leave Scientology immediately

• forced public testimony

• manipulation of conversion

• promises of predictable spiritual outcomes

Professional assistance should be sought when concerns involve:

• abuse

• threats of self-harm

• domestic violence

• child safety

• severe emotional distress

• housing instability

• employment disputes

• medical needs

• legal questions

• financial crisis

Leadership Principle

A healthy discipleship pathway combines biblical formation, Christian belonging, practical care, accountable service, and appropriate boundaries.

7. Commitment and Closing Prayer

Time: 5 Minutes

Team Commitment

Invite participants to read the following commitment aloud:

By God’s grace, we will seek to make disciples rather than collect decisions.

We will welcome new believers into Scripture, prayer, baptism, worship, communion, Christian friendship, service, and long-term church belonging.

We will not measure Christian maturity by rank, control, public visibility, or extraordinary ability.

We will affirm gifts without rushing people into leadership.

We will protect privacy and refuse to use conversion stories as ministry trophies.

We will respect freedom of conscience and share the gospel without pressure or hidden motives.

We will recognize the limits of our ministry roles and make appropriate professional referrals.

We will remain accountable to Scripture and Christian leadership.

We will trust the Holy Spirit to bring conversion, form Christlike character, and sustain long-term faithfulness.

Closing Leadership Questions

Ask the team to answer briefly:

1. What part of our present discipleship process is strongest?

2. Where are new believers most likely to be neglected?

3. What behavior must our leaders correct?

4. What safeguards need to be added?

5. How will we protect testimony and confidentiality?

6. How will we prevent premature leadership placement?

7. How will we support family, employment, or housing concerns?

8. How will we remain accountable to church leadership?

9. How will our ministry create appropriate gospel bridges?

10. How will we trust the Holy Spirit instead of manipulating outcomes?

Closing Prayer

Father, thank you for calling people out of darkness and into the kingdom of your beloved Son. Help us welcome new believers with patience, truth, wisdom, and love. Teach us to make disciples who are rooted in Scripture, joined to the church, formed by the Holy Spirit, and faithful in service.

Protect us from pride, control, manipulation, and careless leadership. Help us honor every person as created in your image. Give us courage to proclaim Jesus Christ clearly and humility to entrust every outcome to you.

Strengthen new believers through baptism, worship, communion, Christian friendship, sound doctrine, and resurrection hope. Form leaders who serve with character, competence, compassion, and accountability.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.