Begin Following Jesus More Deeply With the Good Way Discipleship Course
Have you wanted to grow in your faith but felt unsure where to begin? Perhaps you know someone who recently became a Christian, or your church needs an accessible resource for helping people follow Jesus.
The Good Way Discipleship Course is now available, and the entire program is free. Its twelve steps provide biblical teaching, thoughtful discussion, and practical encouragement for growing in Christ. You can study online or download the complete course book as a PDF to read, print, and share.
Whether you are exploring Christianity, beginning your Christian life, or seeking renewed purpose after years of faith, we invite you to begin.
A Journey Centered on Jesus
Jesus welcomes people to come to him and learn:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28, World English Bible, Updated
Christian growth begins with the Savior who died for sinners and rose again. Salvation is God’s gift of grace, received through faith, and the good works that follow grow from his saving work (Ephesians 2:8-10).
This course keeps that foundation before you. Across twelve steps, you will explore the gospel, new life in Christ, abiding in Jesus, Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit, repentance, love, church fellowship, perseverance, and making disciples.
The aim is a lifetime of knowing Christ and following him faithfully. Jesus teaches us to remain in him (John 15:1-11), receive his Word, and put his teaching into practice (James 1:22-25).
Twelve Steps, With Someone Beside You
The course is designed primarily for one person to study with a mature Christian who provides encouragement and guidance. Each lesson includes Scripture readings, teaching, discussion questions, practical application, and help for the discipler.
You do not need to know every answer before helping someone. You can open Scripture together, listen carefully, pray, and continue learning.
This reflects the shared life described in Acts 2:42-47 and the responsibility to pass faithful teaching to others in 2 Timothy 2:1-2. Christians need opportunities to ask questions, receive encouragement, and practice love within real relationships (Hebrews 10:24-25).
A Resource for Many Different Groups
Although personal mentoring is the starting point, we warmly encourage churches and ministry leaders to adapt the course for their communities.
| Who could use it? | A practical way to begin |
|---|---|
| New believers and mentors | Meet regularly to read Scripture and discuss one step at a time. |
| Church classes and small groups | Use the lessons for a guided series with time for questions and prayer. |
| Men’s and women’s ministries | Pair participants for encouragement between group meetings. |
| Families and married couples | Study together and discuss how Christ’s teaching shapes home life. |
| College ministries and older youth groups | Explore Christian foundations with suitable adult leadership. |
| Chaplaincies, prison ministries, and recovery groups | Use printed lessons with appropriate pastoral guidance and support. |
| Missionaries and community outreach teams | Offer a free resource for ongoing conversations about following Jesus. |
| Individual readers | Begin independently while seeking trustworthy Christian fellowship. |
A small church can use it. A friend meeting another friend over coffee can use it. A ministry with limited funds can print copies and begin. Please do not underestimate what God may accomplish through a patient conversation and an open Bible.
Read Online or Download the Free Course Book
All twelve online lessons and the complete discipleship course PDF are freely available. There is no course fee or required purchase.
Visit Step 1: Begin the Journey to start studying and find the complete PDF under “Download and Share the Complete Discipleship Course.” You can also access all twelve steps through our Resource Library.
Please share the course with your pastor, a friend, your small-group leader, or someone who wants to understand Christianity. Printed copies can help people who prefer paper or have limited internet access.
Take the First Step
Getting started can be simple:
- Open Step 1 and read its introduction.
- Invite someone to join you, ideally a trustworthy, mature Christian.
- Arrange your first meeting and prepare by reading the lesson and assigned Scripture.
- Continue through the twelve steps, allowing time for questions, prayer, and practical obedience.
A weekly meeting is a helpful starting point, but take additional time where needed. Let the course strengthen your participation in a healthy local church.
As you begin, also consider whom you might eventually encourage. Jesus commands his followers to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), and ordinary believers can serve him through their homes, churches, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
Please pray for everyone who uses this course. Pray for repentance and faith, deeper understanding of Scripture, faithful mentors, strengthened churches, and courage to share Christ’s love (Colossians 1:9-12).
Begin with one lesson, one willing companion, and prayerful trust in God. The person you encourage today may one day help someone else follow Jesus.
