Foundations Core Studies
The Foundations Core Studies are a series of teachings designed for new believers or for Christians who have never received teaching on the basics of their faith. The set of 15 studies begin with an Introductory Session that explains what has happened for you as a result of putting your trust in Jesus. We recommend you follow the studies chronologically. At the end of most of the Foundations Core Studies we have added the titles of Suggested Further Studies to compliment the teaching. These can be accessed directly from the bottom of each study or from the Foundations Further Studies page.
As these are biblical studies, we recommend you use a version of the Bible that is a translation from the original Hebrew and Greek. For example, we have mainly used the New King James Version (NKJV) or the English Standard Version (ESV) for our biblical references in all studies. The reason we recommend this is that if you use a paraphrase version of the Bible such as the Message or other such versions, you will not be getting a direct biblical translation from the text which is necessary for accurate study. These Bibles are written with the aim of storytelling the scriptures from the interpretation of a single author or group.
| What is the goal? The goal is to see the new believer discover more about God and choose to obey Him. |
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How does that happen?
In the same way it happened for you. When a new believer chooses to obey the Lord their heart changes which has a direct impact upon their way of living life. It is their response to the word and the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. The role of the discipler is to …
To point them to Jesus
John 1:35-37
‘Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.To spend time with them
Matthew 9:10
‘While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house…’To see them baptised
Matthew 29:19
‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’To love them
John 13:34
‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”To teach them
Matthew 5:1
‘Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.To listen to them
Matthew 13:10-11
‘The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables? “He replied….’To be their friend
John 15:30
‘Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.To lovingly correct them
John 9:55
‘But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’To stand with them in their troubles
Matthew 8:14-15
‘When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.’To pray for them
John 17:11
‘Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me,[b] that they may be one as We are.’To be an example
John 13:15
‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.’
Jesus modelled how to make disciples. He didn’t give them a manual, his life was an open book. He taught by example. He didn’t control but let his disciples try, succeed and fail whilst holding them before the Father in prayer. At the end of his time on earth he commanded them to go and do likewise. It may seem daunting but it is a great privilege to come alongside and teach a new believer to obey, observe and maintain all that He has taught you.
Matthew 28:19-20
‘And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the 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 have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.