A God-oriented life (not just more knowledge), with Jesus by our side, helped by the Holy Spirit.
prayer: Focus on God's direction and presence,
times of praise and fellowship, holy communion, creating a space for sharing: enabling participants to share their struggles and victories in their spiritual journey, to foster openness and support,
brief teaching,
group discussion,
each week, encourage participants to take an action related to the week's topic, and discuss their experiences the following week,
prayer.
Now you're saved => baptism (obey, die and live with Christ, witness) => a new creature lives with God every day: You!
Theme: Understanding who we are as children of God, a new creature born from above living in an eternal Kingdom, our Beth (home). Graced, loved, grateful, ready to experience and help as His child, becoming mature.
Key Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:10, Romans 8:15-17.
Content: Explore what it means to be a new creation in Christ, our identity as God's beloved, and how this shapes our purpose and mission.
Risk: Knowledge without revelation and experience.
Activities: Personal prayer, being with Christ every day.
Theme: Discerning God's voice in daily life.
Key Scriptures: John 10:27, Psalm 46:10, James 1:5, Matthew 6:9-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6-7
Content: Teaching about listening to God through Scripture, prayer and the Holy Spirit, and discerning between God's voice and others. Participants discover practical ways to develop a daily prayer routine and listen for God's voice.
Activity: Practice a structured prayer time together, incorporating silence, Scripture-based prayer and group intercession.
False belief: “I don't have time” or “I'm saved, that's enough”.
Application: Challenge each person to set aside a regular time for personal prayer over the coming week.
Theme: Worship as an expression of love and devotion, forever.
Content: Define worship not only as singing, but also as a lifestyle of honoring God in all areas. Teach the biblical basis of worship and its role in aligning our hearts with God's.
False belief: “not for me”.
Activity: Participate in a time of worship, whether through music and prayer.
Application: Invite each person to make worship part of their daily routine (for example, starting the day with worship music or using a psalm in personal prayer).
God's plan, our turn to act. Baptism as a model (sharing witness, dying to the old man, living a new life)
Theme: What does it mean to follow Jesus?
Key Scriptures: Luke 9:23-25; Matthew 28:18-20
Content: Explore the biblical meaning of discipleship, the cost of following Jesus and the transformation that discipleship brings. Use the gospel accounts of Jesus calling his disciples to emphasize the life changes he demands.
False belief: “Too much effort” (light yoke).
Discussion questions: What does discipleship look like in everyday life? What sacrifices does it involve?
Application: Invite participants to think about areas of their lives that need to change or grow.
Discerning that the Holy Spirit bears increasing fruit in us, we are transformed.
Teaching: Discuss each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit and how it reflects the character of Christ in our lives.
Activities: Group discussion of personal challenges to cultivating these fruits. Define practical steps to grow in a specific area.
False belief: “I see nothing”
Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:1-8.
Theme: Discovering and using spiritual gifts to serve.
Key Scriptures: 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
Content: Overview of spiritual gifts and their purpose, helping participants identify their gifts, and how to use them for the good of the church and community.
Risks: The risk is to say “Not for me” or to want the most visible gifts for power or money.
Activities: Assess spiritual gifts, discuss how gifts can be used, look for local service opportunities.
Learn to read the Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of them.
Theme: Hunger and thirst for the Word of God.
Content: Provide tools for studying the Bible, such as the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) and discuss why Scripture is essential for growth. Encourage reading of the Old and New Testaments to see the story of redemption.
False belief: “I can't concentrate enough to read a chapter, a book”.
Activity: Break into small groups and practice a Bible study on a short passage, such as a psalm or parable.
Application: Encourage each member to read a chapter of the Bible every day and keep a journal.
Theme: Understanding and overcoming spiritual challenges.
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10-18, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Content: Exploring the nature of spiritual warfare, common challenges in the Christian walk and using the believer's armor to stand firm.
False belief: “Too difficult”
Activities: Prayer for protection and perseverance, sharing strategies for overcoming specific challenges, group discussion on the armor.
Theme: Consider evangelism a natural part of life.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 3:15, Romans 1:16.
Content: Discuss how to share one's faith authentically, the importance of personal testimony and the confidence needed to explain the Gospel.
False belief: “For missionaries only”
Activities: Practice sharing personal testimonies, role-play faith-sharing conversations, pray for friends and family.
Theme: building authentic Christian relationships.
Key Scriptures: Acts 2:42-47, John 13:34-35, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 18:21-22; Colossians 3:13.
Content: Discuss the biblical model of the Bride of Jesus Christ (beyond the local church), the model of εκκλεσία (2 or 3, anywhere), the importance of Άγάπη, how to support each other, how to handle less conflict, and forgiveness.
Risk: Consuming only the Christian community (comfort zone) without following Jesus no matter what, or forgetting his humility and love for people (Christians and sinners) and judging others.
Activities: Small group practicing the “one another” verses, discussing ways to support each other outside weekly meetings.
Activity: Create a space for sharing testimonies of joys and struggles in small groups.
Application: Encourage participants to make contact with each other throughout the week for support and prayer.
Theme: Receive your specific vision for sharing Jesus' love and making disciples of Him.
Key Scriptures: Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 12:2.
Content: Reflect on God's unique calling for each person, define spiritual habits and find ways to live a Christ-centered life in all its aspects.
Risk: Not being formed and sent (απόστολος)
Activities: Setting a vision for spiritual growth, creating an action plan, prayers to mandate each person.
A course is called “The Beta Course” in some contexts, but more generally, many churches and organizations offer a “Discipleship Track” or “Alpha Next Steps” tailored to the needs of their community. Other options include “The Bιble course” from the Bible Society, which helps people go deeper into the Scriptures, or “Freedom in Christ” from Freedom in Christ Ministries, which focuses on identity in Christ and spiritual growth.