Christian walk
First Steps: What Others Are Saying
By CBN.com
CBN.com –
Here's what people who have gone through this discipleship training are saying about Swimming Lessons and First Steps:
From Ed Davis,
The Journey Church Discipleship Coordinator
Howard, Ohio
First Steps One-on-One Discipleship combines the Great Commandment, Mark 12:30-31 and the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-19, and breaks it down into a ten-lesson format that lays the foundation for new, as well as, old believers—altogether taking the fear out of sharing the Gospel.
Starting in Lesson One with the topic of assurance, the layout of First Steps hits the new believer with just the right biblical topic at just the right time, making the discipleship process extremely relevant and practical.
The First Steps Discipleship Notebook also has a life-verses section and teaches the importance of keeping a personal journal.
On a personal note, our church started using the First Steps One-on-One Discipleship program over a year ago. A number of our church members starting discipling new believers, and we’ve seen significant growth in them. Not only does the person being discipled gain confidence in God’s Word, but the discipler is equally rewarded with the fellowship of one-on-one contact, as well as gaining confidence of teaching God’s Word to the new believer.
Pastor Rob Willis
The Journey Church
R
ochester, NH
Over the last several years, I became increasingly frustrated with the fact that many people in our church were making decisions to follow the Lord only to walk out our back door within 6-12 months. When I learned about the purpose and potential of First Steps Discipleship, I decided to introduce this sorely-needed ministry into our church.
Once our congregation was trained in February, 2006, they were excited to start discipling others. The First Steps Discipleship Notebook is interactive, easy to learn, easy to teach, and takes a biblical approach to discipleship that any church could easily implement. Grant Edwards has done an excellent job of combining core, biblical practices and principles and making them easy to digest and apply for new believers (and older believers, too!). The new believers in our church who have been discipled have demonstrated solid Christian growth. Without reservation, I would recommend First Steps Discipleship to any church that is serious about growing disciples.
Jeff Williams
Ttrained ‘First Steps’ Discipler
Seneca Creek Community Church
Germantown, MD
All attendees were extremely pleased with the First Steps materials and the group format. Authentic and open sharing was led by the facilitators. Group prayer for personal needs was a part of every group. An e-mail distribution list was formed, and group facilitators and members shared reflections, learning and prayer requests between meetings. One couple is planning a ‘First Steps Reunion’ picnic in September for the group to share how they have been applying what they have learned and how they are using it with others.
The initial group represented a variety of backgrounds and cultures among young and more mature Christians.
Roya is a one year-old Christian who converted from Islam just one year ago. At her baptism in May, she announced that she was marrying Jesus with the help and support of her First Steps group and her small group which has become her family. ‘This class has been so important because it is teaching me what to do to grow my relationship with my Jesus. This is the true-faith I’ve been looking for all my life.’
Stephanie is also a young Christian, and married mother of 3 who came to us with her husband for marriage coaching through a crisis situation. As the crisis stabilized, they turned their energy to nurturing their new relationship with Jesus. The First Steps group was the perfect environment for this. Stephanie had this to say about the First Steps class,
I really enjoyed the experience with the First Steps materials. I found the information presented to be extremely informative and relevant to where my head was and the questions I faced in my journey to the Lord. I felt that Grant and the other authors had done a great job of choosing Scripture to go with the various topics. I think that these materials are a great guideline to use when coaching baby Christians and touch on the right issues.”
Linda and her husband Jim moved to Washington, D.C. area from North Dakota about 10 years ago. They have returned each summer to N.D. in part to minister to Chippewa Indians on a reservation in Turtle Mountain, ND. In addition to being strengthened in their knowledge and relationship with Christ, they have been equipped through First Steps with information and a process to share with several Native American groups on the reservation this summer. Linda said,
First Steps has been effective and God has used it within SCCC. When we look at some of the individuals in our class we have heard their testimonies and saw week by week how it has deepened their faith. Even for those who have been believers for some time, First Steps has called to their attention more strongly the need to be actively involved in discipleship.
I know for myself it has provided a means in which to disciple someone that I did not have three years ago. When I first heard about First Steps, I knew it was something I needed and I waited eagerly for the opportunity to be given that information. Now that I have gone through the workbook, I no longer have to make a 'stab in the dark' at helping someone have a stronger, more solid faith in Christ, but instead have a confidence about what I share and how I share it. God empowers you with it.’
Read a review of Swimming Lessons and First Steps.
Read an excerpt of Swimming Lessons.
Order your copy of Swimming Lessons by Grant Edwards
Order your copy of the First Steps Notebook
 When your church experiences a harvest of new believers, do you have a plan or strategy for discipleship that maximizes the chances of those new believers growing optimally in the Lord? With First Steps, you can disciple effectively and optimally … and close the back door to your church. To arrange a seminar for your church, email willis@disciplinganother.net or call 937.322.5381 and ask for Ray Willis. Or visit www.disciplinganother.com to learn more.
Grant Edwards has served as Senior Pastor of Fellowship Christian Church in Springfield, Ohio, for 35 years. He is the founder of Discipling Another To Love Jesus and has discipled hundreds of new believers.
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