As a Christian, discipleship is a key aspect of growing in our faith. Through discipleship, we are able to have a deeper understanding of God and His Word. I have compiled the top twenty-five discipleship training program and researched how each one works.
1. Youth With a Mission (YWAM)
YWAM is a Discipleship Training School (DTS) that seeks to bring you closer to God. It is a six-month discipleship program. There are two parts to the training, the first is known as the “lecture phase” and the second is known as the “outreach phase”. In the lecture phase, you are growing a deeper relationship with God through prayer, worship, and studying the Bible. During the outreach phase, you go overseas to implement what you learned in the classroom to real life.
They have over 200 places around the world you can go to your outreach phase at. After completing your DTS, you have the opportunity to go on to secondary training or work on staff for a YWAM base.
2. Bethany Global University
Bethany Global University (BGU) is an accredited four-year missionary and discipleship program. They offer three different Bachelor’s degrees:
- Intercultural Ministry Studies
- Transformational Entrepreneurship in Missions
- Education in Missions
All bachelor’s degrees are a double major along with Bible & Theology.
The program is four years. The first two years are focused on the biblical and theological study along with your major. The next sixteen months are spent on Global Internship where you immerse into a foreign culture and learn the language. This gives you the opportunity to experience life on the mission field.
BGU also offers three different Master’s degrees programs and free online enrichment courses.
3. Liberty University
Liberty University is a private Christian college located in Virginia. They offer over 600 different degrees. For those who are out of state, they have an online program. It offers Bachelor’s & Master’s degrees along with certification. The Bachelor’s degrees include:
- Biblical and Educational Studies
- Christian Leadership and Management
- Religion
Some potential careers after earning your degree at Liberty include:
- Author or speaker
- Bible teacher
- College professor
- Evangelist
- Missionary
- Pastor
Liberty offers a way for you to pursue a degree while growing in your faith.
4. The World Race
The World Race offers people a gap-year opportunity overseas. Their 9-month program will take you to three different countries. (Ages 18-20). You have a discipleship journey while living in different places around the world doing mission work. You will be placed in a Christ-centered community and grow closer to God.
They have another program where you called the World Race. You live in 11 different countries over a span of 11 months. (Ages: 21-35).
The World Race offers you discipleship training while living overseas.
5. Adventures in Missions
Adventures in Missions is an origination that has missions trip for people of all ages. They offer gap year programs, semester-long missions for college students, a week-long trip for high school students and more.
The goal of Adventures in Missions is for you to put your faith into action on the mission field.
6. Immersion
Immersion is a gap year program for students out of high school. The program is nine months long. It is unique because you have two different “Immersion” terms, during the first one you will spend three months in a country during the fall time. Then, you have a two-month break for the holidays. Afterward, you go on a six-month term in a new country.
Immersion also offers 1, 2, and 6 month-long programs. They offer a unique approach to a gap year, as you have time to still be with family over the holiday time.
7. Antioch Training School
Antioch Training school’s goal is to train people for life on a mission. The program is a year long. Thye combines hands-on learning, prayer, and worship to help you grow in your relationship with God.
They also have a church planting school for people who are called to bring the church overseas.
8. Immersion Discipleship School
Immersion Discipleship School is a year-long online school. It was created to work with a full-time work schedule. The goal is to help make you a leader for God through learning His Word and by His power. This program is for everyone, from a high school graduate to a 45-year-old to a senior citizen.
*not associated with Immersion previously mentioned*
9. Arise
Arise is an online video program. It fits into your schedule. They took their three-month discipleship school program and formated them into videos that you can watch on your own time. Through the program, you will go deeper into the Word of God.
10. Free Chapel – School of Discipleship
Free Chapel School of Discipleship is an online program. It is designed for you to set your own pace. There are four phases you will go through Foundational, Transformation, Formation, and Impartation. Through this program, you will learn more about the Word of God. You will complete the lessons and then have homework for each lesson.
11. Designed for Discipleship
Designed for Discipleship (DFD) is a Bible study series on the topic of Discipleship. There are seven books in the series. It can be used on your own or in a small group. This study will help you grow in Christ.
12. The 2:7 Series
The 2:7 Series is an 11-week guide to growing in discipleship. It has three books. The focuses of the books are:
- Growing Strong in God’s Family
- Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family
- Bearing Fruit in God’s Family
It is meant to be done with a group. This would be a curriculum you could use during a small group at your church
13. Growing in Christ
Growing in Christ is a book that includes classic Bible lessons. There are thirteen lessons. Its focus is on how to grow in Christ. This would be a good book for a new believer looking to grow in discipleship.
14. Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus
Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus focuses on how to help a church body disciple. It was written by Mark Dever who is the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. This book will help you learn how to become a better leader in your church.
15. Harvest: A Film on Discipleship
Harvest is a film about discipleship. It is split into five different videos. All of the videos are free. They focus on the process of discipleship, how to reach the nations and the role of community.
16. Love Speaks – Book
Love Speaks: 21 Ways to recognize God’s multi-faceted voice is a book that teaches how God is speaking to you. Written by evangelist and documentary filmmaker Carl Wesley Anderson. The book is filled with teaching, scripture, and historical examples all about how God speaks. You will grow in discipleship when you learn how to hear God’s voice.
17. Rise Up
Rise Up is a twelve-week training program for young adults. It combines teaching and online group meetings to create a community of believers who are all seeking God. You will be challenged to encounter God for yourself.
18. Simple Discipleship – Book
Simple Discipleship is a book by Dana Allin. The goal of this book is for you to grow in discipleship for yourself. It offers tools and is tailored to you and where you are at in your walk with Jesus.
19. Letters to the Church – Book
Letters to the Church is a book written by Francis Chan. His book digs into deep Biblical truths as well as some of his failures and dreams. It is a reminder of how the church is intended to be.
20. The Pursuit of Holiness – Book
The Pursuit of Holiness is a book by Jerry Bridges. It focuses on holiness: do we even know what holiness looks like? This book with disciple you in what holiness looks like and how to live a pure life.
21. iDisciple App
iDisciple is an app with audiobooks about discipleship. Topics include family, leadership, prayer, relationship, and much more. While the app is free, you will have to purchase the audiobooks.
22. The Topical Memory System – App
The Topical Memory System App is designed to help you memorize Scripture. By memorizing Scripure you are growing closer to God and will what His Word says. It is available for apple and android products.
23. Solid Rock Disciple
Solid Rock Disciple is a year-long leadership program located in Long Prairie, MN. During your year, you will learn how to become a leader through the leadership experience. The leadership experience is an 8-day trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Over the course of the year, you will grow spiritually and learn how to be a leader.
24. Gospel Missions Church
Gospel Mission Church Discipleship school is for students ages 18-25. Their mission is to inspire students to come alive in God and his Kingdom as he builds the local church through them. They want students to grow as they serve the church and the local community. It is located in Winkler, Canada.
25. Push the Rock
Push the Rock is a year-long gap year program for young adults that combines sports with missions. You start in Emmaus, PA for a week-long training before being sent overseas. You will spend your year in three-four countries. You will grow in your leadership abilities and be disciplined during the program.
Each one of these twenty-five training programs and books will help you grow in discipleship. Now, it is time for you to take the initiative and pick a program or book for yourself. All of these resources are right at your fingertips. Enjoy your journey of being disciple through Christ!