During my time as a Christian, I have been involved in various ministries with people of all ages. I have realized through this process, that the more tools and resources I use, the better the outcome of the ministry. Whenever I have disicpled individuals, they flourish and grow faster when my personal ministry with them is paired with additional resources. For these reasons, I have compiled some of the resources I find helpful in effective ministry.
What are discipleship tools and resources for effective ministry? Discipleship tools and resources for effective ministry can be discipleship assessments, worksheets, prompts, diagrams, Bible studies, Christian websites, Podcasts, and content on YouTube. These types of tools help both the individual leading the ministry, as well as the individuals being ministered to.
In this blog, you will find 25 resources and tools for effective ministry. The main categories are the following:
Downloadable and Printable Resources and Tools
The following tools are available online. They can either be downloaded or printed out. These tools are practical and helpful for both the disciple-maker and the individual being discipled. Most of these resources are free, however, some of them, such as the discipleship assessment may come at a cost. They can be used in group settings, or for personal assessment. Effective ministry is holistic and intentional. These tools can aid your ministry and make it more effective because they give an easy outline to follow.
1. Discipleship Assessment
A discipleship assessment is used by a disciple-maker to gauge the growth of the disciple. This can be extremely helpful because it will reveal what areas need to be improved. These assessments also help disciple-makers to identify what areas of their ministry are beneficial or lacking. Discipleship assessments identify the most common and crucial checkpoints that an individual should reach in his or her faith.
Furthermore, discipleship assessments can be used personally by disciples to help them see how much they have grown and what they still need to work on. New believers are on a journey where they don’t even know what they don’t know. These assessments can provide easy resources for them to seek after continued personal growth.
Learn more about discipleship assessments on my previous blog, “Are Discipleship Assessments Worthwhile?” This post also provides links to discipleship assessments.
2. 5 Stages of Discipleship Diagram
The 5 Stages of Discipleship Diagram provides definitions, traits, and phrases, describing the growth of a disciple. It shows the path of growth that an individual goes through from the time they are an unbeliever, to when they are fully functioning in their faith with the ability to mentor other people in it. The stages include the following titles: dead, infant, child, young adult, and parent.
Find the 5 Stages of Discipleship Diagram here. Further explanation of each step can be found here.
3. Preparing Personal Testimony Worksheet
The Preparing Personal Testimony Worksheet provides a simple and self-explanatory outline. It briefly explains what a personal testimony is and it gives Biblical reason for the use of it. Furthermore, it walks you through the steps of writing and memorizing important elements of your testimony.
The downloadable and printable worksheet is available here.
4. The Gospel of John Study
The Gospel of John Study covers the basics of the life of Jesus, His ministry, and His ultimate sacrifice for humankind. The book of John covers explains the gospel. Therefore, it is highly beneficial, especially for new believers. It is also a relatively easy book to go through, which makes it an effective ministry tool. The gospel of John is foundational in the faith. It is good that Christians understand the gospels before moving on to more complex scripture.
The Gospel of John Study is available here.
5. Four Spiritual Laws
The Four Spiritual Laws uncovers what it means to have a relationship with God. It debunks the myth of good deeds and being a better person. Instead, it focuses on the free gift of salvation that is given through grace and by faith. The worksheet provides images, diagrams, and detailed descriptions that use scripture. After building the foundation of truth, the worksheet provides suggestions for further and daily growth.
Download the Four Spiritual Laws here.
6. One Verse Bridge Diagram
The One Verse Bridge Diagram gives a simple Bible verse to use when sharing the gospel with another individual. It is based on Romans 6:23. This tool is interactive and can be used with another individual. Or, the evangelizing individual could remember the prompts and use them whenever he or she is sharing the faith. There are various diagrams and explanations about how to share the gospel.
Find the One Verse Bridge Diagram here.
7. How to Share “The Well”
This tool isn’t as focused on the whole message of salvation, rather, it is a building block that can be used to get to that point. Sharing “the Well” is a sowing presentation and discussion to bring interest to a nonbeliever. It presents many common struggles in an overt way that leads deeper. Scripture is used in this tool. This tool is more of a guide and prompt for a believer to discuss things of faith with a nonbeliever.
How to Share “The Well” is available here.
8. Security of the Believer
This tool can be helpful at any point in a believer’s life. Yet, it is especially beneficial for those who are either new to the faith, or those who struggle with doubt. It answers the questions, “Am I really saved?” and “What happens if I keep sinning?” The Security of the Believer is based upon the gospel. It also brings in other scriptures and promises of God.
Find Security of the Believer here.
9. Forgiveness of Sin
Much like the previous resource, Forgiveness of Sin deals with the insecurity and doubt that may come in salvation or standing with God. This tool goes even deeper into the issue of sin by uncovering where it originated from, how it happens, and what the consequences of it are. It explains what happens when a believer sins, as well as what to do about it.
The Forgiveness of Sin tool is available here.
10. Quiet Time
Quiet time is a crucial part of the Christian faith since salvation does not come from works, but from living in faith. Too often Christians focus on what they think God wants them to do, rather than focusing on being who God wants them to be. This Quiet Time tool helps a believer to create the habit of growing in his or her relationship with God.
Learn to grow deeper in your relationship with God by using this tool here.
11. The Word
The Bible is a huge part of the Christian faith. In fact, it is the basis by which we understand and see the need for the savior and see the fulfillment of the long-awaited and prophesied Messiah. God has spoken to people since the beginning of creation. He continues to speak today. Today, we have to gift of the scriptures, which are inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. The Word resources focus on these realities and helps believers understand the importance of scripture. Additionally, it gives a starting point of studying the scripture and categorizes scriptures by topic and theme.
An extensive list of scriptures and action steps can be found here.
12. Prayer and Worship
Prayer and worship have described the life of believers since the beginning. It is important that believers understand why and how to pray and worship. Therefore, the Prayer and Worship tool is helpful to learn the answer to the why question, as well as the answer to the how question.
Find the Prayer and Worship tool and numerous scriptural examples here.
13. Living the Spirit-Filled Life
Living the Spirit-Filled Life focuses on the trinity of the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because the Holy Spirit tends to be the most neglected part of the trinity, this worksheet focuses on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, and how to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Learn more about the Holy Spirit and how to recognize His work in your life here.
14. The Wheel Diagram
The Wheel Diagram zooms in on the foundational and Biblical basics without the confusion of extra and “exotic” things that aren’t clearly scriptural. The diagram keeps it simply by focusing on union with Christ, prayer, fellowship, evangelism, and the word of God. This diagram can be used for personal growth or in group settings. There are discussion questions and follow up questions.
The Wheel Diagram can be found here.
15. Goal Setting and Time Management
The reality of life is that our time here is limited. Jesus commands us not to worry about tomorrow, but instead to focus on the day at hand, for there is enough to worry about within the moment. The Goal Setting and Time Management resource help Christians to declare their priorities, arrange their life around those priorities and to budget the time they have around those priorities. The resources take believers through various scripture verses and asks reflective questions.
Learn to manage your time better and reach your goals here.
Websites, Apps, and Media Resources and Tools
Websites, apps, and media resources provide helpful tools, often for free. The benefit of using these types of resources and tools is for easy access and duplication. By using online resources, everyone in your ministry who has a cellphone or computer can access them. This also allows for ministry to continue whether or not there is in-person contact. Note that personal meetings and ministry is the most beneficial, however, when you pair the two together, you have practically endless possibilities.
16. Explore God
Explore God is a website that discusses popular topics of Christianity, such as the afterlife, the Bible, evidence, hell, Jesus, the gospel, happiness, prayer, and creation. There are featured articles, and videos that go in-depth with these questions and topics. This site is especially helpful for new believers who have little or no basis for Christianity. There are also online discussion groups available for believers to chat with other believers.
Visit Explore God to grow in your own personal faith and to gain more resources in leading others to Christ.
17. Just Disciple
Just Disciple is a website dedicated to answering all the most asked questions that rarely receive answers. This site answers hundreds of questions that deal with worship, prayer, finances, discipleship, the local and global church, missions, dealing with conflict, and theology. Additionally, Just Disciple answers commonly avoided questions. It focuses on both the why and how of Christianity and discipleship.
Grow in your spiritual maturity and help others do the same by referencing resources here.
18. YouVersion Bible APP
YouVersion is the most popular app for reading and studying the Bible. The app is available for android and iPhone devices, as well as for computers and it is completely free. This app is increasingly beneficial because it has Bible translations in 1,349 different languages. There are also various Bible versions available, 2,009 to be exact. Furthermore, the Bible App has devotional readings that correspond with scripture. You can also search based on the topic or how you are feeling to discover scripture and plans to grow in those areas.
Find the YouVersion Bible App website here. App downloads can be done from the webpage, otherwise, the app is available in most app stores.
19. Blue Letter Bible
The Blue Letter Bible is a website that has numerous resources that cover the entire Bible. Verses, phrases, and topics can be searched and answered on this site. There are over 14 courses that cover the Doctrine of Faith, Exposition of Scripture, Christian Life and Practice, and Apologetics. A free download of the ESV Bible is also provided. Furthermore, there are in-depth translations of specific words. The original word in the Greek or Hebrew is clearly defined, pronounced, and explained.
The Blue Letter Bible and its extensive resources are available here.
20. Podcasts
Podcasts are highly effective resources for discipleship and effective ministry. Use them for the personal growth of the individual in ministry, or for the individuals who are receiving the ministry. PodCasts are helpful because, in today’s world, they are relatively easy to access. For many people, listening to sermons or teachings is much easier to comprehend. At times, people cannot read or struggle to read proficiently. Podcasts bridge this gap and provide Godly content throughout the week, rather than only at church or ministry locations.
There are hundreds of Christian podcasts. Finding one is dependent on the needs of the individual. For example, BreakAway Ministries provides a wonderful Podcast for young adults that covers all the biggest topics of adulthood and freedom of choice. Many churches also provide Podcasts.
Download the podcast app here, then browse until you discover your favorite Christian Podcast.
21. LifeWay
LifeWay has a website that contains resources for Bible studies, video sessions, Bibles, books, camps, Christian music, church supplies, ebooks, events, gifts, and movies. You can purchase these resources. There are also ministry resources. These include kids, group, women’s, men’s, young adult, student, worship, Spanish, leadership, and pastoral ministry. Digital resources are also available.
Browse the wide array of resources from LifeWay here.
22. YouTube
YouTube has hundreds, if not thousands, of Christian resources on it. There is worship music, Christian music artists, music videos, lyric videos, sermons, teachings, and content from churches across the globe. Churches such as Bethel, Elevation, and Hillsong all have in-depth content on YouTube. Find resources based on keywords and topics that you are interested in.
Here is a direct link to YouTube.
23. Ministry Ideas
Ministry Ideas is a website that offers prompts and cards. It focuses on practical ideas that ministries can use to grow, lead, serve, and develop within the community, and world. There are ideas for evangelism, marketing, discipleship, ministry, missions, and worship. Additionally, there are ministry action plans and blogs about ministry leadership and church growth.
Discover the fullness of Ministry Ideas here.
24. Budgeting for Christians
Budgeting for Christians is beneficial for ministry because most ministries fail due to poor financial structure. In order to have an effective ministry, there must be an effective structure and management of the logistical side of things. The budget and stewardship of a ministry are like a framework. Learn a new way to budget based on Christian principles.
Further information about Bugdeting for Christians is available here.
25. Prayer Mate
Prayer Mate is a discipleship tech app that tracks and stores your prayers for yourself and others. The app itself is free, yet there are in-app purchases available. You can set categories for your prayers. Such as, “my family”, or “my church”. The prayers are formated as index cards.
You can personalize prayers, or you can add prayer updates from other Christian organizations and ministries. There are daily prayer pointers and PDF prayer letters. Prayer Mate can teach you how to pray. Furthermore, it can help you develop a consistent prayer life. Set daily reminders to help you remember to pray. This can also form a consistent habit within your prayer life.
Access the PrayerMate app here.