Men’s Discipleship Bible Study

Last Updated on December 13, 2024 by Rocklyn Clarke

Description and Purpose

This web page supports the weekly discipleship-oriented men’s Bible study that Life Church launched in February 2020. It contains both general resources for the Men’s Bible Study and resources specific to the sessions we have conducted so far.

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The Bible

Doing the Bible is the first of our Core Values at Life Church and in order to do the Bible we have to learn the Bible. This section contains some Bible resources and some links to supplemental information about the Bible.

See the Following Jesus: Focus On The Message Class web page.

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Following Jesus

This Bible Study is an expression of our 7-component discipleship curriculum: Following Jesus. It draws specifically from the first component: Focus on the Message.

• Following Jesus
• Following Jesus: Focus on the Message
• Following Jesus – Resources

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Previous Men’s Discipleship Bible Study Sessions

• 2020 Sessions of the Men’s Discipleship Bible Study
• 2021 Sessions of the Men’s Discipleship Bible Study
• 2022 Sessions of the Men’s Discipleship Bible Study
• 2023 Sessions of the Men’s Discipleship Bible Study

Current Sessions

In this section you’ll find each of the Bible Study sessions that we’ve conducted listed in chronological order. As we mentioned above, the sessions are based largely on the Bible Study from Following Jesus: Focus on the Message. The “Additional resources to check out” section of each session includes a link to the related section of Focus on the Message.

January 2024

Session 165 – 01/03/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Life Church Doing The Bible Page
  • Pick a Bible reading plan and get started!
• Feeding on the Life of Jesus
  • What if you read a Gospel every month – a chapter a day?
    • The Gospel of Matthew in January (1/1 – 1/28)
    • The Gospel of Mark in February (2/1 – 2/16)
    • The Gospel of Luke in March (3/1 – 3/24)
    • The Gospel of John in April (4/1 – 4/21)
  • For January this means:
    • Read Matthew 1 on January 1.
    • Read Matthew 2 on January 2 (yesterday_.
    • Read Matthew 3 on January 3 (today).
    • Read Matthew 4 on January 4 (tomorrow).
    • Etc.
  • Here are some questions to ask yourself after reading each chapter:
    • What would I like to better understand about this chapter?
    • What did I find challenging about this chapter?
    • What did I learn as I tried to apply this chapter to my life?
    • Would an outsider who read this chapter recognize that I was trying to apply it to my life?
  • Jesus explained his teaching to his disciples:

 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.  He did not say anything to them without using a parable.  But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. – Mark 4:33-34 (NIV)

• • • Have you gotten the explanations you need or had your questions answered about Jesus, the Bible, church, etc.?
    • If church leaders in your past were not willing to explain things:
      • They were not following Jesus’ example!
      • Don’t depend on what they taught you. Get your questions answered!
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Discipleship Bible Study – YouTube List:
  • Watch the following videos from the Bible Project: The Shema Series
    • The Bible Project: Heart (Lev) Shema Word Study
    • The Bible Project: Soul (Nephesh) Shema Word Study
    • The Bible Project: Strength (Mood) Shema Word Study
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 8 
    • Matthew 26
      • Lesson 9 – Peter Disowns Jesus

Session 166 – 01/10/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Discipleship Bible Study – YouTube List:
    • So God Made a “Farmer”, by Paul Harvey – YouTube (00:02:20)
    • God Made Trump – YouTube (00:02:57) 
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 8 
    • Matthew 27
      • Lesson 1 – Judas Hangs Himself

Session 167 – 01/17/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the InterVarsity: Journey to Faith: The Five Thresholds Site
    • The Five Thresholds Overview
    • Threshold 3: Openness
    • Threshold 4: Seeking
    • Threshold 5: Following
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Discipleship Bible Study – YouTube List:
    • The Navigators: Stories from a “Not So Great” Disciplemaker | “How to Save the World – Disciplemaking Made Simple” – YouTube (00:08:21)

Session 168 – 01/24/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Discipleship Bible Study – YouTube List:
    • 7 Big Rocks | Productivity | BigRocks | Time Management | You can design your life | Stephen Covey – YouTube (00:03:53)
    • Bible Project: On Earth as It is in Heaven (00:05:25)
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 8 
    • Matthew 27
      • Lesson 2 – Jesus Before Pilate

Session 169 – 01/31/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Fathers’ Uplift
• Prayer Requests
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Training Lesson
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 5,
    • Matthew 12 Class Notes
    • Lesson 3: Jesus and Beelzebub – ?
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Discipleship Bible Study – YouTube List:
    • The Daily Show: Elon Musk’s Billionaire Games – Between the Scenes (00:04:19)
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 8 
    • Matthew 27
      • Lesson 2 – Jesus Before Pilate
      • Lesson 3 – The Soldiers Mock Jesus
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Life Church Good News Page
• Testimonies

Session 170 – 02/07/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Prayer Requests
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Discipleship Bible Study – YouTube List:
    • Central Christian Church: The Crucifixion | A Medical Perspective – YouTube (00:06:32)
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 8 
    • Matthew 27
      • Lesson 4 – The Crucifixion of Jesus
      • Lesson 5 – The Death of Jesus
      • Lesson 6 – The Burial of Jesus
  • The Lord’s Prayer
    • We viewed a few minutes of Episode 3 of: The Lord’s Prayer Archives – Walking The Text

No Session On 02/14/2024 (Valentine’s Day)

Session 171 – 02/21/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 8 
    • Matthew 27
      • Lesson 7 – The Guard at the Tomb
    • Matthew 28
      • Lesson 1 – Jesus Has Risen
      • Lesson 2 – The Guards’ Report

Session 172 – 02/28/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Bible Project: Spiritual Beings Series:
    • Elohim
    • Divine Council
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 8 
    • Matthew 28
      • Lesson 3 – The Great Commission
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Life Church Good News Page
• Testimonies

Session 173 – 03/06/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Discipleship Bible Study – YouTube List:
    • ?
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
    • Episode 136 – Armor of God Pt 1: The Battle is Real
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch Alpha Talks w/Isaac | Episode 01 – Is there More to Life Than This
  • Life Church Good News Page
    • Testimonies

Session 174 – 03/13/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Fathers’ Uplift
• Prayer Requests
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
    • Episode 137 – Armor of God Pt 2: Belt of Truth
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Beau Crosetto – Beyond Awkward Evangelism Keynote Talk – YouTube (00:25:15)

• • Watch Alpha Talks w/Isaac | Episode 02 – Who Is Jesus
  • Life Church Good News Page
    • Testimonies

Session 175 – 03/20/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Prayer Requests
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
    • Belt of Truth | Armor of God Pt 2 | EP137 – YouTube (00:20:13)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Beau Crosetto – Beyond Awkward Evangelism Keynote Talk – YouTube (00:25:15) 
  • Watch Alpha Talks w/Isaac | Episode 02 – Who Is Jesus
  • Life Church Good News Page
    • Testimonies

Session 176 – 03/27/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson
  • Watch the following videos from the Tuff Stuff Ministries YouTube Channel:
    • EW01 “My Story” by Dr. Earl Wilson – YouTube (00:12:55)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Beau Crosetto – Evangelism is Awkward (intro) – YouTube (00:23:02)

Session 177 – 04/03/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • User Testing – Participant #3 Raw Footage – YouTube (00:14:38)
  • Watch the following videos from the Tuff Stuff Ministries YouTube Channel:
    • SW01 “My Story” by Dr. Sandy Wilson – YouTube (00:11:58)
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
    • Breastplate of Righteousness | Armor Of God Pt 3 | EP138 – YouTube (00:18:05)
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Life.Shared – Guest Video (00:00:26)
    • Alpha Questions (00:01:09)
    • Try Alpha (00:01:56)
    • 2019 Invite video (00:01:54)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Beau Crosetto: Acts 8 Bible Study: An Awkward Evangelistic Encounter – YouTube (00:17:11 of 00:29:32)

Session 178 – 04/10/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
  • Sandals of the Gospel | Armor of God Pt 4 | EP139 – YouTube (00:18:35)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Beau Crosetto: Acts 8 Bible Study: An Awkward Evangelistic Encounter – (00:17:11 – 00:29:32)

Session 179 – 04/17/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Life.Shared – Guest Video (00:00:26)
    • Alpha Questions (00:01:09)
    • Try Alpha (00:01:56)
    • 2019 Invite video (00:01:54)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Evangelism & Social Rules (00:33:06)

Session 180 – 04/24/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Life Church Training Page
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
    • Shield of Faith | Armor of God Pt 5 | EP140 – YouTube (00:21:25)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Be Bold, Not Pushy in Evangelism (from 00:16:46 through 00:38:29)
• Prayer Requests

Session 181 – 05/01/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Life Church Training Page
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
    • Episode 141 – Armor of God Pt 6: Helmet of Salvation – (00:16:25)

• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • Be Bold, Not Pushy in Evangelism (from 00:16:46 through 00:38:29)
• Prayer Requests

Session 182 – 05/08/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from Walking The Text: Armor of God Series:
    • Episode 142 – Armor of God Pt 7: Sword of the Spirit – (00:19:10)
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Matt Green Comedy: Hypocrites! (00:01:14)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • How to Have a Spiritual Conversation (00:12:00 of 00:41:20)
  • Watch Alpha Talks w/Isaac | Episode 02 – Who Is Jesus
  • Life Church Good News Page
    • Testimonies
• Prayer Requests

Session 183 – 05/15/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Following Jesus Curriculum
    • Following Jesus: Introduction – Lesson 3: What Kind of Christian Will You Be?
    • Life Church Training Page
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • How to Have a Spiritual Conversation (00:12:00 through 00:41:20)

Session 184 – 05/22/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Veritas Forum: The biggest myth about Jesus | N.T. Wright at UT Austin – YouTube (00:03:51)
    • Do you believe in penal substitution? // Ask NT Wright Anything – YouTube (00:09:55)
• Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
  • Watch the following videos from the Beyond Awkward YouTube List:
    • How to Engage Your Network (00:16:56)

Session 185 – 05/29/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • ?
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 4
    • Matthew 9
      • Lesson 2: The Calling of Matthew
      • Lesson 3: Jesus Questioned About Fasting
  •  
• Prayer Requests

Session 186 – 06/05/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Inside Edition: Capitol Attack Wasn’t the 1st Violent Incident in Congress – YouTube (00:07:15)
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 4
    • Matthew 9
      • Lesson 2: The Calling of Matthew
      • Lesson 3: Jesus Questioned About Fasting
  • Following Jesus Curriculum
    • Following Jesus: Introduction – Lesson 3: What Kind of Christian Will You Be?

Session 187 – 06/12/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Joel Comiskey: More Important than the Name of the Small Group – YouTube (00:05:25)
    • Walking The Text: Abiding in the Vine | Flora & Faith Pt 1 | EP175 – YouTube (00:22:28)
    • Grape Vine Pruning Demonstration – YouTube (00:09:17)
  • Following Jesus: Focus On The Message – Unit 4
    • Matthew 9
      • Lesson 2: The Calling of Matthew
      • Lesson 3: Jesus Questioned About Fasting
  • Following Jesus Curriculum
    • Following Jesus: Introduction – Lesson 3: What Kind of Christian Will You Be?
  • Life Church Training Page
• Prayer Requests

No Bible Study – 06/19/2024

Session 188 – 06/26/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Joel Comiskey: The Best Small Group Order: Introducing the 4Ws – YouTube (00:04:45)
    • Joel Comiskey: Building Others Up (Edification): The Essence of Small Group Ministry – YouTube (00:04:23)
    • Joel Comiskey: What is the Best Small Group Lesson? – YouTube (00:05:15)
    • Joel Comiskey: Small Group Evangelism: Why Small Group Evangelism is Essential – YouTube (00:04:25)
    • Joel Comiskey: Small Group Evangelism: Strategies for reaching people for Jesus – YouTube (00:04:50)
    • Ralph Neighbour: Touching Hearts Weekend 2 – YouTube (02:36:44 starting at 00:59:40)
    • Ralph Neighbour: Touching Hearts Weekend 3 – YouTube (01:16:53)
  • Following Jesus Curriculum
    • Following Jesus: Introduction – Lesson 3: What Kind of Christian Will You Be?
  • Life Church Training Page
• Prayer Requests

Summer Break July – August

Session 189 – 09/04/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Life Church Training Page
    • Big Picture Diagram
• Prayer Requests

Session 190 – 09/11/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  •  
  • Life Church Training Page
• Prayer Requests

Session 191 – 09/18/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Acts 1 – 2

Session 192 – 09/25/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  •  
  • Life Church Training Page
  • Acts 2

No Bible Study – 10/02/2024

Session 193 – 10/09/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Following Jesus Curriculum
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Life Church Training Page
  • Acts 16:1-10
  • Acts 3
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • John Wimber’s Journey Into Healing – YouTube (00:17:29)

Session 194 – 10/16/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Bible Project: Acts 1-12 ( 
    • Kwame Ture on Mobilization & Organization – YouTube (00:04:28)

  • Evangelicals For Harris – Ads

    • “Keep Clear”

  • Life Church Training Page
  • Acts 3
  • Acts 4

Session 195 – 10/23/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Bible Project: Acts 1-12 (00:08:15)
    • What You Should Know About Moralistic Therapeutic Deism – YouTube (00:09:12)
  • Evangelicals For Harris – Ads
  • Following Jesus Curriculum
    • ?
  • Life Church Training Page
  • Acts 4
  • Acts 5

Session 196 – 10/30/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • Most “Christians” are going to hell – The Graham Formula – YouTube (00:34:52)
  • Following Jesus Curriculum
    • ?
  • Life Church Training Page

Session 197 – 11/06/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Training Page Lesson – Bill & Lou
  • Life Church Training Page
    • Beginning – Training Category 1
• Following Jesus Curriculum Lesson – Reynolds
  • Following Jesus: Introduction
    • Lesson 1

Session 198 – 11/13/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Training Page Lesson – Bill & Lou
  • Life Church Training Page
    • Training Category 4
• Following Jesus Curriculum Lesson – Reynolds
  • Following Jesus: Introduction
    • Lesson 2

Session 199 – 11/20/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Training Page Lesson – Bill & Lou
  • Life Church Training Page
    • Starting with Disciple-Making Skills
• Following Jesus Curriculum Lesson – Reynolds
  • Following Jesus: Introduction
    • Lesson 2 (continued)

No Meeting – 11/27/2024 (Thanksgiving)

Session 200 – 12/04/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Training Page Lesson – Bill & Lou
  • Life Church Training Page
    • Personal Skill 1: Prayer & Spiritual Warfare – Bill
  • •  
• Prayer Requests

Session 201 – 12/11/2024

Notes

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • BioLogos: N.T. Wright and Pete Enns: After You Believe – YouTube (00:04:15)
    • Randy Frazee: Crowded Loneliness – Making Room For Life – Randy Frazee – YouTube (00:35:19)
• Prayer Requests

Session 202 – 12/18/2024

Agenda

• Icebreaker: General conversation
• Training Page Lesson
  • Life Church Training Page
    • Discipleship Lesson 2: Detail – Rocklyn
    • Finishing Personal Skill 1: Prayer & Spiritual Warfare – Bill
• Following Jesus Curriculum Lesson – Reynolds
  • Following Jesus: Introduction
    • Lesson 2 (continued)
• Rocklyn’s Lesson:
  • Watch the following videos from the Life Church Men’s Bible Study 2024 – YouTube List:
    • ?
  • Acts 4
  • Acts 5
  • Outreach, Evangelism, and Discipleship
    • Watch Alpha Talks w/Isaac | Episode 02 – Who Is Jesus
    • Life Church Good News Page
      • Testimonies
• Prayer Requests

No Meeting – 12/25/2024 (Christmas)

No Meeting – 01/01/2025 (New Year’s Day)

Homework

• ?

Training Lessons

As part of the Bible study, the members take turns preparing and presenting lessons from the material. 

For help preparing training lessons checkout:

Introduction to the Bible (Lesson 9: Teaching Assignments)