The Central District Discipleship Toolkit is a practical resource designed to equip pastors and ministry leaders with tools to foster deep, transformative discipleship at every stage of faith. Inside, you’ll find curriculum and tools for disciple-making, NextGen resources and a curated collection of web resources to help cultivate a culture of discipleship within your local church and community. Whether you’re walking alongside new believers or developing mature disciples, this toolkit provides clear next steps to build sustainable, Spirit-led discipleship across the Central District.
Central District trainings
Recorded seminar: Growing your church forward with Esperanza Morphis – This seminar equips leaders and members to cultivate a church culture that reaches those who aren’t here yet—focusing on people over programs and kingdom impact over numbers. Learn how to align your church’s vision, activate your congregation and engage your community with authenticity and care. Discover creative outreach strategies, evangelistic practices and tools like grant writing to help you build meaningful connections and expand your Gospel reach.
Recorded seminar: Establishing a culture of discipleship with Gary Masdorf
Led by Gary Masdorf, this inspiring seminar invites church leaders to move beyond routine activity and embrace a Spirit-led, strategic approach to disciple-making. Rooted in the DLT (Discipleship and Leadership Training) mindset, it challenges us to ask: Are we truly making disciples? How do we balance large group teaching with smaller, personal discipleship? Discover how structured teaching and relational discipleship can work hand-in-hand—cultivating a culture where discipleship is not accidental, but intentional, transformative and central to everything we do.
Curriculum + tools for disciple making in your local church
Discipleship + Leadership Training (DLT) – Developed by our global Foursquare family and led by Gary Matsdorf, DLT provides a strategic and holistic approach to raising disciples and training leaders.
Jesus’ Disciple app – A free discipleship app from The Rock Church. This system helps groups learn and apply life-changing truths from God’s Word and live out their calling as followers of Jesus.
Discovery Bible Study (DBS) – A simple, reproducible Bible study approach designed to help anyone discover and obey God’s Word together. Ideal for groups seeking to explore Scripture, apply truth and multiply disciples.
Rooted – A disciple-making resource built around seven rhythms of discipleship and experiential learning. Helps churches align small groups, create a clear discipleship journey and launch sustainable new groups.
Book series: The Journey – A four-book set by Daniel Brown covering essential Christian doctrine with practical exercises for individuals and small groups. Provides solid biblical foundation for walking with God.
Foursquare Path – A 10-week discipleship program rooted in the Foursquare Gospel. Developed by Dr. Tim Lee to equip churches and leaders to make disciples of Jesus.
Alpha (pre-discipleship) – A series of engaging talks and discussions that introduce people to the basics of the Christian faith.
NextGen curriculum + tools
Discipleship Pathway – A step-by-step guide for developing disciples among NextGen students and leaders. Offers a simple, practical framework for equipping student leaders and adult volunteers.
Jesus People (free PDF download) – A 12-week discipleship pathway for teens built around a three-part rhythm: daily habits, weekly meetings and monthly hangouts. Requires only a Bible, a journal and a printed booklet.
Resources for disciple-making
Article
Principles of Effective Discipleship by Molly Duque -An insightful research article by Molly Duque—Foursquare pastor and Northwest District Associate Supervisor—exploring what makes discipleship effective in today’s church context. Drawing from research and field insights, the study identifies seven key themes that consistently foster healthy, transformative disciple-making cultures. It offers practical principles and actionable ministry applications for churches seeking to strengthen and multiply disciples.
Books
Making and Multiplying Disciples (Stage 1) by John L. Amstutz – The work focuses on the foundations of disciple-making. It outlines biblical principles for evangelism, spiritual growth and relational mentoring. The book guides believers in establishing new disciples through intentional relationships, grounding them in faith, obedience and spiritual disciplines, preparing them to reproduce and multiply others.
Ordinary Discipleship by Jessie Cruickshank combines outdoor adventure ministry and neuro-education to provide a practical pathway for everyday believers to experience deep spiritual growth.
Transformational Discipleship by Eric Geiger, Michael Kelley + Philip Nation – A framework for intentional and holistic discipleship in the local church.
Discipleshift by Jim Putman + Bobby Harrington – Guides churches in shifting from program-driven ministry to disciple-making communities.
Multiply by Francis Chan + David Platt – A call to make disciple-making the core mission of the Christian life.
Emotionally Healthy Discipleship by Peter Scazzero – A transformative discipleship strategy that integrates emotional health with spiritual maturity, shaping every area of church and ministry life.
Websites
Equip: Developing a Disciple-Making Culture – Based in Tacoma, WA, Equip partners with churches worldwide to assess, develop and implement proactive disciple-making cultures. Strong Foursquare connections.
Contagious Disciple Making – Coaches everyday believers to become disciple-makers and plant Disciple Making Teams that catalyze movements and activate the Church.
Discipleship.org – A collaborative community committed to living and promoting the disciple-making lifestyle. Offers books, podcasts, videos and practical resources.
Disciple Movement – Provides free resources to help churches build a culture of disciple-making beyond programs and preaching.
If you have additional discipleship tools, resources, or curricula you’d like to recommend, please email Beth Hackbarth at bhackbarth@foursquare.org.
