Foundational Principles

1. Our Founding Principles

Equip Disciples was founded to put biblical truths about discipleship into practice. Our ministry has two primary focuses: equipping believers for spiritual maturity and beginning new discipleship efforts. These focuses grow out of four biblical convictions that shape how we understand discipleship and the mission Christ has given His Church.

1. Disciples Live Under the Lordship of Christ and His Kingdom

As those who acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King over all things, believers are called both individually and together to live transformed lives in obedience to His commands and to disciple those God has brought into their lives (Matt 28:18–20; Rom 12:1–2; Col 1:13–18; 1 John 2:3–6).

2. Christ Has Commissioned His Church to Make Disciples of All Peoples

The Great Commission begins among our own families, churches, friends, and communities and extends to the unreached people groups of the world (Matt 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; Rom 15:20–21; Rev 7:9). Making disciples involves introducing people to the good news of Jesus Christ by calling them to repentance and faith in Him and then being an example and mentor to establish them in the faith (Mark 1:14–15; Acts 2:38; 14:21–22; 1 Cor 11:1; 2 Tim 2:2).

3. Every Believer Is Both a Disciple and a Minister

God has endowed every member of the Body of Christ with spiritual gifts to be exercised for His glory (Rom 12:4–8; 1 Cor 12:4–7; 1 Pet 4:10–11). Believers use these gifts within the church and throughout the various spheres in which God has placed them, serving both God and others (Gal 5:13; Eph 4:11–13, 16; Col 3:17, 23–24).

4. The Mark of a Mature Believer Is Obedience and Discernment

The goal of the Great Commission is to make disciples who will also make other disciples (Matt 28:19–20; 2 Tim 2:2). Mature believers have trained their senses to discern between right and wrong (Heb 5:13–14). They are growing toward the stature of Christ and are no longer easily deceived or carried away by false teachings (Eph 4:13–15).

Equip and Begin

These biblical convictions shape two complementary aspects of our ministry: we equip believers, and we begin new discipleship efforts.

Equip. We equip believers for spiritual maturity through teaching doctrine, hermeneutics, apologetics, exegetical Bible study, and sermon preparation. We also provide Bible study guides and Bibles as God provides. The purpose is not merely to increase biblical knowledge, but to help believers mature so that they can evangelize confidently, defend the faith against false teachings, faithfully preach and teach the Word of God, and equip others.

Begin. We encourage believers to begin making disciples where God has already placed them. This can start with personal devotions and quiet times, move into parent-led Bible study in the home, and extend into community Bible study groups. In these groups, leaders equip others with in-depth, Bible-centered teaching that develops a theological worldview and prepares them to disciple others.

In this way, equipping and beginning work together. Believers are equipped toward spiritual maturity so that they can begin discipling others, who in turn are equipped to make disciples themselves. Discipleship begins where God has placed us—in our homes, churches, friendships, and communities—and extends outward as God provides opportunities to reach others.