Introduction to Solid Roots Discipleship Series

Solid Roots is a discipleship series from NeverThirsty.org for Christians and non-Christians. The illustration in 1 John 2:12–14 reveals that there are three different stages of spiritual growth. The first stage starts when someone becomes a believer in Jesus Christ. Every new believer starts as a spiritual child. The next stage in spiritual maturity is described as becoming a spiritual “young man.” It occurs when the believer is strong in the Word, is strong, and is overcoming the evil one. The third and final stage of spiritual growth is becoming a “father of the faith.” The believer knows God very deeply. The key ingredient to this spiritual growth is knowledge of the Scriptures and victory over sin. The purpose of this series is to help believers become a spiritual “father of the faith.”

Therefore, the Solid Roots series has thirteen studies. Each study includes teaching mixed with questions and illustrations, a pre-study quiz for discussion, and printable PDFs with and without the answers. The materials are free and meant for personal study, one-on-one discipleship, or small groups.

Overview of Solid Roots

The following provides a brief overview of the series.

1. What Is the Bible? — revelation, inspiration, and inerrancy
This lesson explains that God has revealed Himself through general revelation in the creation and special revelation in Scripture. It teaches that the sixty-six books of the Bible are inspired by the Holy Spirit, without error, and reliable. The Scriptures are centered on Christ and are authoritative for teaching and training in righteousness.

2. Overview of the Books of the Bible — themes and descriptions
This study provides brief surveys the books of the Old and New Testaments by section—Pentateuch, historical books, poetry, prophets, Gospels, Acts, epistles, and Revelation. It gives the main theme of each book so that readers can understand the Bible’s overall message from creation to the end times, and then into eternity.

3. How to Study the Bible Step-by-Step — practical steps to follow
The lesson presents an easy to follow method of Bible study: What does it say? What does it mean? How does it apply? It walks through prayerful preparation, careful observation, interpretation by letting Scripture interpret Scripture, and obedient application.

4. Who Is God? — Trinity and His attributes
This study teaches that there is one God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who share the same divine essence. It provides a powerful proof that God is a Trinity. It then surveys the various of attributes of God.

5. Jesus Our Savior — life, death, resurrection, and ascension
The lesson presents Jesus as fully God and fully man who lived a sinless, perfect life, died to atone for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended to the Father’s right hand. You will learn the purpose of His death and resurrection. Through these events He offers forgiveness and the promise of eternal life to those who trust Him.

6. The Holy Spirit — identity and ministry
This study reveals that the Holy Spirit as a divine person, not an impersonal force, who has worked from creation in the lives of those who believe in God. He wrote the Scriptures, and assisted Christ in His ministry. Since Pentecost He indwells, convicts of sin, and seals believers for eternity. He assists believers in their prayers, helps them grow spiritually,and empowers them for holy living.

7. Creation and Fall of Man — origin of the creation and sin
The lesson teaches that God created the heavens and the earth and made mankind in His image. Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought sin upon the creation, resulting in physical death, spiritual death, and spiritual separation from God, leaving all people sinners by nature and in need of forgiveness through Christ.

8. The Work of Christ — The Good News
This study states that every male and female are sinners at conception, and as a result are spiritually dead, and separated from God. The good news is that Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, so that those who repent and trust Him receive forgiveness, justification, and eternal life—not by works.

9. Salvation and Sanctification — Growing in the Faith
Salvation is presented as a gift received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, resulting in a new spiritual birth and being positionally holy. Sanctification then continues as a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ, with the final perfection of that work in heaven. 1 John 2;12-14 helps each believer discover their level of spirituel maturity.

10. Obedience and Filled With the Spirit — This Is God’s Will
Drawing on Ephesians 5:17–18, believers will discover that it is God’s will that they are filled with the Spirit. Believers will discover what it means to be filled with the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit. The benefits are increasing obedience, growth of the fruit of the Spirit, and victory over sin.

11. God’s Plan for the Church — Worship, fellowship, organization
Believers will discover that the church is composed of all believers. The local church refers to a local gathering of believers who are devoted to Scripture, prayer, and the Lord’s Supper. Fellowship and the “one another” commands build unity, while qualified elders and deacons shepherd the congregation for spiritual maturity. The church is a pillar of the truth.

12. Sharing the Gospel With Bible Verses — Four steps to sharing
Based on Matthew 28:19–20, the lesson explains what Jesus meant by going, making disciples, baptizing, and teaching believers. It shows how a believer can use Scripture to present the gospel to others.

13. God’s Great Passion — What God desires for you
The last study reveals that God wants believers to know and love Him as their greatest treasure. Using images such as a deer panting for water and examples from the life of Moses and other saints who sought to know more about God. It calls for a wholehearted pursuit to know and love God.

Start Becoming A Spiritual Father

The Solid Roots Discipleship sequence helps believers to gain a deeper understanding of the Bible, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the creation, man, sin, the gospel, the Christian life, the church, evangelism, and finally God’s desire for each one to have an intimate relationship with God Himself. The goal is to develop “solid roots” so that believers will grow beyond spiritual childhood. We invite you to study through the Solid Roots Discipleship Series.