The first discipleship meeting should establish relationship, purpose, expectations, and a simple spiritual rhythm without trying to cover everything at once. The goal is to begin trust and clarify what the relationship is intended to become.
Learn the Person’s Story
Ask about faith background, church involvement, current questions, and what they hope will grow.
Article 183: Explain the Purpose
Describe disciple-making as following Jesus together with the expectation of eventual reproduction.
Discuss the Meeting Rhythm
Clarify frequency, approximate length, and how communication will happen between meetings.
Open Scripture
Use a short passage so the first meeting immediately centers on God’s Word.
Article 183: Pray Together
Simple prayer helps establish spiritual dependence from the beginning.
Discuss Confidentiality
Explain that private matters will be respected while also clarifying that safety concerns cannot always remain secret.
Identify One Growth Area
Avoid trying to solve every issue in the first conversation.
Set One Small Next Step
Choose a Scripture passage, prayer practice, or act of obedience before the next meeting.
Schedule the Next Meeting
Consistency begins with a concrete date.
Use a First-Meeting Checklist
Before the meeting ends, confirm purpose, schedule, confidentiality, Scripture focus, one next step, and the date of the next meeting. A short checklist keeps important expectations from being assumed.
A Good First Meeting Creates Direction
The relationship should leave both people knowing why they are meeting, what happens next, and how Christ will remain central.