Short answer: Use The Pursuit of God in one-to-one discipleship as a conversation starter under Scripture, not as the curriculum that defines discipleship. Two people can read one chapter, examine one biblical passage, speak honestly about one area of response, pray, and review that response at the next meeting. The book serves the relationship; it should never create dependence on the mentor.
Set the boundary before the first meeting
The immediate purpose of this page is narrow: how two people can use The Pursuit of God together. It is not a complete model of one-to-one disciple-making. The larger work includes the gospel, the whole counsel of Scripture, life in the local church, prayer, obedience, character, mission, and eventually helping others follow Jesus.
When you need that broader framework, move outward to Kingdom Pathway 5 — Disciple-Maker.
Use a 60-minute rhythm that leaves room for the person
- 10 minutes — review life and last week’s response. Ask what happened, not simply whether the assignment was completed.
- 10 minutes — summarize the chapter. Let the learner speak first. The mentor can clarify rather than deliver a second reading of the chapter.
- 20 minutes — open Scripture. Choose one passage that actually governs the chapter’s theme and read enough context to understand it.
- 15 minutes — name one response. Identify one belief, habit, relationship, decision, or act of obedience that the truth touches.
- 5 minutes — pray specifically. Pray about the response you named, not only general needs.
Ask questions that reveal understanding without turning the meeting into an interrogation
- What is Tozer trying to awaken or confront in this chapter?
- What does the Bible passage say more clearly than the devotional language does?
- Where do you agree intellectually but resist practically?
- What would obedience look like before we meet again?
- What do you need from me: prayer, a question, encouragement, or accountability?
Let the learner bring something to the meeting
A healthy one-to-one relationship is not one expert transferring answers to one dependent listener. Ask the learner to bring one observation, one question, and one application. On alternate weeks, let that person select the Scripture passage or summarize the chapter.
Shared contribution reveals whether understanding is growing and prepares the person to help someone else later.
Do not confuse accountability with control
Write down a chosen response only when the person agrees. At the next meeting ask, “What happened?” If the action was not completed, explore resistance, unrealistic expectations, changed circumstances, or needed repentance. Avoid shame, surveillance, and pressure for private details that are not necessary.
Confidentiality matters, but it is not absolute secrecy. If serious risk, abuse, or danger appears, appropriate outside help may be required.
A Chapter 2 example
Suppose the pair reads Chapter 2 on possessiveness. Instead of asking, “What do you need to give away?” begin with Genesis 22 in context and discuss the difference between trusting God and performing dramatic sacrifice. The learner might identify control over money, schedule, reputation, or a future plan. The week’s response could be generosity, a budget decision, an apology, or simply a conversation that releases control.
The mentor’s job is not to manufacture a dramatic surrender story. The job is to help the learner respond truthfully to Scripture.
A Chapter 7 example
If the chapter is “The Gaze of the Soul,” read Hebrews 12:1–2. Ask what repeatedly captures attention when anxiety or temptation rises. The action may be to place one biblical truth where it can be revisited during a predictable moment of distraction.
This keeps Tozer’s metaphor connected to concrete faith without turning attention into a technique for controlling emotions.
Know when to leave Tozer and study something else
A ten-chapter book is not a complete discipleship curriculum. If a question about the gospel, baptism, church, marriage, sexuality, suffering, money, doctrine, spiritual gifts, or mission requires fuller biblical study, pause the Tozer sequence. Follow the person’s real need into Scripture.
Aim for transfer, not permanent dependence
Near the end of the book, ask the learner to lead an entire meeting. Later, invite that person to use one simple skill—summarizing a passage, asking an observation question, praying with someone else, or reviewing an application—with another believer.
Multiplication should grow from maturity and love, not from a deadline.
For a three-person version, see the discipleship-triad guide. For the general Bible-study method behind both formats, use How to Use The Pursuit of God as a Bible Study.