Direct answer: The Pursuit of God can be used as a Christian discipleship workbook when every chapter is joined to Scripture, honest reflection, prayer, a specific act of obedience, accountability, and a plan to pass the lesson to someone else. Tozer supplies the spiritual challenge; the workbook structure helps the reader respond as a follower of Jesus.
What Makes This a Discipleship Workbook?
A regular workbook may help someone remember information. A Pursuit of God Christian discipleship workbook should do more. It should help a believer follow Jesus, obey His Word, grow within Christian community, and become able to help another person do the same.
Tozer writes about spiritual hunger, surrender, faith, worship, and knowing God personally. These themes are valuable for discipleship because outward ministry cannot remain healthy when the inner life with God is neglected. Yet the book is not a complete disciple-making system by itself. Scripture must remain the final authority, and the reader needs prayer, accountability, practical obedience, and connection to the local church.
Begin With Abiding in Christ
John 15:1–11 provides a strong biblical foundation. Jesus teaches that lasting fruit comes from abiding in Him. Discipleship therefore begins with dependence rather than performance. The workbook should repeatedly ask whether the reader is receiving Christ’s Word, continuing in His love, obeying His commands, praying, and bearing fruit that glorifies the Father.
The discipleship movement
Abide → Understand → Obey → Share → Multiply
The goal is not merely to finish a chapter. The goal is to receive truth from Christ, live it, and help another person follow Him.
A Seven-Part Workbook Lesson
- Read the chapter carefully. Mark statements about God, faith, surrender, worship, obedience, and barriers to spiritual growth.
- Write the big idea. Summarize the chapter in one or two sentences without copying a paragraph from the book.
- Study related Scripture. Read each passage in context and compare Tozer’s point with the Bible.
- Examine your life. Identify where the truth encourages, corrects, or exposes you.
- Choose one act of obedience. Make it specific, realistic, and time-bound.
- Share with an accountability partner. Tell someone what you intend to do and invite follow-up.
- Pass the lesson on. Decide who could benefit from the Scripture, question, or practice you learned.
Use the Declarative, Imperative and Application Method
Declarative
What does this reveal about God? Record truths about His holiness, faithfulness, presence, grace, wisdom, authority, and desire for His people.
Imperative
What does God command? Identify commands to believe, seek, pray, love, surrender, forgive, worship, endure, serve, or make disciples.
Application
What will I do? Write one action that can be reviewed at the next meeting.
Questions for Honest Discipleship
- Am I seeking God Himself or mainly seeking information and religious activity?
- What receives my best attention, energy, and affection?
- What am I afraid to surrender to Christ?
- Which truth do I already understand but have not obeyed?
- How is abiding in Christ producing visible fruit in my relationships and service?
- Who is helping me grow, and whom am I helping to grow?
A One-to-One Discipleship Meeting
| Part | Suggested time | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Prayer and personal check-in | 10 minutes | Bring real life before God and build trust. |
| Chapter and Scripture discussion | 25 minutes | Understand the truth and test it biblically. |
| Honest reflection | 15 minutes | Name resistance, fear, sin, or needed growth. |
| Application and accountability | 10 minutes | Choose one action and arrange follow-up. |
| Prayer and multiplication | 10 minutes | Pray for obedience and identify someone else to encourage. |
How a Christian Workbook Differs From Self-Help
A Pursuit of God Christian workbook should not promise spiritual growth through willpower alone. Christian transformation is grounded in the gospel, shaped by Scripture, empowered by the Holy Spirit, practiced in community, and centered on Christ. Exercises are tools; they are not the source of life.
Measure More Than Completed Pages
Useful measures include greater honesty in prayer, clearer understanding of Scripture, a growing willingness to surrender, completed acts of obedience, repaired relationships, faithful service, and the ability to encourage another believer. The completed workbook matters less than the transformed life.
Explore the Expanded Study Edition
The Pursuit of God (Annotated): A Modern Study Guide to A. W. Tozer’s Classic on Abiding in Christ and Making Disciples preserves Tozer’s original text while adding chapter summaries, study resources, chapter word searches, and practical disciple-making connections.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Pursuit of God itself a complete discipleship program?
No. It is a devotional Christian classic rather than a complete discipleship system. It becomes more useful for discipleship when paired with Scripture, prayer, accountability, practical obedience, and multiplication.
Can two people use it as a discipleship workbook?
Yes. Two people can read one chapter each week, study related Scripture, discuss one honest reflection question, choose one action, pray, and follow up at the next meeting.
What makes a workbook Christian rather than merely motivational?
A Christian workbook keeps Scripture as the final authority, centers growth on Christ and the gospel, depends on the Holy Spirit, and directs readers toward obedience within the life of the church.
How does multiplication fit into the workbook?
Every lesson should ask who else could benefit from the truth. Readers can share a Scripture, pray with someone, lead a discussion, or begin discipling another believer.