One to One Discipleship

True discipleship involves reproduction. When you disciple someone, we are teaching them to disciple another, who will in turn disciple another. This is how reproduction takes place. Paul wrote to his disciple Timothy, in 11 Timothy 2:2. Paul’s instruction was to find reliable Christians to disciple, with the understanding they disciple others. When this sequence is completed, there is reproduction and a multiplication process that begins which should continue for a lifetime.

If everyone would start this process, how many disciples would we reproduce over a lifetime? How many disciples would be created collectively as a church over the years? God will honor our prayers and commitment to follow His will resulting in disciples that are fruitful and multiply.

One-to-One Discipleship: is a nine-session study for one believer to help another believer to learn the basics of his/her Christian faith. It helps lay nine foundational stones that believers can build on the rest of their lives. Each lesson has verses to read and questions to answer on that topic. This study is vital to the Christian life. The two, man with man, or woman with woman, meet to discuss the lesson, pray, and learn from one another, laying a solid foundation that helps your faith grow.

One to One Testimonials

“I had many men and women who spoke into my life as youth group leaders growing up.  They helped me make decisions and choose actions that aligned with the choice I had made to follow Christ.  I grew in my walk with Christ through Sunday school classes and summers spent at Hume Lake, but I never had a discipler take time to go through the Bible one on one with me and answer my questions and teach me the basics of my faith.

When Larry asked me to consider joining the discipleship ministry, I knew it was a valuable way to help new Christians learn and grow, but I had no idea how powerful it really was until I got discipled as part of my training.  I went through a 9 week study with a wonderful mentor here at Horizon, and although I’ve been a Christian for 50 years, I learned new things about the Bible and was reminded of truths and practices that I had long since forgotten.  I think discipling is such an amazing way to share Biblical truths and give people the foundation for a strong walk with Christ. 

We were told by Jesus himself to go make disciples and he led by example when he taught his disciples and then told them to go teach others what they had learned from him.  It is a great way to get to know new people at church and an even greater way to make sure your relationship with Jesus is solid and won’t be swayed by the world and the subtle way Satan tries to trip us up.”

Kristi Macleod

“As I reflect over my life, I am amazed and in awe of our Lord and Savior Jesus and all He has done. My little finite mind cannot fully grasp His incredible love, mercy, grace, and power He has shown me. I came to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior over 40 years ago. He has never left me nor forsaken me. His hand has been on me all throughout my life. It doesn’t seem there are many straight paths in this life. I had to experience a zig-zag path to get from point A to point B! 

Our Lord and Savior Jesus has instructed His followers: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20) 

As a retired forensic scientist, I have seen my share of pain, suffering, injustice, and hopelessness in others. In my 40-plus years of service in the forensics profession, I know there is hope and there will be His justice. It is now my time to help and guide other believers in their walk. Iron sharpens iron. If I can be of help in guiding a disciple – after all, that is His command! -- I will be available.”

Mike Giusto

“Jesus commanded us to make disciples. People need to know Jesus personally.  Discipleship includes not only studying God’s word but living a life of faith and walking in obedience to God. The One-to-One Discipleship program outlines the process to go, baptize and teach to obey.  The program is organized and provides guidelines and sound doctrine to equip me in every situation. It is a great way to reach the unreached people and necessary for raising young leaders in the truth of God’s Word so they can lead generations after me to follow God. 

The One-to-One Discipleship program helped me to understand my identity and purpose. Discipling others is necessary for me to grow into maturity, to keep me accountable, to grow in my relationship with Jesus and to transform me into the person God created me to be.  Since I been in the program, I learned so much from the lives of other people who have walked through life with me.  Practicing a committed lifestyle, has kept my eyes fixed on Christ and eternity and to endure until the end when Jesus calls me home or He returns. Join the program and take the initiative to share Jesus Christ with others in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God

Praying for a divine appointment!”

-Angie Garcia

“Jesus in His Great Commission instructed us to "Go and make disciples." A disciple is a student. An apprentice. We're studying to become the person Jesus would be if He were living our life. The "discipler" may only be a bit further down the path than the disciple, and that's okay. The goal is clear:To become more like Jesus and to come to know Him more deeply. 

A. W. Tozer addressed the idea that a person could make a commitment to follow Christ WITHOUT committing to be His disciple. Tozer call this "A modern heresy." We're called by God to be His disciples. And happily,  it's a joyful journey!”

-Larry Underhill

“One of my favorite passages is psalm 37. It tells us to
trust in Him, delight in Him, commit our way to Him, be still before Him, and to not fret.

Our journeys have peaks and valleys, but He is ALWAYS faithful!! As we are not meant to go on this journey alone, discipleship is to grow in Him and to share that growth, working one on one with others. We serve an amazing God! It is a privilege to work one on one, to lean in, to learn more about this amazing God and to share in His grace and truths with others.”

-Terri Cotes

“I have been attending Horizon Community Church for the past three years & have been in fellowship in other churches in the Lodi & Galt area for over 40 years.  My primary calling has been men's individual & small group Discipleship as well as adult small groups & bible studies.  I am retired after serving 40 years a Law Enforcement Officer in San Joaquin County & Lodi.  The Lord has used my personal & professional experiences to give me unique insight into everyday life.  I thoroughly enjoy getting to meet & know new people to share how the Lord helps us grow in Him.  I am available to anyone who is interested in making a new friend & growing in Jesus.

I can be contacted at (209) 470-5890

or at e-mail: glmurray@softcom.net 

God Bless!"

Garold Murray

“The discipleship program here at Horizon Community Church has helped me to understand what God expects from me. I love the one on one training with my mentor, Norma Stirlen. It’s been ia blessing having another Soldier for Christ to discuss the more advanced concepts of the bible. I feel armed to discuss why I am a Christian and why it is so important to follow Christ.”

Debora Pearce

“When I received Christ I was discipled by an awesome Christian who poured his life into me. He established Spiritual disciplines in my life so I could be a victorious Christian. The church I attended was a disciple making church. The one to one ministry they started was Christs Standard for discipleship according to Matthew 28:18-20. I invite you to learn how to be a disciple and then disciple others. You will look in the future and see the fruit of your ministry, seeing your disciples, Making disciples.”

If you feel God’s leading to learn how to be a reproducing disciple, send an email to lstirlen@hotmail.com or text 916-505-4958

Larry Stirlen

Lay Pastor for Evangelism and Discipleship