A Path for Mere Christians
Stand ye in the way, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way,and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
Overview
Welcome to A Path for Mere Christians, a four-year curriculum designed by the Jackson Institute to help believers develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ and glorify His name, the central purpose for which we have been created. Whether studying the materials alone for your own spiritual nourishment or, as a leader, using them to build mature, reproducing believers in the context of committed discipleship groups, you will soon discover that you are being progressively and continuously transformed into the image of Jesus Christ by His grace and power.
Module 1
| Category | Objective | Week – Topic/Chapters | Curriculum | Supplementary Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation | To encourage believers to learn how to adore God and live solely for His glory | 1 – God’s Glory | Man’s Chief End: God’s Glory by Thomas Watson | First Semester: Knowing God by J. I. Packer |
| To prepare believers for the process of personal transformation into the image of Jesus Christ | 2 – God’s Word 3 – Spiritual Disciplines 4 – Accountability 5 – Life Together 6 – Prayer 7 – Great Commission |
|||
| To prepare believers to uncover the rich spiritual insights present in The Pilgrim’s Progress | 8 – Allegory | How to Read The Pilgrim’s Progress | Second Semester: True Spirituality by Francis Schaeffer | |
| The Christian Life | To understand the true nature of the Christian life and how to live by grace in the power of the Holy Spirit | 9-33 – Chapters 1-25 | The Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan |
Summer Reading Topic: Spiritual Disciplines.
The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard. Optional: Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Module 2
| Category | Objective | Week – Topic/Chapters | Curriculum | Supplementary Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orientation | To review the elements of group life in preparation for the second year and to introduce the curriculum for the first semester | 1 – God’s Word Spiritual Disciplines Accountability Life Together Prayer Great Commission |
Baptism and Fullness by R. W. Stott Optional: Keep in Step with the Spirit by J. I. Packer |
|
| The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit | To understand what the Scriptures teach about the second person of the Godhead, how to walk in the Spirit, and how to discover, develop, and employ one’s spiritual gifts for the expansion and edification of the Church | 2-16 – The Holy Spirit and His Gifts | The Holy Spirit & His Gifts by John Musselman | |
| Life Purpose | To help believers find and fulfill God’s unique purpose for their lives | 17-33 – Life Purpose | The Call and Entrepreneurs of Life by Os Guinness |
Summer Reading Topic: Worldview. The Universe Next Door by James W. Sire
Module 3
| Category | Objective | Week – Topic/Chapters | Curriculum | Supplementary Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Life of Christ, Part 1 |
To foster a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ by studying His life as presented in the Gospels and to learn how to make reproducing disciples by following the principles and methods He used in training the Twelve | Topic: Jesus’ plan for the redemption of the nations through multiplying discipleship Chapters: 1-25 |
The Training of the Twelve by A.B. Bruce | A Chronological Framework for the Public Ministry of Jesus Christ by John Musselman |
Summer Reading Topic: Ministry Plan for Multiplying Discipleship.
Module 4
| Category | Objective | Week – Topic/Chapters | Curriculum | Supplementary Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Life of Christ, Part 2 |
To foster a more intimate relationship with Jesus Christ by studying His life as presented in the Gospels and to learn how to make reproducing disciples by following the principles and methods He used in training the Twelve | Topic: Jesus’ plan for the redemption of the nations through multiplying discipleship Chapters: 26-53 |
The Training of the Twelve by A.B. Bruce |