Knowledge Base
how to 2 min readRecent · Updated 2026-05-06

How to turn a sermon (or just an idea) into a small-group kit in one click

The Disciple-Maker walks any source — sermon, book, framework, idea, scripture, or an uploaded file — into a single session or a 4–12 week formation journey with a leader guide, participant workbook, and one-pager per week.

The promise

Print on Sunday. Run with groups on Wednesday. Or share a link and let online disciples walk it solo.

What it gives you, per week

  • A formation outcome — what changes if it lands
  • A scripture spine — 1–4 anchor passages
  • A key practice — something concrete done all week
  • A fruit marker — observable evidence it worked
  • A leader guide — opening prayer, recap, six tiered discussion questions, group practice, commission, leader notes
  • A participant workbook — 5 daily devotionals, prompts, the practice, group prep
  • A one-pager — print-and-go for the volunteer leader who didn't read the full guide

Pick the right source

  1. Framework — your project's Named Framework. The most "on-brand" output. Run The Refiner first.
  2. Sermons — a series you've already preached. Pick the sermons; the journey extends them into formation.
  3. Book — a book you wrote in Book Builder. Each chapter informs a week.
  4. Idea — a single idea or topic ("rest as resistance", "fatherhood and identity"). Voice + framework + ICA carry the rest.
  5. Scripture — a book of the Bible or a passage. Builds an expository formation journey.
  6. Upload — cold-start mode. Drop in a file (text, PDF, DOCX, audio MP3/WAV/M4A, or video MP4/MOV) or paste raw notes. Audio and video are auto-transcribed. Nothing has to live in the Vault first.

Choose a mode

  • In-church — printable PDFs (coming next), leader/participant split, no public link.
  • Online — a shareable public link; participants walk it solo or in an online cohort.

Choose a length

  • 1 session for a single Sunday class, a one-off small group, or testing the format
  • 4 weeks for a sprint or trial run
  • 6 weeks is the sweet spot for most groups
  • 8 weeks for a full term
  • 12 weeks for a deep journey or a leader-development track

What it isn't

  • It's not a course. Course Builder teaches knowledge; Disciple-Maker forms character.
  • It doesn't track per-person progress.
  • It doesn't replace pastoral care.

What to do next

  • Tighten the message on The Refiner so the framework gives the journey its spine.
  • Once published, link the online journey from a Launch Page to sell or invite.