Start Here
FCA's E3 Vision
FCA has a vision to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ. And we have a clear and compelling mission: to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. FCA’s way to pursue that mission is to engage, equip and empower every coach and every athlete around the world to grow in Christ. It is our goal to reach every sport, team, community and country. Our passion is to see the world of sports redeemed for God’s greater purposes, and we believe this transformation can only happen through one coach and one athlete at time.
When someone makes a decision to follow Jesus, they begin the greatest journey of their life. They begin a discipleship journey; this is a lifelong pursuit and process of becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ. We help give coaches and athletes clarity about what the destination of this journey looks like and certainty about how to make progress on this journey. Our definition of a disciple is this:
A disciple is someone who is growing in their relationship with Jesus Christ and His church.
When you are growing and walking with Jesus on daily basis, you are becoming more like Him. That process is called sanctification—which is the foundation of discipleship.
Let’s unpack the FCA way of discipleship:
ENGAGE
We engage coaches and athletes through genuine relationships by sharing our lives and the Gospel. We want to excel in connecting and developing relationships. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:8,
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News, but our own lives, too.
We connect with coaches and athletes in many different environments by identifying the space and place to cultivate relationships.
EQUIP
We equip coaches and athletes to grow in Christ through God’s Word with Christ-centered training and resources. This is where The Pursuit comes in: 12 sessions that will give you the building blocks to strengthen your faith. In Ephesians 4:12, Paul writes,
Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.
We want to build you so you can be the follower God has designed you to become. You will discover the essence of the Christian life. The Pursuit is a game plan to have a personal, passionate relationship with Jesus Christ, and then to go impact those on your team, family and community.
EMPOWER
We empower coaches and athletes to engage and equip others to know and grow in Christ. Once equipped, we desire to see coaches and athletes make disciples who make disciples through empowering others. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul writes,
You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
We are encouraged to not just hold onto our faith, but also to pass it on to others.
How do coaches and athletes grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ? By engaging, equipping and empowering. When coaches and athletes begin to do the same, discipleship multiplies, and we see the world transformed by Jesus Christ.
This is a great game plan that can bring personal transformation as you go through these core essentials. The journey gets even better when you can do the same with others. We are praying that God will help you grow in your relationship with Him, that He will reveal Himself to you in a powerful way, and that you will lead others in their journey.
Request a Mentor
We believe one of the greatest ways to move forward in your faith is through mentoring. Mentors are regular people who know how to help others pursue God using the resources at pursueGOD.org. Fill out our Mentor Request Form so we can help you get connected to a mentor from Crosstraining.
ENGAGE
Use the conversation starters below with coaches or athletes. [MILESTONE #1]
BROWSE SERIES & TOPICS
BROWSE INDEX
A
- Abortion (3)
- Addiction (Drugs/Alcohol) (39)
- Addiction (Porn/Sex) (36)
- Angels/Demons (12)
- Anger (13)
- Anxiety/Fear (26)
- Apologetics (48)
- Atheism (3)
B
- Baptism (15)
- Bible (Investigate) (22)
- Bitterness (4)
- Blended Families (7)
- Boundaries (14)
- Budgeting (16)
C
- Calvinism/Arminianism (6)
- Church History (13)
- Communication (41)
- Communion (4)
- Conflict (11)
- Creation (10)
D
- Dating (35)
- Debt (7)
- Depression (13)
- Divorce (24)
E
- Emotions (27)
- Entertainment (16)
- EQ (22)
- Evangelism (33)
F
- Fasting (4)
- Fatherhood (14)
- Forgiveness (36)
- Friendship (17)
G
- Gender/Sexuality (24)
- Gender Roles (4)
- Giving (27)
- God (50)
- God's Will (10)
- Gossip (5)
- Grace (18)
- Grief (35)
- Guilt/Shame (11)
H
- Happiness/Joy (8)
- Heaven/Hell (46)
- Holy Spirit (13)
- Honoring God (37)
- Humanity/Sin (8)
I
- Identity (25)
- Immigration (5)
- Investigate (Christianity) (37)
- Investigate (God/Jesus) (33)
- Islam (3)
J
- Jesus (100)
M
- Making Disciples (31)
- Marriage (Communication) (28)
- Marriage (Love) (28)
- Marriage (Trust) (29)
- Men (11)
- Military (9)
- Miracles (15)
- Mormonism (26)
O
- Occult (7)
- Old Testament (64)
P
- Parenting Kids (88)
- Parenting Teens (98)
- Politics (18)
- Poverty (7)
- Prayer (37)
- Preaching (8)
- Premarriage (23)
- Proverbs for Men (31)
R
- Racism (9)
- Relationships (23)
- Retirement (3)
S
- Sabbath (1)
- Salvation/Atonement (62)
- Serving (14)
- Sex (24)
- Sexual Abuse (9)
- Sin (90)
- Social Media (21)
- Spiritual Disciplines (46)
- Spiritual Gifts (6)
- Spiritual Warfare (13)
- Sports (33)
- Suicide (4)
- Systematic Theology (17)
T
- Theological Distinctives (42)
- Training (Mentoring) (50)
- Training (Small Groups) (32)
- Training (Worship) (21)
- Trinity (18)
- Trusting Jesus (27)
U
- Universalism (11)
W
- Word Studies (23)
- Worldviews (44)
- Worship (13)
EQUIP
The Pursuit
Complete this track with a group or mentor to EQUIP a full circle faith. [MILESTONE #2]
INTRODUCTION
Topic #1: Full Circle
Talking Points:
- If you make a commitment to pursue God, you will find him. Jeremiah 29:11-13
- A full circle pursuit of God includes three things: Trusting Jesus, Honoring God, and Making Disciples. (See image below.)
- Take ownership of your pursuit of God with four personal commitments:
- Come prepared. Make a commitment to watch the video before you meet. This will make your conversation more meaningful for everyone.
- Talk & listen. Don’t just bring your ideas and opinions to the table. Develop a teachable heart, and come ready to hear from God and others.
- Discover truth. We believe the Bible has answers to every question. If you keep showing up, you can expect to discover a fresh perspective on just about any topic.
- Act on it. The goal in every conversation is transformation, not just information. Be ready to step up and act on what you’re learning.
Image:
- What’s your initial reaction to this topic?
- Do you have any questions about faith or the Bible right now? Start a list.
- Make a list of areas where you would like to make improvements in your daily life.
- Read Psalm 139:17. Is this a new concept for you to realize that God uniquely created you? Explain.
- Read Jeremiah 29:11. What do you hope your life looks like in 5 or 10 years? Paint a picture.
- Where would you put yourself on the circle above? Explain.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
02 Why the Bible?
Why the Bible?
- Before we can pursue the God of the Bible, we need to examine the Bible itself. How do we know that we can trust what it says? That’s what we’ll cover in this lesson.
- Ancient manuscripts and archeological digs have stacked up in favor of biblical reliability. The New Testament has more manuscript evidence than any other ancient work.
- The Bible contains 66 books written by 40 authors over the course of 1500 years, and yet it tells one unified story.
- The Bible is ultimately about Jesus, and the changed lives of his followers is the most compelling proof of its message.
- If you are willing to come to God on his terms and take him at his word, then Jesus promises that you’ll discover the truth. John 7:16-17
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Have you ever wondered about the reliability of the Bible? How big of an issue is it for your pursuit of God?
- Which of the three evidences above is most compelling to you, and why?
- Why is it surprising that the Bible tells one unified story? Do you agree that it is textually reliable?
- If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, what do you think his disciples would have done with their lives after his death?
- Read John 7:16-17. Are you interested in “doing the will of God”? Why do you think this is a prerequisite for discerning whether Christ’s teachings are true?
See Also:
03 Imago Dei
How Imago Dei Changes Everything
- Whether you believe in biblical Christianity or not, you have been fundamentally shaped by its ideas. In this lesson we’ll investigate one of those ideas and how it has impacted the values we take for granted.
- The Bible teaches that humans are created in God’s image (“Imago Dei”). This gives every human inherent dignity, and it’s the key to understanding God’s attitude toward the world. Genesis 1:26
- “Imago Dei” is the basis for blessing all of mankind in the most practical way: it opens the door to the freedoms we have come to expect. God invites all people to experience life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- Being created in the image of God means you have the capacity for a real relationship with the God who created you. This relationship transforms your whole way of relating, so you are able to love your neighbor and yourself. Matthew 22:37-40
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Why is it important to have a framework for where humans derive value and purpose? How do you see our culture wrestling with these ideas today?
- Read Genesis 1:1-26. What is the significance of the wording in the creation account?
- What does it mean that we were created in God’s image? What doesn’t it mean?
- Read Matthew 22:37-39. What does it look like to love the way Jesus describes in this passage?
- Read Luke 12:6-7. How do you need to adjust the way you see yourself – or someone else – in this world?
See Also:
#InvestigateChristianity
- Where Did We Get the Bible?
- The Meaning of “Love” in Hebrew
- God and Math: Experiencing Faith
- God and Math: Exploring Beauty
- God and Math: Embracing Mystery
- Getting Right With God
- How Imago Dei Changes Everything
- Why the Bible?
- Three Truths for Every Pursuit of God
- What Is a Biblical Worldview?
- The Meaning of “Joy” in Greek
- What Happens One Minute After You Die?
- Why You Can Rely on the Biblical Canon
- The Imperfect Journey of Doubting Thomas
- The Shocking Testimony of the Women at the Tomb
- How Christianity Is Unique Among World Religions
- Three Longings Built into Every Heart
- 4 Assumptions of Modern Science
- Is There Really “No Evidence” for God’s Existence?
- 5 Proofs That Jesus Is God
- God Wants Your EQ
- Should We Believe in Miracles Today?
- 15 Things Not to Say to an Atheist
- What Happens One Moment After You Die?
- Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?
- Who Did Jesus Think He Was?
- 4 Views on Religion and Science
- 3 Angles on Faith and Reason
- The Dilemma of the Problem of Evil
- Don’t Just Follow Your Heart
- How Many Paths Are There to God?
- Are People Basically Good?
- The Meaning of “Love” in Greek
- If Everything God Makes Is Good, Where Did Evil Come From?
- What Is the Bible?
- Relativism and the Rejection of Absolute Truth
- The Complex Human Body as Evidence of a Creator
TRUSTING JESUS
04 What Is Sin?
What the Bible Says About Sin
- Sin is going your own way, trusting and acting on your own opinions and feelings instead of on God’s truth. Genesis 3:1-6
- Sin brings brokenness in every way, keeping us from experiencing the fullness of life that God wants for us. John 10:10, Galatians 5:19-21
- We’re all born into sin and therefore we all must be “born again”. John 3:3, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- On a scale of 1 (Mother Teresa) to 10 (Hitler), how bad of a “sinner” are you? How would someone else rate you?
- Why are feelings not the best barometer for good choices? How have some of your choices negatively impacted your life?
- Read Genesis 3:1-3. Why do you think the serpent started with a question?
- Read Galatians 5:19-21. Why do you think Paul takes the time to list out a bunch of sins? How have you and others justified some of these sins?
- Take an honest look at your own life and identify a few areas of brokenness that you need to address.
See Also:
05 Who Is Jesus?
5 Teachings About Jesus in the Early Church
- There is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. Acts 10:36, Colossians 1:15-17
- Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10:38, Luke 4:40-41
- They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, but God raised him to life on the third day. Luke 10:39-40, Luke 23:44-46, Luke 24:1-6
- Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. Acts 10:42, Romans 2:9,16
- Everyone who believes in Jesus will have their sins forgiven through his name. Acts 10:43, Romans 3:23-25
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- What, if anything, did you learn about Jesus when you were younger?
- Why is it important to believe that Jesus is fully God? How would it impact Christianity if he were something less?
- Why did Jesus take the time to do good and heal people? Have you ever seen God perform a miracle?
- Why is it important that Jesus rose from the dead? How would it impact the basic Christian message if he hadn’t?
- What questions do you still have about Jesus? Make a list.
See Also:
06 Saving Faith
Getting Right With God
- Out of love, God sent Jesus into the world to solve our sin problem. 1 John 4:9
- Saving faith requires both the right information and the right attitude (“repentance”). Acts 2:37-38
- We start a relationship with God by personally trusting Jesus for salvation. Romans 10:9
- We are saved 100% by grace the moment we trust Jesus for salvation. Ephesians 2:8
- God offers this free gift to everyone, no matter what you’ve done. Romans 3:22
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Read 1 John 4:9. How did God show his love? What was his purpose behind it all?
- Make a list of the “right information” we need to be saved. Explain what it means to have the “right attitude”.
- Read Ephesians 2:8. Why is it important to see grace as a gift?
- Read Romans 3:22. What does the verse say we have to do to receive the gift of salvation? Do you have a hard time believing that God loves you despite your past? Explain.
- Read Romans 10:9. Have you made a confession of faith in Jesus yet? If not, what questions do you still need answered? Are you ready to do it today?
See Also:
#TrustingJesus
- How Good is Good Enough?
- Resurrection Sunday (Mark 16)
- Holy Week – Palm Sunday
- 10 Sinful Responses to Sin
- The Trinity: God Is Three Persons
- Is It a Sin to Get “Buzzed”?
- Six Principles for Controlling Sinful Thoughts
- 5 Proofs That Jesus Is God
- Resurrection Evidence: 5 Reasons to Believe that Jesus Really Rose
- The Power of Easter
- Can I Believe in Jesus and Not Be Saved?
- Is There Such a Thing as the Unforgivable Sin?
- 7 False Teachings to Avoid
- Are You Ready to Get Baptized?
- After Death Is There a Final Chance to Be Saved?
- Does Baptism Save?
- What If I Can’t Identify My Defining Moment?
- Be Sure You’ll Get to Heaven
- Make Sure You Get Jesus Right
- The Difference Between Good Guilt and Bad Guilt
- Common Baptism Questions
- What Does It Mean to be “Born Again”?
- What Is True Repentance?
- What’s on Your Sin List?
- Getting to the Faith Moment
- Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?
- What Is the Atonement?
HONORING GOD
07 What is Baptism?
Everything You Need to Know About Baptism
- Baptism doesn’t save you; we start a relationship with God by trusting Jesus and his finished work on the cross. Romans 3:22
- Jesus said to get baptized, and that’s the main reason we should do it! Matthew 28:19
- Baptism is an early act of practical obedience – and it’s one of the easier commandments. Acts 8:36
- Baptism is an act of identification – both with Christ and his church. Romans 6:3
- Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward reality. Romans 6:4
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- What has your understanding of baptism been up to now? Is there anything in this chapter that surprised or confused you? Explain.
- Read Matthew 28:19. Why do you think some people become Christians and yet never get baptized?
- Baptism is one of the easiest steps of obedience. Make a list of some of the harder things you’ll have to do as a Christian.
- Read Romans 6:3-4. What does baptism symbolize? What are you declaring to the world when you do it?
- Have you been baptized? If so, when – and was it for the right reasons? If not, are you ready to do it? Why or why not?
See Also:
08 The Three Keys
Three Keys for Christian Living
- The Spirit leads from the inside out, empowering us to honor God every day. Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2 Peter 1:3
- The Bible guides us and shows us the attitudes and actions that honor God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Luke 6:46-48
- Other believers help us stay on the right track, both one-on-one and in the local church. Galatians 6:1-2, Romans 12:6-8
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Share a time when you relied on willpower to accomplish a goal – and it didn’t work. What led to your failure?
- Read 2 Peter 1:3. How does this verse encourage you in your desire to honor God with your life?
- Read Ezekiel 36:26-27. How has your heart been stony toward God in the past? What does a tender heart for God look like in your life and in others?
- Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Why is the Bible worth our time? How does the Bible help us to live God-honoring lives?
- Read Galatians 6:1-2. In your opinion, what does it look like to bear the burdens of others? Share an example.
See Also:
09 The Big Five
The Big “5” Spiritual Disciplines
- Make a habit of talking to God, building a relationship with him like any other person.
- Read the Word devotionally every day, and set aside special times for a deeper dive.
- Connect to God’s people in three environments: large (church), small (group), and individual (mentoring).
- Giving should be periodic, proportionate, and a little bit painful.
- Jesus called it disciple-making, and it’s about personally helping someone pursue God.
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Name one good habit you had as a kid. Did you have a habit that was hard to break when you were young?
- Give yourself a grade on each of the five habits above. Which one are you most eager to improve? Why?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. What does prayer look like in your life? What have you learned about the power of prayer?
- Read Hebrews 10:25. How does community help us in our pursuit of God?
- Read 2 Corinthians 8:7. What do you think Paul meant by “excel in giving”? What could it mean for you today?
See Also:
#HonoringGod
- How to Read Scripture for Breakthrough
- How To Pace Yourself For Breakthrough
- How To Spot a Spiritual Fraud (Mark 12:38-44)
- The Ancient Secret of Spiritual Disciplines
- Proving His Authority: The Story of Jesus and the Demon-Possessed Man (Mark 1:21-28)
- Psalm 1 – A Psalm of Choice
- The Mechanics of Prayer: The P-R-A-Y Method
- Sanctification and the Christian Life
- The Big “5” Spiritual Disciplines
- Everything You Need to Know About Baptism
- Love Your Enemies the Jesus Way
- Be the Bigger Person the Jesus Way
- The Jesus Way of Saving Your Marriage
- Is it Wrong for Christians to Take Vows?
- Stop Playing Games with the Truth as a Christian
- Radical Sexual Purity the Jesus Way
- Anger Management the Jesus Way
- The Six Antitheses of Jesus
- The Letter of Jude
- Five Steps to Winning the War Within as a Christian
- Trust Your Instruments
- “Be This” In the Culture Wars
- God’s Plan for Dealing with Habits
- The Secret to Overcoming Anxiety
- 3 Metrics for Giving as a Christian
- Finding Your Place in the Body of Christ
- All About Walking by the Spirit
- How to Uncomplicate Your Prayers
- Am I Really Saved If I Keep Sinning?
- The Biblical Theme of Law
- A New Nature with Old Habits
- Covenants in the Bible
- Common Baptism Questions
- Is Christ at the Center or the Fringe?
- What if I Don’t Want to Read the Bible?
- Prayer: What? Why? When? Where? Who?
- The Sinful Nature vs. the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5
HELPING OTHERS
10 Commission
Why Make Disciples?
- We make disciples because Jesus said so. Matthew 28:18-20
- We make disciples because Jesus envisioned a church where pastors equip and people do the ministry. Ephesians 4:11-12
- We make disciples because people need help on a personal level. Matthew 9:36-37
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Share about a person who has encouraged you in your pursuit of God. What did they do that was so impactful?
- Read Matthew 4:19. Why do you think Jesus picked fishermen instead of Pharisees as his disciples? Which group of people do you most relate to?
- Read Ephesians 4:11-12. What’s the pastor’s job in the church? What’s your job?
- Define “full circle” faith in your own words. Where are you on the circle?
- Do you think you can help someone else pursue God? Why or why not?
See Also:
11 How It Works
How to Make Disciples
- PursueGOD offers a simple 3-step strategy for conversational disciple-making.
- First, engage the person you’d like to disciple. Meet regularly to cover topics together as you build a relationship.
- Second, establish the person in the Christian faith. Complete The Pursuit together to learn the essentials of the Christian faith.
- Third, empower the person to become a disciple-maker. Help them get connected to someone else who needs a mentor.
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Engage, Establish, Empower – which one seems the most difficult to you? Explain.
- Describe the three mentoring principles in your own words. Which one resonates most?
- Describe the pathway for disciple-making in your own words. What’s the point to taking someone through a discipleship track?
- Do you feel qualified to make disciples? If not, what would qualify you?
- Make a list of a few people who might be interested in going through a discipleship track with you. Begin praying for those people.
- To finish your training, cover this full discipleship track with a training partner or group. Take turns leading each topic, and be sure to track your progress. Then start discipling someone on your list.
See Also:
12 The How
How to Make Disciples
- PursueGOD offers a simple 3-step strategy for conversational disciple-making.
- First, engage the person you’d like to disciple. Meet regularly to cover topics together as you build a relationship.
- Second, establish the person in the Christian faith. Complete The Pursuit together to learn the essentials of the Christian faith.
- Third, empower the person to become a disciple-maker. Help them get connected to someone else who needs a mentor.
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Engage, Establish, Empower – which one seems the most difficult to you? Explain.
- Describe the three mentoring principles in your own words. Which one resonates most?
- Describe the pathway for disciple-making in your own words. What’s the point to taking someone through a discipleship track?
- Do you feel qualified to make disciples? If not, what would qualify you?
- Make a list of a few people who might be interested in going through a discipleship track with you. Begin praying for those people.
- To finish your training, cover this full discipleship track with a training partner or group. Take turns leading each topic, and be sure to track your progress. Then start discipling someone on your list.
See Also:
#MakingDisciples
- How Jesus Kept Peter on Mission (Mark 14:27-31, 66-71)
- How Well Do You Know Your Bible? (Mark 12:28-34)
- The Cost of Discipleship (Mark 8:31-9:1)
- Training the Twelve (Mark 3:7-19)
- Why Make Disciples?
- Discipling Through Topics 1-3
- Value #5: We’re On Mission With Jesus
- The Holy Spirit’s Role in Disciple-making
- Discipling Through Topics 10-12
- Expectations in Mentoring
- Getting Rejected in Mentoring
- Disciple-Making Tips for Introverts
- How to End a Failed Mentoring Relationship
- Discipling Through Topics 7-9
- Discipling Through Topics 4-6
- The Tension Between Relationship and Mission as a Mentor
- Tracking Your Discipleship Relationships
- Pushing Past the Awkward in a Mentoring Relationship
- Am I Qualified to Baptize Someone?
- How to Power Through in Mentoring
- Here’s What You’ll Get Out of Mentoring
- Boundaries in Mentoring Others
- The Mentoring Law of Discovery
- Next Steps in Mentoring
- Methodolatry vs. Disciple-making
- You Were Born to Reproduce
- 7 Tips for Getting Started as a Mentor
- Help! I Don’t Have Anyone to Mentor
- How Long Should You Mentor Someone?
- The Maturity Myth
- Sharing the Right Truth at the Right Time
Empower
If you just completed THE PURSUIT for the first time, click here to become a mentor or huddle leader at FCA. [MILESTONE #3]