Resources for Discipleship & Shepherding Ministry
Are you concerned about the welfare of Christ-followers? Here are resources to assist you in caring for them through discipleship, mentoring, pastoral ministry, small groups, and more.
Click on a tab below to view a list of resources to gain a better understanding about shepherding in general as well as specific venues like discipleship, mentoring, the pastorate, small groups and support groups.
While seeking to choose doctrinally sound resources, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, links go to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales. Links open in new pages to keep the list available.
General
General Information about Shepherding Ministry
Articles:
- Benefits of a Shepherding Ministry
- Church Leadership Qualities: Be a Shepherd
- Leading People to the Chief Shepherd
- Shepherding Ministry: Entrustment
- Shepherding Ministry: Motivation
- Shepherding Ministry: Priorities
- Shepherding Ministry Description - General
- Shepherding Ministry Duties - Specific
- Shepherding Ministry: Lessons from John 21:15-17
- Shepherds Need to Know the Condition of the Flock
- Staffing & Shepherding
- The Church Needs a Network of Shepherds
Books:
- Shepherding Ministry Manual by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- Lead Like a Shepherd: The Secret to Leading Well by Larry Osborne
- Shepherding the Church - Effective Spiritual Leadership in a Changing Culture by Joseph M. Stowell
- They Smell Like Sheep - Biblical Leadership for the 21st Century by Lynn Anderson
- They Smell Like Sheep, Volume 2: Leading with the Heart of a Shepherd by Lynn Anderson
- The Way of the Shepherd: 7 Ancient Secrets to Managing Productive People by Dr. Kevin Leman & Bill Pentak
Discipleship
Help for Shepherding Through Discipleship
Articles:
- Shepherding Ministry Venue: Discipleship
- Whose Responsibility is Discipleship?
- Discipleship Assessment of Spiritual Condition of Disciplees
- Discipleship Networks - Disciplers in Different Settings
- Discipleship Objectives - Disciplers' Main Goal
- Bible Teacher’s Role as a Disciplemaker
- FAQ About Discipleship and Bible Teachers
- Another FAQ about Discipleship and Bible Teachers
- God's Presence: The Discipler's Authority
- 7 Characteristics of Disciple-Making Pastors
- Can Discipleship Go Digital? 11 Intentional Steps to Get You Started
Books:
- Authentic Influencer: The Barnabas Way of Shaping Lives for Jesus by Jonathan Murphy
- Becoming a Disciple-Making Church: A Proven Method for Growing Spiritually Mature Christians by Neil T. Anderson
- Brave New Discipleship: Cultivating Scripture-driven Christians in a Culture-driven World by Max Anders
- Disciple-Making Encounters: Revolutionary Sunday School by Darryl Wilson
- Disciple Making Teachers: How to Equip Adults for Growth and Action by Josh Hunt
- Disciples Are Made, Not Born by Walter A. Henrichsen
- DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples by Jim Putman with Bobby William Harrington, Robert Coleman
- Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden
- Discipleship That Fits: The Five Kinds of Relationships God Uses to Help Us Grow by Bobby Harrington
- Every Age, Every Stage: Teaching God's Truth at Home and Church by Ken Hindman, Landry Holmes, Jana Magruder
- Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ by George Barna
- Intentional: Living Out the Eight Principles of Disciple Making by Brandon Guindon
- Personal Disciplemaking: A Step-By-Step Guide for Leading a New Christian From New Birth to Maturity by Christopher Adsit
- Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual: Equipping Disciples Who Make Disciples by Jim Putman, Brandon Guindon, Avery Willis
- Replicate: How to Create a Culture of Disciple-Making Right Where You Are by Robby Gallaty, Chris Swain
- Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
- Strategic Disciple Making: A Practical Tool for Successful Ministry by Aubrey Malphurs
- The Adventure of Discipling Others: Training in the Art of Disciplemaking by Ron Bennett, John Purvis
- The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Being and Making Followers of Christ by Bill Hull
- The Disciple-Maker's Handbook by Patrick Harrington
- The Disciple-Making Church by Bill Hull
- The Disciple-Making Pastor by Bill Hull
- The Lost Art of Disciple Making by Leroy Eims
- The Ways of the Alongsider: Growing Disciples Life to Life by Bill Mowry
- Transformational Discipleship: How People Really Grow by Eric Geiger, Michael Kelley, Philip Nation
Discipleship Curriculum:
- Design for Discipleship Series by NavPress
- Emotionally Healthy Discipleship Courses Leader's Kit by Peter & Geri Scazzero
- Friends of God: The Discipleship Experience Kit by Group Publishing
- Navigator's 2:7 Discipleship Series by NavPress
- The Ways of the Alongsider: Growing Disciples Life to Life by Bill Mowry
Leaders Training Resource:
The Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide help leaders look at their role in promoting and being an example of disciple-making in accordance with the Great Commission through all they do.
Teachers Training Resources:
- The Teacher's Role in Discipling Students Students toward Spiritual Growth PowerPoint & Worksheets by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- DISCIPLESHIP: Isn't teaching a lesson enough? Worksheet Download by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- Article: Bible Teacher's Role as a Disciplemaker
Groups
Help for Shepherding Through Small Groups
Articles:
- A Small Group Bible Study Teacher's Goals
- A Small Group Bible Study Teacher's Life
- A Small Group Bible Study Teacher's Methods and Materials
- Don't Hijack Your Small Group
- Don't Let Your Small Group Be Hijacked
- Guiding Questions for Group Discussion
- How to Build a Healthy Small Group Ministry
- Shepherding thru Small Groups
- Small Group Bible Studies Teachers Training
- Small Group Launch Checklist
- Train Small Group Leaders
- When Small Group Discussions Flop
- 4 Things Small Group Pastors Should Never Settle For
- 8 Ways to Encourage Bible Centered Conversations
- 9 Reasons Life Groups Go South
- 9 Steps for Healthy Small Group Multiplication
- 20 ideas for incorporating prayer in your small-group meeting
Books:
- 101 Great Ideas to Create a Caring Group by Thom Corrigan
- 201 Great Questions by Jerry D. Jones
- Biblical Foundations For Small Group Ministry by Gareth Icenogle
- Building a Life-Changing Small Group Ministry: A Strategic Guide for Leading Group Life in Your Church by Bill Donahue, Russ Robinson
- Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders by Bill Donahue
- Creating Community: 5 Keys to Building a Small-Group Culture by Andy Stanley, Bill Willits
- Finding the Flow: A Guide for Leading Small Groups by Tara Miller, Jenn Peppers
- How to Lead Small Groups by Neal F. McBride
- Leading From Your Strengths 2: Building Intimacy In Your Small Group by John Trent Ph.D.
- Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue
- Leading Small Groups in the Way of Jesus by M. Scott Boren
- Leading Small Groups That Thrive: Five Shifts to Take Your Group to the Next Level by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis, Jason A. Sniff
- Leading Small Groups with Purpose: Everything You Need to Lead a Healthy Group by Steve Gladen
- Making Small Groups Work by Drs. Henry Cloud & John Townsend
- Small Group Ministry Volunteer Handbook by Mikal Keefer
- Small Groups for the Rest of Us: How to Design Your Small-Groups System to Reach the Fringes by Chris Surratt
- Small Groups From Start to Finish Production Pack by Group Publishing (for youth small groups)
- The Big Book on Small Groups by Jeffrey Arnold
- Walking the Small Group Tightrope: Managing the Tensions Every Small Group Faces by Bill Donahue & Russ Robinson
Resources:
- In Facilitating a Discussion, Everyone's Contribution is Valuable Teacher Training Worksheet
- Discussion Guides by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- DVD Bible Studies
- Non-DVD Bible Study Guides
- SmallGroups.com Site
- Video Bible Studies at StudyGateway (can be played on your Computer, TV, Mobile Device)
Help with Support Groups
Articles:
- Christian Support Groups
- Christian Support Groups Agenda
- Christian Support Group Facilitator
- Shepherding Ministry Venue: Support Groups
- How to Shepherd a Support Group
Resources:
Mentoring
General Help for Shepherding Through Mentoring Relationships
Articles:
- 4 Mentoring Pitfalls Every Leader Must Know
- Looking for a Mentor?
- Shepherding Ministry Venue: Mentoring Relationships
- Mentoring Conversations
- Mentoring is More Than Teaching
- Mentoring Matches: How to Find One That Works
- Mentoring Relationships
- The Fine Line Between Mentoring & Friendship
Books:
- Christian Coaching: Helping Others Turn Potential into Reality by Gary Collins
- Connecting: The Mentoring Connections by Paul D. Stanley & J. Robert Clinton
- Mentoring 101 by John C. Maxwell
- Mentoring Leaders: Wisdom for Developing Character, Calling, and Competency by Carson Pue
- The Heart of Mentoring: Ten Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential by David A. Stoddard & Robert J. Tamasy
- The Making of a Mentor: Nine Essential Characteristics of Influential Christian Leaders by Drs. Ted W. Engstrom & Ron Jenson
Mentoring Geared to Men
Articles:
Books:
- Men of Influence: The Transformational Impact of Godly Mentors by Bill & Howard Hendricks
Mentoring Geared to Women
Articles:
Books:
- Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
- Face to Face: Discovering How Mentoring Can Change Your Life by Jayme Lee Hull
- Finding a Mentor, Being a Mentor: Sharing Our Lives as Women of God by Donna Otto
- Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose through Intentional Discipleship by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson
- Spiritual Mothering: The Titus 2 model for women mentoring women by Susan Hunt
Pastoral
General Info on Pastoral Ministry to Shepherd the Flock
Articles:
- Balancing Pastoral Duties
- So, You Think God is Calling You into Pastoral Ministry
- Pastors are Also Sheep, Not the Chief Shepherd
- Understand the Spiritual Gifting of Your Pastor
- We Call Them Pastors, But Are They?
Books:
- Pastoral Ministry by John MacArthur
- Pastoral Ministry In The Real World: Loving, Teaching, And Leading God's People by Jim Wilson
- Shepherding the Church - Effective Spiritual Leadership in a Changing Culture by Joseph M. Stowell
- The Disciple-Making Pastor by Bill Hull
- The Dynamics of Pastoral Care by David Wiersbe
- The Pastors Ministry: Biblical Priorities for Faithful Shepherds by Brian Croft
Pastoral Care & Prayer
Books:
- Pray for the Flock: Ministering God's Grace Through Intercession by Brian Croft, Ryan Fullerton
Pastoring in Times of Loss
Books:
- Comfort the Grieving: Ministering God's Grace in Times of Loss by Paul Tautges
- Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals: Applying the Gospel at the Unique Challenges of Death by Brian Croft, Phil A. Newton
- Ministering to the Mourning: A Practical Guide for Pastors, Church Leaders, and Other Caregivers by David Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe
Pastoring in Times of Need or Crisis
Books:
May you guide people to the Chief Shepherd for power and provision. While these Shepherding Ministry Resources can assist you in helping them, HE is the One you want them to ultimately follow.