Our Mission

Our Mission is to strengthen the Church worldwide by equipping people to effectively disciple others to be disciple-makers, and one key way we enable disciple-makers is through local in-person workshops.

Participants learn to teach the Bible and other discipleship materials in a way that is relatable, engaging, and develops critical reasoning. Not only do we emphasize relational learning, but we believe that truly equipping someone as a disciple includes accountability. That is, facilitator-teachers design the lesson so that by its conclusion, learners are equipped to actually demonstrate that they have learned. The goal is that students will reach new convictions that will upgrade their values and lifestyle to align with a biblical disciple.

(Matthew 13:10-13; Acts 19:8-9; 2 Tim 2:15)

What is the IDEA Workshop?

IDEA is an acronym for an Interactive Discipleship Education Approach. 

The IDEA Workshop is a 3-5 day (20-40 hour) participatory training that equips typically 12-40 participants per workshop. Participants learn how to effectively apply certain teaching and learning principles that can be identified in the New Testament.

Biblical learning should impact a student's head, heart and hands (wisdom, values, skills). Graduates are able to employ these principles in a variety of situations, from one-to-one discipleship, traditional classrooms, or large groups. 

FAQs

  • ●     How people construct what they believe through life, especially in formative years. 

    ●      Why people will remember some things and forget others.

    ●     How to improve student engagement, memory, and application of learning

    ●     A four-step tool for an effective teaching plan, applicable for any age group or setting.

    ●     How to develop a lesson from any source. 

    ●     How to receive feedback and coaching to improve skills

  • Anyone with an open heart who wants to consider and learn how to teach effectively.

    While our central focus is discipling in Scriptures, the principles could also be used to teach anyone any content, from first aid to auto mechanics. We have graduated students from age 13-to older seniors. Some students have been blind. Course books are available in some languages beyond English and more translations are underway. Workshops are regularly held in non-Western countries, with increasing demand.  Graduates in Asia and Africa report  transformation in the efficiency and effectiveness of their ministries.   

  • Graduates are free to multiply the principles of this course within whatever training programs they have within their church or ministry. While they are not permitted to modify the printed, copyrighted material, they are free to excerpt any portions of the course they wish to teach with proper attribution. They may also request permission to print course books to equip their own training programs. 

  • ●  Teach more effectively within any context, especially their own church or ministry, For example, leading a small group or house church, teaching Sunday school, homeschooling, preaching, project reporting, speech writing, and leading retreats or conferences. 

    ●  Become a table leader for other IDEA workshops.

    ●  Join or organize a short-term ministry trip to help lead IDEA Workshop a global location with other course graduates. It may be with graduates living in or traveling to other countries, or among people where their church already has a missions interest. 

    ●  Join the IDEA team to help make more of these workshops possible in more places. 

The Four Key Components of a Lesson

When people  in various settings want to convey important Biblical truths, they typically emphasize one primary component—accurate information presentation. This is still the center of a lesson structured by IDEA, but by framing it with three components in an ordered way, learners engage more quickly, process Biblical knowledge more deeply, and make a decision regarding implementing what they have learned. IDEA Workshop graduates can upgrade what their own students actually believe, and do as a result of learning. They are better equipped to reach a lost world that needs Christ. 

Participants Prove “They’ve Got It”

Participants in the IDEA workshop leave not only convinced that the principles work, they get a chance to design and teach a complete 4-part lesson.  During the second half of the workshop, participants prepare and present short teachings to a few others, coached by graduates called “table coaches,” and fellow class members.   When they leave the workshop, participants have demonstrated for themselves and others that they can design and facilitate learning using the IDEA principles.