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ABOUT FAITH ROOTS

Rooted and established in the faith.

Faith Roots helps believers grow deep roots in God’s Word, and equips leaders to disciple others who will in turn disciple others.

Our story
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OUR VISION

Disciples who make disciples

We long to see believers, especially new believers in places where faith is costly, become rooted in God’s Word and grow into mature followers of Jesus. Our studies are a simple tool for small groups to read the Bible together, obey what it says, and share it with others.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught.”
Colossians 2:6-7

What makes these studies different

Bible centred

Every lesson works through a passage, book by book. The Bible is the teacher; the leader is a guide.

Discovery based

Questions help people find the truth in the text for themselves, so anyone can lead.

Life change

Each lesson ends with a step of obedience and someone to share with, not just knowledge.

Free and shareable

Short, printable, translatable and free to copy, so the studies travel where we cannot.

WHO WE ARE

A small team serving the church

Faith Roots is run by a small team centred in East Africa with a passion for serving the local church.

Founder and Ministry Leader

Pastor P has served in pastoral ministry for more than 30 years. Alongside leading a local church, he has taught as a missionary in many countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, and as a Christian educator in local churches and universities. He is a specialist in curriculum and instruction, and he coaches others in how people learn.

His focus is family-based discipleship. He helps heads of families grow resilient in their faith, and he equips the next generation to become resilient, resourceful and influential agents of change, even in hostile settings. He has served pastors’ fellowships, family heads, ministries and institutions, bringing educational insight that lasts.

He is widely respected for his discernment and depth, and for inspiring leaders under pressure to stand firm. Today he remains a trusted voice for believers facing opposition, offering mentorship, strategic vision and a steady call to stand strong in Christ, whatever the cost.

How Faith Roots began

During the 2020 global pandemic, it became clear that many believers had never been equipped to study the Bible for themselves, and some were drawn toward a different gospel. Pastor P responded by developing Community Discovery Bible Study (CDBS), a simple model that helps ordinary believers, especially in challenging places, become active learners of God’s Word. These studies were distributed daily via WhatsApp.

The studies are built on four questions: What do the verses say? What do they mean? What do they mean for me? How can I share them? Together they move people from hearing God’s Word to doing it (James 1:22-25).

In 2022 and 2023, groups worked through all 27 books of the New Testament, reading 15 to 30 verses a day. The vision has since grown with the goal of seeing unbelievers becoming believers, believers becoming disciples, and disciples becoming disciple-makers. Faith Roots presents these studies online, free for any group to use.

Field tested across Sub-Saharan Africa

These studies are used by small groups and disciple-makers through local churches and in-person ministries. Leaders tell us they are simple to lead and easy to pass on.

What we believe

We believe the Bible is God’s Word, that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and that the church is called to make disciples of all nations. Our statement of Faith could be well captured by the Apostle’s Creed.

The Apostles’ Creed is one of the oldest and most widely used statements of faith in the Christian Church. It briefly affirms belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ (his birth, death, resurrection, and return), and the Holy Spirit, along with the Church, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. It is used as a foundational confession by the most Protestant denominations.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Questions people ask

Yes. All studies, guides and PDFs are free to use, print and share.

Yes, please share them freely for non-commercial use. If you’d like to make a full translation, please get in touch so we can help and avoid duplicated work.

Faith Roots is for any believer or church who wants to study the Bible together. 

No. The studies are designed so anyone can lead. Our leader guides will help you start, and we hope to offer leader cohorts for training and encouragement. Please connect with us on the WhatsApp channel or Facebook page for further input and leader training.

Use the contact form, or share your group’s story with us. We read every message. Additionally, please connect using our WhatsApp Channel or Facebook page.

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How to use these studies

These lessons are designed as short, 25-minute studies based on Bible truths, and meant for self-learning or small group study. The study sets systematically cover different books of the Bible. 

Each lesson follows a simple structure:

  • Introduction (Including the outline and objectives)
  • Step 1: Connecting
  • Step 2: Comprehending
  • Step 3: Committing
  • Step 4: Communicating

These sections include questions to help you reflect on the bible passage and how it applies to your life. 

Use these lessons to disciple others by journeying together over time and allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring transforming change to your life. As a leader, pray for wisdom in leading and for modelling the truths in your own life.

Sharing offline

  • Mobile Friendly PDF
  • Print Friendly PDF
  • Full Study PDF

Each lesson has three buttons allowing you to download a easily saveable and shareable PDF version of the study. You can choose either a Mobile-friendly PDF version, and Print-friendly PDF version, or a print version of the Full Study PDF (for example all the lessons in the current book of the Bible).

These are free and can be easily copied and shared from one person to another!

Gathering a Small Group

Start small to build a safe space for sharing and growth.

  • Pray first: Ask God to show you 3-6 people who need encouragement in faith, like family, neighbors, or fellow believers facing hardship.
  • Invite personally: Meet one-on-one, explain how the lessons are designed to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of God and his Word.
  • Keep it simple: Meet in a home or quiet spot; no need for fancy setup – just willing hearts.
  • Aim for consistency: Suggest weekly meetings, but be flexible for busy lives or safety concerns in persecuted areas.

Trust helps everyone open up, reflect, and apply truths without fear.

  • Start with sharing: In the first meeting, share simple stories of your own faith struggles to show vulnerability.
  • Set ground rules: Agree to listen without judging, keep stories private, and focus on encouraging each other.
  • Build bonds: Begin each session with a short prayer or song inviting God to be present with you.
  • Be patient: Trust grows over time – encourage quiet members gently, and celebrate small steps of honesty.

Good preparation makes the lesson flow and helps discipleship.

  • Read ahead: Study the lesson before; pray over the Bible passage and think how it fits your group’s challenges.
  • Adapt for the group: Use simple words; if literacy is low, read aloud slowly and explain questions or stories.
  • Gather basics: Have a Bible (in your language) and paper for notes.
  • Reflect personally: Ask yourself the study questions first – lead from your own growth and experience.
  • Pray: Pray for your group members.

Guide the group through the lesson structure to encourage discovery and commitment.

  • Step 1 – Connecting: Start the group meeting by praying together. Thank God for his Word and ask for open hearts to receive it. Read the Bible passage together (Read it aloud twice; ask someone to repeat in their words.)
  • Step 2: Comprehending: Use the provided questions to help you grapple with the truth of the Bible passage.
  • Step 3 – Committing: Consider how the passage might apply to your lives and what simple steps of obedience you can commit to. The goal of these studies if life-change! Not just knowledge!
  • Step 4 – Communicating:  Think of who you can share the truths you have learned with.
  • Close with Prayer: Let group members pray short prayers of thanks or commitment. Pray for one another.

For many of the lessons, there is a short summary teaching voice-note at the end of the lesson (together with a text summary). This is designed to be a recap and reminder of the key lessons you should have learned through the lesson. 

As a leader, you might like to use these summary teaching resources to help you in preparation for leading your group, though ideally not before you have spent time prayerfully reflecting on the passage.

This is an ongoing discipleship journey aiming to transform lives and help people to live victorious Christian lives. Focus on growth, not just finishing lessons.

  • Meet regularly: Join together at least once a week. Review past actions at each start to build accountability.
  • Encourage reflection: Between meetings, urge personal time with the lesson – read, pray, and try complete commitments made.
  • Support one another: If your group members are facing challenges, use lessons to pray together and share burdens; become “agents of change” by helping others in your community.
  • Multiply groups: As trust grows, encourage members to start their own small groups with family or friends.
  • Keep it short: Stick to 15 – 25 minutes per lesson to fit busy, challenging lives.
  • Handle challenges: If fear or hardship arise, encourage members by always pointing back to God’s love. 
  • Stay safe: In persecuted areas, meet discreetly; focus on heart change over big displays.
  • Celebrate progress: Note how people have grown in faith; allow time for sharing testimonies of what God has done. Take note of what you pray for, and give thanks when God answers prayer.

Final encouragement

Leading these lessons is serving like Jesus – humble, loving, and truthful. As you journey together, God will build growing faith into each person’s life. Pray often, and watch lives transform!

If you would like to share stories of faith from your own communities, please get in touch with us!