Following Jesus
Disciple
A learner and follower of Jesus who is being formed by Him and learning to live the way He teaches.
The question: Am I simply believing in Jesus-or actually following Him?
Learn · South Lake
Know what you believe.Understand why.
Church has a vocabulary of its own. Some words come directly from Scripture. Others help us describe biblical ideas. Learn gives you simple, biblical explanations of the words, beliefs, and ideas we use as we follow Jesus together.
Words We Use
You've heard the word.But what does it mean?
Words shape how we understand our faith. So we're starting with the basics: simple definitions, biblical foundations, and why each idea matters for actually following Jesus.
Church & Community
Member
Someone who belongs to a local church family and shares in its life, relationships, responsibility, care, and mission.
The question: Is membership something I have-or a community I belong to?
Christian Formation
Conviction
A settled belief that shapes how we think, choose, and live because we are persuaded that something is true and matters before God.
The question: Is this biblical conviction, personal preference, or simply a strong opinion?
The Good News
Gospel
The good news of what God has done through Jesus-His life, death, resurrection, reign, and invitation into God's saving kingdom.
The question: Is the gospel only how I get saved-or the good news that reshapes my whole life?
God's People
Church
The people called together by God through Jesus-not merely a building, event, organization, or Sunday service.
The question: Do I go to church-or am I learning to live as part of the church?
Jesus
Lord
A title declaring Jesus' authority and kingship. Calling Jesus Lord means recognizing that He has the right to lead our lives.
The question: Is Jesus only someone I believe in-or the One I surrender to and obey?
This library will keep growing. New words and foundational ideas will be added regularly, including grace, faith, repentance, baptism, discipleship, fellowship, doctrine, theology, ministry, elder, shepherd, deacon, context and more.
How Learn Works
Simple enough to understand.Deep enough to matter.
You shouldn't need a theology degree to understand the language of your faith. Each Learn topic is designed to take an important biblical word or idea and make it clear, grounded in Scripture, and useful for everyday discipleship.
01
What is it?
Start with a clear, plain-English definition without unnecessary church jargon.
02
Where is it in Scripture?
Look at key biblical passages in context so our understanding begins with Scripture.
03
What isn't it?
Clear up common misunderstandings, assumptions, and ways a word may be used incorrectly.
04
Why does it matter?
Connect the idea to real life, spiritual formation, relationships, and following Jesus.
05
Go deeper.
Explore helpful Scripture, messages, articles, books, videos, or other trusted resources.
Keep Learning
This isn't about knowing more just to know more. The goal is growing in understanding so that what we believe increasingly shapes how we live.
Learning Library
Start with a question.Keep growing from there.
Learn will grow over time. Explore foundational words, biblical ideas, church life, theology, and practical tools that can help you understand what you believe and why it matters.
01
Following Jesus
Foundational words and ideas for understanding what it means to become and live as a disciple of Jesus.
Disciple · Lord · Faith · Repentance · Grace · Baptism · Discipleship
02
Bible & Study Tools
Simple tools for reading Scripture carefully, understanding context, and learning how to study the Bible well.
Context · Translation · Genre · Exegesis · Hermeneutics · Proof-texting · Canon
03
Christian Beliefs
Explore important biblical and theological ideas Christians have wrestled with throughout the life of the church.
Gospel · Trinity · Holy Spirit · Salvation · Kingdom of God · Resurrection · Atonement
04
Church & Community
Understand the language we use for belonging, serving, leadership, relationships, and life together as God's people.
Church · Member · Fellowship · Elder · Shepherd · Evangelist · Deacon · Ministry
05
Convictions & Discernment
Learn how Christians develop biblical convictions, navigate differences, and distinguish essentials from other matters.
Conviction · Doctrine · Theology · Wisdom · Conscience · Essential · Important · Personal
06
History & Education
Go deeper into Christian history and understand the educational language, pathways, and resources used in ministry training.
Early Church · Reformation · Restoration Movement · Seminary · MDiv · DMin · Accreditation
Built to Grow
You don't have to learn everything at once. Start with what you're asking today. As new topics are added, this library will become a growing resource for disciples, families, small groups, and ministry leaders.
Go Deeper
Keep learning.Keep testing what you learn.
South Lake isn't the only place to learn. We want to help you find thoughtful resources that encourage deeper study while continuing to read Scripture carefully, ask good questions, and grow in discernment.
Bible Study
BibleProject
Explore free videos, guides, podcasts, and classes designed to help people understand the Bible's literary design, historical context, major themes, and unified story that leads to Jesus.
Explore BibleProject →Video Library
RightNow Media
A large streaming library of Bible studies and discipleship resources for individuals, families, groups, and ministry leaders. South Lake can also highlight resources that are especially helpful for our church.
Explore RightNow Media →Coming As We Grow
Books, Courses & Education
Over time, we'll add carefully selected books, courses, training opportunities, and educational pathways for those who want to study Scripture, theology, leadership, or ministry more deeply.
Explore the Learning Library ↑A resource being listed here doesn't mean South Lake agrees with every conclusion or viewpoint it contains. Good disciples learn to listen carefully, examine Scripture, understand context, ask questions, and test what they are learning rather than accepting something simply because a teacher, author, school, or website says it.
Keep Growing
Don't just know more.Follow Jesus more deeply.
Learning matters because truth shapes us. Ask questions. Open your Bible. Learn in community. Develop convictions rooted in Scripture. And allow what you discover about Jesus to keep changing the way you think, love, serve, and live.
Knowledge isn't the destination. Jesus is.
We learn so that we can know Him, trust Him, follow Him, and help others do the same.