Resources to help us ‘Become More Like Jesus’

Welcome to the TeachThemToObey website - where a suite of New Testament rich resources are described.

These materials have been created to help disciples to “Become more like Jesus” - the overarching purpose of the New Testament for believers.

Firstly, there are two books that group and organise the commands of Jesus into three high level and nine lower-level themes:

  • “Teach Them To Obey - All That I Have Commanded You” (a simple explanation of Jesus’ commands organised into three high-level and nine lower level themes).

  • “Teach Them To Obey - Studies For Disciples” (A book for personal or group study to explore and develop personal discipleship in fourteen sessions).

Secondly, two books that present comprehensive reference materials resulting from a detailed analysis of the discipleship teaching within the New Testament as a whole - in both visual and textual form. These have very strong parallels with the books above, but expand the themes (above) into three more layers of detail:

  • “The One Page New Testament - Key Images” (available as a low cost e-Book or as a free download (from this website) that present five increasingly detailed diagrams).

  • “The One Page New Testament - Systematic Discipleship” (a comprehensive reference source that explains each of 250 themes across five layered chapters each with supporting scriptures).

Most of the the latest materials are presented on social media

Grok (the AI tool on the ‘X’ Platform) characterises the @teachthemtoobey page as follows:

Duncan Matheson's work, particularly The One Page New Testament series, stands out for its structured, thematic distillation of New Testament teachings into practical discipleship tools—emphasizing layered spiritual growth, obedience to Scripture, and daily application through visuals and "Kingdom Actions." Based on this focus, here are several contemporary Christian authors whose writings align closely in promoting systematic Bible study, New Testament-centered discipleship, and transformative faith practices. I've prioritized those with accessible, step-by-step resources for personal or group growth, drawing from evangelical and Reformed traditions.

Similar Authors:

Dallas Willard:

Emphasizes intentional spiritual formation through New Testament practices, with a structured model for becoming like Jesus via disciplines like solitude, study, and service—mirroring Matheson's layered discipleship levels.
Books - The Divine Conspiracy (1998) and Renovation of the Heart (2002) - These books break down NT themes into practical "curriculum for Christlikeness," much like Matheson's thematic visuals and actions for obedience-based growth.
Richard Foster:

Focuses on systematic spiritual disciplines drawn from Scripture, organizing them into categories (e.g., meditation, prayer, simplicity) for daily NT application, akin to Matheson's "Kingdom Practices.”

Book - Celebration of Discipline (1978) - A timeless guide to 12 NT-inspired disciplines, presented in a clear, progressive structure to foster holistic discipleship—ideal for those building on Matheson's one-page summaries.

John Mark Comer

Advocates a rule-of-life approach rooted in NT rhythms (e.g., Sabbath, slowing down, abiding in Christ), with practical steps for emotional and spiritual health, echoing Matheson's emphasis on discerning truth and loving action.

Book - Practicing the Way (2024) - Structured like a discipleship manual with exercises and NT reflections, helping readers "unhurry" and align with Jesus' way—perfect for Matheson fans seeking modern, actionable depth.

Jerry Bridges:

Distills NT ethics into systematic, grace-centered pursuits of holiness, using Scripture themes to guide behavior modification, similar to Matheson's focus on 65% of teachings challenging thinking and actions.

Books - The Pursuit of Holiness (1978) and Respectable Sins (2007) - Step-by-step biblical unpacking of NT commands for growth, with a no-fluff style that complements Matheson's concise, obedience-driven resources.

NT Wright:

Explores NT themes (e.g., kingdom, resurrection, ethics) in layered, accessible ways, urging readers to live out Jesus' teachings practically—aligning with Matheson's visual summaries and call to "become more like Jesus."

Books - Following Jesus: Biblical Reflections on Discipleship (1995) - Sermons paired with NT theology on daily application, offering a fresh, thematic lens on discipleship that's both scholarly and devotional.

Cynthia Anderson:

Promotes obedience-based multiplication of disciples using NT principles, critiquing knowledge-only models in favor of practical replication—directly paralleling Matheson's systematic, action-oriented structure.

Books / materials - Multiply Movement resources and Disciple Her (2018) - Field-tested guides for one-on-one NT discipleship, emphasizing replication over accumulation, much like Matheson's levels from beginner to advanced.

Dyron Daughrity:

Provides 20 practical NT-based chapters on humble, Christ-like living, focusing on core themes like loving God and others through daily habits—resonating with Matheson's Kingdom Fundamentals.

Book - Following Jesus (2024) - A straightforward small-group study on NT discipleship, with emphasis on focus, humility, and love as actionable steps.

These authors share Matheson's commitment to NT fidelity without overwhelming complexity, often using frameworks for progressive growth. If you're drawn to his visuals and daily posts, start with Comer's or Daughrity's for modern practicality; for deeper theology, Wright or Willard. Many are available as eBooks or audiobooks for easy integration into routines. For more tailored recommendations, exploring X communities around #SystematicDiscipleship or #OnePageNewTestament could uncover user-shared gems.

Why not take 90 seconds to look at video below?

A challenge to all Christians to learn and put into practice the commands of Jesus

For years, I glossed over the word obey, perhaps because I preferred to think of the task as merely listing the commands of Christ. Teaching to obey is another thing entirely. It requires my own obedience as I make disciples. Duncan Matheson’s work in these books is vital for any Christian. He categorizes more than eighty of Jesus’s commands into three Kingdom Fundamentals and nine Kingdom Practices. This isn’t a watering down of the Scriptures; it is a simplification for the purpose of practical obedience."

—Rev. Craig McClurg – Youth With A Mission (YWAM), USA