RVL Discipleship

Transform your relationship with God by moving beyond simply knowing the Bible to truly understanding discipleship.

Move beyond simply knowing the Bible to a clear understanding of true discipleship and a closer relationship with God.

Move beyond simply knowing the Bible to a clear understanding of true discipleship and a closer relationship with God.

Transform your relationship with God by moving beyond simply knowing the Bible to truly understanding discipleship.

What does it take to be a true disciple?

Today, many believers express a desire to live as a true disciple of Christ, and yet many feel frustrated and confused by the differing definitions. RVL Discipleship: The Study, a 4-season video Bible study from acclaimed author and teacher Ray Vander Laan, offers a transformational journey through Scripture. Every lesson immerses you into Scripture’s original cultural and historical context, guiding you through the customs, beliefs and activities of everyday life during Christ’s time on Earth. As you witness true discipleship in action, you’ll experience a deep transformation in your understanding and faith. RVL Discipleship: The Study equips you to boldly live out your beliefs, seeing your life as part of God’s unfolding plan and confidently stepping into your role in His work for the world.

Today, many believers express a desire to live as a true disciple of Christ, and yet many feel frustrated and confused by the differing definitions. RVL Discipleship: The Study, a 4-season video Bible study from acclaimed author and teacher Ray Vander Laan, offers a transformational journey through Scripture. Every lesson immerses you into Scripture’s original cultural and historical context, guiding you through the customs, beliefs and activities of everyday life during Christ’s time on Earth. As you witness true discipleship in action, you’ll experience a deep transformation in your understanding and faith. RVL Discipleship: The Study equips you to boldly live out your beliefs, seeing your life as part of God’s unfolding plan and confidently stepping into your role in His work for the world.

What does it take to be a true disciple?

RVL Discipleship transforms the way you live out your faith, every day.

The Study - Season 1

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The perfect introduction to The Study! 

Start your journey with Ray Vander Laan’s Full Discipleship Study. In Season 1, you’ll explore the context of Scripture, learn how Jesus used it to teach, and uncover the powerful truths that connect the entire Bible. Build the foundation for the series as you deepen your understanding and grow in faith.

  • Downloadable Leader Guide 
  • Downloadable Participant Guide 
  • Access to 10 episodes that are 10-12 minutes long 

The Study - Bundle

$199.99 $139.99
Save 30% with the streaming-only version!

Discover what it truly means to walk as Jesus did with the full discipleship study. Join Ray Vander Laan as he brings Scripture to life through history, culture, and context. This four-season video series challenges you to move beyond knowing about Jesus—to living like Him in your everyday life. 

  • Downloadable Leader Guide
  • Downloadable Participant Guide Access all 4 seasons: 39 episodes that are 10-12 minutes long 

Deepen your spiritual growth.

RVL Discipleship equips you with the historical and cultural context you need to move forward confidently in your faith. Building a strong connection with Jesus as He accomplishes God’s work gives you a clearer vision of your role in God’s plan.

Build practical connections.

RVL Discipleship helps you see how Biblical teaching applies to contemporary life. This understanding equips you to be a modern disciple, embodying God’s love as you move through your daily life.

Take action.

Ray Vander Laan’s heart-felt passion for spreading God’s message is infectious. His example of worshiping God by using his teaching talent encourages you to worship God through your unique gifts, seeing how each of us contributes to His plan and purpose. 

RVL Discipleship transforms the way you live out your faith, every day.

The Study - Season 1
$49.99

The perfect introduction to The Study!

The Study - Streaming Bundle

$199.99 $139.99

Save 30% with the streaming-only version!

Deepen your spiritual growth.

RVL Discipleship equips you with the historical and cultural context you need to move forward confidently in your faith. Building a strong connection with Jesus as He accomplishes God’s work gives you a clearer vision of your role in God’s plan.

Build practical connections.

RVL Discipleship helps you see how Biblical teaching applies to contemporary life. This understanding equips you to be a modern disciple, embodying God’s love as you move through your daily life.

Take action.

Ray Vander Laan’s heart-felt passion for spreading God’s message is infectious. His example of worshiping God by using his teaching talent encourages you to worship God through your unique gifts, seeing how each of us contributes to His plan and purpose. 

Perfect for how you study and who you study with.

Meet Ray Vander Laan

To put it simply, Ray Vander Laan is a master in biblical context, and founder of That The World May Know Ministry, focused on location-based teaching of scripture. His passionate teaching style connects with students of all ages. He has personally guided thousands of people on study tours and released 18 volumes of educational content. RVL Discipleship™ is the culmination of his time in the physical steps of Jesus.

40 years of life’s work. Four seasons of learning. One purpose: to build disciples who truly understand discipleship.

Perfect for how you study and who you study with.

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Challenge your small group.

Imagine deepening your connection with God and each other by exploring Scripture in a fresh, eye-opening way. RVL Discipleship: The Study brings the Bible to life, offering your small group a chance to grow spiritually and relationally together.

As you journey through the study, you'll engage in meaningful discussions, gain new insights into God’s Word, and support one another in your faith walk. This shared experience can transform not only your understanding of Scripture but also your bonds with fellow believers, creating a deeper sense of community. Start this powerful study with your small group today and see how seeing Scripture in a new way can bring you closer to God—and each other.

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Transform your church.

As a church, we’re called to grow in our faith and deepen our understanding of God’s Word together. RVL Discipleship: The Study offers a fresh perspective on Scripture that will challenge and inspire our congregation. Through this study, we’ll uncover powerful insights that can transform the way we see the Bible and apply it to our daily lives.

Whether in small groups or as a whole church, this study provides the opportunity for meaningful conversations, deeper connections, and spiritual growth. Let’s embark on this journey together, strengthening our faith and unity as a church family.

Join us in RVL Discipleship: The Study and see how experiencing Scripture in a new way can draw us closer to God—and to each other.

Meet Ray Vander Laan

To put it simply, Ray Vander Laan is a master in biblical context, and founder of That The World May Know Ministries, focused on location-based teaching of scripture. His passionate teaching style connects with students of all ages. He has personally guided thousands of people on study tours and released 18 volumes of educational content. RVL Discipleship™ is the culmination of his time in the physical steps of Jesus.

40 years of life’s work. Four seasons of learning. One purpose: to build disciples who truly understand discipleship.

Move your faith further with these free resources.

Learn more about the importance of the Shema

Get the "Bringing Biblical Truth to a Broken Culture" Video Series

Request your Free Episode from Season One

Move your faith further with these free resources.

Learn more about the importance of the Shema

Get the "Bringing Biblical Truth to a Broken Culture" Video Series

Request your Free Episode from Season One

Your journey to deeper understanding and true discipleship starts today.

Join Ray Vander Laan on a journey that will transform your faith into bold, active discipleship.

Season 1 (Streaming)

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As modern-day followers of Jesus, it’s vitally important that we value Scripture in the same way His original disciples did. Season 1 reveals how we are meant to interact with Scripture:

  1. Approaching it from the context in which it was written

  2. Exploring how Jesus used the Scriptures in His teaching

  3. Understanding how His followers were meant to be changed by what they learned

  4. Identifying the major paradigm that ties the whole Bible together

Season 2 (Streaming)

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While formal discipleship grew with the rise of rabbis in Jewish culture, the concept really started much earlier than that. The idea of knowing God’s path and faithfully walking in it began when He called Israel out of Egypt, setting them apart as a kingdom of priests to show the rest of the world what He was like. Season 2 builds on the tools and central themes from Season 1, exploring the roots of discipleship, examining how God trained and established the nation of Israel in preparation for Jesus’ ministry to come.

Season 3 (Streaming)

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What was daily life like for the Jews of Jesus’ day? How did they practice their faith under Roman occupation? Most importantly, what did it mean to be a rabbi? Season 3 focuses on Jesus as a man, our God made flesh, who chose to reveal Himself as a first century rabbi to a first century Jewish audience.

Season 4 (Streaming)

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What did it mean to be the disciple of a rabbi in Jesus’ day? How did someone become a disciple, and what were they meant to do? The fourth and final season focuses on the practical role of a rabbi’s followers in the first century, unpacking cultural and scriptural implications and applying them to our lives as modern-day followers of Jesus.

The Study - Bundle

In RVL Discipleship: The Study, join Bible scholar Ray Vander Laan as he guides you from simply knowing Scripture to experiencing it as a disciple of Jesus. Through the lens of culture, history, and context, you’ll explore what it meant to be one of Jesus’ original disciples—and what that means for us today. This four-season video series invites small groups and individuals to take steps of faith, moving from learning about Christ to living like Him.

In RVL Discipleship: The Study, join Bible scholar Ray Vander Laan as he guides you from simply knowing Scripture to experiencing it as a disciple of Jesus. Through the lens of culture, history, and context, you’ll explore what it meant to be one of Jesus’ original disciples—and what that means for us today. This four-season video series invites small groups and individuals to take steps of faith, moving from learning about Christ to living like Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the videos?

When you purchase the digital streaming option, you will receive a link to Focus Digital in your confirmation email. If you can't find it, simply log in to your account on focusonthefamily.com, and navigate to "Focus Digital" on the left-hand side of the page. You can also directly access the materials at RVLStudy.com. 

Where can I find the study guides?

The leader and participant guides for RVL Discipleship: The Study are available in your Focus Digital account anytime. 

How can my small group members get the participant guide?

We provide free digital versions of the participant guides. Share these links with your group:

Season 1 Participant Guide 

How do I use this with my small group?

We recommend the following format for your small group: 

Prepare: Review the Leader Guide for each episode before the session. It includes leader instructions, discussion points, and answers. 

Watch: Begin each session with the video teaching. The series consists of 39 episodes across 4 seasons. 

Discuss: Use the Participant Guide to facilitate discussion. Plan for each meeting to last about an hour, including the video. 

Wrap Up: End with prayer, asking for guidance throughout the week. 

Is there a printed version of the study guides?

Not yet, but one is in the works. Stay tuned!

Can I get the videos on DVD?

Yes! In October 2024, we launched a DVD set including all four seasons. The purchase of the DVD set will also include access to the streaming version and digital copies of the Leader and Participant Guides.

Can I download the streaming videos?

No, the videos are only available via streaming on the Focus Digital platform. Downloading or sharing the videos is prohibited.

Can I share the videos with others?

The streaming videos are only available within the purchaser's Focus Digital account.   

Can I give the study as a gift?

Currently, gifting the study is not available.   

Will my access expire?

No, you will have unlimited, ongoing access to the content in Focus Digital. Your access does not expire.

What is the difference between RVL Discipleship: The Study and RVL Discipleship: The Curriculum?

RVL Discipleship: The Study and RVL Discipleship: The Curriculum are both drawn from the same source material which is Ray Vander Laan’s comprehensive master discipleship class – but we’ve designed them for two different uses.  

RVL Discipleship: The Study is a shorter version of the discipleship class content, designed for use by small groups, families, or even individual devotions. Each episode of The Study is approximately 12 minutes in length and comes with helpful discussion questions.

RVL Discipleship: The Curriculum is for anyone who wants the full class experience. It is a complete 40-lesson course perfect for school settings, homeschool settings, or anyone who wants to dive into the full unabridged depth of RVL’s teaching. Each episode of The Curriculum is approximately 30 minutes in length, and comes with relevant curriculum materials including class syllabus, homework assignments, tests, maps, and more.

© 2024 Focus on the Family

© 2024 Focus on the Family