Grace versus Legalism. Our goal is to see the person (1) confess sin and claim grace, (2) set goals under grace and shake off failure, (3) understands God’s part in ministry, (4) understands prioritized ethics, (5) knows the true role of the law, and (6) consistently gives thanks.
Spiritual maturity and sanctification. Our goal is to see that the person (1) knows about their identity in Christ, (2) understands the difference between indicatives and imperatives, (3) rejects “quick fixes” in favor of true spiritual growth, (4) practices the means of growth, (5) has shown victory over discrediting sin, (6) loyal to God over materialistic goals, and (7) is convincing that self-giving love is the key to fulfillment.
Bibliology and hermeneutics. Our goal is to see that the person (1) is able to defend biblical authority, inspiration, inerrancy, and canoncity, (2) uses the grammatical-historical method, (3) knows inductive study, (4) finds answers to questions through Bible study tools, (5) can answer common attacks against hermeneutics, (6) knows how to handle most Bible difficulties, and (7) understands salvation history.
Theology proper. Our goal is to see that the person (1) knows God’s attributes and how to apply these to their life, (2) can articulate and defend the Trinity, (3) understands what it means to be made in the image of God, and (4) able to correct common misconceptions about God’s attributes.
Satanology. Our goal is to see that the person (1) can explain who Satan is in contrast to false teaching on him, (2) understands the importance of spiritual warfare, (3) understands occult practice and the importance of prayer in binding Satan, and (4) understands the world system and the proper response to it.
Evangelism and apologetics. Our goal is to see that the person (1) is able to share their own testimony, (2) tries to share their faith, (3) understands the decision continuum, (4) has brought people who have received Christ, (5) is conversant with major cultural worldviews, and (6) understands and participates in world evangelism.
Ecclesiology. Our goal is to see that the person is (1) active in body life, (2) embraces the importance of ministry, (3) knows the difference between Israel and the church, (4) understands spiritual gifts, and (5) understands the different offices and aspects of the church (e.g. finances).
Friendships and Relationships. Our goal is to see that the person is (1) able to maintain lasting friendships, (2) able to resolve conflict, (3) has practiced sexual self-control, (4) has adjusted to marriage and fulfills role as spouse and parent, and (5) is known as a loving person inside and outside the church (e.g. patient, kind, sacrificial, honest, etc.).
Pneumatology and Christology. Our goal is to see that the person is (1) able to explain the ministries of the Holy Spirit, (2) knows the difference between the role of the Holy Spirit in the OT and NT, (3) ready to answer aberrant teaching on the Holy Spirit, (4) sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and (5) Knows scriptures and can articulate the uniqueness of Christ, His dual natures, His deity, His work, and His return.
Further Reading
For each of these topics, consider reading the following books:
Grace
McCallum, Walking in Victory
Chuck Smith, Why Grace Changes Everything
Stanford, Green Letters
Keller, The Prodigal God (better for church kids)
Murray, The True Vine
Thompson, Glory of the Gospel
Rochford, Articles on Salvation (Includes Calvinism-Arminianism, Lordship Theology, Do Good People Go to Heaven, Eternal Security, etc.)
Sanctification
Crabb, Understanding People
Getz, Measure of a Man
Nee, Love Not the World
Nee, Normal Christian Worker
Nee, Sit, Walk, Stand
Nee, Normal Christian Life
Thielicke, Encounter with Spurgeon
Murray, Abide in Christ
Murray, Absolute Surrender
Sanders, Spiritual Maturity
Prayer
Chuck Smith, Effective Prayer Life
Hybels, Too Busy Not to Pray
Hallesby, Prayer
Bibliology and Hermeneutics
R. Laird Harris, Inspiration and Canonicity
Geisler and Nix, From God to Us
Zuck, Basic Bible Interpretation
Fee and Stuart, How the Read the Bible For All Its Worth
Archer, Survey of Old Testament Introduction
Rochford, Articles on Scripture (Includes Historicity, VPI, Inerrancy, Canonicity, Hermeneutics, etc).
Theology proper
Packer, Knowing God
Erikson, Christian Theology
Wenham, Goodness of God
Copan, Is God a Moral Monster
Rochford, Articles on God (Includes the Trinity, Attributes of God, Open Theism, etc.).
Satanology
McCallum, Satan and His Kingdom
Unger, What Demons Can Do to Saints
Koch, Occult Bondage and Deliverance
Lewis, Screwtape Letters
Evangelism and Apologetics
Newman, Questioning Evangelism
Rochford, Bibliography on Apologetics
Rochford, Articles on Apologetics (Includes Science and Scripture, Truth, Prophecy, Goodness of God, etc.)
Ecclesiology
McCallum, Members of One Another
McCallum, Organic Discipleship
Coleman, Master Plan of Evangelism
Ogden, Transforming Discipleship
Rochford, Ecclesiology
Friendships and Relationships
McCallum and DeLashmutt, Spiritual Relationships that Last
McCallum, Organic Disciplemaking (Chapter on relationship building)
Sande, Peacemaker
Sande, Resolving Everyday Conflict (Shorter than Peacemaker)
DeLashmutt, Loving God’s Way
Crabb, Marriage Builder
McGinnis, The Friendship Factor (for HS students)
Fernando, Reclaiming Friendship
Pneumatology and Christology
Stott, The Cross of Christ
Erikson, Christian Theology
Blaine Smith, Knowing God’s Will
Chuck Smith, Charisma vs. Charismania
Rochford, Articles on Christ (Includes Christology, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Lord, Liar, Lunatic, Legend, etc.)
Rochford, Articles on Pneumatology (Includes Pneumatology, Charismatic Gifts, Critique of the Second Blessing, Critique of Faith Healers, etc.)