Over the past three decades, Avery T. Willis Jr.’s seminal Bible study, MasterLife, has become one of the most prominent discipleship resources used in the church. MasterLife is a four-step discipleship process that empowers participants to develop a personal, lifelong, and obedient relationship with Jesus. Since its first printing in 1997, hundreds of thousands of Christians have used MasterLife to establish the foundation of their spiritual lives. This year, Lifeway Christian Resources is releasing a refreshed edition of MasterLife with Willis’s original Bible study content that has been redesigned for an enhanced participant experience, along with a new integrated group discussion guide.
Hear from previous participants of the MasterLife Bible study.
"My husband and I went through a discipleship class that used the MasterLife Book Set, and we truly loved every book in this series. Each one is packed with powerful lessons centered on the Great Commission — reminding us that our faith goes beyond just us. It's about making disciples, living in fellowship, serving in ministry, and staying committed to God’s Word.
This set deeply impacted our spiritual growth and helped us understand the importance of living out our faith daily. The content is rich, biblically grounded, and easy to apply. Whether you're just starting your walk with Christ or looking to go deeper, this set is an incredible tool for personal or group discipleship."Brianna H.
"For 30 years, MasterLife 1: The Disciple's Cross has served as the core curriculum for our church's new members class. We advise every new member to complete this study as the groundwork for discipleship and leadership development. Its quality speaks for itself."
Ron P.
"MasterLife was a pivotal experience for my spiritual formation. It challenged me to develop a deeper personal relationship with Christ that was intentional and disciplined. I was in seminary at the time. But I learned more about how to study God’s Word not just for information, but for transformation, from the study. The memory verses, accountability, and small group discussions helped me grow in ways I didn't know were missing in my spiritual formation.
The biggest shift happened when I truly understood what it meant to make Christ the center of everything—my decisions, my relationships, my time, and my service. MasterLife helped me form spiritual habits that continue to shape my life years later: daily quiet time, meditating and praying Scripture, and intentional disciple-making. It was a turning point in my walk with God.Michelle H.
"My youth minister was the first to invite me to be part of a discipleship group. As an adult, MasterLife defined discipleship for me. Lights turned on as I counted the cost and joy of a lifelong relationship with Jesus. The visual of the Disciple’s Cross remains a great reminder of the process and disciplines."
David B.
MasterLife
MasterLife is a classic Bible study that has helped more than half a million people progress in their Christian faith. Now redesigned for the next generation, each study builds on the others to help participants develop consistent rhythms in prayer, Bible reading, witnessing, and other key disciplines.