Easy – Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Persevernace of the Saints…Just kidding
If I had to pick 5 I think I would pick a method for bible study (formal and informal), a habit and heart for prayer,the importance of being in community (church and fellowship) with other believers, a comprehensive teaching about the nature of justification and its implications for believers and guilt, and a broad overview of the great commission and its implications.
I think with these 5 things he would be equipped to have a strong personal relationship with God, be edified by other believers, be secure in his own salvation, and have an interest in fulfilling the great commission – a well balanced Christian.

Without thinking this is what I would say at this point in my journey.
Jesus message is about loving others and that is his kingdom.
We are to implement his message by loving others now, right now.
Demonstrating compassion and love for the outcast (poor, immigrant, small voice) is critical to living this new way.
Being Jesus followers means to follow his way of love in spite of the ways of the world.
The way of love is inherently relational, and that shows up in many ways including church, study, family, society and friendships.
I guess I consider all the rest of the issues (church, bible, conversion, justification, etc) to all be secondary.
Dave

Thank you Scot for those good words about my book, which we originally called “Discipleship For Dummies.” Obviously that title runs into copyright issues, but that is the concept–an introduction for those who are interested in following Jesus, whether or not they have much background and may even be wondering what it means to believe. I hope it provides a resource for disciples who need some help to “make disciples.”
Dave, I agree that there are many secondary issues. But if we are to be kingdom people doing kingdom work, it will only happen as we follow our King. So we need to know Jesus and what his call is. And our king tells us we must be born again if we are to enter the kingdom, so I would call that a primary not secondary issue.

I’m genuinely struggling to answer the question, for the simple reason i’m not sure Jesus would ask it.
I think i would keep my answer as simple the time Jesus did, when he was was asked what the greatest expectation the father asked of us, was to love him, and our neighbour as ourselves.
For me i think if we can train disciples to become co-dependent on Jesus, and find all of their life from a real 2 way relationship with God, then we won’t need to worry about about their commitment to church, scriptures, or helping others. We won’t need to worry about their theology, or what choices they make. The way i see it, we need to simply become intimate with God and get to know him, and then trust him enough to obey him. I think it’s as simple and complicated as that. That’s simple, but yet not easy.
I think then, that God would surely be responsible for leading their life. I suppose the question then becomes, do we as God’s disciples and children, have the faith or the theology that allows our Father to lead everyone’s life. Apart from me you can do nothing comes to mind. Just a thought……

1. Read your Bible
2. Pray
3. Worship with other Christians
4. Love and serve the people around you (Christian and non-)
5. Don’t give up

What about someone who is unable to read? Are they unable to be disciples of Jesus, then, since they are unable to “learn the Bible”?

I would keep it simple too. Just like my mentor did in 1983 when I asked Him the question, what can you tell me to do for the rest of my life? This was after a weekend retreat were Terry was the speaker. Thsi was his answer to me. Put your arms, heart, mind, and soul around Jesus and let no other person be your teacher but Jesus.
(Mark 9:7) Since then I have studied the life of Jesus and have a libery of books on Jesus. I major in the gospels. I have come to beleive that Jesus is the only one that can give me peace, hope, love, grace, forgiveness, and freindship. He is the only one that will not shift on me when I sin or mess up. So because of this relationship with Jesus, I know that Abba calls me His Beloved son because of a cross, (Rom. 5:6) Jesus is not ashamed to call me His brother base on His behavior not mine, (Heb. 2:11) (a Cross) and the Holy Spirit is the seal for the relationship and the power to live the life Jesus calls me too. (Eph. 1:13-14) So to end, Fix your thoughts and eyes on Jesus and in doing the Holy Spirit will transfrom us into His image. (Heb. 3:1 & 12:2) also (Rom. 8:28-29) Thanks for letting me share.

I just read the intro to Practice Resurrection by Eugene Peterson. Peterson chastises American churches for knowing how to ‘make Christians’ but not how to grow Christians. I think he is right on!
1. Find a Paul or a Priscilla. A mature believer who is well thought of by the community (inside and outside of the church). Meet at least once a week with this person.
2. Practice the disciplines of daily Bible reading and prayer. (If you can’t read, find someone to read it to you or get a recording of the Bible.)
3. Focus on Character development as much as on knowledge growth.

1. learn the story of the whole Bible before you pick a trench.
2. belong to a community that is learning the whole story and doesn’t spend it’s energy saying who’s on the outside.
3. Be discerning about what human voices you listen to–is the end result love?
4. Find a way to serve others.

1. Find a church with sound teaching, with believers who practice what the pastors preach.
2. Work on building character, which is defined not only by obedience to God, but also service to others.
3. Cast out idols. Work diligently to locate them in your life. Be especially wary when it comes to romantic relationships.
4. Find time to study and pray alone.
5. Learn to exercise care over your finances.

5 Most Important Things: (Fun and fascinating question by the way)
1.) You’re just beginning the journey. Where you go from here in following Jesus is just as important as the step you’ve already made.
2.) Learn (by practicing) to listen to the Holy Spirit.
3.) Connect with people who’s way of life looks like Jesus. Trust them.
4.) This is a long term apprenticeship. Don’t expect immediate transformation. And give yourself grace when change comes slowly.
5.) Be not afraid. With all things in life, choose love, not fear, as your orienting principle.

Here goes:
Deny yourself:
Realize that one of the primary freedoms the gospel provides is freedom from being our own god.
Take up your cross:
Spend time at the cross of Christ (prayer/meditation/study…alone and with others) and let the foolishness of that act invade your heart and life. Then do what makes sense in light of it.
Follow Jesus:
Jesus is the author and perfector…alpha and omega. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He is seated at the right hand of God because of his sufficient work (“It is finished”).

1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind
2) Love your neighbor as yourself
3) Do Justice
4) Love Mercy
5) Walk Humbly with your God

1. Freedom in Christ Jesus
2. There in NO condemnation in Christ Jesus

1. Forgive all who have hurt you.
2. Seek forgiveness of all whom you have wronged.
3. Let your memory and imagination and attitudes be transformed by the Gospel.
4. Pray (adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication, submission).
5. Do all this together with others.