20 Most Asked Questions

*If you are having trouble signing up or logging in, try the following...

  • First, look over THIS DOCUMENT that outlines a step-by-step process for signing up for the Builder to see where things may have gone wrong.
  • PROBLEM: You get a message about a required shipping option.
    TRY THIS: Go to builder.downlineministries.com/store_review.aspx and delete your cart. Then, go back and purchase walk through the steps to purchase a subscription once again. If this doesn't work, give us a call (ask for Jason) or shoot an email to builder@downlineministries.com.
  • PROBLEM: You didn't receive an activation email.
    TRY THIS: Go back to the Builder site and log in. As of February 7th, there should be a button to re-send your activation email. Be sure to check your junk/spam folders. However, sometimes, some people/organizations have a third party mail filtering service that blocks the email before it even gets to their spam/junk folder. We suggest that you add builder@downlineministries.com to your safe list/whitelist. Then, try clicking the button to resend the email.
  • PROBLEM: Your promo/coupon code isn't working.
    TRY THIS: We have no known issues with "good" promo codes not working. Either (1) you have entered the wrong code (remember that the codes are case-sensitive!) or (2) we may have erroneously entered in the code on our end. If you are certain that you are entering it correctly and it is still not working, give us a call (ask for Jason) or shoot an email to builder@downlineministries.com.

1. How customizable is the Builder?

The Builder is customizable in the sense that you can choose your curriculum sessions and arrange them in your desired order. Some users have wondered if the system itself would automatically tweak each individual session to meet the needs of people in your context (i.e., If you are ministering to High School students and choose a lesson on prayer, will the lesson be catered to the prayer life of High School students?). The system isn't designed to do this. We are working towards providing specific lessons for certain demographic backgrounds, but the current system is loaded with preset PDFs (i.e., using the previous example, everyone would use the same lesson on prayer and adapt it to the context as they deem necessary).

2. How much does it cost?

The official price of the Builder is $49.95 for an annual individual subscription. Let us reiterate: This isn't a monthly fee, it is a YEARLY fee (just over $4 a month!). But, most our users will find it easy to access the Builder for even cheaper through invites and other discounts that are floating around via Twitter, Facebook, and email. It is important to note, however, that each subscription is meant to be used by one individual and not shared among a group. One person can use it as many times as they want with as many different "disciples" or groups as they want, but each leader/disciple-maker should purchase their own subscription.

3. Do you offer site licensing or a church/group pricing structure?

Yes, we do. We do this by providing two options:

  • Option 1
    • Payment: GROUP PAYS up front for a set amount of codes. 
    • Example: A small groups pastor wants each of the church's 10 small group leaders to utilize the tool, so the church pays for 10 subscriptions.
    • Discount: 50% off ($25 for a year subscription).
  • Option 2
    • Payment: INDIVIDUALS PAY with a code from the group that will expire in a set amount of time.
    • Example: A para-church director wants all 25 of the organization's Bible study leaders to have access to the Builder at a discounted group rate, so Downline will activate the promo code "ExamplePromoCode" for the month of March. We can either limit the promo code to 25 uses or make it unlimited.
    • Discount: 40% off ($30 for a year subscription).

If you're interested in taking advantage of this group pricing option, fill out this form. (*Note: There is no minimum or maximum number for churches to take advantage of group pricing.)

4. Can a husband and wife share an account?

No, we ask that married couples who both desire to use the Builder purchase their own subscriptions.

5. Are you aware of any technical difficulties?

We are, but just to be sure, please send us an email to report any that you find. At the moment, we are aware of the following:

  • Subscribers using Internet Explorer have had a couple issues, especially on older versions of IE. We are working on this, but in the meantime, we ask that you use Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your internet browser. You could also try updating your Internet Explorer to version 9 or higher.
  • When building your curriculum on an iPad, the drag-and-drop action is malfunctioning.
  • When building your curriculum, you can't rearrange lessons (for example, if you've built a 10-session curriculum and decide that you want to flip-flop sessions 5 and 6, the system won't simply swap them. We're looking into this as well, but in the meantime, you can delete those individual lessons and re-add them in the desired location.

6. What is the theological/doctrinal basis for these lessons?

The curriculum in the Downline Builder was put together by Downline Ministries. We are an evangelical and inter-denominational ministry, holding to the essentials of the Christian faith as expressed in our statement of beliefs. When it comes to the non-essentials of the faith, our curriculum is written in such a way as to present what the Bible affirms and leave a more nuanced interpretation in the hands of the discipler, who can contextualize to his or her particular denominational beliefs.

7. Who wrote the lessons in the Builder?

The final editor of the lessons is Downline's Director of Resources, Jason Seville. He's been writing and developing the idea for the Builder since early 2010, but has certainly enlisted the help of some excellent curriculum writers and disciple-makers across the country. This includes submissions from pastors as well as seminary students, grads, and professors from at least eight different seminaries. We didn't just go after the "ivory tower" intellectuals, but for thoughtful theologians who also had their feet on the ground in practical discipleship ministry.

8. Will students have access to the Builder or is it only for the the leaders?

Only the leaders/disciplers will have access to the Builder. If people who are being discipled also want to disciple others, they should purchase their own subscription to the Builder. One reason people have asked this question is that they want those they are discipling to be able to fill out the survey for themselves. We understand this desire, but also think it would be helpful for you to get to know your disciples well enough to answer it on their behalf. Plus, there's sometimes a difference between what a group thinks they need to learn and what the actually need to learn. If you still feel the necessity to have your disciple(s) fill it out on their own, you could always print the page and have them do it or ask them the questions as you fill in the answers on your laptop.

9. If I've already paid, why are you still asking for my credit card info to register?

The system is set up to require credit card info across the board for all accounts. If you've already paid, you will not be charged a second time for your subscription.

10. Will my subscription automatically renew at the end of the year?

Yes, it will automatically renew. You can cancel at any time and you will be given a reminder 30 days prior to the renewal date.

11. If I pre-registered before the 1/31 launch date, will my subscription renew from my pre-registration date or from the launch date?

If you pre-registered, your subscription will start from the time you sign in and create a profile.

12.If I had a discount in the first year of my subscription, will I be able to renew at a discounted rate in my second year?

Yes. We will announce the discounted renewal rates later in the year. Everyone will likely be offered one renewal price, regardless of what their original discount was. Stay tuned for more details.

13. How can I make suggestions for new lessons and/or new life-on-life sessions?

Send an email to builder@downlineministries.com. We'll take all suggestions into consideration as we work toward updating the Builder and prioritize what to work on first based on the volume of feedback.

14. Why do you make us put life-on-life sessions into our curriculum?

One of the big emphases here at Downline Ministries that we wanted to carry over to our curriculum is that discipleship involves life and truth transference in the context of real relationships. Too often, discipleship involves teaching truth and doctrine, but doesn't involve getting genuine, authentic times in each others' lives where deep transformation takes place. We're hoping that requiring you to schedule life-on-life times will help counteract this current weakness.

15. Can I upload my original content into the Builder or into the curriculum that I've built?

For copyright reasons you cannot upload your own content. If you wish to do so insert your own curriculum during your study, feel free to take a week off from the Builder curriculum that you've put together to walk through your unique material.

16. Do you have an Apple or Android app?

It is in the development stage at the moment, but we do not have the app ready yet.

17. What do the blue and green gear icons on each lesson mean?

We tried to classify our lessons as either doctrinal (blue gear) or practical (green gear) in nature. We are convinced that doctrinal lessons should be lived out practically and that practical lessons must be doctrinally based, so the lines are admittedly blurry at times. But, we still felt like these were helpful distinctions to use.

18. Who made the animated promo video that appears at the top of the Builder site?

Pikewood Creative | www.pikewoodcreative.com

19. What's next for the Downline Builder?

We're dreaming of several big things as the Builder continues to expand over the next year:
  • More lessons. We will continue to write lessons based on the categories reflected in the customization survey (i.e., right now not all bubbles you can click are linked with actual lessons and we're working to change that).
  • More topical series. We will start to develop some topics into more full series (i.e., for those who don't want six weeks on "Lust & Purity" and not just one).
  • Bible books. Though all over our lessons are currently based on Scripture, we want to start providing some lessons where you can walk through a whole series on individual books of the Bible.
  • Multiple languages. Each year, starting with this first year, we will start translation of the Builder into 4 or 5 languages, Lord willing.

20. What is Downline Ministries? Does Downline offer any other curriculum?

To learn more about Downline Ministries, visit our website. We offer several other avenues for biblical training:

  • Downline Institute -- A 9-month intensive training course where we walk you through the majority of the Bible, practical discipleship training, and teaching on manhood/womanhood. Learn more.
  • Emerging Leaders -- This program is a part of the Institute, but is geared more towards young leaders who are fresh out of college. In addition to the training they receive in our Institute, they live in communal housing, get discipled by a Downline alum or staff, work a job, volunteer in an inner city ministry, have an extra night of training every week, and are highly encouraged to go on an international mission trip through Downline. Learn more.
  • Downline Online -- This is the online version of the Downline Institute. It has an open enrollment that begins on the first of every month. Learn more.
  • Downline Discipleship DVD Series -- This is first curriculum we produced. It is a great primer on discipleship if you're looking for something to get your church or small group on the same page with discipleship language. Also great for personal study and growth. Learn more.
  • Downline Global -- We do teaching and training all over the world. Learn more.