Becoming Christlike Disciples

Making the connection between living a holy life and following Christs example of love, H. Ray Dunning provides spiritual guidance for Christians who want to grow in grace. His treatment of the joy and comfort that results from holy living is both helpful and encouraging. Inviting readers to return to the biblical meanings and descriptions of the holy life, Dunning challenges believers to cultivate a holy walk with Godand he provides guidance for that effort. His exploration and explanation of key spiritual disciplines in the life of the Christian will benefit pastors and lay persons for years to come. From the time I first sat under his teaching, H. Ray Dunning has been the pivotal theological influence on my understanding of the Holy God. My preaching, theology, and pastoral practice reflect the shaping that took place under his influence. Read reverently, think deeply, and live gratefully. Dan Boone President, Trevecca Nazarene University

Becoming a True Disciple: The Revolution of Spirit-Led Disciples of Christ shares the experiences and insights of Dr. Stephen L. Gray. He recounts his journey as a follower of Jesus Christ who heard, heeded, and acted on GodÕs calling to become a missionary. He followed that summons and traveled to the coastal regions of Tanzania and Kenya in East Africa. There he worked as a witness to Jesus Christ, sharing the gospel so that others might become disciples led by the Holy Spirit. The narrative and reflection in Becoming a True Disciple leads the reader to contemplate topics like being a disciple, spiritual growth, the Holy Spirit, a devotional life, prayer, honoring GodÕs word, renewing the mind, creating a spiritual environment, faith, and joining in ChristÕs Great Commission. Becoming a True Disciple: The Revolution of Spirit-Led Disciples of Christ resists falling into the trap of trying to teach discipleship as a process that one may implement.

Christian growth is a deeply personal and spiritual choice that recognizes our unending need for Jesus not only as Savior but also as LORD over our lives. That recognition sometimes comes after losing the things that seemed to matter most and humbly acknowledging before God that we need a new life and not just a better version of the old life, which produced little of lasting value. Discipleship is not and never can be a self-improvement program, because self is actually a big part of the problem. Transforming our lives is not something we can do; because even on our best days, our sin nature opposes such transformation. As the Apostle Paul said, "For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish" (Rom. 7: 19). Our only hope for real change resides in Jesus' assurance that "what is impossible for man is possible for God." Becoming a Disciple of Jesus provides a year in Christian growth composed of fifty-two weekly lessons that develop both our vertical relationship with God and our horizontal relationships with others through the works of faith which God has prepared for us. Each work of faith is accomplished by our belief in the Holy Spirit's ability to transform us into instruments of God's peace and love. Over time, this truth becomes both our heart's desire and a glorious reward as we gain freedom from the negative thought patterns and behaviors that previously governed our lives. Paradoxically, admitting the things we struggled with to God unleashes His healing presence at a deep heart level. As beings created in His image, we all resemble partially completed sculptures. God, the Master Sculptor, removes our undesirable traits so we can become complete as the persons He made us to be, able to use our God-given gifts to glorify Him as shining examples of His love.

‘God wants people to become like Christ,’ said international preacher, writer and teacher John Stott in a public address at the end of his long life. Peter Lewis is similarly passionate about the Bible’s message – that God has a plan which centres on Jesus and includes each one of us. In this accessible and helpful book, he focuses on the: source of Christlikeness model of Christlikenesshelps to Christlikeness contradictions of Christlikeness an dtriumph of Christlikeness Here, the reader who wants to become like Christ will find radical – sometimes challenging – teaching, practical wisdom and warm reassurance.

If you are desperate to know God better, this book is for you. If you want to be taught by gentle yet firm veterans, just like Jesus taught his twelve disciples, this book is for you. If you want to produce disciples who can overcome persecution, this book is for you. Observing our mature, Christlike friends change their home lives and workplaces into peaceful, excellent production centers, brings us joy. Watching them continue to maximize others around them brings us great joy.

For many congregations, there is a lack of clarity about what a disciple is and what a disciple does. Your congregation might find it helpful to have a larger conversation in worship or as a small group series around this theme. Disciple Like Jesus could provide the framework for this conversation. At the conclusion of each section, you will find a set of discussion questions that could support this conversation.Small Group StudyThere are many small groups of different varieties meeting at thousands of churches every week. They are forming bonds, supporting each other, often studying, and sometimes serving together. And yet, many people in many congregations sense there is something missing. They just don't know what that might be. Disciple Like Jesus could launch them on a new way of engaging life both within and outside of the Church.Accountability GroupEach of the dimensions of discipleship described in this book includes specific suggestions for behaviors that help develop the "life of" ways of living like Jesus. Accountability is vital to this process. Whether through mentoring, apprenticing, coaching, small groups, or triads, partners can and should process this resource together. They should commit to specific behaviors, and hold each other accountable for progress. Leadership TrainingThe greatest form of leadership in the Church is the leading of disciples toward maturity in becoming more like Jesus. There are skills, presented in Disciple Like Jesus, that can help develop more effective leadership toward this goal. In a strong sense, every disciple is called to be this kind of leader. But those publicly identified as leaders (in whatever role) have a biblically mandated special responsibility to be modeling this kind of discipleship development.Personal StudyDisciple Like Jesus provides many tools for exploration for individuals into the ways in which they can become more like Jesus and disciple like Jesus did. There are also many references for further study and personal growth. We do believe, however, that while this is a great resource for individual study, it is even better to study with a friend or two.

The messages in this book were delivered at the Third World Convention of Christian Missionary Fellowship International at her headquarters in Koume, Bertoua, Cameroon from 8th to 17th December, 2019 to brethren of the Community from 93 nations from the six continents. We were gathered to give account to God, thank and celebrate Him who blessed and enabled us to accomplish the Phase 2 goal of our work. These messages serve as an orientation for the pursuit of the goal, and directives for our work in the next five to seven years. In pursuing these directives as a disciple-making movement, God being our Helper, and by the blessings of the Lord, we expect to be a community in which every member loves the Lord Jesus or returns to the first love for the Lord Jesus. Our heart cry to the Lord is that these messages would help keep us on the rails and stir us to work hard at accomplishing the goal that we joyously accepted from and committed ourselves to before our blessed Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

Discipled by Jesus is a powerful, yet practical manual for not only growing as a disciple but for making disciples. The principles in this book are drawn directly from Scripture and have been proven effective for over 40 years. This book is a must read for people who want to grow in their walk with Jesus, small group leaders who want to cultivate connection with the Master, and for pastors who want to grow their churches on the Biblical plan.