Discipleship Defined

"DON'T read this book if you want to remain comfortable! Eric challenges us to consider what Biblical discipleship looks like based on what Jesus did. Eric writes this book with the integrity of a man who is not merely theorizing about the way things ought to be, rather he is describing what is actually happening as he builds Biblical disciples in the context of the inner city. This book is soundly Biblical, challenging and practical. This book is about building disciples not programs." Roger Hershey, Campus Crusade For Christ "It is a joy to highly commend to all Discipleship Defined, for it is exactly the prescription that is needed for the Church to regain much of our lost effectiveness. "Discipleship Defined" has carefully described, yet without programming it into a rigid system, how to go about this challenging task." Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., President Emeritus Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary "Eric Russ gives us some very straight forward thinking about discipleship, a topic widely misunderstood and undervalued. Moving away from piety-driven discipleship, Russ points us toward a holistic, Christ-centered way of following Jesus." Jonathan Dodson, Lead Pastor Austin City Life, Austin, TX. "Eric has a healthy obsession about strong discipleship, and it shows in a gracious way in this guidebook for muscular commitment. Can you be obsessed and still have a gracious spirit? Eric does, and so does this book!" Knute Larson, Senior Pastor The Chapel, Akron, OH (1983-2009) Eric Russ is lead pastor of Mack Avenue Community Church in Detroit, Michigan. He is married to Sara and has four children. For more information visit www.discipleshipdefined.com or www.mackave.com.

The most important disciple a parent will make is within their own home, and yet this is the most difficult disciple to make. Family Discipleship by Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin helps readers develop a sustainable rhythm of gospel-centered discipleship through a guided framework focusing on moments of discipleship in 3 key areas: time (intentional time gathering your family around gospel activities or conversations), moments (leveraging opportunities throughout the day), and milestones (celebrating significant life events). Each section provides parents with Scriptures to consider, questions to answer, structures to implement, and ideas to try out as they seek to see Christ formed in their children. Here is a book that begins with the end in mind, offering ideas and examples of what gospel-centered family discipleship looks like, helping parents design their own discipleship plan as they seek to raise children in the love and fear of the Lord.

“Go and make disciples.” Our command is clear; our mission is given. But what exactly is a disciple and what does discipleship really mean? In An Examination of the Theme of Discipleship in the Seven Churches of Revelation, Dr. Steve Roy takes the reader to the book of Revelation and to the specific letters from Jesus Christ himself. These letters help the reader to discover dramatically important conclusions as to what discipleship is and what it means to be a disciple. Through each of the letters to the seven churches, Jesus follows a particular pattern of discipleship and applies it to the specific churches in western Asia Minor. These patterns and instructions are just as relevant for us today as they were when John the Revelator sent them. This book is written for the person who wants to take discipleship seriously and for the pastor who stands before his congregation weekly with the purpose of making disciples.

Discover a Christ-centered approach to antiracism that will empower you to be transformed as you transform your world. “A clear biblical theology for why racial solidarity is integral to discipleship—one that is not influenced by the right or the left but by Jesus!”—Dave Ferguson, lead pastor of Community Christian Church So you’re for Jesus and against racism. But racism is such a fraught topic—can’t we just talk about Jesus? Michelle T. Sanchez has discovered through her own journey that it’s impossible to separate racial discipleship from our relationship with God. When we choose to courageously resist racism, we discover opportunities to encounter Christ in fresh and exciting ways. Color-Courageous Discipleship is our guidebook to a deeper connection with God through the adventure of racial discipleship. Grounded in the gospel, this practical and thought-provoking book • reveals multiple ways that the racial dynamics of our society have already formed us • explores what it means to biblically and proactively address racial inequity for the sake of God’s glory • equips us to engage in challenging conversations about racial reconciliation with grace and truth • offers hope, creative answers, and a path forward both individually and as beloved community Whatever your race or background, Color-Courageous Discipleship invites you to experience more of Jesus as you pursue racial righteousness in his name.

Teens will discover a Christ-centered approach to antiracism that will empower them to be transformed as they transform their world—with end-of-chapter discussion questions for families and youth groups. It’s time to go beyond saying “I’m not racist.” It’s time to take action. It’s time to become a color-courageous Christian and stand up to racism wherever you see it—in your school, in your community, and in your own heart and mind. In Color-Courageous Discipleship Student Edition, Michelle T. Sanchez shows you how racial righteousness was God’s idea in the first place. As Michelle explores antiracism from a biblical perspective, she helps us • see how following Jesus and pursuing antiracism naturally go together • understand why this generation is uniquely positioned to seek racial justice and pursue racial equity • speak out with grace, truth, and wisdom—whatever your age or stage in life may be • engage in color-courageous spiritual practices that will strengthen your witness and revitalize your faith • step into who God is calling you to be in today’s world • be inspired to make a difference right where you are Whenever you choose to take color-courageous action in Jesus’s name, you have the opportunity to be transformed and bring transformation to others. What could be better? This book is your invitation to an antiracist discipleship adventure together with your own world-changing generation.

Students of the Bible are generally comfortable with their understanding of the command “make disciples” (Matt 28:19). Indeed, most of them would argue that the Gospel writer, Matthew, spells out very clearly the meaning of the term in the Great Commission (Matt 28:16–20) by utilizing three key words, viz., “go[ing],” “baptizing,” and “teaching.” This point of view is the result of centuries of scholarly opinion that has looked primarily, if not solely, to these three adjacent participles of “make disciples” (Matt 28:19), and not to the entire Gospel of Matthew, for the meaning of the command. This book does not suggest that “going,” “baptizing,” and “teaching” are not to be considered in determining the essence of Christian disciple-making. Rather, it contends that the three terms should not be our only source of meaning. This problem is tackled herein by demonstrating that Matthew establishes a framework within the Great Commission itself that points to a fuller meaning of “make disciples” in the broader context of his Gospel, and that the Gospel writer expects his reader to draw on his entire Gospel to grasp the full meaning of this important command.

Many church leaders, yearning for church growth, look to the latest evangelistic strategies or seeker-targeted worship services. But lack of growth might not be due to lack of concern for new people—it may be because we are not effectively discipling the people we already have. Greg Ogden address the need for discipleship in the local church and recovers Jesus' method of accomplishing life change by investing in just a few people at a time. Ogden sets forth his vision for transforming both the individual disciple and discipleship itself, showing how discipleship can become a self-replicating process with ongoing impact from generation to generation. This revised and updated edition includes a new chapter on discipleship and preaching.

Lee Camp sets forth his vision of what it means to truly follow Christ. This substantially revised and expanded edition updates examples and adds chapter introductions, summaries, and study questions.