The Xyz Of Discipleship

Today’s key challenge for the church in the West is to reach and raise the next generations – often missing or misunderstood – yet vital to the future of contemporary society and to Christianity. Drawing on 20 years of fruitful experience, and carefully analysing Britain’s present cultural context this book explores how to disciple today’s Millennial (Gen Y) generation and their teenage/early adult successors Gen Z. With plenty of positive insights into the opportunities these generations possess, it speaks into how to help build solid foundations of identity and purpose for young adults and assesses some of the biggest challenges to Christian discipleship in today’s culture. It will equip individuals who seek to mentor, parent or lead young adults into discipleship in the everyday and within church, as well as those of Y & Z age who are passionate to understand and disciple your own generation. It concludes with practical guidance and a passionate challenge to established churches who wish to reach these generations.

This book explores in depth six Gospel scenes so as to discover in these the essential elements of Christian discipleship. It describes the basic requirements for receiving the Word of God effectively in our hearts: namely, that we "become wet clay in God's hands", so that God can impress upon us any form he chooses. It also contemplates the vital position of the Mother of the Lord in the life of his disciples. The author shows that the call to discipleship is above all an invitation to intimate companionship with Jesus, as we read in Mark: "Jesus called to him those whom he desired... in order that they might be with him" (3:14-15). What we normally call the "active apostolate" can never be an end in itself, but only the fruits of a life of prayer and adoration. These are what must be at the heart of a disciple's life, which can never be swept up by mere activism.

This is an open access book. Council For Indonesian Christian Religious Higher Education (Badan Musyawarah Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Kristen Indonesia/BMPTKKI) has the vision to advance the academic abilities of lecturers who teach within the PTKK scope. All of them aim to implement the achievement of the Tri Darma Perguruan Tinggi. To fulfill this vision, the field of research and publication of the journal BMPTKKI designed International Seminar activities to upgrade lecturers’ abilities on the one hand and facilitate Christian Theological Seminary (Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Kristen/PTKK) lecturers to publish their academic work in the international arena.

Are you called to help others know Jesus Christ? How do I prepare myself to mentor someone else's walk in faith? What tools do I need to use to complete this task? These are just some of the questions answered in this book. There is a self-examination part to the book to prepare a person to better present their own testimony to another person. Tools such as praise, journaling, capturing thoughts and turning them over to God are explored in depth. A suggested timeline for meeting with an individual is included. Topics to use are included in an action plan. Grace, forgiveness, and letting go of previous understanding are described in an applied way while building a trust relationship with the new Christian.

Practical help on how to live as Christ's disciple.

In the aftermath of the waves of discipleship programs that have swept over the church in the last 30 years, clergy, and laypersons alike are more confused than ever about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. What should a disciple of Jesus look and act like today? What is the relationship between discipleship and salvation, between discipleship and sanctification, between discipleship and ministry? How were disciples of Jesus different from other disciples in the ancient world? How did the early church carry out Jesus' agenda in "making disciples of all the nations"? In Following the Master, Michael J. Wilkins addresses these and many other questions that perplex the church today- not by offering another discipleship program or manual but by presenting a comprehensive biblical theology of discipleship. Following the Master compares other forms of master-disciple relationships in existence in the ancient Judaism and Greco-Roman world, traces Jesus' steps as he called and developed disciples, and Mediterranean world as it followed Jesus' command to make disciples. Following the Master lays the groundwork necessary for developing biblical discipleship ministries in the church, on the mission field, and in parachurch ministries. It is essential reading for all pastors, students, and Christian workers.

Following an encounter with an African bishop - who believed all who lived in his diocese (and not only congregations and clergy) should be loved and cared for - Robert Cotton became convinced that Christian disciples in this country need to be assured that they have something vital to communicate to the well-being of their local communities. We are all, to some extent, 'vicars' - vicarious disciples who cannot help but influence those around us. Indeed, it may be beneficial to think of ourselves as public actors for the faith, housed in a theatre of meaning, the Church, and putting on a divine play for which there is an eager audience. The audience may consist of people of other faiths or none: the author encourages us to have confidence in a theology that does not limit salvation to those inside the Church; he believes that we can come close to the presence of God in active engagement with people of goodwill. And, of course, as Christians it behoves us to respond to others' agendas and concerns with generosity and grace. This gentle, beautifully written volume packs quite a punch. Taken seriously, it will revitalize our personal and corporate vision of Christian living as, inspired by the Holy Spirit, we seek to bring light and joy to the cities, towns and villages in which we live.