Discipleship

Christians use the word disciple in at least two ways: as a noun and as a verb.

As a noun, a Christian disciple is a learner or follower of Jesus Christ. For example, “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me’” (Matt. 16:24). A disciple must deny his or her own will (deferring to Jesus’s will), take up his or her cross (expressing a willingness to die for Jesus, literally and figuratively), and follow Jesus (obeying his teachings and going where he leads).

As a verb, Christians disciple other Christians, teaching them to obey God’s will as revealed in the Bible. Jesus said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20, emphasis mine). We are not merely called to teach others, but to teach others to observe or to obey Jesus’s teachings, which requires a profound commitment of time and energy for the benefit of others.

Below I list resources that will help you to become a more faithful disciple and also to disciple others in the Christian faith more faithfully.

My Recommendations of Christian Resources: The call to obey Jesus Christ extends to every part of our lives, whether in our private prayers, at work, or in the way we serve others in a local church. Therefore, following Jesus and helping others to do so requires us to be lifelong learners. Of the thirty-six boxes I list on that page, focus on First Steps as a Christian, The Word of God & Prayer, and Life in the Church. These boxes, in particular, will help you establish important habits as a Christian and help others to do the same.

These resources explicitly discuss being a disciple or discipling others.

*Radical (2) and*Follow Me (2) by David Platt: I don’t know of any author who calls us to follow Jesus Christ with more clarity and conviction than David Platt. These two books will help you establish a practical theology of discipleship, which will make you long to help others follow Jesus as well.

Multiply by Francis Chan (2): The material in this book is ideal for studying with others, whether one-on-one or in small groups. Chan encourages readers to discuss the nature of discipleship, how to live within the body of Christ (locally and globally), how to study the Bible, and how to understand both the Old Testament and the New Testament. For those who have the discipline to work through this material, they will emerge with a strong, balanced foundation in the Christian faith.

Discipling by Mark Dever (2): This book explores helping others to follow Jesus by answering three questions: (1) What is discipling?, (2) Where should we disciple?, and (3) How should we disciple? Dever is a gift from God to the church, not only through his excellent writing about the church but also in this book by making discipling so understandable.

Gospel-Centered Discipleship by Jonathan K. Dodson (2): I define the gospel as God the Father’s intervention into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, with a particular focus on his death and resurrection that establishes the only way to God. This book teaches us what it means to keep the gospel at the center of all that we do, both as disciples and as disciples who make disciples of others.

*What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper (2 or 3): This book explains fifty expectations that Jesus has for humanity. Skip the section called “A Word to Biblical Scholars,” unless you are in that category, and dive into the actual demands. Supernaturally clear and direct.

Hearers and Doers by Kevin J. Vanhoozer (3 or 4): Every generation of genuine Christians learns that we make disciples of Jesus Christ both by and in accordance with the Word of God. Vanhoozer makes explicit what we must never assume: Christian discipleship must be Word-centered, in both our hearing and doing. Pastors, in particular, will benefit from this book.