Transforming Discipleship

Why are more Christians not like Christ? Why do we see so little transformation of lives despite all the singing and church-going that happens? That is the question this book asks and answers in a good and clear way.

This is a superb book so do get it and read it if you have time-

HERE. If not, here is a summary in quote form:

Most people in discipleship want "freedom from not freedom for"

We should be people of 'radical-non-conformity'

Pastors have turned into responders

The preached word needs the context of community

" The most telling thing about the contemporary Christian is that he or she simply has no compelling sense that understanding of and conformity with the clear teaching of Christ is of any vital importance to his or her life, and certainly not that it is any way essential " Dallas Willard

" Instead of growing a church with programs, focus on growing people with a process. We need a process to go with a purpose. Unless the purpose is fleshed out in a process, then we don't have anything but nice platitudes" Rick Warren

Discipleship is fundamentally a relational process

"Jesus, it must be remembered, restricted nine-tenths of his ministry to twelve Jews because it was the only way to redeem all Americans" Eugene Peterson

Jesus had enough vision to think small

"Perhaps today's pastor should imagine that they are going to have three more years in their parish (church) as pastor- that there will be no replacement for them when they leave. If they acted as if this were going to happen, they would put the highest priority on selecting, motivating, and training lay leaders that could carry on as much as possible the mission of the parish after they left. The results of three sustained years of such an approach would be significant. Even revolutionary." from David Watson's "Called and Committed"

Jesus concern was not with programs to rech the multitudes, but with men the multitudes will follow

The best work is done with a few. Better to give a year or so to one or two men who learn what it means to conquer for Christ than to spend a lifetime with a congregation just keeping the program going

The readiness goal: "the ability and willingness of a person or group to take responsibility for directing their own behaviour"

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care

Jesus' plan has not been disavowed it has been ignored

We we have failed to appreciate is the power of invitation to be with others on an intimate basis over time

Jesus' model: build slowly, build solidly

A triad is an ideal disciple-making group

A triad should 1) open their hearts in transparent trust to each other 2) around the truth of God's word 3) in the spirit of mutual accountability

Who to disciple? Look for two qualities (2 Tim 2:2) 1) loyalty to God and others 2) teachability

"One must (The pastor) decide where he wants his ministry to count-in the momentary applause of popular recognition or in the reproduction of his life in a few chosen ones who will carry on the work after his has gone"

Look for people who have a chance of staying around for a while

"Every Christian must see themselves as the link to the next generation" William Barclay