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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.
- GenresChristian
104 pages, Paperback
First published November 24, 2010
4 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 6, 2022
Equal parts theory and practice. Very helpful in making discipleship much simpler (though not easier) through helpful delineations of what discipleship is and is not. It needs to be about helping people become more Biblically literate and thus shaped by God's Word, in a relational context, with an outward ministry orientation (service + evangelism). Very few churches actually practice discipleship as it seems designed in Scripture. Russ's book is short, thoughtful, and doesn't spend too much time "admiring the problem."
June 27, 2022
I really enjoy this book. I think it gives a clear definition of not only what discipleship is and isn't, but what are steps to take towards making it a practice in your own life. It's the easiest to read explanation of what discipleship is that I've seen. Too many people view discipleship as more of a mentor relationship helping someone just grow in their faith. But it's more than that. It's learning to communicate with others and pour what you've learned out into others who will do the same. Eric Russ uses evidence from scripture to back up all of that. I highly recommend it for any Christian who wants to be faithful in their walk with Jesus.
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July 10, 2023Like the Goodreads review says this book is pretty intense. I love Russ's drive toward the goal of discipleship, but I think managing expectations could be better defined. Time takes time and especially in matters of the Lord. We must remember, He is the one that does the calling, not us. We are guides, and what a rich blessing it is to be used in this way. This was a great read. I'd love to talk about it with anyone choosing to pick it up.
December 24, 2022
Biblical, concise, holistic explanation of discipleship. Great as an introduction on how to disciple others and why discipleship is so important.
April 18, 2012
Summary:
- Discipleship Defined is a short book written by an urban church planter named Eric Russ. He was saved as a result of Campus Crusade Ministries and he was thoroughly discipled by a mentor who believed strongly in on-on-one mentoring. Russ starts out the book by laying out the theological foundation of why discipleship needs to exist and what Jesus said about discipleship. He also looks at Christ as the example of what a good mentor looks like. As the book progresses, Russ talks about three aspects involved in Biblical discipleship: The Word, Ministry, and Relationship. The Word is the basis of what we need to focus on in discipleship. Jesus constantly talked about the OT when He discipled his peers. Ministry is made up of service and evangelism. These two must go hand in hand. Relationships are vital to discipleship, and while there are not many specific verses teaching this, there is the example of Christ that we can learn from. This chapter summarized discipleship as including 7 major components – Intentionality, Commitment, Authenticity, Vulnerability, Longevity, Accountability, and Love. This was the most impacting section of the book for me. The end portion of the book deals with balancing the Word, Ministry, and Relationships. The end of the book also talks about some practical steps to take when implementing a “system” based on discipleship into a local church. Leadership and assessment are important here, because discipleship does not exist without leadership, and leaders must be assessed for their ability to mentor others.
Quotes:
- P. 20 – “…Christ views discipleship as a mandate, not a preference. His ministry modeled it, and His last words instructed it.”
- P. 21 – “We load up on Christian activities…in hope that discipleship will magically take place along the way.”
- P. 25 – “Jesus explicitly reveals His plan for discipleship throughout the Gospels.”
- P. 26 – “It’s reasonable to conclude that “making disciples” was probably the most important request that Jesus had for His followers.”
- P. 27 – “The command to disciple finds its fulfillment in evangelism and education.”
- P. 28 – “…Jesus did not focus on the temporal admiration of men, but quietly poured His life in those who would multiply.”
- P. 38 – “When speaking to others, Jesus made almost one hundred Old Testament allusions. In the same way, churches and individuals should view scripture as an integral component in growing as a disciple of Christ.”
- P. 45 – “The days must be over of seeing the Gospel being personal salvation and comfort, while the life of a missionary is to be future elective that we can enroll in for extra-credit or simply choose to opt out of.”
- P. 49 – “(speaking of social aid and Gospel aid) It has never been acceptable to make a distinction between the two as Christians.”
- P. 52 – “Man determines success by productivity. God determines success by faithfulness.”
- P. 58 – “Jesus made building relationships with the disciples a priority, rather than merely connecting with them when He had the opportunity.” (Intentionality)
- P. 59 – “We all want to be loved and cared for, but without commitment, these things will never occur.” (Commitment)
- P. 59 – “If a relationship isn’t authentic, then it is disingenuous and loses its redemptive potential.” (Authenticity)
- P. 59 – “Being vulnerable is never about the restatement of facts; it’s about letting people into the heart and emotions of the situation that transpire in your life.” (Vulnerability)
- P. 60 – “We regard our time and mobility as treasure when we should be committed to the cause of Christ.” (Longevity)
- P. 60 – “Accountability is about those in the family of God spurring one another on toward love and good in Jesus. It is a purposeful exchange to see people move closer to Christ-likeness.” (Accountability)
- P. 61 – “…We should love the person we are in a discipleship relationship with simply because he is our brother, not because he’s cool or we get along well.” (Love)
- P. 65 – “The Lord modeled depth in Relationship, Word, and Ministry.”
- P. 71 – “Spend considerable time building conviction from God’s principles before thinking through practical implementation methods.”
- P. 73 – “Jesus was willing to turn off the masses in order to train a few disciples to reach the world.”
- P. 79 – “People learn theological truths when they see them consistently lived out in someone’s life.”
- P. 82 – “Just as Jesus modeled, we are not to waste the stewardship of our lives with know-it-alls.”
- P. 97 – “There isn’t one exact correct methodology, just a specific kind of intentionality.”
- Discipleship Defined is a short book written by an urban church planter named Eric Russ. He was saved as a result of Campus Crusade Ministries and he was thoroughly discipled by a mentor who believed strongly in on-on-one mentoring. Russ starts out the book by laying out the theological foundation of why discipleship needs to exist and what Jesus said about discipleship. He also looks at Christ as the example of what a good mentor looks like. As the book progresses, Russ talks about three aspects involved in Biblical discipleship: The Word, Ministry, and Relationship. The Word is the basis of what we need to focus on in discipleship. Jesus constantly talked about the OT when He discipled his peers. Ministry is made up of service and evangelism. These two must go hand in hand. Relationships are vital to discipleship, and while there are not many specific verses teaching this, there is the example of Christ that we can learn from. This chapter summarized discipleship as including 7 major components – Intentionality, Commitment, Authenticity, Vulnerability, Longevity, Accountability, and Love. This was the most impacting section of the book for me. The end portion of the book deals with balancing the Word, Ministry, and Relationships. The end of the book also talks about some practical steps to take when implementing a “system” based on discipleship into a local church. Leadership and assessment are important here, because discipleship does not exist without leadership, and leaders must be assessed for their ability to mentor others.
Quotes:
- P. 20 – “…Christ views discipleship as a mandate, not a preference. His ministry modeled it, and His last words instructed it.”
- P. 21 – “We load up on Christian activities…in hope that discipleship will magically take place along the way.”
- P. 25 – “Jesus explicitly reveals His plan for discipleship throughout the Gospels.”
- P. 26 – “It’s reasonable to conclude that “making disciples” was probably the most important request that Jesus had for His followers.”
- P. 27 – “The command to disciple finds its fulfillment in evangelism and education.”
- P. 28 – “…Jesus did not focus on the temporal admiration of men, but quietly poured His life in those who would multiply.”
- P. 38 – “When speaking to others, Jesus made almost one hundred Old Testament allusions. In the same way, churches and individuals should view scripture as an integral component in growing as a disciple of Christ.”
- P. 45 – “The days must be over of seeing the Gospel being personal salvation and comfort, while the life of a missionary is to be future elective that we can enroll in for extra-credit or simply choose to opt out of.”
- P. 49 – “(speaking of social aid and Gospel aid) It has never been acceptable to make a distinction between the two as Christians.”
- P. 52 – “Man determines success by productivity. God determines success by faithfulness.”
- P. 58 – “Jesus made building relationships with the disciples a priority, rather than merely connecting with them when He had the opportunity.” (Intentionality)
- P. 59 – “We all want to be loved and cared for, but without commitment, these things will never occur.” (Commitment)
- P. 59 – “If a relationship isn’t authentic, then it is disingenuous and loses its redemptive potential.” (Authenticity)
- P. 59 – “Being vulnerable is never about the restatement of facts; it’s about letting people into the heart and emotions of the situation that transpire in your life.” (Vulnerability)
- P. 60 – “We regard our time and mobility as treasure when we should be committed to the cause of Christ.” (Longevity)
- P. 60 – “Accountability is about those in the family of God spurring one another on toward love and good in Jesus. It is a purposeful exchange to see people move closer to Christ-likeness.” (Accountability)
- P. 61 – “…We should love the person we are in a discipleship relationship with simply because he is our brother, not because he’s cool or we get along well.” (Love)
- P. 65 – “The Lord modeled depth in Relationship, Word, and Ministry.”
- P. 71 – “Spend considerable time building conviction from God’s principles before thinking through practical implementation methods.”
- P. 73 – “Jesus was willing to turn off the masses in order to train a few disciples to reach the world.”
- P. 79 – “People learn theological truths when they see them consistently lived out in someone’s life.”
- P. 82 – “Just as Jesus modeled, we are not to waste the stewardship of our lives with know-it-alls.”
- P. 97 – “There isn’t one exact correct methodology, just a specific kind of intentionality.”
October 26, 2016
Pastor Eric presents a readable, user-friendly overview of the Biblical mandate of Discipleship, and the imperative for the Church to make disciple-making our Core focus, as Christ commanded in the Great Commission and demonstrated during His earthly ministry.
Mack Avenue Community Church (MACC) is a dozen or so years into a journey of figuring out what it really looks like to build a local church on discipleship. I had the privilege of spending a week with the MACC church family recently. I was encouraged and challenged by our discipleship sessions with Pastor Russ, and experiencing their discipleship culture. Now, to continue walking this out in my home Church family.
This book is an excellent gift to pastors, friends, and more, and can definitely be used for group study.
Mack Avenue Community Church (MACC) is a dozen or so years into a journey of figuring out what it really looks like to build a local church on discipleship. I had the privilege of spending a week with the MACC church family recently. I was encouraged and challenged by our discipleship sessions with Pastor Russ, and experiencing their discipleship culture. Now, to continue walking this out in my home Church family.
This book is an excellent gift to pastors, friends, and more, and can definitely be used for group study.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews