Called and Committed: World-Changing Discipleship

by David Christopher Knight Watson

Christ calls us to decisive discipleship...

but all too often we settle for flabby faith.  "The vast majority of Western Christians," claims David Watson, "are church members, pew-fillers, hymn-singers, sermon-tasters, Bible-readers, even born-again believers or Spirit-filled charismatics, but not true disciples of Jesus.  If we were willing to become disciples, the church in the West would be transformed, and the impact on society would be staggering.  This is no idle claim; it happened in the first century."

With the international perspective so acutely needed by American Christians, David Watson calls us to build a community of believers who demonstrate Christ's power, arm themselves for spiritual battle, and demonstrate, by their lifestyle and outreach, their unreserved commitment to Christ's kingdom.  Only then will we be able to change the world.

Genres: Discipleship, Christian, Christian Living, Spirituality, Faith, Nonfiction, Christianity

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1981

About the author

David Christopher Knight Watson (1933–1984) was an English Anglican priest, evangelist and author.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the past semester as an exchange student in South Korea, I've been reading this book together with 5 others from our Korean/English youth ministry (JYM!). Today was our last gathering, and we finished the last chapters. What we did was this: everyone was assigned a (few) chapters to prepare and then we would go through the book a chapter each week. On each gathering we would open with praise and then someone would give a presentation of the current chapter. After that we would have fellowship over it and close in prayer.

I have had an amazing time with my sisters and brother in Christ, as we studied this book and grown closer to both God and each other! This way of studying a book isn't only very helpful, the book itself contained so many great insights and lessons that I'm absolutely sure I will read it many more times.

For any Christian who wants to be firmer in his/her faith or wants to be trained in how to guide and help others or their church, read this book! You won't regret it! :) (at least I didn't)

[Frank Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is in outstanding book. It is entirely concerned about what it means to be called of God and committed to God’s service. The book is both theologically sound as well as interested in the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. Thus, those who want to blend Christianity with our culture will find the book far too extreme. This is because the book radically seeks to listen to the actual teachings of the New Testament rather than making an excuse for those teachings and arguing them away. The author is therefore critical of those who believe they have their theology correct, but don’t live and act in behalf of those who our outside of their own fellowships, especially the poor. Similarly, the author is critical of those who have neutered the bible in creating a social gospel. I was certainly challenged on many levels, but couldn’t help but wish that I could be part of a local church that actually believed and taught all of what was presented in this book.

[David Rhodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in the 80’s and on reading it in 2025 found it was still relevant. The author shows how the call to the first disciples to follow Jesus applies to us today in terms of core principles. That said being written in 1981 it obviously cannot take into account modern day applications such as technology and work practices and so felt a bit dated in that context. Still worth a read but for me it was 3 stars and not quite block busting as described in the 80’s

[Rob Markley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was disappointed when read it 30+ years ago and thought it deserved a second chance... but I was right first time. One particular thing grates - why did he see the need to take a poke at Yonggi Cho... of all people and him in isolation??

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top three books for every Christian to read! Grateful to David Christopher Knight Watson to have put out this heralding book on the Christian life before he died of cancer in 1984.

[Pete Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear, compelling, and challenging...read at your own risk!

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most important books I read in my early years as a Christian. It offers a radical alternative to living ... and is comprehensive and easy to read.

David Watson was the real thing. An authentic Christian man with a remarkable ability to communicate Biblical truth in an accessible and winsome way.

This book still packs a punch, and should be on every Christians reading list at least once in their life.

[Circle of Hope Pastors · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will read a bit dated to us, but it is such a great, basic handbook for being a radical disciple. Watson was very influential in his day (1933-1984) and you will be well-influenced if you read his book. -- Rod

[Pete Bartel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not startling, but makes some good points.