The Power of the 72: Ordinary Disciples in Extraordinary Evangelism

by John Teter

They were not professionals. They were not celebrities. We don't even know their names.

We know very little about them, except that they were ordinary people who were drawn to Jesus. When Jesus asked them to join him in his mission, they stepped up, answered the call, and went out in his name. And amazing things happened as a result.

They were the 72.

Pastor and evangelist John Teter explains how Jesus trains ordinary people to accomplish an extraordinary mission. He unpacks the story of the sending of the 72 to reveal how they were equipped in evangelism and discovered opportunities to herald God's kingdom in concrete and tangible ways. Filled with vivid stories of Teter's remarkable experiences in ministry and church planting, this book shows how we can live out God's call and witness the transformation of those around us.

You too have been called by Jesus. Discover how God empowers you to play your part. Welcome to the 72.

Genres: Evangelism, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2017

About the author

John Teter is senior pastor of Fountain of Life Covenant Church in Long Beach, California. He also serves as executive director of Fountain of Life Antioch, the FOL's church planting wing. John has also served as the Evangelical Covenant Church's church planting team leader and evangelism team leader. He formerly served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at USC, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and Compton College. John is a Bible expositor, evangelistic preacher, and author of two books, Get the Word Out and Jesus and the Hip-Hop Prophets (coauthored with Alex Gee). He and his wife, Becky, live in Long Beach with their three children.

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A description of the theology and practice of equipping ordinary people to join in the mission of calling people to follow Jesus.

John Teter is convinced that evangelism does not belong to the experts, but that Jesus plan is to work with and through ordinary people to call many to follow Jesus. That is "the power of the 72," the unnamed group of people described in Luke 10 who Jesus sent out as his "advance team" to preach and heal in the towns Jesus would visit. 

This book is divided into two parts. The first is centered around theology. Three key ideas are emphasized--first that witness comes out of relationship, second that Jesus sends his disciples to the poor, and third, that he prepares them for crushing pressure. Teter's own ministry in the lowest income section of Long Beach illustrates the second of these points and it is inspiring to read how the church he has planted has loved its community, and how people have come to faith as a result.

The second part outlines Teter's approach of process conversion. It may be memorably summarized under the rubric of 4-3-2-1.

Four benchmark events:

1. Trusting a non-Christian (and presumably vice versa!)
2. Experiencing God and the good news of the gospel.
3. Hearing and understanding the good news.
4. Receiving a clear call to follow Jesus.

Three conversations:

1. Connection or initial investigation--discovering spiritual background and where they are on the conversion timeline (above).
2. Secular to Sacred--inviting them to prayer, study of God's Word, and fellowship to explore Jesus and the gospel.
3. Curiosity to cross--as a person comes to understand who Jesus is and his message, they understand the decision they must make to take up the cross and follow.

Two mission tools:

1. Food--sharing food together, often being received into a person's home establishes trust and deep bonds.
2. God's Word--where people encounter Jesus for themselves in the gospels and hear his call and experience his healing in their lives.

One line we help friends cross as we call them to faith.

Undergirding all of this is a commitment to prayer. Chapter 5 on "Earnest and Powerful Prayers" is a pivotal part of the book, as Teter not only outlines the priority of prayer in scripture. The seven Habits of the 72 in prayer (p. 103) are ones I've copied for my journal.

There are several things I appreciated about this work. One is Teter's enthusiasm. He not only writes about the joy of seeing people come to faith, but that joy also comes through on every page. Second is John's honesty about relationships that didn't lead to people coming to faith, things that didn't work out the way he hoped. Many of the positive stories are those of others he works with. Third is the clarity of approach that arises out of his immersion in Luke's gospel and the book of Acts, and his conviction of a ministry that is Word-centered, prayer-focused, and Spirit-empowered. 

At one time, evangelical ministries neglected service and physical needs to focus on proclamation. Teter, I believe rightly, senses the pendulum has swung too far the other way, a swing he believes in part to be motivated by fear. He writes:

"A quotation attributed to St. Francis of Assisi says, 'Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.' When I hear that, I wonder if Francis's larger ministry context emphasized speaking the word over service and acts of love. If that's the case, it's an entirely appropriate exhortation to strengthen a weak area of ministry. In our era, I believe many Christians have given themselves over to fear. We must heed the most heeded exhortation in the New Testament, 'Do not be afraid,' and open our mouths to proclaim the kingdom. We must choose obedience" (p. 132).

While a statement like this is challenging, what drives this and is evident throughout the book is Teter's excitement about seeing people transformed as they come to faith in Christ. In this regard, he sounds a note much needed in the atmosphere of self-criticism, fear, and general up-tightness about the practice of evangelism. He reminds us that witness is about loving people, depending on God, experiencing the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit, and above all, knowing the great joy that pervades heaven when people come to faith and are reconciled to God through Christ. He reminds us that experiencing the reality of these things is not the preserve of a few specialists, but rather for ordinary, everyday believers. That is the power of the 72.

___________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Power of 72 Is a great devotional period. It is a devotional about how Jesus sent out the 72. This is how it says it in the Scripture, After this the LORD appointed 72 others and sent them on ahead of him, two buy two, into every town and place where HE himself was about to go and HE said to them, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few therefore pray earnestly to the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into HIS harvest. Go your way, behold I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsacke, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter first say, peace be to this house! " Isn't that awesome? So the author goes and tells in each chapter about the 72 and tells you relevant stories. It Is a great devotional. I received a copy of this book from the Publisher and Netgalley; all the opinions expressed in this review are all my own.

if you would like to review more of my Christian book reviews go to christianlybookreviewers.blogspot.com

[Joshua Maier · Rating 3 out of 5]

He had some helpful things to say, but it took a little sifting to find them.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and Practical!

Evangelism and discipleship are the important tasks entrusted to those who follow Jesus. As believers, we are to go forward into the world and share the new hope we have in Christ, changing lives for the Kingdom of God. Often, those who have received Christ, did so because someone shared the good news of the Gospel with them. Each one who belongs to the Kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ, is to go and do likewise. This is what The Power of the 72, by Pastor John Teter, is all about.
The Power of the 72 is a dynamic, powerful, and very practical book. Believers will learn how to better share their faith, following the example set forth by Jesus in Luke 10:1-20. Pastor Teter walks readers through the instructions Jesus gave to the 72 disciples He called to share the Gospel. Pastor Teter shares,
"As we move deeper into Jesus sending out his 72, I want you to know that all of ministry is to flow out of our relationship with the Father.
There is to be an order to the development of our spiritual lives:
faith first, then mission."
I love this quote, because it conveys the heart of evangelism. This book is full of personal stories from Pastor Teter's own experience of bringing others to Christ. Also, readers with find practical examples, lessons, and applications to put into practice.
I very highly recommend The Power of the 72: Ordinary Disciples in Extraordinary Evangelism. Pastor John Teter has written a very powerful, exciting, and practical book. This excellent resource will help readers share their faith without fear or intimidation. Definitely a must-read!

*I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. The opinion stated is my own. I have not been compensated in any way.*

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Power of the 72
Ordinary Disciples in Extraordinary Evangelism
by John Teter
InterVarsity Press

IVP Books
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 12 Dec 2017

I am reviewing a copy of The Power Of the 72 Through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:

The Power Of The 72 offers a new insight on the 72 that is talked about in the book of Luke!

This book reminds us that we are one of the 72. This book tells us too that Evangelism comes from our relationship with God! In the gospel of Luke the 72 lived with and for the poor, we are called to do the same.

The Call Of The 72 wasn't merely evangelists doing Evangelism. The 72 were trained to do Evangelism among the poor. Jesus trained the The 72 to do Evangelism under crushing pressure. He trained them in a methodical and intentional way.

Jesus trained the 72 in how God brings people to Faith and as one of the 72 we are called to bring others to faith.

The ministry of the 72 is supernatural so Jesus instructs them how to pray for their ministry. In this book we are reminded to pray daily. The 72 were trained for spiritual friendships. The 72 are trained for Evangelism in word and in deed. The lifestyle of the 72 is both great joy, and great pain.

I give The Power Of The 72 five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

[Timothy Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly practical and theologically grounded book on evangelism. I love the way John Teter masterfully exposure Luke 10 in this book, in a way that is both biblically rich, and personally accessible. John’s teaching is inspiring, and motivating. I love how he communicates evangelism, not as something the super gifted people do, but it’s for the every day faithful disciples of Jesus. John’s balance of evangelistic orthodoxy and orthopraxy is also really well balanced, he starts the book emphasizing the importance of personal encounter with Jesus and later emphasizing that both the word, and deed aspects of evangelism. He doesn’t neglect caring for the most vulnerable and seeking the peace of the city. And he does all of this while introducing a paradigm for conversion and evangelistic activity. I think this book should definitely be read by any leader looking to lead others, and should generally be considered by any one who wants to faithfully follow Jesus as a disciple.

[Brent Johnson]

I wish I could go back in time so that I can grow up to be like John Teter.

This book is refreshing. I wish I had read it when I was beginning to plant The Gathering Place in Poulsbo, WA. It is a study of Luke 10.1-24 and how Jesus trained 72 anonymous disciples for ministry. The book answers questions I probably should have asked years ago. It offers a balanced approach to evangelism, and focuses on the urban poor, a harvest field that is sorely overlooked in our current era.

Read this book and think long and hard on what is written within these pages.

[Cajiun Wynalda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt called to read this book and was not disappointed normally takes me awhile to read Christian theology/ how to be better Christian books but John had away with his words and had a great balance of knowledge and stories I felt encouraging and uplifted reading about how I myself have been selected to be the 72 the harvest is plentiful! But the harvesters are few God send us out in confidence that you have fruit to be picked.

[Chasen Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and simple act of Jesus on Luke 10. Teeter Has written a book that should be treasured but probably won’t be because the demands are too much and the applications are too simple. I will keep this on my shelf however.

[Lindsey Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

John writes in a compelling and down to earth fashion. He is authentic and real, yet invites the reader to imagine, pray and dream for more.

[Michelle Sedeño · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review originally posted on the blog.

Rating: 4.5

***

It is intriguing to see a book about the 72. If you have read the entire Bible - or let's say, the new testament - you would know who they were and what happened. Well, not the exact people and events before and after, but I'm pretty sure a bulb will light on your mind once your hear or read about the "72". People whose names weren't individualized unlike the ones we read in Genesis or 1 Chronicles. People who wasn't mentioned in the Bible after their joyful return from their first mission. They are also the same people who were the first world changers and missionaries, apart from the twelve disciples.

The author, John Teter, with the call for evangelism, was drawn deeply into texts like Luke 10:1-20, which has framed his church-planting experience. In this book he shared his personal experience (good and bad) with evangelism and being a modern day 72. The book has two parts: theology and application, which are the most important things we need to know as a Christian.

Although the rationalization and process were the same as what I hear on church and training, I was still able to gain more insight, revelations, and how-to's from John's personal experiences and exploration of Luke 10:1-20. Though the topic is not new, this is my first time to actually read an entire book about evangelism. I did not just enjoy each chapter, but I have also been filled with more inspiration to not just "do the work", but regardless of any outcome, I will rejoice for my name is written in heaven. There is wisdom in what John Teter do and what his heart pushes him to, and it is something I  have witnessed even through the pages and have acquired as well. Some lines I began to unconsciously meditate during and after reading. I have actually listed on the cover of my book the reasons why the 72 were powerful and I am praying to be transformed like those.

The Power of the 72 is an informative and inspirational book for Christians who would want to become evangelists not bearing their name, but Jesus'. A book with reflections from the simple passage in Luke 10:1-20 which made ordinary disciples from the past be extraordinary in evangelism - to encourage, teach, lead, and inspire current and future generations that will live like the 72. Whether or not (yet) one of them, this book is for you.

[Conrade Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come across books about the 12 disciples, the 12 tribes of Israel, and songs about the 12 sons of Jacob. In the book of Revelation, there is the usage of 144,000 servants of God who were sealed. Symbolically, 12 is likened to a complete number, a total collection. In this book about the 72 evangelists sent out two by two, we also see it as a multiple of 12. Based on Luke 10:1-20, author John Teter expounds this text to showcase 72 unnamed disciples evangelizing everywhere they go. Calling himself "one of the 72," Teter sees himself in the text as a convicted evangelist. In fact, the gospel of Luke has defined his ministry setting. The mission statement comes from Luke 4; the one-verse vision from Luke 10:2; the evangelism model on Luke 10; and letting the gospel of Luke master him. He also makes an interesting interpretation that the 72 could also mean the known number of countries at that time, which he then extrapolates to mean evangelism for the whole world. I am not sure about that literal stretch, but that does not change the heart of Christ for the whole world. Indeed, the gospel is for all, and the hope is that all would come and believe in the gospel. Jesus called, trained, and sent the 72 out on this evangelistic outreach. What and where exactly is this power? It is that conviction by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers, that the gospel is for all. In this book, Teter seeks to do four things:

Provide a clear theological foundation for evangelism, preaching first to the poor
Present theory of process conversion
Proficiency in four ministry tasks
Prepare for daily rejection with a focus on eternal joy

Arguing for the critical place of faith, the author reminds us that evangelism flows out of our relationship with God. As we listen to the heartbeat of God, we would understand His compassion for the poor. The poor in the first century refer to those who are disadvantaged according to economic definitions, vocational outcasts, gender discrimination, the sick, and ethnicity. In evangelism, we are reminded of obstacles and "crushing pressures" that often affect our evangelism training and preparation. They are taught toward earnest prayers; cultivating friendship; and proclaiming the gospel to be heard and those who hear it be healed. Of interest are the four questions that Teter poses as he reads Luke 10:10-16.

Why did Jesus tell the 72 to dust off their feet after being rejected?
What was Jesus teaching the 72 when He cites the judgment of Sodom?
Do we dare tell our hearers that they will be judged by how they act on what they had been given?
Why did Jesus end by saying rejection of the 72 is tantamount to rejecting the Father?

His evangelistic zeal was soon tested when he was fired for trying to share the gospel in his part-time job, even though his sharing was outside of the office. He then shares a moving story of David Brainerd, who despite his health and depression, persevered under heavy pressure and discouragement to become one of the greatest evangelists in America.

The second part of the book looks at applications. We learn about training and understanding the process of conversion. It begins with God. It is about the evangelists seeking God's help in prayer to send forth workers for the harvest. It is about cultivating friendships that move from secular to sacred concerns. It is about experience the kingdom in us. It is about rejoicing in the new birth. Teter gives us a "conversion process timeline" to help us put together a map for visual understanding.

My Thoughts
I appreciate the author's reminder about the importance of one. As indicated in the parables about the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son, the emphasis on the singular reminds us of the laser-like focus on a personal level, that every one soul matters. In evangelism, there is a tendency among many leaders to focus on numbers and to try to be as successful as Billy Graham or some famous evangelist who attract respondents by the masses. This reminds me of the famous phrase uttered by the popular three musketeers: "All for one; and one for all." In the same way, evangelists ought to affirm "Christ for all, and all for Christ." Every individual matters and we must not let statistics get in the way. For if it is all about sheer numbers, Jesus would employ big scale strategies instead of one-on-one discipleship. He might even employ some fancy church growth strategies to grow the number of converts. No. The Holy Spirit touches lives one by one in His own perfect time. Each of the 72 is called and equipped to go.

Second, I like the way the author focuses on the basics of prayer, of friendship, and most importantly, the Bible. We live in an increasingly Bible illiterate generation. This is not helped by people who claim to have their Bibles downloaded in their digital devices, but hardly read them. He notes the need to recognize the post-Christian era we are now in. It is no longer enough to simply organize a program, hoping it will be attractive enough for seekers. Moreover, younger generation want to pursue faith differently than their parents or predecessors. Our modern outreach must begin with the general understanding that people don't know the Bible and are open to learning more about it. This means, equipping evangelists and believers means teaching the Bible more faithfully. A lack of Bible knowledge is the biggest setback of any evangelism effort.

Third, I like the idea of having evangelism being cultivated as a "daily habit." This frees us from having one-shot projects or outreach sessions that only happen once in a while. The more effective method would be to equip every member to do outreach anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. If this book can move one to start equipping oneself, it would have been most beneficial.


Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Inter-Varsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.