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Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time
Many churchgoers complain that their churches lack a coherent plan for discipleship and spiritual growth. In turn, many church leaders lament their lack of resources to build and manage effective programs to help people become fully devoted followers of Christ. In Transforming Discipleship Greg Ogden introduces his vision for discipleship, emphasizing that solutions will not be found in large-scale, finely-tuned, resource-heavy programs. Instead, Ogden recovers Jesus' method of accomplishing life change by investing in just a few people at a time. And he shows how discipleship can become a self-replicating process with ongoing impact from generation to generation. Biblical, practical and tremendously effective, Transforming Discipleship provides the insights and philosophy of ministry behind Ogden's earlier work, Discipleship Essentials. Together, these ground-breaking books have the potential to transform how your church transforms the lives of its people.
209 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
177 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Greg Ogden
30 books13 followersGregory J. Ogden (DMin, Fuller Theological Seminary) lives out his passion of speaking, teaching, and writing about the disciple-making mission of the church after spending twenty-four years in pastoral ministry. Most recently Greg served as executive pastor of discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook in the Chicago western suburbs. From 1998-2002, Greg held the position of director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary and associate professor of lay equipping and discipleship.
Greg is the author of several books such as Unfinished Business, Discipleship Essentials, Transforming Discipleship, Leadership Essentials(with coauthor Daniel Meyer), and The Essential Commandment. He is a partner in the Global Discipleship Initiative (GDI), which trains, coaches, and inspires pastors and Christian leaders to establish indigenous, multiplying, disciplemaking networks, both nationally and internationally. Greg and his wife, Lily, have been married more than forty-five years and have one adult daughter and two grandchildren.
Greg is the author of several books such as Unfinished Business, Discipleship Essentials, Transforming Discipleship, Leadership Essentials(with coauthor Daniel Meyer), and The Essential Commandment. He is a partner in the Global Discipleship Initiative (GDI), which trains, coaches, and inspires pastors and Christian leaders to establish indigenous, multiplying, disciplemaking networks, both nationally and internationally. Greg and his wife, Lily, have been married more than forty-five years and have one adult daughter and two grandchildren.
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July 6, 2012
This was a summer reading assignment for all Campus Group leaders at Trinity. I wouldn't have picked this book to read normally. He starts out with a couple of chapters on how horrible the church is doing on "making disciples." His data is probably mostly valid, but I get tired of reading all the endless criticism of the church that inundates us. Finding things wrong with the church is like shooting fish in a barrel. I doubt that it was necessary for Ogden to devote so much ink to the subject, since those who would likely be reading his book are mostly those already looking to be more effective in disciple making, and are dissatisfied with their present experience or available options.
Once he gets past the church bashing (harsh word, I know, and probably not deserved), he lays out what he sees as the theology and methodology for discipling he sees in the New Testament. There is a good deal of worthwhile material here, though not a lot that I found particularly new.
Finally, he lays out what he feels is the preferred means of discipling: doing it in groups of three (or four) who view themselves generally as equals. I like his plan, and can see how it can be effective. I think he short changes both the subject of giftedness (not every spiritual man or woman would find this method compatible with what God has called and enabled them to do) and the diversity of means God has provided for discipling. (He addresses this some, but I think inadequately.) He is obviously promoting his own program, which he has found to be highly effective.
Overall I thought it to be a thought-provoking book with a good deal to commend it. Obviously, if one takes Ogden's word for it, his plan has achieved a high degree of success with a number of people. If you are interested in discipling or making disciples, this book provides a lot of worthwhile material, and you would do well to include it in your readings on the subject, though I wouldn't rely solely on it.
Once he gets past the church bashing (harsh word, I know, and probably not deserved), he lays out what he sees as the theology and methodology for discipling he sees in the New Testament. There is a good deal of worthwhile material here, though not a lot that I found particularly new.
Finally, he lays out what he feels is the preferred means of discipling: doing it in groups of three (or four) who view themselves generally as equals. I like his plan, and can see how it can be effective. I think he short changes both the subject of giftedness (not every spiritual man or woman would find this method compatible with what God has called and enabled them to do) and the diversity of means God has provided for discipling. (He addresses this some, but I think inadequately.) He is obviously promoting his own program, which he has found to be highly effective.
Overall I thought it to be a thought-provoking book with a good deal to commend it. Obviously, if one takes Ogden's word for it, his plan has achieved a high degree of success with a number of people. If you are interested in discipling or making disciples, this book provides a lot of worthwhile material, and you would do well to include it in your readings on the subject, though I wouldn't rely solely on it.
November 15, 2016
Here’s a revised and expanded edition of an influential book on discipleship. Ogden is one of the most respected authors on the subject and he is passionate about the subject as well. He gives the reader a lot to chew on.
The book is in three main parts with the first one covering what has gone wrong with discipleship. He exposes the superficiality in Christians today as the proof of discipleship going awry. He says people worship “with a reviewer’s mentality.” He cites studies that show few Christians have a goal of being committed to Christ, but are more focused on the American Dream. He laments how the lifestyles of Christians and non-Christians are indistinguishable. He says, “It would appear that Christians have been almost as seduced by self-focus as the broader population.” He surmises that we have been diverted from the main calling we have. We are consumed with programs that does not actually disciple people. We says people don’t have the right idea about church and churches don’t have it about discipleship.
The next part is where he traces discipleship in the New Testament. He goes, of course, through Christ’s ministry. Next, he tackles Paul and even admits that Paul doesn’t use the word “disciple.” He shows Paul speaks of parenting young believers and transforming lives. He draws it out with great detail.
The balance of the book is a detailed explanation of his particular method of discipleship. He emphasizes relationships and not expecting quick results. It’s interesting, but strikes me as working better in some areas or with professional people. Still, it’s worth considering. In an added chapter, he unnecessarily pits preaching and discipleship and is too harsh on preaching.
This book is necessary for our shelves in discipleship.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
The book is in three main parts with the first one covering what has gone wrong with discipleship. He exposes the superficiality in Christians today as the proof of discipleship going awry. He says people worship “with a reviewer’s mentality.” He cites studies that show few Christians have a goal of being committed to Christ, but are more focused on the American Dream. He laments how the lifestyles of Christians and non-Christians are indistinguishable. He says, “It would appear that Christians have been almost as seduced by self-focus as the broader population.” He surmises that we have been diverted from the main calling we have. We are consumed with programs that does not actually disciple people. We says people don’t have the right idea about church and churches don’t have it about discipleship.
The next part is where he traces discipleship in the New Testament. He goes, of course, through Christ’s ministry. Next, he tackles Paul and even admits that Paul doesn’t use the word “disciple.” He shows Paul speaks of parenting young believers and transforming lives. He draws it out with great detail.
The balance of the book is a detailed explanation of his particular method of discipleship. He emphasizes relationships and not expecting quick results. It’s interesting, but strikes me as working better in some areas or with professional people. Still, it’s worth considering. In an added chapter, he unnecessarily pits preaching and discipleship and is too harsh on preaching.
This book is necessary for our shelves in discipleship.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
December 13, 2012
This was my first introduction to Ogden and I really liked it. He diagnosis why the church failing to make disciples and why our churches are famished because of it. This book rings with years of much thinking, praying, and practice in discipleship.
Where Coleman's The Master Plan of Evangelism gave the basic principles of discipleships, I think Ogden does a great follow-up to meat on those bones. He helps one takes discipleship from theory to reality.
One of the distinctives of Ogden's work is his critique of one-on-one discipleship. He is not completely against this method, but he gives five problems of it. I found myself agreeing with his conclusions and thus encouraged to try his method of triads (3 or maybe 4 people meeting together). He has also developed a discipleship curriculum which has been around for many years called Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ that these groups can use. This book is well-balanced between an argument for discipleship and a plan for implementing discipleship.
Where Coleman's The Master Plan of Evangelism gave the basic principles of discipleships, I think Ogden does a great follow-up to meat on those bones. He helps one takes discipleship from theory to reality.
One of the distinctives of Ogden's work is his critique of one-on-one discipleship. He is not completely against this method, but he gives five problems of it. I found myself agreeing with his conclusions and thus encouraged to try his method of triads (3 or maybe 4 people meeting together). He has also developed a discipleship curriculum which has been around for many years called Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ that these groups can use. This book is well-balanced between an argument for discipleship and a plan for implementing discipleship.
October 7, 2011
Ogden makes a good case for one model of discipleship, offering years of experience and wisdom. For Ogden, programs cannot make disciples--only relationships can. This means that there are no shortcuts or fast tracks. This book demonstrates that multiplication may appear slower than addition in the short scheme of things, but in the long run it is far more effective and far reaching. Sometimes the writing lost some momentum in carrying me along, but the information is solid.
September 30, 2013
Compelling case for non-programmatic, relationship-intensive approach to multiplying Jesus-followers. If you want to see lasting results, start by thinking small!
January 6, 2017
Greg Ogden, Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time, rev. ed. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2016).
How well are Christians in America carrying out the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)? Not well, according to Greg Ogden. In the revised and expanded edition of Transforming Discipleship, he sets out to explain what went wrong with our discipleship efforts, why, and how to implement an effective church-based strategy for disciple-making. It’s a book pastors and other church leaders ought to read.
Ogden organizes his material into three parts. Part 1, “The Discipleship Deficit,” examines what went wrong and why. Part 2, “Doing the Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way,” looks to the Bible as a “method book,” focusing on Jesus’ and Paul’s respective models of discipleship. Part 3, “Multiplying Reproducing Discipleship Groups,” outlines how to implement a “microgroup” strategy for growing “self-initiating, reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ.” (Microgroups are groups of three or four people, “triads” and “quads” in Ogden’s words.)
According to Ogden, the basic problem with discipleship in America today is superficiality. Or, as the late John Stott put it, “growth without depth.” Lots of people bear the name “Christian,” but it’s not clear that they produce “fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
Why? Ogden identifies eight “distractions” that mar our discipleship efforts:
diversion of the church’s ministry from our primary calling to make disciples,
discipling by means of standardized programs instead of personal relationships,
reducing the Christian life to the future state instead of how we live now,
promoting a two-tier understanding of the Christian life that makes discipleship for “super-Christians, not ordinary believers,”
being unwilling to call people to become disciples,
having a view of church as optional rather than as required,
not articulating a clear pathway to spiritual maturity,
and not having been discipled personally.
Ogden then contrasts the lack of discipleship in America with how both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul made disciples. Christian leaders typically turn to the Bible to identify what end their ministries should pursue, but Ogden effectively argues that the Bible also articulates the means by which we should pursue them. The Bible, in other words, is both a “message book” and a “method book.” While both Jesus and Paul ministered to groups of varying sizes, their most intensive efforts at making disciples focused on “invest[ing] in a few.”
Here’s how Ogden summarizes the matter:
So, how can pastors and Christian leaders implement Jesus’ model of making disciples in their churches’ own ministries? Ogden focuses on three words: relationship, multiplication, and transformation. “The necessary elements…,” he writes, “are to establish a relational disciple-making process that is rooted in a reproducible model (triads or quads) that brings together the transformative elements of life change.” If I could summarize Ogden’s proposal in my own words, I’d put it this way: Three or four people meeting weekly for a year to grow closer to Christ and to one another, using a curriculum that each member can in turn use with a new triad or quad the next year. This process is intensive, demanding and tailored to the circumstances of the individual members, but that is how Christ himself achieved His best results with His own disciples. If you don’t believe me, look at Jesus’ interactions with His inner circle of Peter, James, and John in the Gospels.
Using this model of disciple making doesn’t require that pastors and other church leaders ditch Sunday sermons, Christian education classes, or other forms of teaching. Both Jesus and Paul spoke to large crowds and smaller groups, after all. It does mean prioritizing microgroups, however, as Jesus’ and Paul’s preferred strategy of making disciples, as well as recognizing the limitations of large-crowd and smaller-group forms of teaching, which can be more informational than transformational.
Transforming Discipleship is a challenging read, though not because it is hard to understand. Rather, it is challenging because churches are tempted to implement one-size-fits-all discipleship programs that are easy for pastors to manage. (I speak from personal experience here.) The easy way is not always the best way, however. Sometimes, the best results require intensive effort on a smaller scale over a longer timeframe to achieve.
I encourage you to read Transforming Discipleship. The book combines passion for the Great Commission, keen biblical insight and helpful practical suggestions for implementing a microgroup strategy. Even if, in the end, you don’t implement the book’s discipleship strategy, it will help you work through the relevant issues—biblically and practically—so that you can better fulfill the Great Commission in your own ministry and that of the local church.
_____
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
How well are Christians in America carrying out the Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19)? Not well, according to Greg Ogden. In the revised and expanded edition of Transforming Discipleship, he sets out to explain what went wrong with our discipleship efforts, why, and how to implement an effective church-based strategy for disciple-making. It’s a book pastors and other church leaders ought to read.
Ogden organizes his material into three parts. Part 1, “The Discipleship Deficit,” examines what went wrong and why. Part 2, “Doing the Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way,” looks to the Bible as a “method book,” focusing on Jesus’ and Paul’s respective models of discipleship. Part 3, “Multiplying Reproducing Discipleship Groups,” outlines how to implement a “microgroup” strategy for growing “self-initiating, reproducing disciples of Jesus Christ.” (Microgroups are groups of three or four people, “triads” and “quads” in Ogden’s words.)
According to Ogden, the basic problem with discipleship in America today is superficiality. Or, as the late John Stott put it, “growth without depth.” Lots of people bear the name “Christian,” but it’s not clear that they produce “fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8).
Why? Ogden identifies eight “distractions” that mar our discipleship efforts:
diversion of the church’s ministry from our primary calling to make disciples,
discipling by means of standardized programs instead of personal relationships,
reducing the Christian life to the future state instead of how we live now,
promoting a two-tier understanding of the Christian life that makes discipleship for “super-Christians, not ordinary believers,”
being unwilling to call people to become disciples,
having a view of church as optional rather than as required,
not articulating a clear pathway to spiritual maturity,
and not having been discipled personally.
Ogden then contrasts the lack of discipleship in America with how both Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul made disciples. Christian leaders typically turn to the Bible to identify what end their ministries should pursue, but Ogden effectively argues that the Bible also articulates the means by which we should pursue them. The Bible, in other words, is both a “message book” and a “method book.” While both Jesus and Paul ministered to groups of varying sizes, their most intensive efforts at making disciples focused on “invest[ing] in a few.”
Here’s how Ogden summarizes the matter:
Jesus intentionally called a few to multiply himself in them. He intended his ministry to become the ministry of the Twelve and be the means by which he extended himself to the world. To prepare the Twelve, Jesus followed a situational leadership model, adjusting his leadership style to the readiness of his followers. As Jesus adjusted his leadership to match the readiness of the disciples, he also changed styles to provoke them to the next level of growth. Jesus shifted his roles from living example to provocative teacher to supportive coach and finally to ultimate delegator. Though Paul’s language and images differed, his goal and process mirrored the model of his Lord.
So, how can pastors and Christian leaders implement Jesus’ model of making disciples in their churches’ own ministries? Ogden focuses on three words: relationship, multiplication, and transformation. “The necessary elements…,” he writes, “are to establish a relational disciple-making process that is rooted in a reproducible model (triads or quads) that brings together the transformative elements of life change.” If I could summarize Ogden’s proposal in my own words, I’d put it this way: Three or four people meeting weekly for a year to grow closer to Christ and to one another, using a curriculum that each member can in turn use with a new triad or quad the next year. This process is intensive, demanding and tailored to the circumstances of the individual members, but that is how Christ himself achieved His best results with His own disciples. If you don’t believe me, look at Jesus’ interactions with His inner circle of Peter, James, and John in the Gospels.
Using this model of disciple making doesn’t require that pastors and other church leaders ditch Sunday sermons, Christian education classes, or other forms of teaching. Both Jesus and Paul spoke to large crowds and smaller groups, after all. It does mean prioritizing microgroups, however, as Jesus’ and Paul’s preferred strategy of making disciples, as well as recognizing the limitations of large-crowd and smaller-group forms of teaching, which can be more informational than transformational.
Transforming Discipleship is a challenging read, though not because it is hard to understand. Rather, it is challenging because churches are tempted to implement one-size-fits-all discipleship programs that are easy for pastors to manage. (I speak from personal experience here.) The easy way is not always the best way, however. Sometimes, the best results require intensive effort on a smaller scale over a longer timeframe to achieve.
I encourage you to read Transforming Discipleship. The book combines passion for the Great Commission, keen biblical insight and helpful practical suggestions for implementing a microgroup strategy. Even if, in the end, you don’t implement the book’s discipleship strategy, it will help you work through the relevant issues—biblically and practically—so that you can better fulfill the Great Commission in your own ministry and that of the local church.
_____
P.S. If you found my review helpful, please vote “Yes” on my Amazon.com review page.
May 20, 2018
This was one of the most influential books on discipleship I've read in a long time. It offers a practical, simple, self-initiating, a reproducible model for those involved in pastoral ministry who are always trying to find new ways to help their parishioners/congregations mature in Christian discipleship.
What's offered here is not a new model, program, or initiative. Rather, by investigating the key characteristics of how Jesus and Paul made disciples who could then disciple others, Ogden mentors the reader on how to incorporate those same characteristics in their small group and discipleship processes.
Highly recommended. I look forward to giving these ideas a chance in my own parish.
What's offered here is not a new model, program, or initiative. Rather, by investigating the key characteristics of how Jesus and Paul made disciples who could then disciple others, Ogden mentors the reader on how to incorporate those same characteristics in their small group and discipleship processes.
Highly recommended. I look forward to giving these ideas a chance in my own parish.
May 31, 2023
Ogden is very enthusiastic about the “microgroup” of three or four. I’m all for relationship-based discipleship, but it isn’t clear to me that the group of three or four is the only setting in which this can take place.
I am also not convinced by Ogden’s reading of Jesus’s approach to forming his disciples. First, Ogden seems to conflate “disciple” with the Twelve, whom Luke says Jesus named apostles, not disciples. This is an important distinction because Jesus had many more disciples than the Twelve, but Ogden takes Jesus’s relationship with the Twelve as normative for all discipleship, ignoring how Jesus engaged his many other disciples. Moreover (and perhaps more importantly), Ogden several times suggests that by the end of Jesus’s ministry, he had fully trained his disciples and that they were ready to be launched into the world on mission. However, it’s fairly clear that the Twelve were quite confused about the nature Jesus’s ministry up to the very end—even at the Ascension, forty days after the Resurrection (“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6). Rather, it is not until the Holy Spirit is given at Pentecost that the Apostles seem to “get it.” This is a crucial turning point that doesn’t seem to fit into Ogden’s schema.
Ogden acknowledges that it is the Spirit who transforms lives, but is very thin on how this happens or how disciples can work with the Spirit in their transformation. Ogden’s account of the microgroup is that their environment of transparent trust and accountability centered on the Bible creates a “hothouse of Holy Spirit,” but he does not describe how the microgroup might engage the Spirit intentionally and explicitly in this hothouse. Even discussion of the role of prayer seems to be limited mostly to discernment of whom to invite into a microgroup, rather than a vital means of transformation.
This treatment of the discipleship process has some good things going for it, but I’m not sure it gets us all the way there.
I am also not convinced by Ogden’s reading of Jesus’s approach to forming his disciples. First, Ogden seems to conflate “disciple” with the Twelve, whom Luke says Jesus named apostles, not disciples. This is an important distinction because Jesus had many more disciples than the Twelve, but Ogden takes Jesus’s relationship with the Twelve as normative for all discipleship, ignoring how Jesus engaged his many other disciples. Moreover (and perhaps more importantly), Ogden several times suggests that by the end of Jesus’s ministry, he had fully trained his disciples and that they were ready to be launched into the world on mission. However, it’s fairly clear that the Twelve were quite confused about the nature Jesus’s ministry up to the very end—even at the Ascension, forty days after the Resurrection (“Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6). Rather, it is not until the Holy Spirit is given at Pentecost that the Apostles seem to “get it.” This is a crucial turning point that doesn’t seem to fit into Ogden’s schema.
Ogden acknowledges that it is the Spirit who transforms lives, but is very thin on how this happens or how disciples can work with the Spirit in their transformation. Ogden’s account of the microgroup is that their environment of transparent trust and accountability centered on the Bible creates a “hothouse of Holy Spirit,” but he does not describe how the microgroup might engage the Spirit intentionally and explicitly in this hothouse. Even discussion of the role of prayer seems to be limited mostly to discernment of whom to invite into a microgroup, rather than a vital means of transformation.
This treatment of the discipleship process has some good things going for it, but I’m not sure it gets us all the way there.
May 29, 2012
I made a personal relationship with the author Dr. Greg Ogden. His method of discipleship is very biblical and experiential, workable, adjustable, and powerful. I believe this book shows the path to make laity real self-reproducing disciples.
May 3, 2022
If one is going to fulfill the Great Commission established by our Lord, one must be committed to discipleship. In "Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time" Greg Ogden helpfully reminds the Church that discipleship is a necessity, not an option.
In the era of the Megachurch, people have tended to become consumers. But Jesus never called the Church to become a group of consumers; rather, Jesus called the Church to be faithful, reproducing disciples. Ogden does a great job at reminding the reader of the centrality of discipleship in the context of the local Church. Ogeden also helpfully describes his method of reproducing disciples within the Church. By reading this book, the reader will be motivated to begin the process of discipling others and reproducing disciples.
The weakness of this book is that it reads like a paper written for a class project. The writing is a bit stilted. But Ogden has organized his thoughts well and he has certainly identified a weakness in the Church and a plan of action to remedy that weakness. There is certainly much value to be gained from this book.
The greatest weakness of this book is that it requires one to purchase another book. Ogden emphasizes that one must follow a defined curriculum if the discipleship process is to be successful, but for some reason, the meat of the matter (ie., the curriculum) is not included in this book. This is not a long book. It would have been very simple to include the curriculum as a part of this book. Alas, I suspect the publisher wished to sell yet another book, so there it is. But let not that weakness discourage you from reading this book. Discipleship is powerful. Discipleship is Biblical. And all faithful Christians should be active in making disciples. So, what are you waiting for? Happy reading!
In the era of the Megachurch, people have tended to become consumers. But Jesus never called the Church to become a group of consumers; rather, Jesus called the Church to be faithful, reproducing disciples. Ogden does a great job at reminding the reader of the centrality of discipleship in the context of the local Church. Ogeden also helpfully describes his method of reproducing disciples within the Church. By reading this book, the reader will be motivated to begin the process of discipling others and reproducing disciples.
The weakness of this book is that it reads like a paper written for a class project. The writing is a bit stilted. But Ogden has organized his thoughts well and he has certainly identified a weakness in the Church and a plan of action to remedy that weakness. There is certainly much value to be gained from this book.
The greatest weakness of this book is that it requires one to purchase another book. Ogden emphasizes that one must follow a defined curriculum if the discipleship process is to be successful, but for some reason, the meat of the matter (ie., the curriculum) is not included in this book. This is not a long book. It would have been very simple to include the curriculum as a part of this book. Alas, I suspect the publisher wished to sell yet another book, so there it is. But let not that weakness discourage you from reading this book. Discipleship is powerful. Discipleship is Biblical. And all faithful Christians should be active in making disciples. So, what are you waiting for? Happy reading!
March 8, 2020
I actually loved reading this book because it confirmed much of what I actually believed about the failings of many churches that face problems in discipleship. In this book, Ogden presents his thoughts on transformational discipleship in three sections. The first section gives you a look into the problem of why there are so few people who commit to a life of discipleship and the apathy of many who dare to attempt it. The next section, Ogden presents his insights into Jesus' purpose for how he focused his attention on the equipping of a few; as well as His and Paul's model for empowering disciples.
The final section gives you a real life strategy for implementing today what was so effective then as a means for empowering others to disciple and be discipled. I would say that this section is perhaps my favorite because it makes no bones about the fact that discipleship is a great commitment but integral to the great commission. At the end of it all, this is about relationship and you can't do that well without a true strategy for connecting to people. Transformational Discipleship shows you a truly impactful way to do it and do it well.
The final section gives you a real life strategy for implementing today what was so effective then as a means for empowering others to disciple and be discipled. I would say that this section is perhaps my favorite because it makes no bones about the fact that discipleship is a great commitment but integral to the great commission. At the end of it all, this is about relationship and you can't do that well without a true strategy for connecting to people. Transformational Discipleship shows you a truly impactful way to do it and do it well.
August 26, 2022
This is the second of Ogden's books on Discipleship I have read. Like much of Ogden's body of work, there is an excellent balance of solid theology and scriptural interpretation in addition to practical experience-based techniques for pastoring. The sole reason this is not a five-star review is because of Ogden's advocacy for a discipleship technique he refers to as *triads*, in which discipleship should be conducted in groups of threes for optimal growth. Although I do not deny the likely efficacy of this technique nor do I discount Ogden's remarkable experience in this field, I would raise caution that such a technique so vigorously espoused should be supported more clearly by scripture. I think it's likely that there are biblical examples for the success of such a triad relationship, but Ogden spends little time in consideration of the scriptural support for such a concept. However, the rest of the topics and techniques covered in the book are very well-documented and defended with clear scriptural examples.
February 6, 2025
I have been reading this gradually since the fall. I found the beginning (the state of the US church largely in 2016) compelling, depressing and a little out of date. The middle (how Jesus and Paul discipled people) was dull and a little confusing. I don't think Ogden makes a clear line between evangelism and discipling. Then the final, practical session, seemed to contradict much of the middle. Ogden is very prescriptive about what works - his way - and again a little contradictory at times: not mentoring like Paul and Timothy after all, not reaching a core group of 12 like Jesus after all, maybe being an authoritative leader, but maybe being a peer learner. I am concerned the people not chosen to be in one of the microgroups he says you must wait to be invited into would feel excluded and hurt.
Still, thought-provoking, and I found the section towards the end about the contrast between a transactional gospel and the good news of the kingdom very helpful.
Still, thought-provoking, and I found the section towards the end about the contrast between a transactional gospel and the good news of the kingdom very helpful.
April 22, 2022
Creo que es bastante confrontador y va directo al punto y la necesidad de discipulado que hay en las iglesias. Lo que no ataca muy bien es en el caso de "hacer" discípulos. Es decir, no tomar a alguien para discipular, más bien compartir el evangelio con alguien y que este se convierta en un discípulo. Directamente lo deja de lado y se olvida de la importancia del hacer discípulos a todas las naciones. Usa Mateo 28:19-20 como base para su libro, pero lo reduce de la Gran Comisión a tomar gente de tu congregación y discipularlos. Fuera de eso, creo que habría que probar el método propuesto y ver los resultados de aquí a 5 años, y ver si es aplicable a todas las culturas. Está muy bueno, pero está incompleto en comparación con el modelo bíblico de Mateo 28:19-20.
June 14, 2021
Greg es un experimentado en el ministerio de discipulado. Lo que escribe es lo que vivió por mucho tiempo, eso le da un valor al libro.
El autor presenta el problema que hay en muchas iglesias enfocadas en programas que realmente no cumplen el verdadero objetivo del discipulado bíblico. Luego muestra cómo Jesús y Pablo hicieron discípulos transformados para seguir fielmente a Jesús.
Finalmente da estrategias en grupos.
En general es un libro que ayudará a los lectores a mejorar en la práctica del cumplimiento de la gran comisión.
El autor presenta el problema que hay en muchas iglesias enfocadas en programas que realmente no cumplen el verdadero objetivo del discipulado bíblico. Luego muestra cómo Jesús y Pablo hicieron discípulos transformados para seguir fielmente a Jesús.
Finalmente da estrategias en grupos.
En general es un libro que ayudará a los lectores a mejorar en la práctica del cumplimiento de la gran comisión.
December 13, 2022
Es un buen libro que no solo te hace pensar, sino que te llena de ganas de levantarte de la silla y hacer algo. Definitivamente, en las Iglesias NO hay discipulado y si no dejamos a un lado la excusa de "a mí nunca me han discipulado entonces no puedo discipular" vamos a seguir estancados. Que sea Dios llenándos de pasión y acción para compartir la multiplicación de discípulos con las buenas nuevas.
(Le doy 3 estrellas porque el editor y/o traductor no hicieron buen trabajo. Muchos errores tipográficos)
(Le doy 3 estrellas porque el editor y/o traductor no hicieron buen trabajo. Muchos errores tipográficos)
June 7, 2025
The idea of “micro groups” is compelling, and he makes some good points about the Christian’s inherent identity as a disciple and how the modern Western church has separated the two. But I do not agree with some of the practical ways he envisions micro groups playing out in the life of the church, and the book essentially is an elongated preface for his own discipleship curriculum that must be purchased separately.
February 15, 2026
This book is very practical in giving us help in building into the lives of other believers in Christ. It encourages us to establish a continuous, biblical discipleship with others that will be forever perpetuated into other believers lives. Until we are with Christ, this is what we are to be doing. The author does a good job of encouraging and informing us ways we can do this. Recommend the book.
April 13, 2021
Worth reading, a reminder that following Jesus is more than believism but rather an active life of following Jesus and his mission. Ogden's proposal that discipleship is best done via mircogroups I found challenging and worth considering.
July 13, 2021
The idea of slowing things down and setting up multiplication is incredibly important for churches to hear today.
We focus a lot of energy on large numbers instead of truly discipling 1-2 people at a time.
Great encouragement.
We focus a lot of energy on large numbers instead of truly discipling 1-2 people at a time.
Great encouragement.
October 2, 2021
The Great Commission
The modern Church performs poorly at creating disciples who will share the Gospel and mentor concerts to do the same. This book will inspire action and lead one in the path.
The modern Church performs poorly at creating disciples who will share the Gospel and mentor concerts to do the same. This book will inspire action and lead one in the path.
April 26, 2019
Changed the way I view discipleship in the local church.
November 18, 2019
Great book. I like how he plans out the process and doesn’t make it too rigid. I’ll be looking into the materials he uses for sure.
February 23, 2020
Seemed to be geared towards pastors but some excellent info on what discipleship should look like in the American context.
March 10, 2020
Buy it, use it.
June 27, 2020
Good book to start thinking about a discipling program in your church.
December 23, 2020
The job of the church is discipleship and this book gives practical guidelines on how to do it. If nothing else, it reignites the church's vision for discipleship.
March 18, 2022
I would give this a higher rating because I fully agree with the content but I did find this book difficult to get through as it comes to reading. But that could also be because I’ve been lucky to be trained in healthy discipleship and able to implement discipleship vs church programming consumption in my life. I would recommend it for an believer that hasn’t had that opportunity but I’m honestly so grateful that it was redundant for me.
February 13, 2023
Practical and simply written, Greg Ogden describes discipling relationships which multiply the kingdom of God. Helpful.
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