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Simple Discipleship: Grow Your Faith, Transform Your Community
A Clear and Personalized Path for Discipleship
Discipleship can feel like a meandering journey―we don’t know what we want, and none of the programs offered seem to get us anywhere.
We need something to orient ourselves, and something to direct our steps toward a clear destination. Simple Discipleship , with its companion assessment tool, offers a plan for discipleship that is tailored to your real life and your personality, and clearly pointed in the way of Jesus.
Most discipleship resources are designed as mass productions―efficient for touching many, but often failing to see individuals grow in Christ. This is the best of both worlds―an assessment tool for your entire church, combined with an achievable, personalized discipling strategy.
Discipleship can feel like a meandering journey―we don’t know what we want, and none of the programs offered seem to get us anywhere.
We need something to orient ourselves, and something to direct our steps toward a clear destination. Simple Discipleship , with its companion assessment tool, offers a plan for discipleship that is tailored to your real life and your personality, and clearly pointed in the way of Jesus.
Most discipleship resources are designed as mass productions―efficient for touching many, but often failing to see individuals grow in Christ. This is the best of both worlds―an assessment tool for your entire church, combined with an achievable, personalized discipling strategy.
- GenresDiscipleship
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 8, 2019
20 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 25, 2024
Dana Allin has some good perspective on discipleship in churches — both in assessing the current state of discipleship in many churches and in approaching how to fix it.
My favorite parts of the book were small pieces of advice where he set expectations. For instance: People are better at sticking to plans that were their own ideas, especially when you take one aspect of life at a time. You don't need to try to change an entire church at once, but it helps to start with those who might be least helped by the current system and growing from them. Smaller groups are better for discipleship, and not every group needs a leader. And so on.
That said, most of the book surveyed characteristics of a disciple, so that people can assess themselves and see where they need to grow in order to become better disciples. In fact, the book was written to go along with an online discipleship assessment survey. However, that made portions of the book feel commercialized or clickbaity. Many chapters were "4 characteristics of X" or "5 principles of Y." He also spent a chapter referring to himself as an "ICF-Certified coach," and referencing advice he's been given by coach friends, which felt... unspiritual. In this way, the majority of this short book felt somewhat corporate, social-sciency, and surface-level.
And to whom it may concern, Dana Allin is a member of an Egalitarian Christian organization, so many of his examples included female pastors. I don't mind reading Egalitarian authors, but since the book already feels pretty corporate, this made it feel even more foreign to my life/ministry situation.
All that being noted, he didn't give bad advice. I enjoyed parts. I just probably wouldn't recommend this book.
My favorite parts of the book were small pieces of advice where he set expectations. For instance: People are better at sticking to plans that were their own ideas, especially when you take one aspect of life at a time. You don't need to try to change an entire church at once, but it helps to start with those who might be least helped by the current system and growing from them. Smaller groups are better for discipleship, and not every group needs a leader. And so on.
That said, most of the book surveyed characteristics of a disciple, so that people can assess themselves and see where they need to grow in order to become better disciples. In fact, the book was written to go along with an online discipleship assessment survey. However, that made portions of the book feel commercialized or clickbaity. Many chapters were "4 characteristics of X" or "5 principles of Y." He also spent a chapter referring to himself as an "ICF-Certified coach," and referencing advice he's been given by coach friends, which felt... unspiritual. In this way, the majority of this short book felt somewhat corporate, social-sciency, and surface-level.
And to whom it may concern, Dana Allin is a member of an Egalitarian Christian organization, so many of his examples included female pastors. I don't mind reading Egalitarian authors, but since the book already feels pretty corporate, this made it feel even more foreign to my life/ministry situation.
All that being noted, he didn't give bad advice. I enjoyed parts. I just probably wouldn't recommend this book.
May 16, 2025
Overall a good overview on discipleship. I'm not sure that I am planning on taking the discipleship assessment that they provide, or following their plan, but I appreciated the thoughts from the book.
There wasn't one specific thing from the book that was necessarily really good or poor, but it was very heavily focused on their process. There is an online Discipleship Assessment tool that you can fill out (which you have to buy, though one comes free with a purchase of the book), and based on your results from that, you can target where you most need to grow.
What I found extremely ironic was that Allin said that one of the problems with discipleship in churches today is that it is too institutional and not individual, but then tries to sell you on their program (his defense for this is that is can be tailored for each person's needs).
I probably wouldn't recommend this book, as I think there are probably better books out there. Though it wasn't a waste of time to read. Some of the thoughts/things that I found most helpful:
1. People are more likely to follow a plan that they make. Try to help someone think through what they want, and the steps to take by asking them questions instead of simply providing a plan for them.
2. Think of discipling more as coaching than mentoring. A coach doesn't have to be better than the athlete to provide help, he just has to be able to see problems and help the athlete improve.
3. Ask questions, you will probably have better success by helping people to think through things, instead of just giving them all the answers (which you probably don't have anyway).
There wasn't one specific thing from the book that was necessarily really good or poor, but it was very heavily focused on their process. There is an online Discipleship Assessment tool that you can fill out (which you have to buy, though one comes free with a purchase of the book), and based on your results from that, you can target where you most need to grow.
What I found extremely ironic was that Allin said that one of the problems with discipleship in churches today is that it is too institutional and not individual, but then tries to sell you on their program (his defense for this is that is can be tailored for each person's needs).
I probably wouldn't recommend this book, as I think there are probably better books out there. Though it wasn't a waste of time to read. Some of the thoughts/things that I found most helpful:
1. People are more likely to follow a plan that they make. Try to help someone think through what they want, and the steps to take by asking them questions instead of simply providing a plan for them.
2. Think of discipling more as coaching than mentoring. A coach doesn't have to be better than the athlete to provide help, he just has to be able to see problems and help the athlete improve.
3. Ask questions, you will probably have better success by helping people to think through things, instead of just giving them all the answers (which you probably don't have anyway).
February 24, 2023
I've read or been a part of studies that work through discipleship, and this book distills the concepts into simple, manageable, and reproducable actions the best.
The objective of individual and corporate faith is to grow deeper in our own walk, evangelise to non-believers, and teach others to grow deeper in their own walk. It isn't about taking on more programs and tasks (burdening church staff and leaving congregations with little involvement), it really is about reading scripture and joining life groups.
This books presents a model by which we set little goals (read x scripture in y time, evangelise to x people in y time frame, etc) and help ourselves and others to grow. It's a model that, while not easy, is a simple and direct method by which individuals can use to grow in faith and churches can use to grow in number. Great read.
The objective of individual and corporate faith is to grow deeper in our own walk, evangelise to non-believers, and teach others to grow deeper in their own walk. It isn't about taking on more programs and tasks (burdening church staff and leaving congregations with little involvement), it really is about reading scripture and joining life groups.
This books presents a model by which we set little goals (read x scripture in y time, evangelise to x people in y time frame, etc) and help ourselves and others to grow. It's a model that, while not easy, is a simple and direct method by which individuals can use to grow in faith and churches can use to grow in number. Great read.
January 4, 2019
Simple Discipleship by Dana Allin is a Christian Living book in which Allin seeks to provide every reader who desires to better pursue their own discipleship as well as the discipleship of others with a foundation and resources for those pursuits, particularly within the traditional church context. Allin seems to be saying, “I know we all know that we’re supposed to be making disciples; here’s why we do it and one way to do it, and you can do it, clergymen and laymen alike.”
This book I chose to review came a particularly opportune time (ironically, the other book I’ve been reading was about the providence of God), as Jake and I are considering moving yet another lady in with us for life-on-life discipleship (I haven’t informed all y’all on here, but for the past nine months we’ve had a female soldier living with us for the purposes of life-on-life discipleship, and it’s been really awesome :)). It sparked a thought concerning the freedom and simplicity of discipleship that reminded me of how discipleship is a partnership with God in what He’s doing in the lives of others, and how I’m meant to be a useful tool in the hands of the Master (2 Timothy 2:20-21), not the Master Himself, which takes a ton of pressure off of me.
On that note, something that made this enjoyable for me as a reader is the message, the pep talk and specific instruction Allin seeks to give his readers concerning both their calling and their ability to disciple. He explains to them that it is not necessary for them to be ministers, for them to have received a formal Bible education with an abundance of training (although training will happen), or even that they know all there is to know about the Bible (although growth in this area is expected, as it’s part of our relationship with Jesus Christ, ya know :P). He makes it very attainable for laymen and takes the pressure off of them as he reassures their hearts with the simplicity of it (apropos, considering the title of the book), and challenges those who have the mindset that all the work of God’s Kingdom is for the professionals.
Something else that made this enjoyable for me as a reader was Allin’s challenge to the readers to not make discipleship about quantity instead of quality. He brought up the fact that we often want to find a method that can mass produce spiritual maturity in the people around us, instead of being willing to labor on an individual level, being involved in the lives of others and close to their hearts and minds, and therefore their growth, instead of being distanced by an “assembly line.” I appreciated this because it was a sort of routine check-up on how I’ve been viewing discipleship: do I still see it as life-on-life? Or have I fallen into hoping for the most growth in the fastest, easiest way possible? Am I caring about the growth of the women to whom God has called me to be faithful? Or am I trying to fit them into a pre-molded method?
Now onto the not-so-enjoyable things…The first difficulty I had with this book was actually more of a violation of conviction…or doctrine…I’m still trying to figure this out. Allin is part of a denominational team (he’s the denomination executive for Presbyterianism), on which work women pastors. In his book, there were several instances where he referred to examples of discipleship involving women pastors. Granted, discipleship is happening, which is awesome. But I find that the Church in general misses the doctrinal mark on obeying Scriptural guidelines concerning women becoming pastors (see Titus 1:5-9, 2:1-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-13). Other than this, however, which I feel is a pen issue and not worth “burning the book over,” Allin, in my opinion, is doctrinally above reproach.
The second thing that made this difficult for me to enjoy as a reader was the lack of visual aids. Allin walks the reader through a series of discipleship qualities and the supporting characteristics within those qualities (all part of his Simple Discipleship Assessment, meant to give Christians a starting point for figuring out their strengths and weaknesses in faith, and creating a plan for their own growth). As he went through chapter after chapter explaining each of these qualities and characteristics, I admit that I became lost in the sauce. I felt the need for, at the beginning of each chapter, a visual chart or graph of some kind, telling me where we were exactly in the progression of discipleship. Allin does, however, provide a chart in the back of the book, listing all of the qualities and characteristics described.
The final thing that made this difficult for me as a reader was getting a grasp on what discipleship actually looks like. Granted, I have experience in discipleship and a picture of it because it’s what Jake and I are constantly pursuing, but if I were not pursuing it and I read this book, part of me would think that discipleship is just meeting up with someone once a week to talk about…? I think Allin gave a great challenge to readers to take up the call to disciple others, and I think with his Simple Discipleship Assessment, he gave readers a great starting point from which they could be discipled and disciple others. I feel, however, like he stayed there, without moving onto the vision for discipleship…Although, maybe he did that intentionally, i.e., “We should make disciples. Therefore, I have given you a solid starting point to help you begin figuring out how to disciple others and how you need to be discipled. The rest is God’s guidance in you and in the lives of the people you disciple. Good luck.” Maybe…
Overall, this was a stellar book, particularly as it provided both laymen and clergymen a tool to use to bring an atmosphere of discipleship into their congregations, a longed-for reality for many Christians. On the front cover of the book, there’s a quote by John Ortberg, describing the book’s message as, “A desperately needed invitation.” Yes, Sir Ortberg, you are quite right.
About the Author:
“Rev. Dr. Dana Allin is ECO’s Synod Executive. Dana formerly served as the President of the board of ECO, the pastor of Indian River Presbyterian Church in Fort Pierce, FL and the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, CA. Dana attended Fuller Seminary, where he received both an MDiv and a DMin. He also has a BS in Microbiology from University of California, Santa Barbara and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. Dana’s passion to encourage and inspire leaders has led him to develop both the Missional Leader Training program and the Coach Certification Process. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Beth and their three children – Micah, Peyton, and Piper.”
*A complimentary copy of this book was given to me by Tyndale House Publishers*
This book I chose to review came a particularly opportune time (ironically, the other book I’ve been reading was about the providence of God), as Jake and I are considering moving yet another lady in with us for life-on-life discipleship (I haven’t informed all y’all on here, but for the past nine months we’ve had a female soldier living with us for the purposes of life-on-life discipleship, and it’s been really awesome :)). It sparked a thought concerning the freedom and simplicity of discipleship that reminded me of how discipleship is a partnership with God in what He’s doing in the lives of others, and how I’m meant to be a useful tool in the hands of the Master (2 Timothy 2:20-21), not the Master Himself, which takes a ton of pressure off of me.
On that note, something that made this enjoyable for me as a reader is the message, the pep talk and specific instruction Allin seeks to give his readers concerning both their calling and their ability to disciple. He explains to them that it is not necessary for them to be ministers, for them to have received a formal Bible education with an abundance of training (although training will happen), or even that they know all there is to know about the Bible (although growth in this area is expected, as it’s part of our relationship with Jesus Christ, ya know :P). He makes it very attainable for laymen and takes the pressure off of them as he reassures their hearts with the simplicity of it (apropos, considering the title of the book), and challenges those who have the mindset that all the work of God’s Kingdom is for the professionals.
Something else that made this enjoyable for me as a reader was Allin’s challenge to the readers to not make discipleship about quantity instead of quality. He brought up the fact that we often want to find a method that can mass produce spiritual maturity in the people around us, instead of being willing to labor on an individual level, being involved in the lives of others and close to their hearts and minds, and therefore their growth, instead of being distanced by an “assembly line.” I appreciated this because it was a sort of routine check-up on how I’ve been viewing discipleship: do I still see it as life-on-life? Or have I fallen into hoping for the most growth in the fastest, easiest way possible? Am I caring about the growth of the women to whom God has called me to be faithful? Or am I trying to fit them into a pre-molded method?
Now onto the not-so-enjoyable things…The first difficulty I had with this book was actually more of a violation of conviction…or doctrine…I’m still trying to figure this out. Allin is part of a denominational team (he’s the denomination executive for Presbyterianism), on which work women pastors. In his book, there were several instances where he referred to examples of discipleship involving women pastors. Granted, discipleship is happening, which is awesome. But I find that the Church in general misses the doctrinal mark on obeying Scriptural guidelines concerning women becoming pastors (see Titus 1:5-9, 2:1-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-13). Other than this, however, which I feel is a pen issue and not worth “burning the book over,” Allin, in my opinion, is doctrinally above reproach.
The second thing that made this difficult for me to enjoy as a reader was the lack of visual aids. Allin walks the reader through a series of discipleship qualities and the supporting characteristics within those qualities (all part of his Simple Discipleship Assessment, meant to give Christians a starting point for figuring out their strengths and weaknesses in faith, and creating a plan for their own growth). As he went through chapter after chapter explaining each of these qualities and characteristics, I admit that I became lost in the sauce. I felt the need for, at the beginning of each chapter, a visual chart or graph of some kind, telling me where we were exactly in the progression of discipleship. Allin does, however, provide a chart in the back of the book, listing all of the qualities and characteristics described.
The final thing that made this difficult for me as a reader was getting a grasp on what discipleship actually looks like. Granted, I have experience in discipleship and a picture of it because it’s what Jake and I are constantly pursuing, but if I were not pursuing it and I read this book, part of me would think that discipleship is just meeting up with someone once a week to talk about…? I think Allin gave a great challenge to readers to take up the call to disciple others, and I think with his Simple Discipleship Assessment, he gave readers a great starting point from which they could be discipled and disciple others. I feel, however, like he stayed there, without moving onto the vision for discipleship…Although, maybe he did that intentionally, i.e., “We should make disciples. Therefore, I have given you a solid starting point to help you begin figuring out how to disciple others and how you need to be discipled. The rest is God’s guidance in you and in the lives of the people you disciple. Good luck.” Maybe…
Overall, this was a stellar book, particularly as it provided both laymen and clergymen a tool to use to bring an atmosphere of discipleship into their congregations, a longed-for reality for many Christians. On the front cover of the book, there’s a quote by John Ortberg, describing the book’s message as, “A desperately needed invitation.” Yes, Sir Ortberg, you are quite right.
About the Author:
“Rev. Dr. Dana Allin is ECO’s Synod Executive. Dana formerly served as the President of the board of ECO, the pastor of Indian River Presbyterian Church in Fort Pierce, FL and the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Lakewood, CA. Dana attended Fuller Seminary, where he received both an MDiv and a DMin. He also has a BS in Microbiology from University of California, Santa Barbara and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation. Dana’s passion to encourage and inspire leaders has led him to develop both the Missional Leader Training program and the Coach Certification Process. He lives in Santa Barbara with his wife, Beth and their three children – Micah, Peyton, and Piper.”
*A complimentary copy of this book was given to me by Tyndale House Publishers*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2018
Dana Allin's look at what discipleship is and how we do it through the Church that Christ put into place is made thoroughly clear in his book Simple Discipleship. While he takes us down a walk of what it means to be discipled to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37, Berean Study), he makes the point this is at the core of being discipled. Allin breaks it down for ministers of the faith, of which I am not, to rightly and effectively make disciples of Christ Jesus.
The reason I often say I don't minister is that I don't teach in an official capacity for any kind or type of Church. I mainly teach on here to you all to show you how we ought to have faith in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, who died on our behalf so that God's wrath not remain on you. Greg X Volz, former lead singer for the band Petra, sang in the band's early years, "Lift Him up higher and higher. Lift Him up set the world on fire. It doesn't take much theology. Just lift Him up so the world can see. Lift Him up tell the gospel story. Lift Him up left them see His glory. It doesn't take any Bible degree. Just lift Him up so the world can see."
It's very much true that as a member of His Church I don't effectively need a Bible degree to share my faith, which I have seen and tasted His glory of, ought to be put out there. What did Jesus say about being a light, a lamp? "No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light" (Luke 8:16, Holman Christian Standard). I feel that I am honored by Christ, as I'm but a foolish man talking about the inexplicable joy Jesus Christ brings to me. After all He set me free from sin and death. I still sin, but I don't enjoy it in the least bit.
Considering Allin's book deals with the making of disciples then, and in teaching right about learning more of Him so we can become like Him more and more, it does make me wonder: is Christ Jesus using me to minister to you? If so, then in that case I would believe and think that does--in some way--mean I am a minister, just not in the sense of being a minister of an actual Church.
That brings me to what Allin's book is fully about: it is a tool to help those who desire to handle God's word rightly, not just in ministering to others, but to make disciples of all men, which Christ said: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mark 16:15). Allin shows us in Simple Discipleship about these things--
The Essence of a Disciple - Loving God with all our mind, heart and soul, Jesus--the Great Disciple Maker - we ought to be made in His likeness over the course of our life, Gospel Identity: The Center of a Disciple, and many others.
I ask this honest question of you all who read this: I wonder if I minister to your hearts. Does the love God gave me through my faith that Jesus Christ is His Son, have I ministered well to you? Do I encourage you to continue on in the faith, contending Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6)? I think that if I do then that does mean and make me a minister of God's grace to a world that desperately needs to see their need for a Savior that offers us freedom from sin and death.God knows I have done this for quite some time; partly because I felt hugely called by Him, and then even more so after my conversion when my gall bladder was removed (even more so after that).
That's the biggest thing there, too. I want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Teaching and preaching Him in order that you might be saved through His atoning work on the cross. It's my heart's desire to "stand in the gap" as it were to pray for you all, to love you as Jesus loves you enough to died in your place. It means that I have picked up my own cross and am following Him as He calls each of us to do in being like Him in our lives. I want to be found pleasing in His sight upon His return. So, who's with me? I pray and hope this encourages, that this blesses and builds you up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to give it an honest and fair review. After all, I truly believe this is one resource every man and woman after God's heart should have to understand how we go around doing the will of God who works within us.
The reason I often say I don't minister is that I don't teach in an official capacity for any kind or type of Church. I mainly teach on here to you all to show you how we ought to have faith in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, who died on our behalf so that God's wrath not remain on you. Greg X Volz, former lead singer for the band Petra, sang in the band's early years, "Lift Him up higher and higher. Lift Him up set the world on fire. It doesn't take much theology. Just lift Him up so the world can see. Lift Him up tell the gospel story. Lift Him up left them see His glory. It doesn't take any Bible degree. Just lift Him up so the world can see."
It's very much true that as a member of His Church I don't effectively need a Bible degree to share my faith, which I have seen and tasted His glory of, ought to be put out there. What did Jesus say about being a light, a lamp? "No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light" (Luke 8:16, Holman Christian Standard). I feel that I am honored by Christ, as I'm but a foolish man talking about the inexplicable joy Jesus Christ brings to me. After all He set me free from sin and death. I still sin, but I don't enjoy it in the least bit.
Considering Allin's book deals with the making of disciples then, and in teaching right about learning more of Him so we can become like Him more and more, it does make me wonder: is Christ Jesus using me to minister to you? If so, then in that case I would believe and think that does--in some way--mean I am a minister, just not in the sense of being a minister of an actual Church.
That brings me to what Allin's book is fully about: it is a tool to help those who desire to handle God's word rightly, not just in ministering to others, but to make disciples of all men, which Christ said: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mark 16:15). Allin shows us in Simple Discipleship about these things--
The Essence of a Disciple - Loving God with all our mind, heart and soul, Jesus--the Great Disciple Maker - we ought to be made in His likeness over the course of our life, Gospel Identity: The Center of a Disciple, and many others.
I ask this honest question of you all who read this: I wonder if I minister to your hearts. Does the love God gave me through my faith that Jesus Christ is His Son, have I ministered well to you? Do I encourage you to continue on in the faith, contending Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life" (John 14:6)? I think that if I do then that does mean and make me a minister of God's grace to a world that desperately needs to see their need for a Savior that offers us freedom from sin and death.God knows I have done this for quite some time; partly because I felt hugely called by Him, and then even more so after my conversion when my gall bladder was removed (even more so after that).
That's the biggest thing there, too. I want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Teaching and preaching Him in order that you might be saved through His atoning work on the cross. It's my heart's desire to "stand in the gap" as it were to pray for you all, to love you as Jesus loves you enough to died in your place. It means that I have picked up my own cross and am following Him as He calls each of us to do in being like Him in our lives. I want to be found pleasing in His sight upon His return. So, who's with me? I pray and hope this encourages, that this blesses and builds you up.
I received a complimentary copy of this book to give it an honest and fair review. After all, I truly believe this is one resource every man and woman after God's heart should have to understand how we go around doing the will of God who works within us.
December 28, 2018
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Tyndale Blog Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
For a book with a title like this one, it's not a very simple book. My own thoughts on this book and its efforts are somewhat mixed. For one, I really detest employee evaluations at work, and this particular book appears to think that adopting this particular mentality in the church for individualized feedback for members in congregations is a good and important way to build disciples. The author appears to be the sort of person who serves as a corporate consultant for churches and wishes churches to copy the behavior of contemporary corporate America. This is likely to be a hard sell among many members, myself included, and the author is wise to recognize this by pushing for it to be accepted by a small group of volunteers rather than being forced on a congregation as a whole. Despite all of this, though, the author is correct in noting that many churches do a poor job at discipling members due to the fact that their efforts are usually in messages or Bible studies aimed at a large audience rather than in individualized efforts.
After some introductory material, the author begins the book in the right place by looking at the essence of a disciple (1) and Jesus Christ as the great disciple maker (2). Obviously, Jesus Christ wasn't doing 360º feedback with the obligatory self-flagellation for performance reviews that this book would seem to endorse coming from the corporate world. After this the author focuses on Gospel identity as the center of a disciple (3), along with various qualities of the heart and mind that serve as the character (4) and knowledge (5) of a disciple. The author spends a couple of chapters looking at the qualities of the hand in discussing the mission (6) and ministry (7) of a disciple after that before moving on to a discussion about the design of a personal plan for discipleship for each individual member (8). The author closes the main section of the book on discipling as being similar to coaching in the corporate and athletic worlds (9) before providing strategies and environments for discipleship (10). The book then closes with a conclusion, acknowledgements, and three appendices that provide a simple discipleship assessment, resources to aid in designing discipleship efforts, and sample designs for the feedback, as well as an offer to the reader to take the simple discipleship assessment for oneself.
Having taken the book's assessment, it feels exactly like the sort of practice engaged in in the corporate world, and that is something I feel particularly negatively towards and I suspect many others will feel likewise. If you love your personal evaluation process at work, you will probably like this. Ultimately, this book does the right thing the wrong way. It is easy to see that the book's approach is something that would be amenable to those who are corporate managers or executives, but it is difficult to feel that anyone who is sensitive to criticism or feels that the contemporary world is already a critical enough place is going to find much value or positivity in what this book has to offer. There is a great need for discipleship efforts to be improved, and this can only be done on an individual or small group effort where there is real trust. However, this book mistakes data that one can gather through answering assessment questions about others for the sort of relationship that can build together through trust, and it is the lack of trust and intimacy within groups and congregations that makes discipleship difficult in the contemporary world, and even more unlikely that the corporate mindset of this book will serve to bridge the gulf that results from the lack of trust between members and each other and members and church leadership, even in the Hellenistic churches this author is aiming this book at.
For a book with a title like this one, it's not a very simple book. My own thoughts on this book and its efforts are somewhat mixed. For one, I really detest employee evaluations at work, and this particular book appears to think that adopting this particular mentality in the church for individualized feedback for members in congregations is a good and important way to build disciples. The author appears to be the sort of person who serves as a corporate consultant for churches and wishes churches to copy the behavior of contemporary corporate America. This is likely to be a hard sell among many members, myself included, and the author is wise to recognize this by pushing for it to be accepted by a small group of volunteers rather than being forced on a congregation as a whole. Despite all of this, though, the author is correct in noting that many churches do a poor job at discipling members due to the fact that their efforts are usually in messages or Bible studies aimed at a large audience rather than in individualized efforts.
After some introductory material, the author begins the book in the right place by looking at the essence of a disciple (1) and Jesus Christ as the great disciple maker (2). Obviously, Jesus Christ wasn't doing 360º feedback with the obligatory self-flagellation for performance reviews that this book would seem to endorse coming from the corporate world. After this the author focuses on Gospel identity as the center of a disciple (3), along with various qualities of the heart and mind that serve as the character (4) and knowledge (5) of a disciple. The author spends a couple of chapters looking at the qualities of the hand in discussing the mission (6) and ministry (7) of a disciple after that before moving on to a discussion about the design of a personal plan for discipleship for each individual member (8). The author closes the main section of the book on discipling as being similar to coaching in the corporate and athletic worlds (9) before providing strategies and environments for discipleship (10). The book then closes with a conclusion, acknowledgements, and three appendices that provide a simple discipleship assessment, resources to aid in designing discipleship efforts, and sample designs for the feedback, as well as an offer to the reader to take the simple discipleship assessment for oneself.
Having taken the book's assessment, it feels exactly like the sort of practice engaged in in the corporate world, and that is something I feel particularly negatively towards and I suspect many others will feel likewise. If you love your personal evaluation process at work, you will probably like this. Ultimately, this book does the right thing the wrong way. It is easy to see that the book's approach is something that would be amenable to those who are corporate managers or executives, but it is difficult to feel that anyone who is sensitive to criticism or feels that the contemporary world is already a critical enough place is going to find much value or positivity in what this book has to offer. There is a great need for discipleship efforts to be improved, and this can only be done on an individual or small group effort where there is real trust. However, this book mistakes data that one can gather through answering assessment questions about others for the sort of relationship that can build together through trust, and it is the lack of trust and intimacy within groups and congregations that makes discipleship difficult in the contemporary world, and even more unlikely that the corporate mindset of this book will serve to bridge the gulf that results from the lack of trust between members and each other and members and church leadership, even in the Hellenistic churches this author is aiming this book at.
March 10, 2024
Very good points about discipleship. Here's some excellent points the author makes:
Discipleship is more of a journey than it is an event.
Making disciples is the primary task to which Jesus calls us.
Many churches know that making disciples is a core value of the church, and will even put it in their mission statement, but are failing at doing it.
Discipleship, which is helping others love Jesus more, has too often been overcomplicated.
A reason we’ve failed in making disciples is because we do not have a clear, Biblical understanding of what a disciple of Jesus is to look like.
If the church helps people love God with their heads and hands, yet not with their hearts, they’re doing a great disservice.
As churches, we sometimes confront discipleship as everyone needs to grow in the same areas, but that is not always the case.
We are not only saved by grace, but we continue to grow in grace as disciples of Christ.
Discipleship is so much more than dispensing information. A big misconception is that the more information we have, the more transformation will occur.
True discipleship is about being transformed.
Discipleship transformation does not happen at a microwave speed.
To disciple, a person should know you care for them and they’re not just a project.
True growth takes time and intentional effort.
A mistake in discipleship is feeling you have to be a mentor, which is one who has more experience. It is good to see yourself as a coach, which doesn’t mean you are better than the other person, yet you are drawing out the best of the other person.
Clarify your goal as where you want the person to be after completing discipleship.
Be careful as you give advice. Do not try to offer solutions for everything they ask, rather ask questions questions that will help them think through what they need to do.
If you can help disciples, think for themselves, they will be better prepared to disciple others in the future.
Discipleship is more of a journey than it is an event.
Making disciples is the primary task to which Jesus calls us.
Many churches know that making disciples is a core value of the church, and will even put it in their mission statement, but are failing at doing it.
Discipleship, which is helping others love Jesus more, has too often been overcomplicated.
A reason we’ve failed in making disciples is because we do not have a clear, Biblical understanding of what a disciple of Jesus is to look like.
If the church helps people love God with their heads and hands, yet not with their hearts, they’re doing a great disservice.
As churches, we sometimes confront discipleship as everyone needs to grow in the same areas, but that is not always the case.
We are not only saved by grace, but we continue to grow in grace as disciples of Christ.
Discipleship is so much more than dispensing information. A big misconception is that the more information we have, the more transformation will occur.
True discipleship is about being transformed.
Discipleship transformation does not happen at a microwave speed.
To disciple, a person should know you care for them and they’re not just a project.
True growth takes time and intentional effort.
A mistake in discipleship is feeling you have to be a mentor, which is one who has more experience. It is good to see yourself as a coach, which doesn’t mean you are better than the other person, yet you are drawing out the best of the other person.
Clarify your goal as where you want the person to be after completing discipleship.
Be careful as you give advice. Do not try to offer solutions for everything they ask, rather ask questions questions that will help them think through what they need to do.
If you can help disciples, think for themselves, they will be better prepared to disciple others in the future.
January 5, 2019
For those looking for a basic and practical step-by-step guide about discipleship this is a book that can be a great start. Simple Discipleship by Dana Allin is written for both the beginner and the pastoral leadership needing to re-evaluate their way of discipling their congregation. Discipleship was never intended to be complicated. This book makes it clear that discipleship must be dome in relationship. It is simple enough that even if discipleship has not been done well, it can help one realize it is less daunting of a task than one originally thinks.
It is split up into sections which can help those reading to figure out a step-by-step process that can be adopted into their church culture. Personally I felt like the majority of the book was review. I did learn some new ways of evaluating current systems in place as well as personal evaluation towards the end of the book.
In the chapter where Allin describes the four directions I felt that emphasis on the Holy Spirit was lacking. In fact I felt like the focus on the Holy Spirit was lacking overall. With a proper understanding of Holy Spirit comes the key to avoiding discipleship as a formula or posing as a program rather than a part of every Christians DNA.
Overall, for those looking to evaluate and look at the health and growth of their life and church, Simple Discipleship can be a book that can help get things moving in the right direction.
I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers and these opinions are my own.
It is split up into sections which can help those reading to figure out a step-by-step process that can be adopted into their church culture. Personally I felt like the majority of the book was review. I did learn some new ways of evaluating current systems in place as well as personal evaluation towards the end of the book.
In the chapter where Allin describes the four directions I felt that emphasis on the Holy Spirit was lacking. In fact I felt like the focus on the Holy Spirit was lacking overall. With a proper understanding of Holy Spirit comes the key to avoiding discipleship as a formula or posing as a program rather than a part of every Christians DNA.
Overall, for those looking to evaluate and look at the health and growth of their life and church, Simple Discipleship can be a book that can help get things moving in the right direction.
I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers and these opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2024
It was ok. The formatting and presentation of the Discipleship plan via “Qualities” and the corresponding “Characteristics” of a disciple was confusing to say the least. These discussions consumed much of the book. The simple discipleship strategy was essentially only one chapter. The idea of being a discipleship “coach” was definitely new nomenclature for me. I would have like to have seen this discussion be the main thrust of the book’s argument rather than seeking to define a disciple and his/her actions. Overall the author seemed confused on what he wanted to write about, so he mentioned a little on several topics instead of deeply engaging with a single topic. The issues and facets of discipleship addressed in this book seemed out of balance, and certainly could have been divided into several books and delved into deeper to provide a more clear understanding of the several aspects of discipleship and how the author understands it biblically.
January 2, 2019
This is such a perfect book to start off the New Year with, as it is so thought provoking and insightful to what you are unique equipped to do. With great assessment tools and keen insight this book is an great way to just think about changing and growing your faith and actually helps give practical advice to actually do something and isn't that what we are all hoping to do with the new year?
This is an easy to read book with tons of assessment tools and questions to ask yourself at the end of each chapter, this book is well written and easy to understand, an outstanding book!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This is an easy to read book with tons of assessment tools and questions to ask yourself at the end of each chapter, this book is well written and easy to understand, an outstanding book!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 1, 2019
As Advertised
This book follows through on its title; it provides a clear and simple way to disciple others in following Jesus Christ. After reading this book, you will have a clear understanding of what discipleship is, the characteristics of a disciple, a simple, relational model for discipleship, and some ideas on how to create a disciple-making culture in your church. The book includes a code for a discipleship self-assessment. Highly recommended as a practical tool for church and small group leaders.
This book follows through on its title; it provides a clear and simple way to disciple others in following Jesus Christ. After reading this book, you will have a clear understanding of what discipleship is, the characteristics of a disciple, a simple, relational model for discipleship, and some ideas on how to create a disciple-making culture in your church. The book includes a code for a discipleship self-assessment. Highly recommended as a practical tool for church and small group leaders.
March 14, 2019
This is a great read for pastors and leaders who are looking to implement discipleship into the lifeblood of the church. He is clear, passionate and helpful. I would recommend this book to any leader.
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