MasterLife - Leader Guide: A Biblical Process for Growing Disciples

by Avery T. Willis Jr.

MasterLif e is an excellent family of resources to guide both new and experienced believers to develop lifelong, obedient relationships with Jesus Christ. There are four, six-week studies in this MasterLife 1: The Disciple's Cross; MasterLife 2: The Disciple's Personality; MasterLife 3: The Disciple's Victory; and MasterLife 4: The Disciple's Mission . It is recommended that participants complete all four studies in sequence. However, any of the four can be studied independently as a stand-alone study as well. The Leader Guide provides step-by-step guidance for facilitating a small-group study using all four MasterLife studies. Also includes instructions for leading brief workshops or retreats after each six-week study. Within the MasterLife process, participants will be encouraged to practice spending time with the Master; live in the Word; pray in faith; witness to the world; live victoriously; nurture new Christians; mature as a disciple; and learn other key disciplines of faith.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

The retired senior vice president of the International Mission Board was known for his passion for missions, discipleship and making the Gospel known to "oral learners."

Willis was born on Feb. 21, 1934, in Lepanto, Ark. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee and master of divinity and doctor of theology degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Willis served as pastor of Center Point Baptist Church in Wilburton, Okla., from 1954-56; Sunset Heights Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, from 1957-60; and Inglewood Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, from 1960-64.

Following his years as a pastor, he and his wife were appointed as missionaries by the Foreign Mission Board, serving with their children in Indonesia from 1964-78.

Willis devoted the first six years of his mission service to evangelism and church planting. He spent the next eight years with the Indonesia Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a professor at the seminary for two years and its president for six years, during which time he wrote the MasterLife series of discipleship handbooks that eventually were translated into more than 50 languages and used in more than 100 countries.

After missionary service in Indonesia, Willis served for 15 years with the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) in the adult discipleship department.