Apprenticeship with Jesus: Learning to Live Like the Master

by Gary W. Moon, Dallas Willard (Foreword)

Ask a crowd of Christians whether they believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and all hands will go up. Ask the same crowd whether they live like Jesus, and most of those same hands will come down. Why is this? Why is it so hard to bridge the gap between belief and real life?

Respected author, professor, and psychologist Gary W. Moon thinks it has to do with our hyper-intellectual but non-experiential method of living the Christian life. In this winsome book Moon provides a thirty-day apprenticeship with Jesus, whereby readers will actively practice being with Jesus day in and day out. Each day's reading uses compelling stories and scripture to illustrate a point and closes with a suggested apprenticeship activity.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Discipleship, Religion, Faith

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

About the author

Sometimes credited simply as Gary Moon

Gary W. Moon (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is director of the Martin Family Institute and Dallas Willard Center for Christian Spiritual Formation at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He also codirects Fuller's doctor of ministry degree program in spiritual direction, which blends ancient Christian spirituality, Ignatian spirituality, and spiritual formation insights from Dallas Willard. He served as distinguished professor of psychology and Christian spirituality at Richmont Graduate University, editor in chief for the journal Conversations, and director of the Renovaré International Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. His books include Apprenticeship with Jesus and Falling for God.

Reviews

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little gem for anyone frustrated and confused with “discipleship” and the seemingly lack of actually (trans)formation into Christlikeness from the methods we’ve been taught directly or nondirectly from western evangelical culture.
This 30 day Apprenticeship with Jesus experience has been so fruitful, healing and trajectory setting. Will be working through this book many more times I imagine.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of " 30 Days to (fill in the blank)" books but I've got to say that I am a fan of this book. Gary Moon has a great sense of humor that he uses to good effect in presenting daily lessons towards becoming and living as an apprentice of Jesus Christ. Moon crafts his presentation around the ideas and teachings of Dallas Willard which are incredibly insightful and helpful. This book will be of use to new followers as well as those who have known Christ for a long time. Totally worth it!

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Love Moon's views and approach to the Gospel. Great last chapter!

[Colm Alton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable read. I love the emphasis on how theology should by experienced and how we can really live lives experiencing Jesus. This was also the funniest Christian/theology book I have read, I liked the authors sense of humour. For those who enjoy reading Dallas Willard, this book has definitely been inspired by his writings and teachings, so if you enjoy reading Willard I think you will enjoy this read. Like I often find with spiritual formation books, I do however think more clarity needs to be defined about the role of the Forgivness of sins/Jesus dying on our behalf other than critiquing the emphasis on the role of the forgivness of sins in the gospel according to evangelicals. Rather than saying this is over emphasised in evangelical gospel presentations I would prefer an explanation about how the forgivness of sins is tied into spiritual formation or clarity about the meaning of forgivness of sins exegetically.

[Neil McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical guide to life in Christ

Excellent writing. He points out a problem or fallacy in each chapter, illustrates it in real daily life examples, gives the biblical New Testament references and then how to live daily without the thoughts actions and assumptions that are based on that problem or fallacy. I spent several days on many chapters because I needed the practice and felt a barrier to joyous life in Christ come down.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Helpful Resource for Becoming Like Jesus

This book takes an approach to become more like Jesus on a 30-day journey. Written in a whimsical style, the author was an apprentice of spiritual formation guru Dallas Willard, and Dr. Moon is a trained Christian psychologist. With these experiences and attributes, Moon walks the reader into a gradual day-by-day process of becoming more aware and intentional in growing in Christlikeness. Great resource!

[Angela Przybylski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new perspective

I appreciated the perspective of considering myself an apprentice rather than a disciple. It's definitely a different way of look at what your relationship with Christ should be like and it's definitely something I think most people could relate to. There are some great nuggets and some awesome passages to get you thinking.

[Pip Snort · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary and differ in our theology and practice. However this book contains much food for thought and is worth mining for gems of divine wisdom. Thinking about christianity in terms of unity with Christ is challenging and taking steps to pursue that should be part of every believer's daily life.

[Dawne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the short chapters and the storytelling as it related to each chapter. I will certainly revisit the activities suggested at the end of each chapter. I think the distinction between a disciple and an apprentice is an important distinction in today's culture.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like what Dallas Willard has to say, then this book would be a good way to bring those concepts down to earth and apply them. Stories, teaching, and exercises make this a helpful guide to spiritual formation.

[Denise Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great devotional that offered practical applications. Emphasized spending time with God to become more like Him. I liked homework assignments. I think the movie recommendations list needs to be updated

[Rebecca Hundley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Great for anyone wanting a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Funny, readable, and can be challenging.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I want to read over and over, Gary Moon suggested reading once fast and then to go back and learn to be an apprentice of Jesus. I believe I want to do this. Powerful unique book.

[Stinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny stories and helpful practical ideas in training to become like Jesus Christ

[Bryan Neuschwander · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I remain skeptical of the genre of 30-day-experience-to-total-transformation books, I liked this particular specimen. I appreciated Moon's down-to-earth style, humor, and practicality. Also the book helped me grow a little bit more in love with Jesus. So there's that. Which I also liked.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gary Moon takes you on a day by day journey of spiritual practices that help you reflect on both God and your own human experience. The main theme is that salvation is spiritual (trans)formation in the here-and-now which takes place through intentional being with God, oneself and in the world.

There are thirty days worth of insights and practices which are intended to lead you to the beginning of an intentional daily journey. This is a very inductive approach to spiritual formation. There are more-and-more books coming out in this type of format that you walk with daily, not just reading, but practicing. It will be my aim to use these kinds of hands-on books regularly throughout the year.

[Meshach Kanyion · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It took me more than 30 days, but that is okay. It's not intended to be read and set aside, though (or placed in the "read" folder); it is supposed to be read and applied, or at least tested out. I may use it to lead a group one day. It is very easy to read, but Gary challenges the reader to look inward and ask tough questions. I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't know what to do, or finds disappointment, in their Christian life.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read on discipleship. Moon is both entertaining and thoughtful. His explanations are logical, yet not dry. He includes stories as examples, and he has great ideas to try. If you're super serious, some of his humor might not be your style. I appreciated that he suggests reading the book all the way through (my way of reading anyway) since the book is short and then go back and try a chapter (very short!) a day.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book. I will be reading it again at some point so I can really delve into the process of it. I want to engage and really apply this to my life. What a beautiful picture to be an apprentice, a work-beside-him apprentice to Christ. I love the mental and spiritual image. Gary Moon is a wonderful writer and I completely enjoyed his stories.

[Wesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Gary Moon's writing. He's very relatable. His theology is usually on point (I think he's an Anglican, so that's why I like him so much).

I will say, in the class I had to read this for (DSMN 520-Spiritual Formation), a lot of my peers didn't like it. Maybe it's not the best book to read for a class but I would absolutely give this to a friend to use as a devotional.

[Anna Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful book focusing on how to live out the idea of apprenticeship to Christ. He provides daily practical tasks to implement these disciplines as well as the theology and impetus behind such efforts. I read straight through this first time, but intend to go through again and re-read while undertaking the challenges he presents.

[Jamie Cain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Difficult in the middle, but bookended by some really valuable insights.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was very engaging and thought provoking. Dr. Moon has an easy style that makes reading his books feel like you are sitting down and having a cup of coffee with him.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Led to some interesting discussion in my Thursday AM Bible Study group.

[Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent resource in learning to walk more closely with Jesus on a daily basis! I want to reread this in 2017 and take it more slowly seeking to live out these biblical truths.