The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus

by Stephen Smallman

The Walk assumes no prior understanding of discipleship but helps those interested in following Jesus. Can be used as a workbook or discussion group guide.

Genres: Discipleship, Nonfiction, Christian, Christian Living, Faith, Christianity, Religion

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Stephen Smallman has served for over forty years in pastoral ministry and was the executive director of World Harvest Mission (now Serge). He currently teaches for CityNet Ministries of Philadelphia and is an assistant pastor of New Life Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I thought this was a good book. I dont necessarily categorize myself as a new or renewed follower, but I thought it was a good refresher. Some parts of this book are intended to be done in a group with discussion points and reading assignments. I read the scripture that was embedded in the book, but didnt do the end of the chapter reading assignments or journaling. There were some interesting parts discussing discipleship and justification, sanctification, adoption and there were details I've never gone into before. I'm not sure if it would be too confusing for a brand new believer, but it is laid out well for understanding. I felt some of the Time Out sections in the book weren't necessarily needed and may have distracted a little bit. Overall a decent step by step discussion of becoming a disciple of Jesus.

[Danny Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really helpful introduction to Christian discipleship and doctrine for new followers of Jesus, or those who have grown up in church but are just starting to make faith their own. Read this with a student, who gleaned a lot from it, which was a joy to see. This is one worth taking through if you are in a new discipleship relationship with a relatively new believer!

[Mark Lickliter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very surprised to hear a prominent Baptist pastor consider this the best book he has read on discipleship. I am a new Presbyterian and was searching high and low for a book on the “reformed” view of discipleship. My search was almost in vain, until I found this book, and his shorter work entitled “What is Discipleship”. My search for a “reformed” view on discipleship began because I noticed in the Presbyterian community a significant downplay on having a personal relationship with Jesus and what it means to follow Him individually. It was not only a lack of emphasis, but almost a disdain for the idea of a “personal relationship” at all. One Presbyterian minister that my wife asked, “What about a personal relationship with Jesus?” laughed and said, “What does that even mean?” Make no mistake; a view on discipleship coming from a Presbyterian is almost entirely focused on the corporate. To be fair, they would not deny the personal side, and I’m sure Smallman will be judged as handling those aspects well in the rest of the book. However, the bottom line up front regarding the Presbyterian view of discipleship is represented quite well in one sentence on page 13 of the Introduction which states, “Was he ready to be a full member of the community that follow Jesus?” This is the main emphasis of discipleship with Presbyterians. Disciples are the ones becoming “full member(s) of the community that follow Jesus”. While I do not deny the necessity of joining a healthy, local church in a discussion on discipleship, it should not be the primary question. If a Christian does not know if they are truly a Christian on the personal level, then what “community” they join is not the pressing issue. We must actually know what it means to follow Jesus personally, and stop assuming that everyone else in the group knows what that means.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a good resource for new Christians; however, it felt long in the sense that it tried to condense every important teaching of the Gospel into one book. I did not like the callouts and asides scattered throughout the book and found them distracting.

[Thaddeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing discipleship resource!!!!

I've yet to find a better resource for discipling new or renewed believers in the basic foundations of the faith. Smallman is excellent.

His writing is clear and understandable, yet without lack of precision or depth. I was blown away at how skillfully he address big topics such as predestination and election with biblical faithfulness yet in an easy to understand and accessible way. He also lays such a solid foundation of gospel truths surrounding salvation, sanctification, evangelism and mission, plus more. The book is well laid out and the chapters are thoughtful and thought provoking. Each chapter has great discussion questions, Bible reading assignments and also encouragement to journal their walk of faith as they progress which makes for amazing reflection times!

Our church is now using this as the standard curriculum for our 'new life' program for new converts.

If you're looking for someone to help lead a new believer in forming a solid foundation, or if you are a new believer in Christ, or if you're involved in church discipleship - this is most definitely a resource you need to check out!

[Hopson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is awesome! Written to be a tool that explained "discipleship for dummies," The Walk is an easy to understood book on the basics of following Jesus. But this is not watered-down stuff! Smallman effectively walks through the Gospel of Mark and the Epistle of Romans, the Apostle's Creed, teaches essential theological concepts like justification and sanctification, introduces the reader to heroes from church history, and much, much more. Seriously, this book is fantastic! Christian, if you're looking for some way to disciple that new/renewed follower of Jesus in your life, this is a fantastic resource to walk through with them. Christian, if you're NOT looking to disciple new/renewed followers of Jesus in your life, you should probably read this book for you. Just saying...

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty great introductory work for the new Christian. Although it's aimed at the renewed follower as well, I think it's best suited for the new believer but, of course, would serve the renewed believer as well. Even as an "older christian" it was refreshing to visit the fundamentals of the faith. Moreover, to think twice about how to explain the faith in accessible terms. On that note, I think Smallman did an excellent job regularly taking pauses to explain term, doctrines, and figures.

[Nicholas McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this book 4 stars because of the ingenius organization of its material. The reading is very dry - I think I counted one illustration in the whole thing. But the organization of the material is brilliant, and I'll likely use this as a platform for discipling students in the future for that reason alone. Comprehensive yet concise.

[Tonia Tong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great group study book for believers of all stages of spiritual maturity. The usefulness and helpfulness of this book shines through the discussions that are brought about after reading each chapter and reflecting on our own journey in meeting Jesus, repentance, and saving faith. It introduces the concepts of effectual calling, justification, sanctification, and glorification.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take Your First Step

I really like this book and found it a really good introductory theological book on getting to know Jesus and following the right steps and knowing what it means to be a follower.

I think it was also a really good discipleship book and I would highly recommend it for people newer to the faith.

Definitely check it out!

4.7/5

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent resource for new Christians and those who seek to disciple them.

[Katie Krombein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read and discussed with a friend from church. Lots of great basics about living life as a follower of Jesus.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid book. Gonna use it with a new Christian. Praying it is as much a blessing as I hope it will be

[Estefania Ravelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful refresher on what it means to be a believer in Christ.

[Bridget Mcgahen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not the target audience (which is people with zero church background). This is a Christianity 101 study. Good to have read to know how to teach others.

[Caleb D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great book to gain new or renew basic knowledge of the Christian faith.

[Matthew Hopson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for anyone new to Christianity or people that need a refresher.

[Carmen Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to read with a small group that you want to lead in discipleship. My church has had a few men's d-groups and so far one women's d-group using this book. It's easy to read.

[Aaron Yong · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best introductory book for new christians/investigators - gospel 101. not focused on promulgating doctrine, but history in story.

[WILLIAM POWIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid foundation for disciple making in the local church.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to take making disciples the highest priority. Buy it now friend!

[Phillip Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to Christianity or discipling someone who is, then this guide through Mark and Romans should be a serious consideration.

[Ko Matsuo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christians have fallen into very predictable patterns as far as how to explain Christianity. We focus on formulas created in the past 100 years. We use vocabulary and invoke terms that focus on converting sinners and not on growing in faith. We have frameworks of how to grow.

Stephen Smallman's book doesn't change any of these methods. However, he forms a narrative and a way of organizing information that is extremely helpful. Thoguh his examples are a little stale and his narrative tends to ramble, I found his approach extremely useful.

[Mike Knox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to use with new disciples of Christ. Smallman’s approach is grounded in the belief that the gospel isn’t just for becoming a Christian, but for living as a Christian as well. He assumes no knowledge on the reader’s part, calling this book “Discipleship for Dummies!”

The book takes its flow from the nature of Christian discipleship as a walk (often called “the Way” in Acts). So Part 1 covers the basics (what a disciple is, the necessity of the church, how to read and pray), and Part 2 moves on to the gospel itself, pacing discipleship to four ‘steps’: (1) Know what the gospel is; (2) know how you came to believe it; (3) know the benefits of believing it; and (4) live a life that flows from the gospel. Finally, Part 3 focuses on following Jesus in his mission, which is to disciple disciples.

Several features combine to make this a suitable handbook for discipleship. Most importantly, it gets the new Christian reading his or her Bible. At key junctures Smallman has the reader put down the book and read a passage of Scripture that is central to the discussion. By the end of the book, the reader has gone through the Gospel of Mark (“the beginning of the gospel”) and Paul’s Letter to the Romans (which presents “the meaning of the gospel”), as well as many other important passages.

Interesting “Time Outs” are also interspersed throughout the book, and each chapter concludes with a tight summary and a list of assignments. A further reading and resource list, and a fifteen-week Scripture reading plan, are included as appendices. A third appendix provides guidance on how to use this book in making disciples.

The author writes from a Reformed perspective, which will limit the books usefulness for some.

[Maranatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and concise introduction to the Christian faith. It is more than just a personal faith, but it is also a corporate faith. Themes of the book provide an adequate introduction to what it means to be a new believer, i.e. a disciple of Christ, and also the Gospel of Mark and the Epistle to the Romans. Good book for the new believers and also for believers who need to disciple others and who need a systematic way to understand the Christian faith.

[Corey Kniesel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Journey through this book brought me through a lot of past and present understandings of what my relationship and responsibility should be like or is like. Im Excited to Go through this Again with Someone New to not only share in the life of another but also strengthen my understanding as well. Gave 5 Stars because im Looking forward to Reading this again in the Near Future

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for new believers who are interested in what it means to be a faithful disciple of Christ.

[Bauer Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to understand, explain, and teach the gospel centered life to new believers, and older believers alike. Excellent

[Claude · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read personally or with a friend to explore the Gospel. Great discipleship resource that I highly recommend.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book on what it truly means to be a disciple of Jesus. This is a great resource to use in one on one or small group discipleship. I've used it with my son and with older adults.

[Tj Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent introduction to Christianity for new Christians or people wanting to start growing in their faith. On the intense side. A lot to digest for truly new Christians.