The False Promise of Discipleship: Rescuing Discipleship from the American Gospel by Asking the Right Questions

by Bill Hull, Brandon Cook

Avoid a major pitfall. Most disciple-making efforts today fail because they focus on me : discipleship gets me closer to God, makes me a better Christian, and helps me gain purpose in life. But Jesus-style discipleship focuses on God and his kingdom. How can we relearn this simple yet profound truth when so many people today have embraced the American gospel of me ? And how can we teach this to others? Bill Hull and Brandon Cook tell readers to stop asking . . . How am I doing? Instead, they teach us to ask God-centered questions. This reorientation changes everything. The False Promise of Discipleship implores readers to stop asking the wrong questions and to start making disciples the way Jesus made disciples. This short book equips you with practical takeaways so you can thrive as a disciple maker. Written for disciples at all stages of growth, it challenges common assumptions that may be undermining your disciple-making efforts. Based on their personal experience as pastors, authors Hull and Cook provide you with a scriptural, gospel-centered approach to becoming a thriving disciple and disciple-making leader. Learn to ask the right questions and avoid some of the most pervasive—yet common—pitfalls among disciple makers today. Take a quantum leap toward Jesus-style disciple-making. Walk away with a new framework and the right questions you need to follow Jesus faithfully amidst the all-pervasive American gospel. This book deftly raises the issue that church leaders need to grapple with today—and in all generations.
— Bobby Harrington , co-founder of Discipleship.org and Renew.org

76 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2022

About the author

Bill’s passion is to help the church return to its disciple making roots and he considers himself a discipleship evangelist. This God-given desire has manifested itself in 20 of pastoring and the authorship of many books. Two of his more important books, Jesus Christ Disciple Maker, and The Disciple Making Pastor, have both celebrated 20 years in print. Add his third in the popular trilogy, The Disciple Making Church , and you have a new paradigm for disciple making.

Reviews

[William Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book I have read this year. So practical and biblical. I love how the authors combine probably my two favorite subjects - grace and discipleship - and provide insight into how they work together. This was an easy read as well. I just ordered copies for my entire staff and we will read together as we prepare for our upcoming staff retreat.

[David Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

A New Paradigm for Discipleship

This book presented a paradigm of accomplished grace to would be disciples. I would recommend this book with anyone who has been frustrated With their own discipleship.