Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Disciple Like Jesus--Review and Giveaway!!
Discipleship.
In many evangelical circles, "discipleship" is a buzz word, and it can mean many things to different people.
Most American Christians think of discipleship in terms of programs:
Mens ministries, womens ministries, youth ministries, seniors ministries, couples ministries, singles ministries, and on, and on, and on...
However, as we face the grim reality that almost 90% of our young people walk away from their faith by the time they reach college age, we must ask ourselves,
"What are we doing, and why is it not working???"
If we examine the life of Jesus, we see clearly that for Him, discipleship was never about programs. It was a lifestyle--one that He lived day in and day out, pouring His entire life into His small group of followers for a brief but intensive three year period. (Yes, we get our children for a bit longer than that...and it's a good thing we do, seeing as we are not God Incarnate.)
WWJD--"What would Jesus Do?"--was a popular question in recent history. When it comes to discipling our children, though, a better question would be,
"What did Jesus do???"
Disciple Like Jesus by Alan Melton and Paul Dean does a fantastic job of answering this question.
The authors begin by outlining two training approaches--Jesus's training approach and The World's Training approach:
Two Training Approaches
| Jesus' Training Approach | World's Training Approach |
| Follow Me only, a trustworthy Teacher | Follow many teachers of questionable values |
| With disciples all day | With disciples in spare time |
| Constantly teach bible, demonstrate how to live, glorify God (80+ hours) | Constantly teach non-biblical information, (bible less than 5 hours) |
| Send out adult disciples in twos | Send out child disciples alone |
Priorities and Results: Two Approaches
| Jesus' Training Approach | World's Training Approach |
| Goal- Make disciples: followers of Christ | Goal- Well educated adult, respected job, affluence, popularity |
| Goal- A few deep relationships | Goal- Many superficial relationships |
| Results- Lasting eternal impact | Results- Temporary self gratification |
| Results- 92% stay in church | Results- 6% to 25% stay in church |
Then, in page after page of biblical insight, timely example, and practical application, they show you how to make changes and set priorities that will make Christlike discipleship a reality in your home and family!
I have to say that it has been a long time since I have been so deeply moved and challenged by a book. I was reminded that being home with my children and homeschooling them, while certainly good things, do not guarantee that I will disciple like Jesus. I can be in the same house as my children and still not be spending enough time with them. I can teach them the Word of God without them seeing the love of God in my life. I can educate them without discipling them.
The best part was that it didn't leave me in a state of guilt and anxiety (two pits that I am so apt to fall into). Instead, I left empowered and inspired. Each chapter gave me things that I can do practically--today!--to bring the discipleship of my children more into accordance with the example Jesus set forth for us in Scripture.
Perhaps you're not a homeschooling parent. Maybe your kids are in public school. Maybe you're a single parent, or a grandparent. Maybe you're married to an unbelieving spouse and aren't sure how this would work in your family. Maybe you are the parent of a rebellious teenager and are wondering if it's too late to make a difference. No matter where you are in your life or your walk with God, this book can help you!
I would also like to say something to pastors, teachers, and other church leaders. If you are concerned that the parents in your congregation "don't know what to do" or "won't do the job" when it comes to discipling their own children, this would be a fantastic resource to get into the hands of as many parents as possible.
On that note, I would like to announce my very first giveaway here on God Made, Home Grown!
The authors of Disciple Like Jesus have graciously agreed to give one free copy to a reader of this blog!
To enter, please leave a comment below letting me know what you think you'd like most about the book. (Visit www.disciplelikejesus.com to learn more).
For additional entries, you may do any and all of the following:
- Blog about this giveaway. (2 entries, leave two comments)
- Share a link to this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter. (1 entry each)
- Subscribe to God Made, Home Grown via email.
- "Like" Disciple Like Jesus on Facebook or follow on Twitter. (1 entry each)
- Post the Disciple Like Jesus button on your blog. (find it here.)
- Follow me on Twitter, Google, or Networked Blogs (1 entry each)
For each additional entry, you must leave an additional, separate comment telling what you did, and posting a link if applicable.
The deadline for entering is Saturday, November 20th, at midnight (central time).
By His Grace,
Tiana
**The fine print. This is not a paid post, and the view expressed here are my own, honest opinions. Thank-you to the authors of Disciple Like Jesus for providing the two copies of the book for review and giveaway.**
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About Me
- Tiana
- I'm a Stay-at-Home, Christian, "crunchy" mama. I have been blessed with the calling to be a godly wife and mother. I am passionate about bringing up my children in the discipline and instruction of the LORD, through home education and discipleship. Helpmeet to my best friend and soulmate, Christopher since 1/29/2000, and mama to four little blessings, including a tiny, precious, newborn baby girl.
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29 comments:
sounds like a good resource! as a busy mom, i too like practical things to do...sounds like this book does that!
This sounds like a wonderful book! I really like the idea of laying out Jesus' approach versus the world's approach.
Following you on networked blogs.
Shared link to the giveaway on Facebook!
I already follow you on Google.
I would love to read this! I love that it gives concrete ways to put the ideas into practice without causing more mommy guilt!
This sounds like an amazing book...at least you promo it that way! I was most convicted by this:
I can be in the same house as my children and still not be spending enough time with them. I can teach them the Word of God without them seeing the love of God in my life. I can educate them without discipling them.
I spend too many days pushing thru tasks & to-do lists, and then at bedtime, I look down at my precious kids and wonder how I missed cherishing them, blessing them, loving them.
Would love to learn more about the idea of not just loving, teaching, & training them...but also discipling them.
Thanks for your continual encouragement & conviction, Tiana!
http://freeagentmommy.typepad.com/blog/2010/11/the-princess-and-the-pee.html
I think the practical applications would be the most helpful for my husband and I.
I posted about the giveaway on my blog!
I posted about the giveaway (with a link here) on my blog!
I follow through networked blogs
This sounds like a wonderful, helpful book.
Erica
bellazdada@aol.com
I liked it on facebook
Erica
bellazdada@aol.com
I would love to be entered! I like the idea of practical suggstions, and inspiration.
Sounds like a great book!
Let's see if you have the baby before this giveaway is over. :)
Amy
Would love the comparison and practical.
Would love to read this book. Can't get too much Jesus. Especially as a foster parent.
I liked the book on facebook.
I'm subscribing via email, too.
Sounds great Tiana. Your review made me want to read it.
Lisa @ Me & My House
I would love this! :-) My favorite part would be looking a Jesus' discipleship style.
I was just reading your review of this book on the Disciple Like Jesus blog and then I read my AR digests this morning and saw that you are doing this giveaway. I would LOVE to have this book, I think I would like the practical ideas the best...seeing what it should really look like.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter this great giveaway!
Amy
amosobadiah(at)msn(dot)com
I like Disciple Like Jesus on facebook!
Amy
amosobadiah(at)msn(dot)com
This may sound weird but I feel like I've just known about Jesus my whole life I'm not sure how to start to explain Him to my kids. I would love this resource.
Sounds like a great book. I think I would really appreciate the practical aspects of bringing discipleship into the family.
Mrs. H
fourkids@columbus.rr.com
I'd love practical ideas
lish b
I need to make some changes in certain aspects in our household, and not really sure where to start, so I think the things you described about this book might really help me to do that.
Stephanie
rsdarndt@yahoo.com
I liked Disciple Like Jesus on Facebook
Stephanie
I shared a link on FB also.
Stephanie
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