Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ Paperback – Illustrated, December 28, 2007

The Bible church I attend recommended the book for small group study. We just started and it easy to read and understand.

I have used this workbook with men one on one; in a triad; and in a group of four. In all three groups the participants have enjoyed the study, the group time, and have gone on to make more disciples by using the book to disciple others. As a pastor and life Coach I have used this tool for a few years now, and still think it's the best tool to get Christians together and grounded in the Christian basics - theologically, philosophically, and with a Christo-centric focus for all of life.In Ogden's own words he says he designed this discipleship workbook as a tool to accomplish these three elements to create a climate for the Holy Spirit to bring accelerated growth:1) "The first element is the unchanging truth of God's word" (each chapter contains a core truth based on a memory verse, and includes an inductive bible study with discussion questions based on the passage for study, discussion, and application).2) "The second element in the Holy Spirit's laboratory is transparent relationships...Transformation occurs when we grapple with the truth of God's Word in the context of transparent relationships. It is a biblical axiom that the Holy Spirit will have free sway in our lives to the extent to which we open ourselves up to one another. Honesty with God is not sufficient. We give God permission to reshape our lives when we risk self-evaluation and confession to others. We can't grow in Christ by ourselves. We are people made for community" (each chapter has a selected reading after the inductive Bible study on the topic of discussion - these selections are short and very good).3) "The third element that creates the climate for transformation is mutual accountability...Accountability means giving your discipling partners authority to call you to keep the commitments you have made to one another."The book includes 25 Chapters and takes about 2-4 hours to work through between the lesson and discussion time (it goes faster if everyone works on their lesson first - my recommendation). Here is how the lessons are arranged:Part One: Growing Up In Christ (C1 Making Disciples; C2 Being a Disciple; C3 Quiet Time; C4 Bible Study; C5 Prayer; and C6 Worship)Part Two: Understanding the Message of Christ (C7 The Three-Person God; C8 Made in God's Image; C9 Sin; C10 Grace; C11 Redemption; C12 Justification; C13 Adoption)Part Three: Becoming Like Christ (C14 Filled with the Holy Spirit; C15 Fruit of the Holy Spirit; C16 Trust; C17 Love; C18 Justice; C19 Witness)Part Four: Serving Christ (C20 The Church; C21 Ministry Gifts; C22 Spiritual Warfare; C23 Walking in Obedience; C24 Sharing the Wealth; C25 Money - and the Appendix on Building a Discipleship Ministry)In meeting with several different groups (and counting) I have found all three of the above elements taking place. This book fosters deep theological discussion, fosters healthy accountability, and leads to numerous new Christ-like habits that benefit the individuals in the discipleship group, and the lives that they touch on a daily basis. I have seen more effective discipleship multiplication using this workbook than any other tool I've tried. I highly recommend it!

Discipleship Essentials contains 25 weeks worth of studies (I find each to take 2-3 hours overall) as well as a brief discussion on the importance of discipleship and a covenant to which the disciples should commit. One of the best things, in my opinion, about Discipleship Essentials is that it supports one's new commitment to being a disciple by quickly making clear the calling of a disciple and making it distinguished from the lifestyle of "mediocre Christians," as the author says. It gives the disciple encouragement and reasons to believe that he/she is called to become more than just a Christian but a disciple. Another good thing about the book is the covenant that is to be signed by the disciples before beginning the weekly sessions. While it isn't particularly demanding up front, it stimulates a commitment towards mutual accountability and reinforces the magnitude of the disciple's commitment.It is important to note, though, that this book by itself does not make disciples. It is merely a tool. This book MUST be completed with a group of other disciples committed to growing in faith. In order for the covenant and the distinguished calling of a disciple to be valuable, the disciples who are studying the book must take it into their own hands to hold each other accountable and to encourage, correct, and love the other disciples. This kind of community is necessary to maintain each disciple's internal sense of the importance of the commitment into which they've entered (the covenant proposes that the group spend at least 1.5 hours/week together; my group has found that more time than this is necessary). I believe that this acknowledgement is essential to each disciple's ability to maintain loyalty to their commitment and to feel like the studies in the book are of any value.Regarding the content of the studies, I don't have as much praise. The studies begin at a pretty basic level and (I haven't finished the book) appear to become more complex in their teachings as the book proceeds. The studies have the same general format and a lot of the same types of questions each week, and this does feel redundant sometimes. A bigger issue for me, however, is that the studies ask a lot of questions such as "What do x, y, and z mean to you?" and "put important verses/phrases in your own words." While these might be helpful for some, I find that gaining a true understanding of the doctrine behind each study is much more effective than just reflecting on my own feelings towards the lessons. Some of the readings have a similar flavor to them in that they are sometimes written to inspire the reader or to analyze an idea by more experiential and emotionally stimulating means instead of informational means. Again, because I'm the type who is more prone to be inspired by the true doctrine than by a catchy phrase, quote, or experience, this doesn't always resonate well with me. However, those who learn better and maintain passion better for the studies will like this feature of the writing. Despite this, the readings are well-written and have ideas that have stuck with me and have helped me to grow in faith nonetheless.Overall, Discipleship Essentials is a helpful tool for newly committed disciples to remind themselves of old principles and to learn new ones. However, I must emphasize still that it is only a tool. The real key to making this book come to life is to have a committed group of other disciples with whom to share its ideas and form bonds.

i bought this to help me disciple someone and have found that the layout and content really helpful. The only downside is that the 2 books that i bought have [Space left inentionally blank in the original book.] where there should be space to write your answers. I am presuming that this is a printing error and should have been removed. This oversight sadly makes using the book a little awkward for you to write responses to questions.

An excellent book as part of a discipleship group to work through methodically. I am enjoying it immensely.

A bit dated, very American and useful to the very disciplined.

This is a Bible study to help a person or a small group of people, to grow in Christ. Good material to go through as a group for encouragement and knowledge so that Christians can closely follow the example of Jesus and His disciples. Working through will deepen one's knowledge of essential Christian teaching and strengthen one's faith. This is a wonderful answer to the dilemma of having people converted to Christianity without laying a good foundation to build on. Discipleship training is so needed in the Body of Christ today as our pressured, busy lives take time that should be given to learning how to be a disciple of Jesus. Even if a person goes through this workbook alone, the benefits would be very worthwhile.

this book really surpassed my expectations. I have started a lot of books like this, most of them over-promising and under-delivering. This book is not flashy or trendy, but is simple, quality discipleship material. I'm going through the book with 3 other guys. We do the reading/reflecting on our own and then meet Saturday mornings at A&W to talk about what we're learning. What i like it that the content is scripture based, the workload is challenging(but not unrealistic), and the book covers all the basic aspects of what it means to be a dedicated Christ-follower, within 6 months. Would recommend it to anyone wanting to grow in their spiritual maturity, and to any churches looking for a solid discipleship tool.