We are living in days when, as Mike Breen says, we are in a "discipleship crisis...in the Western Church". George Barna's studies have shown that there is currently no discernible difference between the lifestyles of many believers and non-believers. This is the reason for this book: to help you fulfill Jesus' command to "make disciples".
The book is helpful in (at least) two ways. First, the believer can and will grow spiritually by taking on the sessions, one at a time, to learn what it means to follow Jesus. These sessions are meant to be nothing less than opportunities for an encounter with the living Lord Himself. You can begin to monitor your own spiritual progress as Christ and His Book become more meaningful to you day by day. Secondly, the book is a guide to help a disciple-maker take a disciple through it step-by-step, so that together they can work through the stages of follow-up and the beginnings of discipleship. As Josh Hunt, a leading guru of the micro-church, says of the book, "This book will take you step-by-step in laying the foundation every Christian needs to live a fruitful, abundant Christian life".
Promise-Assurance from the guarantees of God's Word, Proof-Assurance from the evidences salvation gives in your life, and Personal Assurance from the Holy Spirit.
Dr. Edward Michael Gross is President of Vanguard Global Network, a pastoral training mission in Columbia, SC which helps to equip the world's churches to fulfill the Great Commission in disciple-making. Ed was a pastor for 22 years, and has served in world missions for the last 15 years. Ed is married to Maxine; they have 6 grown children, and 11 grandchildren. The Grosses live in Lexington, SC.
Church Growth, Spiritual Growth, Discipleship, Bible Study, Attributes Of God, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Evangelism, Church Leadership, Church Workbook
