Discipleship that Fits

The Five Kinds of Relationships God Uses to Help Us Grow

By Alex Absalom, Bobby Harrington, Thom Rainer | Publisher: Zondervan

About the book

For far too long, the church has tried to make disciples using a one-size-fits-all approach. Some churches advocate 1-on-1 discipling, others try getting everyone into a small group, while still others training through mission trips or service projects. Yet others focus all their efforts on attracting people to a large group gathering to hear biblical teaching and preaching. But does one size really fit everyone?

Based on careful biblical study and years of experience making disciples in the local church, Bobby Harrington and Alex Absalom have identified five key relationships where discipleship happens in our lives. In each relational context we need to understand how discipleship occurs and we need to set appropriate expectations for each context.

Discipleship That Fits shows you the five key ways discipleship occurs. It looks at how Jesus made disciples and how disciples were formed in the early church. Each of the contexts is necessary at different times and in different ways as a person grows toward maturity in Christ:

  • Public Relationships: The church gathering corporately for worship
  • Social Relationships: Networks of smaller relationships where we engage in mission and live out our faith in community
  • Personal Relationships: Small groups of six to sixteen people where we challenge and encourage one another on a regular basis
  • Transparent Relationships: Close relationships of three to four where we share intimate details of our lives for accountability
  • The Divine Relationship: Our relationship with Jesus Christ where we grow through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit

Filled with examples and stories, Alex and Bobby show you how to develop discipleship practices in each relational context by sharing how Jesus did it, how the early church practiced it, and how churches are discipling people today.

Editions of Discipleship that Fits

EBook
ISBN 9780310522645

Read an Excerpt

For far too long, the church has tried to make disciples using a one-size-fits-all approach. Some churches advocate 1-on-1 discipling, others try getting everyone into a small group, while still others training through mission trips or service projects. Yet others focus all their efforts on attracting people to a large group gathering to hear biblical teaching and preaching. But does one size really fit everyone?

Based on careful biblical study and years of experience making disciples in the local church, Bobby Harrington and Alex Absalom have identified five key relationships where discipleship happens in our lives. In each relational context we need to understand how discipleship occurs and we need to set appropriate expectations for each context.

Discipleship That Fits shows you the five key ways discipleship occurs. It looks at how Jesus made disciples and how disciples were formed in the early church. Each of the contexts is necessary at different times and in different ways as a person grows toward maturity in Christ:

  • Public Relationships: The church gathering corporately for worship
  • Social Relationships: Networks of smaller relationships where we engage in mission and live out our faith in community
  • Personal Relationships: Small groups of six to sixteen people where we challenge and encourage one another on a regular basis
  • Transparent Relationships: Close relationships of three to four where we share intimate details of our lives for accountability
  • The Divine Relationship: Our relationship with Jesus Christ where we grow through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit

Filled with examples and stories, Alex and Bobby show you how to develop discipleship practices in each relational context by sharing how Jesus did it, how the early church practiced it, and how churches are discipling people today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Discipleship that Fits about?

For far too long, the church has tried to make disciples using a one-size-fits-all approach. Some churches advocate 1-on-1 discipling, others try getting everyone into a small group, while still others training through mission trips or service projects. Yet others focus all their efforts on attracting people to a large group gathering to hear biblical teaching and preaching. But does one size really fit everyone?

Based on careful biblical study and years of experience making disciples in the local church, Bobby Harrington and Alex Absalom have identified five key relationships where discipleship happens in our lives. In each relational context we need to understand how discipleship occurs and we need to set appropriate expectations for each context.

Discipleship That Fits shows you the five key ways discipleship occurs. It looks at how Jesus made disciples and how disciples were formed in the early church. Each of the contexts is necessary at different times and in different ways as a person grows toward maturity in Christ:

  • Public Relationships: The church gathering corporately for worship
  • Social Relationships: Networks of smaller relationships where we engage in mission and live out our faith in community
  • Personal Relationships: Small groups of six to sixteen people where we challenge and encourage one another on a regular basis
  • Transparent Relationships: Close relationships of three to four where we share intimate details of our lives for accountability
  • The Divine Relationship: Our relationship with Jesus Christ where we grow through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit

Filled with examples and stories, Alex and Bobby show you how to develop discipleship practices in each relational context by sharing how Jesus did it, how the early church practiced it, and how churches are discipling people today.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Discipleship that Fits?

Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Christianity

Where can I read a sample of Discipleship that Fits?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780310522645

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Discipleship that Fits?

Alex Absalom, Bobby Harrington, Thom Rainer

Who is the Publisher of the book Discipleship that Fits?

Zondervan

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Discipleship that Fits is available as ebook(ISBN 9780310522645)

Where can I buy Discipleship that Fits online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Discipleship that Fits from below

Where can I buy Discipleship that Fits?