The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus [Paperback]

Stephen Smallman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 2009

The Walk is a book written to those who have expressed a desire to follow Christ as his disciple. It assumes
no prior understanding of what that means, nor does it assume that the person has actually come to
a point of professing faith. It uses as a starting point someone who is simply wondering, what next? .

Stephen also addresses those who have grown up Christian and may be wondering how to step out in their own faith.

The Walk is designed to be used as much as read. It will be helpful to someone who wants to read on their
own, but also includes readings and projects that will make it useful as a workbook for that individual, in a
mentor relationship, or for use in groups.

The division into twelve chapters is ideal for a typical Sunday School quarter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This is the fruit of a lifetime of experience in ministry. I recommend
this warm, practical, gospel-centered and very useful manual on
discipleship. --Tim Keller

In this book, Steve Smallman has drawn on a lifetime of pastoral
ministry to provide the church with a gem of a book which, while aimed
specifically at the unbeliever and the new Christian, will yet benefit
even those older in the faith who take time to read it and be reminded
of, and refreshed by, the great, simple truths of the life-changing
gospel. --Carl R. Trueman Westminster Theological Seminary

About the Author

Stephen Smallman served for over 40 years in pastoral ministry. He currently is affiliated with CityNet Ministries of Philadelphia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: P & R Publishing (September 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596380934
• ISBN-13: 978-1596380936
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen E. Smallman was in pastoral ministry for forty years. He now serves with CityNet Ministries of Philadelphia and as adjunct faculty for Covenant Theological Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary. While a pastor in the Washington, D.C., area (1967-1996), he taught seminars for Prison Fellowship. Smallman lives in Dresher, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Sandy. They have four grown children and nine grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book for new and renewed Christians, October 28, 2009

By 

Laurence T. Baxter "Step Up to the Call" (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus (Paperback)

Author Stephen Smallman describes his new book as essentially 'Discipleship for Dummies'. It's called "The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus". While aimed primarily at new Christians, it's also very helpful for those who have wandered away and are looking to take a fresh look at their faith.

The strength of The Walk is that it really assumes no prior understanding or background at all. It doesn't even assume the reader has yet decided to profess faith in Christ, so there's no nagging here and no jargon unless he's teaching what a word means. The approach is to walk alongside the reader as they work through The Gospel of Mark and the Book of Romans. I have to stress that even though the book starts basic, it is NOT simplistic, and by the end the reader will have tackled some difficult subjects. On the back cover Smallman describes this book as being for people who want to follow Jesus, "but"... don't know anything about the Bible, don't have a Christian background, have drifted so far away they don't know how to start over, or who have no idea where to begin. With the heart of a pastor, Steve does a great job of doing this in a manner that is warm, practical, and distinctly gospel-centered.

There are several ways the book can be used, but it really begs to be read and discussed with a friend or group. With twelve chapters and discussion questions, it would work well in a Sunday School or small group setting. It should be especially effective in a discipling relationship or mentoring group.

=== Table of Contents:
== Part One: The Basics
1. What is a Disciple?
2. Do I Have to Go to Church?
3. Learning to Read the Bible and Pray
== Part Two: Discipleship through the Gospel
- Step One: Know the gospel itself
4. The Gospel of God
Step Two: Know how you came to believe the gospel
5. The Call to Salvation and Discipleship
6. Conversion
- Step Three: Know the benefits of believing the gospel
7. A New Record: Justification
8. A New Life: Sanctification and Adoption
9. A New Future: Glorification
- Step Four: Life a Life that flows from the gospel
10. Faith Expressing Itself in Love
11. The Gospel Changes Everything
== Part Three: Following Jesus on His Mission
12. Disciples Making Disciples
- A Final Word to New and Renewed Followers of Jesus: Now What?
- Some appendices with more info, suggested reading, and follow-up plans.

Each chapter has Bible reading that is explained/discussed, sidebars to address likely questions, a helpful summary, words of encouragement, and assignments such as specific Bible reading. If you're looking to take new or renewed steps walking with Christ, or have a heart to help those who do, I recommend you take a look at The Walk.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for discipleship, January 7, 2010

By 

R. Wiegers "bobbywigs" (Chattanooga, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus (Paperback)

this is a great resource for one-on-one or small group discipleship. answering basic questions and making good foundations and all the while pointing us to the Word (mostly Mark and Romans). many thanks!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pastor Smallman has done a super job., January 21, 2010

By 

Charles M. Cullen (Columbia MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Walk: Steps for New and Renewed Followers of Jesus (Paperback)

This book is insightful and a major help for us. Amazon was fast with quality packing.