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Gospel-Centered Discipleship Paperback – March 31, 2012
Jonathan K. Dodson
(Author)
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Matt Chandler
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Print length176 pages
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LanguageEnglish
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PublisherCrossway
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Publication dateMarch 31, 2012
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Dimensions5.2 x 0.6 x 7.9 inches
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ISBN-109781433530210
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ISBN-13978-1433530210
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Dodson’s Spirit-led, gospel-centered, organically relational, and authentic book is such a rare jewel. Jonathan is a good friend and an even better ally in the gospel. God has used him to teach me much, and I pray the Spirit will use this book to change the way you view and do discipleship.”
―Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Dallas, Texas; President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network; author, The Mingling of Souls and The Explicit Gospel
“Nothing is more central to the global mission of the church than making disciples. This is at the very center of the gospel. Gospel-Centered Discipleship captures both the heart of the gospel and the essence of discipleship in the proper order. For too long we’ve put making disciples ahead of a clear understanding of the gospel. In cultures around the world, disciples lean away from the gospel toward religious performance or spiritual license. As a result, disciples burn out or drift from devotion to Jesus. Gospel-Centered Discipleship is an authentic re-centering of discipleship around the gospel of grace, in the context of community, for the mission of God. Don’t miss it!”
―S. Douglas Birdsall, Executive Chair, The Lausanne Movement
"Refreshingly honest and realistic, Dodson shares from experience about the struggles and the blessings of making disciples. He does not give us a rule book, but practical teaching that can help every follower of Christ more effectively live out the gospel and the Great Commission."
―Robert E. Coleman, Distinguished Senior Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
“Every church planter zealously runs into mission with a mandate from Jesus to make disciples of all nations. But what is a disciple? How are they formed? What needs to be done in order for a new church to make disciples? Dodson does a brilliant job of painting a picture of the head, heart, and hands of a disciple, as well as addressing how they are formed. This book provides a clear target for the church planter’s mission to make disciples.”
―Scott Thomas, Founder, Gospel Coach; coauthor, Gospel Coach: Shepherding Leaders to Glorify God
“Jonathan strips away a stagnant view of discipleship and replaces it with something so refreshingly honest and deep, you find yourself craving it. This book will redefine all of your relationships with depth and transparency and Christ-centeredness. This isn’t just God’s design for discipleship―it’s how we were designed to live. Jonathan just took discipleship from the spiritually elite to dorm rooms and neighborhoods and coffee shops.”
―Jennie Allen, New York Times best-selling author, Get Out of Your Head; Founder, IF:Gathering
“Jonathan Dodson is the real deal! After reading the prequel to this book, we asked Jonathan to speak at our annual meeting. He blew us away with his grasp of the gospel and discipleship! If you want to take a deep dive into the mystery and joy of the gospel, this is the book for you. Jonathan will help you fight to keep the gospel the gospel. He will show you how to avoid the traps of performance and license. He will show you how to avoid believing a lie. And, most of all, he will help you to taste the sweetness of Jesus.”
―Patrick Morley, author, The Man in the Mirror; CEO, Man in the Mirror
“With all of the talk of gospel-centeredness these days, I’m thankful to see Jonathan unpack this topic with a clear, compelling, Spirit-empowered approach. He goes beyond just answering the question: ‘What is gospel-centered?’ to help us see how the gospel of grace really works in the details of everyday life. His clarification of the unhealthy divide between evangelism and discipleship will bring about a more holistic approach to gospel-centered discipleship. I know Jonathan and respect the fact that these are not just concepts or theories, but truths coming out of the practice of his own disciple-making ministry. I trust that this book will serve to further advance the work of discipleship that has the gospel of grace as its foundation.”
―Jeff Vanderstelt, Visionary Leader, Soma; Pastor, Doxa Church, Bellevue, Washington; author, Saturate
“Jonathan cuts to the heart of the discipleship crisis we are facing by showing us that discipleship isn’t an optional response to Jesus. Rather, it’s embracing ‘a whole way of following Jesus Christ as Lord in the whole of life.’ This book will stir your heart and awaken in you the places the Good News is calling to reflect the likeness of Jesus. On top of this, his ‘grace agenda’ will push you to live out the multiplying principle we see at work in the Great Commission.”
―Mike Breen, Global Leader, 3DM; author, Building a Discipleship Culture
“One of the most healthy trends in the church today is a renewed focus on ‘making disciples.’ Jonathan Dodson has added an invaluable contribution to that trend. He makes it clear that making disciples must be gospel-centered and must take place in community. But he not only reminds us that this is what should be happening, he tells us how to actually make it happen. This book will give you a practical and proven approach that can work in your ministry setting. Read it carefully, both for its biblical challenge and its hands on approach to ministry.”
―Stephen E. Smallman, Assistant Pastor, New Life Presbyterian Church, Glenside, Pennsylvania; Instructor, CityNet Ministries of Philadelphia; author, Spiritual Birthline, Forty Days on the Mountain, and The Walk
“For the longest time, I have been hoping to see two books on discipleship. The first would be a practical resource for churches that, on the one hand, was serious about the kind of discipleship and accountability that are necessary for Christian growth and yet, on the other hand, would put forth the gospel of grace, not legalistic self-improvement, as the key to change. The second book I’ve wished for is one that would situate the task of discipleship specifically within the missional calling of the church. I was thrilled to discover that Jonathan Dodson has managed to write both of these books in one. In Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Jonathan pulls together all these different themes―gospel, mission, discipleship, church, and Spirit―into an integrated whole. And quite honestly, I don’t know a better person for that task.”
―Abraham Cho, Assistant Pastor, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York
“I am grateful for Jonathan Dodson’s new book Gospel-Centered Discipleship. He masterfully took the truth and beauty of the gospel and pushed it into an area of Christendom that is typically performance driven. I came away from this book understanding how to think about discipleship in a new way. I also love that the book isn’t just theory; Dodson has clearly lived what he is teaching. The truth in this book has built my love for the Holy Spirit. It has challenged my thinking on community and discipleship. And it has effectively pushed my comprehension of the gospel to a new level.”
―Jessica Thompson, author, Everyday Grace; coauthor, Give Them Grace
“Dodson writes with conviction and leaves the reader with important truths and responses to ponder. There is nothing cheap about the gospel he promotes. In fact, it’s all about the Jesus whom we profess and the Father we adore, who lead us to a life of victory in God’s Spirit. Read Gospel-Centered Discipleship with an open heart and a willing spirit to sustain you!”
―Stephen A. Macchia, Director, Pierce Center for Disciple-Building, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; author, Becoming A Healthy Disciple
“What is often vague or implied in the phrase ‘gospel-centered,’ is rendered clear and convincing by Jonathan Dodson. Here is the practical how-to of heart change, teaching how souls are changed and not simply their wanton behaviors. The tools are all here: what we need to know, think, do, and most essentially believe about the gospel to live as a new creatures in Christ. This fills in the practical gaps of gospel-centered discipleship and gospel-centered living.”
―Rick James, Publisher, CruPress; author, Jesus Without Religion
“One of the greatest challenges facing the missional movement is for disciples to ground their identity in the gospel, not in their mission. Gospel-Centered Discipleship clearly shows how true discipleship starts with a new identity in Christ, not a new behavior for Christ. It is saturated with deep truth and is as practical as it is informational. This book is a game-changer.”
―Brandon Hatmaker, author, Barefoot Church; Pastor, Austin New Church, Austin, Texas
“Jonathan knows that discipleship is of strategic importance in terms of the vitality, sustainability, and impact of the church. He also knows that to be true disciples we must become more like Jesus or else degenerate into religious ideology. Gospel-Centered Discipleship is a really helpful and fertile book for a critical time.”
―Alan Hirsch, Founder, Forge and Future Travelers; award winning author, Untamed, Right Here Right Now, and ReJesus
“If in your struggle against sin you’ve been beaten up by the duty-bound, legalistic, moralistic methods of contemporary discipleship or enslaved by the licentious approach to holiness by proponents of cheap grace, then Gospel-Centered Discipleship is for you! Dodson calls us to join the fight against sin, legalism, and license by believing everything the gospel says about who God is for us in Christ, and how he is conforming us to the image of His Son. Read this book. Form a ‘club.’ And begin fighting sin for the glory of God and your joy in Christ.”
―Juan R. Sanchez, Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas
“I am a big fan of Jonathan Dodson and grateful for this book. The church is desperate for this vision of grace-based, gospel-centered discipleship. I know I am! The guilt-ridden, shame-based, discipleship trail I stumbled on for years left me tired, defeated, and self-righteous. The discovery of gospel-centrality in my journey as a disciple and in making disciples, like this book reinforces and lays out so beautifully, saved my life, gave me hope, and, quite simply, changed everything. Gospel-centered sanctification and gospel-centered ecclesiology are like two lost continents to the current church. Thanks, Jonathan, for your work to help blaze the trail!”
―John Wiley Bryson, Cofounder and Teaching Pastor, Fellowship Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee; Leadership Coach, Fellowship Associates
“A timely book about gospel-centered accountability in an age of anonymity and shallow relationships. Dodson has done a masterful job highlighting how the Holy Spirit uses gospel truth to give us new, Christ-centered affections that dispel our thirst for sin. Moreover, he helps us see how we can come alongside each other to unearth the deeper heart-idols that drive our more obvious sins. For those still playing at religion through superficial, pseudo-accountability, this book is a welcome killjoy. You'll never look at accountability the same way again.”
―Luke Gilkerson, Internet Director, Covenant Eyes; blogger, Breaking Free
“Gospel-Centered Discipleship is a breath of fresh air. Dodson does an excellent job of combining theology and praxis. Highly recommended for those seeking to build a discipleship culture in their church.”
―Jon Tyson, Acting Parish Pastor, Trinity Grace Church, New York, New York
About the Author
Jonathan K. Dodson (MDiv and ThM, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is the lead pastor of City Life Church in Austin, Texas, where he lives with his wife and three children. Dodson is the founder of GospelCenteredDiscipleship.com and author of a number of books.
Matt Chandler (BA, Hardin-Simmons University) serves as lead pastor of teaching at the Village Church in Dallas, Texas, and president of the Acts 29 Network. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children.
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Product details
- ASIN : 143353021X
- Publisher : Crossway; 1st edition (March 31, 2012)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 176 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781433530210
- ISBN-13 : 978-1433530210
- Item Weight : 6.9 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.2 x 0.6 x 7.9 inches
-
Best Sellers Rank:
#100,162 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #482 in Christian Discipleship (Books)
- #3,020 in Christian Spiritual Growth (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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The book is in three parts. The first part explains what a disciple is, the second part explains what is the motivation for discipleship, and the third part shows how to apply discipleship into life.
I found his definition of discipleship concise and clear: "A disciple is someone who learns the gospel, relates in the gospel, and communicates the gospel" (38). He challenges the idea, as do others such as Tim Keller, that the gospel is the beginning of discipleship and then growth takes place otherwise. Instead, Dodson declares, "the gospel both makes and matures disciples" (38).
His diagram on p. 47 shows the importance of balancing holiness and mission. I needed to see this more clearly so as to keep both of these in equilibrium.
His section on the motivation for discipleship needed to be said and the biblically oriented disciple and maker of disciples will need to keep this in mind lest the heart deceive. Also, it was good for the author to explain the importance of the Holy Spirit in discipleship (chapter 5) to make us see that this does not depend on our disciplines in discipleship but God's working in us through these disciplines.
The section on three conversions is also helpful showing that discipleship is not centered in a group of people but rather in the church. Bill Hull has stated that discipleship needs to be "ecclesiocentric."
There is so much in this small book that one needs to read and think through it again--which is what I hope to do.
Dodson writes this book to try and refocus Christians on a form of discipleship based on the gospel. Dodson turns away from discipleship based only on evangelism or discipleship based on age-centered relationships.
This book is well grounded in Scripture. Dodson encourages the readers to be wary of accountability group style discipleship. His concern centers on the fact that many of these relationships focus on the simple act of confessing of sins, one to another. This deteriorates into focusing on our sin and how we can halt it. Dodson fears this promotes a works centered faith and looses focus on God's grace and mercy.
Dodson promotes what he calls "fight clubs". A fight club is a three-person group of believers engaged in battle with sin by sharing their stories of how they are growing in grace. Fight clubs are intended for Christians to support one another to fight to keep Christ at the center of our lives and fighting to expand his kingdom. It probably goes without saying, but the name is tacky and a calculated, but the idea and theology are sound.
The author acknowledges that discipleship is not easy. He tells us making disciples requires not only sharing our faith, but also sharing our lives - failures and successes, disobedience and obedience. Gospel-centered discipleship is not about how we perform but who we are - imperfect people, clinging to a perfect Christ, being perfected by the Spirit. Christians who internalize the gospel of grace more and more are compelled to spread the gospel more and more.
While Dodson seems to pander a little too much to the modern church-lite crowd, the heart of his premise is sound. Strong discipleship is both missing and vital to our church life today.
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