21st Century Disciple

Many wonder at the weak, ineffectual brand of Christianity often seen today in the West. Why does our Christianity fall so far short of the power that accompanied the early church? What has changed? The answer may lie in the quality of contemporary discipleship. As disciples are not born, but made, we must rediscover the art of disciple making.

What is a disciple? Is the term ‘Christian’ synonymous with the term ‘Disciple’? The late David Watson observed, ‘The vast majority of Western Christians are church members, pew fillers, hymn singing, sermon tasters, Bible readers, even born again believers or Spirit filled charismatics - but not true disciples.’ Was he too harsh in his criticism? What is the proper definition for the term? Is a disciple merely a learner or follower of Christ?

21st Century Disciple begins by tracing the term for disciple - Mathétes - from its earliest occurrence 500 years before Christ, through the classical, Hellenistic and intertestamental periods, showing how it developed through four major stages leading up to the New Testament. This essential background study uncovers the full meaning of the term ‘disciple’ - a term now perhaps in danger of extinction. The four stages of biblical discipleship are then explored, laying down a very clear and precise path for the rediscovery of the standard of early church discipleship.