The Complete Book of Discipleship: on Being and Making Followers of Christ truly lived up to its name. Author Bill Hull took his readers through his vision for writing the book (the idea that we've made discipleship optional, focusing on self and a lack of "carrying our cross"), through the history of discipleship (both biblically and secularly), and through several forms of application in the area of developing discipleship in programs, relationships, small groups, and more.
To be quite honest, within the first 60 or so pages of the book, I began to grow a little discouraged by Hull's approach. It seemed that, while maybe it was all true, he would simply spend the book discussing what's wrong with discipleship in the church today... and it seemed like it was everything. That portion was an interesting read, but a little exhausting. I was feeling ready for application and fresh vision that answered, "If we're just not getting what discipleship is about now... how do we get there?". One aspect I loved about Hull's approach in this portion of the book was his emphasis on the necessity of discipleship. It's not just a program or for "the super-spiritual". We're all called to be disciples. By following Christ, you are his disciple. He mentioned several times throughout the book that a common mindset in Christianity today is that, essentially, picking up your cross to follow Christ is optional. That it's ok to just be a "normal" Christian. But that's allowing Satan to define normal for us and allowing evil to set our standards. Hull gave a compelling argument that, as Bonhoeffer stated, "Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ."
The history portion of Hull's study on discipleship was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about biblical examples of disciples, monks, and the reformers. I was especially impacted God's timing in the reformation. He brought together men with different gifts, personalities, and places of influence to bring the church back to a deep place of understanding that Salvation can only come from faith in Christ and that God truly desires to have relationship with us.The boldness of these men was truly inspiring and encouraged me to be intentional about the way that I make my life reveal what it means to be a follower of Christ and take up my cross, even in the every day.
The end of chapter 4 and the whole of chapters 5 and 6 especially grabbed my heart. I have been learning so much lately about doing discipleship the way Jesus did it. It seems so obvious that it should be done that way... but that's not really the example we see lived out before us most of the time. The Six-fold definition of being conformed to Christ's Image (130) serves as a great tool for us to really understand what it means to grow to become more like Christ. A powerful line on page 140 says, "Christ loved others until they knew that he loved them-- until they actually experienced his love." It's easy to just try to be nice to someone.... but loving until they KNOW you love them... loving until they can say they've experienced your love... that is so different. That's the love of Christ. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt Jesus loves me. To say he doesn't would be to deny all he's done in my life, his sacrifice, and the Word of God as authority. Today I want to keep this mindset burned in my heart. I want to seek out opportunities to love. Not just with warm fuzzy feelings... but with sacrifice and giving of myself for the benefit of someone else. And keep doing that until my life displays to that person as an individual, "Wow, Bonnie really, truly loves me." I want to go so much deeper than my words. But I am thankful beyond measure that God uses those, too. He is so good in teaching us to love. This portion of the book has really helped me understand "As, I have loved you, you must love one another."
Chapter 5 was gripping and spoke of creating the right environment for discipleship. The Holy Spirit really spoke to my heart as I read that section last night. I was struggling to know, when I'm aware of a spiritual issue in the team, how much to correct and how much to let go and just let God handle it. I think it's still something I need to pray through and practice... but the Holy Spirit was speaking to me as I read about affirmation and grace. When we constantly criticize or correct, that becomes our heart. We can only see a person as their failings and their "lack". There is a time for rebuke and correction but discipleship can also not happen without grace and affirmation. Speak life over disciples. Tell them what they're doing well and what gifts you see in them. Rejoice with them about their victories and keep speaking truth. Don't excuse sin but trust that showing grace and speaking life over them will give you the right heart to rebuke or correct when it's time. God is doing so much healing in my heart with this right now. An atmosphere of grace encourages people to see the value in others and not count them as "failures" or "rebellious" the first time they mess up. God, I need so much help in this. Keep speaking truth to my heart and mind about the way you love AND corrrect and discipline your children.
The book seemed to end on a lower note for me than the rest as it spoke about congregations and small groups. It was interesting and in some ways very applicable... but I think his main audience was someone different that me. And that's ok! God is leading me to start a new small group now for teenage girls so there were some real gems in there about outreach and vision in small groups that I will definitely be applying. The rest was just a little hard to connect with because it was a very different structure than the way i'm doing small groups now. It is always valuable to learn from other perspectives, so I wouldn't be surprised if God ends up using an abundance from what I learned in those last few chapters in my life sometime very soon.
Overall, I loved taking this journey through discipleship. This may sound silly, but in addition to what I learned (as listed above) from The Complete Book of Discipleship, I simply learned the incredible value of reading. By making ourselves available to just sit and read, we make ourselves available for the Holy Spirit to teach us, fill us with new ideas, and learn from the lives of others and Biblical truth... in a way we might not have otherwise. It's been a while since I've really pushed through and finished a whole book on something I see as so valuable. I believe there will be real, beautiful, kingdom advancing, disciple-making fruit that comes out of what God taught me through the writing of Bill Hull. For that, I am very thankful and so excited to apply.
* I read 100% of "The Complete Book of Discipleship: On Making and Being Followers of Christ" by Bill Hull.
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