Biblical Discipleship: Essential Components for Attaining Spiritual Maturity

by Dr. Todd M. Fink

Overview

Today, we have many ways of defining success in life. Some define it as being a sports hero, others as being wealthy, others as being popular and well liked, and still others as being happy. How does God define success? He defines it as being spiritually mature!

How do we become spiritually mature? There’s only one way, and it’s called discipleship. However, statistics show that discipleship is in a state of crisis today. Many Christians are not growing in Christ and are stuck in the process of reaching spiritual maturity. A Barna study reveals that almost nine out of ten senior pastors of Protestant churches assert that spiritual immaturity is one of the most serious issues facing the church.

Sadly, what discipleship meant in the time of Christ and what it means today is vastly different. Moreover, the importance Christ and the Apostles gave to discipleship is also stunningly different than the importance many Christians and churches today give it.

Unlike the disciples who had much of Scripture memorized, a whopping 81% of Christians today don’t read their Bibles regularly. Unlike Christ’s disciples who were “Fishers of Men,” 61% of believers today have not shared their faith in the past six months. And sadly, unlike Christ and the Apostles who made discipleship the central focus of their ministries, 81% of pastors today have no regular discipleship programs in their churches. Discipleship is being neglected today, and the consequences are crippling many Christians and churches. This book hopes to change that!

Chapter 1 focuses on the state of discipleship today and exposes the sad truth that it’s in crisis mode. Chapter 2 reveals 13 key factors contributing to the lack of discipleship today. Chapter 3 defines biblical discipleship based on central phrases Christ used in His ministry. Chapter 4 brings to light 14 essential components of the discipleship-making process that must be understood and practiced in order to attain spiritual maturity. Chapter 5 provides practical, “how-to” help for growing in Christ. It includes self-assessment tests for measuring your level of spiritual maturity in each essential component of discipleship and gives hands-on, useful ideas for taking steps toward spiritual maturity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781944601034
Publisher:	Todd Fink
Publication date:	04/21/2016
Pages:	376
Sales rank:	794,108
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.84(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement vii
Endorsements viii
Foreword 1
Introduction 3
Chapter 1: The State of Discipleship Today 5
1. God's View of Discipleship Versus Today's View of Discipleship 6
2. The Lack of Discipleship Today 11
3. The Consequences of Neglecting Discipleship 15
Chapter 2: Key Factores Contributing to the Neglect of Discipleship Today 19
1. The Distractions and Cares of Life 20
2. Materialism and the Pursuit of Wealth 35
3. The Refusal to Pay the Cost of Discipleship 44
4. The Lack of the Fear of the Lord 48
5. Being Ashamed of Total Devotion to Christ 66
6. The Effects of Prosperity Gospel Theology 85
7. Misunderstanding Heavenly Rewards 92
8. Misunderstanding the Purpose of Discipleship 98
9. The Lack of Church Discipline 101
10. The Belief in Salvation Without Discipleship 111
11. The Belief in Salvation Without Obedience 117
12. The Belief in Salvation Without Works 123
13. The Belief in Grace Without Effort 129
Chapter 3: Defining Biblical Discipleship 135
1. The Meaning of Biblical Discipleship 136
2. The Meaning of Follow Me 146
3. The Meaning of Deny Self 152
4. The Meaning of Take up Your Cross 156
5. The Meaning of Save Your Life and Lose Your Life 165
6. The Meaning of Hate Your Father, Mother, Wife, and Family 173
7. The Meaning of Hate Your Life 177
8. The Meaning of Gain the World and Lose Your Soul 181
9. The Meaning of Being Ashamed of Christ and His Words 185
Chapter 4: The Essential Components of Discipleship 189
1. Knowledge of God and Discipleship 195
2. Self-Discipline and Discipleship 207
3. Obedience and Discipleship 213
4. Abiding in Christ and Discipleship 217
5. Prayer and Discipleship 220
6. Mentoring and Discipleship 230
7. Church Involvement and Discipleship 234
8. Evangelism and Discipleship 238
9. The Inner Life and Discipleship 243
10. Spiritual Gifts and Discipleship 247
11. Serving and Discipleship 253
12. Spiritual Attitudes and Discipleship 256
13. Character and Discipleship 260
14. Stewardship and Discipleship 266
Chapter 5: How to Grow in Christ 277
1. How to Grow in the Knowledge of God 284
2. How to Grow in Self-Discipline 289
3. How to Grow in Obedience 293
4. How to Grow in Abiding in Christ 297
5. How to Grow in Prayer 301
6. How to Grow in Mentoring 305
7. How to Grow in Church Involvement 310
8. How to Grow in Evangelism 314
9. How to Grow in Your Inner Life 320
10. How to Grow in Spiritual Gifts 324
11. How to Grow in Serving 328
12. How to Grow in Spiritual Attitudes 332
13. How to Grow in Character 336
14. How to Grow in Stewardship 340
15. Overall Spiritual Maturity Chart 346
Conclusion 349
Bibliography 351
About the Author 360
Connect with Todd (Mike) 361
Look for More Books by Todd (Mike) 362

Editorial Reviews

As president of a Bible college and seminary, I am regularly asked if there is a discipleship book that I can strongly recommend. Thanks to Todd M. Fink, I finally have an answer. Biblical Discipleship addresses one of the greatest needs in the modern church. It takes into account the current cultural situation and the effects of bad theology, while suggesting practical strategies for personal growth. This book is, no doubt, going to push the ball forward.
Dr. Braxton Hunter, Ph.D. President of Trinity
Theological Seminary
To be a Christian is to be a disciple. To grow as a Christian demands pursuing the life of discipleship. Todd M. Fink has devoted his life to cross-cultural ministry and helping people know and grow in Christ. His many years of experience in the ministry and devotion to the Scriptures have made him a man with great wisdom on this vital topic. I'm thankful he has written this helpful resource to help God's people grow.
Dr. Erik Thoennes, Ph.D. Professor of Theology/Chair Undergraduate Theology at Biola University/Talbot School of Theology; Pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church, La Mirada, California
Todd M. Fink's Biblical Discipleship: Essential Components for Attaining Spiritual Maturity will prove to be a valuable resource to many who are interested in growing a deeper devotion to Christ. Fink opines an analysis of the major problems/issues in the contemporary Evangelical church that he believes are hindrances to a healthy discipleship focus. He offers a corrective vision for those who desire to go against this Evangelical sub-culture, as he describes it, and be faithful to God's call on their lives.
Dr. David Talley, Ph.D. Professor/Chair Old Testament Department, Biola University

From the Publisher