Book Review: God's Word for Today...The Disciple by John Stott

A disciple is one who learns from a skilled teacher to have an understand of his master's profession. When the word disciple is mentioned in the church, most Christians think of the 12 disciples Jesus had during his earthly ministry. While that is true, Jesus also said we are to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-19). John Stott addresses what a disciple is in the second book for the "God's Word for Today" series, which is a revised edition of The Contemporary Christian by John Stott, called The Disciple.

Stott begins to by saying a disciple is a listener. As Christians, we are all disciples of Christ as we listen to the Word of God. We listen to the Word as we read it, study it, and as it is taught to us by faithful Bible teachers. A disciple also knows a difference between what Jesus is saying and what the world is teaching.

Next Stott states that discipleship is not just for our ears but for our entire being. We must be willing to use our minds when it comes to being a disciple such as thinking great thoughts about God and being discerning in what we are hearing. We must never keep an open mind when it comes to spiritual truths, we must have a minds ready for action as we listen to anyone who teaches the Word and anyone who says they have some truth that is from them. Stott also addresses must use our emotions to be a disciple as we worship and as we preach the Word. I must confess, I was a little apprehensive when reading this part because emotions can be misleading as listening to unhealthy teaching. Our mind and emotions are connected that we must also keep them in check and if we want to use them rightly in our service to God.

A disciple sees his vocation as his mission field. Not all Christian are called to go overseas, but all Christians are called to expand the Great Commission wherever they go. Christians see what they do not just as a means to provide for your family, but also as means to share the gospel. Finally, all disciples bear fruit. By bearing fruit, Stott is not referring to making disciples, but show the fruit of the Spirit showing that God is working in their lives. Jesus said, if we are His disciples, we bear fruit (John 15:8).

This is a good introductory book into what it means to be a disciple and most useful in small group settings.

Thanks InterVarsity Press for letting me review this book.