Discipleship in the Postmodern Age

By Daniel L. Kohn

There is a “missing link” in most churches today. There is a significant gap between membership and active involvement in ministry. What is missing is what Jesus modeled in His earthly ministry—disciple making. In the absence of this model from Christ, churches struggle to maintain membership and ministry. Underequipped members lack the enthusiasm and insight to truly be a part of active ministry. The reverse is also true—when members are trained as active disciples, the ministry potential of the church can follow that of the early Christian church outlined in the book of Acts. Yes, the model works, as the Holy Spirit works in the transformed lives of today’s disciples as He has throughout the history of the church. This book will give you practical insights for developing a discipleship process in your church.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664126329

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Copyright © 2020 by Daniel L. Kohn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 09/03/2020

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CONTENTS

Author’s Reflections…

Preface

Chapter 1     Introducing Peter

Chapter 2     Disciple Making

Chapter 3     A Ministry Sermon

Chapter 4     The Cost of Following Jesus

Chapter 5     Ministry Outside the Walls

Chapter 6     The Role of Compassion

Chapter 7     An Issue of Faith

Chapter 8     Easter Disciples—Peter’s View

Chapter 9     Impact Ministry

Chapter 10   A Learning Community

Chapter 11   Getting Personal

Chapter 12   Quick "Math’ of Discipleship

Chapter 13   Peter’s Last Encounter and his Reinstatement

Chapter 14   Discipleship in our Postmodern Age

Chapter 15   The Disciplines of Discipleship

Chapter 16   Peter … and Us Today

Chapter 17   Discipleship and Mission

Chapter 18   Peter’s Prologue

Chapter 19   Jesus’ Discipleship Prayer

Chapter 20   The Disciple-Centered Church

Endnotes

AUTHOR’S REFLECTIONS…

I am a life-long believer. I am privileged to have been a member in at least six congregations. Yet in every setting a vital element was missing. None of the churches had an intentional discipleship ministry.

There is an irony here. Disciple-making was a priority for Christ. It was what He incorporated during His three years of ministry. It was His command at the time of His ascension (Matthew 28:19). Trained disciples led His early church.

The vibrancy of the church is grounded in this ministry. The focus on spiritual growth, outreach and evangelism are all products of active discipleship. Many professing Christians have an affiliation with a church, but are shallow, stagnant in their walk with, and for Christ. Their claim of membership bears no desired fruit (John 15:5 & 8).

The future of the church rest extensively in vibrant discipleship. This is especially true in our postmodern culture where comfort exceeds commitment.

These beliefs have inspired the writing of this book.

May you, like Peter, be blessed by it’s application in your life.

PREFACE

Christ Himself set the standard. Yes, the format for leadership training in the church took place through His oversight. It was disciple making.

These opening statements pose a challenge. Presuming Christ gave us this success model to follow, why would we not take full advantage of it? Indeed, disciple making should be an intentional, active part of every church’s kingdom work with both existing and new believers and members.

What is seen far more often in churches today, especially in our American culture, is a remarkably different approach of entrance into a community of believers (another definition for church). There is a brief orientation for new members regarding doctrine and the unique features of that particular church—and then an assumption that the new member will, largely, assimilate into the church. Training for the real kingdom work is, in most cases, largely ignored.

What is missed is the in-depth, extensive orientation to being a student of Christ in order to be a well-prepared, passionate follower of Christ. Limited is the classroom training, let alone the complete absence of experiential learning, which Christ strongly emphasized with His first disciples. Jesus spent very little time inside temple walls.

The outcome is predictable—untrained followers are, extensively, nonfunctional in the church, let alone in the dark secular world outside the church. We find a great many pew sitters in worship, but very few passionate ambassadors for Christ the remainder of the week. Even worship lacks real zeal and personal investment and inspiration.

George Barna, in his book Growing True Disciples, summarizes it this way in regard to the current status of discipleship in today’s church in America.

The chief barrier to effective discipleship is not that people do not have the ability to become spiritually mature, but they lack the passion, priorities, and perseverance to develop their spiritual lives. Most Christians know that spiritual growth is important, personally beneficial, and expected, but few attend churches that push them to grow or provide the resources necessary to facilitate that growth. Few believers have a relationship that holds them accountable for spiritual development. In the end, it boils down to personal priorities. For most of us, regardless of our intellectual assent to the importance of Christian growth, our passions lie elsewhere—and our schedule and energy follow those passions. (p. 54)

How will the work

for Christ get done?

How will the work for Christ get done?

A new vision needs to be set within Christ’s body of believers regarding their integrity and their destiny. A part of the re-visioning will be a reflection backward toward what Scripture outlines when it comes to disciple making, as found in the four Gospels. This is why the life of one of those disciples, Peter, makes up a part of the theme of this book.

To gain some appreciation for this kingdom work, consider these words from the last chosen disciple by Christ—Paul. He knew all about kingdom work within churches, focused on Christ-centered, spiritual formation and transformation. Meditate on his words regarding this work for Christ:

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, and God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. By the grace given me, I laid a foundation as an expert