Make Disciples: Reaching the Postmodern World for Christ
Overview
A cynic once asked, “What in the world are you Christians doing?” I can think of no more relevant question for the church here at the beginning of the twenty-first century. When an individual comes to Christ, they enter into the greatest task in the world. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
No book on personal evangelism can be approached strictly from an academic viewpoint or even from a “how-to-do-it” approach. There is always a sense of the presence of the supernatural when God allows us to be actively present when the Holy Spirit does his mighty work in the heart of someone who is responding to Christ. C.S. Lewis was correct—when an individual comes to Christ, the only and best description is joy!
Make Disciples is divided into three sections dealing with the aspects that describe disciplemaking in the Great Commission. The first section outlines a biblical understanding of evangelism and the difficulties and opportunities encountered as we take the gospel to our postmodern, post-Christian culture. In the second section, the author brings together our understanding of the Bible and our society to determine what methodology will help us to maximize our efforts in carrying out the Commission. In doing so, he then examines different models of evangelism, centering on the lifestyle approach as best suited to most contemporary Christians as well as the needs of postmodern Americans. This section also examines the biblical model of accepting Christ as Savior and shares numerous approaches for sharing the biblical teaching in practical presentations. The final section emphasizes the importance of a follow-up structure put in place by the local congregation to ensure the baby Christians receive nurture in their new walk with the Lord.
Top Highlights
“After all, it is the Great COMMISSION, not the Great SUGGESTION.” (Page 22)
“Evangelism is not simply learning Bible facts. Evangelism is not simply understanding sociological information. Evangelism is taking part in God’s great work of redeeming the world through Christ. It is to reach out and allow God’s power and presence to extend into the lives of people through our daily lives. When we increasingly become aware of God working within us, the result will be joy—joy in our daily tasks and joy in the lives we touch. Wherever God’s will is done, the ultimate result for us will be joy.” (Page 13)
“After the commission was given, Jesus presented a powerful promise: ‘I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Evangelism is to take place under God’s authority through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Page 22)
“‘Taking the Gospel to the world requires two things: knowing the gospel and knowing the world to which you would take the gospel.’” (Page 25)
“‘love’ is usually thought of as an emotion and not what it biblically is: a commitment of the will.” (Page 27)
- Title: Make Disciples: Reaching the Postmodern World for Christ
- Author: Terry A. Bowland
- Publisher: College Press
- Print Publication Date: 1999
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 317
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Evangelistic work; Great Commission (Bible); Postmodernism › Religious aspects--Christianity
- Resource ID: LLS:MAKEDISCIPLES
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-02-12T04:30:01Z
