Reviewed by: Hope Bolinger, a professional writing major at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana

Introduction

Title: The Disciple Maker’s Handbook

Author: Bobby Harrington and Josh Patrick

Publisher: Zondervan

Publication Date: 2017

Format: Print book

Length: 192 pages

OVERVIEW

Discipleship wanes in a society in which churches emphasize numbers and wherein social media weakens personal relationships. Even though most churches stress the need for discipleship, many Christians have no practical methods for carrying out the biblical call found in Matthew 28:19. In The Disciple Makers Handbook, Harrington and Patrick give readers hands-on advice regarding how to cultivate this important spiritual discipline – based on years of experience and intentionality.

The book’s strength comes from its pragmatic advice related to several facets of discipleship, including insights on who would make a complementary group member and anecdotes and situations drawn from the authors’ lives.  One weakness of the book, however, is that its authors targeted the book’s audience unevenly. If it had been directed solely at Christians further along in their spiritual maturity, then the authors should not have presented so much basic information about Gospel truths. On the flip side, if the book was meant to be a tool for recent converts, then the book should not have invested as many pages as it did in steps that should be taken by spiritually older Christians. Also, the chapters have several redundant passages. Nevertheless, overall the book is a helpful tool for believers needed a foundational understanding of the call for discipleship.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5)

4 stars

Suggested Audience

Christians interested in practical advice for discipleship, particularly new Christians unaware of basic discipleship concepts or seasoned Christians interested in “multiplying disciples.”

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