Disciple: Getting your identity from Jesus, by Bill Clem

Bill Clem does not give us a book on how to disciple someone else, although that can be found by reading this book. What he gives us is a guide on what it means to passionately follow Christ, what Christ expects in a disciple and how a disciple achieves the lifestyle that is consistent with a Disciple of Christ.

This is a practical book. It has a practical outline for us. It spells out why we should have a passion for our Lord and Savior and how that passion should drive us to strive to be a disciple that Christ would say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Clem's starts out with the Story of God and how that is told through the Holy Scripture and how it is shown through His creation.

He then goes on to talk about the "Hero of the Story," that hero being Jesus Christ. He explains the importance of Jesus being fully God and fully man and how that is necessary for the aspect of being the hero of the story. Without those qualities Jesus can never satisfy the debt that needs to be paid for man to be forgiven of his sin and become acceptable to the Father.

He then goes on to a lengthy discussion about the fact that we are created in the 'image' of God and how we then are to 'image' God in our lifestyles. When we 'image' God then others can see the Savior in our lives and be drawn to the Father through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Clem's further goes on to discuss the purpose of worship and community in the life of a disciple. Then that works it way into what is the "mission" of a disciple. What are we tasked to do? How do we go about doing that? How will it look if we are doing it correctly?

Finally he talks about the Multiplication factor instead of just the addition factor of how the Kingdom grows. The Kingdom grows by our discipling others who then disciple others. So we multiply our efforts rather than just add one convert at a time. But that will not happen until you have learned how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and until you develop the 'Passion' necessary to be an effected disciple.

This book would be great for small groups wanting to talk about our lifestyles. It would be good for Pastors who want to use it as a resoruce for helping young Christians grow in their understanding of what it means to be a Disciple. It is a great resource and encouragement for even individual study for your own edification to learn how to develop your Christian walk and why Passion for Christ is so important.

I'm sure that all who read this will be encouraged.

Enjoy!