Good Discipleship Resources Anyone??

~ Bob Hayton

I thought I’d use my blog here to help answer someone who contacted me with the following question:

I am looking for a discipleship resource that leans towards Calvinism. I have one by Greg Ogden called Discipleship Essentials but I am not sure where he leans as it is published by Intervarsity Press, and I found my years at InterVaristy Fellowship to be anything but leaning towards Calvinism.

I can’t think of anything right now off the top of my head. Can any of you, my readers, help with this question? I think the answer may be a help to more of my readers than just the gentleman who is inquiring.

24 thoughts on “Good Discipleship Resources Anyone??”

  2. I have found the Bible to be a good resource. That appears cheeky, but my point is that I have not found any material completely suited to my needs. When I have wanted a study curriculum, I usually cobbled together from various resources (Navigators, Walterick Publishers, Willow Creek, etc.) regardless of theological background and edited for my own purposes.

    My best efforts have come in two directions:
    1) Go through Scripture inductively and address the topics as they arise in the text.
    2) Start with a well-known statement of faith (I have used both the Nicean Creed and Heidelberg Catechism) and study through them.

    The first method will cover spiritual disciplines as you go along; the second may need supplemental instruction in those areas depending on what you use.

    And as a final disclaimer: I am not a Calvinist, so take my comments accordingly.

  3. Les,

    That looks promising, thanks.

    Steve,

    No problem on being an official Calvinist…. The question directly asked for Calvinist leaning resources. Your approach sounds good. I have no problems with you not being Calvinist, it took me a long time to become comfortable with the label.

    Blessings in Christ,

    Bob

  4. I cannot think of anything better than Paul Washer’s “One True God” and the “Truth about Man”

    There is nothing better than a good solid understanding of the character nature and attribute of the Triune God.

    There is nothing more humbling than a good biblical does depths of the depravity of man.

  5. Thanks David. Are those books to read or discipleship materials to go through? Obviously going through a book one-on-one together with someone else is virtually the same as using a discipleship course or something.

    Thanks for the recommendation.

    Bob

  7. Sorry Justin, I just had this passing image in my head. “Oh, you just trusted Christ and received baptism. Here: read Calvin, see me in a month….”

    In all seriousness, I like the use of the Westminster Confession of Faith as a manual to walk through with someone, and you can certainly draw from Calvin.

    Thanks for dropping by!

    Bob

  9. Thanks Brian, that is really helpful. I recommend the online gospel presentation MatthiasMedia uses. Looks like they have other good resources too. And MacArthur’s Fundamentals of the Faith, I’m sure is good.

    Thanks again,

    Bob

  13. Peer Daddy,

    Are you referring to Francis Schaeffer’s 25 Basic Bible Studies? I’m not totally certain which resource you’re recommending here.

    Thanks,

    Bob

  15. There is a problem we have to be willing to make as reformed pastor/theologians, and that is we tend to think that education=discipleship. I would encourage you to look at something like “the cost of discipleship” and bring the reform tradiation to bear on it’s thought, which is pretty faithful. Most of what is said in the opening chapters is also in Book 3 Chrtper 3 anyway. Eventually we have to understand how justification and sanctification are related and understand what it means to proclaim both the unconditional free grace of God and the clear scriptural expectation that not only our theology, but also our lives be reformed. We are still too afraid of catholic guilt and legalism to say that the christian life is along a narrow road, and that narrow road is not only doctrinal but also behavioral. Good luck. If you find something like that let us all know.
    James

  16. Hello I am about three years out of Pentecostalism. When I became Reformed I felt like a man without a home, though I knew God was directing me out. I now attend a Reformed Church and really feel like I came home. Regarding resources for discipleship I would recommend three great resources.

    1. Blazing Center: A video based bible study led by Pastor John Piper. This study essentially covers his classic work on the christian life, Desiring God. I suggest reading the book Desiring God first.

    2. Amazing Grace (The History and Theology of Calvinism) DVD and study guide. This is a must for anyone young or old in the Lord. Especially those who like myself, did not fully understand the Doctrines of Grace. Good production value, lots of scripture. Must have resourse.

    3. Either the Heidelberg Catechism, of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. There is no such thing as Reformed Church discipleship without Catechetical instruction. In fact History would show it to be an oxymoron.

    These are just a few, Monergism.com and Monergism Books has tons of great material. Happy hunting.

    In His Service,

    Benjamin Lovelace

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