Biblical Discipleship: Essential Components for Attaining Spiritual Maturity

Today, we have many ways of defining success in life. Some define it as being a sports hero, others as being wealthy, others as being popular and well liked, and still others as being happy. How does God define success? He defines it as being spiritually mature! How do we become spiritually mature? There’s only one way, and it’s called discipleship. However, statistics show that discipleship is in a state of crisis today. Many Christians are not growing in Christ and are stuck in the process of reaching spiritual maturity. A Barna study reveals that almost nine out of ten senior pastors of Protestant churches assert that spiritual immaturity is one of the most serious issues facing the church. Sadly, what discipleship meant in the time of Christ and what it means today is vastly different. Moreover, the importance Christ and the Apostles gave to discipleship is also stunningly different than the importance many Christians and churches today give it. Unlike the disciples who had much of Scripture memorized, a whopping 81% of Christians today don’t read their Bibles regularly. Unlike Christ’s disciples who were “Fishers of Men,” 61% of believers today have not shared their faith in the past six months. And sadly, unlike Christ and the Apostles who made discipleship the central focus of their ministries, 81% of pastors today have no regular discipleship programs in their churches. Discipleship is being neglected today, and the consequences are crippling many Christians and churches. This book hopes to change that! Chapter 1 focuses on the state of discipleship today and exposes the sad truth that it’s in crisis mode. Chapter 2 reveals 13 key factors contributing to the lack of discipleship today. Chapter 3 defines biblical discipleship based on central phrases Christ used in His ministry. Chapter 4 brings to light 14 essential components of the discipleship-making process that must be understood and practiced in order to attain spiritual maturity. Chapter 5 provides practical, “how-to” help for growing in Christ. It includes self-assessment tests for measuring your level of spiritual maturity in each essential component of discipleship and gives hands-on, useful ideas for taking steps toward spiritual maturity. Discipleship is a command for all believers and is our highest calling. This book provides biblical help for fulfilling this calling and seeks to discover what God says about genuine growth in Christ. It’s both an informative book and a “how-to” book. It deals with the barriers that are hindering discipleship, and offers practical help for overcoming these barriers and attaining spiritual maturity. So, are you ready to grow? Would you like to be pleasing to God? Would you like to fulfill the reason for which you’ve been created? Would you like the full blessings of God in your life? Would you like to become spiritually mature? Would you like to hear Christ’s words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” when you arrive in heaven? If so, this book is for you.

As president of a Bible college and seminary, I am regularly asked if there is a discipleship book that I can strongly recommend. Thanks to Todd M. Fink, I finally have an answer. Biblical Discipleship addresses one of the greatest needs in the modern church. It takes into account the current cultural situation and the effects of bad theology, while suggesting practical strategies for personal growth. This book is, no doubt, going to push the ball forward.
Dr. Braxton Hunter, Ph.D. President of Trinity Theological Seminary

To be a Christian is to be a disciple. To grow as a Christian demands pursuing the life of discipleship. Todd M. Fink has devoted his life to cross-cultural ministry and helping people know and grow in Christ. His many years of experience in the ministry and devotion to the Scriptures have made him a man with great wisdom on this vital topic. I'm thankful he has written this helpful resource to help God's people grow.
Dr. Erik Thoennes, Ph.D. Professor of Theology/Chair Undergraduate Theology at Biola University/Talbot School of Theology; Pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church, La Mirada, California

Todd M. Fink's Biblical Discipleship: Essential Components for Attaining Spiritual Maturity will prove to be a valuable resource to many who are interested in growing a deeper devotion to Christ. Fink opines an analysis of the major problems/issues in the contemporary Evangelical church that he believes are hindrances to a healthy discipleship focus. He offers a corrective vision for those who desire to go against this Evangelical sub-culture, as he describes it, and be faithful to God's call on their lives.
Dr. David Talley, Ph.D. Professor/Chair Old Testament Department, Biola University