book review: multiply [disciples making disciples]

multiply book, discipleship, francis chan

Written by Dan King

Christ-follower. husband. father. author of the unlikely missionary: from pew-warmer to poverty-fighter. co-author of activist faith: from him and for him. director of family ministry at st. edward's episcopal church. president of fistbump media, llc.

November 21, 2012

multiply book, discipleship, francis chanThere were three of us. We sat in the back room of my house week after week, and talked about life and the Bible and anything else that came to mind. As an Evangelical Christian, I was working hard to help my “unsaved” friend find salvation. And the other had just recently turned control of his life over to God. We built a strong foundation for their faith during those times of study and prayer. My memories of those conversations are some of the most precious memories I have as a Christian.

It was discipleship in its purest form.

I’ve come to believe that consistent, regular discipleship is how the church should be building its foundation. And this isn’t the job of pastors and other paid ministry staff. It’s the job of every Christian in the church. Every one of us should look not only to how we can be discipled, but also how we can disciple another.

Enter Francis Chan’s new book, multiply: disciples making disciples. It’s a book that’s designed, “not to be read, but to be taught.” The goal of the book is the help the reader understand the Scriptures for himself, and then to have the tools in hand to help others understand them too. That’s one of my favorite things… reading and studying the Bible in community with others.

Chan has structured the book so that each chapter is a weekly study guide. The experience also uses extra pdf, audio, and video resources at the Multiply Movement website to help you along this journey of discipleship. So this is more than a book, it’s a toolkit for building a strong, reproducible foundation in the Word of God.

Chan has always had a knack for hitting readers right where they need to be hit. His teaching resonates deeply with many, and I expect that this resource will continue to do the same. He always brings things back to the Word, and helps us find the balance we need. His teachings have helped many better understand how we all fit into His story.

The world today doesn’t need more people coming to church on Sunday mornings. What it needs is more people discipling others into everything that God has called them to. The growth of the church depends on people like you and me discipling people like the two guys I used to sit with, so that they can go out and do the same thing with others. You don’t have to be a minister to be a minister.

So get this book… and go multiply.


patheos, book club, christian book reviewReview for the Patheos Book Club Roundtable Discussion on Francis Chan’s Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples.

For more information about the Patheos Book Club, click here.

3 Comments

  1. Crystal Rowe

    I am not a huge Francis Chan fan, but this book looks like it tackles the very topic that we have been thinking about in our mission development. Just how do we equip the body of the church to invite others in? I may have to check it out!!

    Reply
  2. Paul Steinbrueck

    Thanks for the review Dan. I’ve had a browser tab open to Multiply for a while. I have a ginormous stack of unread books as it is, but I think I need to pull the trigger and move it to the top of the list.

    BTW, I still hope we can work things out to meet up for lunch some time.

    Reply
  3. Chris Marlow

    I may read this book. Would you say it has some fresh ideas and outlook, or basic missional text?

    Reply

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book review: multiply [disciples making disciples]

by Dan King time to read: 2 min
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