And They Dreamt Of A Kingdom: Biblical Studies in Discipleship And The Kingdom of God - Volume 1

"Would You disciple us?" How would you answer that question? According to the author, those were the fateful words which generated this book. Why? Because that simple question embodies a very real and practical challenge. How do we intentionally disciple those who are seeking to become disciples of the Kingdom? This book, along with its companion Volumes, represents the author's personal answer to the challenge and the question. Discipleship and the Kingdom of God were at the heart of Jesus' ministry. But today's Church is failing to teach the Kingdom or to make disciples who can reproduce their discipleship in the lives of others, opting instead to train worker-bees for their programs, rather than disciples of the Kingdom. Offering fresh perspectives and insights, the author examines the disciple-making ministry of Jesus in order to answer four basic questions: What is the Kingdom of God (and what is it's relation to the Church)? What does it mean to be a disciple of the Kingdom? How did Jesus turn twelve ordinary men into disciples of the Kingdom? How can we become genuine disciples of the Kingdom in a way that is reproducible in the lives of others? The author answers these questions by examining the same discipleship lessons Jesus taught His disciples, along with "Key Thoughts" and questions for personal reflection and application. This book is intended for those who want to understand Jesus' message of the Kingdom of God and what it means to be a disciple of that Kingdom. It is intended for those who harbor the secret hope that biblical Christianity consists of more than four points and a prayer followed by a lifetime of participation in programs organized by survey-takers.