Taking Discipleship Seriously

""When Jesus calls us to follow him, he is not looking for occasional use of our gifts . . . he wants our lives."" With this bold challenge, Tom Sine calls on today's Christians to recapture the total commitment of first-century disciples who truly lived out their faith in answer to Christ's call. Such a radical biblical view of God's kingdom has implications touching every area of a Christian's life as well as a far-reaching effect on the larger mission of the church. Sine urges churches to set aside self-involved agendas to seek God's will in a world of exploding needs. They are encouraged to become agents of change in their communities, to improve the plight of needy __ persons with a ""hand-up"" rather than a handout. As individuals and study groups read how Christians have placed concern for God's kingdom above personal desires, they will be stimulated to think deeply about their responses to Christ's invitation - ""Follow me.""