The Master Plan of Discipleship

Rating:
Summary: Use the chapter subtitles
Review: A tiny but powerful insight into God's plan to win the world in one generation. This is a very consisely written scriptural commentary on God's plan for evangelism. A call to complete committment for every "christian" to be a disciple. An equalizing of the work of evangelism to every christian, not just the clergy. Every Christian must be committed to the scriptural teaching of disciplship....each one teaching one.

Rating:
Summary: God's plan to win the world
Review: A tiny but powerful insight into God's plan to win the world in one generation. This is a very consisely written scriptural commentary on God's plan for evangelism. A call to complete committment for every "christian" to be a disciple. An equalizing of the work of evangelism to every christian, not just the clergy. Every Christian must be committed to the scriptural teaching of disciplship....each one teaching one.

Rating:
Summary: Use the chapter subtitles
Review: Get a copy of this book and write down all the chapter subtitles. If you live out the intentions they address you will master biblical discipleship and leadership. As it happens, Coleman outlines the differences between motivating teams, coaching, mentoring, and discipling - though he never seems to mention it.

This book follows The Master Plan of Evangelism in attempting something profoundly readable and practical. That it is not quite as successful is unfortunate, because the "doing" and "being" of leadership longs for something just so profound.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but faulty in some places
Review: This book offered a helpful explanation of what true discipleship is, gleaning heavily from the Biblical account of the apostles from the book of Acts. Practical tips are interweaved with Scriptural theory for a useful book.

Mr. Coleman's style throughout, however, is frequently rather tedious and difficult to read. It lacks enthusiasm for the task of discipleship, and its dry, intellectual style does not immediately motivate you to go out and disciple the nations. This is not necessarily a bad thing - it's just not what I expected from a book marketing itself toward ordinary lay people. I find it curious that it's become a bestseller.

I also had some fairly significant theological problems with certain portions of the book, but I know it's not supposed to be some major treatise. Just be careful when reading.

Bottom Line: good material on discipleship, but nothing that will wow you with verbal fireworks or flawless theology. Read it if you must. And even then, only once.