Resources

	The Divine Conspiracy - Rediscovering our hidden life in God by Dallas Willard (Harper Collins, 1998) A classic about the true meaning of discipleship. Willard, who was a theologian, professor of philosophy at the University of Southern California and an ordained Baptist minister, weaves together biblical teaching, popular culture, science, scholarship and spiritual practice to reveal what it means to apprentice ourselves to Jesus. Uses Jesus’s Sermon of the Mount as his foundation. More resources at: dwillard.org

	XYZ of Discipleship by Nick and Marjorie Allan (Malcolm Down, 2020) Drawing on 20 years of fruitful experience, and analysing Britain’s present cultural context, this book explores how to disciple today’s Millennial (Gen Y) generation and their teenage/early adult successors Gen Z. It will equip individuals who seek to mentor, parent or lead young adults into discipleship in the everyday and within church, as well as those of Y and Z age who are passionate to understand and disciple their own generation. The Allans lead The Well, a Baptist church in Sheffield. More resources at: wellsheffield.com/xyz

	Women Without Walls - How God shapes ordinary women for extraordinary kingdom work by Mary Cotes (Graceworks, 2021) How does God shape women to be pro-active in society as Christian disciples, equipping them to build community and change the world around them? Cotes, a Baptist minister, reflects on the parable of the yeast and weaves together the stories of women from the Bible with those of Christian history. In doing so, her book looks at women as bringers of God’s Kingdom.

	Disciple Gate – moving into life with Jesus by Tim Sutton (Wipf and Stock, 2024) For those disconnected from the discipleship journey, or unsure where to start. Sutton, minister of Westward Ho! Baptist Church, has created a practical and down-to-earth guide to discipleship, exploring five key moments in the adventure with Jesus (Beginning, Becoming, Being, Battling and Birthing/Begetting.) ‘A clear, inspiring and practical call for us to be the kind of disciples needed in our day’ – Gavin Calver, CEO Evangelical Alliance

	Discipleship, Suffering and Racial Justice - Mission in a pandemic world by Israel Olofinjana (Regnum Books International, 2022) Baptist minister Olofinjana, director of the One People Commission, Evangelical Alliance, explores the subject of discipleship and what we can learn about whole life discipleship and suffering from the experiences and theologies of Majority World contexts. Described by former Baptist Union President Kate Coleman as ‘a prophetic call to UK churches (and leaders) to embrace the opportunity to reassess discipleship beliefs and practices in light of insights Majority World Christianity brings to the gospel imperatives regarding suffering and sacrifice.’

	Practicing The Way - Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did by John Mark Comer (WaterBrook, 2024) A guide for following Jesus in the modern era that draws on the wisdom of the past, by highlighting a set of habits and practices based on the life of Jesus himself. It’s an introduction to spiritual formation accessible to both beginners and lifelong followers of Jesus, and a companion to the Practicing the Way Course Comer is a pastor and writer who has spent many years working out discipleship to Jesus in the post-Christian West.’ He is the author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

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Prayers

These prayers are taken from the Vital Signs resource of The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, and are republished with permission

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Children, young people and families

Every child is important to God, and we need to find ways for churches to be welcoming, safe and inclusive in all ways.

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Resources

A selection of books exploring discipleship

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Discipleship in a digital community

Simon Werrett is part of two church communities - his local, onsite congregation is Burnham on Crouch Baptist Church in Essex, where he is the community digital pastor, and an online community principally through Facebook and Zoom

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