Includes bibliographical references and index.

The merger -- A new monasticism: nothing like the old -- Chapter 1. Biblical foundations of discipleship -- Discipleship: God's very best for his people -- Discipleship: God's primary work -- Defining terms -- What discipleship is not -- The creation of a non-discipleship Christianity -- Exploring a faith that embraces discipleship -- The kind of person the gospel can create -- Chapter 2. Origins of discipleship -- Pre-Christian examples of discipleship -- Discipleship during the time of Christ -- Characteristics of the Rabbinical Tradition -- The uniqueness of Jesus' discipleship -- Is this kind of discipleship common today? -- Chapter 3. the story of discipleship -- Bishops as spiritual guides -- When we were all Catholics -- Monks and Mavericks -- The middle years -- The reformation: new life -- Chapter 4. The distinguishing marks of a disciple -- The imitation of Christ -- The call to discipleship -- The six-fold definition of being conformed to Christ's image -- Chapter 5. The disciple-making environment: what makes things grow -- How environment affects growth -- Necessary ingredients for a healthy environment -- Chapter 6. The stages of discipleship -- Maturity: a community project -- Phases, stages, and steps of spiritual development -- Jesus' model for developing followers -- Chapter 7. Christian spiritual transformation -- The transformational triangle -- The role of spiritual disciplines in transformation -- Chapter 8. Personal approaches to disciple-making -- The personal dimension -- Coaching: skills and task -- Mentoring: becoming a person -- Spiritual direction: specific soul care -- Chapter 9. The role of small groups in discipleship -- Principles for starting groups -- Types of small groups -- Basic principles for every group -- Personal preparation for starting groups -- Various start-up methods -- Communicate the reason for small-group ministry -- Selecting leaders -- Training leaders -- Management of commitments -- Chapter 10. Congregation, pastors, and discipleship -- Is bigger better? -- Quality over quantity -- How local congregations differ from other ministries -- Different levels of spirituality maturity -- Training and organizing the congregation -- Advice to church leaders -- Chapter 11. Spiritual generations -- The responsibility to reproduce: a sacred trust -- Needed: both a Paul and a Timothy -- Reproduction requires intentional repeated action -- The qualities of reproduction and multiplication -- Chapter 12. The future of discipleship: living the Jesus way-- A challenge and a worry -- The right thing in the wrong way -- Two philosophies -- The Jesus way or the consumer way? -- Choosing the Jesus way -- Five models of effective discipleship -- Research for evaluating congregations.