What Are the Best Books on Discipleship?

What do all Christians have in common?

When browsing social media, you might think Christians have little in common—besides our ongoing disagreements over politics, modes of baptism, proper use of spiritual gifts, interpreting the end times, models of Trinitarianism, and much more. Understandably, we may identify ourselves as Christians, but we tend to add specific denominational or theological modifiers (e.g., evangelical, Reformed, Pentecostal, Arminian, dispensational, etc.). It’s become like introducing oneself: “Hi, I’m so-and-so, and I’m a [fill in the blank].”

Yet despite our theological and denominational differences,¹ Christians share a common identity: Above all else, we are all disciples of Jesus Christ.

But what exactly is a disciple, and what is discipleship?

What is a disciple and discipleship?

Sometimes a word or phrase becomes overused to the point that we use it without clearly explaining or agreeing on its meaning. For instance, we might throw around “gospel-centered” without clearly defining what the gospel is (and isn’t)—or what it actually means for our ministries to be “centered” around it.² The same is true for the words “disciple” and “discipleship.”

Simply put, a disciple of Jesus is a Christian (see Acts 11:26).³ As Peter Morden says, “All disciples of Jesus are Christians and all Christians are disciples.”⁴

The word disciple refers to “an adherent, pupil, apprentice, or follower. More specifically, a ‘disciple’ is regularly defined in the realm of knowledge and learning. … A disciple is thus someone who learns, who understands, who gains wisdom.”⁵ Thus, disciples of Jesus are not just believers in Jesus. We are followers, learners, imitators, and students of our Master Teacher, Jesus. Disciples are believers who believe, followers who follow, learners who learn.

Disciples are believers who believe, followers who follow, learners who learn.

Discipleship, then, is the process of learning from Jesus, following his ways and words, and teaching others to do likewise.⁶ Paul models this approach of discipleship in Philippians 4:9. By helping others become more like Christ through instruction and imitation, he tells the Philippians to “do” (CSB) or “put into practice” (NIV) what they’ve “learned,” “received,” “heard,” and “seen” in him.⁷

In discipleship, what we do (following Jesus) reflects who we are (followers of Jesus; Matt 16:24; 28:19–20; John 8:31–32; 15:8). Being a disciple involves both our identity and our actions—who we are and what we do.

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5 notable books on discipleship

Of course, grasping the meaning of discipleship is one thing. Living it out is another.

So if you’re looking to go deeper, the following books are among the most helpful I’ve found.

1. Theology as Discipleship, by Keith L. Johnson

Sometimes we divide Christians into two groups: intellectual theology nerds and practical Jesus followers. You either have academic interests (a thinker) or you’re into practical application (a doer).

As Keith Johnson’s students often ask him, “What difference does theology actually make for our lives?” and “Shouldn’t we just focus on following Jesus?”⁸ Those are valid questions, especially as we consider what discipleship entails.

Johnson contends that believers ought not to choose between theology and discipleship, since the two should inform one another: The way to live out discipleship is through the discipline of theology.⁹ If learning is central to being a disciple (see above), we follow Jesus by studying his Word (theology), which then guides our actions (application).

In other words, studying theology is part of discipleship: Teachers and pastors teach others to discipline the mind through theological study. This then guides the heart to obey Jesus and equips us to help others do the same through his Word.

Theology is not secondary to discipleship. Theology informs discipleship.

2. Deep Discipleship: How the Church Can Make Whole Disciples of Jesus, by J. T. English

English’s central insight is that everyone is being discipled—shaped, formed, or influenced—either by the world or by the church.¹⁰ Two key takeaways from this stand out:

1. Deep discipleship means churches need more Bible, theology, spiritual disciplines, gospel, and Christ, not less.
2. The goal of deep discipleship focuses on God, not on church growth or church programs.¹¹

Also helpful: While churches often choose between Sunday school and small groups, English recognizes the value of both contexts for discipleship. Disciples benefit from being mentored in theological instruction (Sunday school) and imitation (small groups).¹²

Church leaders will find this book especially useful for understanding how to cultivate followers of Jesus across various settings: church services, Sunday school, small groups, and even theological training programs or Bible institutes. Deep discipleship means more theology and more Jesus, not less.

3. Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus, by Mark Dever

For those seeking a straightforward introduction, Mark Dever’s book covers the key parts of discipling:

• the what (the nature of discipleship)
• the where (the place of discipleship)
• the how (the process of discipleship)

Yet Dever first clarifies that being a “disciple of Christ … does not begin with something we do. It begins with something Christ did.”¹³ We become disciples not by first acting but by believing in Christ’s perfect obedience on our behalf. Christians become followers of Jesus, but we don’t become Christians by following Jesus: Our acceptance precedes our obedience (Eph 2:8–10; Titus 3:4–8).

Dever keeps it simple: Discipleship according to Scripture is about following Christ and teaching others to do the same. It involves obeying Jesus by loving God and neighbor, demonstrated through teaching God’s Word and modeled within the local church. While individual believers are to make other disciples, Dever argues that the local church is the primary discipler of believers.¹⁴

Further, discipling isn’t just about mentoring other believers. It also involves helping non-Christians come to know Christ. In other words, discipling includes evangelism (Matt 28:19–20).¹⁵

4. Hearers and Doers: A Pastor’s Guide to Making Disciples Through Scripture and Doctrine, by Kevin J. Vanhoozer

This book is intended for pastors, and its title draws on James 1:22–25 and Jesus’s call for how true disciples respond to him: by hearing and doing (Matt 7:24). Vanhoozer’s big idea is that true disciples are those who hear and do Christ’s word, and the job of the pastor is to make disciples of Christ by training them toward that end.¹⁶

For Vanhoozer, then, pastors make disciples by teaching and training believers to read the Bible properly, namely, to be hearers and doers, spiritually fit for godliness (1 Cor 11:1; Eph 4:11–12; 1 Tim 4:12; Titus 2:7; 1 Pet 5:3).¹⁷ This is what truly shapes people into disciples who imitate Christ (Luke 8:21; 11:28).

Finally, this very pattern should be reflected in pastors, who themselves listen to and live by Scripture and doctrine (Matt 4:4; 1 Tim 4:6, 15–16). Pastors disciple others through preaching and practice—by their own hearing and doing.

5. The Imperfect Disciple: Grace for People Who Can’t Get Their Act Together, by Jared C. Wilson

Wilson loves to write books that consistently remind his readers to know, love, and follow Jesus above everything else.

So here, Wilson writes with raw honesty and transparency, not to those who have it all together or have everything figured out, but to those who may have encountered discipleship books with unrealistic expectations. His book is for everyday disciples—those like me and possibly you—who struggle to pursue discipleship.¹⁸

While other books on discipleship helpfully outline how to disciple and be discipled, Wilson warns that following such programs can often lead to disappointment, discouragement, and despair, particularly when we find ourselves thinking we can become better disciples by focusing on discipleship itself—rather than on Jesus (Matt 11:28–30; Heb 12:2–3).¹⁹ But following Jesus is not primarily about doing but about being with him. It is not primarily about behaving but about beholding, with behaving flowing from that beholding (2 Cor 3:18). Only by his grace can we believe, behold, and behave.

Share your thoughts

What books on discipleship might you add? Join us in the Word by Word group to share your thoughts.

Additional resources on discipleship

Related content

• How the Bible Defines Discipleship: 12 Core Elements
• Does Your Church Have a Discipleship Culture? How to Cultivate It
• Deep Discipleship in a Digital Age: Rethinking Church, Ministry, and Life Together in an Online World
• Family Discipleship: 5 Easy Things You Can Do with Your Kids
• Why Theology Is for Everyone & How the Church Can Provide Training