In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commissioned believers to the high calling of making disciples based on his universal authority over heaven and earth. Since the Lord of the universe, Jesus Christ, left his church with the commission of discipleship, it would do us well to understand the character of this calling.

In 100 pages, Mark Dever anchors discipleship on the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ; in the context of the local church; and to its subject – the growing believer. Dever divides his book into three parts:

• What is discipling?
• Where should we disciple?
• How should we disciple?

First, what is discipling? Mark Dever sums up discipleship with the goal of proclaiming Christ so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. “Proclaim the Word of God now; present the saints mature in Christ when he comes later.” (p. 31). Dever observes that the pattern throughout Scripture involves, “…transmitting the knowledge of God and his Word through every moment of life.” (p. 28).

Consequently, discipleship involves bringing someone into your personal life to listen, observe and obey by putting truths learned into practice. Here Dever offers vital advice, “Ultimately, therefore your toil and labor cannot root in your love for them or their love for you. It must root in your love for Christ, his love for you, and his love for them. He has purchased them with his blood. And you mean to present them to him. It is for him that you do it all.” (p. 33).

Dever understands that one of his readers’ greatest hindrances to discipleship is personal weakness and sin. When a disciplee walks into our personal lives and home, he or she will see our sinful weakness. That’s a fact.

Dever encourages us, “Discipling in the gospel means that sometimes you lead the way in confessing weakness or sin. By doing so, you demonstrate what it looks like not to find your justification in yourself, but in Christ. And so you live transparently and honestly.” (p. 35).

Dever then provides a number of helpful examples of men and women in their church who experienced the grace of God through the transparency of their weakness in the process of discipleship.

Disobedient children; messy homes; and attitudes of frustration all provide gospel opportunities for finding hope in Christ. Dever argues that it is in this weakness that discipleship thrives for Christ, who is seen and valued as the Savior He is.

That’s just a taste of Dever’s first section ‘What is discipleship?’ Parts 2 and 3 place discipleship into the context of the spiritual resources of the local church. The teaching and modeling found within the church’s leadership and members provide the resources for discipleship.

Finally, the appendix itself is worth the price of the book. Jonathan Leeman, Mark Dever’s assistant pastor, provides a helpful commentary regarding the discipleship exhibited in Dever’s life and ministry.

In this one book the reader receives a pastor’s thoughts on discipleship drawn from many faithful years of ministry. Then, Leetham (speaking as one who was discipled by Dever) paints a picture of his discipler’s ministry. Well done; from discipler to disciplee.