Discipling in a Multicultural World
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- $19.99
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- $19.99
Publisher Description
Our multicultural world needs countercultural disciplers.
People from all over the world are coming to Christ from a variety of backgrounds. This requires more people who are willing to commit to the effort and sacrifice it takes to invest in new believers.
Rooted in over four decades of multicultural discipleship experience, Ajith Fernando offers biblical principles for discipling and presents examples showing how they apply to daily life and ministry. He addresses key cultural challenges, such as the value of honor and shame, honoring family commitments, and dealing with persecution, and helps us think realistically about the cost and commitment required for productive cross-cultural ministry. This practical guide to discipleship will help us help others grow into mature and godly followers of Christ.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Using the metaphor of "spiritual parenthood," Fernando (Reclaiming Love), teaching director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka, convincingly describes his recommended method by which mature "disciplers" (or evangelical "shepherds") can convert others to Christianity. Fernando's method prioritizes "unhurried" spiritual guidance of select individuals over less concentrated attention to many. With sensitivity and insight, he discusses challenges that may put new converts to Christianity in emotionally charged predicaments, such as when a new convert's family disapproves of the conversion, potentially leading to persecution or rejection. To that end, Fernando stresses the importance of disciples maintaining strong ties with families and offers guidance for obeying the Christian commandment to honor parents, even when those parents object to the convert's new faith. The book's second section looks at the discipler's role in affecting personal transformation in new Christians, through emphasis on doctrines of atonement and grace and the practices of confession and forgiveness. Fernando writes for an evangelical audience, but readers from across the Christian theological spectrum will be intrigued by his ideas on spiritually engaging new Christians with cultural sensitivity.
