Dallas Willard: the Cost of Nondiscipleship

In this reading from Devotional Classics (p. 13), Dallas Willard observes that the word "disciple" occurs 269 times in the New Testament, while "Christian" is found only three times. He says, "The New Testament is a book about disciples, by disciples, and for disciples of Jesus Christ." What meaning has "disciple" had in your own experience?

Look at the Bible text, Matthew 28:16-20, at the end of the reading. What are the two commands of Christ which our contemporary church has ignored--our "great omissions"?

Dallas Willard writes, "If we intend to become like Christ, that will be obvious to every thoughtful person around us, as well as to ourselves." If you were to focus all of your energies, give up everything, to become like Christ, what would change about your life?

What do you think of Willard's description of "the cost of nondiscipleship"? Does it ring true?

All visitors to this blog are invited to post comments. You can register as "anonymous" and add your response. Answer one question or as many as you like--or just offer your own ideas about the text. Welcome!

Next week, 9/21: Jonathan Edwards, Devotional Classics, p. 19