Organic Disciples: Seven Ways to Grow Spiritually and Naturally Share Jesus

Description

Could sharing your faith be the secret to developing your spiritual maturity For many followers of Jesus, discipleship means doing certain things to deepen our connection with Jesus Christ. But our spiritual growth checklists are often disconnected from the mission of reaching a lost world with the gospel message. Taking a holistic approach that unites evangelism and discipleship, Kevin and Sherry Harney demonstrate how God's plan for our spiritual growth is intimately connected to his mission to the world. In Organic Disciples, the couple lead ordinary followers of Jesus through seven markers of spiritual maturity, showing how simple shifts in our Bible reading, prayer, community life, giving, service, and other biblical practices can connect us with God's work of reaching people with his love. You'll learn: Why true spiritual maturity will always lead believers outward to engage the world with the good news and truth of Jesus. How to overcome the common roadblocks and false narratives that stand in the way of spiritual maturity. How to design a personal pathway of growth to be more like Jesus in character and mission. Along with the Organic Disciples book, churches and individuals can utilize a free, self-directed online tool at OrganicOutreach.com to help each person identify where they are in their growth journey. Also look for eight-session small group curriculum-Organic Disciples Study Guide (9780310139089)-to take congregations and Christians deeper on this journey.

Sherry Harney is an author and a speaker who serves as the Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Director at Shoreline Church in Monterey, California. She is also the cofounder of Organic Outreach International. For over three decades Sherry has spoken for local, national, and international groups and events. She focuses on prayer, spiritual formation, leadership, and organic outreach. Kevin G. Harney (kevingharney.com) serves at Shoreline Community Church in Monterey, California. He is the author of many books and studies, including Organic Outreach for Ordinary People, Seismic Shifts, and Reckless Faith.

'This book in three words: exponential spiritual impact. Read and apply its message and it will impact your life, the lives of those you influence, and the many others whom they will, in turn, shape for Christ. Organic Disciples presents a biblical plan for changing yourself, your church, your community, and ultimately the world.' * Mark Mittelberg, executive director, Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics; author, Contagious Faith * 'I have long relied on the brilliant evangelism leadership of Kevin and Sherry Harney, and I could not be more thrilled for their newest contribution about holistically connecting discipleship and evangelism in the church today. This work is long overdue, and there is nothing out there quite like it. A must-have for your ministry library.' * Michelle T. Sanchez, executive minister, Make and Deepen Disciples, Evangelical Covenant Church * 'In a world with so much confusion about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, the Harneys not only shed light, they lay out biblical principles and practices that can lead us toward the life of fruitfulness we long for. So many have failed to see (and live into) the intimate connection between evangelism and discipleship. Organic Disciples fills this major void.' * Kevin Palau, president, Luis Palau Association * 'Kevin and Sherry Harney are some of the most genuine, faithful, faith-filled, and effective church leaders I know. I've had the privilege of seeing their hearts and the impact of their ministry firsthand. When they speak, I listen. They are a deep well of lived truth and grace. Let's all grow into more effective organic disciples by diving into this important new book together.' * Craig Springer, author, How to Follow Jesus and How to Revive Evangelism; executive director, Alpha USA * 'I love this book! It is one of the most inspiring and practically engaging books on discipleship that I have ever read. It is not about a formula or a system. Instead, it will stir your heart for more of Jesus and his love for people. The Harneys remind us that evangelism and discipleship never got a divorce. They are married and intended to work in union through the life of the believer and the church. The authors' braiding together of prayer, worship, and Spirit-led action will compel you as you are going about your day to go and make disciples.' * Nancy Grisham, PhD, author, Thriving; former faculty member, Wheaton College * 'Kevin and Sherry Harney love the Lord Jesus Christ and think strategically as force multipliers. Organic Disciples is carefully designed to effectively force multiply for the Lord Jesus Christ.' * Lieutenant General Eric P. Wendt (retired), United States Army, Special Forces* * 'For the longest time, it seems that many in the church have pitted discipleship and evangelism against one another. For many churches, it does seem more emphasis is placed on discipleship to the neglect of evangelism. However, as Kevin and Sherry Harney rightly point out, the more Christians become like Jesus, the more they will engage in Jesus' mission. My hope and prayer is that the global church will embrace the biblical vision laid out in this book.' * Josh Laxton, PhD, codirector, Wheaton College Billy Graham Center; co-regional director, Lausanne Movement North America * 'Organic Disciples offers a simple way to help your church raise up and multiply disciples. The seven markers provide helpful, clear language to assess where you and your church are in your discipleship journey, as well as identify opportunities to teach and grow. I love that this book, in addition to being theologically rooted and based on research with hundreds of churches and ministries, creates the bridge between discipleship and evangelism that is often missed. This book invites you not only to deepen your discipleship journey but also to be a disciple whose heart breaks for the people around them.' * Eliza Cortes Bast, pastor; Supervisor of Local Missional Engagement and Strategic Ministry Initiatives, Reformed Church in America * 'As they did for evangelism with the Organic Outreach book series, Kevin and Sherry Harney bring practical application to discipleship as it was intended to be. Organic Disciples exposes the missing link between discipleship and evangelism, laying out a path that leads Christians through the one with the outcome of the other--exactly what Jesus demonstrated in the Bible.' * Walt Bennett, president, Organic Outreach International * 'I welcome how Kevin and Sherry reunite evangelism and discipleship, creating a natural, step-by-step approach to fulfilling the Great Commission. Using the stories of Jesus keeps the Bible as the textbook, while their personal stories make it practical. This book is incredibly valuable.' * Anita Eastlack, Executive Director of Church Multiplication, Wesleyan Church * 'I have known Kevin and Sherry for more than two decades, and I trust them to lead Christians deeper in discipleship and boldly into the world with the life-changing good news of Jesus. Organic Disciples will help you do both.' * Lee Strobel, author, Case for Heaven and the bestselling The Case for Christ *