By the Way: Getting Serious about Following Jesus

by Derek Vreeland

"... an inspiring read from beginning to end." -Midwest Book Review

Includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter!

Foreword by Derwin Gray, founding pastor of Transformation Church and former NFL player.

What if asking Jesus into our hearts is not the heart of the gospel? In By the Way , pastor and author Derek Vreeland reframes everything we've been told about Christianity and what it means to follow Jesus. Discipleship isn't an add-on. Jesus didn't say, Go into all the world and get people saved or Get people to ask me into their hearts. Jesus said, Go therefore and make disciples. Reclaiming discipleship as the heart of the Christian faith means seeing anew the gospel, the cross, the resurrection, transformation, and the community of faith. We learn the ways of Jesus by practicing them, Vreeland says, and in By the Way , he introduces us to the ways of Jesus. Discipleship means joining God's joyful mission of reconciliation on earth, not just saving souls for the afterlife. Following Jesus is more like taking a long walk in the woods than sitting in a classroom. Living by the Way takes practice—and that's the point.

Genres: Christianity

232 pages, Paperback

Published June 18, 2019

Reviews

[Steven Kolb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for Christian discipleship. The author's main intent is to help re-prioritize and refocus discipleship "as the heart of the Christian faith." This book contains some practical discussion about application in our current contexts, but also has plenty of theological discussion...chapter 5 on Trinity: The Way of Love is one that I will need to come back to for future study.

Recommend this book for anyone, but think it might be most useful in a group study setting, as there are discussion questions provided after every chapter.

[Em (Makenna) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book for you if you want to see the meaning of being a Christian more. It is more than just showing up to church and acting ''churchy'' This is definitely needed in our culture at the moment, If you want to follow Christ more than just ''being saved'' and going on with your life, this is also the book you need to read!

I received an arc of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts VERY strong, with some very excellent content through-out. The biggest struggle I have is that the book doesn't REALLY end... it just sorta stops. That said, I'd definitely encourage others to read it. Derek is a solid writer, with some very helpful ideas.

[Siddhartha Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. This is the gospel. A disciple does 4 things:
(1) Watches master
(2) Watches master and helps master
(3) Does stuff and gets helped by master
(4) Does stuff and checks in with master.
Initially, we are on stage 1 but gradually we need to move to step 4.

[Graydon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read for demonstrating a pathway of discipleship. I can’t wait for my youth to read this!

[Chad Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and helpful exploration of what it means to actually follow Jesus.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on discipleship.