Outreach Resources of the Year: Discipleship

Now in its 18th year, the 2021 Outreach Resources of the Year honors the past year’s best books that emphasize outreach-oriented ideas and ministries.

The discipleship category was evaluated by Thomas Bandy, director of Thriving Church Consulting and the author of more than 60 books and articles.

RESOURCE OF THE YEAR

The Sacred Overlap: Learning to Live Faithfully in the Space Between by J.R. Briggs (Zondervan)

Reenvisioning discipleship for post-Christendom and post-COVID-19 realities, especially among emerging generations, is one of the great challenges Christian leaders face today. The Sacred Overlap connects the mystery of God and the ambiguity of life as an incarnational opportunity. Briggs explores the spaces between either/or recognized by most of us as paradoxes in faith and living. The resource of the year challenges polarizing assumptions and changes attitudes.

ALSO RECOMMENDED

Leading Small Groups That Thrive: Five Shifts to Take Your Group to the Next Level by Ryan T. Hartwig, Courtney W. Davis and Jason A. Sniff (Zondervan) is a professionally researched, practical and comprehensive new look at small-group ministry designed for holistic growth.

From Social Media to Social Ministry: A Guide to Digital Discipleship by Nona Jones (Zondervan) is one of the best up-to-date resources for designing online discipleship.

Additional discipleship resources are available at outreachmagazine.com/discipleship.

Lora Schrock
Lora Schrock

Lora Schrock is co-editor of Outreach magazine. She has 30 years of publishing experience and is the author of numerous articles and books.

First Baptist Leesburg: More Than Sunday Morning

“We minister to the broken people in our community through many ministries, and we attract a lot of people who want to join our church because of our ministries,” says Art Ayris, executive pastor of administration at First Baptist.

Fastest-Growing Churches: Lessons From the Front Lines

“People see “big C” church as judgy, legalistic rules. If we can work together and show the opposite of that, I feel like that’s our role: to rewrite the narrative of church based on serving.” —Meghan Smith, Trace Church

When You Don’t Want to Read the Bible

You were ultimately made to respond to God’s heart. You were made to know the voice of the Good Shepherd, to lean on his care, to depend on his provisions, to trust in his protection. You were made to come running when your Father calls you home to sit at his table!