We just finished covering Bill Hull’s book Choose the Life in our XL leadership class at Summitview. This is a book I initially read a few months ago, and it really motivated me to be more ‘intentional’ in discipleship, both in discipling and being discipled. Others that have read it have had a similar reaction to it, so we decided to incorporate it into our leadership class.
It was difficult to cover the book adequately in only two class sessions, but the discussion generated (at least in the groups I was a part of) was excellent and thought provoking. The book has many points that can come across as being very provocative. Here is what the author lists as the “heart of this book’s thesis”:
A transformed life is needed, a life of depth of true disciples who have chosen to follow the life that Jesus lived. The reason the mission languishes is the acceptance of a nondiscipleship Christianity that creates shallow believers with hollow lives who don’t affect those around them. This has lead to the marginalization of the gospel and had retarded it’s spread because of its lack of authenticity and power. – p. 215
That is a strong statement. There is a danger of believing that Hull is tying the gospel to works, but I think he clearly states that what he is calling for is a proper response to our salvation, not a works-based path to that salvation.
I highly recommend this book. I often evaluate how much a book impacted me by how much I would want my boys to read the book when they get older. This has made my short list of ‘must read’ books.
If you want to know more prior to investing in the book, check out the spiritual formation section of bible.org where Bill Hull makes a big contribution.
