Utilize Chad Harrington’s list of disciple-making books for groups, including practical information, reader demographics, and theological screening.
The following disciple-making books are my top book recommendations for group studies to help Christians make disciples who make disciples. I define “disciple-making books” as books that help leaders make disciples. They’re different than “discipleship books,” which is a boarder category that includes, for me, spiritual formation, following Jesus more generally, and disciple-making. That is, “disciple-making books” is a narrower category within “discipleship books” because it’s focused on resources for leaders who are or want to make disciples.
My list is unique from other lists I have seen because:
- It gives practical criteria specifically for group studies.
- It provides theological perspective from a conservative point of view.
- It offers a specific order for which ones to read first.
HIM Publications is a member of the Evangelical Christian Publisher’s Association.
Top 10 Disciple-Making Books for Groups
Here are my top 10 book recommendations for groups on disciple-making. I recommend reading them in this order. Use this information at the discretion of your group’s maturity level.
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Top Books on Disciple-Making
Here are the top disciple-making books I recommend for Christian groups to read in this order:
1. Church Is a Team Sport by Jim Putman
2. Stay the Course by Brandon Guindon
3. Disciple-Making Culture by Brandon Guindon
4. The Discipleship Gospel by Bill Hull and Ben Sobels (with The Discipleship Gospel Workbook by Bill Hull and Ben Sobels)
5. Real-Life Discipleship by Jim Putman (with Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual by Jim Putman, Avery T. Willis Jr., Brandon Guindon, and Bill Krause)
6. RelationShift by Jim Putman
7. DiscipleShift by Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington
8. Cultivating a Life for God by Neil Cole
9. Disciplemaker’s Handbook by Alice Fryling
10. The Great Opportunity by Dave Buehring
Here are some other books I recommend because others I trust recommend them, but I haven’t read them:
- A Discipleship Journey by Dave Buehring
- The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook by Bobby Harrington and Josh Patrick
1. Church Is a Team Sport by Jim Putman
The Main Message of the Book
The heart and core of this book is in the title. It’s about how important it is to be unified as a team.
Vital Information About Church Is a Team Sport for Groups
- Chapter Count? 19 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 5–6 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 4–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 4 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does Church Is a Team Sport assume? This book assumes that readers are involved in church and want to be unified as the church toward God’s mission.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? No
- Video series available? No
Theology of Church Is a Team Sport
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2008
What Can Church Is a Team Sport Accomplish for Your Group?
- Provides a championship strategy for a vibrant church
- Demonstrates proven coaching strategies to inspire believers to grow as a team of Christians and leaders
- Helps you discover authentic discipleship that changes lives
- Equips every member of your church to be a motivated follower of Jesus
Recommended Purchase Links for Church Is a Team Sport
Read Brandon Guindon’s full review of Church Is a Team Sport here.
2. Stay the Course by Brandon Guindon
The Main Message of the Book
If you commit to the seven guardrails outlined in this book, then you’ll help people stay the course and be disciples who make disciples.
Vital Information About Stay the Course for Groups
- Chapter Count? 7 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 7–9 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 4–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 3 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? Yes
- What level of maturity does Stay the Course assume? This book assumes that the reader is a church leader who wants to help their church stay on the good course of discipleship.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of Stay the Course
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Nashville, TN: HIM Publications, 2017
What Can Stay the Course Accomplish for Your Group?
- Uses seven essential practices—or “guardrails”—to guide you along the road of disciple making in your local context
- Helps you apply these seven practices to your personal life and implement them in your church
- Encourages you to stay on the road of discipleship
Recommended Purchase Links for Stay the Course
Read Bobby Harrington’s full review of Stay the Course here.
3. Disciple-Making Culture by Brandon Guindon
The Main Message of the Book
As church leaders, you need to create a culture in the church built around disciples who make disciples.
Vital Information About Disciple-Making Culture for Groups
- Chapter Count? 14 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 4–14 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 4–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 4 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does Disciple-Making Culture assume? Readers who want to help lead in some capacity will benefit most from this book, including lay leaders, staff members, and elders.
- Discussion questions in the book? No
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? Yes, a free, open-access course with fifteen videos and associated study guides. You can find it here.
Theology of Disciple-Making Culture
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Nashville, TN: HIM Publications, 2020
What Can Disciple-Making Culture Accomplish for Your Group?
- Provides a practical how-to guide for cultivating a healthy disciple-making culture throughout your church
- Walks readers through key components of healthy culture
- Teaches a relational method for making disciples at your church that is built upon how Jesus and the early church made disciples
Recommended Purchase Links for Disciple-Making Culture
Read Matt Dabbs’s full review of Disciple-Making Culture here, and read Bobby Harrington’s full review of Disciple-Making Culture here.
4. The Discipleship Gospel by Bill Hull and Ben Sobels
The Main Message of the Book
We must bring disciple making back to what the intent of the gospel always was.
Vital Information About The Discipleship Gospel for Groups
- Chapter Count? 15 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 3–15 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 8–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 6 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? Yes
- What level of maturity does The Discipleship Gospel assume? This book assumes that readers want to better understand the gospel and not necessarily stick with what they’ve assumed it is.
- Discussion questions in the book? No
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of The Discipleship Gospel
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NLT
- Publisher? Nashville, TN: HIM Publications, 2018
What Can The Discipleship Gospel Accomplish for Your Group?
- Challenges the church today with a fresh reading of Jesus’ gospel
- Defines seven essential elements of Jesus’ gospel and why you must include each one in your gospel if you want to make disciples, not just converts
- Helps you clarify your understanding of the gospel
- Teaches you how to contextualize your message
- Helps you create a plan to make disciples who embrace the full gospel
Recommended Purchase Links for The Discipleship Gospel
Read Brandon Guindon’s full review of The Discipleship Gospel here.
The Discipleship Gospel Workbook by Ben Sobels and Bill Hull
The Main Message of the Book
This book is about how to take the principles and practices of The Discipleship Gospel and put them into a working format for application.
Vital Information About The Discipleship Gospel Workbook for Groups
- Chapter Count? 16 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 16–24 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 4–6 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 5 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? Yes
- What level of maturity does The Discipleship Gospel Workbook assume? This assumes that readers are curious and interested in the gospel, but they don’t need to be Christians.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of The Discipleship Gospel Workbook
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? ESV
- Publisher? Nashville, TN: HIM Publications, 2018
What Can The Discipleship Gospel Workbook Accomplish for Your Group?
- Guides your discipleship group through the Gospel of Mark chapter by chapter to multiply disciples
- Trains people to understand the Bible and put into practice what they’re learning
- Encourages you to step outside your comfort zone, vulnerably share your journey, and embrace gospel-motivated action
- Helps your discipleship groups clarify their understanding of Jesus’ kingdom gospel, practice obedience to Jesus, and multiply disciples
Recommended Purchase Links for The Discipleship Gospel Workbook
Read Brandon Guindon’s full review of The Discipleship Gospel Workbook here.
5. Real-Life Discipleship by Jim Putman
The Main Message of the Book
People grow through phases. If you understand those phases, you can help those people grow.
Vital Information About Real-Life Discipleship for Groups
- Chapter Count? 15 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 15–17 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 4–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 4 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does Real-Life Discipleship assume? It assumes that readers are wanting to grow as disciples and make other disciples either now or in the future.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of Real-Life Discipleship
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2010
What Can Real-Life Discipleship Accomplish for Your Group?
- Helps you reexamine your methods of discipleship
- Reveals a new vision for what the church can be
- Challenges how you create disciples
- Helps you create a culture of discipleship
Recommended Purchase Links for Real-Life Discipleship
Read Bobby Harrington’s full review of Real-Life Discipleship here.
Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual by Jim Putman, Avery T. Willis Jr., Brandon Guindon, and Bill Krause
The Main Message of the Book
People grow as disciples through phases. They go from the infant stage to the child stage, to the young adult stage, and then to the parent stage.
Vital Information About Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual for Groups
- Chapter Count? 60 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 12 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 8–14 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 4 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual assume? This book is good for small-group leaders or Christians who are ready to disciple others into spiritual parenthood.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2010
What Can Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual Accomplish for Your Group?
- Helps you discover a new vision for your small-group ministry by thinking about how you make disciples
- Explains the necessary components of disciple-making so that every church member can play a part in reaching others for Christ
- Helps small-group leaders develop the heart of a discipler
- Teaches you what a disciple is, how disciples grow, and how to be an intentional leader
Recommended Purchase Links for Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual
Read Bobby Harrington’s full review of Real-Life Discipleship Training Manual here.
6. RelationShift by Jim Putman
The Main Message of the Book
We need close relationships to be able to survive the difficulties that we face as Christians and as church leaders.
Vital Information About RelationShift for Groups
- Chapter Count? 11 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 5–12 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 8–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 4 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does RelationShift assume? This assumes the reader understands the basics of discipleship and wants to engage at a deeper level.
- Discussion questions in the book? No
- Homework required? No
- Video series available? Yes, The Disciple’s Journey (forthcoming)
Theology of RelationShift
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Nashville, TN: Renew.org, 2023
What Can RelationShift Accomplish for Your Group?
- Walks you through five shifts that can help you cultivate real relationships with real people
- Maps out how to become a true friend to those you disciple
- Prevents church leaders from ending up lonely and burnt out
Recommended Purchase Link for RelationShift
Read Bobby Harrington’s full review of RelationShift here.
7. DiscipleShift by Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington
The Main Message of the Book
This book is about how to take steps in shifting your church to a disciple-making church.
Vital Information About DiscipleShift for Groups
- Chapter Count? 12 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 5–12 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 4–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 4 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does DiscipleShift assume? Readers need to be involved in discipleship and want to grow into the best disciple-makers they can be.
- Discussion questions in the book? No
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of DiscipleShift
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013
What Can DiscipleShift Accomplish for Your Group?
- Walks you through five key shifts that your church must make
- Shows your church how to attract the world
- Empowers your church members to be salt and light in their communities
- Helps you realign the values of your church so that discipleship is at the core
Recommended Purchase Links for DiscipleShift
Read Brandon Guindon’s full review of DiscipleShift here.
8. Cultivating a Life for God by Neil Cole
The Main Message of the Book
We can most effectively make growing disciples by holding weekly, gender-specific group meetings with two to three members who multiply through confession, reading 25–30 chapters of Scripture a week, and praying for the lost specifically by name.
Vital Information About Cultivating a Life for God for Groups
- Chapter Count? 13 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 4–14 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 3–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 5 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does Cultivating a Life for God assume? This is a book for leaders who want to learn about a method for making disciples that Neil Cole calls “Life Transformation Groups” (LTGs). The maturity level assumed is mainly just leaders, but it’s optimal for leaders who want to serve God. The book helps motivate them, give perspective, and provide tools.
- Discussion questions in the book? No, but it does have the questions necessary for using the tool he teaches you to use.
- Homework required? No
- Video series available? No
Theology of Cultivating a Life for God
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? Not listed
- Publisher? CMA Resources, 2014
What Can Cultivating a Life for God Accomplish for Your Group?
- Introduces you to the methodology of “Life Transformation Groups”
- Encourages and supports people to follow Christ by fueling internal motivation
- Provides a simple way to release the most essential elements of a vital spiritual walk
- Calls upon you to rethink your busy, fast-paced life
- Gives you tools for making disciples who make disciples
Recommended Purchase Link for Cultivating a Life for God
Read my full review of Cultivating a Life for God here.
9. Disciplemaker’s Handbook by Alice Fryling
The Main Message of the Book
In order to help others grow in their faith through healthy discipling relationships, you need to understand what disciple-making is and how to do it from a balanced and well-informed perspective.
Vital Information About Disciplemaker’s Handbook for Groups
- Chapter Count? 13 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 8–14 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 3–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 5 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does Disciplemaker’s Handbook assume? This book assumes that readers are eager and willing to begin making disciples, and that they want to gain various ideas, not just one approach.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of Disciplemaker’s Handbook
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1989
What Can Disciplemaker’s Handbook Accomplish for Your Group?
- Encourages you to overcome your fears about discipling others
- Teaches you how to be a friend and how to begin a discipling relationship
- Helps you model the Christian life
- Describes how to use Scripture in disciple-making, how to help a friend who is hurting, and how to help others share their faith
- Provides tons of practical tools, ideas, and approaches
Recommended Purchase Links for Disciplemaker’s Handbook
Read my full review of Disciplemaker’s Handbook here.
10. The Great Opportunity by Dave Buehring
The Main Message of the Book
The back cover summarizes it well: “When followers of Jesus view their vocations through the lens of the Great Commission, the result is the transformation of people and societies.”
Vital Information About The Great Opportunity for Groups
- Chapter Count? 10 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 10–12 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 3–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 4 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does The Great Opportunity assume? This book assumes that readers want to engage in the Great Commission of Jesus to make disciples of all nations, so it’s primarily a book to help leaders think more broadly about disciple-making.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? No
- Video series available? No
Theology of The Great Opportunity
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? ESV
- Publisher? Nashville, TN: Morgan James, 2021
What Can The Great Opportunity Accomplish for Your Group?
- Helps you discover your calling through your work
- Explains why it is important to connect your vocation with the Great “Co-Mission” of Jesus
- Encourages you to go beyond mentoring and coaching to making disciples in your vocational field
Recommended Purchase Link for The Great Opportunity
Read my full review of The Great Opportunity here.
Here are some other disciple-making books I recommend because others I trust recommend them, but I haven’t read them.
A Discipleship Journey by Dave Buehring
The Main Message of the Book
We make disciples by learning the character and ways of God.
Vital Information About A Discipleship Journey for Groups
- Chapter Count? 48 chapters (12 sections with 4 chapters for each section)
- Weeks of Study? 48 weeks (budget 12–14 months, accounting for holidays)
- Recommended size of group? 6–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 5 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? Yes
- What level of maturity does A Discipleship Journey assume? A new or seasoned believer can work through this and gain immensely from it!
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? No
- Video series available? Yes, teaching videos are available here.
Theology of A Discipleship Journey
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? ESV
- Publisher? Nashville, TN: Lionshare Publishing, 2021 (first edition, HigherLife Publishing, 2011)
What Can A Discipleship Journey Accomplish for Your Group?
- Gives you a clear view of God’s character
- Prompts the question, “What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?”
- Levels the playing field for trained and untrained leaders
- Promotes effective and fruitful disciple-making
- Provides real-life application for scripturally sound methods
Recommended Purchase Link for A Discipleship Journey
Read Alex Giannetti’s full review of A Discipleship Journey here.
The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook by Bobby Harrington and Josh Patrick
The Main Message of the Book
This book is about how to practically live out being a disciple maker in your day to day life.
Vital Information About The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook for Groups
- Chapter Count? 10 chapters
- Weeks of Study? 10–12 weeks
- Recommended size of group? 4–12 people
- Age of target audience? Adult
- Gender specific? No
- Reader difficulty? 5 out of 10
- Appropriate for New Believers? No
- What level of maturity does The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook assume? This book assumes the reader has some experience with disciple making and is wanting to dig deeper and go to the next level.
- Discussion questions in the book? Yes
- Homework required? Yes
- Video series available? No
Theology of The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook
- Theological red flags? No
- Denominationally specific content? No
- Author’s preferred Bible translation? NIV
- Publisher? Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017
What Can The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook Accomplish for Your Group?
- Provides a practical guide for making disciples who make disciples
- Identifies the seven elements needed to be a disciple who disciples others
- Invites you to dig deeper through discussion and reflection questions
Recommended Purchase Links for The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook
Read Brandon Guindon’s full review of The Disciple-Maker’s Handbook here.
What’s the next disciple-making book on your reading list?
*The resources on this list are offered only as recommendations. The entirety of content in these books is not necessarily endorsed by the author of this blog nor by HIM Publications; nor does HIM Publications vouch for the content of these resources.
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