Disciple Gate
Moving into Life with Jesus
by Tim Sutton
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
Jesus invites people to a life pulsing with love, purpose, and the promise of unending joy. He calls this narrow-road journey discipleship and says, "Follow me."
The first generations to believe in Jesus knew that following him--and his ways--was an essential part of their faith. They self-identified as disciples. Today many people are disconnected from this journey--or unsure of where to start. Disciple Gate is a thoughtful, practical, and down-to-earth guide to discipleship that can help change that. Through Scripture, story, and personal testimony, readers explore five key moments in this adventure with Jesus. Stepping through seasons of beauty and struggle, they learn to develop a resilient and reproductive faith. They move into life with Jesus and friendship with God.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." --Jesus (Matt 7:13-14)
Tim Sutton pastors a church in the South West of England. Over the past thirty years he has led and served churches and disciple-making ministries in the UK and in other countries. He is married to the love of his life, Annemarij, and enjoys being taken for seaside walks by his dog, Bilbo. He holds degrees in biblical and cross-cultural studies and advanced Christian studies.
“A clear, inspiring, and practical call for us to be the kind of disciples needed in our day. I’m grateful for this book and would encourage any Christian to read it, respond to the challenge within it, and step up to live fully as a disciple.”
—Gavin Calver, CEO, Evangelical Alliance
“Tim Sutton is uniquely placed to speak to this core aspect of the Jesus way. He has seen and experienced Jesus followers all over the world and has been able to observe a Jesus way that is effective in all contexts. So much has been written in the subject of discipleship, but Sutton gives us a refreshing new take on this journey. It is well worth the read from an author who lives what he teaches.”
—Andy Sieberhagen, lead pastor, Heritage Christian Church
“Grounded in a wealth of personal experience and shaped by a wide engagement with Scripture and the wisdom of the Church down the years, Tim Sutton exposes the scandal of discipleship-free Christianity and calls us to walk through the ‘Discipleship Gate’ into a better way. A great book for getting you started on that journey or as a refresher to get you back on course.”
—John Risbridger, director, Catalyst Leadership and Theology Training Course
“Think. Pray. Do. These exercises in each chapter of Tim Sutton’s Disciple Gate bridge the gap in much that is written on discipleship between the academic, the devotional, and the practical aspects of being a disciple. Sutton’s personal illustrations, wide range of references, and well-structured approach are not only a delight to read, but an invitation to grow through the challenges and trials we face. Practical, pastoral, personal, and highly recommended!”
—Richard Harvey, associate lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Jewish studies, All Nations Christian College