A Discipleship Primer

I think if I were returning to Ball State again this year with Cru, there is one book I would have my guys read to begin discipleship. It is a book that explores the depth of the human soul and the nature of true spirituality. It asks questions about what is the nature of truth, beauty and love--and how those virtues are manifested in relationships. It discusses the realities of the existence of God, suffering, grace, justice and forgiveness. The book? Why The Brothers Karamazov of course.

In bullet form, these are the reasons I'd have my guys read this book first:

1. It's long. It takes commitment to finish. If they are willing to work through Karamazov then they might be willing to work through their sin and pursue spiritual growth.

2. Ministry is about people. Karamazov at its core is also about people. It is about people in all their sin, suffering and glory. There are few books that do a better job describing the reality of life in a fallen world, with fallen people, in the presence of God than this book.

3. Reading Karamazov would hopefully show my guys that one can learn much truth about God and people from the world around them. Most of the truth of God is not hidden away in thick theology textbooks; it is plainly evident before us in the people and world in which we live.

4. There are a ton of specific spiritual implications and questions that can be drawn from the book. Which brother are you like most often? Do you see attributes of any of the other brothers in you? What are the strengths and weakness of each of them? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What makes the difference between whether one is an Alyosha, Dimitri, or Ivan? Etc.

Since I'm no longer there to make them do it, I'll probably just suggest to my guys to read it on their own time. But I mostly post this to point out a truth that I'm presently learning--that the truth of the gospel is often found most clearly and potently in the places you'd least expect it.