Apprentice by Steve Chalke
Reviewed by Dale Lewis
"...filled with authenticity as Chalke creatively explores what a 21st century apprentice of Jesus Christ means in daily, lived out, practical terms."
As a Christ-follower, meaning and purpose dwells within a relationship with Jesus. But if we were brutally honest, most of us are wandering around aimlessly when it comes to our faith walks.
Apprentice is filled with authenticity
as Chalke creatively explores what a 21st century apprentice of Jesus
Christ means in daily, lived out, practical
terms. Becoming and continuing as a Christ-follower is certainly not a
half-hearted effort or a decision made on a whim. With the author’s
blending of both commentary and storytelling with the use of modern day
parables, the reader comes face-to-face with the ancient art of apprenticeship
-- a disciplined approach to living a life reflecting the way of Christ.
Reviewing the chapter titles in the table of contents was immediate confirmation
I needed to read Apprentice. They include amongst others: Journeying, Believing,
Belonging, Forgiving and one of my favorites, Questioning. Within this
particular chapter, he notes, “There are no answers without questions.
So, in the end, it is better to live with questions we cannot answer rather
than with questions we cannot ask.”
Here are a few more of his freeing insights: “The Bible does not
patronize us with the trite promise that, if we believe, life will hold
no mystery or that our doubts will evaporate. Rather, it constantly acknowledges
that life is complicated, and that questions are an inescapable and essential
part of what is means to be human.”
“The way of Jesus is, therefore, neither cowardly submission nor angry
reprisal. It is about bold, energetic and even costly action. Forgiveness is
not
for the cowardly or weak-kneed. It is the response of the strong-those
with a sense of self-worth and courage."
The author is a straight shooter without any pretense of being an expert.
He is simply a fellow follower learning to walk the way of Christ as His
apprentice. Chalke’s approach is practical rather than academic.
To a small degree the lack of study questions was disappointing, but I
believe the author didn’t want to limit the reader’s journey
with regard to the type of questions to be asked and answers to be sought.
Apprentice could easily be used in a small group study to open much discussion.
With refreshing honesty, Steve Chalke calls each of us as spiritual pilgrims
to explore ten crucial areas of life as we apprentice ourselves to the
master teacher. As always, it is up to us in choosing to follow through
and daily walk His way.
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