Discipleship for Every Stage of Life - by Chris A Kiesling

About the Book

This introduction to Christian formation helps those in ministry think comprehensively about discipleship at every stage of human development and the many aspects of church life.

Book Synopsis

The field of life span development in psychology has much to offer those engaged in making disciples, and Chris Kiesling brings those insights to bear in this volume. He appropriates the most useful observations from this discipline in light of biblical teaching.

Drawing on more than twenty-five years of experience teaching faith development topics in academic and local church settings, Kiesling assembles a toolkit that will help those in ministry think comprehensively about discipleship at every stage of life. Taking into account physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human development from infancy through older adulthood, Kiesling guides readers in making practical use of these insights in churches and educational settings.

Pastors, ministry leaders, and educators will benefit from this treatment, which brings cutting-edge findings from the social sciences into dialogue with Scripture, theology, and practical ministry.

From the Back Cover

"A well-informed, thoughtful, and practical resource"

This introduction to Christian formation helps those in ministry think comprehensively about discipleship at every stage of human development and the many aspects of church life.

"Discipleship for Every Stage of Life offers clear pathways for helping people of all ages encounter Jesus in all of life. This is my new go-to resource for connecting contemporary human development with the timeless wisdom of the Christian faith."
--David Setran, Wheaton College

"An invaluable resource for those working in or preparing for Christian ministry. We strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know how churches can most effectively minister to the formational and developmental needs of their members."
--Jack and Judith Balswick, School of Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy, Fuller Theological Seminary (retired)

"A well-informed, thoughtful, and practical resource. Whether read by a parent or a pastor, this work will help inform and inspire the intentional faith formation of infants through senior adults."
--Colleen Derr, Eastern Nazarene College

"Here is the fruit of careful research and decades of faithful discipleship ministry. Readers seeking to be informed will benefit significantly. Readers willing to be spurred on will benefit abundantly."
--John David Trentham, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; editor in chief, Christian Education Journal

"Kiesling has spent decades integrating insights from secular life span development theory with biblical and theological principles. His careful work provides ministers and Christian educators with a nuanced, comprehensive book to aid us in our work."
--Holly Allen, Lipscomb University (retired); coauthor of Intergenerational Christian Formation; author of Forming Resilient Children

"A comprehensive and engaging text that will be helpful to ministry leaders for years to come."
--Chris Shirley, School of Educational Ministries, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

About the Author

Chris A. Kiesling (PhD, Texas Tech University) is professor of human development and Christian discipleship at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church, he has served as a pastor and a campus minister. Kiesling is the coauthor of Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood: A Practical Theology for College and Young Adult Ministry.