Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,000+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Cost of Discipleship summary
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Brief summary
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenges readers to question their understanding of true discipleship and calls for radical obedience to Christ, reminding us that following him is not without sacrifice.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Cost of Discipleship
Summary of key ideas
Call to Discipleship and The Beatitudes
In The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer artfully introduces us to the concept of discipleship, perceiving it as a commitment to follow Jesus Christ, no matter the cost. He deems cheap grace—grace we bestow upon ourselves without repentance—as deadly to the Church. Bonhoeffer asserts that true believers must bear the cost of costly grace, which involves discipleship and obedience to Jesus' commands.
The book then embarks on an insightful exploration of The Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing on the Beatitudes. Bonhoeffer enlightens us that Jesus’ blessings were not meant for any religious group, but for His disciples. He expands on each Beatitude, emphasizing that these blessings are mysteries only unlocked to those living in discipleship to Jesus Christ.
The Righteousness and the Extraordinary
Proceeding further, The Cost of Discipleship elucidates the righteousness that Christ demands from his followers. Bonhoeffer emphatically points out that this righteousness is not just external, but a radical inward transformation—an internal commitment to deny self and to follow Jesus. He also underlines the importance of forgiveness.
This part of the book also emphasizes on the voluntary nature of the extraordinary works a disciple performs. By underscoring Jesus' love for the enemy and his profound directive to love without bounds, Bonhoeffer guides us further into the challenging path of discipleship.
The Visible Community and The Hidden Righteousness
Bonhoeffer brings our attention to the concept of the Church as a visible, communal structure in discipleship. He emphasizes that Christians belong to a tangible, communal life that should ideally represent the body of Christ on earth. Here, the sacraments, baptism, and the Lord's Supper hold crucial roles in uniting believers and underlining their commitment to discipleship. Love, too, is given an essential part in creating this ecclesiastic community.
The essence of hidden righteousness and secretive discipline, as explored in The Cost of Discipleship, compels us to ponder: our acts of goodwill should not be paraded for vanity, but carried out for reconciliation with our fellow beings. Following such a path of humility, we allow God's judgment to prevail, entrusting Him with our vindication.
The Suffering and The Abiding City
The book reflects on suffering as a component of discipleship. Bonhoeffer walks us through the path paved by Jesus, elucidating that suffering arrives when we are identified with God's will—the proclamation of Jesus Christ. Discipleship is challenging, but it is through these trials that we reflect Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
In conclusion, The Cost of Discipleship reaffirms our faith in the eternal city that abides—God's reign. Amid personal and global suffering, we must bear our cross and stand firm in God's final victory. In doing so, we reproduce Christ's work on earth, aligning with God's grand design. This commitment forms the very core of what Bonhoeffer believes to be true discipleship.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Cost of Discipleship about?
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a classic Christian text that challenges traditional notions of faith and grace. Bonhoeffer argues that discipleship requires more than just belief; it demands a commitment to following Christ, even in the face of opposition and suffering. The book serves as a powerful reminder of the high cost and true meaning of being a disciple of Jesus.
Who should read The Cost of Discipleship?
- Individuals seeking a deeper understanding of Christian discipleship and its true cost
- Readers interested in exploring the complexities of faith, sacrifice, and moral integrity
- Those who appreciate thought-provoking insights and ideas from a theologian and martyr
Categories with The Cost of Discipleship
Book summaries like The Cost of Discipleship
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
29 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth