This booklet is an attempt to set forth some principles of New Testament discipleship. Some of us have seen these principles in the Word for years, but somehow concluded that they were too extreme and impractical for the complicated age in which we live. And so we surrendered to the chill of our spiritual environment.

Then we met a group of young believers who set out to demonstrate that the Savior’s terms of discipleship are not only highly practical but that they are the only terms which will ever result in the evangelization of the world.

We acknowledge our indebtedness to these young people for providing living examples of many of the truths set forth here.

To the extent that these truths are still beyond our own personal experience, we set forth as the aspirations of our heart.

—William MacDonald

A disciple can be forgiven if he does not have great mental ability or physical prowess. But he cannot be excused if he does not have zeal.  If his heart is not aflame with a red-hot passion for the Savior, he stands condemned.  After all, Christians are followers of the One who said, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me" (John 2:17). Their Savior was consumed with a passion for God and for his interests. Those who are constrained by the love of Christ will count no sacrifice too great to make for Him.