I didn't know quite what to think of The Imperfect Disciple by Jared Wilson when I started reading it. My first impression was that this book was written by a new Christian, who was struggling in his faith. It seemed to me the author was very young as he constantly swore or took the Lord's name in vain. Something I did not appreciate at all in a Christian book. If he was trying to be funny it did not have that affect on me. But the title was appropriate. No one is a perfect Christian. I myself struggled with what a Christian was "supposed to be" for years, and like the author had to find my own way.

Wilson tells how he grew up in the church and so he did what was expected of him. His church sounded almost cult-like to me and it was apparent he was "baptized" into his parents faith without ever having had a real salvation experience. Yet he tells of sensing a calling into vocational ministry when in the ninth grade. Something I felt unusual since in the same breath he wrote that he wasn't even sure Jesus loved him.

I understand his focus of the book was about imperfect disciples/Christians who struggle to do the right thing and yet feel far away from God. I get that. Maybe it is his style of writing, but at times I found his words to be filled more with bitterness than hope. But perhaps that was his intent. He drags you down to where most of us have been in our spiritual journey and then he gets you to look up.

"It's interesting how often the areas of our inner selves we strive the most to hide from Jesus are the ones he's most interested in. And it's amazing that these things about ourselves we hope he doesn't see are the very things he means to cover with his grace."

It's quotes like the one above that kept me reading because eventually, the author leads you to where you need to be in order to grow as a Christian - with your nose in the pages of the Bible! The real reason Christians feel stuck or don't grow in their faith is because they do not study their Bibles effectively. Instead, they use self-help books or rely on the latest fads or opinions of others rather than looking to the Scriptures alone.

Ultimately, the author presents a good case on how God uses imperfect people. He takes those areas of our lives we are struggling with and uses them (if we let Him) to help us grow. While I found Wilson's way of talking at times immature, he does show how imperfect disciples can still be used by God.

Can I just simply say, JESUS! This book is really just about keeping our eyes on Jesus and letting Him lead us into the people that He desires us to be. I think we get it so complicated and messy, when really it is about leaning into Jesus and letting Him guide us in this life. Being a disciple of Jesus is about learning to die to self daily and become more like Jesus in our actions, behavior, and lifestyle. Jared's job was simply to highlight some key truths in order for us to simply let go of things and just cling to Jesus. I believe this is one of Jared's best works and is a great resource for all who drink in the words and thoughts of his heart.

First sentence: My gospel is a little sweaty and ragged around the edges. The print is smeared a little bit, and it’s flat and conformed to the contour of my upper thigh from hiding in my front pocket. Maybe your gospel looks like mine. Sometimes it can feel weird to show it to somebody.

Premise/plot: Jared C. Wilson addresses the subject of Christian discipleship in his newest book. What does it mean to follow Christ? What does it mean to be a disciple? What does the 'Christian life' the 'Christian walk' look like in the real world, in the honest-with-yourself world? Wilson writes, "This book on following Jesus is for all of you people who, like me, are tired of the mass-marketed, self-helpy “be a better Christian” projects."

My thoughts: I really enjoyed reading this one. IT was quite a joy to read a solidly biblical book after reading Madeleine L'Engle's horrid theological ramblings. I love how he begins each chapter with a "my gospel" statement. Here are a few of my favorites:
*My gospel is well worn. Its pages are thin from use. I’ve run over it and over it—by myself and with others, and for whatever reason, it doesn’t seem to wear completely out. It feels like cloth now, delicate and soft. I dare not replace it, though, because it’s the only one I’ve got. I bring this gospel out when I’m discipling others—Okay, wait. Discipling is not a word we find in the Scriptures. Nor do we find discipleship, for that matter. Let me start over—I bring this soft-as-cloth gospel out of my pocket when I am helping others follow Jesus.
*My gospel is smudged. It doesn’t seem at first glance much to look at. If I had inadvertently dropped it on the sidewalk, you might step over it like you would a penny. Who stops for a penny?
*My gospel is an old hymn. My gospel is sheet music printed in antiquarian typeface on a yellowed page in a dusty book. It’s the “old, old story” and the “old rugged cross.” My gospel is four verses—and please don’t skip the third verse to expedite the invitation! My gospel is an invitation to a bygone time that feels new again, even in our age of ever-dawning progress and modernity. My gospel gets “dug up” and “trotted out” and sung ironically and apologized for by leaders too clever for their own good. But then it lands in the ears of those led as sweetly familiar, warms their souls like celestial comfort food, and always gets sung louder than those Jesus-is-my-boyfriend ditties.
*My gospel has been both a welcome mat and a place mat. It is a little messy. Scrape it with your fingernail and you’ll disturb the crust of dusty footprints and dribbles of spaghetti sauce. This gospel gets passed around a lot. It’s been under a lot of noses, in front of a lot of eyes. We’ve held hands around it, held it together before our faces like a shared song sheet at a Sunday night hymn sing, perhaps even wiped our tears with it. This gospel has all of our DNA on it, I’m afraid.
*My gospel is burning a hole in my pocket. It’s an ember smoldering, singeing my threads and my thigh. It is leaving a mark. It is branding me. It cannot be contained. My gospel is a wildfire waiting to happen. It scorches dry earth, lays waste to dead limbs.
*My gospel is a Narnian wardrobe. It seems simple enough from the outside—discernible, shaped, and dimensioned. But when I get myself inside of it, the dimensions expand. Its inside is bigger than its outside.
*My gospel is a time machine. It goes all the way back. And it goes all the way forward. At the same time, for all time. My gospel fits in my pocket, and yet when I grasp it with my trembling fist, it takes me everywhere and everywhen. It gets my name in the Lamb’s book before time began and it puts my name over the door of some heavenly abode as yet unseen. I’m getting ahead of myself.
*My gospel is a handful of crumbs. It does not look like much. But it is more than enough. Some see the crumbs and move on. The plate seems distinctly un-regal; the illusion of this meager offering does not comport with the desires of their belly-god. Some hear in the call to feast on the words of the Lord a provocation calling them in some way a dog, and they scamper away yelping rather than leaning in, head bowed to be patted. My gospel is fuller than it appears, more satisfying. A morsel of grace is vastly delicious, greater in taste and sustenance than the biggest buffet at the world’s shiniest banquet. My gospel is desert manna, a widow’s miracle-cake, Elvish lembas bread. You must trust me on this.

I love how basic and yet comprehensive it is of the Christian life. It covers prayer, Bible reading, fellowship, worship, evangelism and missions, etc. It is authentic and straightforward. It is a call to turn your eyes upon Jesus. It is a call to LOVE.

I rushed to pick up this book because I am attracted to the notion of an Imperfect Disciple. The title resonated with me and the book cover design was beautiful. I often judge books by the cover. Who are we kidding?

The Imperfect Disciple: Grace for People Who Can’t Get Their Act Together is not a hard read. It isn’t mired in theological or philosophical textbook vocabulary. It’s a bro’s book. I felt the writer was a dude’s dude. I had to read 35% of the book before I could set aside the conversational chatter and focus on what Wilson was asking of his reader – to cast down our nets and follow Jesus in all our imperfections.

“This book on following Jesus is for all of you people who, like me, are tired of the mass-marketed, self-helpy ‘be a better Christian’ projects” (Wilson).

I completely understand Wilson’s approach. It’s a conversational text on walking in discipleship and a call to have an actual relationship with the Most High. But, I am not sold on the approach.

I was put off by the joking jabs at teenage girls, the incessant need to drive a point home by pointing out that Jesus called a woman a dog in the Bible, and the overwhelming amount of times the word idiot, loser, and stupid used to refer to the writer and the reader.

“What Jesus has done is good news only for losers. If you’re not a loser, in fact, you can’t have Jesus” (Wilson).
I mustered the courage to finish the book through the lens of what jarred me from the beginning. This is the first encounter I’ve had with Jared C. Wilson. It is also the first book of his I’ve picked up. At this point, I’m not a fan.

I will pick up another book because I feel we can’t entirely know an author until we’ve read a couple of their works. I’m still on the fence about recommending this book.

"Too many discipleship books are written for perfect people who know all the right Sunday school answers.
This book is for the rest of us—people who screw up, who are weary, who are wondering if it's safe to say what they're really thinking."

Jared C. Wilson has a gift for speaking in real terms. Like his other books, Wilson doesn't pull any punches as he presents the gospel in a no-holds-barred fashion. He breaks down the concept of discipleship and explains it for real people, those of us that live our lives wondering if we're good enough and smart enough to share the gospel with others. Wilson explains the rhythm of feeling scripture, a section I enjoyed that discusses worship music vs. hymns and establishing a relationship with Christ through constant prayer. He also references Paul numerous times, and explains how grace goes all the way down and all the way up. If you are one of those people who can never seem to get their act together, I urge you to read this book. You will find it is filled with scripture that points you to a closer relationship with Christ.

I strongly recommend this book to all Christians who are seeking a more clear picture on discipleship. I received this as a free ARC from Baker Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.