The Power of the 72
Ordinary Disciples in Extraordinary Evangelism
by John Teter
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Pub Date Dec 12 2017 | Archive Date Jan 10 2018
Description
They were not professionals. They were not celebrities. We don't even know their names.
We know very little about them, except that they were everyday people who were drawn to Jesus. When Jesus asked them to join him in his mission, they stepped up, answered the call, and went out in his name. And amazing things happened as a result.
They were the 72.
Pastor and evangelist John Teter explains how Jesus trains ordinary people to accomplish an extraordinary mission. He unpacks the story of the sending of the 72 to reveal how they were equipped in evangelism and discovered opportunities to herald God's kingdom in concrete and tangible ways. Filled with vivid stories of Teter's remarkable experiences in ministry and church planting, this book shows how we can live out God's call and witness the transformation of those around us.
You too have been called by Jesus. Discover how God empowers you to play your part. Welcome to the 72.
Advance Praise
"Having modeled to them what his kingdom looks like, Jesus sent seventy-two vulnerable people out into all the towns and villages, endowed with his authority, to alert everyone to his marvelous reign and rule. It was a kind of beautiful, organized chaos. John Teter thinks we can't improve on it. After all, he and his church have been doing it this way for years. Developing his approach based on Luke 10, John presents an inspiring and readable vision for missional evangelism the Jesus way."
- Michael Frost, author of Surprise the World! and To Alter Your World
"John Teter knows his stuff. He has been one of the seventy-two, and he has also equipped literally thousands of the seventy-two: 'normal' church members. This book will impact your prayer life, your sense of calling, your view of Scripture, and how you see urban America. It's dripping with good news, rooted in real stories ranging from Starbucks to former gang members. Brand new believers and church planters alike will be blessed by this read."
- Doug Schaupp, national director of evangelism, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, coauthor of Breaking the Huddle
"John Teter's profound gift of transforming the intuitive to the intentional is never more evident than in The Power of the 72. He has taken our call for evangelism to another dimension with powerful and moving narratives from his life, family, church, and ministry experiences. Within this narrative flow, John then practically advises us to engage biblically, theologically, and experientially with becoming one of the seventy-two who were sent out by Jesus in Luke 10. This is without question the most engaging and comprehensive book on evangelism I have read. It is no surprise I finished reading it in one sitting—it was that compelling. This is a must-read for every Christian and every church."
- Randall Y. Furushima, president emeritus, Pacific Rim Christian University, Honolulu, Hawaii
"Evangelism is a must for all Christians. Through this book, Dr. John Teter has provided not only biblical insight into the subject but also has offered valuable and practical suggestions on how to do it well. As John and his team have been helping us in Hong Kong with evangelism and church planting during the past few years, we really wish that this practical guide had arrived earlier."
- Simon Yeung, honorary executive secretary, Mission Covenant Church, Hong Kong
"Pastor John put together a wonderful resource on evangelism for us in The Power of 72. He weaves personal stories with biblical exposition from Luke 10 forming a tapestry of wisdom for us to consider as we put our faith in motion. Dive in to the Word of God and let it simmer as you ruminate on his suggestions for reaching the world next door. You'll learn a lot along the way and may grow into a fruitful voice with Christ as you step out and practice what he teaches."
- Joseph W. Handley Jr., president, Asian Access, Tokyo, Japan
"I've had the privilege of witnessing how God is at work at Fountain of Life Covenant Church in Long Beach, CA. This is a blueprint on how they have reached across race and class to make disciples of all people. People from all walks of life are being transformed and raised up as leaders. This book captures some of these incredible stories. Prepare to be challenged and to re-examine how your church can truly reach your wider community. Move beyond your fears or discomforts and imagine how God might use you and your community to make an impact, just like the 72."
- Miho Buccholtz, copastor, Tokyo Life Church, Tokyo, Japan
"Sometimes in focusing on evangelism, we lose our focus on discipleship. Or if we focus on discipleship, we lose the evangelistic fervor. In his book The Power of the 72, John Teter challenges us with the importance of evangelism and provides practical application for every disciple to be sent out with power."
- Dave Ferguson, lead pastor of Community Christian Church, Naperville, IL, author of Finding Your Way Back to God and Starting Over
"Starting with a dozen Galilean men and a few women, Jesus expanded his ministry to the nations by commissioning seventy-two additional unnamed disciples to join his ministry team. In his new book, my good friend Pastor John Teter unpacks how embracing The Power of the 72 can revolutionize our ability to impact our communities with the good news of the kingdom."
- Noel Castellanos, president of Christian Community Development Association, author of Where the Cross Meets the Street
"Over twenty years ago, the Lord brought me and John Teter together amid a sea of twenty thousand people. I have mentored, encouraged, and watched John consistently grow in his personal witness and evangelism leadership. In his new book, The Power of the 72, John combines insights from Luke 10, real stories from the frontlines of a church plant, and theories that he has been testing for years. I highly recommend this resource to develop evangelists in your ministry."
- Alexander Gee Jr., senior pastor, Fountain of Life Covenant Church, Madison, WI
"The Power of the 72 is a breath of fresh air. Theological, inspirational, and practical, it injects much-needed life into what unfortunately has become the stale church practice of evangelism. John Teter expresses passion and joy through this text that encourages readers toward a holistic and healthy approach to sharing the power of the gospel message."
- Soong-Chan Rah, Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism, North Park Theological Seminary
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780830845170 |
| PRICE | $17.99 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Carol H, Reviewer
The Power of 72 Is a great devotional period. It is a devotional about how Jesus sent out the 72. This is how it says it in the Scripture, After this the LORD appointed 72 others and sent them on ahead of him, two buy two, into every town and place where HE himself was about to go and HE said to them, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few therefore pray earnestly to the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into HIS harvest. Go your way, behold I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsacke, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter first say, peace be to this house! " Isn't that awesome? So the author goes and tells in each chapter about the 72 and tells you relevant stories. It Is a great devotional.
Michelle K, Reviewer
The Power of the 72
Ordinary Disciples in Extraordinary Evangelism
by John Teter
InterVarsity Press
IVP Books
Christian , Religion & Spirituality
Pub Date 12 Dec 2017
I am reviewing a copy of The Power Of the 72 Through InterVarsity Press and Netgalley:
The Power Of The 72 offers a new insight on the 72 that is talked about in the book of Luke!
This book reminds us that we are one of the 72. This book tells us too that Evangelism comes from our relationship with God! In the gospel of Luke the 72 lived with and for the poor, we are called to do the same.
The Call Of The 72 wasn't merely evangelists doing Evangelism. The 72 were trained to do Evangelism among the poor. Jesus trained the The 72 to do Evangelism under crushing pressure. He trained them in a methodical and intentional way.
Jesus trained the 72 in how God brings people to Faith and as one of the 72 we are called to bring others to faith.
The ministry of the 72 is supernatural so Jesus instructs them how to pray for their ministry. In this book we are reminded to pray daily. The 72 were trained for spiritual friendships. The 72 are trained for Evangelism in word and in deed. The lifestyle of the 72 is both great joy, and great pain.
I give The Power Of The 72 five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
Conrade Y, Reviewer
I have come across books about the 12 disciples, the 12 tribes of Israel, and songs about the 12 sons of Jacob. In the book of Revelation, there is the usage of 144,000 servants of God who were sealed. Symbolically, 12 is likened to a complete number, a total collection. In this book about the 72 evangelists sent out two by two, we also see it as a multiple of 12. Based on Luke 10:1-20, author John Teter expounds this text to showcase 72 unnamed disciples evangelizing everywhere they go. Calling himself "one of the 72," Teter sees himself in the text as a convicted evangelist. In fact, the gospel of Luke has defined his ministry setting. The mission statement comes from Luke 4; the one-verse vision from Luke 10:2; the evangelism model on Luke 10; and letting the gospel of Luke master him. He also makes an interesting interpretation that the 72 could also mean the known number of countries at that time, which he then extrapolates to mean evangelism for the whole world. I am not sure about that literal stretch, but that does not change the heart of Christ for the whole world. Indeed, the gospel is for all, and the hope is that all would come and believe in the gospel. Jesus called, trained, and sent the 72 out on this evangelistic outreach. What and where exactly is this power? It is that conviction by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers, that the gospel is for all. In this book, Teter seeks to do four things:
Provide a clear theological foundation for evangelism, preaching first to the poor
Present theory of process conversion
Proficiency in four ministry tasks
Prepare for daily rejection with a focus on eternal joy
Arguing for the critical place of faith, the author reminds us that evangelism flows out of our relationship with God. As we listen to the heartbeat of God, we would understand His compassion for the poor. The poor in the first century refer to those who are disadvantaged according to economic definitions, vocational outcasts, gender discrimination, the sick, and ethnicity. In evangelism, we are reminded of obstacles and "crushing pressures" that often affect our evangelism training and preparation. They are taught toward earnest prayers; cultivating friendship; and proclaiming the gospel to be heard and those who hear it be healed. Of interest are the four questions that Teter poses as he reads Luke 10:10-16.
Why did Jesus tell the 72 to dust off their feet after being rejected?
What was Jesus teaching the 72 when He cites the judgment of Sodom?
Do we dare tell our hearers that they will be judged by how they act on what they had been given?
Why did Jesus end by saying rejection of the 72 is tantamount to rejecting the Father?
His evangelistic zeal was soon tested when he was fired for trying to share the gospel in his part-time job, even though his sharing was outside of the office. He then shares a moving story of David Brainerd, who despite his health and depression, persevered under heavy pressure and discouragement to become one of the greatest evangelists in America.
The second part of the book looks at applications. We learn about training and understanding the process of conversion. It begins with God. It is about the evangelists seeking God's help in prayer to send forth workers for the harvest. It is about cultivating friendships that move from secular to sacred concerns. It is about experience the kingdom in us. It is about rejoicing in the new birth. Teter gives us a "conversion process timeline" to help us put together a map for visual understanding.
My Thoughts
I appreciate the author's reminder about the importance of one. As indicated in the parables about the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son, the emphasis on the singular reminds us of the laser-like focus on a personal level, that every one soul matters. In evangelism, there is a tendency among many leaders to focus on numbers and to try to be as successful as Billy Graham or some famous evangelist who attract respondents by the masses. This reminds me of the famous phrase uttered by the popular three musketeers: "All for one; and one for all." In the same way, evangelists ought to affirm "Christ for all, and all for Christ." Every individual matters and we must not let statistics get in the way. For if it is all about sheer numbers, Jesus would employ big scale strategies instead of one-on-one discipleship. He might even employ some fancy church growth strategies to grow the number of converts. No. The Holy Spirit touches lives one by one in His own perfect time. Each of the 72 is called and equipped to go.
Second, I like the way the author focuses on the basics of prayer, of friendship, and most importantly, the Bible. We live in an increasingly Bible illiterate generation. This is not helped by people who claim to have their Bibles downloaded in their digital devices, but hardly read them. He notes the need to recognize the post-Christian era we are now in. It is no longer enough to simply organize a program, hoping it will be attractive enough for seekers. Moreover, younger generation want to pursue faith differently than their parents or predecessors. Our modern outreach must begin with the general understanding that people don't know the Bible and are open to learning more about it. This means, equipping evangelists and believers means teaching the Bible more faithfully. A lack of Bible knowledge is the biggest setback of any evangelism effort.
Third, I like the idea of having evangelism being cultivated as a "daily habit." This frees us from having one-shot projects or outreach sessions that only happen once in a while. The more effective method would be to equip every member to do outreach anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. If this book can move one to start equipping oneself, it would have been most beneficial.
Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.
conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Inter-Varsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.
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