The vocabulary Dodson uses throughout the book. Sticky definitions — used the same way in every lesson. Terms appear in the order the book introduces them; see the book map for where each lives.
Disciple
a follower of Jesus who is rational (learns the gospel), relational (relates in the gospel), and missional (communicates the gospel). An identity, not a role: we are disciples first, and parents/employees/pastors second. (ch. 1)
Gospel-centered
a way of following Jesus that makes his person and work central in everything; believing the gospel not only for salvation but continually returning to it for transformation. (Preface)
Gospel Commission
the "Great Commission" (Matt. 28:18–20) reframed: it's not discipleship-centric but gospel-centric. Going, baptizing, and teaching are each anchored in the person and work of Jesus. (ch. 2)
Two-step Christianity
the error of splitting evangelism (the gospel for converts) from discipleship (your effort for maturity), as if the gospel gets you in the door and you go the rest of the way yourself. The gospel instead makes and matures disciples. (ch. 1)
Imago Dei
the image of God in which humans were made and which was disfigured in the Fall; restored by gazing at Christ, who is the image of the invisible God. The goal of discipleship is to become like what we behold. (ch. 3)
Fight of faith
agonizomai: to contend/agonize to believe the truth of the gospel. Disciples don't fight for rules; they fight to believe that Jesus is more precious, satisfying, and thrilling than anything else. (ch. 3)
Religious performance (legalism)
motivation built on the lie "If I perform well, God will accept me." Discipleship becomes a nauseating roller coaster of self-image rising and falling with performance. (ch. 4)
Spiritual license (license)
the twin lie "Because God has forgiven me, I'm free to go my own way." True freedom is being bound to Christ, not to rules or to rule-breaking. (ch. 4)
Religious affection
gospel-generated delight in God; affection for Christ that results in obedience to Christ. We obey not because we have to, but because we get to. (ch. 5)
Warnings & promises
God prods with the "pitchfork" of holy warnings and woos with the "carrot" of staggering promises; both drive us to Jesus, who is King (warning) and Redeemer (promise). (ch. 5)
Repentance
not a one-time act but an entire way of life; a single coin: turning from sin and turning to Christ are the same movement, made possible by grace. "Repenting is for rejoicing." (ch. 5, 9)
Gospel holiness
John Owen's phrase: holiness that is the result of grace, not human work; holiness as "the implanting, writing, and realizing of the gospel in our souls"; impossible apart from the Spirit's power. (ch. 6)
Three conversions
the gospel converts us to Christ, to church, and to mission. Christ = the head of the body / the cornerstone of the temple; church = the body / living stones; mission = the growth and expansion of the temple. (ch. 7)
Steady-state community
community that lives as a steady state of social, gospel, and missional connections, not just a weekly meeting; being the church, not merely attending it. (ch. 7)
Spiritual father / mother / brother
the three discipling postures Paul describes: exhortation (challenge people to live in step with their beliefs), encouragement (point out Christlike growth), and peer mutuality. (ch. 8)
What? When? Why?
the three questions to know your sin: what sins are you tempted by, when are you most vulnerable, and why do you sin (the lie beneath the sin, "the sin under the sin"). (ch. 9)
Repent · Rejoice · Reproduce
the three movements of a discipleship group: repent of sin, rejoice in Christ (Jesus is better via his attributes, gospel metaphors, and promises), and reproduce disciples. (ch. 9)
Text–Theology–Life
the meeting flow for reading Scripture in community: center the text, mine its theology (Christ-centered), then apply to life. Never reverse the order — Life-first meetings become gossip/social clubs without a spiritual center of gravity. (ch. 10)
Discipleship group
a small, simple group of 2–4 (same gender) who meet regularly to repent of sin, rejoice in Christ, and reproduce disciples. "God picks your community (city group); you pick your friends (discipleship group)." (ch. 9–10)
Gospel language
practical phrases a church/discipler develops so people can disciple one another, e.g. "What lie might you be believing?" "How is Jesus better?" "Are you fighting sin well?" (ch. 11)
The one-line synthesis
A gospel-centered disciple is an imperfect person clinging to a perfect Christ, being perfected by the Spirit — who learns the gospel, relates in the gospel, and communicates the gospel. (Preface, ch. 2)