Discipleship for Every Stage of Life: Understanding Christian Formation in Light of Human Development

The field of lifespan development in psychology has much to offer those engaged in making disciples, and Chris Kiesling brings those insights to bear in this volume. He appropriates the most useful observations from this discipline in light of biblical teaching.

Drawing on more than twenty-five years of experience teaching faith development topics in academic and local church settings, Kiesling assembles a toolkit for those in ministry that will help them think comprehensively about discipleship at every stage of life. Taking into account physical, cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of human development from infancy through older adulthood, Kiesling guides readers in making practical use of these insights in their churches and educational settings. In addition, dedicated text boxes in each chapter offer specific advice and suggestions.

Pastors, ministry leaders, and educators will benefit from this treatment, which brings cutting-edge findings from the social sciences into dialogue with Scripture, theology, and practical ministry.

Chris A. Kiesling (PhD, Texas Tech University) is professor of human development and Christian discipleship at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church, he has served as a pastor and a campus minister. Kiesling is the coauthor of Spiritual Formation in Emerging Adulthood: A Practical Theology for College and Young Adult Ministry.