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I just finished leading a class at my congregation on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, The Cost of Discipleship. Bonhoeffer was the German Lutheran theologian who became involved in resisting the Nazis in World War II. He was part of a group that tried unsuccessfully to assassinate Hitler. Two weeks before the end of the war, as one of his last acts, Hitler had Bonhoeffer and his fellow conspirators executed. Bonhoeffer himself was hanged in April 1945.
If you’re interested in reading the book, you might find the following materials useful. Please feel free to download any or all of them. The page numbers indicate where material is drawn from the Simon and Schuster Touchstone edition of the book. Click on the image below if you’d like to order a copy.
Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer – PowerPoint presentation
The Cost of Discipleship week 2 – Introductory material through Chapter 1
The Cost of Discipleship week 3 – Chapters 2-5
The Cost of Discipleship week 4 – Chapters 6-13
The Cost of Discipleship week 5 – Chapters 14-20
The Cost of Discipleship week 6 – Chapters 21-29
The Cost of Discipleship week 7 – Chapters 30-32
Hi Pete,
Bonhoeffer was unknown to me, so the PowerPoint was a good introduction. His belief in speaking for others who cannot speak for themselves is something that I’ve always believe. I’ve written about how political movements, like civil rights, needed others who were outside of the movement to join in to succeed. There are many other examples.
Thank you for the powerpoint! I am leading a study of the book after reading Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Craig. It was a fascinating family!
Thank you very much brother.
My friend and I are going to use your study guide as we read the book together. Thank you for sharing!
Peter,
Thanks for sharing this great powerpoint for a class on Bonhoeffer. I found it a month ago and will be using it to teach a class over the next four weeks. Lots of work went into this and what a great way to expand your effort to greater Kingdom effect.
Thank you! I’d love to hear how the class goes and what people take away from it. All the best to you!
Thank you for this wonderful study guide. I will be leading a small group through Cost of Discipleship in September and October in the church where I pastor. Blessings to you, Js
Good to hear! Thanks, and let me know how it goes.
In your study guide outline on Cheap Grace, you seem to pass rapidly over the distinction Bonhoeffer made between Justification and Salvation, in which he states that the latter requires the outworking of Christ’s work, per James. It seems a rather important point.
Thank you for this post.
Thanks for the Power Point and Study Guide. we will lead a discussion on The Confessional Church, the life of Bonhoeffer, and the Cost of Discipleship, this summer and next fall. I am a lay person. This is a Lutheran Church in Texas, a suburb of Fort Wayne. I would like to use your PP and discussion guide as a basis for our own Bonhoeffer program and we would like to request your permission to do so. I will keep you informed of our progress.
Hi Peter –
Thanks so much for making these materials available. We are using these groups at our Methodist church in Houston.
I am reading this book and these notes are great! Many thanks for your kindness
My wife and I read together every morning. We just finished Tozer’s “Knowledge of the Holy”. I’ve had this book for about 17 years. It was given to me from one of my Sunday School teachers. I’m 58 and never was a reader so this is a lot to digest. Your study guides will help us I’m sure. Thank you very much.
I am reading this book and these notes are great! Many thanks for your sharing!
Just beginning a study in our Mens Group at church. Your notes are very helpful. Thank you.