The LEGO Principle: The Power of Connecting to God and One Another

221 Pages·2016·1.2 MB·English

by  Joey Bonifacio

I’ve known Joey since he was a young boy. He has written an exceptional book
that refocuses Christians back into disciple making. This book cannot be ignored
and must be read by Christians of all stripes. After reading the truths in his book,
I just wish I had another ninety years to be able to go and make disciples.
—FR. LUIS CANDELARIA
ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY, PHILIPPINES
Without doubt, discipleship is the missing ingredient in Christianity today. In
The LEGO Principle Joey Bonifacio gets us back to the basic building blocks for
making disciples. Joey is a leading practitioner in discipleship, as his church in
the Philippines so powerfully demonstrates. This book could spark a revolution.
—MARK CONNER
CITYLIFE CHURCH, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA The first time I met Joey Bonifacio
was at a conference. He instantly won my trust and that of my Russian
colleagues. Inspired by his message, one of our pastors moved to Manila for a
six-month internship. The message of this book is virally winning the trust of
thousands of young leaders around the globe.
—LANCE CORLEY
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS, MOSCOW
After twenty-five years of publishing Christian literature, I have read countless
manuscripts and books. Joey Bonifacio’s The LEGO Principle was something
unexpected. It’s rich, inspiring, and life changing, so much so that I read it twice.
If you only read one book this year—make sure it’s this one.
—KEITH DANBY
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY, LONDON
Who would ever think that the simple LEGO blocks could be the inspiration for
a book on discipling and leaders? LEGOs—small, simple pieces of plastic for
making connections for simple and/or intricate things. The LEGO Principle,
simple but for making connections by and with people. Read this book to see
how “simple” this is!
—JOHN DETTONI
CHRYSALIS MINISTRIES, SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA I am thankful that my friend
Joey Bonifacio has taken one of the main messages of his life and has put it into
a well-researched, biblical, and easy-to-understand book. The LEGO Principle is
based on many years of practical disciple making that I have seen work in Japan
and all over the world. Make sure you read this book!
—SCOTT DOUMA
GRACE BIBLE CHURCH, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN
Joey Bonifacio has a knack of combining simplicity with depth. In The LEGO
Principle he brings to life the power of discipleship and relationship. He is not
merely theorizing because he lives the truth of his book every day. It is
engrained in the church he leads. The church in America would do well to learn
from him.
—BRYAN DWYER
ALPINE CHURCH, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
“Discipleship is relationship” is the life-changing truth Joey taught us in a
London pub. It has shaped our ministry ever since. The LEGO Principle
skillfully articulates the essential building blocks for the world-changing mission
Christ has called us to. Armed with this truth, the potential of Christianity is
limitless!
—WOLFI ECKLEBEN
EVERY NATION CHURCH, LONDON
The LEGO Principle is a good reminder to all Christians that discipleship is not
the work of a few career ministers but the responsibility of every single believer.
Fresh. Intelligent. Intuitive. Simple. Precise and practical as LEGO itself. I love
this book.
—DARRELL GREEN
PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME, WASHINGTON DC
The LEGO Principle is a practical and theologically accurate tool for all
Christians. Joey is a man who has practiced and proven the principles of building
and multiplying disciples in one of the largest churches in the world. The clear
message of this book is anyone can make disciples and everyone should.
—JOEL HUNTER
NORTHLAND: A CHURCH DISTRIBUTED, LONGWOOD, FLORIDA I first encountered
Joey Bonifacio in his blog, “Discipleship Is Relationship.” The concepts he has
brought forth were not just out of the box but were also biblical and proven in
day-to-day church life. The LEGO Principle shows Christians a simple way to
face complex challenges in discipleship without being simplistic.
—DAVID LIM
LAUSANNE CONGRESS, MANILA Every so often a book comes along that grows
from the soul of an author who lives his message, who writes from the core of
who he is, what he knows, and what he has accomplished. Joey Bonifacio is this
kind of author. The LEGO Principle is this kind of book. Let the words of this
rising global leader change the way you live.
—STEPHEN MANSFIELD
NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
THE MANSFIELD GROUP, WASHINGTON DC
The LEGO Principle taps into the most beautiful of all the basics of our faith. It
reminds us that in Jesus we never grow beyond the basics; we just go deeper and
stronger. Joey Bonifacio calls us back to the “beautiful basics” that invites us to
a deep renewal of love for Jesus’s way. I love this book!
—FLOYD MCCLUNG
ALL NATIONS, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA My very good friend and a leader I
look to, Joey Bonifacio rocks. He is the real deal. His greatest strength is in
raising disciples and leaders who are secure in their relationship with Jesus. His
book The LEGO Principle will inspire you to enjoy connecting to God and with
one another. A voice to a generation, you must read this book —RACHEL ONG
MANAGING PARTNER, ROHEI, SINGAPORE
In The LEGO Principle Joey Bonifacio shows us a better way to build genuine
connections. Read this book to discover how a crowd turns into a church that
produces genuine New Testament disciples who make a difference in their
community and our world.
—LARRY OSBORNE
NORTH COAST CHURCH, SAN DIEGO
The LEGO Principle is rooted in the nitty-gritty day-to-day living out of
Christianity in the local church. More importantly it is deeply rooted in the truth
of Scripture. Joey Bonifacio has written an important book for our times. Read it
and be challenged to serve Jesus by making disciples.
—DARRIN PATRICK
ACTS 29 NETWORK, ST. LOUIS
What an enjoyable and beneficial read. Theologically solid. Insightful. Practical.
Inspiring. As I read The LEGO Principle, I found myself wanting others I care
about to read it as well. Do yourself a favor and read this book, then go and
follow the practical convictions you will find in it.
—RANDY POPE
PERIMETER CHURCH, ATLANTA The LEGO Principle will help Christians in the
pews be disciples who makes disciples. It is an important book that will shape
the future of the ministry of making disciples. Joey is not just its author; he is a
living example of his book. He is also my friend, coach, and a vital consultant on
church growth through discipleship.
—MARK RAMSEY
CITIPOINTE, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA For over seventeen years Joey has shared with
me many simple yet profound nuggets of truth about discipleship. In The LEGO
Principle he makes it available for all to read. From these truths their church
Victory has grown from a few to tens of thousands and is today one of the
world’s fastest-growing churches.
—GORDON ROBERTSON
CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA Joey
Bonifacio’s delightful book The LEGO Principle answers two questions in
relationship to the church. Our business? Discipleship. How’s business? Not so
great. This book is destined to change the future of discipleship. As a result it
will change the direction of churches and impact our world.
—HAROLD J. SALA, PHD
GUIDELINES INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES, LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA Even
though I’m a Catholic leader, when it comes to discipleship and church growth,
Joey Bonifacio is my mentor. The many times we had coffee together were
turning points in my ministry. The man walks his talk. The LEGO Principle
contains Joey’s life message. Read it and change the way you impact others
forever.
—BO SANCHEZ
KERYGMA MAGAZINE, MANILA Not only will you have a hard time putting down
The LEGO Principle, its message resonates with the truth of God’s Word that
my friend Joey Bonifacio brings to life. It will again make the church what it
should be—a place of loving, trusting, and caring relationships that reaches out
and turns people into disciples of Jesus.
—DIRKIE VAN DER SPUY
MORELETA PARK ASSOCIATION, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA Relationships are
central to making disciples as commanded by the Great Commission. Joey
Bonifacio connects relationships to disciple making in a way that is sure to
benefit all who read this book.
—ED STETZER
LIFEWAY RESEARCH, NASHVILLE
The LEGO Principle is amazingly easy to grasp. Joey is clearly a man who loves
making disciples, and his church is living proof of the eternal truth and
effectiveness of what he writes. This book is as theologically sound as any book
can get and yet is vitally relevant to the postmodern world we live in.
—LARRY STOCKTILL
BETHANY WORLD PRAYER CENTER, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA I have had the
privilege of hearing the message of this book on several occasions when Joey
Bonifacio visited China—it is always refreshing and at the same time convicting.
Each time I hear it, I am reminded of the many times I spent with this man. This
is not a message but a way of life.
—STEVE
CHINA The LEGO Principle provides clear biblical strategies rooted in the
Scriptures. As a thoughtful practitioner Joey provides us with clear insights that I
urge all followers of Jesus to embrace. You will have a hard time putting down
The LEGO Principle; it will capture your heart and change your life.
—DR. GEOFF TUNNICLIFFE
WORLD EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE, NEW YORK
Build Relationships
Value People
Make Disciples
Change the World
®
The LEGO Principle
THE POWER OF CONNECTING TO GOD AND ONE ANOTHER
JOEY BONIFACIO
Most CHARISMA HOUSE BOOK GROUP products are available at special quantity discounts for bulk
purchase for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, and educational needs. For details, write Charisma
House Book Group, 600 Rinehart Road, Lake Mary, Florida 32746, or telephone [phone].
THE LEGO PRINCIPLE by Joey Bonifacio
Published by Charisma House
Charisma Media/Charisma House Book Group
600 Rinehart Road
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
www.charismahouse.com
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form by any means— electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior
written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy
Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984,
International Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked ASV are from the American Standard Bible.
Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2001 by
Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Copyright © 2012 by Joey Bonifacio
All rights reserved Cover design by Studio Gearbox
Design Director: Bill Johnson Visit the author’s website at www.joeybonifacio.com.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Bonifacio, Joey.
The LEGO principle / Joey Bonifacio. -- 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-61638-677-1 (trade paper) -- ISBN 978-1-61638-678-8 (e-book)
1. Discipling (Christianity) I. Title.
BV4520.B58 2012
269’.2--dc23
2012020524
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers and Internet addresses at the
time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes
that occur after publication.
This book has not been prepared, approved, or licensed by The LEGO Group.
First edition 12 13 14 15 16 — 987654321
Printed in the United States of America
To Jesus—this book is dedicated to You.
CONTENTS
Introduction
SECTION I: DISCIPLESHIP
1. Just Like LEGO
2. In One Word
3. Discipleship Is Relationship
SECTION II: RELATIONSHIP
4. Building Blocks
5. Trust
6. Love
7. Forgiveness
8. Communication
SECTION III: VALUES
9. Brick by Brick
10. People Are Valuable
11. Jesus Is Most Valuable
12. Ministry Is Valuable
13. Every Day Is Valuable