2026
Frankfurter Buchmesse Frankfurt Book Fair
For decades, Frankfurter Buchmesse has been one of the biggest meeting places for the international publishing world. What started in 1949 with around 200 publishers has grown into a global event where publishers, authors, agents, media professionals, and creative industries come together to share ideas, make deals, and discover what is next for books and storytelling. Today, the fair is considered one of the world’s leading places for printed and digital content.
The fair is valuable because it brings so many parts of the publishing world into one place. It is not only about books on shelves, but also about rights, translations, new partnerships, technology, and the people behind the stories. The 2026 Frankfurter Buchmesse will take place in October, with Czechia serving as the Guest of Honour under the theme “A Country on the Coast.” The programme will include more than 100 literary and cultural events, with 75 Czech authors expected to take part.
With so many countries, voices, and ideas meeting in one place, Frankfurt has become a space where a book can travel far beyond where it first began. That makes this fair a special place for authors who want their stories to reach new readers and new parts of the world.
Among the stories making that journey is A Discipleship Primer: A Guide to the Essentials of Dedication to Jesus by Trudy Pettibone. The book gives readers a simple guide to understanding what it means to follow Jesus, grow in faith, study Scripture, become part of a church community, and live out their beliefs every day. Before we turn the page and look deeper into the book itself, let’s first get to know the author behind it.
A Life Shaped by Faith and Teaching
Imagine someone who has spent years not only learning about faith but also helping other people understand it. Behind A Discipleship Primer is Trudy Pettibone, a retired pastor whose background brings together ministry, religious studies, Bible studies, and years of personal experience. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in religious studies from the University of South Florida, a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Master’s in Bible and Cognate Studies from Hebrew Union College.
What makes Pettibone’s voice stand out is that she does not write as if discipleship is something that only happens inside a classroom. Her own story becomes part of the message. In the book’s foreword, she shares how she encountered Jesus during a Monday in October 1981 and describes realizing by the end of that day that she had become a different person. From there, she writes about prayer, Scripture, personal change, struggles, encouragement, and the long process of learning how to follow Christ.
A Practical Walk Toward Discipleship
A Discipleship Primer is not a story built around fictional heroes, villains, or one main location. Instead, the reader becomes the central person in the journey. The book asks readers to look at their own lives, their past experiences, their strengths and weaknesses, and their relationship with Jesus. Biblical figures such as Jesus’ disciples, Saul who became Paul, and Nicodemus are used as examples to help explain faith, change, and the process of following Christ.
The book moves through 10 chapters, beginning with the question of what discipleship really means and then moving into life before Christ, a new life in Christ, daily time with God, Scripture, church, personal change, understanding what Christ has done, sharing faith, and continuing the journey. It also gives practical ideas such as setting aside time each day, keeping a prayer list or notebook, studying Scripture, joining Bible study, building relationships with other believers, and learning how to help others grow in faith. Rather than making discipleship feel like a single moment, Pettibone presents it as something that continues throughout a person’s life.
One of the most relatable parts of the book is its focus on real-life change. Pettibone talks about how faith can affect thoughts, habits, friendships, attitudes, relationships, and daily choices. She also discusses discouragement and the importance of having people who can pray with us, listen to us, and support us. The book eventually turns outward too, reminding readers that learning about Christ should lead them to share what they know through their lifestyle, spoken words, and actions. For readers who want something they can use for personal reflection or group study, the book also includes questions for consideration throughout its chapters.
A Simple Guide for a Deeper Walk
Sometimes, people do not need another complicated explanation. They just need someone to help them take the next step. A Discipleship Primer: A Guide to the Essentials of Dedication to Jesus takes that approach by giving readers a straightforward way to think about faith, Scripture, prayer, church, relationships, and personal growth.
If you are looking for a book that can help you slow down, examine your faith, and understand what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life, this is a book worth putting on your reading list. Its simple approach makes it suitable for both personal reflection and group discussion, while Pettibone’s own experiences give the lessons a more personal feel.
A Discipleship Primer
Take the next step in your faith journey and discover what true discipleship can look like in everyday life.