The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast

Discipleship Defeats Deconstruction: The Power of Discipleship in Navigating Doubt and Trials (feat. Jared Scholz, Brandon Bowers, and Mark "Moose" Bright)

Click here to view Relational Discipleship Network: https://rdn.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8MG1BhCoARIsAHxSiQmiFG0czO2HClUqBDVxT9NZHAYaOm_Jrf0WGacBvXTl_ihES3joJ6kaAu_UEALw_wcB 
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“Today’s episode will help us understand how relational discipleship provides practical support through challenges, fosters deep community connections, and emphasizes the role of parents in disciple-making.”
Creating Resilient Discipleship Communities: Real-Life Examples and Practical Insights
This episode stresses the importance of building supportive and nurturing discipleship communities within the church to help individuals face life's trials and challenges. By sharing personal experiences and examples from within their own church, the speaker illustrates how such an infrastructure can protect and foster growth among believers. Key stories include a couple's journey through the loss of their child and their subsequent creation of a nonprofit, as well as a former staff member's marital restoration after an affair. The episode emphasizes the necessity of relational discipleship and provides practical advice, including the concept of 'TikTok Apologetics' for engaging youth in critical thinking and faith discussions.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction: The Challenge of Deconstruction
00:44 Personal Journey: From Mega Church to Church Planting
01:35 Building a Discipleship Community
02:03 Story of Evan and Krista: Faith Through Tragedy
04:56 Story of Tevin: Redemption and Restoration
08:25 Personal Struggles and the Importance of Community
12:17 Q&A: Engaging Youth in Discipleship
Resources on Discipleship  
Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your ChurchWhat Is Church? And How Important Is It?
Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
Becoming a Disciple Maker
In this session, the speaker addresses the challenges believers face and the importance of a supportive community to help them through tough times. The message begins with the concept of "deconstruction" in Christian faith, where individuals question and reshape their beliefs. The speaker stresses the need for an environment where faith can thrive despite adversity, referencing Jesus's teachings about inevitable trials and tribulations.
He shares his personal journey, starting with his time at First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Despite managing significant responsibilities like budgeting and preaching to thousands, he admits he didn’t truly understand disciple-making. This realization struck when he left to plant a church in Charleston, South Carolina, and was tasked with genuinely making disciples and reaching lost people.
He then talks about discovering Real Life Ministries and Jim Putman, which transformed his understanding of relational discipleship. This approach became the foundation of his church community, creating a nurturing environment for believers to grow and bear fruit, even in adversity.
The speaker shares two poignant stories to illustrate this. The first is about Evan and Krista West, a couple in the church who faced a devastating trial when their daughter, born prematurely, passed away. The church community, especially their small group, supported them through this difficult time. Despite their grief and questions about God’s goodness, the relational discipleship structure helped them persevere. Their small group's support inspired them to start "Keep Hope Alive," a nonprofit providing encouragement to families who have lost a child, turning their tragedy into a ministry of hope.
The second story is about Tevin, a friend and former campus pastor, who confessed to an affair. This led to his resignation, but Tevin and his wife Shelby chose to stay in the church community, seeking counseling and support from their small group. Their group leaders and members responded with compassion, helping them restore their marriage and faith. This story highlights the role of relational discipleship in fostering accountability and spiritual growth.
The core message is that relational discipleship is a practical lifeline, not just a theoretical approach. Leaders, especially, should practice it actively, even in tough times. This method, emphasizing close relationships and accountability, reflects how Jesus taught his followers to disciple others.
The speaker broadens the application, emphasizing that parents are the primary disciple-makers for their children, not the church. He shares his personal journey of walking away and the importance of reclaiming this responsibility.
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Intentional: Eight Principles of Disciple Making (feat. Brandon Guindon and Brandon Werner)

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Today’s episode will help us master the principles of effective disciple-making through personal engagement, resilience, and intentional leadership.
In this session, Moose, director of the Relational Discipleship Network, introduces the Disciple Shift—a two-day experiential journey that trains church leaders in disciple-making. Through a poignant personal story, Brandon Guindon recounts his daughter's miraculous recovery from a severe car accident and how it transformed his perspective on church leadership. He emphasizes the importance of being intentional in disciple-making, sharing eight core principles from his book 'Intentional.' Guest speaker highlights how these principles—like listening to understand, seeking the Holy Spirit, developing potential, and being interruptible—have personally impacted his life and ministry. Tune in to discover how embracing these principles can profoundly change your approach to discipleship and leadership.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
00:14 The Power of Disciple Shift
02:13 A Life-Changing Event
06:51 The Road to Recovery
11:16 The Four Stages of Competence
13:05 The Call to Make Disciples
20:05 Introducing the Eight Principles
24:16 Introduction to the Eight Principles
25:39 Principle 1: Listen to Understand
30:21 Principle 2: Seek the Holy Spirit
33:51 Principle 3: Develop Potential in People
38:03 Principle 4: Take Someone with You
40:20 Principle 5: Be Interruptible
42:49 Principles 6 and 7: Speak Truth and Stand Firm
46:10 Principle 8: Release Them to Go
48:01 Conclusion: Living Out the Principles
Resources on Discipleship  
Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
What Is Church? And How Important Is It?
 
Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
 
Becoming a Disciple Maker
In this episode of the Relational Discipleship Network (RDN), Moose, the director, welcomes attendees and introduces the "Disciple Shift," a two-day event that helps church leaders master disciple-making. He notes how these events often lead to deeper connections among participants than they've had in years.
The episode features a powerful testimony from Moose's friend, who shares his story of tragedy and resilience. On October 28, 2016, his daughters were in a severe car accident. His elder daughter, Olivia, had life-threatening injuries and a 3% chance of survival. Through intensive rehab, she defied the odds, regaining basic functions. This story highlights the emotional toll on his family and church, underscoring that a church’s foundation is its collective mission, not individual personalities.
He urges church leaders to evaluate their competence in disciple-making, noting that many feel ill-equipped.
Brandon Warner, senior pastor at Together Church, addresses the emotional overwhelm of conferences and introduces key principles from Brandon Gindin’s book, “Intentional,” which guide becoming an "unconscious competent" disciple-maker:
The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to rely on the Holy
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Discipleship Culture: Leadership Strategies Everyone Can Use (feat. Mark "Moose" Bright)

Click here to view Relational Discipleship Network: https://rdn.org/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8MG1BhCoARIsAHxSiQmiFG0czO2HClUqBDVxT9NZHAYaOm_Jrf0WGacBvXTl_ihES3joJ6kaAu_UEALw_wcB 
RSVP for our Disciple Making Sunday event in Marion, IA – https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/ 
“Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of active leadership involvement, personal engagement, and maintaining a healthy culture for effective discipleship within churches.”
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Building a Discipleship Culture: Insights from the Relational Discipleship Network
Join Moose, the director of the Relational Discipleship Network, as he discusses the importance of building a culture of discipleship within churches. In this session, Moose emphasizes the role of leaders in embodying and modeling discipleship, grounded in the teachings and methodologies of Jesus. He explains the significance of integrating a discipleship culture that includes coaching, collaborative effort, and maintaining strong relational values. The session also includes practical advice on managing and assessing church culture, with real-life examples and strategies for fostering a supportive, accountable, and engaging church environment. Special guests and coaches share their experiences in transforming church cultures, highlighting the imperative of relational and intentional discipling for effective ministry.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Purpose
00:08 The Importance of Culture in Discipleship
00:46 The Role of Leadership in Shaping Culture
01:14 Understanding and Experiencing Discipleship
01:51 The Dangers of Isolation
04:12 Personal Reflections on Leadership and Family
07:39 Defining and Managing Culture
17:39 Jesus' Approach to Discipleship
27:02 Celebrating Successes and Building a Positive Culture
28:07 Embracing Failures in Staff Meetings
29:00 Addressing Cultural Tolerances in Church
30:53 Shifting Church Culture: A Personal Journey
33:04 The Importance of Culture in Ministry
36:18 Building Trust and Humility in Leadership
41:20 Prioritizing Relationships Over Tasks
42:58 Learning from Leadership Mistakes
45:35 Maintaining a Healthy Church Culture
52:17 The Role of Fun and Collaboration
54:23 The Value of Short, Memorable Core Values
56:05 The Journey to Effective Discipleship
59:17 Upcoming Sessions and Final Thoughts
Resources on Discipleship  
Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
What Is Church? And How Important Is It?
Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
Becoming a Disciple Maker
Follow us at Discipleship.org!

A Super Successful Disciple Making Culture (feat. Doug Burrier)

Click here to view Sustainable Discipleship: https://www.sustainable-discipleship.com/ 
Discipleship.org upcoming One-Days https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/ 
 
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Creating a Culture of Disciple Making: Beyond High Chairs and Teen Pregnancy
“Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of fostering spiritual maturity in discipleship, addressing systemic issues in church culture, and ensuring that believers are prepared before they make disciples.”
This episode dives into the concept of 'Super Successful Disciple Making Culture' by exploring unconventional metaphors such as high chairs, teen pregnancy, and barrenness. Doug critiques the current church culture of spoon-feeding and retaining followers, arguing for the need to raise mature and independent disciples who can fulfill the Great Commission. By discussing personal parenting experiences and church dynamics, the speaker emphasizes the importance of releasing well-prepared and confident disciples. The episode wraps up with data on the necessity of scalable disciple-making strategies and a call to action for viewers to proactively disciple six people.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
 
 
00:00 Introduction: Super Successful Disciple in Making Culture
00:24 High Chairs and Disciple Making
01:26 Challenges in Church Culture
04:42 Personal Parenting Philosophy
09:13 Defining Disciple Making
15:13 Teen Pregnancy and Disciple Making
19:25 The Importance of Maturity in Leadership
19:42 Challenges in Disciple Making
20:06 The Need for Patience and Growth
21:47 Encouragement and Solutions
22:41 Understanding Barrenness in Disciple Making
24:32 The Reality of Discipleship in Modern Churches
26:43 Data-Driven Insights on Discipleship
33:36 Call to Action: Making Disciples
36:44 Rediscovering the Joy of Discipleship
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How to Go All In and Win When It Comes to Culture (feat. Doug Burrier)

Click here to view Sustainable Discipleship: https://www.sustainable-discipleship.com/ 
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“Today’s episode will help us understand the commitment and strategic insights needed for effective disciple-making, using Texas Hold'em poker as a metaphor to illustrate practical, data-informed, and biblical approaches.”
In this episode, we explore when and how to go 'all in' with disciple making, paralleling the approach to Texas Hold'em poker. Understanding the importance of calculated risks, reading the room, and the significance of building a strategy are key components discussed. The speaker emphasizes building a disciple-making culture within the church, underscoring the necessity to adapt strategies based on God's Word, foster genuine relationships, and take bold steps to ensure enduring impact. Learn the 'rules' of disciple making, believe in them, and implement them effectively to transform lives and communities.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction: When to Go All In
07:58 The Urgency of Going All In
11:11 God's Way of Making Disciples
15:40 Struggles with Health and Diet
22:16 Building a Strategy for Discipleship
25:52 Executing the Strategy and Embracing Change
30:52 Concluding Thoughts and Q&A
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5 Intentional Steps to a Disciple Making Culture (feat. Doug Burrier)

Click here to view Discipleship.org One Day Events: https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/ 
“Today’s episode will help us rethink traditional disciple-making methods, emphasizing transformative relationships over numerical growth and guiding us through practical, data-informed, and biblical approaches to sustainable discipleship.”
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In this session, Doug tackles the topic of church growth and disciple making. Drawing comparisons with Jesus's ministry and statistical data, he emphasizes the importance of individual transformation over mere numerical growth. The discussion covers the idea that real disciple making often leads to temporary 'shrinkage' before genuine growth, and outlines practical methods for sustaining and nurturing disciples. Topics include addressing resistance in leadership, the importance of commitment, and effective strategies for implementing a successful disciple making program.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction: What Does Shrinkage Have to Do with Disciple Making?
13:04 Stages of Disciple Making
18:45 The Cell Stage: Conviction and Change
29:49 Rescue Techniques for Struggling Disciples
32:10 The Repertory Stage: Fixing the Church
36:47 The Shrinkage Stage: Accountability and Loss
38:24 Seeking Stage: Embracing Evangelism
Doug's blend of humor and conviction compels listeners to rethink conventional disciple-making methods, emphasizing quality over quantity and resilience in the pursuit of authentic transformation. The episode provides a comprehensive exploration of sustainable discipleship, bridging scriptural wisdom with practical application.
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Culture Is Not Taught, Bought, or Caught; It’s Adopted (feat. Doug Burrier)

Click here to view Sustainable Discipleship: https://www.sustainable-discipleship.com/ 
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“Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of practical, Scripture-based discipleship methods that focus on transformation, intentionality, and long-term independence in making disciples.”
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In this episode we feature Doug Burrier from Sustainable Discipleship. He emphasizes the importance of practicality, passion, and personal transformation in creating a successful disciple-making culture. Through humorous anecdotes and powerful examples, he outlines a simple yet effective methodology for making disciples who are prepared, confident, and skilled. The speaker also addresses common challenges, such as leadership resistance, and highlights the necessity of adopting a genuine disciple-making model for long-term impact. Join this session to discover actionable insights and proven strategies for transforming lives and fostering a thriving disciple-making community.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Resources on Discipleship  
Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your ChurchWhat Is Church? And How Important Is It?
Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
Becoming a Disciple Maker
Follow us at Discipleship.org!

The State of Manhood: Faith, Family, and Work (feat. Dr. Chris Harper and Kent Evans)

Click here to view BetterMan: https://betterman.com/ 
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This insightful discussion tackles the significant religious shift in North America, highlighting the alarming decline in male church attendance and engagement. With references to Jim Davis's 'The Great Dechurching,' the speaker emphasizes the critical role of men in the church and society. Addressing how societal views have vilified men, the script suggests a shift from shame-based to affirmational methods to encourage men's return to church. It underscores the importance of wisdom, strong familial structures, and the pivotal role fathers play in mending homes, churches, and communities. The discussion also explores practical steps for church leaders and fathers to nurture a spiritually strong and knowledgeable generation.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 The Role of Men in the Church
07:25 The Importance of Fathers
18:51 Wisdom and Fatherhood
29:12 Chick-fil-A Obsession
35:44 Challenges of Modern Manhood
37:23 The Role of Fathers in Discipleship
44:58 Effective Communication
49:58 The Power of Asking Questions
53:45 Closing Thoughts and Prayer
54:24 Q&A Session
Resources on Manhood 
Discipleship in the Modern Church: Empowering Men | Chris Harper
How to Disciple Men Q&A | Anthony Walker, Chris Harper & Bobby Harrington
How to Disciple Men | Chris Harper
Breakout Forum 4: How Discipling Men Changes Everything  (2016 Nat'l Forum)
In this episode we dive into the pressing issue of men withdrawing from both the church and society, exploring the deep-rooted cultural and family problems behind this trend. The discussion highlights a troubling fact from Jim Davis's book, "The Great Dechurching": nearly 45 million people in North America have stopped attending church over the past two decades.
The episode reveals a significant gender gap in church attendance, with congregations typically being 61% female and 39% male. This disparity reflects a broader societal issue where men are undervalued and underrepresented. The lack of male engagement with faith is seen as a barrier to their spiritual growth and leadership in their families and communities.
Oxford researcher Jim McNamara points out that mass media often portrays men negatively, which erodes their self-worth and further decreases their involvement in religious settings.
Rather than shaming men into returning to church, the episode advocates for affirming and encouraging them. It stresses the need to educate and mentor men, helping them understand their roles and responsibilities rather than reprimanding them.
Kent Evans, founder of Manhood Journey, is introduced as a key advocate for revitalizing the family as the cornerstone of society. His focus is on equipping fathers to raise godly men, which strengthens families and churches. Evans shares personal stories and insights on fatherhood, highlighting the importance of wisdom, communication, and aligning actions with God's teachings.
He also addresses common challenges fathers face, such as time management and communication, and offers practical advice on improving these areas. The episode concludes with an interactive segment where Evans discusses wisdom through the book of Proverbs, urging fathers to lead by example and be open to feedback.
 
In summary, "BetterMan 4" calls for a reevaluation of how the church engages with men, promoting a supportive and empowering approach that encourages men to embrace their roles as leaders in their families and communities.
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Men Need the Word of God: Courageously Following God's Word (feat. DeLario Bolton)

Click here to view BetterMan: https://betterman.com/ 
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Join us in this session of BetterMan as we dive deep into the importance of men engaging with the word of God. Chris Harper and Delario Bolton discuss the foundation of Better Man, emphasizing God's word and community. Learn why loneliness and isolation are significant threats to men's lives today and how Better Man addresses these issues. Delario shares a touching personal story and highlights the core beliefs of Better Man centered on loving, protecting, and serving. Chris Harper provides practical steps on how men can understand and apply the Bible in their daily lives, drawing insights from profound biblical lessons. Engage with a Q&A that covers various aspects of male involvement in faith communities, strategies to attract men to church activities, and the vital role of women in supporting this mission. Don't miss out on these timeless lessons and inspirational stories aimed at transforming lives.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Session Overview
06:58 The Story of Jephthah
11:09 Lessons from Jephthah's Vow
13:28 The Importance of Knowing God's Word
20:11 Practical Ways to Engage with the Bible
35:39 Renewal of the Mind
40:09 Practical Advice for Bible Reading
46:47 Encouraging Men to Engage
54:17 The Role of Women in Supporting Men
58:18 Closing Prayer and Final Thoughts
Resources on Manhood 
Discipleship in the Modern Church: Empowering Men | Chris Harper
How to Disciple Men Q&A | Anthony Walker, Chris Harper & Bobby Harrington
How to Disciple Men | Chris Harper
Breakout Forum 4: How Discipling Men Changes Everything  (2016 Nat'l Forum)
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This episode dives into the theme of godly manhood, emphasizing its roots in the word of God and community, as taught by the Better Man program. Right from the start, the speakers stress the importance of beginning the day with spiritual engagement, grounding daily activities in God's teachings. They outline key topics like complementarianism and manhood, highlighting the need for men to engage with the word of God in these areas.
One speaker shares a personal story about giving an invocation at a nonprofit event for abused women. Despite advice to avoid mentioning Jesus, he insisted on doing so, demonstrating that true manhood follows Jesus's example.
The narrative highlights Better Man's pillars: God's word and community, citing a U.S. Surgeon General’s statistic that loneliness and isolation are top killers of men. Better Man combats this by offering God's word and community.
Introducing Delario Bolton, Better Man's National Launch Director, the session discusses men's current relationship with God's word and necessary actions. Delario outlines Better Man's four core beliefs: following God's word, loving and serving God's woman, improving God's world, and leading with biblical courage.
Delario uses anecdotes, like his grandmother’s frequent Proverbs citations, to stress wisdom and scriptural foundations. He also shares American Bible Society statistics showing older Southern Black women as the biggest Bible readers, while 18 to 40-year-old males from the Northeast are the least engaged—a significant concern.
The lesson delves into the biblical story of Jephthah from Judges 11, highlighting the dangers of ignorance of God’s word. Delario emphasizes that men should read the Bible as sons gaining wisdom, brothers sharpening each other, and fathers imparting knowledge.
Men are encouraged to use a Bible reading methodology with five key questions: What does this passage say about God? About me? Is there a principle to apply? A promise to cling to? A sin to avoid? This practice helps build personal biblical understanding and reduces dependence on external interpretations.
A humorous anecdote about a drone mishap underscores the importance of engaging with the Bible, likening it to an instruction manual for life. The speakers address the issue of biblical illiteracy despite easy access to scriptures, arguing that knowing God's word is crucial for leading families and communities.
In the Q&A session, practical questions arise, such as how to get men into Bible study groups. The response suggests engaging approaches rooted in real needs. Another question on men and women’s spiritual relationships highlights the positive impact women can have in encouraging men’s faith.
The episode concludes by reiterating Better Man's core principles: deep Bible engagement, strong community bonds, and transforming lives through God's teachings. The speakers challenge men to be torchbearers of faith, biblical truth, and godly manhood, as exemplified by Jesus Christ.
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Discipling Men: Who, How, When, and Why (feat. Dr. Chris Harper)

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Join Chris Harper from Better Man at Discipleship.org as he passionately discusses the crucial need for genuine discipleship in men's ministries. With over 30 years of history evolving from Men's Fraternity to Authentic Manhood, and now Better Man, Harper emphasizes the substantial gap in men's ministries and the pressing need to reclaim authentic manhood. He explores causes like the 'curse of modernity,' historical church movements, and the feminization of the church, offering a comprehensive, clear path to restoration. Through personal anecdotes and concrete steps, Harper illustrates how returning to multi-generational, gender-based discipleship can vitalize the church and cultivate real transformation in men's lives.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Background
13:18 The Importance of Multigenerational Discipleship
28:13 The Path to Winning Men Back to Church
30:54 The Concept of Better Man
36:23 The Father's Blessing
57:11 Closing Remarks and Prayer
Resources on Manhood 
Discipleship in the Modern Church: Empowering Men | Chris Harper
How to Disciple Men Q&A | Anthony Walker, Chris Harper & Bobby Harrington
How to Disciple Men | Chris Harper
Breakout Forum 4: How Discipling Men Changes Everything  (2016 Nat'l Forum)
 
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In this episode, Chris from Better Man leads a discussion about men's discipleship. Better Man, which builds on 30 years of men's fraternity and manhood initiatives, now focuses on Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. Chris points out the urgent need for men to be guided spiritually, noting that while 80% of Western churches have functional women's ministries, fewer than 7% have similar programs for men. He critiques superficial men's ministries that only offer occasional gatherings.
Chris introduces Better Man's two-year program designed to create effective men's ministries. Instead of reinventing manhood, the program aims to restore it, modeled after Jesus Christ as the ultimate example. Using anecdotes like his conversation with his son about a classic car's lack of Bluetooth, Chris emphasizes restoring rather than modernizing, aligning this idea with Ephesians 2:8-10, which describes men as God's masterpieces meant to be restored to their original value.
Chris highlights a masculinity crisis, noting that 41% of men now grow up in fatherless homes, compared to 4% in 1960. He links this to a generational disconnect in values, similar to the biblical Judges 2 scenario where a new generation lacked knowledge of the Lord. He attributes today's issues in men's discipleship to three historical shifts:
Curse of Modernity: This era, as discussed by Anthony Gideons, saw men shift their spiritual responsibilities to church leaders, turning pastors into potential celebrities and distancing men from active church roles.
Church Growth Missteps: Based on Donald McGavran’s 1970 book, churches focused on attracting children and women, which feminized many congregations and led to male disengagement, with women outnumbering men in church activities.
Shift to Communal Spaces: From the 1980s, church education moved to age-segregated life groups, which stifled multi-generational discipleship. Chris advocates for a return to mentoring models where older men guide younger ones.
Chris also addresses the "masculinity fog," where confusion about manhood leads to flawed types of men:
Uninitiated Men: Passively follow their wives, lacking direction.
Self-Initiated Men: Pursue accolades at the expense of their personal and professional lives.
Peer Initiated Men: Engage in prolonged adolescence without real growth.
Culture-Initiated Men: Follow societal trends due to weak foundational principles.
In contrast, Chris calls for "Spirit-Initiated Men," like Caleb from the Bible, who have the courage and spirit to follow God’s path.
 
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