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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Impacting the Local Community through Disciple Making Networks (feat. Vicki Gatchell)

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Creating a Disciple-Making Culture: Insights and Methods
In this episode, Vicki Gatchell from Navigators Church Ministries discusses the importance of creating intentional disciple-making cultures within communities and churches. She shares personal stories, practical steps, and biblical foundations for building effective networks aimed at making disciples who make disciples. Key topics include forming networks, the importance of relational ministry, and engaging with the community through various strategies. Join in as Vicki and her team provide valuable lessons and inspiration for transforming communities through disciple-making.
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 Opening Remarks
01:32 Personal Background and Ministry Journey
03:52 Understanding and Building Disciple-Making Cultures
05:41 Community Impact and Cultural Stories
09:22 Strategies for Effective Disciple-Making
19:23 Networking and Collaboration
25:21 Scriptural Foundations and Examples
33:39 Practical Steps and Final Thoughts
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
This episode features Vicki Gatchel from Navigators Church Ministries, based in the Greater Fort Wayne, Indiana area. The session begins with a warm acknowledgment of the beautiful weather, highlighting the importance of starting on time and expressing gratitude for everyone’s eagerness to participate and learn together.
Vicki opens the session with a heartfelt prayer, seeking divine guidance and unity among the participants. She then shares her personal and professional journey, recounting her experience with Navigators Collegiate at Ohio State in the 1980s, which played a crucial role in her spiritual development. Vicki describes her transition from a successful career in physical therapy to full-time vocational ministry, emphasizing the fulfillment she finds in helping churches cultivate a culture of disciple-making.
The session highlights the critical importance of developing a disciple-making culture within churches. Vicki reflects on themes introduced by previous speakers, such as intentionality and the significance of building core teams—groups of individuals united by a common vision, ownership, relational resilience, and endurance in their mission.
Vicki shares personal anecdotes that illustrate how her family has influenced her ministry work, including the academic and professional pursuits of her daughters. She discusses her youngest daughter's experience of cultural transition after moving to Hicksville, Ohio, using this story to illustrate how different community values shape behaviors. This serves as a parallel to how intentional disciple-making can transform church cultures.
To guide attendees in fostering intentional disciple-making, Vicki outlines a three-step model: "go to," "come to," and "do good." She emphasizes the importance of actively engaging with the community by building genuine relationships, participating in local organizations, and performing acts of kindness without expecting anything in return. The ultimate goal is to embody Christ-like love, creating a welcoming environment that naturally leads to spiritual conversations and discipleship opportunities.
Throughout the session, Vicki supports her points with scriptural foundations, citing passages from Colossians that highlight how early Christians formed supportive communities. These biblical examples provide a blueprint for modern churches to collaborate and extend their impact beyond individual congregations.
Vicki reinforces her message with practical examples from her work in Fort Wayne, discussing how local networks like "Love Fort Wayne" unite diverse church communities for coordinated efforts in prayer, service, and outreach. By building networks based on shared purposes and collaborative approaches, churches can mobilize resources and personnel more effectively, enhancing their collective impact.
Her strategy for initiating these networks revolves around leveraging existing relationships. Vicki explains how she reaches out to key individuals within her church who are passionate about disciple-making, gradually expanding her network through personal referrals. This organic growth fosters a sense of mutual support and shared mission, enriching the church’s disciple-making efforts.
The session also includes interactive elements, inviting participants to discuss their motivations for disciple-making, their reactions to the session, and the potential benefits of networking with other churches. This engaging approach encourages community-building among attendees and prompts them to consider actionable steps they can take in their own contexts.
In closing, Vicki encourages participants to reflect on their local areas, identifying specific communities they wish to reach and potential allies who can support their disciple-making initiatives. She concludes with a powerful call to action, urging attendees to take concrete steps based on what they’ve learned and reflected upon during the session.
Overall, this episode provides a rich exploration of how intentional disciple-making cultures can transform churches, emphasizing the need for genuine community engagement and the importance of building supportive networks.
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Developing a Church Culture of Disciple Making (feat. Cliff McDowell and Steve Tice)

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Creating an Intentional Disciple-Making Culture | Navigators Church Ministries
In this episode, Steve Tice, the Northeast region director for Navigators Church Ministries, joins senior pastor Cliff McDowell of East New York Church of God to discuss the transformational impact of incorporating an intentional disciple-making culture within churches. They share real-life examples and strategies for fostering disciple-makers who are rooted in their communities. The session highlights the importance of purposeful leaders, having a clear picture of a disciple, pathways for discipleship, practitioners, and monitoring progress. Tune in to hear more about their shared experiences, practical tips, and how to avoid common pitfalls while building such a culture in your own congregation.
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Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:07 Navigators Church Ministries Overview
00:17 Personal and Professional Journey
00:50 Introduction to Cliff McDowell
01:40 Transformational Impact of Disciple Making
02:47 Interactive Session and Prayer
03:33 Recap and Illustration
04:55 Intentional Disciple Making Culture
07:27 Biblical Foundations of Intentional Culture
10:38 Cliff McDowell's Journey and Church Culture
14:17 Intentional Commitments and Changes
15:18 Interactive Table Discussion
17:15 Building Maturity in Church Culture
22:17 Church Planting and Cultural Shifts
24:58 Purposeful Leaders and Discipleship
26:25 A Life-Saving Friendship
27:43 Homegrown Leadership
28:03 Defining Discipleship
29:10 The Four Seasons of Life
32:42 The Pathway for Discipleship
37:50 Building a Culture of Discipleship
39:21 Navigating Challenges in Discipleship
42:41 Adapting to Context and Diversity
45:05 Final Thoughts and Q&A
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
In this episode Steve Tice and Cliff McDowell share their experiences with the Navigators organization, focusing on building intentional disciple-making cultures in churches.
Steve, the Northeast regional director for Navigators Church Ministries, opens the discussion by sharing his background as a musician and bi-vocational minister. He and his wife run a music school on Long Island, and with over 35 years of experience, he now attends church services without occupational duties.
Cliff, senior pastor of East New York Church of God, discusses his extensive leadership roles, including a six-year term as vice presiding elder of the National Association of the Church of God. He emphasizes his collaboration with Navigators, impacting churches across New York and beyond.
The session centers on the importance of cultivating an intentional disciple-making culture, which supports disciple-makers embedded in their local contexts. Steve highlights that the discussion will feature real-life examples and allow for audience questions.
He stresses the need for intentional leadership to avoid half-hearted ministry efforts. Citing Bill Mallory’s book "Designed to Flourish," he contrasts intentional cultures with those driven by competing agendas. Steve uses biblical references, including Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-27, to illustrate how early Christian communities embodied intentionality.
Cliff shares his pastoral journey, detailing how he intentionally shaped his congregation's culture. He reflects on transitioning from a cell church model to a disciple-making church, aided by his bi-vocational experience and trust built within the community.
To encourage table discussions, Steve and Cliff pose reflective questions about participants' church cultures, identifying intentional practices and obstacles. They then explore how mature disciples and intentional cultures support each other, with Cliff sharing his experience of mentoring three men over three years, which strengthened their faith and leadership.
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The Foundation of a Disciple Making Culture (feat Justin Gravitt)

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Check out our eBooks: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/ 
 
Building a Strong Foundation for Disciple Making Cultures - Workshop with Justin Gravitt
In this workshop, Justin Gravitt from Navigators Church Ministries dives into the critical process of developing a sustainable disciple making culture within the church. Drawing on over a decade of experience, Justin explains the importance of having a strong foundation and shares actionable steps to grow and maintain it. He uses the analogy of a Jenga tower to illustrate how foundational weaknesses can cause a disciple making culture to collapse. Throughout the session, Justin emphasizes the importance of forming a core team and making disciple making a foundational part of church culture, not just an additional program. He also answers practical questions about how to start and sustain this initiative, ensuring that both leaders and participants are equipped to become effective disciple makers.
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 Workshop Overview
00:51 The Importance of Actionable Steps
01:49 Building a Foundation for Disciple Making
02:33 Jenga and Disciple Making Culture
04:14 Challenges in Disciple Making
11:32 Creating a Core Team
17:13 Common Vision and Team Dynamics
25:02 Relational Resilience in Teams
28:09 Navigating Team Conflict
28:37 The Importance of Relational Depth
29:08 Endurance in Team Building
32:55 Three Barriers to Culture Change
37:51 Starting Disciple Making in Your Church
40:21 Q&A: Practical Steps and Challenges
51:10 Concluding Thoughts and Resources
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
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In this session, Justin Gravitt from Navigators Church Ministries in Dayton, Ohio, leads a workshop on creating an intentional disciple-making culture in churches. He starts by introducing himself as the director of innovation and advancement for Navigators.
Justin focuses on developing a disciple-making culture, sharing insights from his ten years of experience. He highlights that the goal of the workshop is to equip participants with actionable strategies for effective discipleship in their communities.
He shares a story about a conference attendee who found valuable insights but lacked specific steps to implement them. Justin agrees and aims for attendees to leave with practical strategies for building a disciple-making foundation.
To illustrate the importance of a strong foundation, Justin compares it to a game of Jenga. He explains that just as removing key pieces from the bottom weakens the tower, neglecting foundational aspects of disciple-making can undermine a church's culture.
Engaging the audience, he encourages them to see parallels between Jenga and disciple-making, emphasizing the need for strategic planning in complex environments.
Justin warns against viewing disciple-making as an extra task rather than a core priority. He stresses that if it's not ingrained in the church's foundation, other activities will overshadow it, leading to ineffective efforts.
Drawing from his experiences with various churches, Justin notes that initial successes in disciple multiplication can plateau without a solid foundation. This realization inspired him to contribute to an ebook on disciple-making culture.
He outlines the workshop's structure, which includes two goals: transforming a group into a team with a shared mission and ensuring every member becomes an active disciple-maker.
The workshop covers establishing a common vision, fostering ownership of disciple-making, building relational resilience, and ensuring endurance in the process, all crucial for a sustainable disciple-making culture.
Justin emphasizes the importance of diversifying the team to reflect the church community, selecting members based on their faithfulness, availability, and teachability, rather than just experience.
He differentiates between a team and a group, noting that teams share a mission and diverse skills, which promotes accountability and purpose. The leader plays a vital role in facilitating these changes.
He also highlights the need for team members to embrace disciple-making as part of their identities, sharing fictional examples of common obstacles they might face, like feeling inadequate.
The session addresses these obstacles, encouraging leaders to engage with team members to understand their struggles and foster genuine connections. Building relational resilience is key for support beyond surface-level interactions.
To track progress and avoid burnout, Justin suggests practical exercises to evaluate relationship depth within the team and demonstrates healthy conflict resolution. He stresses the importance of ongoing support and engagement from leaders to keep the team motivated.
Finally, Justin emphasizes the need for clear and consistent communication about disciple-making to prevent cultural drift. Leaders should regularly revisit foundational principles to maintain focus. He also discusses how to scale teams according to church size, ensuring effective coordination.
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Growing intentional Disciple Making Cultures (GIDC) Process (feat. Donnie Hoover)

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Addressing the Church Culture Crisis: From Spectators to Disciple Makers
In this session, we explore the critical problem facing many local churches today: a culture that produces spectators rather than disciple makers. This episode dives into understanding and managing church culture to foster intentionality and the know-how necessary for disciple making. Key concepts discussed include the results pyramid by Connors and Smith, the importance of cultural beliefs, and the role of leadership in managing culture. The goal is to shift from producing spectators to creating a disciple-making culture through intentional experiences and leadership modeling.
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: Identifying the Problem
02:04 The Importance of Culture
05:22 Understanding the Results Pyramid
08:33 Beliefs and Their Impact
10:24 Creating Inescapable Experiences
14:46 Assessing and Shifting Culture
17:29 The Role of Leadership
26:30 The GIDC Process
34:00 Conclusion and Next Steps
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
This presentation addresses a critical issue faced by local churches: problematic church culture. It argues that many churches produce spectators rather than disciple-makers due to a lack of intentionality. The speaker emphasizes that healthy cultures yield better results and stresses the need to transform church culture to focus on disciple-making.
Drawing from Connors and Smith's "Change the Culture, Change the Game," culture is defined by how people think and act collectively. The "new hire question" reflects this ethos: "How do things work around here?" To achieve desirable outcomes, the focus should be on foundational experiences and beliefs, as highlighted in the Results Pyramid model.
The speaker notes that focusing solely on actions and results leads to short-term compliance rather than long-term commitment. Real change requires addressing the experiences that shape underlying beliefs. Creating “inescapable experiences” can challenge and shift these beliefs.
An understanding of the current (C1) and desired culture (C2) is necessary for change. This involves assessing existing experiences (E1), beliefs (B1), actions (A1), and results. The Navigator Church Ministries’ process begins with clarity about the goal: producing disciple-makers. Essential elements for creating a disciple-making culture, summarized as the seven P's, include:
Passion for God and the Gospel
Purposeful leaders with a clear picture of what a disciple looks like
Pathway to developing that picture
Practitioners actively participating
Progress markers to assess growth
A clear, shared picture of a disciple-maker is crucial. Practitioners must embody the disciple-making lifestyle, with significant influence from senior pastors who should model discipleship actively.
The presentation introduces the GIDC (Growing intentional Disciple-making Cultures ). This involves interconnected elements aimed at producing local disciple-makers.
In summary, this presentation provides a comprehensive approach to transforming church culture to focus on disciple-making, emphasizing the importance of experiences and beliefs in achieving long-term, meaningful change.
Check out the Navigators culture building visual: https://navigatorschurchministries.org/resource/growing-intentional-disciplemaking-cultures/ 
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How Neuroscience Transforms the Disciple Making Process (feat. Dr. Marcus Warner and Dawn Whitestone)

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Understanding Emotional and Relational Maturity Through Neuroscience
In this episode, we dive deep into the relationship between neuroscience and the stages of emotional and relational maturity, particularly in the context of disciple making. Key experts Marcus and Don Whitestone explain how brain science can guide effective discipleship, highlighting the four A's of emotional maturity, the brain's craving for joy, the dual operating systems of the brain, and the importance of mature identity centers. They also explore the five levels of maturity—infant, child, adult, parent, and elder—discussing the unique tasks and potential pitfalls at each stage. Through this comprehensive discussion, viewers gain insights on how to promote emotional and relational growth within faith 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 to Neuroscience and Discipleship
00:41 Understanding Emotional Maturity
01:33 The Four A's of Emotional Maturity
02:21 Brain Science and Maturity
04:12 The Brain's Craving for Joy
07:40 Operating Systems of the Brain
11:47 Levels of Brain Function
18:10 Applying Neuroscience to Ministry
18:35 Stages of Maturity in Discipleship
30:03 Understanding Emotional Regulation
30:38 Child Level Maturity Explained
31:31 Challenges of Pseudo Maturity
33:43 Healthy Adult Maturity
36:04 Transactional Relationships in Adulthood
38:30 Parent Level Maturity
40:55 Elder Level Maturity
43:02 Bridging the Maturity Gap in Leadership
47:52 Q&A: Maturity and Personality Types
50:07 Q&A: Elder Roles in Churches
56:14 Q&A: Addressing Immature Elders
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
In this episode the focus is on connecting neuroscience with prayer and fasting to enhance spiritual growth and maturity. The speaker, a knowledgeable professor, emphasizes disciple-making's goal of fostering maturity, as seen through Apostle Paul's objective: presenting everyone mature in Christ.
The speaker uses the metaphor of an emotional infant versus an emotional adult to illustrate varying levels of emotional maturity, introducing the "four A's" of emotional immaturity: addiction, avoidance, anger, and anxiety. These traits often appear in those at the infant and child levels of maturity. Without overcoming these, individuals may continue to exhibit immature behaviors.
He explains three key brain principles linking neuroscience and maturity. First, the brain craves joy as its primary fuel, defaulting to fear if joy is unattainable. The brain's joy center, behind the eyes, helps maintain emotional stability, with mature individuals having a well-developed identity center. Second, the brain operates with two systems: the right brain scans the environment for emotional responses, while the left brain focuses on problem-solving. Emotionally mature individuals balance these functions well. Third, the brain functions on four levels: attachment, assessment, attunement, and action. Proper development of these areas is crucial for handling emotional weight without losing composure or identity.
Don Whitestone, leading the school of ministry, translates these concepts into practical applications for ministry and disciple-making. He discusses five maturity levels: infant, child, adult, parent, and elder, providing a framework for assessing and promoting growth.
The episode includes practical examples and personal anecdotes, illustrating how quickly an emotional trigger can regress someone to a child-like state, emphasizing the need for emotional maturity.
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Discipleship on the Back of a Napkin (feat. Dr. Marcus Warner)

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Heart Focused Discipleship: Transforming Lives Through The Napkin Gospel
In today's session, Dr. Marcus Warner introduces a unique approach to discipleship dubbed 'Discipleship on the Back of a Napkin.' Drawing from personal experiences and traditional evangelistic tools, he outlines a model that incorporates freedom, identity, spirit, and heart-focused community. Through engaging examples and practical exercises, the session explores the flaws in conventional discipleship methods and provides solutions to creating mature, whole-brain disciples. Learn how to effectively explain the gospel, build on new foundations, and foster deeper spiritual connections through this transformative approach.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 
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Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks
01:44 The Power of the Napkin in Evangelism
05:51 Critique of Traditional Discipleship
14:44 A New Model for Discipleship
18:40 Understanding Freedom in Christ
20:41 Tools for Greater Freedom
25:15 The REAL Prayer Method: R.E.A.L.
26:00 Healing Through Prayer: A Real-Life Example
27:19 The Importance of Freedom in Discipleship
28:00 Rising with Christ: Understanding Our New Identity
28:40 The Foundation of Identity in Christ
34:36 Walking in the Spirit: Balancing Scripture and Connection
41:38 Heart-Focused Community: Beyond Social Clubs
43:17 Mission and Discipleship: The FISH Model
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
This episode of Deeper Walk 2 dives into effective discipleship. Dr. Marcus Warner starts by thanking everyone for joining early. He shares a bit about his work with family—his son handles marketing, and his daughter manages the podcast—along with support from volunteers like Dawn Whitestone, the school of ministry director. With a lighthearted story about a print shop mix-up, he confirms everyone has a handout and opens with a prayer, expressing gratitude for the day and the fellowship of like-minded people.
The heart of his talk is “discipleship on the back of a napkin.” He recalls a teaching tool from his youth that illustrated the gap between man and God due to sin, comparing it to trying to swim from California to Hawaii—showing that we can’t reach God on our own, but He provides a bridge. He suggests enhancing this napkin metaphor with vivid images, like having an angelic lawyer, to illustrate the transformations that come with accepting the gospel—such as forgiveness, a new identity, and citizenship in God's kingdom.
He critiques traditional discipleship models focused on the ABCs: Academics, Behavior, and Church Activity. While valuable, he argues they often miss deeper personal transformation, leading to issues like spiritual pride and superficial maturity. He points out that traditional approaches might prioritize church benefits over individual growth, noting that knowledge can lead to arrogance without true change.
Instead, he proposes a heart-focused model that integrates gospel-based theology with practical tools. Discipleship, he suggests, should start with understanding freedom in Christ—highlighting that believers need to die with Christ to be freed from sin. He emphasizes the importance of addressing repentance, forgiveness, and truth to help break free from harmful lies and wounds.
Next, he stresses the significance of identity, urging listeners to recognize their new identity in Christ. He likens discipleship to cleaning out a well, removing both trash and blockages that prevent a clear flow of life. Maturity in the Christian life means handling stress while staying true to one’s identity, rather than reverting to self-centered patterns.
A key part of this model is walking in the Spirit. He introduces a two-winged airplane metaphor, with Scripture as one wing and the Holy Spirit as the other. Effective discipleship balances these, allowing the Spirit to guide our understanding and application of Scripture in daily life, avoiding legalism and unchecked spiritual experiences.
He also highlights the importance of a supportive, heart-focused community that fosters individual freedom and spiritual growth, distinguishing it from mere social clubs. This community helps individuals remember their identity in Christ and supports their spiritual journeys.
Finally, he ties everything together, showing how freedom, identity, Spirit, and community empower effective mission work. He warns that pursuing mission without these foundations can be risky, while true discipleship naturally leads to mission, as spiritually connected individuals with strong identities are equipped to make a difference.
Throughout the session, he uses practical exercises and metaphors, including a simple hand mnemonic for Biblical covenants, to reinforce the gospel's cohesive narrative and present a holistic, gospel-centered approach to discipleship.
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Four Good Ideas that Neutralized Western Christianity (feat. Dr. Marcus Warner)

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Reviving Discipleship: The Power of Attachment in Spiritual Growth
In this deeply insightful talk, the speaker introduces Deeper Walk International, a ministry aimed at enhancing spiritual growth through heart-focused discipleship. Starting from its foundation in spiritual warfare counseling by Dr. Mark Beubeck, the ministry has evolved to address the broader needs of the church community. The speaker examines how traditional approaches to discipleship, focused on truth, willpower, and power, have resulted in 'half-brained Christianity.' Emphasizing the importance of attachment and joy in spiritual development, the talk advocates for a holistic model where group discipleship plays a pivotal role. With references to thinkers like Jim Wilder, Alan Shore, and Nietzsche, the presentation challenges prevailing notions and sets the stage for a transformative approach to Christian discipleship.
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 to Deeper Walk International
01:28 Heart Focused Discipleship
02:09 The Role of Trauma and Freedom Issues
02:40 Partnership with Jim Wilder and Neuroscience Insights
03:50 The Church as a Factory: Producing Disciples
04:37 Four Essential Elements of Change
05:25 The Enlightenment and the Shift to Truth
07:45 Attachment vs. Truth in Faith
13:14 The Will and Voluntarism in Theology
23:06 The Role of Power in Christianity
29:05 Postmodernism and Tolerance
32:08 Building a Disciple-Making Culture
38:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
In this episode, we meet the speaker from Deeper Walk International, a ministry founded in 1988 in Sioux City, Iowa. Initially centered on spiritual warfare counseling by Dr. Mark Beubeck, author of "The Adversary," the ministry expanded under his influence from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Over time, it broadened its impact beyond counselors to missionaries and church members, highlighting the universal relevance of its teachings.
The term "heart-focused discipleship" emerged as a key concept, emphasizing that many barriers to spiritual growth stem not from ignorance but from unresolved emotional wounds. Drawing on personal experiences as a senior pastor, the speaker observed how addressing these issues led to profound life changes among believers.
Collaboration with Jim Wilder, director of a California counseling center, integrated spiritual warfare with neuroscience, particularly attachment theory. Their joint publications like "Rare Leadership" and "The Solution of Choice" blend theological insights with neuroscience to offer holistic models for personal and spiritual transformation.
The episode explores four significant philosophical movements influencing Western Christianity:
Reason and Truth (The Enlightenment): This era prioritized intellectual reasoning in faith, sometimes reducing Christianity to debates rather than fostering deep, transformative relationships.
The Will (Voluntarism): Building on reason, this emphasized human willpower in faith, overlooking the complexity of desires and relational needs.
Power (Nietzsche and Modernism): Emphasizing power and achievement, this movement sometimes overlooked the relational depth necessary for true spiritual growth.
Tolerance (Postmodernism): While promoting acceptance, this movement sometimes minimized the possibility of genuine transformation, reinforcing relativism over biblical truth.
The speaker advocates for a discipleship approach rooted in community dynamics. Like fertile soil nurturing plants, vibrant Christian communities foster personal growth and spiritual transformation. They critique individualistic discipleship models, advocating for group settings that provide diverse life experiences and maturity levels.
Drawing from John 15, the speaker emphasizes the need to remain deeply connected to Jesus for spiritual fruitfulness. They argue that genuine transformation occurs within a supportive community centered on God's truth and relational depth—not solely on intellectualism or personal effort.
Practical examples highlight the pitfalls of solo-driven spiritual warfare ministries and the benefits of team-based approaches for sustainable growth. The episode concludes with a call to embrace "Discipleship 2.0," prioritizing relational attachment and joyful community in church practices, ensuring holistic spiritual development rooted in meaningful relationships within the body of Christ.
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Worldwide Revolution (feat. Jay Armstrong)

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The True Essence of Discipleship: A Call for Worldwide Revolution
In this video session, we discuss the vital aspects of discipleship and the importance of personal transformation in living a life that mirrors Jesus. Highlighted are significant concepts learned over four sessions, emphasizing that real change begins within oneself before it can impact others. The speaker delves into the notion of Jesus as a revolutionary figure and the mission of worldwide revolution that he initiated through discipleship. Also discussed are challenges churches face in making true disciples due to truncated gospels and weak definitions. Practical steps to embrace a life with God and truly embody the Great Commission and Great Commandment are shared, with inspiring anecdotes and real-life examples to support the journey toward becoming fully committed followers of Christ.
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 Personal Discipleship
00:32 Key Lessons from Seminary
01:42 The Importance of Discipleship
03:11 Jesus as a Revolutionary
05:27 The Great Commission and Authority
10:18 Personal Journey and Ministry Challenges
15:04 Defining Discipleship and Gospel
19:54 Characteristics and Challenges of a Revolution
24:52 Live Example: Choosing Christ
25:50 Theological Left and Right: Discipleship Challenges
26:29 Prosperity and Consumer Gospels
28:42 The Gospel of the Kingdom
29:59 Revolution of Character
34:07 The With God Life
42:46 Love as the Ultimate Response
46:20 Transformative Power of Love
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
In this episode titled "Bonheoffer 4," we explore deep themes of discipleship, the evolving nature of the church, and the transformative impact of the gospel. The speaker begins by highlighting the critical importance of personal discipleship, noting a concerning lack of personal mentoring among church leaders.
Reflecting on a seminary lesson, three key insights emerge: the internal transformation is more crucial than external events, our character outweighs our actions, and we cannot give what we do not possess. These principles set the stage for a broader conversation on the state of discipleship and its cultivation within church communities.
Critiquing prevalent church practices, the speaker contrasts the self-contained "frog" with the outward-reaching "lizard," lamenting the church's focus on internal programs rather than proactive disciple-making efforts. Central to this critique is the assertion that the type of gospel preached shapes the disciples produced. Misrepresentations of the gospel, such as the "forgiveness-only" or "prosperity" versions, result in incomplete discipleship outcomes. Instead, advocating for a holistic "discipleship gospel" is crucial, centered on following Jesus as the model for life.
The speaker portrays Jesus as a revolutionary, initiating transformation from individual hearts to cultural shifts within society through authentic discipleship. Redefining grace as an active catalyst for growth rather than a passive concept becomes integral to this mission.
Personal narratives reveal the speaker's own journey, including struggles with pastoral responsibilities and personal trauma, which underscore the critical need for genuine discipleship within the church. Aligning current practices with biblical ideals prompts a renewed focus on fostering discipleship as core to church identity.
Practical examples like the "with God life" illustrate the transformative journey of discipleship, urging listeners to reconsider love as an ongoing sacrificial pursuit of God's best for others.
The episode culminates with a poignant story emphasizing love as the foundational principle guiding life and mission, echoing Jesus's radical call to transformative love.
Overall, "Bonheoffer 4" challenges us to evaluate our personal discipleship journey, the authenticity of the gospel we proclaim, and the transformative power of love in our lives and communities.
 
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Jesus Math (feat. Cindy Perkins)

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Today’s episode will help us deepen our understanding of discipleship's profound significance, guided by Cindy Perkins's insights and practical advice, encouraging intentional living in light of God’s kingdom and the transformative power of authentic Christian community.
 
Mastering Discipleship: The Jesus Math Strategy with Cindy Perkins
Join Cindy Perkins, Chief Operations Officer of the Bonhoeffer Project, as she goes into the essence of discipleship. Learn about the significance of living in the 'already not yet' space, collaborative discipleship, and the immense importance of authentic relationships in spiritual growth. Cindy shares her journey and experiences, introduces effective steps and strategies for implementing discipleship, and underscores the critical need for an intentional, culture-shaping approach within the church. Discover the exponential multiplication potential of 'Jesus Math' and understand how starting with even one dedicated disciple can eventually lead to thousands. Essential viewing for those committed to fostering deep, impactful discipleship.
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 to Cindy Perkins
10:56 The Concept of Jesus Math
18:26 Personal Journey and Discipleship
26:54 The Mandate of Titus 2: Teaching the Younger Generation
33:12 Practical Tips for Effective Discipleship
39:29 Choosing the Right Curriculum for Discipleship
41:30 Aligning Definitions of Discipleship with Church Leadership
43:37 Adapting Discipleship to Individual Needs and Contexts
49:54 Engaging in Pre-Conversion Discipleship
51:07 Discipleship in Academic Settings
53:05 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Resources on Disciple Making Culture 
Disciple Making Culture Visual Introduction
Cultivating a Disciple-Making Culture at Your Church
Disciple-Making Culture
This episode from the Bonhoeffer Project goes into the profound significance and complexities of discipleship within the context of Christian faith, featuring Cindy Perkins, the Chief Operations Officer of the organization. Cindy's role in overseeing operations and women's cohorts within the Bonhoeffer Project underscores her deep involvement in fostering discipleship and organizational health.
Cindy opens the episode with a compelling question for the audience: "How do we live in the 'already Not yet'?" This question serves as a thematic anchor, exploring the tension between the Christian belief in salvation already achieved and the ongoing process of transformation and anticipation of the future heavenly reality. She navigates through this theological concept, addressing the challenges many face in navigating life's ambiguities and striving to live faithfully in the present while anticipating the fullness of God's kingdom.
During the episode, Cindy reflects on a recent conversation with a tech assistant at a conference, highlighting their mutual appreciation for the collaborative spirit evident at the event. She draws inspiration from the extensive works of Bill Hull on discipleship, noting how his teachings have shaped many current practices and non-profit initiatives focused on nurturing discipleship within the church. Cindy also critiques aspects of the contemporary copyright culture, contrasting it with Jesus's open and collective approach to sharing teachings about the gospel.
The discussion expands to encompass broader themes within the Christian community, including unity and the dangers of divisiveness. Cindy draws from Scott McKnight's insights on endurance through suffering as depicted in 1 Peter, foreseeing potential future challenges for the church. She raises concerns about the readiness of many Christian institutions to face extreme adversities, such as potential persecution or societal marginalization, urging a deeper commitment to unity and mission amidst cultural shifts.
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