The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast
The Disciple Makers Podcast exists to tell stories about disciples of Jesus who make disciples. Discipleship.org, who sponsors the podcast, exists to Champion Jesus‘ way of disciple making. Episodes are published in thematic seasons. To learn more, visit www.discipleship.org or email us at info@discipleship.org.
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Wednesday Apr 17, 2024
Today’s episode features Chris Harper going through Betterman’s second track session at the most recent Nashville City Tour and he’s taking us through the concepts of male leadership, courage, and the importance of embodying what he calls an 'ethos of courage' in modern society. There seems to be a real lack of male courage and leadership in today’s world and today Chris is advocating for a positive reframing as 'victors'. He gives us personal anecdotes and introduces four key questions aimed at encouraging men to reflect on their unique contributions and responsibilities in their homes, churches, and communities.
Registration for our upcoming event – National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture).
For more information about BetterMan check out their website: https://betterman.com/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Diving Into the Night's Discussion: Courage and Masculinity
00:06 Exploring Ethos of Courage Through Personal and Cultural References
01:35 Introducing the Harper Family Creed and Its Impact
02:55 The Four Questions to Shape a Better World
03:14 Breaking Down the First Question: What's Missing?
10:43 Addressing the Second Question: What's Broken?
13:19 Confronting Evil: The Third Question
23:10 Promoting Good in a Broken World: The Fourth Question
23:36 The Lego Lesson: Finding Joy in the Small Moments
24:31 Celebrating Others: A Lesson from the Basketball Bench
26:09 Promoting Good in Every Situation
26:58 Historical Lessons: The Courage of Sparta
28:24 Building the Wall: A Call to Men
30:44 The Role of Men in Church and Family
32:20 Navigating Modern Media: The Impact on Attention and Faith
32:19 Discipling the Next Generation: The Importance of Family and Faith
32:19 Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Check out these Free Ebooks:
Disciple Making Culture 10 Minute E-Book
Disciple Shift Ebook
Discipleship That Fits Ebook
Disciple Making Culture Visual Guide
Interested in Audio books? Here are a couple of great options:
Audio Book Becoming a Disciple Maker
Audio Book National Sutdy on Disciple Making
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
We’re jumping into Betterman’s first track session from the recent Nashville City Tour, and we’ve got Chris Harper talking about Men, Manhood, and Faith. Chris tells us about the importance of journeying back to God's original design for manhood and masculinity. In case you haven’t noticed, our culture has time and time again tried to confuse men about what masculinity should look like. These culture changes have influenced the role of men within both family and the church. And as followers of Jesus, we need to return to Scripture to dictate what a REAL man is. Today Chris is going to give you some actionable steps to better engage and support men in their spiritual journeys, through the lens of worship, discipleship, and the significance of encouraging men within the church community.
Registration for our upcoming event – National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture).
For more information about BetterMan check out their website: https://betterman.com/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Diving Deep into Manhood and Masculinity
06:04 Addressing the Crisis of Modern Manhood
12:32 Unveiling the Four Types of Men in Today's Society
26:50 The Quest for Spirit-Initiated Men
30:04 Laying the Foundation for Transformation
32:33 The Power of Podcasts and the Importance of Reading the Bible
33:35 Understanding Biblical Schizophrenia: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Scripture
36:20 The Crisis of Male Loneliness and the Search for Community
38:02 Building Meaningful Male Friendships: Strategies and Insights
41:40 Encouraging Men in the Church: A Call to Action
44:55 Addressing the Cultural Shift and Reclaiming Masculinity in the Church
44:55 Navigating the Complexities of Manhood and Spiritual Warfare
44:55 Leveraging Technology and Community for Men's Ministry
44:55 Closing Thoughts and Personal Connections
Check out these Free Ebooks:
Disciple Making Culture 10 Minute E-Book
Disciple Shift Ebook
Discipleship That Fits Ebook
Disciple Making Culture Visual Guide
Interested in Audio books? Here are a couple of great options:
Audio Book Becoming a Disciple Maker
Audio Book National Sutdy on Disciple Making
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Wednesday Apr 10, 2024
Today we've got Anthony Walker, Chris Harper, and Bobby Harrington talking about redefining manhood through a biblical and modern perspective. This is the Q&A session with speakers from the past two episodes, so if you haven’t listened to those, please skip back and do that before listening to this one. The world critiques any form of manhood as toxic… but these men are advocating for a higher calling for me: the call for a Christ-like model of masculinity. This discussion emphasizes the importance of men confirming each other's manhood, the role of mentorship and discipleship in developing godly men, and the power of community to combat isolation and foster spiritual growth. Get ready for some practical approaches and models for having Christ-like traits in your life.
Registration for our upcoming event – National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture).
Interested in more Main sessions from our Nashville City Tour event? Head to our website to get free access to all the video’s: https://discipleship.org/shop/2023-nashville-city-tour/
Watch The Video
Key Takeaways
00:00 Unpacking the Essence of Manhood: Archetypes vs. Stereotypes
00:44 The Power of Male Bonding and Mentorship
01:29 Addressing the Misconceptions of Masculinity
03:47 The Biblical Foundation of Manhood
05:50 The Impact of Embracing True Manhood
10:54 Navigating the Stereotypes and Finding Authentic Manhood
13:38 Creating Spaces for Men to Thrive and Connect
18:26 Practical Steps Towards Fostering Male Community and Growth
22:20 Conclusion: The Journey Towards Authentic Manhood
Check out these Free Ebooks:
Disciple Making Culture 10 Minute E-Book
Disciple Shift Ebook
Discipleship That Fits Ebook
Disciple Making Culture Visual Guide
Interested in Audio books? Here are a couple of great options:
Audio Book Becoming a Disciple Maker
Audio Book National Sutdy on Disciple Making
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Monday Apr 08, 2024
Chris Harper of Betterman.com talks with us about the modern perceptions of gender and the confusion surrounding masculinity in our contemporary society. He critiques the progression in our country from a need for men to the questioning of what even defines a man. Chris takes us through a journey towards reclaiming manhood through biblical teachings, mentorship from older generations, and active participation in communities. Men simply need other men to guide them through intentional discipleship towards living as constructive contributors in our society and to become the protective “wall” to their families.
Discovering Modern Manhood: A Transformative Journey
The script narrates a personal story of attending a Lyle Lovett concert in 2011, which transitions into a life-changing revelation of impending fatherhood. Exploring the speaker's initial preference for a son and subsequent joy at discovering they would have a daughter, the narrative shifts to a broader discourse on modern perceptions of gender and the confusion surrounding masculinity in contemporary society. It critiques the progression from a need for men to a question of what defines a man, attributing current societal confusion to a lack of clear paths to manhood. Offering a solution, the speaker outlines a journey towards reclaiming manhood through biblical teachings, mentorship from older generations, and active participation in communities. This pathway includes invitations to transformation, clear definitions of masculinity, overcoming juvenile thinking, dedicated training, and finally, recognition and commissioning into responsible manhood. The message emphasizes the necessity of guiding men through intentional discipleship towards living as constructive societal contributors, akin to being a protective 'wall' around their communities.
Registration for our upcoming event – National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture).
Interested in more Main sessions from our Nashville City Tour event? Head to our website to get free access to all the video’s: https://discipleship.org/shop/2023-nashville-city-tour/
Watch The Video
Key Takeaways
00:00 A Concert Night to Remember: Discovering Unexpected Joy
01:22 Embracing Fatherhood: The Journey from Expectation to Reality
02:42 Navigating Modern Masculinity: A Call to Clarity and Purpose
03:10 The Crisis of Manhood: From Confidence to Confusion
06:41 The Path to True Manhood: Reclaiming Identity and Purpose
09:09 Mentorship and Transformation: The Ancient Path to Manhood
17:16 The Final Commission: Building the Wall of Manhood
Check out these Free Ebooks:
Disciple Making Culture 10 Minute E-Book
Disciple Shift Ebook
Discipleship That Fits Ebook
Disciple Making Culture Visual Guide
Interested in Audio books? Here are a couple of great options:
Audio Book Becoming a Disciple Maker
Audio Book National Study on Disciple Making
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
We’ve got Anthony Walker on the show today and he’s highlighting how men and women require different discipleship approaches. Where women may more naturally fit into ongoing continuous discipleship with their relationships, men typically have a harder time opening up. Anthony wants to help us have a new framework and a new approach for reaching and discipling men. He says we have to meet men where they are, accepting them along with their troubles, and helping them navigate through their lives by walking with Jesus as the ultimate guide. Men have unique struggles, but there is also power in fellowship with the men and guidance from them in overcoming life's challenges.
Registration to our National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture).
Interested in more Main sessions from our Nashville City Tour event? Head to our website to get free access to all the video’s: https://discipleship.org/shop/2023-nashville-city-tour/
Watch The Video
Key Takeaways
00:00 Kicking Off with a Fast-Paced Introduction
00:40 The Parable of the Queen Isabella Causeway
01:40 Drawing Parallels: Men and the Barges of Life
02:36 The Importance of Discipling Men Differently
04:21 Utilizing Biblical Narratives for Modern Manhood
09:51 The Journey to Better Manhood: Meeting, Accepting, Navigating
14:08 Concluding Thoughts on Navigating Life with Faith
Check out these Free Ebooks:
Disciple Making Culture 10 Minute E-Book
Disciple Shift Ebook
Discipleship That Fits Ebook
Disciple Making Culture Visual Guide
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Monday Apr 01, 2024
We’re wrapping our special series on Disciple Making Culture with part 2 of a conversation with the Disciple Making Culture man himself - Brandon Guindon. If you haven’t heard part one, jump back to episode 40 and listen to that before going any further. This episode is an explanation of the final essential components of disciple making culture - relational environments and the reproducible process. We have to model Jesus' relational method of disciple-making by fostering environments for personal growth as well as application of biblical teaching, and also establishing methods for multiplying and expanding the culture. Brandon also gives us practical advice on forming small groups and strategies to encourage the reproduction of disciple-making efforts within our church communities.
Check out Real Life Texas at: reallifetexas.org
Registration to our National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture).
Buy Brandon Guindon's book Disciple-Making Culture at 45% off — just $9.99 — for a limited time by using code "DISCIPLESHIP" during checkout here: https://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Diving Into Part Two: Continuing the Disciple Making Culture Conversation
00:26 Exploring Key Component #3: The Power of Relational Environments
07:19 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Discipleship and Empowerment
15:52 Practical Insights: Building Reproducible Disciple Making Processes in Churches
29:42 Leveraging Resources and Encouragement for Disciple Making
32:15 Closing Thoughts: The Journey of Discipleship
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
Wednesday Mar 27, 2024
We’re finishing up our special series on Disciple Making Culture with 2 special interviews with Brandon Guindon. Brandon is the founding pastor of Real Life Ministries in Texas and today he’s talking with Matt Dabbs about developing a disciple-making culture within your church by sharing his insights on the challenges faced in maintaining perseverance and the American pragmatism that often discourages long-term discipleship.
Check out Real Life Texas at: reallifetexas.org
Registration to our National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture).
Buy Brandon Guindon's book Disciple-Making Culture at 45% off — just $9.99 — for a limited time by using code "DISCIPLESHIP" during checkout here: https://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Diving Deep into Disciple Making Culture
06:16 Exploring the Biblical Foundation of Disciple Making
16:49 The Challenge of Discipleship in Modern Churches
19:50 Discovering the Path to Discipleship
20:43 A Divine Encounter and a New Direction
21:14 The Essence of True Discipleship
23:37 Intentional Leadership in Discipleship
29:00 Building a Disciple-Making Culture in the Church
32:51 The Long-Term Commitment to Discipleship
33:46 Exploring Future Projects and the Importance of Grit
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Monday Mar 25, 2024
Monday Mar 25, 2024
For Part 1 of this conversation click HERE
In this episode, Matt Dabbs talks with Todd Wilson for part 2 on their conversation about the challenges the American church faces in creating a culture of disciple making. A national study shows only 4% of churches have a disciple-making culture, and Todd gives us insight as to why that is, focusing on the fact that churches with a lot of programs or consumer-driven churches actually hinder discipleship. We need a change in our church’s operating systems. Todd introduces six key elements that are crucial for establishing a new model that prioritizes relational disciple making.
Check out Renew Movement: https://renew-movement.org/
Registration to our National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture) is now open.
Check out the National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
Interested in taking an assessment on Disciple Making: Individual Disciple Maker Assessment
Key Takeaways
00:00 Diving into Disciple Making Culture in American Churches
01:26 The Challenge of Changing Church Operating Systems
05:37 Exploring the Impact of the Church Growth Movement
14:21 Redefining Success: From Mega Churches to Disciple Making
23:01 The Operating System of the Church: A Deep Dive
25:06 Unveiling the Constraint: The Operating System in Church Growth
26:05 The Illusion of Model Tweaking in Church Growth
27:12 The Gravity of Programmatic Reproduction in Church Planting
28:19 Breaking Free: The Challenge of Escape Velocity in Church Innovation
29:47 The Asymptotic Barrier: Navigating Growth Limits in Churches
31:50 Rethinking Church Growth: The Need for a New Operating System
34:17 Introducing a New Operating System for Church Planting
37:43 Dissecting the New Operating System: Elements and Questions
46:05 Mobilization and the Future of Church Planting
46:26 Wrapping Up: The Importance of Disciple Making Culture
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
We have the privilege of speaking with Todd Wilson in this episode. He’s the former founder of Exponential and the current directional team leader of the Renew Movement. Todd and Matt Dabbs dive into the challenges and statistics surrounding disciple making in U.S. churches. Our current plan to use church programs for church growth has created a barriers to a real disciple-making culture. Wilson argues for a shift towards relational disciple making as a primary way of growth, especially after the impact COVID has had on church trends. We need a new paradigm. You know it and I know it. We need one that embraces relational disciple making to ensure the future of church growth.
Check out Renew Movement: https://renew-movement.org/
Registration to our National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture) is now open. Use discount code podcast to get $25 off your ticket.
Check out the National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
Interested in taking an assessment on Disciple Making: Individual Disciple Maker Assessment
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:24 Exploring the Mission and Impact of Exponential
00:45 The Tipping Point in Church Planting and Discipleship
02:14 Strategic Shifts in Church Planting Post-Exponential
03:21 Renew Movement: A New Direction in Church Planting
04:06 The Impact of COVID-19 on Church Dynamics
06:56 Unpacking the Study on Disciple Making Culture
09:13 Challenges and Realities of Institutional Church Growth
16:17 Redefining Church Culture for Future Generations
41:09 The Economic and Paradigm Shifts Required for Change
46:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Directions
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
Monday Mar 18, 2024
Monday Mar 18, 2024
This episode features a conversation with Matthew Anderson, who has been instrumental in planting churches and making disciples in Utah through Plant Utah. Be prepared for an in-depth exploration of disciple-making and church planting in a region where Evangelical Christians represent a very small minority. Matthew shares insights into the unique challenges of ministry in Utah, emphasizing relational and experiential engagement over traditional apologetics. This conversation covers the evolution of their ministry model from house churches to a network of microchurches, and the essential role of genuine relationships, intentional discipleship, and reliance on the Holy Spirit in their mission.
Registration to our National Disciple Making Forum (Disciple Making Culture) is now open. Use discount code podcast to get $25 off your ticket.
For more information about Matthew Anderson and the work he is doing you can visit: https://www.plantutah.com/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Meet the Disciples: Matt Dabbs and Matthew Anderson
00:33 The Mission in Utah: Disciples Making Disciples
01:07 The Challenges of Evangelism in Utah
01:37 The Strategy: Discipleship and Church Planting
01:52 The Reality of House Churches and Missional Communities
03:23 Understanding the Culture and Context of Utah
06:23 The Approach: Intentional and Relational Disciple Making
08:17 The Impact: Stories of Transformation and Growth
14:27 The Process: From Discovery Groups to Micro Churches
30:01 The Power of Intentionality and Culture in Discipleship
35:52 Conclusion: The Long-Term Commitment to Disciple Making
Join us at our National Forum this May on Disciple Making Culture
New Resource on Disciple Making Culture!
A disciple making church culture is what your church actually does in disciple making; strategy is your plans on paper. Unfortunately, while we have good intentions to make disciples, our strategy and church culture do not always line up.
Read this 10 minute book – a visual summary – and share it with your leaders so everyone can better understand what it means to have a disciple making culture.
Watch the recordings from our most Recent National Disciple Making Forum
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
The Harvard Business Review describes it this way: “The values, beliefs and behaviors practiced in an organization formed over time because they are rewarded or punished (i.e. by formal or informal rules, rituals, and behaviors.”
The McKinsey Institute put it more simply: “culture is how we do things around here …”
That statement, often attributed to the most influential management guru of our time, Peter Drucker. What Drucker meant by “culture eats strategy for breakfast” was that lasting change in an organization comes only when the culture of an organization changes. Applying this to church, if you do not change the culture of a church, the church will not change.
Many leaders fail to account for this reality.
This gets at the root of why our disciple making plans can so easily fail. We try great strategies—preaching on disciple making, small groups, D-Groups, etc. But our churches will not change—indeed cannot change—because “culture” easily defeats the strategies we adopt.