Think Obedience-Based Disciple-Making: 9 Shifts for a Disciple-Making Culture
Jan 28, 2025
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Brian and Cory challenge the traditional knowledge-based approach in disciple-making by emphasizing obedience and action. They highlight the importance of community engagement and real-world application of faith, encouraging listeners to embrace a transformative journey. The discussion includes strategies to foster a culture of obedience, navigating fears of heresy, and promoting personal accountability. Reflecting on the significance of diverse perspectives, they illustrate how a community can enhance understanding and discernment in spiritual matters.
The podcast emphasizes that true discipleship requires a shift from prioritizing knowledge to focusing on obedience and transformative action in faith practices.
Community engagement is highlighted as crucial for fostering an obedience-based disciple-making culture, where shared experiences facilitate mutual support and practical applications of faith.
Deep dives
Understanding Metanoia and Mindset Shifts
The concept of metanoia, derived from the Greek word for repentance, is explored as a significant mindset shift within the context of spiritual growth. This transformation is presented as more than just a behavioral change; it encapsulates a profound change in thinking and perspective. The conversation emphasizes that aligning with new paradigms requires acknowledging that traditional Western church mindsets often prioritize knowledge over genuine transformative action. Therefore, individuals are encouraged to embrace a journey that involves not merely acquiring information, but fundamentally reshaping how they perceive and engage with their faith.
Obedience-Based vs. Knowledge-Based Disciple Making
A critical discussion contrasts obedience-based disciple-making with knowledge-based approaches, asserting that true maturity in Jesus stems from applying teachings to one's life rather than merely accumulating biblical knowledge. This shift encourages believers to focus on practical actions and real-life implementations of their faith rather than adhering strictly to intellectual assent. The conversation reflects on the pitfalls of assuming that knowledge naturally leads to spiritual maturity, suggesting instead that active participation in discipleship reflects a deeper engagement with the teachings of Jesus. This perspective advocates for a culture where community members are prompted to respond to their understanding of faith with concrete actions.
Reframing the Purpose of Discipleship
The purpose of disciple-making is redefined beyond mere adherence to doctrine or theological correctness, emphasizing the importance of living out faith in a way that impacts everyday life. This approach encourages participants to ground their understanding of discipleship in the mission to restore and reconcile the world, aligning their actions with the broader purpose of promoting wholeness and justice in their communities. The dialogue points out that traditional frameworks have often focused on afterlife considerations, thereby neglecting the significance of present-day engagements with God's work. By shifting this focus, individuals are inspired to integrate their faith into every aspect of their lives, fostering genuine growth and communal involvement.
The Role of Community in Obedience-Based Culture
The importance of community in fostering an obedience-based culture is highlighted as essential for practical discipleship and mutual accountability. Sharing experiences and challenges among peers serves as a foundation for integrating faith with everyday life, promoting an environment where individuals can grow together and learn from one another. This dialogue suggests that practical applications of faith, rooted in communal support, cultivate resilience and growth among believers. As community members engage in shared experiences, they learn to navigate their faith journey collaboratively, reinforcing the notion that action and obedience are vital elements of true discipleship.
In this episode, Brian and Cory explore the paradigm shift of thinking about obedience over knowledge in disciple-making. It’s not that we want to ignore knowledge. We just want to emphasize that transformation does not come from knowledge alone. True maturity in Jesus involves not only knowing about Jesus, but doing as Jesus did. We’ve rooted so much of our disciple-making in the West in classroom environments. Jesus rooted disciple-making in lived experiences where his followers learned to do what He called them to do as they ushered in the Kingdom of God.
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