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)
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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
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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