

Disciple Dojo
JM Smith
What’s up with the name “Disciple Dojo”??
Great question! One of my lifelong passions has been studying the martial arts. And the place where you study and train in martial arts is a Dojo.
Christian Discipleship is similar to martial arts training (if you don’t believe me, just ask Paul–he says so himself in his letter to Christians in ancient Corinth [1Cor. 9:26-27]!). We have a Sensei (teacher): Jesus. We have a katana (sword): Scripture.
Thus Disciple Dojo is intended as a virtual Dojo–where students of the Master can be sharpened, challenged, equipped and encouraged as they continue to become more and more like the One they serve…minus the scrapes and bruises!
Great question! One of my lifelong passions has been studying the martial arts. And the place where you study and train in martial arts is a Dojo.
Christian Discipleship is similar to martial arts training (if you don’t believe me, just ask Paul–he says so himself in his letter to Christians in ancient Corinth [1Cor. 9:26-27]!). We have a Sensei (teacher): Jesus. We have a katana (sword): Scripture.
Thus Disciple Dojo is intended as a virtual Dojo–where students of the Master can be sharpened, challenged, equipped and encouraged as they continue to become more and more like the One they serve…minus the scrapes and bruises!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 25min
Perfecting the Church
In this episode JM talks with @ThePerfectingChurch Pastor Kevin C. Brown about their time in Bethlehem, being in "circles rather than rows", and the challenge for churches seeking to live out the Kingdom in a staunchly divided culture.
For more on the Perfecting Church visit: https://theperfectingchurch.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theperfectingchurch
Follow Kevin on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kevinc.brown
Other episodes mentioned:
* What most evangelicals misunderstand about "Holiness" (with Dr. Matt O'Reilly) - https://youtu.be/YYSAnKi8Xx8
* Christian Nationalism and Leviathan (with Caleb Campbell) - https://youtu.be/yoNFWagAeQo
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Mar 4, 2025 • 25min
Black Belt Bible Reading Tips: Leviticus
Black Belt Bible Reading Tips: Leviticus by JM Smith

Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 4min
Grappling with Hosea (part 1 of 2)
In this episode Dr. Andrew King and I discuss our mutual love for Jiujitsu, why everyone should train, and his work on the book of Hosea!
Andrew's faculty page: https://www.mbts.edu/about/faculty/dr-andrew-king/
Follow Andrew on Twitter at: @drandrewmking
The "Every Voice" database that Andrew helps run can be found at: https://database.everyvoicekingdomdiversity.org/
Other resources:
* 5 Things Churches can learn from Jiujitsu! - https://youtu.be/wJnjdSaIARY
* A 100% BLIND BJJ black belt enters the Dojo! - https://youtu.be/vbXvQi3YcUg
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Mar 4, 2025 • 28min
Black Bible Bible Tips: Joshua
Black Bible Bible Tips: Joshua by JM Smith

Mar 4, 2025 • 31min
Black Belt Bible Tips: Deuteronomy
Black Belt Bible Tips: Deuteronomy by JM Smith

Mar 4, 2025 • 22min
Black Belt Bible Tips: Numbers
Black Belt Bible Tips: Numbers by JM Smith

Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 29min
Grappling with Hosea (part 1 of 2)
In this episode Dr. Andrew King and I discuss our mutual love for Jiujitsu, why everyone should train, and his work on the book of Hosea!
Andrew's faculty page: https://www.mbts.edu/about/faculty/dr-andrew-king/
Follow Andrew on Twitter at: @drandrewmking
The "Every Voice" database that Andrew helps run can be found at: https://database.everyvoicekingdomdiversity.org/
Other resources:
* 5 Things Churches can learn from Jiujitsu! - https://youtu.be/wJnjdSaIARY
* A 100% BLIND BJJ black belt enters the Dojo! - https://youtu.be/vbXvQi3YcUg
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 23min
Love in Biblical Theology (w/ Dr. Nijay Gupta)
In this episode Dr. Nijay Gupta returns to the Dojo to talk about something most NT scholars shy away from: LOVE!
Nijay's book is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Affections-Christ-Jesus-Heart-Theology/dp/0802877168/
Nijay's substack: https://nijaykgupta.substack.com/
Nijay's podcast with A.J. Swoboda: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slow-theology-simple-faith-for-chaotic-times/id1556188087
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 18, 2025 • 1h 37min
What is "Christian Nationalism"? (w/ Caleb Campbell)
In this episode Pastor and author Caleb Campbell steps into the Dojo to discuss the controversial concept of "Christian Nationalism", including myths about it and how it is to be evaluated in light of the actual Christian faith.
Caleb's book Disarming Leviathan is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Disarming-Leviathan-Christian-Nationalist-Neighbor/dp/1514008513/
Caleb can be reached via his website: https://www.disarmingleviathan.com
Follow him on YouTube: Youtube.com/@DisarmingLeviathanUSA
Twitter: @DisarmingL
Other resources mentioned:
* Advice to Pro-Choice Friends - Advice for Pro-Choice Friends - https://youtu.be/lrgAcb54mSw
* SuperheroSeminary: Captain American on Nationalism vs. Patriotism - https://youtu.be/LdMz6EEUREk?si=XtJWP53wZ96xtJfL
* SuperheroSeminary: Aquaman explains Leviathan - https://youtu.be/DLuljp4QuYY?si=5CiAIcqRsWLng8Z9
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org

Feb 6, 2025 • 1h 36min
Is it true that "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven"??
Dr. Matt O’Reilly is Lead Pastor of Christ Church Birmingham, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
Matt's book "Free to be Holy" is available at: https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/
You can see more of Matt's work on YouTube at @TheologyProjectOnline and follow him on Twitter at @mporeilly
* Cleansed and Abiding by JM Smith is available at: https://www.amazon.com/Cleansed-Abiding-Proposed-Christian-Perfection/dp/1475128088
-----Some recommended resources on Methodism and Wesley:
* The Works of John Wesley - https://www.ebay.com/itm/186067649944
***Wesley’s writings are also available for free online at: https://godrules.net/library/wesley/wesley.htm
* The Theology of John Wesley by Kenneth Collins - https://www.amazon.com/Theology-John-Wesley-Shape-Grace/dp/0687646332/
* Wesley and the People Called Methodists by Richard Heitzenrater - https://www.amazon.com/Wesley-People-Called-Methodists-Second/dp/142674224X/
* The Next Methodism - https://www.amazon.com/Next-Methodism-Theological-Missional-Foundations/dp/1628249358/
———
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - https://tinyurl.com/24ncuas2
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - https://www.discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at https://www.discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at www.facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at www.discipledojo.org