

The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast
Discipleship.org
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
Mentioned books

Aug 18, 2025 • 30min
Disciple Making Q&A
Q&A: Addressing Challenges in Disciple Making | Disciple Makers Podcast
In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, we return from a brief break to address listener questions about disciple making. Tune in Josh Howard navigates various topics, including the role of the Big C Church in the USA, handling discouragement, incorporating disciple making into busy lifestyles, and the importance of the supernatural in the disciple making process. Discover practical advice, biblical insights, and encouragement to help you on your journey to becoming a disciple who makes disciples.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Update
01:23 Q&A Session Begins
01:34 Is the US Church Behind in Disciple Making?
05:38 Dealing with Discouragement in Disciple Making
11:49 Following Jesus' Style in a Busy World
19:07 The Role of the Supernatural in Disciple Making
24:26 Integrating Disciple Making into Daily Life
28:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Aug 11, 2025 • 43min
Leading Great House Churches | 2025 National Disciple Making Forum (Jason Shepperd)
Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Join us for the 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/
Track Session 4: Leading Great House Churches
A Church of House Churches thrives from the health of great House Churches. Learn our expectations of great House Church gatherings, as well as how House Churches are strategically used to help people grow in their spiritual journey to be fully devoted disciples of Jesus.

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
Distributed Pastoral Leadership | 2025 National Disciple Making Forum (Jason Shepperd)
Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Church Project Track Session 3: Distributed Pastoral Leadership
Today, the word “pastor” conveys someone far more centralized and public than was used in the New Testament (often it means the public speaker on a stage). How did the Early Church identify, equip, and empower ‘ordinary’ individuals to function as pastors, and how could implementing this change the church today?
Effective Leadership and Distributed Model: Insights from Titus Chapter 1
Dive deep into the principles of effective church leadership as drawn from Titus Chapter 1. This episode outlines the importance of localized pastoral leadership and decentralized structure for fostering rapid gospel movement, referencing works by theologian Alan Hirsch. Learn about the history and evolution of house churches, the critical balance between centralized and light centrality, doctrinal training, and the intricate processes of raising new house church pastors. Gain practical insights into maintaining sound doctrine, facilitating diverse community growth, and the importance of continuous leadership development. The episode also covers the successful transition strategies for legacy churches, effective house church operation, and quantitative versus qualitative measurement of church health.
00:00 Introduction to Titus Chapter One
00:13 The Role of Elders in the Early Church
01:11 Centrality and Movement in the Church
02:16 Distributed Leadership and Sound Doctrine
03:46 House Church Origins and Growth
05:12 Developing Doctrine and Duties
07:56 Pastoring House Church Pastors
14:23 Handling Diversity and Sanctification
17:45 Sunday Gatherings vs. House Churches
24:23 Reflections and Lessons Learned
28:59 Connecting People in a Growing Community
29:56 Leadership Turnover and Mobility
33:13 One-on-One Discipleship Approach
35:35 Challenges in Transitioning Legacy Churches
41:35 Preaching and Teaching in House Churches
45:49 Leadership Pipeline and Testing
50:12 Measuring Success and Engagement
57:46 Recruiting Initial House Church Pastors
59:38 Final Q&A and Leadership Development
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It?
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/
-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/
Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:
-- The Discipleship Gospel
https://himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel/?utm_source=discipleship-org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=books-page
-- Disciple-Making Culture
https://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T
-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz
Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/
Stay informed - Get our newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast:
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 1min
Decentralized, Diverse Discipleship Communities | 2025 National Disciple Making Forum (Jason Shepperd)
Track Session 2: Decentralized, Diverse Discipleship Communities
Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
While most churches’ group structures operate as homogeneous friend groups, the Early Church gathered in diverse, cross-generational communities operating as a spiritual family. Discover the need to return to this fullest expression of the church in House Churches.
Revisiting Ecclesiology: House Churches and the DNA of True Biblical Communities
In this insightful episode, Jason Shepherd, founder of Church Project, shares his journey of starting a church 15 years ago with a vision of creating authentic biblical communities. Without a designated church name, the project focuses on rediscovering Christ's original intent for the church. Shepherd discusses the key elements of ecclesiological DNA (EDNA), emphasizing distributed pastoral leadership, decentralized structures, and diverse discipleship communities. He explores the historical and biblical foundation of house churches, citing scripture to argue for their continued relevance. Shepherd also provides practical insights into the formation, growth, and management of house churches, and how they engage with benevolent activities and student ministries. This episode challenges conventional church models, advocating for smaller, mission-focused, relationally-rich communities.
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Speaker Background
01:52 Understanding Ecclesiology
03:15 The Concept of House Church
05:24 House Church in Practice
07:23 House Church Multiplication
12:08 Small Groups vs. House Churches
23:58 Qualities of a New Testament House Church
28:43 Q&A Session
32:41 Evaluating the Health of Your House Church
34:32 The Importance of Hospitality
35:47 Developing House Church Pastors
37:14 Scheduling and Meeting Logistics
39:56 Balancing Growth and Intimacy
48:12 Handling Kids in House Church
56:12 Financial Practices and Benevolence
58:49 Connecting Newcomers to House Churches
01:00:27 Final Q&A and Closing Remarks
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It?
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/
-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/
Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:
-- The Discipleship Gospel
https://himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel/?utm_source=discipleship-org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=books-page
-- Disciple-Making Culture
https://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T
-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz
Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/
Stay informed - Get our newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast:
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Jul 21, 2025 • 60min
Re-Discovering E-DNA | 2025 National Disciple Making Forum (Jason Shepperd)
Get access to all of our 2025 National Disciple Making Forum Content: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Church Project Track Session 1: Re-Discovering E-DNA
Jesus started this beautiful thing called "church," not man. And, He and His followers led and modeled how he intended for church to be lived out. Rather than the latest church growth book or contextually-based model, it is time to return to the ways Jesus intended for His Church to be lived out as seen in the example of the Early Church.
Rethinking Church: From Traditional to Transformative - A Journey of Rediscovery
In this session, the speaker shares his 15-year journey of founding and developing Church Project. Growing up in a small fundamental Southern Baptist church in Tyler, Texas, he initially misunderstood the gospel's breadth. Through years of college, internships, and pastoral work, he grappled with his frustrations and God's calling. After leaving traditional church settings, he started Church Project with a mission to return to the church's original intent. The session dives into the importance of decentralizing from primary places and priests, distributing pastoral leadership, and fostering diverse discipleship communities. Through biblical references, especially Titus chapter one, the speaker explains the foundational elements needed to create effective and healthy church communities. Join this transformative discussion that challenges conventional ecclesiology and aims to shape a more inclusive, decentralized, and dynamic church model.
Key Takeaways
00:00 The Beginnings of Church Product
00:45 Discovering the True Gospel
00:54 From Pre-Med to Ministry
01:46 A Frustrated Calling
03:46 The Birth of Church Product
04:29 Rethinking Church
05:12 Understanding Ecclesiology
05:59 Paul's Instructions to Titus
18:22 Distributed Pastoral Leadership
23:22 Diverse Discipleship Communities
26:46 Q&A Session
27:50 Introduction to the Sessions
28:10 The Role of the Building
29:11 Centralization vs. Decentralization
29:53 Gathering Spaces and Their Use
33:41 House Churches and Accountability
38:16 Challenges and Solutions in House Churches
49:43 The Importance of Corporate Gatherings
57:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:
-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It?
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/
-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/
-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/
Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:
-- The Discipleship Gospel
https://himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel/?utm_source=discipleship-org&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=books-page
-- Disciple-Making Culture
https://himpublications.com/product/disciple-making-culture/
-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC
-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T
-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz
Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/
Stay informed - Get our newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast:
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Jul 14, 2025 • 29min
Resting and Disciple Making
Today’s episode will help us understand the importance of rest and Sabbath in disciple-making, as well as the impact of burnout and how to counteract it through sustainable rhythms of life.
Join Discipleship.org at one of our fall events:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/
The Deeper Walk Experience | Franklin, TN | Aug. 15-16, 2025: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/dw-experience-franklin/
Discipling Men | Dallas, TX | Sept. 11, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/dallas-2025-regional/
The Discipleship Gospel | Oceanside, CA | Oct. 9, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/2025-west-coast-conference/
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
The Importance of Sabbath: Finding Rest in Disciple-Making
In this episode of the Disciple Maker Podcast, hosts Josh Howard and Jason Ishmael dive into a vital but often overlooked aspect of disciple-making: the practice of Sabbath. They share personal stories and insights on how incorporating rest and healthy rhythms into daily life can prevent burnout and lead to more sustainable ministry work. Drawing from both personal experiences and biblical principles, the hosts emphasize how taking regular Sabbaths can help maintain spiritual and mental health, foster deeper relationships, and ultimately strengthen one's ministry. Tune in to discover how to balance work and rest effectively and why this balance is crucial for a thriving disciple-making journey.
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Beginnings
01:03 The Importance of Sabbath in Ministry
03:00 Personal Testimony: Burnout and Recovery
06:12 Implementing Sabbath Practices
09:23 Cultural Rhythms and Work Ethics
11:31 Balancing Work and Rest in Ministry
14:39 Reflecting on Life Choices
15:24 The Unforced Rhythms of Grace
16:04 The Importance of Rest in Discipleship
17:03 Balancing Work and Rest
19:00 Sabbath as Resistance
19:52 Real-Life Examples of Sabbath
23:25 The Modern Pace of Life
26:12 Encouragement for Restful Living
Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/
Join us for our 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/
See Below for a longer description:
In this episode of the Disciple Maker Podcast, Josh Howard and Jason Ishmael humorously start off by discussing the challenges of kicking off the podcast seamlessly. They segue into an important discussion on Sabbath and rest. Josh shares his personal experience with burnout from a grueling work schedule in India, emphasizing the importance of regular rest to avoid mental, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. They highlight that Sabbath isn't just an Old Testament concept but essential for sustainable ministry and overall well-being. The need for ministry leaders and everyone to balance work and rest is underscored, promoting a lifestyle that counters societal pressures of constant busyness and productivity. By setting boundaries and maintaining healthy rhythms of life, Josh and Jason advocate for a balanced approach to ministry and personal life. The episode calls listeners to evaluate their own rest practices and integrate meaningful Sabbath practices to prevent burnout and enhance fulfillment and effectiveness in both life and ministry.

Jul 7, 2025 • 32min
Discipling Our Children
Get the free eBook – Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship: https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
Today's episode will help us understand the importance of consistent, intentional time with our kids and how to model repentance and discipleship in everyday life.
Join Discipleship.org at one of our fall events:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/
The Deeper Walk Experience | Franklin, TN | Aug. 15-16, 2025: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/dw-experience-franklin/
Discipling Men | Dallas, TX | Sept. 11, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/dallas-2025-regional/
The Discipleship Gospel | Oceanside, CA | Oct. 9, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/2025-west-coast-conference/
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
The Importance of Discipling Our Children | Disciple Makers Podcast
In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, hosts Josh Howard, Jason, and Ishmael dive into the crucial topic of discipling our children. They explore the significance of intentionality in parenting and how quality time equates to quantity time. The hosts share practical steps, such as setting up standing stones to remind children of God's works, as well as personal experiences and methods they use to disciple their own kids. They emphasize the importance of loving your spouse and confessing mistakes as key principles of discipleship. The episode concludes with an encouraging reminder that we are not alone in this journey—Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with us, helping us every step of the way.
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Banter
00:53 Discipling Our Kids
02:56 The Importance of Intentionality
06:08 Loving Our Spouses Well
08:17 Confession and Repentance in Parenting
12:02 Making Up for Lost Time
13:18 Practical Tips for Intentional Parenting
18:44 Intentional Family Time
19:07 The Challenge of Consistency
19:59 Memorizing Scripture with Kids
20:56 The Importance of Saying Yes
25:08 Encouragement for Parents
26:10 Teaching Life Skills and Faith
28:49 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Parenting
30:58 Resources for Family Discipleship
Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/
Join us for our 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/
See Below for a longer description:
So, spending consistent quality time with your kids matters a lot. I take my kids out, one-on-one, every week. It doesn't have to be anything fancy—sometimes, it's just ice cream or a car wash run with my daughter. Over time, these moments build strong relationships and make way for deeper conversations. Plus, we try to do family devotions and prayer time before bed. We're not perfect, but it's a constant effort.
Absolutely. It's crucial to prioritize your kids and give them the best of you, not just what's left. Simple activities, like watching a favorite show together, can mean a lot. The key is to be present and make the most of these moments.
Right. And it's never too late to start. Even if you've missed opportunities before, you can always begin now. Whether it's with your own kids, grandkids, or kids at church, just be intentional. God's grace covers it all, and He’s more than willing to help us on this journey.

Jun 30, 2025 • 33min
Answering the Call to Make Disciples
Today’s episode will help us understand how to maintain our spiritual 'saltiness' and 'light' by keeping our hearts pure and living lives that genuinely reflect Jesus' teachings.
Join Discipleship.org at one of our fall events:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/
The Deeper Walk Experience | Franklin, TN | Aug. 15-16, 2025: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/dw-experience-franklin/
Discipling Men | Dallas, TX | Sept. 11, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/dallas-2025-regional/
The Discipleship Gospel | Oceanside, CA | Oct. 9, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/2025-west-coast-conference/
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Get Lit, Stay Salty: The Power of Pure Discipleship
Join us for an engaging episode of the Disciple Maker's Podcast, where Jason and Josh dive deep into the teachings of Jesus, focusing on the enduring relevance of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. They explore the profound message in Matthew 5 about maintaining purity of heart and how impure salt loses its saltiness. The conversation connects Jesus' teachings to the mission of disciple-making, emphasizing the importance of a heart that is guarded and devoted to Christ. The discussion also highlights the transformative power of authentic encounters with Jesus and how genuine discipleship can positively impact society. Tune in for insightful, humorous, and spiritually enriching dialogue.
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Welcome to the Disciple Maker's Podcast
00:44 The Relevance of Jesus' Teachings Today
00:58 Understanding 'Salt of the Earth'
02:57 The Greek Phrase for 'Loses Its Saltiness'
03:57 The Stability of Pure Salt
07:04 Connecting Salt and Discipleship
09:13 Guarding the Heart in Modern Times
10:43 The Importance of Purity and Dependence on Jesus
13:57 Recovery and Regeneration
15:47 The Power of Confession and Regeneration
18:31 The Classic 'Poop in the Brownies' Illustration
21:50 Creating Thirst Through Saltiness
28:50 The Challenge to Be Salty and Bright
31:07 Final Blessing and Resources
Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/
Join us for our 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/
See Below for a longer description:
In this episode of the Disciple Maker's Podcast, Jason and Josh dive into what it means to be effective disciples of Jesus Christ, focusing on His powerful metaphors of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world. They start with a light-hearted banter that transitions into the deeper purpose of Christian living, stressing how Jesus' teachings from 2000 years ago are still relevant and necessary today.
These metaphors come from Matthew 5, where Jesus tells us, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world.” Jason explains that the Greek phrase for salt losing its saltiness literally means salt that “plays the fool” or loses its purpose. He delves into the science of pure salt (NACL), which doesn’t lose its saltiness unless mixed with impurities—similar to how a disciple loses their ‘flavor’ when their heart isn’t pure.
They talk about keeping the heart pure, ensuring our impact remains strong. Josh adds humor by discussing the phrase “stay salty,” shifting to a serious note on how to maintain our ‘saltiness’ through purity.
Using the Dead Sea salt analogy, they stress that impurities can corrupt our faith. Josh highlights fears of losing our spiritual flavor and reassures listeners using Greek terminology to emphasize remaining undiluted.
The duo moves into genuine discipleship and the importance of ongoing self-assessment and transparency. Josh discusses Re:generation, a community for overcoming struggles like insecurity and pride, not just addiction, encouraging open sharing for spiritual growth.
Jason quotes Romans 7, reminding listeners of our inherent need for Jesus and the weakness in our human nature. This converts to positive action: depending on Jesus to maintain our spiritual 'saltiness.'
Josh illustrates the necessity of keeping our hearts and daily activities pure by humorously describing a youth pastor’s lesson involving brownies with ‘a special ingredient,’ underscoring the impact of even minor impurities.
Another key point is that salt produces thirst, and Christian living should evoke curiosity in others. They stress the need for Christians to stand out positively to create spiritual thirst in non-believers.
The conversation mentions concerning statistics about issues within the church, like divorce and addiction, indicating a need for Christians to live distinct lives that truly reflect Jesus.
Wrapping up, they challenge listeners to pray bold prayers, asking God to reveal and purify any impurities. They emphasize the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit to maintain their impact on the world. The episode ends on a motivational note, calling for revival and active spread of Jesus' light and teachings.

Jun 23, 2025 • 29min
Born to Reproduce. Made to Multiply
Get the Free eBook Becoming a Disciple Maker: https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/
Today’s episode will help us tackle the three main barriers to spiritual reproduction—immaturity, sin, and lack of intimacy with Jesus—while learning to bloom where we are planted and passionately engage in disciple-making.
Join Discipleship.org at one of our fall events: https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/
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Born to Reproduce: The Call to Spiritual Multiplication
Join Jason Ishmael and Josh Howard in this episode of the Disciple Maker's Podcast as they delve into the transformative power of disciple-making. Josh shares his journey, inspired by a powerful sermon from Dawson Troutman, the founder of the Navigators, titled 'Born to Reproduce.' The conversation focuses on the importance of spiritual maturity, overcoming sin, and fostering intimacy with Jesus to effectively reproduce disciples. They encourage listeners to take immediate action, bloom where they're planted, and embrace the mission with joy and commitment. Tune in to be inspired and challenged to become a disciple who makes disciples, no matter your current season or circumstances.
Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/
Key Takeaways
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:22 The Disciple Maker's Box
01:09 The First Sermon That Changed Everything
03:38 Three Reasons for Spiritual Infertility
09:33 The Longing for Spiritual Reproduction
14:14 The Cost of Discipleship
15:00 The Struggles and Persistence of Success
15:30 Growing Where You're Planted
17:01 The Story of the Sunflower
20:16 Encouragement to Bloom in Unlikely Places
24:03 Invitation to Join Jesus' Mission
26:32 Final Words and Resources
Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/
Join us for our 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/
See Below for a longer description:
Welcome back, everyone! Today we're diving into the heart of disciple-making. In this episode, Josh shares how a sermon by Dawson Trotman called "Born to Reproduce" changed his life. His mentor, Coach Dave Craft, introduced him to this impactful message, which highlights three main hurdles to spiritual reproduction: immaturity, sin, and lack of intimacy with Jesus.
First, immaturity. Sometimes we think we're mature, but if we're not reproducing disciples, we need to grow more spiritually. Second, sin. Disobedience acts like a spiritual disease, hindering us from making disciples. Lastly, lack of intimacy. Without a close relationship with Jesus, we can't bear spiritual fruit.
Josh realized these barriers were holding him back and addressed them head-on, encouraging all of us to do the same. Jason chimed in, comparing the longing to make disciples to the deep desire couples have for children, urging us to be just as passionate.
The discussion shifted to the idea of blooming where you're planted. No need to wait for perfect conditions! Josh shared an inspiring story about a sunflower thriving in an unlikely spot, emphasizing that we can flourish spiritually anywhere.
Jason shared a story about his friend Tim Palmer, who started a business despite obstacles, illustrating that we should stay faithful and trust God's timing. The episode wraps with a call to action: say 'yes' to Jesus now and join Him in the mission. Let His joy and guidance lead you to make a real impact right where you are. Check out discipleship.org for more resources, and let’s get to work making disciples! Bless you guys!

Jun 16, 2025 • 33min
Revival and Disciple Making
Get the free eBook – Revival Starts Here: https://discipleship.org/shop/revival-starts-here-primer/
Today’s episode will help us recognize the historical patterns of revival, awaken a deeper hunger for God, and take practical steps to spiritually prepare for a movement of disciple-making in our time.
Join Discipleship.org at one of our fall events:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/
The Deeper Walk Experience | Franklin, TN | Aug. 15-16, 2025: https://deeperwalk.com/sp/dw-experience-franklin/
Discipling Men | Dallas, TX | Sept. 11, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/dallas-2025-regional/
The Discipleship Gospel | Oceanside, CA | Oct. 9, 2025:
https://discipleship.org/one-day-events/2025-west-coast-conference/
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The Next Great Revival: How to Prepare for God's Powerful Move
In this episode of The Disciple Maker Podcast, hosts Josh and Jason dive deep into the topic of revival. They explore historical revivals in America, discuss the cyclical pattern of these spiritual awakenings every 50 years, and dream about the possibility of a new revival in 2025. Through lively discussion and passionate storytelling, they emphasize the importance of prayer, fasting, and repentance as essential preparations for a mighty move of God. Join them as they call believers to wage war on lukewarm Christianity and become disciples who make disciples in anticipation of a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
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Key Takeaways
00:00 Welcome Back, Disciple Makers!
00:45 Introduction to Revival
01:56 Historical Revivals in America
04:44 The Pattern of Revival
06:38 Preparing for the Next Revival
07:21 Skepticism and Faith
10:11 Current Signs of Revival
11:19 Revival Ready: A Call to Action
15:00 The Power of Persistent Prayer
15:57 The Role of the Pastor in Revival
16:28 Stories of Revival and Conviction
19:07 Practical Steps for Church Leaders
20:13 Counting the Cost of Revival
25:14 The Importance of Repentance
26:34 Waging War on Lukewarm Christianity
31:24 A Call to Action for Revival
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See Below for a longer description:
In this episode, Josh H and Jason I dive into revival—what it means, where we've seen it in history, and what it could look like today. Josh kicks things off by noting that listeners had asked for this topic, and he’s eager to unpack it.
They trace the major revival movements in American history, starting with the First Great Awakening around 300 years ago, led by Jonathan Edwards. They walk through the Second Great Awakening with Charles Finney and his intercessor Nash, and the revivals led by D.L. Moody and Billy Graham, all of which were marked by repentance and spiritual renewal. They land on the 1970s Jesus Revolution, which they say might be the last nationwide revival—exactly 50 years ago.
Josh and Jason suggest this 50-year pattern may signal another wave is coming. While not predicting anything specific, they urge listeners to stay spiritually alert and ready. They share powerful stories, like two elderly sisters who prayed revival into their community during the Hebrides Revival—where even ships passing by felt the weight of God’s presence.
Jason emphasizes the need to be structurally and spiritually prepared for revival, drawing from Jesus’ teaching about counting the cost before building. Both hosts agree: revival won't come without prayer, repentance, fasting, and a willingness to sacrifice.
They also stress that revival must lead to disciple-making—not just emotional experiences, but long-term transformation. True revival, they argue, involves everyone, not just a few leaders.
The episode ends with a challenge: join the growing movement of prayer and fasting through Discipleship.org and prepare your heart and community for what God might do next.