The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast

Discover the top 10 mistakes to avoid in disciple-making movements. Learn why loving models over missions can hinder progress, and the importance of imitating successful practices before innovating. Understand the value of empowering leaders rather than doing the work for them. Explore the dangers of spreading too thin and the necessity of maintaining simple structures. Josh emphasizes treating disciple-making as a priority, embracing patience over instant results, and fostering a culture of learning through mistakes. Stay committed for lasting impact!

Shodankeh Johnson, a Christian leader from Sierra Leone, shares transformative insights on disciple-making, emphasizing prayer, fasting, and radical obedience. He discusses how ordinary people can achieve extraordinary outcomes through God’s divine touch. Dave Clayton, a Nashville pastor, reflects on mobilizing churches for prayer and fasting, addressing the lack of disciple-making movements in North America. Both guests highlight the importance of submission to God and the power of persistent prayer in bringing about spiritual revival.

Explore transformative shifts in church dynamics. Discover how to turn consumers into active missionaries and empower the priesthood of all believers. Learn the importance of tracking controllable metrics rather than uncontrollables. Understand the shift from merely growing a church to expanding God's kingdom. With engaging stories and practical insights, the conversation reveals how simple changes can lead to exponential growth and a profound impact for the gospel.

Jim Putman, a leader in relational discipleship and author, joins Ariana Rimsson, a practitioner focused on mentoring women, to discuss the heart of disciple-making. Jim emphasizes that true discipleship is about spiritual maturity and relational transformation, not just church growth. Ariana shares her journey and methods, highlighting the importance of transparency and storytelling. They explore how authentic relationships foster accountability and love, urging listeners to disciple with intention and grace, regardless of their own experience.

Join a captivating exploration of what it means to create a Jesus-centered church. The conversation dives into contrasting people-centric practices with a focus on true worship and transformation. Discover the importance of making Sunday services a launchpad for disciple-making and embracing spontaneous ministry moments. Metrics of success are redefined, shifting the focus to salvations and spiritual growth. Get inspired to reclaim the church for Jesus and prioritize His presence in every aspect of church life.

Intentional Living: Joanne Kraft on Effective Women's Discipleship What could it look like to see women in the church catch a vision for spiritual growth through discipleing relationships? Inspired by the mandate in Titus 2, Joanne Kraft, lead disciple-maker for Grace and Truth Living, speaks and writes to women across the nation on disciple making. Join Joanne and Discipleship.org’s Bobby Harrington for a conversation on the necessity of Jesus’ style of disciple making for women and the keys on developing this vision for women in your church. Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/  If you would like to view Focus on the Family visit this link: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/  Key Takeaways  00:00 Introduction and Personal Background 00:08 Journey into Discipleship 03:22 The Importance of Relational Discipleship 06:06 Starting Discipling Relationships 09:39 Challenges and Practical Tips 11:56 Women Discipling Women 18:00 Upcoming National Disciple Making Forum 20:57 Formalizing Discipling Relationships 24:38 Sharing Spiritual Biographies 26:03 Melissa Gray's Testimony 28:49 Defining the Duration of Discipleship 31:25 Serving Together and Leadership Transition 39:42 Turbo Group Training and Multiplying Disciple Makers 44:46 Building Relationships with Non-Believers 47:22 Grace and Truth Living Ministry 49:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment: https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/ Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast:  https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/ Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr See below for a longer description:  In the video titled "Women and Disciple Making" Joanne Kraft, a mother of four and a writer, dives into her experiences and passion for discipleship, especially within the context of women's ministry. She starts by sharing a bit about her background, illustrating her journey as a writer of non-fiction, particularly parenting books, and how this gradually led her to realize her deep-seated passion for discipleship. She emphasizes that while broad speaking events and women's conferences are valuable, she believes in the power of smaller, more meaningful discipleship relationships to make a more substantial impact. If you want to know more about Disciple Making visit: https://discipleship.org/  The conversation then transitions into a discussion about Joanne's books, which includes titles like "Too Busy: Taking Your Family on a Radical Sabbatical" and "The Mean Mom’s Guide to Raising Great Kids." Joanne explains how experiences from her career as a 911 dispatcher shaped her writing and mentoring, addressing common parenting challenges that resonated with many. She also highlights how her books have been utilized as discipleship tools across the country, demonstrating their relevance and effectiveness in real-world church settings. Joanne underscores the importance of relational experiences in spiritual growth, recounting how her relationships with others have profoundly influenced her faith journey. She notes the significance of intentional, personal interactions over merely consuming content from books or sermons. Joanne stresses the necessity of being discipled, particularly how personal relationships can foster deeper understanding and spiritual maturity. Through these reflections, she reveals her realization that even long-time Christians can still need personal mentorship to grow their faith. Discussing the structure of discipleship relationships, Joanne shares practical insights on how to initiate and maintain such connections. She advises starting with prayer to discern whom God is leading to be discipled and emphasizes the importance of seeking someone whose words have a strong influence on you. Joanne highlights the role of questions and active listening in building these relationships. She addresses common challenges, like dealing with resistance, and advocates for setting clear expectations through a signed covenant to ensure commitment and accountability from both parties involved. Joanne’s approach also includes tailor-made strategies for discipling women, recognizing the unique needs and dynamics different from men. She explains how she organizes smaller and more intimate groups, drawing from Jesus’ example with his disciples. Joanne typically limits her discipleship groups to no more than three women, ensuring each member receives adequate attention and support. She highlights the need for grace, patience, and mutual understanding in these relationships. Interested in books and blogs on Disciple Making visit: https://discipleship.org/resources/ For more conversation on Disciple Making check out our Podcast: The Disciple Makers Podcast -- https://disciplemakerspodcast.podbean.com/

Reaching and Discipling Millennials: Challenges and Opportunities In this insightful discussion, various speakers explore the vital topic of how to effectively reach and disciple the millennial generation. The session begins with an introduction by Thom Rainer who shares personal anecdotes and sets the stage for the main focus: can we truly disciple millennials, and can they become disciple-makers themselves? The speaker highlights the complexity and clarity sometimes lacking within church communities, using both humor and personal stories to illustrate these points. Statistical data is presented to underscore the significant decline in generational Christian adherence, from the builder generation to the millennials, who only show roughly 15% followers of Christ. However, despite this decline, there is a notable receptivity among millennials, presenting a hopeful opportunity for the church. Key characteristics of millennials, such as their value for relationships and desire for authenticity, humility, transparency, and integrity, are discussed. Practical advice and strategies are given on how to engage millennials effectively, including the importance of personal relationships, leveraging older generations for mentorship, and ensuring corporate authenticity within the church community. The session also delves into specific, real-world examples and testimonies that illustrate how these principles can be applied successfully. Overall, this comprehensive dialogue provides valuable insights and actionable steps for anyone looking to engage with and disciple millennials in a meaningful way. Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/  Key Takeaways  00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes 09:24 Millennials' Receptivity to the Gospel 14:46 Building Relationships with Millennials 19:02 Practical Steps for Churches 29:47 Capitol Hill Prayer Group 38:37 Authenticity in Discipleship 48:39 Challenges in Modern Church Practices 54:59 Practical Steps for Discipleship Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr See below for a longer description:  Rainer's primary thesis revolves around questioning whether millennials can be effectively discipled and turned into disciple-makers. He stresses the importance of understanding this generation's unique characteristics. According to Rainer, millennials are highly relational but often perceive church environments as unclear or hypocritical. He advocates for churches to pursue authenticity and integrity in their ministries. Using statistical data, Rainer highlights the low percentage of millennials who identify as Christians compared to previous generations. He emphasizes that despite this, there is significant openness and receptivity among millennials toward the gospel, possibly more than seen in prior generations. The key is for churches to make intentional efforts in relationship-buildingand personal discipleship. Various speakers at the forum further discuss strategies to effectively disciple millennials. Heather Zempel shares examples of relational discipleship occurring in Washington, D.C., pointing out that millennials are actively engaged in mission trips and small groups that prioritize hands-on, real-life applications of faith. Ariana Rimson highlights the need for millennials to align their relationships with God's word, focusing on authenticity and integrity. Jim Putman stresses the importance of relational discipleship over mere church participation, reinforcing that millennials seek genuine connections and discipleship that integrate with their everyday lives. Rainer and other speakers argue that churches must move beyond traditional and superficial churchianity to embrace genuine Christianity characterized by personal relationships and community impact. The panel collectively underscores the importance of meeting millennials where they are, both physically and culturally. They advocate for a church environment that prioritizes community engagement, social impact, and authentic relationships. The ultimate goal is to foster a generation of disciple-makers who are deeply rooted in their faith and committed to living out the teachings of Jesus in practical, transformative ways. In summary, this video provides a thorough exploration of the challenges and opportunities in discipling millennials. It offers valuable insights and practical strategies for church leaders aiming to bridge generational gaps and cultivate meaningful, faith-driven relationships within their congregations. It stresses the need for churches to adapt, be authentic, and focus on relational and community-oriented ministry to effectively reach and disciple the millennial generation. Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/ 

Empowering Women in Discipleship: A Call to Action This video emphasizes the vital role of women in discipleship, exploring biblical examples and the importance of support from church communities. The discussion covers practical ways women, both single and married, can engage in disciple-making despite busy lives. Real-life examples and personal stories highlight the essential nature of women's involvement in ministry, offering encouragement and strategies for pastors and church leaders to foster inclusive discipleship environments. Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/  Key Takeaways  00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Gender Equality 04:56 Four Key Points on Discipleship 14:11 Challenges in Women's Discipleship 18:07 Men's Role in Supporting Women's Discipleship 26:46 Panel Discussion: Insights on Discipleship 41:56 Empowering Single Moms 52:14 Balancing Discipleship and Busy Lives 01:01:21 Encouragement for the Weary Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr See below for a longer description:  In this insightful videoo titled "Why Women Should Become Disciple Makers | Trillia Newbell," various speakers converge to elaborate on the importance of women taking active roles in discipleship within the church. The discussion is introduced by Trillia Newbell, who emphasizes gender equality in the mission of disciple-making. The initial conversation covers logistical challenges and underscores the need for family support and good will from one’s community. The dialogue transitions, to a penal where Bobby presents an earnest reflection on why women should be heavily involved in disciple-making. For a moment, listeners are asked to visualize a church devoid of women's contributions. This exercise serves to underline the essential roles women have historically played in biblical narratives—from Ruth to Mary, and further extending to modern-day church settings. Trillia Newbell also emphasizes the theological basis for women in discipleship, citing scriptures like Psalm 8 and the Great Commission. She introduces four key points to support her argument that all people, including women, are created to serve. The session continues as she elaborates on how societal constraints and gender wars often hinder women from fulfilling this divine calling. Yet, she reassures that God's design includes women actively participating in disciple-making. Further adding depth to the discussion, other speakers contribute their own experiences and observations. Arriana Rimson, shares her journey emphasizing the importance of having spiritual leaders and mentors who encourage and affirm women's roles in the church. She talks about the significance of creating space for women to use their gifts, drawing on examples from her own life including support from her local church and male colleagues. Other panel speakers recount their challenges and growth as a single mother and highlights the untapped potential within single moms for evangelism and discipleship. Both stress the importance of addressing the practical needs of single mothers as a form of holistic disciple-making. The episode’s focus shifts to practical advice, as the speakers provide actionable insights on integrating discipleship into daily routines. For mothers juggling numerous responsibilities, the speakers propose inviting others into their existing activities to foster natural and organic discipling relationships. By sharing personal stories and pragmatic suggestions, they demonstrate that disciple-making can be woven into the fabric of everyday life rather than being perceived as an added burden. Towards the end of the episode, the conversation becomes deeply personal. The speakers open up about the weariness that many—especially women—feel as they strive to fulfill their callings amidst life's demands. They offer encouragement and remind listeners of the grace and help that God provides. They also underscore the importance of communal and familial support in realizing these discipleship missions. In conclusion, the speakers reiterate that every woman, whether single, married, a mother, or a professional, has an intrinsic calling and a special place in the mission of disciple-making. They advocate for church leaders, especially male pastors, to recognize, encourage, and equip women in their congregations, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for spiritual growth. This episode is a profound call to action, serving as both an inspirational message and a practical guide for women to embrace their roles as disciple-makers. It reassures listeners that by leaning on God's grace, they can overcome societal barriers and fulfill their divine mission within the church. Check out our Blogs: https://discipleship.org/blog/ 

Join Steve McCoy, a senior pastor and church planter behind 360 Church, as he discusses his innovative Small Circle tool designed for discipleship. He shares insights on the importance of intentional strategy and relational depth in small groups. Discover how this tool empowers everyday believers, not just leaders, through practical methods like journaling and one-to-one discipleship. Steve also highlights the app's features for tracking progress and fostering deep conversations, all while emphasizing the global reach and accessibility of discipleship resources.

Join us for the 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/ Creating Authentic Disciples: Jeff Vanderstilt on Living Christ-Like Relationships In this video, Jeff Vanderstilt, the visionary leader of the Soma family of churches, emphasizes living out the love that Jesus preached in relationships. Jeff elaborates on the need to rethink church structures to foster environments that effectively make disciples. He advocates for life-on-life, life-in-community, and life-on-mission discipleship, sharing personal experiences to illustrate the transformative power of close, intentional relationships. The discussion also touches on the challenge of balancing privacy and community in the pastoral role, the importance of trust, and the necessity for dedicated spiritual mentorship. Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple making: https://discipleship.org/resources/  Key Takeaways  00:00 Introduction to Jeff Vanderstilt's Session on Relationships 01:57 Redefining Church Structure for Effective Discipleship 04:18 The Three Relational Environments Essential for Discipleship 08:05 Life in Community: Building a Discipleship Culture 11:45 Life on Mission: Discipleship in Action 14:40 Challenging Traditional Church Models for Authentic Discipleship 17:00 Embracing Kingdom Culture Over American Individualism 26:04 The Importance of Trust and Accountability in Discipleship 39:20 Closing Thoughts and Prayer