
The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast
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.
Latest episodes

Jul 29, 2024 • 1h 3min
Stuck in a Stalemate ( feat. Shawna Murlin)
What are your thoughts on family Discipleship..
Click here to view Awana: https://www.awana.org/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Check out our latest eBook on Family Discipleship: https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/
Empowering Child Discipleship: Practical Steps for Church Leaders and Parents
In this episode, Shawna Murlin from Awana shares a valuable resource for leaders and parents dedicated to raising children within the Christian faith. She discusses the focus on safety and security, featuring insights from Julie Lowe's book 'Safeguards'. The episode emphasizes the necessity for churches and homes to collaborate in child discipleship. Key resources and conversation guides, like the Friday family email, are showcased. The importance of prayer, meaningful adult relationships, and building a culture of discipleship in both church and home settings are highlighted. We conclude with a heartfelt prayer and a call to action for training and equipping parents and church leaders in the crucial work of child discipleship.
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 and Resources
05:21 The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
09:40 Understanding Stalemates in Ministry
11:37 The Role of Home and Church in Child Discipleship
28:34 Building a Vision for Child Discipleship in the Church
33:41 Challenges in Family Discipleship
39:20 Creating a Formational Home
49:33 The Power of Spiritual Conversations
56:15 Conclusion and Resources
Resources on Family Discipleship
Family Discipleship: The Present and Future State of Family Discipleship
Family Discipleship: Present and Future Trends
Family Discipleship: Jason Houser
Real Life Theology Conversations
See below for a longer description:
This episode of the podcast focuses on a comprehensive overview of valuable resources for child discipleship, both for leaders and parents within church communities. The episode begins with the speaker highlighting the importance of sharing practical resources and introduces the Awana website, childdiscipleship.com, as a hub for such tools, including podcasts, printable materials, and safety and security information for parents.
One of the highlighted resources includes 14 questions to ask potential babysitters, inspired by Julie Lowe's book "Safeguards." The speaker underscores the book's message about the importance of safeguarding children from individuals they know, not just strangers. Another valuable tool mentioned is the Friday Family Email, a resource sent out weekly, featuring biblically-based conversation guides, activities, and memory verses for families to engage with their children.
Videos from the Child Discipleship Forum are also recommended, particularly a powerful message by John Tyson on the importance of prayer and fasting in family discipleship. Various books, including "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt, are suggested for their insightful views on community and faith, despite the author not being a Christian.
The speaker transitions to a discussion on the responsibility of child discipleship, emphasizing the current stalemate between churches and parents. While 95% of children's ministry leaders believe discipleship should occur at home, only 51% of parents agree, highlighting a significant disconnect. This stalemate sees both parties pointing fingers at each other for the lack of effective discipleship.
The episode delves into resolving this issue by advocating for a model where church leaders train and equip parents to disciple their children effectively. This involves casting a compelling vision for child discipleship within church communities, creating dedicated times and places for training parents, and fostering language that emphasizes the integration of faith into daily conversations.
A key strategy discussed is the importance of building meaningful adult relationships within the church community for every child. Research demonstrates that children with such relationships are significantly more engaged and likely to integrate biblical principles into their lives. The speaker suggests surrounding each child with five adult mentors to provide a robust support system.
The speaker shares personal anecdotes to illustrate the transformative power of regular, meaningful conversations and community support, emphasizing the need for intentional planning and vision in both church and home settings. Resources recommended for implementing this approach include "Children’s Ministry in a New Reality," "Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions," "Beautiful Resistance," "Habits of the Household," and "Sticky Faith."
The episode concludes with practical steps for church leaders to create a supportive environment for family discipleship, including establishing clear visions, identifying training times during already existing church activities, promoting language that integrates faith into daily life, and building a community of believers who actively support and engage with the children.
Listeners are encouraged to visit the Awana website and explore the recommended resources further. The episode ends with a prayer for strength and guidance in the mission of disciple-making, urging listeners to persist in this critical and challenging work.
Follow us at Discipleship.org!

Jul 24, 2024 • 58min
Vocational Disciple Making Through Your Church (feat. Dave Buehring and Joe Mansfield)
Dave Buehring discusses vocational disciple-making, sharing stories of impact in society. Emphasizes integrating faith in professions, church's role in equipping individuals, and fostering a disciple-making culture. Practical steps for churches to engage with vocational leaders and support societal transformation.

Jul 22, 2024 • 47min
Transformational Disciple Making (feat. Dave Buehring and Joe Mansfield)
Dave Buehring and Joe Mansfield discuss transformative discipleship, highlighting character development, identity in Christ, and obedience. They share insights on nurturing a Christ-centered culture in workplaces and churches, emphasizing meaningful relationships and practical strategies. The podcast provides valuable resources for deepening understanding and application of discipleship principles.

Jul 17, 2024 • 52min
Disciple Making Amongst Children (feat. Dave Buehring and Lauri Jarvis)
Explore transformative approaches to child and youth discipleship with experts Dave Buehring and Lauri Jarvis. Learn about the importance of vocational discipleship, challenges in modern discipleship, empowering children in faith, and strategies for raising kids in a technological world. Discover the creation of culturally relevant discipleship materials for children and how to shift from traditional teaching to impactful discipleship

Jul 15, 2024 • 60min
Following the Lead of the Holy Spirit (feat. Dave Buehring)
Following the Lead of the Holy Spirit in Disciple Making
Click here to view Lionshare: https://lionshare.org/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
In this episode, learn how to follow the Holy Spirit's lead through two powerful biblical stories and three key observations. Dave Buehring shares his journey from limited teaching on the Holy Spirit in a Lutheran upbringing to deeper understanding through Youth with a Mission (YWAM). He highlights the Holy Spirit's crucial role in discipleship for personal growth and teaching others. The discussion covers listening to the Holy Spirit in daily life and prayer, the importance of immediate obedience, and avoiding grieving or quenching the Spirit. Practical examples, like interactions with Mandisa, illustrate discipling in various vocations and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
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 and Personal Background
02:41 LionShare's Mission and Impact
04:06 Biblical Foundations for Discipleship
08:06 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
11:16 Peter and Cornelius
13:19 Obedience and Transformation
19:13 Practical Examples of Listening to the Holy Spirit
28:28 The Importance of Immediate Obedience
35:27 Grieving and Quenching the Holy Spirit
42:17 Practical Insights on Hearing God's Voice
50:17 The Role of Timing in God's Direction
58:30 Encouragement and Final Thoughts
Resources on Discipleship
Becoming a Disciple Maker
Disciple Making Culture: 10 Minute eBook
National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
DiscipleShift: 5 Minute eBook
See below for a longer description:
The episode explores the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and transforming disciples, focusing on how to follow His lead in disciple-making. Dave Buehring begins by sharing his journey from growing up Lutheran in Minnesota, where he received little teaching about the Holy Spirit, to joining Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and learning from its founder, Lauren Cunningham. This experience gave him a fresh understanding of the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity.
Emphasizing the Holy Spirit's central role in his 40 years of disciple-making, Dave describes the Spirit as a partner and transformer in spiritual growth. He highlights the importance of helping people recognize the Holy Spirit's presence and follow His lead, especially when feeling stuck.
The speaker shares a story about guiding Mandisa, a disciple for 22 years, in learning to wait on the Lord and follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. He discusses the broader impact of discipleship, which extends beyond church walls to vocations like government, arts, business, media, and education, integrating faith into professional lives to make a societal impact.
Throughout today’s episode, practical aspects of discipling others by paying attention to the Holy Spirit's work are emphasized. Dave recounts two biblical stories:
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40): An angel instructs Philip to go to a desert road where he meets an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Philip explains the Scriptures and baptizes the eunuch, highlighting the importance of being sensitive to the Spirit's guidance.
Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10): Peter receives a vision while praying, leading him to visit Cornelius, a Gentile centurion. Despite initial hesitation, Peter obeys the Holy Spirit, shares the Gospel, and Cornelius and his household convert, underscoring the importance of prayerful listening and immediate obedience.
The speaker draws three key observations from these stories:
Listening on the Way vs. Listening While Praying: Philip’s encounter shows the need to be attentive to the Holy Spirit during daily activities, while Peter’s experience highlights the importance of waiting on the Lord in prayer.
Immediate Obedience: Both Philip and Peter obey the Holy Spirit without hesitation, crucial for effective disciple-making.
God’s Knowledge of Our Gifts: The Holy Spirit knows each believer's gifts and positions them for Kingdom purposes.
The episode also discusses grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit:
Grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30): This occurs when the Holy Spirit says "no," but we proceed to say "yes," causing grief. It’s often related to unloving conduct and relational sins.
Quenching the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20): This happens when the Holy Spirit says "yes," but we say "no," stifling divine influence. It involves resisting promptings towards joy, prayer, thankfulness, and prophecy.
Dave gives practical advice for discerning the Holy Spirit's voice in disciple-making including asking clarifying questions and listening attentively to the person being discipled. Communal discernment and confirmation from spiritual leaders are also emphasized.
In conclusion, the episode calls for a balanced approach to disciple-making that integrates both the Word of God and the active leading of the Holy Spirit. The speaker encourages listeners to cultivate a life of continuous listening and immediate obedience, trusting that the Holy Spirit will lead both them and their disciples into deeper transformation and effective witness in their vocations and communities.
Overall, this episode offers a rich and practical exploration of partnering with the Holy Spirit in making disciples who are knowledgeable in Scripture and sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance in all areas of life.
Follow us at Discipleship.org for more great content!

Jul 10, 2024 • 37min
Kingdom Stewardship (feat. Josh Howard and David Kaufmann)
The Ts of Kingdom Stewardship
Click here to view E3 Partners: https://e3partners.org/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
In this episode, speakers from E3 Partners introduce the Five Ts of Stewardship—a framework for effective kingdom work. The Five Ts are Targets, Tools, Teaming, Training, and Tracking. They emphasize the importance of setting clear and measurable targets, like the 'five by five' approach, which focuses on five people groups and five geographic locations for evangelism.
The session highlights the need for strategic tools and continuous training to foster discipleship and organizational growth. They give practical advice on building and maintaining effective ministry teams, stressing the importance of regular rhythms and structures for sustainable success. Tracking and accountability are underscored as essential for ensuring productive and mission-aligned initiatives. Various tracking methods, such as church health tracking and generational mapping, are detailed to emphasize accurate stewardship and accountability.
The speakers also cover the significance of ongoing coaching and training to maintain momentum and adjust strategies. This session is a valuable guide for anyone looking to contribute meaningfully to kingdom stewardship, whether locally or globally.
Check out Discipleship.org for disciple-making resources: Discipleship.org Resources Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: Discipleship.org Audio Books
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction to Stewardship and the Five Ts
00:40 Defining Targets: The Five by Five Strategy
03:08 Tools for Success: Circles of Accountability
06:37 Building Effective Teams
08:47 The Importance of Rhythms in Teaming
11:03 Prioritizing Time for Kingdom Work
13:15 The Power of Modeling and Prayer Walking
15:10 Training for Multiplication
17:14 Building Rhythms in the Calendar
18:02 Encouragement for Shifting to Disciple-Making
18:38 The Importance of Training and Coaching
21:35 Tracking Progress and Stewardship
29:41 Generational Mapping and Church Health
31:32 Seven Phases of Movement
33:42 Strategic Focus for Global Gospel Saturation
Resources on Discipleship
Becoming a Disciple Maker
Disciple Making Culture: 10 Minute eBook
National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
DiscipleShift: 5 Minute eBook
See below for a more comprehensive summary of this episode:
In this episode, Josh Howard and David Kaufmann discuss effective stewardship and outreach through the "Five Ts": Targets, Teaming, Training, Tracking, and Tools.
Targets: They highlight the importance of clear targets, using the "five by five" strategy to identify five specific population segments and geographic locations for evangelism. This helps allocate resources effectively and focus on high-need areas. Methods like the "circle of accountability" ensure everyone hears the gospel.
Teaming: They stress the value of strong, collaborative teams with consistent schedules and practices. Team formation around specific targets improves organization and mutual encouragement.
Training: Various programs equip individuals with practical skills for their mission. Continuous training and coaching ensure ongoing development and problem resolution.
Tracking: Measuring progress and ensuring accountability through metrics like gospel shares, new believers, and group establishment is vital. Tools like generational maps help track church network development.
Tools: Providing tangible resources for evangelism, discipleship, and gathering is essential. Effective tools ensure everyone knows how to contribute efficiently.
Throughout the episode, the interconnectedness of the Five Ts is emphasized. Setting targets informs tracking, guiding training needs, supported by effective teaming and tools. This structured approach ensures a strategic mission and comprehensive outreach.
This episode dives into the organizational strategy behind successful ministry, highlighting the synergy between clear targets, effective teaming, comprehensive training, diligent tracking, and practical tools.
Follow us at Discipleship.org for more great content!

Jul 8, 2024 • 54min
A Culture of Ancient Pathways (feat. Josh Howard and Bryan King)
A Culture of Ancient Pathways
Click here to view E3 Partners: https://e3partners.org/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
The session focuses on the concept of ancient pathways for disciple-making movements, challenging the notion that such methods are new or innovative. The speaker emphasizes the age-old practices of Jesus and his disciples, describing these strategies as 2,000-year-old 'vintage wine' that has improved with age. The key points include Jesus’ approach to disciple-making: entering new places, proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, forming communities, and raising leaders. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, the speaker illustrates how these ancient strategies can be applied in modern contexts to create transformative disciple-making movements. Emphasizing the importance of prayer, fasting, and grassroots community engagement, the session provides practical insights and encourages attendees to adopt these ancient pathways to saturate their cities and nations with the gospel.
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 and Session Overview
00:01 Ancient Pathways: Rediscovering Old Wine
01:40 WWJD vs. WDJD: A Better Question
02:33 Recap of Acts 19: Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
04:00 Brian King's Introduction and Personal Story
06:05 Journey to Mexico City: A Heart for Discipleship
07:08 Returning to Tulsa: Challenges and New Beginnings
09:16 Discovering Simple Tools for Discipleship
11:59 E3 Partners and the Vision for Asia
14:05 Practical Steps and Real-Life Stories
24:26 The Importance of Choosing the Right Pathway
29:33 Exploring Mark 1: Jesus' Ministry Patterns
31:06 The Baptism of Jesus
32:12 Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness
32:51 Proclaiming the Gospel in Galilee
33:38 Calling the First Disciples
37:26 Teaching and Healing in Capernaum
46:21 Jesus' Ministry Pathway
Resources on Discipleship
Becoming a Disciple Maker
Disciple Making Culture: 10 Minute eBook
National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
DiscipleShift: 5 Minute eBook

Jul 3, 2024 • 55min
A Culture of Big Vision (feat. Josh Howard and David Kaufmann)
Click here to view E3 Partners: https://e3partners.org/
Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/
Join Josh and Corey from E3 Partners as they kick off an episode designed to help us understand and align with God's heart and vision for discipleship and multiplicative movements. They seek to shift our perspective to allow us to see our lives as a part of God's grand vision for the nations. It's importance that we have a God-sized vision that can only be accomplished through divine intervention.
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/
Stay Informed - Get our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hPViAr
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Study
04:36 The Importance of a God-Sized Vision
08:05 Interactive Study: Exploring Key Scriptures
19:51 Analyzing Lostness and Casting Vision
33:38 God's Vision and Our Role
39:18 The Call to Action: Training and Tools
44:32 Testimonies and Success Stories
50:48 Practical Tools for Ministry
52:52 Conclusion and Next Steps
Resources on Discipleship
Becoming a Disciple Maker
Disciple Making Culture: 10 Minute eBook
National Study on Disciple Making in USA Churches
DiscipleShift: 5 Minute eBook
See below for a longer description:
This episode, focusing on "The Culture of Big Vision," dives into the foundational aspects of cultivating a God-sized vision within Christian ministry settings. The session is led by Josh and Corey, members of E3 partners, who outline the significance of aligning one’s personal and communal visions with God’s overarching will and mission for the world.
Josh kicks off the session with a candid introduction and an engaging explanation of the necessity to understand and embrace God's vision before attempting to fulfill individual or church missions. He emphasizes that seeking God's will for broader contexts, such as cities or nations, inherently shapes and answers personal mission questions. This framework challenges listeners to shift their focus from personal spiritual callings, often seen as "snowflake purposes," to a larger, kingdom-driven vision that God has for the world.
A significant part of the session includes Josh recounting a conversation with his mentor, which shifted his perspective from asking, "What is God's will for my life?" to, "What is God's will, period?" This refocusing serves as a call to prioritize God's broader mission over individual desires and dreams.
Throughout the episode, several biblical passages are cited to highlight the breadth and depth of God's vision. This includes references from Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Matthew, Acts, and Revelation, guiding participants to understand how God's intent to reach all nations and peoples is a continuous thread from Genesis to Revelation.
The episode also discusses practical steps and attitudes necessary for seeing God's vision realized. Josh underscores the importance of having "big" vision and faith that extends beyond what congregations or teams can accomplish alone, emphasizing the power of cooperation and reliance on God.
Furthermore, the teaching segment led by Corey includes interactive elements where participants are invited to read and reflect on scriptures, focusing on who God used and the extent of His glory in each passage. This exercise solidifies the understanding that God's vision is expansive and inclusive, aimed at reaching every person and nation.
Personal anecdotes and testimonies provide real-world context to the teachings. Josh shares experiences from his interactions with various global ministries and highlights a story from a friend in Kenya to exemplify having a vision so great it seems to make God 'sweat.' This inspires listeners to elevate their expectations and prayers beyond modest or "weak sauce" targets to truly transformative aspirations.
The session concludes with a series of next steps, urging participants to consider how they can inject this big vision into their local church cultures. They are encouraged to continuously cast, clarify, and reiterate this vision, ensuring it permeates their congregational life and mission efforts. Corey offers practical advice on devising strategies and creating actionable tools to facilitate this vision in their ministries.
Overall, the episode is a rousing call to adopt and integrate a God-sized vision into personal and communal faith journeys, emphasizing scriptural grounding, practical application, and collaborative effort to achieve substantial spiritual transformation in local contexts and beyond.
Follow us at Discipleship.org for more great content!
We also want to hear from you, let us know your thoughts and comment below!

Jul 1, 2024 • 53min
The "LampPost Strategy" for Making Disciples (feat. Grant Edwards and Dr. Ron Braley)
What are some of your strategies to make Disciples? Or perhaps you are looking for ways to do so?
Either way, this episode will be for you!
Click here to view Discipleing Another: https://disciplinganother.com/
Check out the book Discipleship that works: https://disciplinganother.com/pages/discipleship-that-works#:~:text=Discipleship%20That%20Works%20provides%20practical,their%20faith%20within%2090%20days.
In this episode, Grant and Dr. Ron introduce the 'LampPost Strategy' for making disciples, meaning one-on-one mentorship over group discipleship to build a sustainable disciple-making culture within our churches. The episode explains the Lamppost Strategy for disciple making, emphasizing one-to-one disciple making based on 2 Timothy 2:2. It critiques how traditional disciple-making methods are often ineffective in American church culture, which can be antagonistic towards the concept. The strategy focuses on developing third-generation disciple makers to shift from 80% walking away to 80% staying in faith. This process involves creating a robust culture of discipleship through 90-day cycles, emphasizing foundational content, developing the right culture, and ensuring effective organizational connections. The strategy also uses Benjamin Franklin’s invention of the lamppost as a metaphor for creating an attractive and sustainable disciple-making model within the church.
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction and Overview
03:30 Implementing Third Generation Disciple Makers
09:35 The Importance of Foundational Discipleship
14:00 Content, Culture, and Connection
29:09 Balancing Discipleship Needs
32:50 90-Day Discipleship Cycles
36:32 Pre-Decision and Post-Decision Efforts
47:46 Third Generation Disciples: A Deeper Look
54:30 Q&A and Final Thoughts
Resources on Discipleship
The Definition of a Disciple
Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Jun 26, 2024 • 50min
The First 90 Days for New and Renewed Believers (feat. Grant Edwards and Dr. Ron Braley)
Click here to view Discipleing Another: https://disciplinganother.com/
The First 90 Days for New and Renewed Believers (feat. Grant Edwards and Dr. Ron Braley) | Discipling Another
Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/
View Discipleship.org’s youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@discipleshipdotorg
Join Grant Edwards and Dr. Ron Braley as they tackle the alarming statistic that 80% of new believers abandon their faith within three months, offering insights on foundational versus formational discipleship, emphasizing the importance of structured guidance, and providing practical strategies to help churches retain and nurture new Christians. Grant Edwards and Dr. Ron Braille present on the critical need for foundational discipleship in churches, given that 80% of new believers walk away from faith within three months. They emphasize that every Christian can be a disciple maker, starting with foundational discipleship that involves one-on-one guidance focusing on the initial three months of a new believer's journey. Grant shares his personal testimony and insights from decades of discipling, stressing the importance of teaching foundational disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and witnessing. They advocate for immediate, personal discipleship over broader formational approaches, arguing that effective one-on-one discipleship builds a strong foundation that can greatly reduce the high attrition rate among new believers.
Key Takeaways:
00:00 Introduction and Speaker Background
01:08 Understanding Discipleship
02:22 Personal Testimony: From Rebellion to Redemption
06:47 The Great Commission and Early Ministry
10:05 Challenges in Discipleship
11:54 The Importance of Foundational Discipleship
13:15 Statistics and the Need for Effective Discipleship
21:44 Formational vs. Foundational Discipleship
25:44 Discovering God's Calling
26:51 The Importance of Foundation in Christian Life
29:01 Illustrating Foundation vs. Formation
31:28 The Power of One-on-One Discipleship
34:50 Overcoming Discipleship Inertia
40:23 The Four Basic Principles of Discipleship
Resources on Discipleship
The Definition of a Disciple
Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.