The Red Letter Disciple

Zach Zehnder is a husband, father, author, 4th-gen pastor, and speaker. He founded Red Letter Living and wrote the bestselling Red Letter Challenge. Since 2018, he's authored 10 books, including his newest book coming this Fall Giving Challenge. He serves as Teaching Pastor and Multisite Director at King of Kings, Omaha, NE. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living, particularly our newest 40-day book and sermon series called Giving Challenge. This Fall, on October 5, 2025, we are launching this new 40-day series worldwide, and we’d love for your church to get in. To find out more information, to join the first wave, to order some books, and stay up-to-date, visit www.redlettergiving.com.This 40-day challenge will inspire generosity in your church, and it is well worth your investment. Disciples of Jesus are generous and this book will feature how each one of us can become generous like Jesus. Along with the books come a sermon series, a small group series, kids books, weekly kids Sunday School or kids church curriculum, graphics, and so much more. All of it is available, get in now, at www.redlettergiving.com and let this Fall be the season where the generosity of Jesus is unleashed in your church! Have questions? Email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com.Resources mentioned in the episode: Giving Challenge InformationGiving Challenge Interest FormRed Letter DiscipleThe Cloisters on the PlatteHappy Money by Elizabeth DunnTrue Riches by John Cortines and Gregory BaumerDrew Formsma Ep 98 Podcast  (need link)Key insights from the episode: A relationship is more complicated than a percentage. - Pastor Zach ZehnderThe way you use your money can bring happiness. - Pastor Zach ZehnderDonating money creates a similar amount of happiness as doubling your income. - Pastor Zach ZehnderSome of the happiest kids live in the poorest neighborhoods. - Pastor Chris JohnsonZach Zehnder’s Challenge: Pray about generosity and then be generous!Are you following Jesus? Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Drew Formsma is a Gen Z speaker who connects with peers like no adult can. He began speaking globally on generosity at 14 and is now CMO of "I Like Giving." He co-leads the Generous Kids Book Club with Candace Cameron-Bure and wrote Everyday Generosity at 16. Based in Nashville, TN, Drew is one to watch when it comes to learning more about generosity. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living, particularly our newest 40-day book and sermon series called Giving Challenge. This Fall, on October 5, 2025, we are launching this new 40-day series worldwide, and we’d love for your church to get in. To find out more information, to join the first wave, to order some books, and stay up-to-date, visit www.redlettergiving.com.This 40-day challenge will inspire generosity in your church, and it is well worth your investment. Disciples of Jesus are generous and this book will feature how each one of us can become generous like Jesus. Along with the books come a sermon series, a small group series, kids books, weekly kids Sunday School or kids church curriculum, graphics, and so much more. All of it is available, get in now, at www.redlettergiving.com and let this Fall be the season where the generosity of Jesus is unleashed in your church! Have questions? Email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com.Resources mentioned in the episode: Drew’s Instagram His dad’s giving resourcesEveryday Generosity: Becoming a Generous Family in a Selfie WorldGenerous Family Jesus.netKey insights from the episode: Jesus did not give 10% of his blood. - Drew FormsmaGenerosity is love in action. - Drew FormsmaGenerosity is messy. - Drew FormsmaMEE: Model Generosity, Encourage, Engage in conversations. - Drew FormsmaChurches that are thriving start with the why. - Drew FormsmaTypically, generous churches are also thriving. - Drew FormsmaJesus was extremely busy, but he was also interruptable. - Drew FormsmaDrew Formsma’s Challenge: Become aware of what your definition of generosity is, then give without expectation.Are you following Jesus? Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grant Skeldon, Next Gen Director for Thinq Media and part of the Way Church preaching team, discusses the urgent need to cultivate a vibrant discipleship culture among younger generations. He shares insights on overcoming the challenges of mentorship, emphasizing the importance of intergenerational relationships in spiritual growth. The conversation also critiques the trend of pastors chasing celebrity status and questions whether the platform gospel is the new prosperity gospel. They engage in humor with a fast-food burger showdown, blending tasty debates with deeper faith discussions.

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517 Publishing. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master's degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He is also the author of several books, including The Christ Key & Limping with God. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest, an organization that’s rethinking global missions in all the right ways.Here’s what I love about their model: They don’t just step into a community and create long-term dependency. They invest in local leaders, build sustainable plans, and have a clear exit strategy—empowering people rather than creating a system where they always need outside help. As a pastor, I spent a long time looking for a global mission partner that actually helps without hurting, and HopeChest checks all the right boxes.Global mission work isn’t optional for the Church—it’s part of our calling. So if your church doesn’t have a solid global partner yet (or if you’re looking for one that actually works), it’s time to get in the game. How? Start with a vision trip. This summer, HopeChest is leading trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia—and you should go.Check them out and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. Huge thanks to HopeChest for sponsoring Season 8 and for doing missions the right way.Resources mentioned in the episode: 1517.orgLimping With God by Chad BirdThe Christ Key: Unlocking the Centrality of Christ in the Old Testament by Chad BirdKey insights from the episode: The Psalms saved my life. - Chad BirdIn our limping, we learn how to steward our pain. - Chad BirdDiscipleship is all about following in the footsteps of our Lord. - Chad BirdWhen you’re with Jesus, you’re always safe. - Chad BirdImagine all the heroes of the Bible as your next-door neighbors. - Chad BirdChad Bird’s Challenge: Pick a short book of the Bible and read or listen to it every day this week. (Bonus challenge: strike up a conversation about Jesus!)Are you following Jesus? Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jonathan Anderson, volunteer coach of the 2024 LLWS champion Lake Mary All-Stars, led his team with faith, passion, and sportsmanship. His viral final-inning speech inspired millions. He proved that respect for God and love for the game—not money—fuels true champions. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest. Being a church partner with HopeChest is an amazing two-way transformational experience for your whole church. Not only do you and your church get the joy of knowing you are making a difference, but you also get to experience the love of a community and learn from their community through multiple mission trips to your community overseas.Hope Chest’s model gets into a community, they establish a multi-year partnership, and then build up local leaders in the areas they work with. They develop community plans with clear exit strategies, focusing on empowerment of the local people, not a forever dependence on those of us who want to help. It truly is the “helping without hurting” model that I know as a pastor I looked for a long time in my global mission work. In my mind, they check all the right boxes.Take a first step and get to know this organization more by going on a vision trip. They are getting ready for some summer vision trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia. You can find out about them and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. Thanks again to HopeChest for being our Season 8 Sponsor.Resources mentioned in the episode: Little League Baseball World SeriesLittle League Coach Speech Disney Honors Little League Team/Coach VideoYouVersion 21 Days of Prayer40 Day ChallengesKey insights from the episode: I tell the boys, “Take that pain and use that pain in your training.” - Coach AndersonThis was my calling, and I was taking every step to do that. - Coach AndersonThis is more than coaching baseball, it’s mental and character coaching. - Coach AndersonYou can fail 70% at bat and still succeed in baseball. - Coach AndersonJonathan Anderson’s Challenge: Train yourself with the Lord this week.Are you following Jesus? Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment hereThis is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jed Mullenix is the President of Within Reach, dedicated to uniting the church for the good of the community. With 15 years in church leadership across New England and Omaha, he’s passionate about developing leaders and teams for mission. He and his wife, Beth, have five children and enjoy the outdoors, travel, and gathering with friends. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. Today’s episode is brought to you by Children’s HopeChest. Being a church partner with HopeChest is an amazing two-way transformational experience for your whole church. Not only do you and your church get the joy of knowing you are making a difference, but you also get to experience the love of a community and learn from their community through multiple mission trips to your community overseas.HopeChest’s model gets into a community, they establish a multi-year partnership, and then build up local leaders in the areas they work with. They develop community plans with clear exit strategies, focusing on empowerment of the local people, not a forever dependence on those of us who want to help. It truly is the “helping without hurting” model that I know as a pastor I looked for a long time in my global mission work. In my mind, they check all the right boxes.Take a first step and get to know this organization more by going on a vision trip. They are getting ready for some summer vision trips to Guatemala, Uganda, and Ethiopia. You can find out about them and sign up at www.hopechest.org/lutheran. Thanks again to HopeChest for being our Season 8 Sponsor.Resources mentioned in the episode: www.withinreach.comJed MullenixCoPilotState of the City Book by Within Reach and Barna ResearchBarna ResearchAlpha To Transform A City: Whole Church, Whole Gospel, Whole City by Eric SwansonKey insights from the episode: How can we create strategic intersections for pastors running in their own lanes? - Jed MullenixIt can be easier to ask church leaders for their money than their time. - Pastor Chris JohnsonWe learned to listen rather than do. - Jed MullenixPeople want to experience Jesus as good before they believe Jesus is true. - Jed MullenixThe school is the greatest portal into the community. - Jed MullenixBe a chief celebrator of your city. - Jed MullenixJed Mullenix’s Challenge: Abide where you are. Live out Jesus’s most basic command wherever you are. Are you following Jesus? Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Peter Greer is the president and CEO of HOPE International, a global Christ-centered economic development organization. With experience in microfinance across Africa and Asia, he holds degrees from Messiah University and Harvard. Passionate about serving entrepreneurs, he has co-authored over 10 books on faith, leadership, and poverty alleviation. He lives in Lancaster, PA, with his wife and children. To learn more about the podcast or access the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living, particularly our newest 40-day book and sermon series called Giving Challenge. This Fall, on October 5, 2025, we are launching this new 40-day series worldwide, and we’d love for your church to get in. To find out more information, to join the first wave, to order some books, and stay up-to-date, visit www.redlettergiving.com. This 40-day challenge will inspire generosity in your church, and it is well worth your investment. Disciples of Jesus are generous and this book will feature how each one of us can become generous like Jesus. Along with the books come a sermon series, a small group series, kids books, weekly kids Sunday School or kids church curriculum, graphics, and so much more. All of it is available, get in now, at www.redlettergiving.com and let this Fall be the season where the generosity of Jesus is unleashed in your church!Resources mentioned in the episode: Hope InternationalEp 28 Red Letter Disciple Podcast Dr. Brain Fickert: When Helping Hurts Rooting for Rivals by Peter GreerScarcity Brain by Michael Easter Key insights from the episode: We invest in the dreams of people as we proclaim the good news of Jesus. - Peter GreerBusiness and finance are incredibly important tools in helping communities break the cycle of poverty. - Peter GreerBusiness requires extreme creativity. - Zach ZehnderPoverty isolates us, so our answer is community. - Peter GreerWe have loaned out 1.8 billion dollars and have a 98% repayment rate. - Peter GreerYou wanna know how to destroy joy? Become obsessed with comparison. - Peter GreerThere’s still a rival, but it is not among Christian sisters and brothers. - Peter GreerYour success does not come at my expense. - Peter GreerThe way we make decisions is what is best for the collective Christian movement, not our company itself. - Peter GreerPeter Greer’s Challenge: Read John 17 and go actively find ways of living that out! Are you following Jesus? Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here. This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kate Gardner is a trailblazer in the realm of next-generation philanthropy. Living in Nashville, TN, she is the co-host of the Ascendants Podcast. She helps all people, but she is especially a rising voice in the next generation, championing generosity, stewardship, and the importance of the Gospel going forward! To learn more about the podcast or the show notes, visit www.redletterpodcast.com. Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living, particularly our newest 40-day book and sermon series called Giving Challenge. This Fall, on October 5, 2025, we are launching this new 40-day series worldwide, and we’d love for your church to get in. To find out more information, to join the first wave, to order some books, and stay up-to-date, visit www.redlettergiving.com. This 40-day challenge will inspire generosity in your church, and it is well worth your investment. Disciples of Jesus are generous and this book will feature how each one of us can become generous like Jesus. Along with the books come a sermon series, a small group series, kids books, weekly kids Sunday School or kids church curriculum, graphics, and so much more. All of it is available, get in now, at www.redlettergiving.com and let this Fall be the season where the generosity of Jesus is unleashed in your church!Resources mentioned in the episode: Generous GivingChild Beyond InternationalGospel PatronsGospel Patrons BookAscendants Podcast by Kate GardnerBecoming Ascendants: A Framework for Next Generation Stewardship BookAuthor Randy AlcornKate Gardner linkedinKey insights from the episode: The heart posture is what God wants, not just the number amount. - Kate GardnerThere’s a small window of time to turn money into something that actually will endure. - KateGardnerThere’s a desire among Gen Z to have their work purposeful. - Kate GardnerMoney makes you funny. - Kate GardnerKate Gardner’s Challenge: Take 5-10 minutes of silence and ask God where you can be generous this week.Are you following Jesus? Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will receive your results immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here. This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or the Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Carson Bacha, a standout golfer at Auburn University and 2024 national champion, shares how his deep faith in Jesus underpins his discipline and success on the course. He discusses the camaraderie built with teammates during their championship journey and reflects on the spiritual revival happening at college campuses, especially among Generation Z. Bacha emphasizes the importance of community and kindness in fostering faith, and he opens up about the challenges and joys of transitioning from college golf to professional aspirations.

Jason VanRuler, a top therapist specializing in relationships and trauma, discusses the power of vulnerability in healing. He shares insights on building an authentic social media presence that fosters genuine connections. Jason emphasizes the importance of confronting past traumas and personal responsibility as keys to transformation. He also highlights how struggles can fuel both personal growth and the ability to assist others. With a blend of faith and therapy, he encourages listeners to embrace their broken places for deeper connections.