Everyday Disciple Podcast

“I have a whole bunch of people that have bought into this missional community thing and lifestyle–living like missionaries in our city–but HOW do you keep them motivated? They start out all fired up, but after a while, they seem to fizzle out.”  Sound familiar? This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about why you need Gospel Motivation to lead your church, small group, or family toward a life on mission with God... and what happens when you don’t. For those of us that were raised in the church, there is a sense of the law and legalism when it comes to having a motivation to live on mission with God. Legalism, at times, produces outward change but not on a lasting heart level. Using “should” and “supposed to” only leads to fear or self-righteousness. Neither of these are good motivators if you want to sustain a lifestyle and movement within your tribe. In This Episode You’ll Learn: How the ‘American Dream’ life may be a smokescreen in your life and a convenient excuse for not living on mission. Why what you believe in your head will change what you believe in your heart. How the gospel changes ALL of our motivations, affections, and even our locations. Why a “Christian life” lived under the wrong motivation is not attractive to non-believers. Get started here... From this episode: “The Good News of Jesus comes into our lives with the reality that we are both horribly sinful and needy AND more loved and accepted than we could ever hope for. We have new, eternal life as our inheritance. No possible carrot could entice or fulfill beyond this. There is no condemnation for us in Christ; gone are any sticks that would beat or shame us into action. Love is our clarion call and gratefulness is our motivation!”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started. Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Free training webinar Caesar mentioned – Gospel in Everyday Life Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources   In light of today’s topics, you might find these resources helpful: Is Your Church Suffering From Spiritual Schizophrenia? How to Lead Your Small Group or Church Toward True Missional Living   .cf-scroll-wrapper { background: #00000075;}

Many of us have a sense of the two or three things we are really good at, either naturally or we’ve put in the time and investment to learn and develop certain skills or abilities. Do you know how to figure out your personal superpower? This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we are going to show you how to figure out your personal superpower and also discover what your “kryptonite” might be. It’s not prideful to know the things you are really good at in life and to develop and share those things with others. All of us have certain things we are good at doing or noticing or perceiving. We also have blind spots and weaknesses in life that, if left unchecked, could take us down or hurt others. Beware of the kryptonite in your life! In This Episode You’ll Learn: Your strengths in life can be your primary way to display God’s glory. Why it is not prideful to know and exercise the things you are really good at. Tips and tools for identifying your personal “superpowers”. A process (it’s crazy!) for pinpointing character issues and potential kryptonite. The difference between being open to feedback vs. actively seeking feedback. Get started here... From this episode: “Start with some honest self-assessment. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to identify any areas of your life and character that he would have you be more aware of and begin to look for any unbelief (in who God is and what is really true of you) behind these things. Write these down and pray over them for three days.”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started. Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: StrengthsFinder Assessment Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources   In light of today’s topics, you might find these resources helpful: Call Me Batman! Is the Church Guilty of False Advertising?   .cf-scroll-wrapper { background: #00000075;}

When I was a kid in Sunday School, I can remember being taught about not having idols in our life. I envisioned totem poles or statues in my room… NOPE, none of those! But we all have idols galore. This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we are gonna teach you how to identify and then crush idols and counterfeit gods in your life. What is so central or essential in your life that, should you lose it, you’d feel like life would hardly be worth living? We let these false “gods” gain such controlling positions in our hearts that we will spend large amounts of passion, energy, and emotional and financial resources on it without a second thought. In This Episode You’ll Learn: What idolatry really is and how to recognize it in your own life. Why we are quick to defend our idols and counterfeit gods. How to uncover “the thing behind the thing” that exposes the real idol. Why idols will never just go away in our life… always demanding more. 20 Idol-Crushing Questions that will help you root out your idols. Get started here... From this episode: “An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, ‘If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.’ There are many ways to describe that kind of relationship to something, but perhaps the best one is worship.”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: (Includes the 20 Idol-Crushing Questions from Counterfeit Gods) Free training webinar Caesar mentioned – Gospel in Everyday Life Counterfeit Gods book by Tim Keller Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources   In light of today’s topics, you might find these resources helpful: 3 Simple Words That Will Change Your Life How to Stop Loving Stuff and Start Loving People  

Summer is here again, yes!  And for many involved in vocational ministry or even a regular part of a small group or missional community, summer is a time for a taking a break from ministry… Don’t do it! Your neighbors and friends are all out looking for fun and relationships this summer. This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we are gonna show you why and how to take advantage of these summer months to boost your community life and discipleship this fall. Summer is gold! And there is a level of intentionality we get to live with as we "breathe out" beyond our own family and closer circle of friends. The rhythms you already live in are the perfect way to build deeper relationships with new friends and people of peace this summer. In This Episode You’ll Learn: Why summer's the time to “lean into” new relationships rather than take a break. Where new friendships are “hiding” in your neighborhood. Why kids are such a great opportunity for building relationships in the summer. How to set yourself up for autumn and discipleship with these new friends. A pile of fun, easy, and practical examples to try this summer in your neighborhood or community. How to get started this week in a way that fits your schedule! Get started here... From this episode: “After just a few weeks of hosting our Friday night BBQ with our neighbors, we started hearing them say things like, ‘You are giving us the neighborhood we always wanted to have and live in!’ and, ‘Could we start to have this over at our house once in a while too…?’”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources   In light of today’s topics, you might find these resources helpful: Is Your Parenting Style Transactional or Grace-Based? Gospel Fluency: A Relational Game-Changer   .cf-scroll-wrapper { background: #00000075;}

Should all Christians be married? Although we might quickly respond "no," our cultural stories and norms―including those in the church―often communicate "yes!" This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’re joined by Kutter Callaway, an author and assistant professor of theology and culture. We talk about this and how culture is redefining marriage and singleness... and what this means for those who follow Jesus. If you’ve ever turned on the TV or read a newspaper in the last few years, it’s pretty apparent that marriage is being redefined by the culture, and the purpose that the Church places on this institution is also changing. It's time to redefine the value of marriage and singleness. In This Episode You’ll Learn: What the Bible teaches about the institution of marriage. Ways to think about biblical marriage and the reasons to get married. How the legal and cultural definitions of marriage differ from the Bible. How our narratives have limited our understanding of marriage. Ways that Christians talk about marriage and singleness that may be a hindrance to many. How we can craft a new story that transforms the way we look at marriage and affirms the contributions of all to the body of Christ. Get started here... From this episode: “Think about the language you use to talk about marriage to single people. Is it life giving or limiting? Is it filled with a ‘wait for God’ focus, or a ‘fullness in Christ’ focus? If single, what aspect of your identity and overall happiness is based on ‘some day’ getting married? Have you placed limitations on all that God wants to do in and through your life as you wait for some possible future union?”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Kutter Calloway’s book: Breaking the Marriage Idol: Reconstructing our Cultural and Spiritual Norms Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources In light of today’s topics, you might find these resources helpful: How to Pray for Your Child's Future Spouse 5 Steps To An Awesome Date Night With Your Spouse  

The church was once the premier creator of art and beauty within culture. Christian artists throughout history saw it as their honor, and even their duty, to portray Christ and his Kingdom in ways that spoke to the hearts of people. This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, Caesar talks to Heath about art, identity, and the importance of letting your true self be known and loved and why artists need to be embraced in our churches. (This is a very special episode!) If we can learn anything about God’s character from looking at the world around us, it is that he is creative and diverse and is fascinated with detail and beauty. And then you look at people and see the result of his handcrafted pleasure! We could live in a black and white boring world with just enough grayscale to provide the very basics of existence, but we live in the massive detonation of beauty and awe and diversity. In This Episode You’ll Learn: A little about art, music, and the Church throughout history. How pragmatism has taken over and is killing the beauty of art in the church today. Why the way we have been taught to read scripture has contributed to this loss. Why Heath decided to write a book that explores art and identity. Ways to recapture and promote our role as “artistic image bearers” within our own churches. Get started here... From this episode: “The reason that this is so important to me is that our ultimate meaning stems from the fact that God has invested and imparted in us the very essence of himself. We are image bearers of this fascination and wonder. And so to not constantly look out and admire, we are missing a big part of what it means to be human…”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started. Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Heath’s book: The Holistic Artist: An Exploration Into Art + Identity Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources In light of today’s topics, you might find these resources helpful: The Story of God Why You Should Stop Hiding Your Imperfections  

Discipleship is not a series of classes. Discipleship is the process of moving from unbelief to belief in every area of life... It must be done life on life, life in community, and life on mission. This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about a form of discipleship that includes cigars, fireplaces, and an occasional glass of fine spirits. Some of you will LOVE this… some will be freaked! There is a level of intentionality that must be employed in order to actually disciple a person in all of life. And there is no way to model and observe people actually living out the life of Jesus unless we do normal life stuff with them and roll discipleship and training into it. In This Episode You’ll Learn: A little about the environment that Jesus discipled in. (Hint: it was never a classroom.) Why it’s vital to disciple and model the gospel in normal, everyday rhythms of life. Why “everyday discipleship” methods translate and reproduce better and more naturally. Caesar and Heath’s personal experience and model for doing “Cigars & Theology” as a part of their community life and discipleship. Alternatives that may work better in your church and context. Get started here... From this episode: “The Good News is just as good (and some times better) experienced with a cold beverage and friends. Don’t think that God somehow looks down on your efforts of discipleship if they are not done in a church building. Your old school board members may, but God does not. Jesus went into all the places participating in the customs that the people he loved did. You can too...it’s okay.”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Join Caesar and Heath for Cigars & Theology at Caesar's house! In light of today’s topics, you might find this video helpful: Should You Focus on Discipleship or Evangelism? Surprise! You Are the Missionary In Your Neighborhood  

A new(er) building. The nicer children’s ministry wing. The best preacher. Comfy seats and a great band. Many Christians approach their churches, and their faith, as consumers. Even the term “church shopping” betrays the reality of our spiritual consumerism. This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we expose and articulate the ways that consumerism is killing the church today. And how you can identify and stop it in your own life and church. We think that the problem with our lagging “spiritual fervor” may be a problem with our church. That’s why we start “shopping around”. But we are the church–you and I–so moving our family to another spiritual mall across town only brings the same issues and problems with us. And when that doesn’t solve the issue beyond the first month or two, we slide further into a spiritual boredom. We may have been chasing the wrong tail all along, and our churches trained us to do so... In This Episode You’ll Learn: A startling and familiar definition of consumerism that will alarm you. 3 examples of how consumerism can creep into our ways of thinking about church. What Jesus teaches about consumerism and materialism. Ways that your church can stop feeding the consumerism beast. Get started here... From this episode: “When we approach our Christian faith, experience and responsibilities as consumers rather than seeing it as an all-encompassing way of life, a lifestyle... and a fully interpretive set of beliefs and values, then our church and Christianity becomes just one more brand or product we consume along with Amazon, Apple, Starbucks, Facebook… and all too deeply, it’s how we express our identity too.”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started. Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources In light of today’s topics, you might find this video helpful: These 3 Things Are True Discipleship Killers Be The Church  

Global warming: it's one of the hottest scientific and political issues of today. But we've all found ourselves asking… It's freezing outside—where's global warming now? The climate is always changing—how do we know this isn't just a cycle? Why should Christians care about global warming when we know the world won't end that way? This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, listen to Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and evangelical Christian, who absolutely blew Caesar and Heath’s mind on this topic with her grace and wisdom. This will change you! Katharine says she gets slammed every day on social media for her contributions to establishing that climate change is human-made. But she’s learned that most people don’t really have a problem with the science or even the theology of climate change. People’s real objections are based on the fact that they believe the solutions to climate change conflict with their ideology and even identity. In This Episode You’ll Learn: The difference between climate change and global warming. Some hard statistics (and truth) about our weather patterns. What the Bible teaches about stewarding the environment. Why Christians are the perfect people to care about climate change. First and next steps to get involved in the solutions (these are easy!). Get started here... From this episode: “I don’t accept global warming on faith: I crunch the data, I analyze the models, I help engineers and city managers and ecologists quantify the impacts.” ~ Katharine Hayhoe   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Katharine’s video: “What is Global Warming?”   Katharine’s book: A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources Caesar Kalinowski’s Website and Blog with Loads of Resources In light of today’s topics, you might find this video helpful: What’s the Big Deal With Gay Marriage?   .cf-scroll-wrapper { background: #00000075;}

It is hard to sustain a missional lifestyle! Things get messy, and I start to wear out. Personal preferences and old habits creep back in to destroy things. And it’s not like life is getting any less busy. Today on the Lifeschool Podcast, you’ll find out what is really messing you up and keeping you from living on mission. In many ways, this ongoing life on mission with God is a call to die to self. It begins by simplifying your life as God rearranges your priorities, and you spend more and more of your time living with God’s mission at the center of your life. In This Episode You’ll Learn: A traditional and classic definition of “true discipleship”. 10 things in your life that may need to be put on the altar. How leading your family on mission as a way of life needs to start in your heart. A funny story from Caesar’s life that hilariously illustrates a process for breaking old habits. Practical steps for removing the clutter and idols that keep us from living on mission. Get started here... From this episode: “Ask God to show you things you may need to “die to” as well as new attitudes and rhythms you need to embrace. This is an important step, but it doesn’t happen overnight. You’ve got to start by counting the cost of discipleship before heading out into open waters.”   Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others… Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below. Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Caesar’s book: Small is Big, Slow is Fast (Use this link to get the Kindle version for only $3.99) In light of today’s topics, you might find these posts and videos helpful: Surprise! You Are the Missionary In Your Neighborhood How to Lead Your Small Group or Church Toward True Missional Living   .cf-scroll-wrapper { background: #00000075;}