Is Your Disciple Making Simple, Effective, and Reproducible?
Every believer and every church needs a disciple making system that is simple, effective, and reproducible. Those three words are not trendy—they are essential. I once heard someone compare a […]
Beginning with the Beginning in Mind
When I was a kid, my dad was a certified instructor for Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, primarily in corporate settings. As a result, nearly every car […]
How the Trinity Helps Us in Discipleship
“On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:20, NIV) In reading for biblical literacy, […]
Church Leaders: Focus on Disciple Making
If you are a church leader, you need a clear focus for your ministry. There are so many things to do—sermons, pastoral visits, planning meetings, and more—and, if we’re honest, […]
Sermon on the Mount: Building Your House
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the […]
What is Spiritual Success?
While most people are chasing the idea of being “successful,” what if we got the definition of success wrong? What if we don’t even know what success really is? Which […]
Pastors and Workplace Leaders: A Two-Way Street to Kingdom Impact
In today’s cultural seismic shifts, the boundary between sacred and secular continues to blur—and that’s a positive development. As pastors, we have a unique opportunity to extend our influence beyond […]
5 Things to Expect from a Missionary
People sometimes place unfair expectations on missionaries that they support. They might expect the missionary to convert an entire nation to Christ before their first furlough. They might expect the […]
Leadership Alignment Training for Disciple Making
Dear RENEW.org Network Leaders, Join me by wrapping your mind around an important truth: fewer than 5% of churches in North America have a disciple making culture (see here). That […]
From Cornfield to City: How One Congregation Followed Jesus into the Heart of Middletown
There’s a moment every week that still catches me off guard because it’s so new. Unhoused men and women, some still recovering from addiction, gather alongside longtime believers on a […]
Battle-Ready Discipleship
Why do so many Christians crumble under cultural pressure? Why do churches so often resemble spiritual daycare instead of boot camp? The Church cannot afford to raise spectators. We must […]
VIDEO: Review of John Mark Comer’s ‘Practicing the Way’
In this Renew Review, we explore John Mark Comer’s book Practicing the Way: Be With Jesus, Become Like Jesus, Do as He Did. This book is the cornerstone of Comer’s […]
Must Every Disciple Be a Disciple Maker?
At the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus instructed the disciples he had made to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father […]
Make Your Small Groups Like A.A.
Instead of church small groups looking and feeling like a classroom, small groups should look and feel more like A.A. That’s right…Alcoholics Anonymous. To truly make disciples of Jesus, people […]
Review of ‘Practicing the Way’ by John Mark Comer
Practicing the Way is the signature book for John Mark Comer’s current ministry (which bears the same name as the title of the book), the aim of which is to […]
What’s Sunday Really For?
Back in the 1950s, the Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz discovered a fact of nature everyone should know: ducklings, it turns out, are gullible. Arriving in the world without any innate […]
Normalize Conformity to the Image of Jesus as the Goal of Disciple Making
It’s common to hear that, as Christians, it’s important to be and make disciples of Jesus. But why is it so important? Sometime after discovering that we were supposed to […]
You Can Evangelize.
*This article was adapted from Dylan Kirkland, Starting Your Journey with Jesus: A 30-Day Devotional for New Christians. Evangelism is a spiritual rhythm that every disciple of Jesus can and […]
Dear Disciple, It’s Okay to Grieve What You’ve Lost
Dear young disciple, You have come so far in your journey with Christ, and I am proud of you. I know it doesn’t feel like you’ve developed and grown much, […]
What Does a Maturing Disciple of Jesus Look Like?
“That I be so transformed in your beauty that we may be alike in beauty, and both behold ourselves in your beauty, possessing then your very beauty; this, in such […]
In Ministry? Beware of Isolation.
Early on in ministry, one of my pastors sat me down to have a heart-to-heart about entering ministry. In this long conversation, my pastor imparted much of his own personal […]
How to Prioritize Your Family
“Put me on the next flight. My son needs me.” In the middle of the 2008 NBA playoffs, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade received a call no parent wants to […]
When Sports Conflict with Sunday Worship: Some Questions to Ask
*Editor’s Note: In this article’s final paragraph, the author rightly calls this sports-church conflict an “elephant in the room.” As such, it’s an elephant that has plunked down in the […]
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two: 7 Reflections on How Disciples Go
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2, NIV) […]
Conference on Discipling Men
Dear RENEW.org Network Friends, RENEW.org and Discipleship.org are partnering with BetterMan for a one-day conference in Dallas on September 11, 2025, called “Discipling Men.” Let me tell you why we […]
What Happens When Churches Overemphasize Social Justice?
We believe in the gospel. It is not just “good news”—it is the best news a human being can ever hear. It tells us about the greatest act of redemption […]
Is Discipleship the Wrong Paradigm for the Church Today?
*Editor’s Note: Is Jesus-style disciple making the core mission of the church today—or was it meant to be a pre-Pentecost paradigm? Does contemporary disciple making work? Or does it leave […]
Salvation: We Have Been, Are Being, and Shall Be Saved
When I was a kid, around ten years old, my mom took me to a big revival meeting in some large municipal auditorium in our city. I forget who was […]
A Jesus-Centered Approach to Technology: Why This Article Was Not Written With AI
How Technology Shapes Us: Embracing a Christ-Centered Approach in a Digital World A Jesus-Centered Approach to Technology invites reflection. Explore how faith and discernment guide our use of AI in […]
Church Planting Resident? It’s Easier Than You Think
Article Summary: A turnkey distance residency program can help your church play a part in equipping church planters. Distance-based residencies let the emerging planter stay rooted in the local church […]
What Disciple Making Churches are Actually Doing
In my last article, I (Paul) shared stories from church leaders who are working to shift away from a purely attractional model and embracing a culture of disciple making. I […]
Your Kids Are Watching
In the 1960s, an educational psychologist named Laszlo Polgar conducted an experiment on his own children. He believed geniuses are not born, but rather trained. So, he and his wife, […]
Bob Russell on Being a Disciple Making Grandparent
At our 2025 RENEW.org National Gathering in Indianapolis, longtime minister Bob Russell spoke on the joy and importance of being a disciple making grandparent: If you want to learn more […]
Igniting Disciple Making Movements in North America: Four Crucial Steps
There’s a question I get asked. A lot. The question church leaders ask me is, “Josh, why do you think disciple making movements are happening in places like China and India […]
You Are Standing on Holy Ground
“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your shoes, for you are standing on holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5, NLT) “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who […]
Discomfort, a Missing Ingredient in Discipleship
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.” (John 14:15-16, NLT) As dean […]
What Are You Measuring? A Call to Better Metrics.
Over the past four to five years, I’ve had numerous conversations with church leaders who have embraced the challenge of shifting from primarily attractional strategies to a culture that prioritizes […]
Looking for a Discipleship Pathway? Check Out John 1.
Have you ever pondered the thought, “If Jesus started a discipleship plan, what would it look like?” Now, if you have been in ministry long enough, I am sure that […]
Four Disciple Making Essentials
You want to make disciples because it was Jesus’ last command and one of the most important expressions of love you could show to another human being. I cannot think […]
Grandparenting Advantages for Discipling Kids
It’s true that the Bible talks about parents way more than it talks about grandparents. The most foundational family discipleship passages in Scripture are written with the parent-child relationship in […]
Introduction to Disciple Making
We believe disciple making is the core mission of the church and that C. S. Lewis got it right when he said, “The Church exists for nothing else but to […]
Who’s on the Throne?
I’m going to be honest. I am hit—way more than I care to admit—with the realization that my agenda is my agenda and not God’s. I might have just preached a sermon […]
A 3-Step Way of Telling Your Story
Assuming that you, the reader, are a Christ-follower, what if an unbelieving friend or family member came to you and said, “You know, I’ve been thinking about this Jesus, and […]
A Tasteful Way to Share the Gospel
God has given us the greatest gift that a person can ever receive through the gospel. If we truly appreciate what we have received and truly love people, we naturally […]
Don’t skip this step in evangelism!
There is one thing we are likely to skip when it comes to evangelism and discipleship but which makes all the difference: prayer. Okay, you may be better at it […]
What Kobe Bryant Taught Me About Following Jesus
As Christians living in the USA, we hear truths so often that they can lose their luster and impact. We hear that Jesus died for our sins and rose from […]
Discipling Lost People into Salvation
“Metanoesein kai pistos emoi genesesthai!” These were the words of Flavius Josephus to a group of Jewish rebels in 66 A.D., commanding them to abandon their current course of action and […]
When a Worldview Leads to Crisis
It’s a beautiful grace that worldviews can change! The one you hold now is probably somewhat different from the one you held at an earlier stage in life. Each metamorphosis […]
Flip the Script in Disciple Making
Let’s imagine that India and China go to war. Let’s pray they never do, but for the sake of this illustration, the two largest nations in the world are revving […]
Preach and Normalize Being a Disciple of Jesus
In a previous article on preaching and normalizing “King Jesus,” I argued that we want to avoid the false dichotomy of “King Jesus” vs. “Savior Jesus” by integrating and synthesizing […]
Keep Disciple Making Simple
“KISS it, Jett!” The call came from my peers as they watched me struggle during a training drill. As a new firefighter, I was pushed hard in drills, especially by […]
A New Missional Era
For the last year couple of years, I have been using a phrase that many people don’t seem to recognize. When referring to our task of taking the gospel to […]
Making Disciples Among College Students: Q&A
What might a disciple-making movement look like among college students? Recently, RENEW.org’s point leader Bobby Harrington and editorial director Daniel McCoy caught up with two disciple-making leaders who are seeing […]
2024 Election Reflections
November 11, 2024 A week ago, Bobby Harrington wrote in a pre-election article for RENEW.org that an election is a reflection. He wrote, “More than anything, this election will tell […]
Preach and Normalize “King Jesus”
Christ is one of those words in the New Testament that I believe it is unfortunate that we transliterated instead of translated. Jesus Christ would have been understood in the […]
What Was Jesus’ Core Mission?
I’ve met many sincere Christians who spend considerable time wondering and praying, “What is God’s will for my life?” Maybe you have thought about that question in your quiet moments, […]
What If This Election Is About Discipleship?
“The basic problem of the Christians in this country in the last eighty years or so, in regard to society and in regard to government, is that they have seen […]
The Unintended Consequences of the Modern Church
It’s a good season to reexamine the effectiveness of the modern church. Our commitment, as RENEW.org leaders, is to continually go back to Scripture, to restore and prioritize what it […]
Resisting the Lure of Legalism
“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?” (Mark 7:18, NIV) Let’s talk about legalism. I know […]
Invitation to Discipleship: My Story of Being Discipled and Becoming a Discipler
In this invitation to discipleship, Anthony Walker describes how he was discipled to become a discipler. Several times I’ve been asked to speak on varying topics from the epistles Paul […]
What Is Discipleship?
Discipleship is the state of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. So, what then is a disciple? A disciple is simply a follower or a student of Jesus Christ. When […]
What Prevents Us from Life Transformation?
At a ministry conference recently, I commented that, when measured against the heart of God in the Sermon on the Mount, large segments of American Christianity seem to be going […]
Is Discipleship Required: 6 Steps for the Local Church
Curt recently wrote a previous article, “Is Discipleship Required,” because we believe that in Scripture, Jesus, the Apostles, and the other New Testament writers spoke and wrote specifically about being […]
Is Discipleship Required?
I turn 50 this year, which means that I have been in a conservative evangelical church for 50 years now. Around 10 years ago, I was first introduced to the […]
Thinking Clearly About Evangelism
It’s no secret that many American churches are struggling, particularly with a decline in church attendance. Close to home (for me at least), Churches of Christ were bleeding members prior […]
Paul and Timothy: 7 Steps of Apprenticeship
The American church today is facing a pastoral succession crisis. The vast majority of church leaders struggle to find mature emerging leaders. But what if the problem isn’t a leadership […]
Beyond Words per Minute: Applying Speed Reading Principles in Disciple Making
In my junior year at Harding University, I read a book on speed reading, when I probably should have been studying for exams. The book promised to teach me how […]
How Do I Start Having Intentional Conversations?
*Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from Corey Trimble’s An Authentic Experience: Creating an Inviting Culture with Biblical Integrity. Corey is convinced (and has shown as a pastor of an […]
Gen Z Is Ready. Are We?
By now you’ve heard the stats. Gen Z is… Anxious and depressed, lonely, and overwhelmed At the same time, we are told they are… Ambitious, authentic, and altruistic Most of […]
Spoiler Alert: Are Churches Going the Way of Hollywood Predictability?
Did movies get worse? Over the holiday I saw Wonka at my childhood movie theater. That cinema features one screen, no online reservations, and seats reminiscent of jury duty. However, I walked […]
5 Reasons Why We Must Reach the University
As a campus minister, it is my belief that the university campus is one of the most exciting and strategic mission fields in the United States. Here are my top […]
Called to Missions? Rethinking Our Language in Light of Scripture
When it comes to missions, the personal call is that which is as often cited by the missionary candidate during fund raising as is the need of the people to […]
7 Steps to Catalyze A Disciple-Making Movement
Hello, I’m a pastor in North America. I minister to a church and am simultaneously seeking to help catalyze a disciple making movement. Because of the opposition we’ve encountered in […]
Do You Have the Kind of Discipleship That Stands through the Storm?
I find that people who often have the hardest time becoming relational are those who have been in church a long time. If you ask personal questions, they don’t want […]
Your Ministry Will End Someday. Have You Thought Much About How?
You should really consider leaving ministry. Before you change the date and turn in your pre-written resignation letter to the board of your church, let me clarify. Wherever you are […]
Disciple Making in the Megachurch: Q&A with Bart Shaw of Trader’s Point Christian Church
Can large, long-established churches move to a disciple-making core focus? What steps need to be taken? I recently caught up with Bart Shaw, Campus Pastor and Lead Discipleship Pastor at […]
Who Is Your Target Audience? Opening Your Eyes to Where God Has You
Business experts agree that for any endeavor to find lasting success it must have a compelling mission, effective strategy, and a specific target audience. Doing something for everyone often means […]
3 ‘Real Life Theology’ Resources You Should Know About
If you spend any time on the Renew.org website or at a Renew.org booth at a conference, you will run into the title “Real Life Theology.” Many of our books […]
How to Use the ‘Trust & Follow Jesus’ Manual for Disciple Making
I was first introduced to the Trust & Follow Jesus manual for disciple making through Bobby Harrington. He came and did a practical seminar on how to replicate disciple making groups […]
Discipleship Is Not A Program—So What Is It?
There seems to be a confusion of definitions when it comes to defining discipleship. People want to define discipleship as all the things they are already doing. And the things […]
How Quickly Should We Share the Gospel?
How quickly should we share the gospel? It’s an important question and one that we shouldn’t take lightly. As I read and listen to people talk about evangelism, it seems […]
Discipling Girls and Women: A Q&A with Anessa Westbrook
When it comes to discipling girls and women to trust and follow Jesus, are there any observations or tips that help make it more effective? Anessa Westbrook, DMin, professor of […]
Knowing Christ: The Goal That Makes Other Obsessions Look Like Garbage
Being a disciple is not just about attending church once a week, or on the “special” times throughout the year, like Christmas and Easter, putting some surplus cash in the […]
6 Truths I Learned from Randy Gariss About Emotional Maturity
Isn’t it frustrating when recipients of God’s lavish grace bark at each other during the church board meeting? Or when a sermon fills you with a blaze of courage only […]
Efficiency and Discipleship
On our little hobby farm, we recently introduced some new birds to our existing flock of layers. The new girls are a traditional breed of chicken that was once one […]
Four Evangelism Lessons From Las Vegas
In 2010 my family started a new church just off the Las Vegas Strip. This month, we are merging with a great church called The Crossing. In between was a […]
Naaman, Elisha, and Do We Want to Follow?
Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, […]
The 3 People I Should Ask to Be Part of a Disciple Making Group
Are you convicted that you ought to be making disciples, but you just don’t know where to start? The purpose of this article is to identify the type of individual […]
Christian Education: Discipline as Discipleship
I am writing this at the beginning of August, with teachers and school leaders across the world gearing up for back-to-school craziness. It’s a bizarre mixture of excitement and trepidation, […]
Make Disciple Makers, Not Just Disciples
I know, I know that Jesus said, “Go and make disciples,” not “Go and make disciple makers,” but I believe that a disciple is a disciple maker. Here is why […]
The Dirty Secret of the Mission Field
I got on the airplane ready to take on the world. I was moving to India to be a missionary. I couldn’t wait to save as many lost people as […]
Family Discipleship? The Tools Your Church Needs.
What’s the best way you can invest in the future of the church? The answer: family discipleship. To invest in your church’s future, you empower parents to disciple their children in […]
Afraid of Getting Baptized?
You are afraid of WHAT?! When bold men bow their knee to Jesus willingly and vulnerably, it reminds me that Jesus really is “the Man.” My friend and I were […]
Do’s & Don’ts in Reaching Veterans
Visiting any Christian bookstore in America, you will find a section of books with lists of helpful strategies or ideas for various topics, such as 7 keys to grow your […]
2 Betrayals Which Fuel anti-Christian Cynicism
If cynicism were a rock, it would be a volcanic rock formed from lava. Now cooled off and hardened, the dull, porous rock looks nothing like the explosive river of […]
A Journey to Contentment
You don’t just arrive at a destination. You have to navigate the course and journey there. Sometimes it requires physical exertion. At other times, it may require more thought. But […]
Facing Pressure? Remember Your Baptism.
Years ago in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas, two boys pulled the fire alarm at the Westside Middle School. As the students and their teachers exited the building, these boys […]
What Was Jesus’ Disciple Making Method?
It was a tough few weeks for me. I was juggling my responsibilities with the church I serve as lead pastor. I was working with a small group of senior […]
How to Use Preaching for Relational Discipleship
Preachers have unique opportunities to develop stronger disciples while also enhancing the quality of their preaching. It often feels as if we must choose between two essential activities in order […]
How Do I Become a Better Listener?
You’ve heard the old joke: My wife told me I have two main faults. One is I’m not a good listener, and I don’t remember what the other one is. […]
Do You Want to Make Disciples? First, Be One.
I was shocked when he said it…maybe even a little offended. I was sitting in a room listening to Curtis Sergeant deliver one of his workshops (which I highly recommend). […]
Five Ways to Disciple People in Light of Easter Weekend
I am a senior pastor; I have been one for more than 30 years. So I know the subtle pressure that can sneak in: to produce, provide, and program for […]
A Conversation on DMM’s in North America: Q&A with Paul Huyghebaert
*Editor’s Note: Can Disciple Making Movements (DMM’s) happen in North America? Recently, I got to chat with Paul Huyghebaert, one of RENEW.org’s associate directors of learning communities and the senior […]
4 Tracks in American Christianity: A Tool for Cutting Through the Smoke and Heat
Christianity in America seems more confusing than ever. Imagine American Christianity as a vehicle that seems to be breaking down on a long road trip. The check engine light is […]
Behind the Curtain: How God Built a Missionary Family into a Family of Missionaries
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen […]
The Role of Mentoring and Discipleship in a Women’s Ministry
So, what Is mentoring? The word “mentor” originally came from the name of a friend of King Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. Mentor was entrusted with Telemachus, the king’s only son, […]
How Prayer Fuels Disciple Making
Roughly five years ago I had the blessing of sitting in a room with about 20 other lead pastors to listen as Shodankeh Johnson shared about the incredible Kingdom growth […]
What Works in Disciple Making? 10 Answers from People I’ve Discipled
At core, I’m a disciple maker. I believe Jesus’ Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-20) is a command on my life to walk beside women as […]
Ready for Real Relationship? A Review of Jim Putman’s ‘RelationShift’
*Editor’s Note: Jim Putman will lead an in-depth class at the 2023 Renew Gathering on April 26th on his new book, RelationShift: Five Shifts for Disciple Makers to Live and […]
What Are People Looking for in You?
I remember when I was a student pastor (we called them youth pastors in 2006) and I was taking my students to a district youth rally in a small rural […]
Family Worship: 6 Ways Connecting with God Together Will Bless Your Family
Family worship, at its most basic level, is the regular gathering of the family to worship God and receive instruction in the Christian faith. Parents have been given a responsibility […]
What God Accomplishes Around a Table
When I started out preaching, I attended a church growth conference where the presenter shared that the two most important rooms in the church were the nursery and the women’s […]
Preparing Your Church for the Lord’s Supper at Christmas
Staff meetings and church services in the month of December are understandably centered on the Christmas holiday. And I for one am grateful we’re taking the time to remember Jesus’ […]
What I Learned from Walking in Jesus’ Footsteps
“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6, ESV) Last May, I carved out nine days for an […]
Discipling Children: Protecting the Future (Part 3)
This is the final installment in a three-part series on parenting, outlining three phases of discipleship in our children. Plant the Seeds: Discipleship by Planting Seeds of Stability Provide for […]
A Principled Approach: What DMMs Know and Are Teaching Us
In recent years many of us in church leadership have begun paying attention to what is happening in Disciple Making Movements (DMM). If you are unfamiliar with DMM, let me […]
12 Key Prayer Points for Disciple Making Movements
Effectiveness in prayer is often related to knowing what to ask. This is the list of the top twelve prayer points used by Shodankeh Johnson and others in movements in […]
6 Discipleship Insights We Learn from Watching Jesus with Disciples
Watching Jesus with disciples is one of the best ways we learn to disciple others. There are a lot of healthy conversations in churches and Christian leadership about discipleship methods. […]
The Present & Future State of Family Discipleship
In my role as the point leader of Discipleship.org and RENEW.org, I convened a meeting of national leaders in the area of family discipleship on Monday, August 15. The focus […]
Good Parenting Goes Beyond Keeping Kids Happy
What is good parenting according to the Bible? A lot of parents may assume that the point of parenting is to help their kids be happy at all times. Yet […]
Discipling the Next Generation by Inviting Them into God’s Mission
Discipling the next generation may seem daunting. But it’s in the church’s DNA. We see Jesus disciple and launch young men who changed the world with his gospel. We see […]
Three Things We Learn About Making Disciples from Shodankeh Johnson
A number of disciple makers have profoundly impacted my ministry over the last three years. Shodankeh Johnson in West Africa is near the top of that list. Prior to meeting […]
Discipleship in the Bible (It’s More Than Just the New Testament)
What is discipleship in the Bible? It’s a thread throughout both Old and New Testaments where teachers pass along their life and teachings to their disciples. The disciples are then […]
Two-Fisted Fighting (Spiritually): The Importance of Relationships AND Truth
I am the lead pastor/minister of a church in Post Falls, Idaho, but many people who know me have heard about my past in wrestling. At the collegiate level, I […]
Weekend Gatherings in Disciple Making Churches
Over 1% of the world’s population is currently engaged in a disciple making movement.[1] Some experts say this includes 2-3%+ of the people in China and India. Disciple Making Movements […]
Discipling Minds for This Cultural Moment
Part of Christian discipleship is to disciple minds. In order to help us disciple minds for this cultural moment, we will explore three questions about current Western culture. You know […]
Three Things to Learn from Curtis Sergeant About Disciple Making Movements
Curtis Sergeant has had a tremendous influence in disciple making movements around the globe. The movement that started through his ministry in China reached 10 million people in a decade. […]
Trusting God When Church Life Changes
When church life changes because of situations out of our control, how can we use the season as an opportunity to pursue God? Our church was regaining her rhythm, as […]
8 New Books for Discipling Minds in 2022
My favorite verses on the invisible and spiritual war that we are involved in as disciples of Jesus are found in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The apostle Paul writes, For though […]
Letting Jesus Define Our Terms
Letting Jesus Define Our Terms for Powerful Discipleship and Kingdom Living Definitions matter because even small tweaks can drain words like disciple and kingdom of their biblical power. Jesus defines […]
What I Learn about My Purpose from a Fisherman in the Bible
Simon was a fisherman in the Bible whose catch of fish hundreds of years ago tells me a lot about how I should be living today… When I was a […]
Thank God We Took Our Youth Seriously
The majority of churches in the United States have more gray hair, walkers, and oxygen tanks than young people. Churches are dying and closing their doors daily. Many churches are […]
What Is a Disciple?
What Is a Disciple: A Biblical Framework for Following Jesus What Is a Disciple? A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, trusts Him in faith, and begins their journey through […]
Introduction to The End: The Return of King Jesus and the Renewal of All Things
The End of Time: Return of King Jesus & New Creation Gary Johnson explains why Jesus’ return matters: it ends the war with evil and brings resurrection and eternal life. […]
Dr. Carol Swain on the Challenges Christian Face Today
Dr. Carol Swain on Living Faithfully in a Confusing Age Through personal testimony, Dr. Swain recounts how her journey from academic success to Christian conviction reshaped her identity in Christ. […]
Answering Questions with Stories
Answering Questions with Stories: Powerful Truth Jesus often taught through stories, answering questions in ways that shape what we believe and how we live. Family narratives form identity, and Scripture […]
What’s the Point of Teaching the Bible?
Obedience-Based Discipleship: Unshakable Hope Teaching the Bible must lead to obedience, because the Great Commission calls us to teach disciples to obey everything Jesus commanded. Part-time learning can become on-the-job […]
The Power of Stories
Power of Stories: Unforgettable Stories That Reveal God’s Truth Instead of a theology textbook, Scripture unfolds God’s self-revelation through true stories that show who he is and what he has […]
What Is Love and Why Is It Important?
What Is Love and Why Is It Important? A Cross-Shaped Way of Life Disciples of Jesus show love through actions that glorify God and genuinely benefit others. Jesus defines love […]
5 Insights Jason Whitlock Has Given Me About Being a Disciple of Jesus
Jason Whitlock Christian Insights for Fearless Discipleship Today Fearless conviction is needed to call out deception and resist cultural pressure with biblical clarity. Ruthless honesty builds credibility when confronting sin […]
How to Tell the Story of the Bible in 7 Kingdoms
7 Kingdoms in the Bible That Reveal the Kingdom We’ve Longed For Biblical history moves through Egypt, Israel, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome, showing how human kingdoms repeatedly bring tragedy […]
Kingdom Life Author Q&A – Kelvin Teamer with Bobby Harrington
‘Kingdom Life’ Author Q&A and Insights on God’s Reign Bobby Harrington interviews Kelvin Teamer about Kingdom Life and why the kingdom of God is central to Jesus’ message. Through their […]
What Is Faith Without Works?
Faith Without Works and the Loyalty That Makes Faith Alive James declares that faith without works is dead because true belief must move into action. Rather than earning salvation, works […]
Learning Faithful Faith from the Church in Niger
Church in Niger and Faith That Serves Through Persecution After riots destroyed Christian buildings and homes, believers responded by caring for hospitals, prisons, and the very communities that harmed them. […]
How Does Jesus Call Us to Both Salvation and Discipleship?
Salvation and Discipleship: The Lifelong Invitation of Jesus Jesus defines salvation as a lifelong relationship, not merely a one-time event like baptism or forgiveness. Through healing and restoration, Christ reunites […]
How Do We Share the Gospel?
Sharing the Gospel: Witnessing to Jesus the Victorious King Obedience to Jesus requires sharing the gospel, even when culture resists through skepticism, narcissism, and false tolerance. Witness includes both history […]
Introduction to Faithful Faith: Reclaiming Faith from Culture and Tradition
Reclaiming Faith: A Roadmap for Faithful Faith Mark E. Moore introduces Faithful Faith as biblical teaching meant to empower the church to live authentically and make disciples. Five questions guide […]
This Person Has Enormous Power Over You
Not Ashamed and the King Who Rules Your Life Recognize that shame reveals your ruler—whoever can make you most ashamed when you disobey them has enormous power over you. See […]
How Is Jesus’ Kingship Beneficial?
Jesus’ Kingship and the Benefits Scripture Describes Clarify what kind of King Jesus is—crowned with thorns, born in a manger, and riding on a donkey—so his kingship isn’t left ambiguous. […]
Introduction to The Gospel Precisely: Surprisingly Good News about Jesus Christ the King
The Gospel Precisely: Why the Gospel Must Be Clear The Gospel Precisely equips believers to participate more fully in God’s saving mission by learning the gospel with greater nuance and […]
The Gospel Precisely Author Q&A – Matthew Bates with Bobby Harrington
Definition of the Gospel: Clear & Urgent Q&A Definition of the Gospel is clarified as the story of Jesus the saving King—sent by the Father, incarnate in David’s line, crucified, […]
Your Reconstruction Story as Told by Jesus
Faith Reconstruction and Jesus Repairing the Foundation Faith Reconstruction highlights how Jesus deconstructs what cannot remain, leaving only what God intends to be truly foundational. John’s “I am” statements show […]
What Does It Mean to Place One’s Faith in Jesus?
Faith in Jesus: What It Means to Truly Believe and Follow In John’s Gospel, belief is an action word, showing that real faith includes an outward response. Trusting Jesus means […]
How to Botch a Baptism
Baptism Fail and the Discipleship That Must Follow Baptism fail occurs when churches baptize someone and then abandon them without the training and relationships needed to grow as a disciple. […]
Which Is a Better Way to Grow Disciples: Vine-Ripened or Mass-Produced?
Better Way to Grow Disciples and the Vine-Ripened Path to Fruit Better Way to Grow Disciples is illustrated through vine-ripened tomatoes—slow, nurtured growth that produces lasting, flavorful fruit. Modern efficiency […]
New Birth Author Q&A – Anessa Westbrook and Michael Strickland with Daniel McCoy
New Birth Author Q&A: Baptism, New Birth, and Conversion Listeners will learn why many people misunderstand the need to be born again and how baptism connects to spiritual transformation. The […]
How Should We Treat Elements of Our Faith That Are Not Essential?
Essential Elements And Important Faith Truths Recognize that beliefs not classified as essential are still important and deserve study, time, and devotion. Learn from Jesus, Apollos, and humble instruction how […]
Christian Convictions Author Q&A – Chad Ragsdale and Bobby Harrington
Christian Convictions Q&A on Essential, Important, and Personal Beliefs Chad shares how his apologetics teaching led to a framework for distinguishing essential Christian beliefs from important doctrines and personal opinions. […]
Introduction to Christian Convictions: Discerning the Essential, Important, and Personal Elements
Introduction to Christian Convictions for Discernment and Faith Growth Chad recounts how his dad helped him overcome baptism anxiety by affirming core beliefs and encouraging ongoing spiritual growth. This introduction […]
The Life and Legacy of One Kingdom Worker
One Kingdom Worker and the Legacy of Quiet Faithfulness Vince’s story begins with simple confusion about entering church, but Scripture and a welcoming community led him to Jesus and ministry. […]
How Does the Holy Spirit Make Us like Jesus?
Holy Spirit Filled and Becoming Like Jesus The Holy Spirit unites believers in one shared life with God, building deep community and strengthening the church. Romans 8 highlights how the […]
Make Your Choice: Learning from the Chinese Church
Chinese Church Lessons for Faith Under Pressure Persecution in China reveals how believers endure surveillance and intimidation by standing firm in Jesus without compromise. Conviction grows when Christians count the […]
Book Review: Deep Discipleship by J.T. English
‘Deep Discipleship’ Review for Building Whole Disciples English argues that biblical and doctrinal illiteracy is a major cause of dysfunction in today’s church and calls for deeper teaching. This book […]
A Personal Culture That Leads to Discipling Relationships
Discipling Relationships: Shaping an Inviting Everyday Culture Ordinary routines become mission fields. Regularly visiting the same cafés, stores, and neighborhoods builds trust so natural friendships can grow into discipling relationships. […]
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Repeat (Part 3)
Shema and Forming the Next Generation in Faith Shema highlights a timeless pattern of hearing, obeying, and repeating, showing parents and leaders how continual remembrance shapes a child’s view of […]
The Holy Spirit Is on the Move
Holy Spirit Is on the Move Across the Globe Holy Spirit Is on the Move as explosive growth in Africa, Latin America, and Asia shows millions turning to Jesus through […]
Why Did Jesus Pick Fishermen? Answer: The Gospel.
Gospel for Fishermen: Why Jesus Started with Ordinary People Mark 1 shows the gospel for fishermen calls anyone to repent and believe as God’s kingdom draws near. Instead of choosing […]
How Do Disciples Live in This World?
Disciples Live in This World: Empowered by the Holy Spirit Disciples Live in This World by pursuing an immersive relationship with the Holy Spirit, not just routines or techniques. Acts […]
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Do (Part 2)
Shema Part 2: Loving God Through Obedient Devotion Shema Part 2 shows that loving God is an action that forms disciples, not just a feeling. Moses calls God’s people to […]
What Is the Result of Disciple Making?
What Is the Result of Disciple Making: Fruitful Growth and Generous Love What Is the Result of Disciple Making is a church that grows fruitfully as God brings the increase […]
Gardening and Spiritual Growth
Spiritual Growth: Cultivating Faith Through Gardening Lessons Spiritual Growth may start small like a seed, but God can multiply simple obedience into lasting impact. Gardening shows that what we sow […]
Why Is Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church?
Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church: Inspiring Purpose Disciple Making the Core Mission of the Church brings people to Jesus and helps them become fully mature in Christ. […]
What Is a Disciple of Jesus?
Disciple of Jesus Foundations for True Discipleship This teaching unpacks Mark 1:17 to show that a Disciple of Jesus is someone who follows him, is transformed by him, and learns […]
My Favorite Paragraph of Disciple Making: The Core Mission of the Church
Mission of the Church: Intentional Relational Transformation Mission of the Church is portrayed as helping people toward the next life through intentional, relationship-based disciple making that treats people as true […]
Why Are the Teachings and Life of Jesus Important for Disciple Making?
Teachings and Life of Jesus in Disciple Making Teachings and Life of Jesus anchor the Great Commission, where making disciples means teaching people to obey everything he commanded, not just […]
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith: Hear (Part 1)
3 Steps to Passing Along the Faith in the Shema Rooted in Deuteronomy 6, this first step Hear calls Israel—and us—to recognize that the Lord alone is God and deserves […]
On What Basis Will God Evaluate Our Lives?
God Evaluate Our Lives and the Teachings of Jesus Jesus’ words in John 8, John 12, and Matthew 7 reveal that God Evaluate Our Lives based on whether we build […]
Disciple Making Author Q&A – Bobby Harrington & Scott Sager
Disciple Making Q&A Perspectives on the Church’s Mission Bobby and Scott explain that disciple making is the core mission of the church, grounded in Jesus’ model of intentional relational formation. […]
Introduction to Disciple Making: The Core Mission of the Church, by Bobby Harrington & Scott Sager
Core Mission of the Church in Intentional Disciple Making Disciple making defines the church’s purpose. Bobby Harrington and Scott Sager explain that the core mission of the church is to […]
Preparing for Something Far Better than the New Normal
New Normal in Light of Christian Discipleship Jeff Robertson contrasts the culture’s New Normal with the biblical call to fix our minds on unseen, eternal realities rather than temporary comforts. […]
Stop Comparing Your Church: Why Contextualization, Missiology, and Authenticity Matters
Contextualization in Your God Given Church Setting Contextualization counters comparison. When pastors are tempted to measure their ministry against other churches’ highlight reels, remembering their own unique context protects them […]
Sermon on the Mount: 7 Questions to Ask of Each Beatitude
Beatitudes Part 13 Pathway into Kingdom Living Beatitudes Part 13 unpacks seven probing questions that help you draw out the virtues, paradoxes, and promises woven into each Beatitude. Seeing Beatitudes […]
The Secret to Telling the World a Better Story
Telling the World with Better Stories Telling the world a better story begins by recognizing that God has already given the church the richest stories in Scripture. By using a […]
The People of God Refuel in the Desert
People of God Strength in Desolate Places Desert encounters with God show that the People of God can become strongest against temptation when they withdraw like Jesus to lonely places […]
Q&A – How Does Christianity Relate to Other Cultures?
Christianity Relate to Other Cultures in Kingdom Identity Kingdom identity reshapes loyalty as leaders explain that disciples are first citizens of God’s kingdom, which frees them to appreciate and serve […]
Worship Leader Q&A: What Steps Invite the Skeptic Back?
Skeptic Back in the Journey to Wholehearted Worship Honest stories from worship leaders walking through divorce, grief, and doubt help skeptics see that broken people can still sing about God’s […]
Q&A – 3 Questions We’ve Started Asking at Baptism
Baptism Q&A Lifelong Discipleship Commitments Through Baptism Q&A, new believers publicly affirm Jesus as King, trust His death and resurrection, and commit to follow Him without conditions for life. Emphasizing […]
Q&A – What Habits Can Break Barriers to Building a Multiethnic Church?
Multiethnic Church Habits That Foster Unity Leaders build trust when they intentionally enter the daily spaces of people from different cultures, following Jesus’ example of going into others’ worlds. Christlike […]
6 Principles for Doubting Well
Doubting Well in Honest Christian Faith Readers learn to name different levels of doubt, from core questions about God to secondary church issues, so they don’t abandon faith unnecessarily. This […]
What the Exile Can Teach Us about Returning to Church
Returning to Church with Exilic Hope and Joy Drawing from Israel’s exile and Psalm 126, this article pictures returning to Church as a joyful homecoming where God turns seasons of […]
Sermon on the Mount: The Persecuted
Persecuted in the Sermon on the Mount Beatitudes Drawing from Matthew 5, this article shows that being persecuted for righteousness marks believers as visibly different Kingdom people whose lives confront […]
Q&A – What Gets in the Way of Being a Multiethnic Church?
Being a Multiethnic Church with Intentional Courage Intentionality is required, since churches naturally reach people like themselves unless leaders pray, plan, and step beyond their comfort zones. Devotion to the […]
What’s the Difference between Mission and Missions?
Missions and the Church’s Cross-Cultural Calling Defining missions separately from God’s broader mission helps churches avoid calling every activity “missions” and stay focused on cross-cultural outreach. Clarifying missions as evangelism, […]
The Deconstruction Story That Makes the Most Sense
Deconstruction as the Work of Jesus in Our Lives Christ-centered deconstruction exposes false views of God and self, as Jesus analyzes human beliefs, judges them by God’s standard, and replaces […]
Q&A – Why Is It Worth It to Pursue a Multiethnic Church?
Pursue a Multiethnic Church as a Visible Witness Pursuing a multiethnic church follows Jesus’ call to make disciples of all nations, proving that His vision embraces people from every culture […]
Christian Parenting Is the Passing On of an Inheritance
Christian Parenting as Generational Faith Inheritance Christian Parenting treats faith like treasure, showing kids that trusting Jesus is a rich inheritance built through years of God’s provision, sacrifice, and grace. […]
4 Observations from the Frontlines of Disciple Making
Frontlines of Disciple Making in Today’s Church Frontlines of Disciple Making begins with creating deep belonging, where genuine friendship and shared struggle move people from mere churchgoing to committed disciples […]
There Are Two Crosses in the Life of a Christian
Life of a Christian – Walking the Path of Two Crosses Carrying the two crosses reveals true discipleship. Christ’s cross brings salvation, while our cross calls us to die to […]
Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity: The Three Unforgivable Sins — Drinking, Smoking, and Cussing (Part 3)
Progressive Christianity Part 3: Lessons in Grace and Drift Progressive Christianity Part 3 traces how childhood taboos about drinking, smoking, and cussing slowly gave way to a “liberated” lifestyle that […]
Everybody Is Recovering from Something
Recovering — Steps to Spiritual Health Powerlessness led to trust in God, beginning a Scripture-shaped transformation marked by honest surrender and dependence on His strength. Through the twelve steps—surrender, confession, […]
Top Ten Forward-Thinking Trends for Disciple Makers
Top Ten Forward-Thinking Trends — Priorities for Disciple Makers Clarify definitions and mission, making disciple making the core focus while moving beyond Sunday-only to a seven-day relational approach with phygital […]
Small Beginnings for Discipling a Child
Discipling a Child — Small Beginnings that Last A simple bedtime song becomes parental witness across generations—imperfect, heartfelt, and consistent enough to plant truth. As repetition invites participation, a child […]
How Can Churches Cultivate a Disciple Making Culture? Q&A with Brandon Guindon
Q&A with Brandon Guindon: Building a Culture of Disciple Making Q&A with Brandon Guindon emphasizes that true disciple making starts with obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission, not programs or sermons. […]
Friendship Evangelism in a Post-Christian Era
Friendship Evangelism in Everyday Neighboring Amid post-Christian skepticism, relationships built on presence, prayer, and kindness open doors to talk about Jesus naturally. Practical neighboring—yard conversations, simple help, and block-party hospitality—creates […]
Do I Love People? Honestly?
Love People with Biblical Integrity Scripture grounds love in Mark 12:31, 1 Corinthians 13, and 1 John 4:19, moving believers from judgment to empathy shaped by God’s character. Through prayer […]
Sharpening Our Focus on the Great Commission
Great Commission and the Church’s Discipling Mission As Jesus frames it, discipling is the main command of the Great Commission, with going, baptizing, and teaching describing how the church carries […]
Fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom Takes This Uncomfortable Step
Fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom and the Pain of Pruning Carefully cultivated blackberries illustrate how intentional, repeated pruning leads to a far greater harvest than wild, unmanaged growth. Through John 15, […]
Want to Do Something Eternal? Do Kids Ministry.
Kids Ministry — Building Lifelong Disciples Before adulthood, many choose to follow Jesus; intentional teaching at church and home plants convictions that endure. Parents who prioritize gathering and partner with […]
A Resilient Church in a Cancel Culture
Cancel Culture — Practicing Church Resilience Grounded in disciple making, the church develops resilient believers who hold to biblical convictions with joy and courage. Facing cultural pressure, Christians reject timidity […]
Thinking about an Extended Fast? Lessons Learned from My Gen Z’er
Extended Fast — Community, Conviction, Direction Participating with church or friends sustains resolve, even from a distance, as shared Scripture and stories strengthen obedience during fasting. As prayer deepens, the […]
What’s So Dangerous about Bible Misinterpretation? – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Misinterpretation — Context, Clarity, and Accountability Examples like 1 Corinthians 14:40 and Acts 17 show how texts detached from context become tools to police practices God wasn’t addressing. Reader-response approaches […]
The Long March through the Institutions of Society
Long March in Today’s Institutions—A Discipleship Response Decades of university influence spread into media, corporations, and policy, advancing Critical Theory across culture. Marxist-rooted frameworks center power and suppression, conflicting with […]
3 Spiritual Boundary Stones to Leave in Place
Boundary Stones in Discipleship: Ownership, Identity, Actions Ownership belongs to God. Devotion stays “Wholly His” when believers reject external idols and deny inner desires that try to shift their hearts. […]
Disciple Making Shift #5 – From Competing Goals to One End Goal
End Goal in Disciple Making—All Nations Discipled Grounded in Matthew 28:18–20, the article defines the end as discipling every people group and completing the Great Commission. Facing reality, 7,414 unreached […]
Lessons from the Church in Eastern Canada: Get Creative
Canada in Post-Christian Ministry—Creative Lessons Healthy churches prioritize disciple making over size, channeling resources so disciples make disciples in any context. Bivocational and covocational models—like funding a coffee shop that […]
Lessons from the Church in Eastern Canada: Success in a Post-Christian World
Post-Christian World — Eastern Canada Field Notes In Metro Halifax where fewer than 5% attend church, success shifts from weekly shows to small missional communities living Acts 2 rhythms together. […]
Disciple Making Shift #4 – From Teaching Information to Teaching Obedience
Disciple Making Shift #4: Training for Obedience Obedience over information. Jesus commands us to teach obedience (Matt. 28:20), turning truth into lived practice. Use “I will” statements. Specific, measurable actions […]
Disciple Making Shift #3 – From Professionals to Everyone Reaching the Lost
Disciple Making Shift #3 — Mobilizing Every Believer Churches that rely only on attractional models see limited fruit; empowering all believers to introduce people to Jesus multiplies impact. Barna findings […]
Disciple Making Shift #2 – From Going to Church to Going to Lost People
Disciple Making Shift #2 Inspires Missional Living Through Disciple Making Shift #2, believers learn to step outside church walls and intentionally reach the lost where they live and work. The […]
Disciple Making Shift #1: From Church Members to Disciple Makers
Disciple Makers in Everyday Mission Identity reframed as disciple makers reshapes daily choices, moving believers from passive attendance to active obedience. Instead of “doing church,” followers reach the lost, train […]
5 Shifts to Return to Jesus-Style Disciple Making
Jesus-Style Disciple Making — Five Shifts in Practice Rooted in Matthew 28:18–20, this approach returns to Jesus as the Master Disciple Maker and His plan to go, baptize, and teach […]
Top 10 Renew.org Articles in 2020
Top 10 — Lessons that Strengthened the Church Featuring standout discussions on gender, LGBTQ, race, and faith, these articles shaped meaningful reflection in 2020. Addressing deconversion, marriage, and disciple-making, the […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: Go and Make Disciples (Part 5)
Disciple Making — Replication in the Great Commission Rooted in Matthew 28:19–20 and John 20:21, Jesus sends trained disciples to go, baptize, teach obedience, and remember His presence. Beyond conversion, […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come Take Up Your Cross” (Part 4)
The Stages of Disciple Making — Phase 4: Come Take Up Your Cross At Caesarea Philippi, Jesus clarifies His identity and calls disciples to deny themselves, take up the cross, […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and Be with Me” (Part 3)
Disciple Making Part 3 — Prayer, Selection, Coaching Through an all-night prayer (Luke 6:12–13), Jesus seeks the Father and then chooses the Twelve, concentrating especially on Peter, James, and John. […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and Follow Me” (Part 2)
Stages of Disciple Making Part 2 — Come and Follow Me in Community After hearing “Follow me,” new disciples step into deeper teaching, witness Jesus’ works, and face real conflicts […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and See” (Part 1)
Stages of Disciple Making Part 1 — Come and See Foundations In the opening phase, seekers watch Jesus at Cana, the temple, with Nicodemus, and with the Samaritan woman before […]
Discouragement & Dropout: Why Ministers Leave the Ministry
Why Ministers Leave the Ministry — Causes and Care Unrealistic ideals collide with reality, so mentoring that names failures and models growth helps ministers navigate weekly crises. Unhealthy leadership cultures […]
When You Talk to Yourself, What Do You Say?
When You Talk to Yourself — Core Insights Explore how self-talk shapes attitudes, resilience, and daily discipleship, with practical ways to bring thoughts under the light of Scripture. Recognize negative […]
Prayer and Fasting: the “Why” and the “How”
Prayer and Fasting — Practices that Shape Disciple Makers This webinar unpacks the biblical “why” and practical “how,” equipping both newcomers and seasoned believers to embrace this life-giving discipline. Jesus’ […]
Minister, You Need a Learning Community
Learning Community — Why It Matters Now Ministers under pressure find encouragement, practical counsel, and a trusted band of peers instead of leading in isolation. In bi-monthly cohorts, leaders engage […]
Developing a Prayer and Fasting Culture: A Q&A with David Roadcup and Bobby Harrington
Q&A with David Roadcup and Bobby Harrington — A Churchwide Prayer & Fasting Path Leaders emphasize that sustained prayer and fasting often precede revival and should become steady rhythms in […]
The Authentic Experience Church Model with Corey Trimble
Corey Trimble — Authentic Church Culture & Disciple Making Expository teaching anchors culture, welcoming seekers while holding firm to Scripture. Leaders practice incarnational outreach, building real bridges with grace and […]
Discipling Group for a Pandemic?
Discipling Group for a Pandemic Blueprint Phygital rhythm sustains formation. Groups blend monthly in-person connection with weekly one-hour online meetings to deepen relationships and discipleship. Leaders shape small, focused circles. […]
Lessons from the Church in Germany: Tsunami
Lessons from the Church in Germany Tsunami Response From Europe’s aftermath of higher criticism, Brett Seybold calls U.S. churches to pair personal relationships with strong apologetics and unity with other […]
Can a Pastor of 5,000 Understand a Church of 150?
Can a Pastor of 5,000 Understand a Church of 150—Practical Path Culture beats trend: growth flows from a church culture that is 100% faithful to the Bible while welcoming outsiders […]
On Gender and the Bible: One Church’s Real-World Fight (Part 8)
One Church Real-World Fight and Biblical Transformation Building a culture rooted in Scripture, One Church’s Real-World Fight recounts how obedience reshaped leadership and deepened faith. Through consistent discipleship and prayerful […]
Starting a Transparency Group Video Training: What’s Next in Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington
Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington Training Highlights Field-tested model equips churches to start small transparency groups (2–5), in person or on Zoom, for life-on-life growth. Leaders invite believers and seekers, […]
Lessons from the Church in Germany: Post-Christianity
The Church in Germany Insights for Today From classrooms to pulpits, negative higher criticism eroded confidence in Scripture, opening a spiritual vacuum filled by rival worldviews. Mission progress is slow—often […]
Learning a Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Sacrificial Love
Sacrificial Love in Grace-Filled Ministry Christ’s example in Philippians 2 shows love that surrenders status, modeling how leaders lay down preferences for God’s will. Practically, ministers restrain ego, accept correction, […]
Learning a Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Understanding
Grace-Filled Approach to Ministry: Leading with Understanding A grace-centered leader seeks to understand people’s lives, trading legalism and pride for humility that blesses worshipers. Volunteer care calls for patience and […]
Saving Christian Education
Christian Education in an Integrated Mission Resist mission drift by anchoring every discipline to Christ’s lordship (Phil. 1:9–11), choosing an integrated model over historical or value-added approaches. Deploy learning for […]
Should You Consider Prison Ministry?
Should You Consider Prison Ministry — Visiting & Discipling Rooted in Matthew 25:35–36, this piece shows how visiting, prayer, and steady mentoring cultivate disciples behind bars. Despite limited access and […]
On Gender and the Bible: Practical Advice by Complementarian Women for Local Churches (Part 7)
Practical Advice by Complementarian Women — Implementing in Local Churches Leaders clarify biblical complementarity, communicate it openly, and invite women’s voices in decisions, prayer, Scripture readings, and visible service. Churches […]
How Can I Reach Out to a Lonely Person in a Year of Loss?
Lonely Person — Outreach that Heals Begin with a caring check-in: listen without fixing, acknowledge loss, and show up consistently, as Darius does for Ming. Offer practical help and safe […]
Q: What If My Kid Thinks the Bible Is Boring?
Bible Is Boring — Helping Kids Engage Scripture Love and kindness are current. Show that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so his way remains deeply relevant. Relationship […]
Pursuing Revival Is Better than Impressing Crowds
Pursuing Revival — Spirit-Led Church Renewal Authenticity beats consumerism. Preferences and performance won’t mature believers; younger generations hunger for substance over show. Like Acts 1, seek God together. Gather in […]
Life-Changing Paragraphs: A Paragraph That Kept Me in Ministry
Paragraph That Kept Me in Ministry — Costly Grace That Reshaped a Calling Bonhoeffer’s costly-vs-cheap grace showed that true discipleship demands surrender yet gives the only true life. At a […]
Sermon on the Mount: Crowds or Disciples?
Crowds or Disciples: The Sermon on the Mount Call In Crowds or Disciples, the audience is split. Jesus addresses committed followers while seekers listen, pushing fence-sitters to step into genuine […]
3 Keys for Training Your Kids for Lifelong Faithfulness
3 Keys for Training Your Kids — Forming Lifelong Faith Model wholehearted love for God so kids imitate a living relationship, not mere religious activity. Weave Scripture into everyday decisions—at […]
Revival: God Could Do It Again!
Revival – Pathways to Renewal From the Reformation to six historic “waves,” God has repeatedly revived His church—and He can do it again. Through united prayer, fasting, repentance, and obedient […]
A Leadership Training Manual on Avoiding the Ditches
Leadership – Disciple Making Without Ditches Corey Trimble’s An Authentic Experience equips churches to build an inviting culture with biblical integrity for sustainable disciple making. Avoiding the two ditches—ineffective traditionalism […]
Jesus, Suicide, and Our Lowest Points
Jesus – Care at Our Lowest Points From Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–38) to Mark 2:17, He acknowledges deep anguish and invites the broken to His healing. Prayer, gratitude, and corporate intercession […]
Don’t Let Your Faith Be Contradicted by Your Posts
Faith – Words and Witness Online Social media can magnify your testimony, but contradictory posts undermine your witness and make everyday evangelism harder. Paul urges prayer, watchfulness, gratitude, and conversations […]
Letter to a Parent of a College Student
Letter to a Parent – College-Year Guidance Early weeks shape worldview; encourage wise friends, discerning mentors, and a strong campus ministry. Rather than rescuing, equip your student to handle conflicts […]
Shane Wood – Enneagram Micro Course – Introduction
Shane Wood – Enneagram Insights Shane Wood explains the Enneagram through Genesis and theology, showing how it connects with creation, brokenness, and God’s pursuit. He highlights how self-awareness and loving […]
Reasons for Church Decline in the West
Church Decline in the West – Causes, Culture, Renewal Prosperity can breed forgetfulness of God, dulling urgency about death, judgment, and obedience. Secularism disciples people to live as if God […]
Following Jesus through Chaos and Cancel Culture: Race, Sexuality, Gender, & the Gospel
Chaos and Cancel Culture – Faithful Discipleship Grounds believers in Jesus’ way amid public shaming, modeling grace and truth in conversations on race, sexuality, and gender. Offers a biblical framework […]
We Can Now Go Post-Christian
Post-Christian Cultural Shift From 60s counterculture to intersectional activism, power is reassigned and “The Man” gets blown down. Ethics remain while faith and authority are displaced, forming a new orthodoxy […]
Great Leaders Are Led by Convictions
Great Leaders in Conviction-Fueled Courage Caleb demonstrates that convictions—God will lead, be with us, help us, and overcome—ignite courageous action. When excitement fades or obstacles loom, conviction redirects ministries to […]
Progressivism and Church Decline
Progressivism in Church Trajectory Surveyed trends show practicing Christians shrinking as culture-first reinterpretations of Scripture take root. Denominational drift toward progressive theology trades core doctrines—Jesus’ exclusivity and biblical sexual ethics—for […]
Fishing & Faith
Fishing & Faith — Lessons from John 21 From the Sea of Galilee setting, the narrative shows that faith is enacted through obedient action, not merely held as belief. Peter’s […]
6 Ways to Emerge from COVID Ready for Hospitality
COVID — Hospitality in Practice From solicitors at the door to neighbors in need, respond with empathy—offer a drink, a seat, a ride, or a shared meal. Scripture frames welcome […]
Emerging from COVID with a Commitment to Hospitality
Emerging from COVID — Hospitality in Practice Scripture urges welcoming strangers; Hebrews 13:1–2 and 1 Peter 4:9 present hospitality as love in action. Everything comes from God; use your home […]
A Reckoning for the Church
Reckoning for the Church — Repent and Reconcile Names the harm: judgmentalism and political coercion left many as casualties who need healing, not campaigns. Demands repentance: the church must own […]
Caution Fatigued, Yet?
Caution Fatigued in the Pandemic: Persevering with Wisdom Recognize caution fatigue can cloud judgment and tempt risky behavior; choose wise, others-first practices anchored in Galatians 6:9 and Ephesians 5:15. Pray […]
We Have Only One Life to Live
One Life to Live — Time with Eternal Impact Jesus modeled saying and doing only what the Father wills, leading us into Spirit-led words and work (John 8:28; 12:49). By […]
Preparing Students for College: Intergenerational Relationships
Intergenerational Relationships for College Resilience Research shows that church belonging and adult encouragement anchor students’ faith during the transition to campus. Shared experiences—worship, service, trips, and small groups—build authentic bonds […]
Intersectionality, Christianity, & Why Reconciliation > Reversal
Reconciliation in a Divided Age Jesus reframes suffering by confronting it with compassion, turning “just the way things are” into restored life and calling disciples to serve the least of […]
Lessons from the Church in Pakistan: Boldness
Church in Pakistan and Courageous Discipleship Small groups study Scripture verse by verse and tackle core Muslim questions—Jesus as Son of God, who God is, and why the Bible is […]
Ditches to Avoid – Part 2 of a Conversation with Bob Russell
Ditches to Avoid and Guardrails for Leadership Preaching through Scripture steadies congregations as elders shield ministers from political flashpoints and help keep Jesus central. Differentiating principles from methods frees churches […]
Preparing Students for College: Cultural Discernment
Cultural Discernment for College Faithfulness Filtering every lecture, message, and lifestyle cue through Scripture equips freshmen to choose communities and habits that honor Jesus. Teaching the Bible’s meta-narrative forms a […]
When Should You Confront a Fellow Christian’s Sin? Part 2
Christian’s Sin — Spirit-Led Intervention Wise, Spirit-led believers restore gently, often with others, balancing truth and love to help a brother or sister return to faithfulness. Because situations are messy […]
Stay Curious in Relationships
Stay Curious in Disciple-Making Conversations Quiet presence and thoughtful questions helped a grieving father feel heard without advice. Curiosity over personal agendas keeps the focus on the other’s story, building […]
When Should You Confront a Fellow Christian’s Sin? Part 1
Fellow Christian’s Sin in Church Discipline Scripture separates fuzzy conscience matters from blatant disobedience that calls for loving intervention. Paul’s guidance urges humble judgment “inside” the church to rescue the […]
A Discipling Model You Can Use Tomorrow: Virtual and Face-to-Face
Virtual and Face-to-Face in Disciple Making From a simple Transformation Group design, anyone can start same-gender groups using three tools and meet effectively despite busy schedules. Leaders pray and recruit […]
Disciples Should Expect God’s Discipline
God’s Discipline — Lessons for Growing Up in Christ Trials expose our weaknesses and invite repentance, producing the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” in those trained by them (Hebrews 12:11). Parents […]
Introducing the Lifestyle of “Theopraxy”
Theopraxy — Living in God’s Will Daily Rooted in Jesus, it means knowing Him, imitating Him, and seeking God’s Kingdom above competing duties. Practically, you learn to recognize God’s voice, […]
Preparing Students for College: Intimate Relationship with Jesus
Intimate Relationship with Jesus — College Prep Insights Students thrive when intimacy with Jesus—not rule-keeping—anchors identity, joy, and worship. Encourage curious faith by welcoming hard questions, grounding answers in Scripture […]
Baptism, Salvation, and Discipleship
Baptism and New Life: Conversion to Discipleship Conversion with repentance leads to salvation. Heaven rejoices over a sinner who repents, as God pours out forgiving grace (Luke 15:10). Union with […]
Young Ministers Need Older Encouragers
Young Ministers and the Power of Encouragement Older encouragers like Paul Ayers show how patient guidance and steady faith can shape the lives of young ministers. The ripple effect of […]
The Romans 14 Posture as a Guide to Reopening
The Romans 14 Posture and Reopening Churches The Romans 14 Posture encourages unity by reminding believers that disagreements over reopening are not worth dividing the church. Respect for differing convictions […]
Lessons from the Church in Kenya: Members or Disciples?
Church in Kenya Lessons for Spiritual Growth Church in Kenya reveals how entertainment-driven models risk producing members instead of authentic disciples. Discipleship in the Church in Kenya emphasizes prayer, Scripture, […]
Promise Keepers & Stories of Changed Lives
Stories of Changed Lives in Faith and Transformation Stories of Changed Lives highlight reconciliation, as men returned to their families and restored broken marriages after encountering Jesus. Life-change was evident […]
Some Good News in the Kingdom
Good News in the Kingdom During the Pandemic Good News in the Kingdom reveals unity across nations. From Australia to Brazil to Saudi Arabia, believers share the same struggles yet […]
The Gospel Coalition, Matthew Bates, and Renew.org
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A Road Map to Women’s Discipleship
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9 Fears Related to the Alabama Abortion Law
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