Forward by Faith

Today we interview Sandy Mason, a discipleship leader and Southwest Regional Director of the Bonhoeffer Project, a cohort model of leadership development that trains men and women to make disciples in their church, community and world. In this first part of two episodes, we dive into a discussion on the key components of the gospel and why a correct understanding of the gospel is essential for discipleship.

To learn more about Sandy Mason and the Bonhoeffer Project, go to www.thebonhoefferproject.com.

Jesus talks quite a bit about forgiveness in the gospel accounts. And as we dig into God's word, we find that forgiven people are called to be forgiving people, shaped and transformed by Jesus' forgiveness of our sin. Disciples reflect Jesus to a watching world, and one of the evidences of our following Christ is forgiving others. In this episode we explore examples of Jesus' forgiveness and discuss what forgiveness is and is not in the life of a disciple.

In Mark 10:45, Jesus tells us that he came into the world as the humble Son of Man with the mission to serve rather than be served. His perfect demonstration of servant-hearted humility and sacrifice is the both the model and call for disciples today. In this episode, we consider the difficult, yet life-giving vocation of servant-hearted discipleship that is required for all who follow Jesus.

This week we talk with four young adult leaders who have begun a ministry called The Gathering at Faith Bible Church. We explore the importance of gospel-shaped community among young adults and why many within Generation Z need older Christians to help disciple them. These young leaders offer advice to churches on how to come alongside young adults and equip them to find and follow Jesus.

The New Testament addresses what we should be looking for in leaders. It doesn’t insist on perfection—but the bar is set high for those in church leadership. A leader’s character matters, for this is what helps shape his or her leadership in powerful ways. In this episode, we consider the importance of Godly character in leaders and discuss why leaders should be intentional about creating environments that foster accountability and protection for those in the church.

In the past several months we have seen the downfall of high-profile Christian leaders who have migrated away from Jesus. Their failures can be explained, but they can’t be explained away. Over the next few weeks we’ll be looking at the unique interface of sin and leadership in our churches. In today’s episode we look at why accountability is so important in the lives of ministry leaders and why it is essential for discipleship.

There is a cost to following Jesus as his disciple, but there’s a far greater cost to be paid if we don’t follow after him. In this episode we discuss how the spiritual disciplines prepare us for the difficulties we face and why the cost of following Jesus is life-giving, not drudgery.

Over the past few weeks we've been unpacking our model of discipleship we call "DNA", looking at how disciples of Jesus strive dwell in Christ ("D") and nurture relationships ("N"). Today we see that disciples also advance the gospel ("A") by sharing their stories, giving generously of their lives, and partnering with others on God's mission. 

As we continue looking at our model of discipleship we call "DNA", we look again in the gospel of John where Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34-35). In the context of loving one another like Christ, disciples of Jesus seek to build relationships built on initiative, truth and grace. This is the "N" in our DNA – what we call "nurturing relationships." 

Before following Jesus can become a lifestyle, it has to first become a “mind style”—a new and different way of thinking about yourself, the world and God. This new way of thinking and living is all because of God’s grace. In this episode we discuss what it means that the act of repentance, belief in the gospel, and following after Jesus is really an act of God that transforms us inside and out.