April 16, 2024

The Confusion about the Word “Discipleship”

25 minutes

It is fascinating to engage church leaders and members about their understanding of discipleship. Frankly, it means different things to different people. Sam and Thom discuss the importance of getting clarity about discipleship in a local church.

Why it is important to define (or at least clarify) the term

Personal discipleship and corporate discipleship

Programs and discipleship

Can you measure discipleship in your church?

The false dichotomy of evangelism and discipleship

Resources:

“Every Woman’s Bible” (Discover This Bible)

“Every Woman’s Bible” (Bulk Purchasing)

Tyndale House Publishers

Upward Sports

“Simple Church: Returning to God’s Process for Making Disciples” by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger

“Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” by Donald S. Whitney

The Everything Church Resource Directory

The Hope Initiative

Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Episode Sponsors:

Discover your story in God’s story and find a life of extraordinary purpose.

Every woman brings her own questions to the Bible: If I’m God’s child, why does my life sometimes feel ordinary or even disappointing? Why does the Bible say such hard and confusing things about and to women? How can I understand God and my own identity and place in God’s story?

Every Woman’s Bible doesn’t shy away from the questions women ask. In these pages, active and impactful women of yesterday and today share age-old truths with modern relevance. Contributions from more than 100 women around the world—from every continent—explore the heartfelt needs, gritty challenges, and uncommon faithfulness of women of the Bible, throughout history, and today. Serious study and deep reflection will help you clarify your calling through personal stories, insights, inspiration, and study notes that dig into personal needs during your Bible reading—all created by women, for women.

You’ll find . . .

Insight and transformation through deep study

Personal growth through reflective content

Connection to a global community of women

Powerful learning through access to additional study and devotional resources in the Filament Bible App

Greater understanding of God through digging into passages that are often difficult for women

Challenge through learning from a diverse group of women from many walks of life

This beautiful Bible is created in community across socio-economic lines and international borders, by women united by their bond through Christ. This is your invitation to a global community. Together, in these pages, we discover the life we’re each made for and how to live it in our daily relationships with God, family and friends, and our communities, and how to create our unique imprint for good.

Special features include . . .

The clear and accurate New Living Translation

Powerful and practical features by more than 100 women from around the world and in many walks of life

Insightful devotionals and study notes, all created by female scholars and writers

Beautiful full-color photographs and interior design

Content that’s perfect for personal study and for church or small group Bible studies

Access to the innovative Filament Bible app, linking you to additional notes, articles, videos, interactive maps, and worship music that illuminate the page of Scripture you’re reading

Enhance Your Bible Studying through the Free Filament Bible App

This app enables you to use your mobile phone or tablet to connect every page to a vast array of related content, including:

25,000+ study notes

350+ videos

40+ maps and infographics

400+ profiles and articles

1,500+ devotionals

Library of worship music

The Filament Bible app turns this Bible into a powerful study and devotional experience, offering more to expand your mind and touch your heart than you can possibly hold in your hand. And there is no additional cost for the Filament Bible app. No additional purchase. No additional size or weight.

Of course, you can use this Bible without the app, but when you want to go further, grab your phone or tablet and open the Filament Bible app. It’s so easy to use.

Powerful and practical features and study notes are packaged in a beautiful Bible to be used in home for personal study, as well as taken to church or small group Bible studies. This beautiful full-color Bible for women will draw you into the story of God and help you explore God’s plans and purposes for you. It’s a deep, authentic call to extraordinary purpose.

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities. Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community. Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel. Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

**As a partner of Rainer or Leadership, Upward Sports is offering a $500 sports start up grant to listeners. Head over to Upward.org/ChurchAnswers and schedule a call… tell them we sent you! Your sports grant will assist you in a 2024 LEAGUE!

The post The Confusion about the Word “Discipleship” appeared first on Church Answers.

...more

View all episodes

By Thom Rainer

4.8

461461 ratings