Transforming Discipleship

People sometimes get scared when they hear the “the D word.” In this episode, Oliver Hersey and Bill Search, smallgroups.com contributor define discipleship, tracing its origins to Jerome, an early church father who translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into Latin in 405. This is where the word “discipulus” emerged ⁠— the Latin word for disciple. Bill clears up misconceptions about what it means to be a disciple. Being a disciple simply means “deciding to be a follower or student of a particular master.” Essentially, a Christian is a student, or a disciple of Jesus. If you lead people in the church, consider asking them this question: what is your next spiritual step? 

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Why is discipleship so important to the Christian faith? In this episode, our host Oliver Hersey and Bill Search, smallgroups.com contributor explore this question. 1 John 2:6 says “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” Discipleship is about "walking the walk" by following Jesus's patterns and teachings. When people see authentic discipleship in action, they’re naturally drawn to it. Bill talks about the call to walk like Jesus walked and what that means for Christians today. Converted hearts is what Jesus is looking for which leads to redemption.

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Have you ever felt lost or like you're at a spiritual cross roads? Our guest, Leah Darrow, a former contestant on America's Next Top Model can relate with that. In this episode, Oliver Hersey and Kelsey Collister, who produces this podcast talk to her about her reversion to Christianity. It includes three key moments: making a hard decision as a fifteen year old, hearing God's voice say "I made you for more" during a fashion modeling photo shoot, and eventually asking her dad for help. All of these events helped her find her true calling, empowering women to REALLY KNOW JESUS. As a result, she started a podcast called "Do Something Beautiful." and developed the "Lux" app which helps women through prayer, community and Christian faith formation.

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What can we learn from the Samaritan Woman at the Well about being vulnerable? In this episode, Oliver Hersey is joined by Leah Darrow, author and international speaker, and Kelsey Collister, who produces this podcast. Leah reflects on John chapter four, where Jesus encounters the Woman at the Well. Leah points to vs. 4 “And he had to pass through Samaria.” She said “What I love about this, is that this is the mission of God the Father. You are the mission of God the Father. Sometimes we can feel so forgotten in this world.”

She drew attention to the fact that, in order for ministry leaders to engage and begin discipleship with others, we have to have the hard conversations. But how do we those hard conversations about sin? Leah said “Jesus poses questions to us, just like he does for the Samaritan woman in which he is the answer.” 

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Have you wondered what spiritual disciplines look like while you're sheltered in place? In this episode, podcast host Oliver Hersey, talks to Josh Stringer, Pastor of Discipleship at College Church and Eric Solomon, Pastoral Resident at College Church about how they're leaning into spiritual disciplines during this COVID-19 crisis.

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In our first episode, pastor and Biblical scholar Oliver Hersey discusses discipleship with Bill Search, pastor from Oklahoma.

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