Welcome to the Love Where You Are podcast! 

In today’s episode, Somer is joined with Dennis Allen.

Dennis Allen has served as a Chief Executive Officer in electronics, software, distribution, oil & gas, and conglomerates in public and private corporations. He has also served in leadership with mega, mid-sized and startup churches, as an elder, deacon, teacher and speaker across Presbyterian, Evangelical Free, Baptist churches and Military Chapels in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Dennis was an Air Force F-15 fighter and instructor pilot serving in stateside and international posts prior to his business career. He is also the author of, "The Disciple Dilemma."

In this episode, Somer and Dennis discuss:

*How parents can effectively disciple their children

*Why our kids and young adults are leaving the Christian faith

*Traditionalism vs true discipleship

Dennis and Somer step out of the comfort zone today to highlight a very important issue…The Disciple Dilemma, Dennis literally wrote the book on it! 

This episode is a bit of a gut punch, but the good kind (I know its weird but we need the honest truth!) as Dennis and Somer understand the reality of Christianity today. 

Pastor Tony Evans says it this way: "The problem isn’t that we don’t have enough Christians. The problem is Christ doesn’t have enough disciples.”

Statistics from Dennis' book:

• 65 % of the US population identify as Christian (200 million believers) and yet less than a quarter of them attend church (50 million)
• 82 % of these believers say they have no Bible study, faith community or mentor
• 80 % say they lack the skills or relationships to feel free to talk about their faith
• Another survey found that 92% of Christians do not believe that sharing their faith is important
• The statistics show 6 out of 10 young people walking away from the church - calling it arrogant, evil or irrelevant

This is every Christian parent’s worst nightmare and yet it has proven true for people all around us and maybe in our own homes. Knowing the reality of these statistics, let’s dive in and ask, "What is the disciple dilemma we face today? Why is it important to me as a parent?"

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Dennis:

The Disciple Dilemma: Rethinking and Reforming How the Church Does Discipleship

Thediscipledilemma.com

Instagram

 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

The problem is doing the same thing but expecting a different outcome.

We’ve been hacked and it’s coming for your family - what now?

The idea of discipleship is not about perfect parents in perfect control of perfect children who do perfect things. The idea of discipleship is about an individual human being being invited to come and investigate and evaluate who the person of Jesus Christ is.

It is critical that we understand that the largest problem in American Christianity today is the idea that I want Jesus to save me, but this idea about being "Lord - I’m good." 

“We really like being a fan of Jesus but having him as our Lord, not so much.” Sam Albury

If you think your kids have to look this way, talk this way, act this way - you’re going to lose the fight.

The problem that we face in contemporary American Christianity is…. 

We’ve got to stop worrying about conversation and start worrying about what Jesus actually talked about which is make disciples of people. Parents, stop trying to control it and take the walk with your kids.

We don’t need the answers to every question - we need the time to take the walk out the questions and go through life together.

If you are living for the metrics of managing your kids, you lose the mission.

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK: 

Are you afraid?

Are you stressed out? 

Or are you just going through the motions?

 

REMEMBER:

Biblical Discipleship is -

*Invitation

*Investigation

*Surrender

Stop trying to control your kids' outcome and start showing them, walking with them through real life - give them the steering wheel so to speak.

Discipleship is a constant, neverending, lifelong journey of surrender.

You have to learn to see the unique human being that is in front of you. 

Meek - powerful but under control 

Submission = a battle formation in good order

Parents - The Lord Jesus Christ has called you to the role you are in.

 

SCRIPTURE: 

Micah 6:8

1 Peter 3:15

 

CONNECT with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today.