January 20, 2025

Why are Disciple Making Movements NOT Happening in North America?

38 minutes

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“Today’s episode will help us understand why disciple-making movements thrive in places like South Asia but struggle in North America, and how we can spark spiritual renewal through prayer, and fasting.”

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Why Disciple Making Movements Struggle in North America - Part 1 | Disciple Makers Podcast

In this episode of the Disciple Makers podcast, Jason Ishmael and his co-host dive into why disciple-making movements haven't thrived in North America as expected. They explore four key reasons, split into two parts for detailed discussion. Emphasis is placed on the power of prayer, fasting, and the need for personal responsibility in spreading the gospel. Real-life examples and tips are shared, encouraging listeners to think strategically about their faith practices. Join us for an inspiring conversation on how to ignite spiritual awakening and revival in your community.

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Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:52 Heart Issues in Disciple Making

05:15 Radical Prayer and Fasting

07:11 The Power of Desperation and Prayer

10:12 The Role of Prayer in Revival

16:55 Crazy Farmers: The Parable of the Sower

18:28 The Parable of the Sower

18:52 Boldness in Sharing the Gospel

19:03 The Farming Analogy: Sowing and Reaping

20:31 Challenges in American Seed Sowing

22:05 The Importance of Personal Responsibility

23:07 The Domino Effect of Faith

26:34 The Power of Speaking Up

29:00 Living and Preaching the Gospel

34:25 Practical Steps for Prayer and Fasting

37:18 Conclusion and Next Steps

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See Below for a longer description:

In episode 3 of the Disciple Makers Podcast, hosts Josh Howard and Jason Ishmael dive into an engaging and heartfelt discussion about the challenges and opportunities for disciple-making movements, particularly in North America. They explore why these movements have thrived in regions like South Asia but remain slower to gain traction in North America.

Highlights from the Episode

Josh shares how movements in South Asia have seen remarkable success, citing examples like 75,000 conversions in nine months. He contrasts this with the slower growth in North America, attributing it less to cultural factors and more to deeper spiritual and heart-level issues.

Two Key Success Factors

The hosts identify two game-changing practices driving movements overseas:

Radical Prayer and Fasting: South Asian leaders dedicate hours daily to prayer and frequently fast, practices less common in North American churches. Josh emphasizes that these spiritual disciplines create the foundation for breakthroughs.

Personal Evangelism: Leaders overseas are bold and persistent in sharing the gospel, sowing “seeds” widely. The hosts argue that more sharing leads to a greater harvest, encouraging listeners to adopt this “crazy farmer” mindset.

North American Barriers

The conversation shifts to the unique obstacles in North America, including:

Busyness and Self-Sufficiency: The fast-paced, self-reliant culture leaves little space for spiritual disciplines like prayer and fasting.

Comfort Zones: A lack of desperation for spiritual renewal often hinders a deeper dependence on Jesus.

Practical Steps for Listeners

Josh and Jason offer actionable advice:

Start small with prayer and fasting, even just with a friend or small group for accountability.

Pray intentionally for revival and specific individuals by name.

Focus on strategic, mission-oriented prayers rather than only personal needs.

Stories and Encouragement

Josh shares powerful examples from South Asia, illustrating how focused prayer and fasting have sparked spiritual awakenings. He encourages listeners to expect God to move when they step out in faith.

Reframing Evangelism

The hosts address common misconceptions about evangelism:

Words Matter: They debunk the idea of “preach the gospel, use words if necessary,” stressing the need for both proclamation and a gospel-aligned lifestyle.

Positive Message: Sharing the beauty and grace of Jesus is more effective than relying on fear or condemnation.

A Vision for Revival

Josh and Jason end on a hopeful note, envisioning a future where North American Christians embrace prayer, fasting, and bold evangelism to spark widespread spiritual renewal.

Call to Action

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the episode's themes and take small, actionable steps toward deeper spiritual practices. Josh hints at more in-depth discussions in upcoming episodes and directs listeners to resources on discipleship.org for support.

This episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories, urging believers to lean into prayer, fasting, and evangelism to reignite disciple-making movements.

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