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Discovering the Depth of Discipleship: Unpacking Intimacy in Ministry with Steve McCoy

Today’s episode will help us understand the transformative power of small, intimate discipleship relationships within church communities and inspire leaders to incorporate these personal connections into their ministry.

In this engaging session from our past National Disciple Making Forum, Steve McCoy dives deep into the essence of discipleship and relational ministry. Steve begins the talk with a prayer, inviting God to open minds and remove clutter. Steve, the lead pastor from Sarasota, Florida, uses engaging diagrams and questions to illustrate the unique way God created humans for intimate, relational connections. He emphasizes that while worship services and group studies are important, the greatest life changes occur in deeply intimate, customized, one-on-one interactions, modeled after Jesus' own relationships with his disciples. By combining scientific data with practical ministry experience, Steve closes by urging churches to adopt a more personalized approach to disciple-making, fostering deeper relationships. This talk is a call to action for leaders and pastors to rethink and possibly reframe their strategies for true spiritual growth and life transformation.

Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/ 

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Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks

00:56 The Importance of Deep Relationships

02:16 Understanding Our Creation in God's Image

05:21 The Role of Circles in Church Dynamics

10:49 Challenges in Church Practices

15:49 The Power of Personalized Interactions

27:01 The Impact of Technology on Relationships

30:34 Understanding Dyads and Relationships

31:13 Exploring Dunbar's Number

32:54 The Significance of the Number Five

34:20 Group Dynamics and Relationship Formulas

36:05 Personal Journey and Ministry Insights

42:14 The Importance of Customized and Confidential Conversations

54:09 Jesus' Prayer for Unity and Deep Relationships

57:13 Final Thoughts and Personal Stories

Resources on Discipleship  

Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church

Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship

Becoming a Disciple Maker

In this episode, lead pastor Steve McCoy from Sarasota, Florida, discusses the power of personal connections in church communities.

He suggests a three-circle model for church activities: large gatherings for worship, mid-sized groups for Bible study, and small circles for deep, personal discipleship. McCoy uses Biblical examples of Jesus’s personal engagements with individuals like Nicodemus and Peter to emphasize this point.

Addressing the rise in loneliness and lack of deep friendships today, McCoy explains the concept of "dyads" (pairs of individuals) and how complex relationships become as group size increases. He reflects on his own transformative experience with one-on-one mentorship from a pastor named Titus, which he believes was crucial to his spiritual development.

McCoy calls on church leaders to integrate small circle discipleship into their ministries, sharing how such personal connections can lead to significant spiritual growth and support. His message is a compelling reminder of the need for intentional, deep relational interactions within church communities.

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