One of the biggest challenges I see in the church today is that many believers have a sincere love for Jesus, but they struggle to know how to truly follow Him in their everyday lives. They go to church, read their Bibles, and try to live moral lives—but something still feels like it’s missing. Why?…
Ten years ago I partnered with Bobby Harrington to write the book DiscipleShift, where we talked about the the need we were seeing for relational disciple making in churches around the country. Since that time we have actually seen many churches and church leaders make a shift towards disciple making, at least in their language…
I am excited to share with you a new workbook put together by myself and our Real Life Ministries Team. For many years leaders who have gone through our Real Life Discipleship Manual have asked us if we had something with a similar format that was for everyone, not just leaders. This is that…
We often read the gospels to study the person of Jesus, and the teachings of Jesus, but we miss that within the story there is a method and model to follow. As we read, we should be looking at how Jesus SHARED, when Jesus SHARED, and who He SHARED with. We should look at where…
If you have read my books or posts or listened to my sermons, there should be no doubt in your mind that I believe discipleship begins with and is sustained by relationship. However, disciple makers also must be ready to give an answer, defend the faith, and teach their disciples the truth of the Bible…
James 5:14–15 asks, “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will…
Why Believe (Free Resource) I started as a pastor’s son in a Christian home. My parents were sincere, faithful followers of Jesus, but because sin entered into my life at a very young age, guilt and shame isolated me from them and from God. When I went to college, the professors taught me that there was…
When I talk about the necessity of relationship in the body of Christ, I don’t mean just shaking hands with a few people during the welcome time in a weekend service. I don’t mean asking how someone is in passing and accepting the words “I’m fine”. The core of relationship isn’t about just being polite…
Bible Study Curriculum is simply a tool in the hands of a disciple maker. No curriculum itself is going to make disciples. There is a Discipling Method, however, that makes an excellent curriculum. It is something we have used off and on quite successfully at Real Life Ministries, both in our Church’s Small Groups and…
What does an ideal home, one that is hard to leave but easy to come back to, look like? This type of home will have love and relationship, boundaries for our own good, and respect for all. It would be a home where people are loved no matter what, and there are restoring conversations, grace, and…