The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast

In this episode, Dave Buehring discusses the mission and approach of LionShare—an organization focused on vocational disciple making and the importance of applying discipleship in various spheres of society. Buehring starts by introducing himself and thanking the participants, mentioning his background with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and being discipled by its founder, Lauren Cunningham. He emphasizes the connection between disciple making and societal impact, outlining his early realization that discipleship extends beyond personal spiritual growth to influencing different vocations such as media, government, and business.

Buehring presents his belief that a significant part of the United States' current issues stems from ignoring Jesus’s commission to make disciples, particularly in key sectors like media and government. He suggests that society's transformation occurs not through yelling or solely praying but through influencing these sectors with godly principles.

He shares several stories of individuals he's discipled, highlighting the changes in their personal and professional lives. For instance, he talks about John, a cardiologist who learned to balance his immense professional skill with relational sensitivity. Another story involves Darren, who worked in the White House and learned to integrate the fear of the Lord into his operations, avoiding manipulation. Similarly, Sarah, an emerging artist, learned the value of servanthood in her music career.

Buehring contrasts two mentalities within churches: convening (building-centric, program-oriented) versus mobilizing (impacting the community, relationship-oriented). He urges churches to adopt a culture of equipping and releasing members to serve in their vocations. Additionally, he provides a model for understanding discipleship stages, ranging from foundational discipling for new believers to vocational and leadership discipling for those influencing their respective fields.

A significant part of his message is about integrating vocational disciple-making into church culture. This includes practical steps such as initiating conversations with vocational leaders in the church, creating vocational teams, and using Sunday sermons to discuss vocational applications of discipleship.

Buehring also addresses the importance of redefining the metrics of church health beyond 'nickels and noses' (attendance and giving). Instead, he suggests evaluating the presence of God, community, disciple-making, and outreach within the church.

He concludes by emphasizing the necessity of recognizing and supporting the unique callings of individuals within the church. This includes commissioning them into their vocational roles and ensuring the church is making a tangible impact on its community.

Through various anecdotes and practical advice, Buehring underscores the pivotal role of discipleship in transforming both individual lives and broader societal structures. He encourages church leaders to view their congregants’ vocational callings as integral to their ministry, thus fostering a more holistic approach to disciple-making.

Transformational Disciple Making (feat. Dave Buehring and Joe Mansfield) Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

Transformative Power of Discipleship: Insights and Practical Tips

Click here to view Lionshare: https://lionshare.org/

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In this episode, we explore how discipleship transforms both the church and society at large. We discuss the importance of following God's guidance, cultivating a Godly atmosphere in churches, and spreading discipleship through meaningful relationships across various professions. Personal stories highlight effective discipleship programs, focusing on developing godly character, understanding our identity in Christ, and practical strategies for everyday discipleship. The conversation also shares practical insights into applying these principles, seeking divine direction, and nurturing a Christ-centered culture in both workplaces and congregations. This episode is an invaluable resource for anyone eager to deepen their understanding and application of discipleship principles.

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

Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction to Transformation

08:28 Character and Relationships in Discipleship

15:55 Identity and Character Development

27:05 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Discipleship

28:05 Transformation Through Revelation and Obedience

36:00 The Importance of Obedience in Discipleship

42:23 Discipleship Tools and Opportunities

Resources on Discipleship

Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship (Audiobook)

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This episode dives into the power of personal and spiritual growth through Christian discipleship.

The speaker begins by urging listeners to reflect on transformative moments in their lives, where overcoming challenges led to significant personal growth. For instance, one participant shares their experience with the Regeneration 12-step program, highlighting how it sparked spiritual renewal and ongoing growth.

The conversation explores how personal tragedies can also be catalysts for spiritual enlightenment. Another participant shares how the loss of their father prompted a reevaluation of priorities and deepened their faith, illustrating how profound personal loss can lead to transformative experiences.

The core of discipleship is then emphasized, focusing on facilitating continual change in others. The speaker challenges the idea that discipleship is solely about biblical knowledge, stressing that true transformation comes from applying Jesus' teachings. Referencing the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus stresses the importance of both hearing and doing His words, the speaker underscores the foundation for weathering life's challenges.

Critiquing the traditional church emphasis on scriptural knowledge without practical application, the speaker shares an anecdote about a Presbyterian pastor dismayed by his congregation's lack of transformation despite their extensive knowledge. This highlights the gap between knowledge and spiritual growth.

Character emerges as a crucial aspect of discipleship, with the speaker arguing that cultivating godly character—through practices like humility and mercy—is paramount. A personal story about Mandisa illustrates this, showing her proactive steps towards repentance and reconciliation as a model of spiritual principles in action.

Discipleship, the speaker insists, is not about completing a curriculum but integrating God's teachings into daily life. Another anecdote involving Mandisa illustrates how acts of humility and repentance shape genuine character development.

The episode concludes with a call to embrace a transformative journey rooted in revelation and obedience. Transformation begins with divine insight that goes beyond mere knowledge and requires obedient action. Noah's obedience during the ark's construction serves as an analogy, highlighting the transformative power of steadfast obedience despite uncertainty.

Ultimately, this episode underscores Christian discipleship as an ongoing journey of personal and spiritual growth. It stresses the importance of character development, practical application of biblical teachings, and nurturing mature, Christ-like relationships. The takeaway is clear: true discipleship involves living out Jesus' teachings daily, embodying authentic transformation grounded in godly character.

Disciple Making Amongst Children (feat. Dave Buehring and Lauri Jarvis) Jul 17, 2024

Show notes

Disciple Making Amongst Children (feat. Dave Buehring and Lauri Jarvis) | Lionshare

Click here to view Lionshare: https://lionshare.org/

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Join us in this episode as the LionShare team presents their unique approach to child and youth discipleship. We explore the creation and use of their Discipleship Journey tools for kids, teens, and young adults (LINK), sharing inspiring stories of how these resources are shaping young lives to follow God. Learn how children's ministries can shift from traditional teaching to impactful discipleship, and understand the importance of building strong relational connections between adults and the younger generation. Whether you're a parent, church leader, or mentor, discover strategies to nurture spiritual maturity in children and foster transformative conversations that leave a lasting impact.

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

Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/

Key Takeaways:

Transformative Approaches to Child and Youth Discipleship | LionShare

00:00 Welcome to LionShare: Our Mission and Focus

01:50 The Importance of Vocational Discipleship

08:26 Children's Ministry: Raising the Bar

10:17 The Critical Role of Children's Ministry

17:59 Challenges in Modern Discipleship

30:52 Discipleship and Personal Stories

38:46 Introducing ADJ Kids Program

48:21 Leadership Games and Conclusion

Help Us Find Effective Disciple Making Churches

RENEW.org and Discipleship.org are joining together—along with our many partner networks—to come up with a list of the top disciple-making churches in North America.

In the future, we plan to publish the list so everyone can see—and learn from—the top disciple-making churches that we find.

Will you help us find these churches? You can recommend a church, even your own church, by emailing mason@discipleship.org

What should you look for? Here is a list of the ten character traits of a Reproducing Disciple Making church → https://discipleship.org/blog/help-us-find-effective-disciple-making-churches/?mc_cid=80eb747425&mc_eid=a00a4f11e7

Resources on Family Discipleship

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

Family Discipleship: The Present and Future State of Family Discipleship

Family Discipleship: Jason Houser

Real Life Theology Conversations: A guide to Essential Questions and Answers for Family Discipleship

See Below for a longer description of this episode:

In this episode, we dive deep into LionShare's mission to disciple church members and leaders across various professional sectors, including government, arts, business, media, and education. The speaker warmly welcomes listeners and provides an overview of LionShare’s 23-year commitment to empowering both churches and societal leaders to live and lead by Christian principles.

Lionshare introduces the "Discipleship Journey," a tool guiding individuals in both personal spiritual growth and professional life. The speaker stresses the importance of recognizing church members' vocations and mobilizing marketplace leaders as effective disciple-makers. Using Nashville's healthcare and artist communities as examples, the discussion illustrates how churches can identify and disciple within these dominant professional fields.

Next, we meet Laurie Jarvis, the "Discipleship Journey Kids Coach." With a background as a children's pastor, school principal, and piano teacher from Akron, Ohio, Laurie works with children's ministry leaders, parents, and nonprofits to integrate discipleship into children's education. Laurie shares her insights on discipling children.

Today’s episode highlights key statistics on the importance of early ministry to children, noting that more than half of those who accept Jesus do so before age 12. The discussion then covers the significant role of screen time and digital media in discipling children in today's world.

Laurie answers questions about children's spiritual maturity, sharing stories that demonstrate how kids can grow spiritually and disciple one another. The conversation underscores the importance of strong relationships with children, emphasizing adults' pivotal role in effective discipleship.

Practical resources like the "Discipleship Journey Kids" program are introduced, offering tools for both adults and children to engage in discipleship together. These materials include animated series, take-home cards, and parent prompts to reinforce learning and application in daily life.

The episode also addresses the early exposure of young children to pornography and other adult content, stressing the critical role of parents and church leaders in guiding and protecting children's spiritual and moral development. The speaker shares a personal story about his grandson's inadvertent exposure to inappropriate content and how it was handled wisely.

Finally, the episode discusses "The Leadership Games," a program designed to help young adults in their 20s and 30s grow spiritually and vocationally. This initiative connects young leaders with experienced mentors for year-long discipleship relationships, incorporating real-life problem-solving through an imaginary city framework to tackle contemporary issues from a biblical perspective.

Overall, this episode provides an insightful look into LionShare’s approach to discipleship across all ages and vocations, emphasizing relational ministry and practical tools for spiritual growth.

Following the Lead of the Holy Spirit (feat. Dave Buehring) Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

Following the Lead of the Holy Spirit in Disciple Making

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In this episode, learn how to follow the Holy Spirit's lead through two powerful biblical stories and three key observations. Dave Buehring shares his journey from limited teaching on the Holy Spirit in a Lutheran upbringing to deeper understanding through Youth with a Mission (YWAM). He highlights the Holy Spirit's crucial role in discipleship for personal growth and teaching others. The discussion covers listening to the Holy Spirit in daily life and prayer, the importance of immediate obedience, and avoiding grieving or quenching the Spirit. Practical examples, like interactions with Mandisa, illustrate discipling in various vocations and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

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

Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background

02:41 LionShare's Mission and Impact

04:06 Biblical Foundations for Discipleship

08:06 Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

11:16 Peter and Cornelius

13:19 Obedience and Transformation

19:13 Practical Examples of Listening to the Holy Spirit

28:28 The Importance of Immediate Obedience

35:27 Grieving and Quenching the Holy Spirit

42:17 Practical Insights on Hearing God's Voice

50:17 The Role of Timing in God's Direction

58:30 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Resources on Discipleship

See below for a longer description:

The episode explores the Holy Spirit's role in guiding and transforming disciples, focusing on how to follow His lead in disciple-making. Dave Buehring begins by sharing his journey from growing up Lutheran in Minnesota, where he received little teaching about the Holy Spirit, to joining Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and learning from its founder, Lauren Cunningham. This experience gave him a fresh understanding of the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Trinity.

Emphasizing the Holy Spirit's central role in his 40 years of disciple-making, Dave describes the Spirit as a partner and transformer in spiritual growth. He highlights the importance of helping people recognize the Holy Spirit's presence and follow His lead, especially when feeling stuck.

The speaker shares a story about guiding Mandisa, a disciple for 22 years, in learning to wait on the Lord and follow the Holy Spirit's guidance. He discusses the broader impact of discipleship, which extends beyond church walls to vocations like government, arts, business, media, and education, integrating faith into professional lives to make a societal impact.

Throughout today’s episode, practical aspects of discipling others by paying attention to the Holy Spirit's work are emphasized. Dave recounts two biblical stories:

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:26-40): An angel instructs Philip to go to a desert road where he meets an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Philip explains the Scriptures and baptizes the eunuch, highlighting the importance of being sensitive to the Spirit's guidance.
Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10): Peter receives a vision while praying, leading him to visit Cornelius, a Gentile centurion. Despite initial hesitation, Peter obeys the Holy Spirit, shares the Gospel, and Cornelius and his household convert, underscoring the importance of prayerful listening and immediate obedience.

The speaker draws three key observations from these stories:

Listening on the Way vs. Listening While Praying: Philip’s encounter shows the need to be attentive to the Holy Spirit during daily activities, while Peter’s experience highlights the importance of waiting on the Lord in prayer.
Immediate Obedience: Both Philip and Peter obey the Holy Spirit without hesitation, crucial for effective disciple-making.
God’s Knowledge of Our Gifts: The Holy Spirit knows each believer's gifts and positions them for Kingdom purposes.

The episode also discusses grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit:

Grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30): This occurs when the Holy Spirit says "no," but we proceed to say "yes," causing grief. It’s often related to unloving conduct and relational sins.
Quenching the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20): This happens when the Holy Spirit says "yes," but we say "no," stifling divine influence. It involves resisting promptings towards joy, prayer, thankfulness, and prophecy.

Dave gives practical advice for discerning the Holy Spirit's voice in disciple-making including asking clarifying questions and listening attentively to the person being discipled. Communal discernment and confirmation from spiritual leaders are also emphasized.

In conclusion, the episode calls for a balanced approach to disciple-making that integrates both the Word of God and the active leading of the Holy Spirit. The speaker encourages listeners to cultivate a life of continuous listening and immediate obedience, trusting that the Holy Spirit will lead both them and their disciples into deeper transformation and effective witness in their vocations and communities.

Overall, this episode offers a rich and practical exploration of partnering with the Holy Spirit in making disciples who are knowledgeable in Scripture and sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance in all areas of life.

Kingdom Stewardship (feat. Josh Howard and David Kaufmann) Jul 10, 2024

Show notes

The Ts of Kingdom Stewardship

Click here to view E3 Partners: https://e3partners.org/

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In this episode, speakers from E3 Partners introduce the Five Ts of Stewardship—a framework for effective kingdom work. The Five Ts are Targets, Tools, Teaming, Training, and Tracking. They emphasize the importance of setting clear and measurable targets, like the 'five by five' approach, which focuses on five people groups and five geographic locations for evangelism.

The session highlights the need for strategic tools and continuous training to foster discipleship and organizational growth. They give practical advice on building and maintaining effective ministry teams, stressing the importance of regular rhythms and structures for sustainable success. Tracking and accountability are underscored as essential for ensuring productive and mission-aligned initiatives. Various tracking methods, such as church health tracking and generational mapping, are detailed to emphasize accurate stewardship and accountability.

The speakers also cover the significance of ongoing coaching and training to maintain momentum and adjust strategies. This session is a valuable guide for anyone looking to contribute meaningfully to kingdom stewardship, whether locally or globally.

Check out Discipleship.org for disciple-making resources: Discipleship.org Resources Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: Discipleship.org Audio Books

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction to Stewardship and the Five Ts

00:40 Defining Targets: The Five by Five Strategy

03:08 Tools for Success: Circles of Accountability

06:37 Building Effective Teams

08:47 The Importance of Rhythms in Teaming

11:03 Prioritizing Time for Kingdom Work

13:15 The Power of Modeling and Prayer Walking

15:10 Training for Multiplication

17:14 Building Rhythms in the Calendar

18:02 Encouragement for Shifting to Disciple-Making

18:38 The Importance of Training and Coaching

21:35 Tracking Progress and Stewardship

29:41 Generational Mapping and Church Health

31:32 Seven Phases of Movement

33:42 Strategic Focus for Global Gospel Saturation

Resources on Discipleship

See below for a more comprehensive summary of this episode:

In this episode, Josh Howard and David Kaufmann discuss effective stewardship and outreach through the "Five Ts": Targets, Teaming, Training, Tracking, and Tools.

Targets: They highlight the importance of clear targets, using the "five by five" strategy to identify five specific population segments and geographic locations for evangelism. This helps allocate resources effectively and focus on high-need areas. Methods like the "circle of accountability" ensure everyone hears the gospel.

Teaming: They stress the value of strong, collaborative teams with consistent schedules and practices. Team formation around specific targets improves organization and mutual encouragement.

Training: Various programs equip individuals with practical skills for their mission. Continuous training and coaching ensure ongoing development and problem resolution.

Tracking: Measuring progress and ensuring accountability through metrics like gospel shares, new believers, and group establishment is vital. Tools like generational maps help track church network development.

Tools: Providing tangible resources for evangelism, discipleship, and gathering is essential. Effective tools ensure everyone knows how to contribute efficiently.

Throughout the episode, the interconnectedness of the Five Ts is emphasized. Setting targets informs tracking, guiding training needs, supported by effective teaming and tools. This structured approach ensures a strategic mission and comprehensive outreach.

This episode dives into the organizational strategy behind successful ministry, highlighting the synergy between clear targets, effective teaming, comprehensive training, diligent tracking, and practical tools.

A Culture of Ancient Pathways (feat. Josh Howard and Bryan King) Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

A Culture of Ancient Pathways

Click here to view E3 Partners: https://e3partners.org/

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The session focuses on the concept of ancient pathways for disciple-making movements, challenging the notion that such methods are new or innovative. The speaker emphasizes the age-old practices of Jesus and his disciples, describing these strategies as 2,000-year-old 'vintage wine' that has improved with age. The key points include Jesus’ approach to disciple-making: entering new places, proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, forming communities, and raising leaders. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, the speaker illustrates how these ancient strategies can be applied in modern contexts to create transformative disciple-making movements. Emphasizing the importance of prayer, fasting, and grassroots community engagement, the session provides practical insights and encourages attendees to adopt these ancient pathways to saturate their cities and nations with the gospel.

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

Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction and Session Overview

00:01 Ancient Pathways: Rediscovering Old Wine

01:40 WWJD vs. WDJD: A Better Question

02:33 Recap of Acts 19: Paul's Ministry in Ephesus

04:00 Brian King's Introduction and Personal Story

06:05 Journey to Mexico City: A Heart for Discipleship

07:08 Returning to Tulsa: Challenges and New Beginnings

09:16 Discovering Simple Tools for Discipleship

11:59 E3 Partners and the Vision for Asia

14:05 Practical Steps and Real-Life Stories

24:26 The Importance of Choosing the Right Pathway

29:33 Exploring Mark 1: Jesus' Ministry Patterns

31:06 The Baptism of Jesus

32:12 Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness

32:51 Proclaiming the Gospel in Galilee

33:38 Calling the First Disciples

37:26 Teaching and Healing in Capernaum

46:21 Jesus' Ministry Pathway

Resources on Discipleship

A Culture of Big Vision (feat. Josh Howard and David Kaufmann) Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Click here to view E3 Partners: https://e3partners.org/

Check out Discipleship.org Audio Books: https://discipleship.org/resources/ebooks/

Join Josh and Corey from E3 Partners as they kick off an episode designed to help us understand and align with God's heart and vision for discipleship and multiplicative movements. They seek to shift our perspective to allow us to see our lives as a part of God's grand vision for the nations. It's importance that we have a God-sized vision that can only be accomplished through divine intervention.

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

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Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Study

04:36 The Importance of a God-Sized Vision

08:05 Interactive Study: Exploring Key Scriptures

19:51 Analyzing Lostness and Casting Vision

33:38 God's Vision and Our Role

39:18 The Call to Action: Training and Tools

44:32 Testimonies and Success Stories

50:48 Practical Tools for Ministry

52:52 Conclusion and Next Steps

Resources on Discipleship