Category: Disciple Making

A tool to become a Spiritual Leader

Do you have a desire to be a force for good in your sphere of influence?

This tool is free, and it didn’t originate with me!

When a friend introduced me to the Discovery Group process, it impacted my life and leadership in ways I never expected.

You can gather for Discovery with friends, family, coworkers — sky’s the limit!

Use the Discovery Questions to discuss any story or passage in Scripture together (usually about 10 verses at a time), seeking to understand, apply, and share what you’re discovering together!

Discovery Questions:

1. What are you thankful for?  What challenge or stress are you facing?  How can we help?  Do you know anyone who needs help at this time?  

Check-in: Since we last met, how did your “I will…” and sharing go? 

2. Read the Scripture passage together (at least twice) and take turns retelling in your own words like sharing with a friend who isn’t here.

3.  What stands out to you, and why?  What do these verses tell us about God?  What do these verses tell us about humanity / about us?

4. If this is God speaking, how will you apply it to your life?
(Aim for a specific: “I will…” next step.)

5. Who will you share with before we meet again?
(Name a specific person you want to share with who may be encouraged on their spiritual journey by hearing something you discovered.)

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

What stands out to you? What did you discover about God and yourself? How will you apply these principles in your life and leadership?

Click to download a PDF that includes:

  1. Discovery questions: to use with a group of friends/family to help us understand, apply, and share any passage of Scripture together
  2. Three-column Bible study: to help you understand, obey, and share Scripture when discovering on your own
  3. Discovery story sets: with various lists of Scripture passages to use over time to discover what God has to say about life on a few important themes

Before you go… here’s that PDF with Discovery Group resources.

Born of water + the Spirit

During our season serving a church plant in South Africa, Sweet Bridget and I heard that an elderly woman who lived high in the hills was requesting a pastoral visit. She wanted to be baptized!

While this was certainly a special request, what added even more to this scenario, was the reality that this dear woman was physically disabled—unable to move her feet. Usually, our practice of baptism looks like being fully immersed under water as a picture of dying to sin and coming alive through faith in Christ (Romans 6:1-5)! We often celebrate baptism publicly, surrounded by friends and family, to announce our new life in Jesus and to commit to support new believers on their spiritual journey ahead.

We also recognized that Scripture uses the symbol of water being poured to depict the cleansing and forgiveness that Jesus provides, which has led some faith traditions to sprinkle with water in baptism (Ephesians 5:25-27, Hebrews 10:19-23).

Prepared with a water bottle in hand, we made the trek up to her hut.

Photo by QNV on Pexels.com

When we arrived, she explained: “I’ve believed in Jesus, so I have been born of the Spirit, but I haven’t been water baptized! The Bible says unless we are born of water and the Spirit, we cannot enter the kingdom of God! I’m afraid. I don’t want to die and go to Hell.”

She was referring to the words of Jesus about being born again (John 3:3-8). We were encouraged to let her know she definitely had already been born of water! In fact, every human being has been. When the water breaks and we emerge from our mothers, we are born of water.

Jesus emphasized the need to also be born supernaturally by the Spirit through faith in Him! Once we have been born again by giving our lives to Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, a next step of obedience is to be water baptized to demonstrate we are His followers (Acts 2:36-39).

The next step for this dear woman was to affirm that her faith rested in Jesus alone to save her and to bring her safely home to Himself (1 Peter 1:18-21). 

Have you trusted in Jesus as your Leader and Forgiver?  Have you been water baptized to demonstrate you are following Him (Matthew 3:13-17)?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Sent: Living the Mission ~ Disciple Making Movement Resources

Do you have a life message, motto, or verse you would love to be known for?

I want my heart to beat in rhythm with the heart of Jesus for all peoples to experience His love, to follow Him, and to embrace His mission to help disciple others!

Here’s a message I got to share from Luke 10 (one of my favorite passages of Scripture), where Jesus sends out 70 everyday disciplemakers like you and me!

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

What stands out to you? What did you discovery about God and yourself? How will you apply these principles from Jesus in your life and disciple-making way of life?

Click to download a PDF that includes:

  1. Discovery questions: to use with a group of friends/family to help us understand, apply, and share any passage of Scripture together
  2. Three-column Bible study: to help you understand, obey, and share Scripture when discovering on your own
  3. Discovery story sets: with various lists of Scripture passages to use over time to discover what God has to say about life on a few important themes

Before you go… here’s that PDF with Disciple Making Movement Resources.

Kingdom Impact in Your Community

Walking in His Footsteps with Gerrylynn Ferguson

On Monday, I had the great honor to chat with two dear friends: Myles Hanson & Gerrylynn Ferguson!

The second hour with Gerrylynn Ferguson, we focused on making a kingdom impact in our communities.

Gerrylynn also shared insights on clarifying God’s call for your life and how to leave a lasting legacy in your community:

THIS Monday, Oct. 26, 7-9 PM Central Time, I’ll have Tom & Sue Rice of Great Marriages for Sheboygan County, sharing their wisdom and experience from 50 years of a joyful marriage!

Tom & Sue Rice on their wedding day (a few years ago) — I’m sure it feels like yesterday!
Tom & Sue Rice on their wedding day (a few years ago) —
I’m sure it feels like yesterday! 🙂 

Tune in live at Praydio.com!

You can catch videos of past episodes here:

Aerial photo of a neighborhood in Haiti
Aerial photo of a neighborhood in Haiti
by Kelly Lacy on Pexels.com

Walking in His Footsteps on Praydio.com

In 2020, I began hosting a new radio show called Walking in His Footsteps on Praydio.com!

Mondays, 7-9 PM Central Time

The first hour, we focus on stories of how God is at work in our lives and in our world, interspersed with inspirational music.

The second hour, we share bite-sized, actionable training content to help us grow as disciples of Jesus who make disciples that multiply!

Here are some of our Walking in His Footsteps guests:


~Oct. 12, Kurt Olson of the International Disciple Making Initiative ~ what are the marks of a true disciple?
~Oct. 19, Myles Hanson & Gerrylynn Ferguson — the power of encouragement & community partnerships!
~Oct. 26, Tom & Sue Rice with Great Marriages — the joy of a Jesus-centered marriage!

~Nov. 2, Liz Kohli with Perspectives on the World Christian Movement
~Nov. 9, Jim Egli of New Generations —
Disciple Making Movements around the world
~Nov. 16, Ross Nelson — intercessory prayer that births movements!
~Nov. 23, Dave & Rennie Garda of Cadre —
real life disciple-making friendships
~Nov. 30, Christine Jacobs — effective prayer & spiritual warfare

~Dec. 7, Bill Marris of Circuit Rider Ministries —
Looking thru Jewish Eyes: the Christmas Story Revisited
~Dec. 14, Avi in Israel —
Finding Jesus in the Jewish Feasts
~Dec. 21, Roy Schwarcz of Chosen People Ministries —
Without Hanukkah, There Would Be No Christmas
~Dec. 28, Dr. Walter Kaiser —
Jewish Roots of our Faith in Jesus

~Jan. 4, Jim Corbett of the Family Rescue Campaign —
The Wonder of Covenant with God & Others
~January 11, 18, 25, Q&A with Dr. Walt Kaiser — Women in Ministry Matters, Treasures from the Old Testament, Prayer & Revival

You can catch videos of past episodes here:

We’d love to have you tune in for new episodes and re-runs of Walking in His Footsteps on Praydio.com!

footprints left in the sand
Photo by Min An

Incredible Faith – Noah

What does faith look like? In fact, what in the world is it?

~Is it something etherial that’s near impossible to wrap our arms around?
~Is it just superstition, something we muster up in an attempt to be spiritual?

Or is it something quite powerful that we can experience, express, and walk out every day?

If you know me, you probably know my answer.

Hebrews 11 is chock full of examples of people who lived, loved, and walked by faith!

Today, I got to share a message about one of these everyday people, who lived with incredible faith, and how faith changed his life, his family, and the course of human history…

Artwork: “The Celebration” by Tom duBois

Hebrews 11 is chock full of examples of people who lived, loved, and walked by faith!

What stands out most to you from the story of Noah and his family?

How will you apply these discoveries in your life? Who will you share with?

From Generation to Generation ~ Reflections of the Image of God

I’ve been moved in recent days to prayer and intentional action related to racism and multi-ethnic reconciliation.

My conviction is rooted in my belief that every person is created in the image of God and my broken heart over recent injustices, which has led me to reflect on a pattern of systematic injustices that have happened in our country over many decades.

I am praying King Jesus will bring healing to our communities as His people become first responders with His compassion.

I shared a message on May 24, 2020 for our Oakwood community called “From Generation to Generation” from Psalm 78 as part of our series called Reflections on the image of God.

I am praying King Jesus will bring healing to our communities as His people become first responders with His compassion.

Though this message wasn’t specifically focused on racism, the topic of multi-ethnic reconciliation is so important for us to engage in together in light of the image of God!

For those from a majority culture who are struggling to track with current conversations about racism and reconciliation:

I wonder if it would put things into perspective if we applied the same line of reasoning that some use to dismiss this important issue to other matters of justice and ministry that you may be passionate about like suicide prevention, mental health support, human trafficking, homelessness, ministry to those with special needs, or elder care.

How would you feel if every concern you raised was quickly dismissed, excuses were made, and the subject was changed?

“Others might have that attitude but not me!”

“It’s a victim mentality, looking for handouts!”

“It’s all politicized! Haven’t we heard enough bad news on this topic?”

There’s no place for dismissive comments like these in such an important conversation.

What if instead we listened to understand (instead of to respond)?

What if we sought to see from beyond the eyes of others and to take a walk in their shoes?

It seems to me: intentional conversations and proactive steps are needed to address vital issues of justice in our world like these. Right responses flow from rightly held values of love for God and love for others who are made in His image.

How does your relationship with God affect the way you love and interact with others?

Does believing that all people are created in the image of God change the way you view others who are different than you?

Right responses flow from rightly held values of love for God and love for others who are made in His image.

Disciple Making Movement Resources

Click to download a PDF that includes:

  1. Discovery questions: to use with a group of friends/family to help us understand, apply, and share any passage of Scripture together
  2. Three-column Bible study: to help you understand, obey, and share Scripture when discovering on your own
  3. Discovery story sets: with various lists of Scripture passages to use over time to discover what God has to say about life on a few important themes

Click to download a PDF with Disciple Making Movement Resources.

I will…

In recent years, we’ve been on a journey, discovering more and more of what it looks like to follow our Lord Jesus in loving obedience.

James is a great book on this topic filled with Jewish-style wisdom from a Jesus-loving Jewish leader, James the brother of the Messiah.  His focus isn’t primarily doctrine or logic but the practical outworking of our faith, how faith works out in everyday life.

According to Dr. Gordon Fee, James is “…the New Testament counterpart of the Jewish Wisdom tradition, now in light of the teachings of Jesus.”

My heart’s desire is to grow as a disciple of Jesus, following in His footsteps (1 John 2:6).  As I spend time in His Word, I’m developing the habits of:

  1. identifying a specific way “I will…” put into practice in my life what I’m learning. 
  2. sharing with someone else who might benefit or be encouraged by something I’m learning.

I recently shared a message on some of these themes from James 1:19-27 at our dear friend’s church in Rochester, NY.  I pray hearing it will stir in you a similar desire to walk out your faith.

As you listen…

~What’s your “I will…” (your next step of obedience)?

~Who do you feel prompted to share with?

Sent: Living on Mission

I recently heard a talk about a dangerous enemy that seeks to demoralize and disarm any who have the heart to make a difference.

Miller calls this enemy, “narrative void.”  It looks like attempting to live without a story that’s larger than ourselves.

I find myself more susceptible to discouragement and drift when I fail to keep my eyes fixed on our mission.  Living for kingdom purposes has eternal ramifications and allows us to leave a legacy that will outlive us.

I recently had the opportunity to share a message on living each day on mission.

May our lives be forever changed as we discover and apply the missional strategy of the greatest difference Maker who ever walked the earth…