Calling and Equipping Disciple Makers

24_11_02 -Ep.336 - Run With Horses Podcast - Calling and Equipping Disciple Makers

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Susan’s New book – Parenting Manual
https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo

Norman’s New book – Pursuing Godliness Together - It’s a practical, quick read!
https://a.co/d/c7Y7F04

**(28:00)**
I have been focusing on the church and a discipleship pathway for a few months now. Today I want to circle back to a key point. We’re remembering why churches must prioritize training disciple makers, ensuring that each member is both equipped and encouraged to engage in making disciples.

Welcome to Run With Horses! My name is Norman and my goal is to help you thrive as a follower of Jesus. The spiritual life is both incredibly simple and potentially the most difficult part of your life. God invites you to live intentionally and on His mission. It’s very cool that we can do that together!

Thank you for joining me today! “If you’re new here, you can check out past episodes at runwithhorses.net. As always, I appreciate your feedback, questions, and reviews!”

**(27:00 – 23:00)**

Spiritual Habits - Daily Devotions**

- **Key Passage**: Psalm 1:1-3 - 1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Highlights the strength and fruitfulness of those who meditate on God’s Word daily. A disciple maker builds a strong foundation on God's Word.

- **Building Daily Devotional Habits:** Just as physical food sustains our bodies, daily time in Scripture and prayer nourishes our spirits. Discipline is required, but the rewards are life-giving.

- **Practical Tips**: Find a consistent time, place, plan and method that work for you—whether journaling, guided reading, Chapter a day or praying through Scripture. Just do it.

**(23:00 – 0:00)* *

The Church’s Mission to Train Disciple Makers**

- **Defining the Church’s Role in Discipleship**: The church isn't just a gathering place; it’s a training ground. We’re called to move beyond simply teaching about discipleship to actively making disciple-makers.

- ##**Key Goals in Disciple-Maker Training**:
- **Mature, Self-Feeding Believers**: Equip members to study Scripture and grow spiritually on their own. This is a critical step if they are to teach others.
Heb. 5:12 - 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

- **Everyday Missionaries**: Members should be able to share their faith naturally within their own circles—family, workplace, and community.
Acts 1:8 - 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

- **Trained Disciple-Makers**: We aim to cultivate disciple-makers, not just attendees, with hearts prepared to replicate the faith.
Matt 28:18-20 - 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

- **Pastors, Church Leaders, and Missionaries**: As God leads, some will be called to new roles in leadership and church planting, supporting disciple-making movements in other communities.

## The Church needs an Intentional Process
- **Engage, Connect, Equip, Release Discipleship Framework**: Revisit the pathway and its critical role in building disciple-makers ready to serve both within the church and beyond. Not THE way, A way. Every church needs to be intentional about carrying out the mission of Jesus.

##**Examples of Disciple-Making in Action**:

- **Sunday School Reimagined**: What would a disciple-making approach look like? From intentional mentoring to encouraging members to reach others personally.

- **Training and Support from the Church**: Weekly large gatherings are more than services; they’re opportunities for mutual encouragement, skill-building, and strategic equipping.

-**Smaller groups provide ongoing accountability and support in life and ministry**: A place for deeper, slower conversations. More personal interaction. A time for questions. Practical personal support as a disciple maker.

**(00:00) END PART 1**

**(27:00 – 5:00) BEGIN PART 2**

Practical Steps for Churches to Train Disciple Makers**

##- **Identify Local Needs and Engage Culturally**: For the church to be effective, we must first understand the needs and concerns of our local community.

-What is going on in our community? What are people talking about? What do they do in their free time? How can we show them the love of Jesus in practical ways? Where can we join them and build relationships? Soup kitchens, food pantries, sports parks, high school games, community events...

--- **Lead by Example**: Church leaders can model engagement, showing how to reach people relationally, addressing both practical needs and spiritual hunger. Let the church know what you are doing and invite them to join you.

##- **Provide ongoing Evangelism and Discipleship Training**:

--- **Annual Evangelism Training**: Practical workshops in both “What is the Gospel?” and “How to Share the Gospel,” along with practice sessions. Keep it in front of the church. Hear testimonies from people on a regular basis. Their salvation testimony, a story of sharing the gospel with a co-worker, etc. Encouraging and challenging.

--- **Disciple-Making Groups**: Encourage small group Bible studies aimed at disciple-making, not just fellowship. Edify first. How are we growing? What weaknesses do we have as a church family? How can we address them? Foundations first, then build, every one spiritually healthy and on mission is the goal.

- **Encourage Community Participation**: Join local events, showing the love of Christ through service, conversation, and invitations to faith-centered gatherings.
Do things in public as a church. Encourage activity participating in community events.
We can't be salt and light if we are always in the building with the doors shut!
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**(5:00 – 1:00)**

Doctrine of the Month - Doctrine of Man**

- **Key Concept**: “Made in God’s Image”
Genesis 1:26-27 - 26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Man was created uniquely, bearing God’s image, with a capacity for relationship, creativity, and purpose.

- **Understanding Man’s Purpose**: Man is designed to glorify God. We reflect God’s character, are called to steward His creation and to live in fellowship with Him.

- **Sin’s Effect on Humanity**: Sin distorts our ability to reflect the image of God and accomplish His purpose. It also separates us from God, but in Christ, we are redeemed, and our purpose is restored.

**(1:00)**

**Closing**
- “Thank you for listening today! Training disciple makers is essential to a thriving church body on mission. As you reflect on this, consider your role—both individually and within the church—in reaching others with the hope of Jesus."
-If you enjoyed the show you can listen to all the past shows wherever you listen to podcasts. A good place to start is at runwithhorses.net. You can also write me at norman@runwithhorses.net or leave a comment on the Run With Horses Podcast facebook page. Take time today to pause and thank God for His work in your life and keep running.

**(00:00)**

Parenting Manual and Pursuing Godliness Together

Susan’s New book – Parenting Manual
https://a.co/d/8L7GWIo

My wife has a new book out. She took some of the lessons from Scripture that helped us as parents and put them together into a parenting manual written as one thought a day from the Bible. You can find it on Amazon by searching for Susan Jane Smith, Parenting Manual. I also have a link in the show notes.

If you are a parent or know a parent who is interested in raising godly children, this book can point you to Scripture that will help you keep your focus as you take the journey with your children. The book is $5 and is available as a paperback or kindle book. If you read it, leave her a review, it really does help others find it! Thanks!