Everyday Disciple Podcast
Caesar Kalinowski
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In the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we'll show you how the good news of the Gospel, and our Christian faith, can naturally and confidently be woven into any and every area of life. We'll help you make discipleship a lifestyle and gain greater spiritual freedom and relational peace.
Each episode is pretty fast-paced, and even though it's serious stuff, it can be funny too. We always wrap up with clear action steps for you to get started with the "Big 3" takeaways.
Available episodes
Newest first
Oldest first
4 days ago
Using Gospel Fluency To Transform Your Marriage
Discipleship as a lifestyle starts in our homes. And if you're married, how we speak the Good News of the Gospel to each other in our marriages will begin to trickle down into all of our relationships in community.
In this episode, Caesar has a great talk with Austin and Sarah Johnson, a young married couple who are leading missional communities and making disciples in everyday life. They'll share how a growing sense of their gospel identity and using Gospel Fluency in their life has a transformational effect on everything!
In This Episode You'll Learn:
* The importance of having our identity grounded in the gospel.
* Why the 4Gs are the foundation of Gospel Fluency.
* How to identify "the thing behind the thing" and address it with the Gospel.
* How Gospel Fluency can transform your scripture reading too!
Get started here...
From this episode:
"There's a difference between meeting to discuss the Bible and meeting around the gospel. I could've quoted scripture to my son and it might fall like science facts on him or something, or like a history lesson. He didn't need some verse, some proverb quoted to him. He needed the gospel. He needed to be reminded of what's true of God and therefore true of him."
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
Bigger Gospel book by Caesar Kalinowski
*Bigger Gospel Master Class in Gospel Fluency* video course with worksheets
Discipleship and Missional Resources
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Sep 11, 2023
Redeeming Sexuality in the Church w/Debra Hirsch
Nothing has exposed the gap between the church and the broader society quite like the cultural argument over sexuality. Relationships, identities, orientations and even seemingly straightforward concepts such as gender have cut battle lines between the church and the world.
In this episode, we speak to Debra Hirsch, author of the book _Redeeming Sex_, and discover a holistic, biblical vision of sex and gender that honors God and offers good news to the world.
Deb reflects on some of her own journey with us as she brings fresh language and insightful definitions of sexuality into the context of the church. When you consider the world from the perspective of God's kingdom mission, it turns out the smoke clears and a redemptive imagination takes root.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
* Why sex and sexuality is such a “hot-button” issue for the church
* What the church and Christians need to wake up to concerning sex
* How our understanding of sexuality can deepen our relationship with God
* How the search for intimacy in relationships mirrors our search for God
Get started here...
From this episode:
"God doesn’t rank sin. None of us are perfect or without sin in some area of our life. God loves us where we are and he does not label any one type of sin worse or more offensive than any others. Jesus died for ALL sin and longs to redeem every part of our lives and relationships back to God’s loving design."
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and...
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Sep 4, 2023
From The Pulpit To The People: Shifting to a Life on Mission
*Leading people to new places in life and ministry can be hard. Too often our churches and small groups are primarily focused on… well, ourselves. Helping our people shift to a life on mission with God that is **_outwardly_** focused is the dream.*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about leading people from being pew-sitters to active disciple makers. And guess what? This all starts in the mirror!
And if you are a pastor and need to navigate Elders or a Session, leadership teams, or stubborn board members toward mission, as you lead your people, this episode will give you practical and doable steps to get started.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* What the mission of the church _really_ is (or should be).
* Why before change happens in your people it needs to happen in _you_.
* How to make major strides in shifting people to a *life on mission in 8 weeks*.
* What to do if your board or leaders are dragging their feet on this.
*Get started here...*
From this episode...
"As Christians, the family of God was never meant to be lived in isolation. And it was never meant to be lived primarily once a week, everyone listening to someone else talk about it and sing about it, but rather, in community together all week. And if you're a pastor–this shift starts with you!"
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
*Get The Tangible Kingdom Primer - Sample Week #1 and Discount Code*
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Aug 28, 2023
Are You Making Progress Toward Making Disciples?
With all the content and info available to us today–about anything and everything, including the Bible and making disciples—you would think every Christian would be a mature and confident disciple-maker by now.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about why true discipleship is not about the consumption and passing on of knowledge. We don’t need more information–we need more transformation. This is a key shift in making progress toward making disciples who make disciples.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the glut of Christian content online is not producing mature disciples.
* Why so many leaders in the church today are MAXED OUT.
* What is keeping discipleship from being many pastors' key focus.
* The importance of finding the help you need to develop new discipleship rhythms for yourself and others NOW.
From this episode:
"True discipleship is not about the consumption of and passing on of information. It’s not about knowing a lot of scripture and gaining Bible literacy. You see, it’s not Bible literacy we’re after; it’s gospel fluency. We don’t need more information–we need more transformation!"
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
Discipleship and Missional Resources
Missio Publishing
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Aug 21, 2023
Can You Be a Christian But Not a Disciple?
*Somewhere along the way, we have mistakenly made it acceptable in the church to be a Christian but not a disciple. But Jesus never offered two acceptable standards for living the Christian life, just one: disciples of Jesus make more disciples. *
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I am joined by authors Kent Ingle and Steve Saccone. We discuss discipleship challenges facing the church today, and they share a process for disciple-making laid out clearly in their new book, Made For More. These guys are super smart and you will love this!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* What has led to our current lack of discipleship in the church today.
* The ways Steve and Kent were discipled early in their lives.
* How an unwavering connection to God needs to be the foundation of your life.
* The importance of making time in your life to be a disciple maker.
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
Made For More book by Kent Ingle and Steve Saccone
Discipleship and Missional Resources
Missio Publishing
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Aug 14, 2023
Not Every Christian Is a Person of Peace
*It would seem fair to believe that all Christians are interested in making disciples of Jesus–not converts–disciples. But statistically, the majority of Christians are not focused on being and making disciples of Jesus.*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we challenge the assumption that all Christians are automatically People of Peace. We discuss the importance of being discerning about who we actually disciple, and we talk about the need to be willing to walk away from relationships with people who are not open to discipleship.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* Surprising statistics about the faith practice Christians have outside Sunday services.
* Everyone you meet or who likes you is not going to be a Person of Peace in your life.
* Not every Christian is a Person of Peace and wants to live a lifestyle of discipleship.
* Why it is important to discern who your actual People of Peace are.
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
Discipleship and Missional Resources
Missio Publishing
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Aug 7, 2023
How Seasonal Rhythms Serve Our Disciple-making
*Regardless of where you live, the changing seasons can provide you with diverse opportunities for gospel growth and disciple-making. God designed it that way!*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we explore how seasonal rhythms can positively impact relationships and discipleship–if you embrace them.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* Seasonal rhythms and their significance in discipleship are defined.
* How there is a natural "breathing in and breathing out" relationally as seasons change.
* Why your own seasons of life play an important role in your discipleship pace.
* 6 Discipleship Rhythms that you can engage in regardless of the weather.
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
Discipleship and Missional Resources
Missio Publishing
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Jul 31, 2023
Does Our Evangelism Need to Change?
*Have most of us Christians **given up on traditional forms of sharing our faith**? *Let’s be honest… It’s scary to risk things relationally, and the results are often disappointing.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about the ways that many Christians experience (or avoid) evangelism. And we ask the question: Does evangelism need to change for the church today?
Many people still associate evangelism with a Billy Graham approach, door-to-door soul winning, or strategic speeches that “share the Gospel”. But what if the biblical precedent was more of a normal day-to-day rhythm?
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* What “evangelism” really is and what it looked and sounded like in the Bible.
* Why evangelism and discipleship were never meant to be two separate practices.
* How discipleship _must_ include ongoing evangelism for Believers and unbelievers alike.
* Your responsibility when it comes to evangelism.
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
Discipleship and Missional Resources
Missio Publishing
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Jul 24, 2023
Why You Want to Be Praying For Your Child’s Future
As Christians, consistently praying for your kids may seem obvious. To pray for your child’s future spouse may be less obvious, but it’s a privilege that carries with it some pretty awesome blessings.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll show you seven ways and reasons to pray for your child’s future, and their potential spouse. The earlier you get started, the bigger the blessings!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* 7 ways and reasons to pray for your child’s future, and how to get started.
* The results Caesar and Tina have seen from praying in this specific way.
* Why praying for your child’s future is part of how you disciple them.
* How to include your children in these prayers with you–powerful!
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Praying this way, as parents, helps you see your child as a person–from the time they’re babies–a person that you’re preparing for an abundant adult life. You’re not just praying that they’ll find a good husband or wife, but you’re praying and preparing them for meaningful adult relationships...”
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Coaching with Caesar and Tina in discipleship and missional living.
FREE “Parents Prayer Guide” – Download now.
Discipleship and Missional Resources
Missio Publishing
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Jul 17, 2023
Embracing How and Why God Saves Us – Pt.2
For far too long the primary message of the Church has focused on "How" someone can be saved. But the Gospel also tells us "Why" we've been saved. Understanding the Purpose of our salvation is critical for making disciples of Jesus who make more disciples.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I continue with Part 2 of this short series on the "two lenses" of the Gospel: Power and Purpose. Most Christians have never been taught the Purpose of the Gospel...in other words, "why" God sent his Son to save us. This changes everything!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the Gospel is so much more than a message about how to have a nice afterlife.
* How the Gospel propels us well beyond sin management and behavioral modification.
* How not embracing both "lenses" of the Gospel has led to the lack of discipleship in the Church today.
* The danger in not keeping both the "how and why" of the Gospel central to all we do.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"It is when we grasp and wrestle with both perspectives that we have a gospel that both places our salvation squarely on the work of Jesus on the Cross _and_ sends us out to be his body, his family of redemption, and restoration in the world. It is when the world both hears the good news and witnesses a demonstration of restoration that they are most inclined to believe. This is a BIG Gospel!"
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with others…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please subscribe and leave an honest review for The Everyday Disciple Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.
Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Take your Community Group through the Gospel Primer!
Everyday Disciple: FREE Discipleship Resources and Training.
Missio Publishing – More Missional Books and Resources
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Jul 10, 2023
Embracing How and Why God Saves Us – Pt.1
Most of our evangelistic messages focus on "How" someone can be saved. But the Gospel also tells us "Why" we've been saved. Understanding both is critical in making disciples of Jesus who make more disciples.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I explain the "two lenses" of the Gospel: Power and Purpose. A failure to embrace and consistently proclaim both is what has led to such a discipleship deficit in the Church. Let's change that.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the Gospel is not just about believing a set of historical facts that gets us into heaven.
* How the lack of understanding both lenses of the Gospel has led to our decline in discipleship.
* A full, practical way to explain both the Power and the Purpose of the Gospel.
* The Plan Jesus gave the Church to accomplish the Purpose of the Gospel. (Powerful!)
Get started here…
From this episode:
"The work of the gospel is what sanctification is all about. Sanctification is not... not believi…
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Jul 3, 2023
Using The Story of God in Community
What we believe about God and what he is like will ultimately determine what we believe about ourselves and how life works. This is why it is so important that we know, understand, and believe God’s big story. How well do you know the Story of God?
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar visits with a community and their pastor and discusses the ways they have been teaching the Story of God in their church, and with their neighbors. You'll hear about the transformation that is taking place as the fuller picture of God's overarching Story is unfolding in their lives.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Different ways The Story can be used in making disciples.
* Why even "mature" Christians need to learn The Story.
* The transformation that takes place when we learn the full Story of God.
* The difference between knowing a lot about the Bible and knowing God's Story.
*Get started here...*
From this episode:
“Christians don't really know the Bible that well.…
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Jun 26, 2023
The Gospel on the Move in a Rural Context
Jesus’ call and command to "go and make disciples" means everywhere and is for everyone. If you are living under the false belief that, “This missional lifestyle just won’t work in our context,” this episode is for you! (Regardless of where you live.)
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we look at discipleship and mission in a rural context. Our guest, Drew Speroni, along with his wife Sabrina and their kids, have engaged in some pretty unique rhythms as a family to see people come to know Jesus and create a missional community in their setting.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why a rural context presents unique challenges for discipleship.
* Drew’s miraculous healing that led to clarity for his mission.
* The daily and weekly rhythms that were engaged to build a community.
* How this missional community is making disciples in a rural setting today.
*Get started here...*
From this episode:
“Don’t get sucked into trying to copy what others are do…
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Jun 19, 2023
What to Do with Kids in Your Missional Community
Kids are great! But sometimes when all together, things can feel hectic and distracted. One of the most common questions we hear connected to this is, “What do you do with kids in your missional community? How do you handle them, what types of activities do you do for them, etc.?”
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll help you solve this and give you a bunch of ideas on how to include your kids on mission.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* How life in a missional community with kids actually mirrors the rest of your life.
* Why kids are vital to the mission and can be a “secret weapon” for you.
* Why a true missional community and lifestyle can never be jammed into a single evening each week.
* 7 easy and practical ways to include your kids in your missional community
*Get started here...*
Kids are part of your family and an important part of your missional community. They are not just an annoyance or people to be entertained. Healthy fami…
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Jun 12, 2023
How to Revive Your Missional Community
Feeling like your church small group or missional community is a bit of a dud, lately? They can oftentimes get stuck as just a weekly meeting and never really become the intentional, life-on-life, daily experience they are meant to be. (And can be.)
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about how to revive your group and breathe new life into things. You really can experience your faith in daily community with others the way Jesus did!
NOTE: In our last episode, Caesar started telling the story of how he and his wife Tina, and some of their friends, first tried out this “missional community” stuff. And how it failed pretty miserably. If you missed that episode, pause this one and go back and listen to this episode now first, and then come back and pick up the story here...
[SPOILER ALERT] Things got better!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* How to establish predictable patterns in the life of your community
* How Jesus balanced his time and prioritie…
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Jun 5, 2023
How to Create a Lifestyle of Discipleship
Is discipleship about gaining knowledge, or is it about a transformed life? Is it a series of classes or, like with Jesus and his pals, was it an all-of-life kind of a deal?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’re talking about true discipleship and looking at what a lifestyle of discipleship looks like when it is all woven into the normal rhythms of your everyday life in community.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* A working definition of discipleship that will reshape your thinking on this immediately
* How Jesus lived life with his disciples and what he then hoped/commanded them to do
* Why a series of 8-10 classes done in a classroom will _never_ produce mature disciples
* Why an integrated lifestyle “apprenticeship” was Jesus’ model for us
Each week the Big 3 will give you immediate action steps to get you started.
Download today’s BIG 3 right now. Read and think over them again later. You might even want to share them with other…
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May 29, 2023
Start a Movement or Join a Movement
Often with disciple-making, we either have no framework for making disciples of Jesus, or we put together such an elaborate plan that is destined to fizzle out.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with a movement leader in Belgium who has helped create a network of communities that are making disciples in beautiful and reproducible ways. This is so encouraging!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How co-vocational saints are leading a large disciple-making movement.
* Why keeping our discipleship process simple makes it reproducible.
* The importance of getting started...or joining others... today!
* How our past church traditions may be causing us to overthink things.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“You don't need to have a program, to start making disciples, Don't overthink it. Just grab some people that you know, who have some common interests and who you have access to their lives, and obviously they, they have access to your life... an…
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May 22, 2023
The Patience Needed For Discipleship
Discipleship is definitely more of a slow cooking process rather than something done at microwave speeds. Maybe that’s why the church in recent history has had such a hard time with making disciples: We want instant conversions, instant attendance, and instant new programs…
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar is joined by disciple-maker and church planter Gino Curcuruto. Listen in as they explore the importance of patience in discipleship. They reflect on the early church leaders' understanding of investing significant time in walking alongside individuals, guiding them toward living in the ways of Jesus.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How patience plays a vital role in the process of discipling someone.
* Why baptism is a model for our ongoing immersion into Gospel Identity.
* The need for discipleship to happen in different environments of life.
* How "micro churches" that only mirror a Sunday church service are missing the mark.
Get started here…
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May 15, 2023
Moving From Attracting To Deploying
Part of the major lack of discipleship we see in the Church today comes back to the reality that many, or most, are still living and leading their people in light of the Old Covenant! New Covenant churches are focused on making disciples who increasingly fill the world with disciples of Jesus.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about what it looks like to move from attracting people to our buildings toward deploying people on mission, and truly embracing our New Covenant identity.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Stark differences between the Old and New Covenants found in scripture.
* How embracing the reality of the New Covenant in Christ SENDS us out on mission.
* Ways that the New Covenant empowers the “priesthood of all believers” and will radically transform the Church.
* Some signs that you or your church may still be living and laboring under the Old Covenant.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“In the New Covenant, Jesus has already…
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May 8, 2023
How To Develop New Missional Leaders Pt.2
*If you are not intentionally developing new leaders within your church or missional community–all the time–you will find yourself with a “leadership vacuum”. D*on’t wait until you are lacking leaders who will serve and help with growth. You need to develop new leaders as a part of your ongoing disciple-making process.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar is joined by one of his personal long-time mentors, John Witte. You'll be encouraged as they share hard-earned lessons in successfully developing new leaders.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The importance of waiting until someone asks you to develop them. (Sometimes.)
* How Invitation & Challenge fits into developing new leaders.
* Why your model for doing church may be costing you new leaders.
* 4 critical things required for building providential relationships.
Get started here...
From this episode:
“I really believe that one of the ways that we build providential relationships is th…
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May 1, 2023
How To Develop New Missional Leaders
The church has historically required people to be at a very high level of education and proven experience before they are released to lead others… or even be a central part of disciple-making. We’ll never see a gospel movement of multiplication this way!
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll give you a simple process for developing missional leaders. You can use this in everything you do, with all the disciples in your life, and you’ll be on a path of natural and reproducible leadership development.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why there always seems to be a “leadership crisis” in so many churches.
* How leadership development precedes the multiplication of disciples, communities, and churches.
* How any knowledge, skill, or spiritual practice can be passed on through this process.
* Why making everything simple and reproducible is key to multiplying leaders.
Get started here...
From this episode:
“Eventually you will need to leave these…
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Apr 24, 2023
Racism, Identity and Our Gospel Hope
The subject of racial equality and related social injustice is one of the most pressing and important topics in our culture today. Is this a problem that’s “out there” and since it’s not affecting the majority of us today, we ignore it and hope it goes away? Is there hope for change? I believe there is, but it may not be a popular or politically correct option to take.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I talk about racism, our identity, and how the Gospel is our only true hope. Not churchy stuff, not more Bible studies where we don’t live out what we learn in those studies. The Gospel.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Some of Caesar's own experiences with racism in his life.
* If non-people of color have a right to speak publicly on this issue.
* How identity as an Image-bearer, and seeing others the same, is crucial.
* Why being WITH and FOR those who have been treated as "less" by the culture is our best posture and plan forward.
Get started here…
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Apr 17, 2023
Family Life on a Kingdom Mission
*Missional communities should be an extension of our own family life patterns and missional rhythms. *Like our master, Jesus, we must lead with our lives–not just our words. Our own family on mission is at the center of everything we do and what we build.
In this episode, you'll hear from a beautiful couple as we talk about how they’ve successfully integrated all of family life, work, and ministry into a natural lifestyle of disciple-making in community. I could not think of anyone better to illustrate the fun, the woes, the joy and the triumphs of living as a family on mission.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How John and Alison started living this way as a family.
* How their unique gifts both conflict and lead them forward on mission.
* Some of the challenges that come up for them and their kids.
* How normal this lifestyle now feels and the joy they experience.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
"Everyone gets to do mission in ways that fit their uni…
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Apr 10, 2023
Grief According to the Gospel
Throughout scripture, we see that God, magnified in the life of Jesus, grieves. He grieves sin and the effects of sin on humanity and our relationships. Created in God's image, experiencing grief is part of what makes us human. But not all of us understand how to grieve and help others in their grief.
In this episode, Caesar shows how the Gospel speaks to our grief and why God has given us a wide range of emotions to draw us closer to him. If we'll let him.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The reasons for God's grief and our own.
* Why grief is not only connected to death.
* Why our goal is not to make grief smaller or get past it quicker.
* The 5 Stages of Grief and how the Gospel speaks to each.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
"Death is perhaps the one area in which we still give ourselves permission to grieve. Death is so hard, so final, so at odds with the way God designed us humans to live, that we can’t help but grieve when it occurs. But what about…
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Apr 3, 2023
Holistic Discipleship: The Gospel In Everything
Discipleship involves caring for the whole life of a person. How we steward our time, jobs, money, relationships, entertainment, health, body, etc. can all be transformed by the Gospel for God’s glory. Not just the "spiritual" things.
In this episode, Caesar Kalinowski shows how the Gospel speaks to and transforms ALL of life, and why our disciple-making must and can be holistic. He also uncovers the reasons why our discipleship is not as holistic as it could be.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The commitment Jesus had to developing his disciples holistically.
* 7 areas of life we can apply the Gospel to in our disciple-making.
* What keeps us from being more holistic disciple-makers.
* Ways to begin having a much broader view in all of this.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
"Often, we can find that the time required or the level of intentionality needed to disciple people in a holistic way becomes overwhelming. Or our need for everyone’s approval p…
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Mar 27, 2023
Gospel Fluency Tunes Our Ear To Others’ Hearts
*Everyone's stories–the big life stories and the smaller stories that make up our lives and relationships–offer an immediate and powerful way to listen* for opportunities to speak the good news of the gospel into a person’s life and circumstances.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar Kalinowski talks with Terry Miller, a missionary based in Spain, on the topic of Gospel Fluency and cultivating our capacity to hear and view others' situations through a gospel lens by engaging in Gospel Listening.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The ways that our Father and Jesus were really good listeners.
* How everyone's stories are an opportunity for speaking Good News into their lives.
* How Terry's family uses Gospel Listening naturally as they disciple people.
* Ways to start using this practice in your own life and relationships today.
Get started here…
From this episode:
_"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force. The friends who…
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Mar 20, 2023
Are Your Church Elders Really Deacons? (And vice versa)
*A lot of men called ‘elders’ in the Church today are not functioning as biblical elders. Maybe what they are actually doing is a lot closer to the work of the deacons?*
*Many cling to their titles, when in fact they're not leading God’s people by example on the only mission Jesus gave his church: making disciples.*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar goes deep into the examples and commands in the Bible concerning the role, tone, and function of early church elders and deacons. We need a lot more of this today!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Where early church elders were found and how they were appointed.
* What happened after deacons were first established in the church. Surprising!
* The living, present example our church elders should play in disciple-making.
* What to do if your elders are NOT functioning as biblical elders.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"If the pastors and elders in the church are supposed to be role model…
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Mar 13, 2023
Beyond Offense: Sharing Our Faith and Restoring Relationships
*We've all had attempts at sharing our faith not turn out as well as we hoped. And sometimes, despite our good intentions, the other person ends up offended. Was it our fault, or did they just not want to hear it?*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar will give you 7 ways to begin again after you’ve offended someone while sharing your faith or religious beliefs.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* You'll hear the story of Caesar's friend who blew it with everyone in his neighborhood and how he began to repair things. (An extraordinary rebound!)
* How to begin to rebuild trust with an offended person.
* Why and how to apologize in a way that reflects what Jesus is like.
* 7 important things to remember when starting over with someone.
Get started here…
From this episode:
_“Starting over with sharing your faith should start where things should have started in the first place… helping people in our lives see God’s love, patience, pursuit and car…
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Mar 6, 2023
Being Salt and Light in Our Divided Culture
*Clearly, we live in an increasingly divided culture. Do we retreat, or do we engage this cultural chasm with a person-to-person and systemic response? Maybe, as Jesus said, we can begin to live as both SALT and LIGHT despite our differences.*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar shows us three very important ways of living as salt and light in our divided culture. This is a “head, heart, hands” approach you can begin today.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A surprising list of the things that are dividing our culture today.
* Why we want to start advocating for the underdog.
* How erring on the side of grace changes us–and them.
* Ways to keep an open door and an open mind.
Get started here…
From this episode:
_“Hanging out with and defending broken, messy people–or those that have very different opinions than us–can be hard to do. When you stick up for those on the 'wrong side of the tracks' or the wrong side of an issue, you’re ac…
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Feb 27, 2023
Making The Mission of God a Family Story w/Hugh Halter
Parents raising a “righteous brood” is part of Jesus’ plan to see justice, mercy, and the fullness of his kingdom transform the earth. He wants to see you growing your kids into people who will usher in God’s kingdom, for the good of all.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar speaks with author Hugh Halter who, along with his wife, Cheryl, has raised his family to live an adventurous life, following Jesus and bringing God’s good news to those around them. Their story will really encourage you!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* The Mission of God is truly a family story.
* How to help your kids fall in love with Jesus.
* It's not perfect parenting God is looking for.
* The beauty and results of suffering together.
*_From this episode:_*
“The beautiful thing about making the mission of God a family story is that it not only makes room for the broken, but it assumes we are broken. Said another way: When you sign up your family to live for God…
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Feb 20, 2023
Being Missionaries to Our Neighbors: A Discipleship Journey
Most Christians are sick of the "hamster wheel" of ministry activities they’re expected to fit into their schedules. And it can be frustrating trying to get the folks in your church to engage in discipleship and outreach in their busy, daily lives.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar and his wife Tina share their story of how they moved from mega-church staff to neighborhood missionaries. They learned how discipleship and mission were designed by God to fit into the normal rhythms of everyday life.
And it changed everything!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* Caesar and Tina's personal journey may inspire your own next steps of faith.
* The amazing benefits of living on mission as a lifestyle.
* Why your family needs you to shift from a Sunday-only experience of church.
* How to find help in making discipleship as a lifestyle part of your own story.
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_*
“We were looking for more....there's gotta be mo…
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Feb 13, 2023
Moving People To Maturity Through Relational Growth
How we invest in our relationships is a big part of making disciples that make more disciples and lead others in the church. Jesus lived intentionally with his disciples* by inviting them to join him in every aspect of life, *and by challenging them in ways that encouraged trust, growth, and maturity.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar speaks with a married couple who are making disciples and developing leaders through intentionally building both invitation and challenge into their relationships with others.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* The importance of calibrating both invitation and challenge in relationships.
* How this has implications for making disciples and developing leaders.
* The ways that invitation and challenge speak into marriage and parenting.
* Examples from practitioners showing how it works in real life.
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_*
_“Whenever we are investing time and energy into discipling someone, or de…
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Feb 6, 2023
Discipleship Rhythms For a Community on Mission
Ministry and discipleship cannot merely be a series of events on the calendar. If all we have are organized events, then what we offer people is a program. But, if all we do in our disciple-making is organic and rarely organized or predictable, it is hard for people to know what it is we're asking them to commit to.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar speaks with master disciple-maker, Gino Curcuruto, on how the rhythms of a community on mission very much mirror life as a family. We need both organized and organic rhythms. We'll show you how to find and create a balance between them.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* Discipleship should not be a program we offer others.
* How to help people understand what we are asking them to commit to.
* The need for both organized and organic rhythms in community.
* How predictable patterns naturally lead to life-on-life together.
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_*
_“I've noticed that it takes very few…
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Jan 30, 2023
4 Truths About God That Will Impact Your Parenting
*What you believe about God, overall and in the moment, affects how you parent your kids. Sometimes what we **say** we believe, and what our actions show we believe, are far apart.*
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll give you 4 truths about God that will forever challenge, and hopefully _change_, your parenting. And BTW, this will apply to the hearts of non-parents too… trust me!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* Parenting is NOT primarily about behavioral modification.
* Why if you don’t believe God is _truly great,_ you’ll try to control everything in your kids’ life.
* Truths about God that are behind all of your kids’ actions (and yours).
* 4 truths about God (his character and how he acts in the world) that dramatically speak into how we’re currently parenting.
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_*
_“__I don’t want to talk about tricks and tactics on how to get your kids to DO this or STOP doing that… we’ll leave that…
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Jan 23, 2023
What Causes Sin and How to Stop It
_“Just stop it!”_ doesn’t really work when it comes to changing sinful actions, habits, or thoughts in our lives (or in others). And perhaps what you’ve been taught about sin and repentance is all wrong...
Today on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about where sin really comes from and how we can move away from our particular brand of sin and find freedom. What if all sin is actually a symptom of something else?
Not many Christians think of themselves as unbelievers. We normally use the term to describe people who are not yet followers of Jesus. But there are many things about God that we all still do not believe. Often there’s a large gap between what we _say_ we believe in our head, and what we truly believe in our heart. *This is where sin comes from*.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* A radical heart-level perspective on sin and repentance.
* How and why God looks at the heart–_not_ at your actions.
* Four eternal truths about God, when not fully beli…
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Jan 16, 2023
Why Planning Rest Before Work Is Smart
Sabbath rest is not about just taking a break. It’s about putting an end to the restlessness of self, and self-provision, that keeps us living distracted, frantic, and fragmented lives of dissatisfaction.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about why planning your rest before work is smart and crucial to living the life God intended for you. And we’ll give a few ways to get started.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* God’s original intent for the Sabbath and how it always pointed to Jesus.
* Why Sabbath rest is a lot more than just “not working”.
* The importance of planning your rest before you plan your work.
* Ways you can get started living out of rest as part of your lifestyle.
From this episode:
"God desires us to spend time with him and be in his presence even more than we do! He created us and knows that this time of reconnecting to his goodness, grace, and provision–fulfilled in Christ–is for our ultimate good. Regularly recon…
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Jan 9, 2023
Beyond the Resolutions: Ideas for Staying on Track
If you're like many people, you may have made some resolutions at the beginning of the year with the best of intentions, but you may be struggling to stay on track now that the year is already underway.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we give you practical tips and strategies for keeping your resolutions and staying motivated, even after the initial excitement of the new year has worn off. You got this!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Reasons why some people don't want to set goals.
* Tips on effective goal setting that works.
* 7 ideas for staying on track with your resolutions.
* How to get started, stay motivated, and be kind to yourself.
From this episode:
"It's important to believe in your own ability to make lasting changes in your life and achieve your goals–with God’s strength and guidance. This doesn't mean that you won't face challenges or setbacks along the way – everyone does. However, it's important to approach your goals with…
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Jan 2, 2023
Our Need For Innovation in the Church Today
There was a time when Christians and the Church pioneered much of the future, shaping culture in profound ways, from business to art to justice reform. But along the way, that redemptive, adaptive movement began to institutionalize, leaving us change-averse and frozen in time.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar welcomes innovation strategist and author, Doug Paul, who uses surprising stories and cultural analysis to help explain the five phases of Kingdom innovation. Doug offers valuable guidance for contemporary leaders looking to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What true innovation is and who are the best innovators.
* Why most leaders haven't really innovated their churches during the pandemic.
* 5 (easy to grasp) phases of innovation.
* How to get the training and tools you need to begin to lead change.
From this episode:
"Innovation is a skill and it’s a muscle you can grow. You c…
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Dec 26, 2022
The Beauty of the Gospel vs. Religion
Many people who avoid the Church have not rejected Jesus and the Good News of the Gospel; they've actually, rightfully so, shunned religion. And they've dismissed a transactional way of relating to God and an effort to somehow balance out the cosmic scales of his justice.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we look at the beautiful and liberating difference between the Gospel vs. religion. Christianity and the true Gospel tells us that God himself, in the person of Jesus, has already done for us all the things we never could have done for ourselves. And that is Good News!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How the New Testament warns us about religion.
* Why the Gospel is not advice telling you what you should or shouldn’t do in life.
* The difference between the Gospel and Religion in several key areas of our lives.
* How to spot where you might be living under the heavy yoke of religion.
From this episode:
"If you still feel that you have to work ha…
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Dec 19, 2022
Is Tithing Actually Biblical?
*Christians are taught that we should be giving 10% of everything we earn to the church. Is the practice of tithing still in effect for us today, or is it time to reconsider this practice?*
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll look at the truth about tithing. Is it biblical? Are we under-giving or over-giving if we are tithing, and how might we give in light of the gospel?
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* The three types of tithes God mandated Israel to give in the Law.
* How tithes and offerings were used in the Old Testament.
* What Jesus taught about giving and how it reflects our hearts.
* How the Gospel informs our giving and support of the Church today.
*_From this episode:_*
_“Empowered by God working within us, we’re now called, like our Lord Jesus, to lay down our lives for others. This includes sacrificially giving of ourselves—our time, possessions, talents… our plans—out of love for God and for others.”_
Each week the Big 3…
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Dec 12, 2022
Do Christians Party Like They Believe The Gospel?
Christians should be the most celebratory people in the world. In every neighborhood, in every city. Do you agree with that? Well, our heavenly Father is sure into parties!
In this episode, Caesar and Heath talk about how to celebrate according to the gospel. And we dig deep into historical and biblical proof that our God loves to party, and he loves when we do.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How God built celebration into the rhythms of everyday life for us.
* Why a weekly church service was never Jesus’ idea of “partying”.
* How our views on alcohol are shaped by our understanding of the Gospel.
* Why we can live redeemed lives that are used by God to redeem others.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“God set regular celebrations into the annual and daily calendars of his people, his family, so that they would always live with reminders of who he is and what he is like. And so that they would demonstrate this to others and display their trust in th…
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Dec 5, 2022
How to Be Confident in Your Unique Calling
*People who know their calling in life seem to live with a form of built-in GPS that guides them throughout their lives. They’re focused, they know where they're going. And while calling and vocation sometimes overlap, they are in fact very different things.*
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, you’ll discover how to find your unique calling and live it with more clarity and confidence. Let’s get started on your journey of discovery!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* Is there such a thing as a “personal calling”?
* If your calling can change throughout your life.
* How to discover and affirm the calling God has given YOU.
* Download the worksheet to get started defining your calling and mission now!
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_*
“One definition for what a 'calling' is, that we find helpful… 'God’s personal invitation for me to work on His agenda, using the talents I’ve been given in ways that are eternally significant.'”…
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Nov 28, 2022
Could a 2nd Job Be Part of Your Calling?
Does your current ministry role and lifestyle help you realize and experience what people in your city really face–the things that are really on their hearts? Believers and not-yet-believers? Maybe God has been preparing you for the next part of his calling on your life.
In this episode of The Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with longtime pastor, Tim McIntyre from New York City. You'll hear how energized for ministry and life he has become after he started working a 2nd job in his city. You will love Tim’s heart and his NY accent!
In This Episode You'll Learn:
* Your calling may or may not be in full-time ministry... it could be both!
* The dangers of living and working in a "Christian bubble".
* The benefits of regularly working outside the walls of the Church.
* How God may be preparing you now for what's next in life.
From this episode...
"Whatever you do for a nine to five, it's more than likely your vocation. God's called you to what you're doing, and w…
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Nov 21, 2022
How The Gospel Speaks To Guilt and Shame
Guilt or shame... are they the same thing? The last time you made a mistake or really blew it, what were you feeling in your gut: guilt or shame? Do you know the difference? One is healthy, and the other is deadly.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I'll show you why understanding how these two emotions differ is critical to your emotional health and your relationships.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Functional definitions of guilt and shame in action.
* The reason why we often turn normal guilty feelings to shame.
* How the Gospel speaks into (and destroys) shame.
* Practical ways to turn conversations away from deadly shame.
From this episode:
"Can you see how important it is to understand the difference and how intrinsically linked to the Gospel guilt and shame are? This is a BIG problem in our society, churches, and homes today. There is so much shame being put on others and/or received, that it is driving us underground and into all sorts of o…
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Nov 14, 2022
Is Bi-Vocational Ministry the Future For Leaders?
For as long as we've all been alive, there has been sort of a two-tiered system for Christians: Those who are “called” enough and lucky enough to be on the staff at church and actually get paid to do ministry... and then there was pretty much everyone else. Or what is often referred to as the “laity” and the never-ending line of church volunteers.
In this episode of The Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’re talking about the future of church leadership and who should be having paid positions at the church. And how, maybe, full-time vocational ministry is shifting in our time. Is bi-vocational ministry your future?
In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How the rise of layers of paid church staff is really a late-model invention.
* How there is a shift happening to what is called bi-vocational ministry (Bivo).
* 7 benefits to bi-vocational ministry and church planting that propel ministry.
* Why planning for a future career in paid ministry may not work for you.
Each week t…
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Nov 7, 2022
Connecting With God in Everyday Life
*Humans* were created to live in a trusting relationship with God where he guides our lives with his perfect love and wisdom. Prayer reconnects us to God in the ways he always intended us to live.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with author Neil Cole about prayer and finding ways for ordinary people to connect with God in all of life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why prayer is much more than advertised.
* The true purpose of prayer... and it may not be what you think!
* Simple, yet powerful ways for you to bring about change in your life.
* A 4-step process that will transform (and simplify) your prayers.
From this episode:
_"Don't limit your prayers to a one-way conversation towards God. Talk with him. In all the many ways we get to: adoration/praise, thanksgiving, praying the scriptures, petition, blessing prayers, intercession, meditation, journaling. Any of the ways that you choose to communicate with God are a good thing, and…
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Oct 31, 2022
Pastors: Stop Doing 80% of What You’re Doing!
If you’re a pastor, a lot of the things you're spending time on each week _may not_ be producing as much fruit as you think. But all of us get caught on a hamster wheel of things we’ve added to our list of responsibilities, or someone else has, that over time become a huge waste of our energy and resources.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about why most leaders should STOP doing 80% of what they're currently doing. You are facing what may be the biggest opportunity you'll ever have to reset your schedule as things get restarted.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the future of your church depends on you doing less.
* How your physical time and capacity may not be as drained as your emotional capacity.
* How to assess your true values and what gets you up in the morning (and why).
* Practical ways to know what you should be putting on your "stop doing list".
Get started here…
From this episode:
"We all have only so much physical time and cap…
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Oct 24, 2022
Motivating People to Live on Mission
Have you found it hard–_really hard_–to move people toward embracing change lately? Are you finding it frustrating to motivate folks to reorient their lives around discipleship, serving others, and missional living... versus a consumeristic experience of the church?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we'll tell you why the way you've learned to motivate people produces polarizing results. And we'll give you ways to initiate lasting change through more gospel-centered motivations.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the old ways of "carrot and stick" ultimately fail to motivate people.
* How the “DO=BE” distortion is in full effect in all of this.
* The difference between the Legalist and the Gospel when motivating others.
* How what we believe, love and fear changes everything.
From this episode:
_"All of these ways of trying to motivate others to do something new or accept a new way of being and living, all appeal to the same thing: Self.…
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Oct 17, 2022
Halloween: Your Neighborhood Mission
Halloween has some “dark history”, and many of us were taught that this was a holiday you were supposed to avoid if you’re a Christian. But the truth behind this annual event may surprise you. There’s no reason to miss out on this HUGE chance to bring redemption to your neighborhood.
In this episode, Caesar and Heath Hollensbe discuss the amazing opportunity that our current cultural experience of Halloween provides as we live on mission and make disciples.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The history of Halloween and how the Church may have actually invented it.
* How the Gospel redeems culture instead of avoiding it.
* Why Christians can and should participate with radical generosity.
* 7 ideas on ways to be more intentional and missional this year.
*_From this episode:_*
“We had a blast and took things further towards lasting relationships with several people. Our goal with this was to try and move relationships beyond just dropping a good candy bar in…
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Oct 10, 2022
How to Speak Gospel to the Cancel Culture
The "cancel culture" can hit anyone at any time–even you–if you've ever said or done something that a very vocal group of people disagree with. Unfortunately, the Church is not immune to this type of canceling of our own.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we'll take a look at how God deals with messed-up people and disagreements. Did he cancel the reputation and livelihood of some of history’s most famous sinners? We'll hear some Good News for all of this, and I'll give you 5 Rules for combating the cancel culture in your life today.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What the 'cancel culture' is, and how to know if you've been "canceled".
* Ways you may have canceled people in your life and not known it.
* How the Good News of the Gospel speaks to and cancels the 'cancel culture'.
* 5 Rules for combating the cancel culture in your life today.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Some Christians are quick to point to Matthew 18 and the words fou…
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Oct 3, 2022
Why Church Elders Should Be Lead Disciple-makers
Many pastors are working hard to lead their families and flocks to engage discipleship in all of life, but their biggest roadblocks to exponential growth is their own church elders! Oftentimes, these “elders” do not make disciples and have never led another person to faith in Jesus. How could this be so common?!
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we ask the question: Are your elders discipleship friends or foes? You’ll discover the true history of how church elders emerged, their roles, and why your church elders should be lead disciple-makers in your church.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Did elders exist in culture before the emergence of the Church?
* How elders were appointed and their role in the early church.
* Why your elders should be THE model for making disciples in the church!
* What to do if your elders are “blocking” discipleship in community.
From this episode:
“I think what really scares me is, not only is this type of elder a…
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Sep 26, 2022
Is Your Church Successful? New Benchmarks
Jesus was immeasurably the most successful person in human history. In every way. Yet, if we were to measure his lifetime effectiveness using today’s Church benchmarks of success, Jesus would probably find it hard to get hired on at most churches. What are you measuring?
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we look at why some of the traditional ways we’ve been measuring church success are not producing kingdom growth and mature disciples. Here are the new benchmarks of a successful church.
Your church or community really can shift toward missional engagement. By changing what you measure, you’ll begin to change your focus to accomplishing the Church’s true mission and its ultimate purpose.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why what your church is measuring may actually be toxic.
* How our current standards of success are very different than Jesus’.
* What happens when we begin to measure and fund different goals.
* 10 new benchmarks of a successful, mis…
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Sep 19, 2022
10 Secrets to Growing Deeper Friendships
Building strong relationships of trust is a key factor in discipleship. But many of us are not good at building friendships, or we seem too busy in our lives to make the investment of time that it takes.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, join me as I mine the wisdom of author Twyla Franz and uncover practical ways to start growing deeper friendships today.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How friendships and trust are the pathways for disciple-making.
* Why openness and vulnerability don't have to be scary.
* How "divine interruptions" are opportunities to connect and share life.
* 10 secrets to growing deeper friendships that transform relationships.
From this episode:
"The #1 thing we all have in common, and it makes for great common ground, is our need for Jesus and the transformation his life brings to ours. Let your redemption show! Don’t hide your screw-ups. When people see and hear that you are not perfect, it allows them to live openly around…
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Sep 12, 2022
How to Start Shifting Your Church Outward
The way we gather as the Church *has changed*. Our once rock-solid pattern of meeting all together on Sundays has been fractured, and statistics show that as much as 30% of people are not returning to our weekend gatherings.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks about the need for the Church to start creating new, outward-focused "predictable patterns" that everyone can start in their own families right at home.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How the change in our gathering patterns may be a blessing in disguise.
* Why new predictable patterns can and must start in our homes.
* How you could double the size of your church this week. Seriously!
* 5 steps that you can initiate in your family and church-wide right now.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Your family is the first place to begin when starting new spiritual rhythms. Begin at the beginning in your own lives. Trying to organize others into a series of activities, events, or rhyt…
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Sep 5, 2022
Fighting Our Preoccupation With Self
How you feel, pretty much in every moment, is connected to how you believe things are going relative to your sense of self. It is out of our identity, and perception of self, that our motives and actions flow. The Gospel answers our fallen self-obsession with a great work of grace in Christ.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we'll examine what drives our pride and continual self-focus, and how the Gospel leads us to freedom and relational peace.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How your understanding of God's stance against pride may be wrong.
* Why we spend so much time focused on self and what others think.
* Why thinking less of yourself is not the answer to pride.
* How the Gospel leads us to focus more on Jesus and less on ourselves.
From this episode:
"The remedy for our preoccupation with self is a greater and growing focus and preoccupation with Jesus and his perfection. Not our DO to BE list of accomplishments, not focusing on our failures,…
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Aug 29, 2022
Why You Need More Storytelling In Your Discipleship
Our lives are wrapped up in stories; they are the language of our world. Who we believe ourselves to be is shaped by the dominant story in our lives, and what we believe about God and what he is like will ultimately determine what we believe about ourselves and how life works.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I share why learning, embracing, and teaching the Story of God found throughout the Bible is a key component in discipleship. You'll learn how we teach the Story in community and the transformation that it brings.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How stories powerfully shape our lives and worldview.
* Why the Bible stories you may have been taught as a kid were wrong.
* Ways we've used narrative and dialogical story-telling in our discipleship.
* Where to get free Story of God resources and training.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"It is one thing to know a lot _about_ God and the Bible; it is another to understand and experience his lovi…
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Aug 22, 2022
Blessed to Be a Blessing: Your Family on Mission
Blessed to be a blessing sounds at once awesome… and a little daunting. Where do we start blessing people when there are SO MANY needs around us? That should make it easier, but honestly, it can kind of shut you down, not knowing WHO to bless or HOW.
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about how to live fully enjoying the blessings in your life, but also how to live “blessed to be a blessing” to others as a family on mission.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How many things you’ve truly been blessed with in this life.
* If you’re living as a Conduit or a Barrel.
* 3 powerful, yet simple ways to start blessing others–regularly.
* Ways to include your entire family in blessing as part of their discipleship.
From this episode:
“Imagine a family, or a group of families in a missional community all blessing people in their neighborhood regularly? We suggest 3 small blessings per week each. Do you think people would start to notice something is…
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Aug 15, 2022
First Steps To Becoming a Missional Church
Many conversations about our churches becoming more missional (discipleship-focused) assume there are nothing but objections and arguments against living this way. But what about those churches where people are already convinced and just need direction?
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we lay out the very first steps to becoming a missional church. These are steps that you can ABSOLUTELY take today, and your folks will love it!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The difference between leading complacent people vs. the highly motivated.
* Why exposing people’s fears and preferences creates opportunities for change.
* The FIRST thing Caesar would do to start moving your church toward mission.
* 3 More ideas and next steps to keep you moving in the right direction.
From this episode:
“There is a big difference between trying to lead people who are complacent and not excited about the gospel or discipleship, and those that are embracing this idea that our fait…
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Aug 8, 2022
Changing Your Mind About Discipleship
If the Church keeps doing what it has been for decades in connection to disciple-making, we will continue to see a decline in Christianity in our time. There is no better time than today to start changing our minds, changing the church, and changing the world!
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll give you 10 key false beliefs and misconceptions about discipleship that we all need to get to work changing in the church today.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How the Church has gotten so far away from the discipleship Jesus practiced.
* Causes of the present “discipleship crisis” we’re experiencing in the church today.
* How preaching a “small” and often false gospel has led to where we are at.
* 10 Key areas of false belief that we need to start changing...now!
From this episode:
“When we began to believe and preach a small gospel that was man-centered and focused on our afterlife in heaven, while we attended church and tried not to sin here on…
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Aug 1, 2022
How Jesus Explained Life and Growth For Us
*Are you living a “Kingdom of God lifestyle” today, in a very real sense? Do you feel like growth, abundance, and victory are all a part of your community life and church experience?*
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar and Heath talk about how Jesus explained normal life and growth in the Kingdom of God.
As more and more of us are starting, shifting to, and living in missional communities, we often wonder if we’re “doing it right”. Does this work in every context for everyone? Do all missional communities grow and multiply? How much should this become a _lifestyle_ versus a series of cooler meetings and hangouts?
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* The true definition of a Missional Community defined.
* Caesar’s story of a pretty rocky start to all of this 😳
* How Jesus explained life (all of it) and growth, and what to expect.
* The Pattern and Promise we see throughout the Parables in the NT.
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_…
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Jul 25, 2022
How to Stop Worrying About What These People Think
*People **_love_** to give their opinions about how you’re doing things… but sometimes the best way to care for others and yourself is to stop caring about what certain people think. *
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we look at the types of people you’ll need to *stop* listening to in order to truly make disciples and live on mission. This will be refreshing!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* How our desire for acceptance is hard-wired into us from birth.
* Why what others say or think can often stop us from moving forward.
* The 3 types of people you may be listening to.
* Who specifically you need to STOP listening to!
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_*
_“It’s been said that people would care a lot less about what others think about them if they knew how little others think about them. And it’s true: if you're worried about how you come across to someone you’ve just met or had a conversation with, keep in mind that they’re prob…
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Jul 18, 2022
Why God Wants Us To Treat Everyone Like Family
*Who’s ‘in’... who’s ‘out’… **Are we really called to treat **_everyone_** like a part of the family? Or is this more of an expression of how we should **_try_** to live, primarily with other Christians? *
This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll show you what scripture teaches and try and convince you that God wants you to treat everyone like they are part of your family.
Treating others like they are family is an extension of the Good News. A place at your table is a place at our Heavenly Dad’s table. Sharing your resources, home, and time is sharing all that God has poured into your life for your pleasure _and_ for his glory. All of this so that the world would know, love, and trust Him.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* A Biblical outline of how God created humanity and sees all of his image-bearers.
* The distinction of what it means to be a “child of God”.
* What happens when we treat everyone like family and let God sort out where…
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Jul 11, 2022
Is Your Language Creating The Culture You Want?
*It seems that many Christians are bilingual... We speak in one normal, everyday language most of the time, but when it comes time to talk about religion, spirituality, or God, we break out our special “Christianese” language. *
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll talk about being more intentional (and careful) with the words we use when we talk about our faith. And we’ll give you a better way forward!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* How the language we use as a church creates our culture.
* The Top 10 Christianese words or sayings deciphered.
* What our language communicates to those outside the Church.
* How we can grow in our own “gospel fluency” and begin to speak in clear, meaningful ways about our faith and what life as a Christian is all about.
*Get started here...*
*_From this episode:_*
_“The Bible and our Christian faith are all relevant… unless we shroud everything in insider language and weird terms that others can’…
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Jul 4, 2022
Life In Community On Mission: The Glorious Mess
There is no such thing as a _typical_ week in the rhythms of a missional community. Healthy communities follow pretty surprisingly simple patterns. And the schedules of the families are not crazy packed and insanely busy.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I'll share a running narrative from the daily journals of a married father in a missional community. You'll get to see all of the "organized" and "organic" interactions that come up in their calendar as a family on mission for one week. Oh, it's messy... but it's a glorious mess!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How a married couple with three kids lives on mission together.
* The gospel-intentionality that is baked into their normal life.
* How living this way in community adds very little to their normal schedules.
* A great picture of discipleship in action in everyday life.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Did you notice that there are really only two or three interactions with the Missiona…
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Jun 27, 2022
Family Discipleship and Mission Made Simple (Part 2)
*I grew up going to church Sunday after Sunday. Discipleship, if and when it happened, was a series of classes or a 9-week curriculum that we went through. The problem with that was… it didn’t really work. *
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll share Part 2 of seven simple yet important steps to living a *_lifestyle_* of discipleship where the gospel speaks good news into and shapes _every_ area of life. Discipleship was always meant to happen with others in community.
What’s keeping you and your people from moving beyond a weekend-to-weekend spirituality into a lifestyle of discipleship and mission with family, friends, and other amazing folks God has brought into your life? Let’s get started.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* How to identify who is "leaning in" to relationship and a possible faith journey with you.
* How to begin to have simple, daily conversations with the Holy Spirit connected to your discipleship and leading others to faith…
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Jun 20, 2022
Family Discipleship and Mission Made Simple (Part 1)
Our Christian faith was always meant to be vibrant and lived like a family with others—not a once-a-week experience. Missional communities are a proven (biblical) way to engage people in normal rhythms of family discipleship and mission… believers and not-yet-believers alike.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll share Part 1 of seven simple steps that will help you lead your folks to a “faith in practice” where family life becomes mission and begins to move outward to include others.
These seven, proven steps may seem simple or even a little obvious, but they really work and are just the beginning... There is no limit to how far this will take you if you apply this to your life.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* What keeps a lot of churches and small groups stuck in a “me-focused” mode.
* The difference between a weekly small group and a true “family on mission”.
* Why understanding and embracing a bigger gospel is at the center of a…
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Jun 13, 2022
Is Your Church Service Confusing People?
Have you ever wondered what your average person–someone who has not grown up in the church–would think Jesus and the gospel are all about based on what they see, hear, and experience in your Sunday church service?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll talk about how the medium we often use on Sundays may be overshadowing the message we really want to share about Jesus, our Father, and his amazing kingdom.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* What some of our favorite activities at church are _really_ saying to people.
* How close and yet so far off we can _accidentally _be in these things.
* Why our ‘good intentions’ are not cutting it with the culture anymore.
* How much of what we do in our Sunday services are really confusing to people.
*Get started here...*
From this episode:
"Assigned greeters, rowed seating, staging, lights and sound are all awesome...for a rock concert. But they may not be helping to show people what our heavenly Dad,…
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Jun 6, 2022
Are You Believing What God Says About You?
*Let’s be honest: the life you lead isn’t what you’ve always dreamt of. And maybe the person you’ve become isn’t who you’ve always imagined. God longs to redeem the story of your life and set you on the path to reclaiming your dreams… His dreams. Are you ready?*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar and Heath speak with author and international church leader, Jo Saxton. Her insights into who God made you to be are refreshing and may encourage you to reexamine a few things in your life.
Born to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Jo brings a multi-cultural and international perspective to leadership. She challenges societal stereotypes and helps people discover who they truly are, by seeing themselves the way God sees them. You will LOVE this interview!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn: *
* How we begin to believe lies about ourselves.
* Why God’s view of you changes how you see yourself in powerful ways.
* How you may have lost your uniq…
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May 30, 2022
Dealing With Limiting Beliefs About Discipleship And Mission
As Christians, we most often use the word “belief” in connection to our faith and the Bible, but we also have beliefs that shape our lives connected to pretty much every action or inaction in life. Sometimes these beliefs can limit our potential.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we'll talk about how you can identify and replace your limiting beliefs about discipleship and mission. It's time to start moving forward!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to recognize and name any limiting beliefs you have.
* How to identify excuses or perceived barriers that keep you stuck.
* Ways to explore your unmet spiritual desires.
* Who you need to spend more time with to promote the changes you want.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"God’s desire is that you would live with spiritual freedom and relational peace. This is what Jesus came to model for us and then commanded his disciples (that’s us today) to go and live the same way, making more discip…
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May 23, 2022
Being Good Neighbors This Summer on Mission
Summer is a great time to get out and about and mix it up with your neighbors more often. Especially now as things are loosening up socially and people are looking to rebuild relationships.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I talk about the idea of “neighboring well” in the summer months. I'll show you how to make the next few months awesome for the sake of discipleship and mission, and really set yourself up for a great autumn season in your community.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why this summer will be like none we've experienced before.
* How to identify the "People of Peace" in your neighborhood.
* A way to REALLY get to know your 8 closest neighbors.
* Loads of tips on being a good neighbor and living as a blessing this summer.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Don’t let the fear of man, performance anxiety, or past experiences with your neighbors keep you from trusting God to guide you this summer. You already have His perfect l…
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May 16, 2022
How to Share Your Faith Without Being Weird
If you’re like most people I know, you probably don’t share your faith all that often. It can feel creepy or just plain awkward, and there’s always that fear of rejection.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about how to share your faith without being weird and how your “good news” can actually sound like good news to people. (Really.)
If you’re not sure how to share your faith with others, or just afraid to get started, this episode will unlock your heart and light a new path for you.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* Something we all have in common that is a giant “aha!” when it comes to sharing your faith.
* Why resting in the reality of God’s love for _you_ is the starting point.
* A way to flip the usual conversation about God and religion upside down.
* How the Good News can actually sound like good news to folks.
*Get started here...*
From this episode...
"You have never looked into the face of another person who is no…
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May 9, 2022
How To Parent With Grace [Not Fear or Control]
Our relationship with God directly feeds into how we see our role as a parent. If we have a flawed theology regarding who God is and how he sees us, it creates a chain reaction of flawed decisions and actions in how we parent our children.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we look at a few radically different parenting styles. We’ll reveal that while you might be well-intentioned, your parenting style may not be producing the type of outcomes in your children’s life and heart that you ultimately desire.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* If you might be the “judgemental parent” or “legalistic parent” type.
* Several parenting styles that commonly flow from a flawed theology of God.
* How to develop a *grace-based parenting* style for life.
* The 4 key “freedoms” that all parents need to give their children.
*Get started here...*
From this episode:
"God loves you the same regardless of how well or poorly you have been parenting so far. T…
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May 2, 2022
How to Stop Taking Everything Personally
When you feel like someone has disrespected you, it's easy to take their behavior personally, blame yourself, and think it reflects on your value. This can be incredibly emotionally draining, but the Gospel offers a way out of these hurtful feelings.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks about why we often take things so personally, allowing them to damage our self-esteem. He'll give you three ways to stop these painful feelings and grow healthier relationships.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Two ways we can take things personally.
* Common examples that you will relate to immediately.
* Why no one can actually offend you–you do that!
* How the Gospel speaks good news to these situations.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Here’s the thing about taking things personally… or when we say, or think, “I was offended”… No one can really offend you, but you can TAKE offense. We can choose to take what someone has said about us,…
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Apr 25, 2022
Why Your Church Isn’t Growing and Maturing w/Alan Hirsch
When we talk about how mature our church is, we often think about age, structures, and programs. But the church is none of those; the Church is people. Are your _people_ mature?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we talk about why your church isn’t growing or maturing with our _very_ special guest, Alan Hirsch. Alan is a leading voice in the missional movement of the Christian West and a heck of a great guy!
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* A surprisingly simple “key” to unity and maturity found in Ephesians 4.
* How to view leadership and ministry through a biblical perspective.
* Why you are a gift to _your_ church and community, given by Jesus himself!
* What happens in a church that doesn’t recognize and embrace all 5 of Jesus’ gifts.
*Get started here...*
From this episode:
"Here’s what's exciting... We often use it (Eph. 4) as a leadership conversation, actually in the book of Ephesians, it's not about leadership. The first instance…
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Apr 18, 2022
When Missional Living Feels Hard
Missional living is messy. At times you’ll wonder why things aren’t easier, or why they’re not moving faster. Sometimes you will wonder if it really matters and if all of this is actually making a difference in people’s lives.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with author and missional practitioner Twyla Franz about when missional living feels hard... and you start to blame yourself, others, or God. This is a great conversation and will encourage you to begin again and keep going!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Reasons that missional living can seem really hard.
* The 3 people we start to blame when things don't go as planned.
* The way humility can lead us to freedom.
* How God feels about you and your progress so far.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Blaming doesn’t help anyone. Instead of blaming ourselves, we can say the needed apologies and invite God to help us love better. Instead of blaming others, we can choose…
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Apr 11, 2022
Discipleship and Preparing for Holy Week
As we make disciples of Jesus, understanding the major significance of Holy Week, and Jesus’ death and resurrection cannot be overstated. Or over-celebrated!
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, you'll hear a narrative of the events that take place during the week leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. Caesar will give you some of his personal thoughts and point out 4 key aspects of this historic week in Jesus' life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How the Gospels each give us a rich and unique perspective.
* Hear a special narrative that combines all four Gospel timelines.
* The significance of 4 "last" events leading up to the Cross.
* Two powerful ways that Jesus took our place to set us free!
Get started here…
From this episode:
"When the Bible says God made Him sin who knew no sin that we might become the righteousness of God in him, he is saying not only that God puts our sins on him… so he dies the death we should have died, but we're also told G…
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Apr 4, 2022
How Your Small Groups Need To Change w/Hugh Halter
Outside the Western world, the Church is experiencing its greatest growth in history by gathering and multiplying small groups of people, numbering 10 or less. Is this the way forward for us too?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with author and modern-day apostle, Hugh Halter, about the need to re-envision why and how our church small groups gather together on mission. Now is the time to change!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why your church small groups are more important than ever.
* The need to reframe the Gospel for everyone in small groups.
* Why understanding the community that Jesus formed is key.
* Tools you can use to move your small group toward missional living.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"God’s love for you, your church, and your community does not stop there! He has brought you together as his family so that more and more of his lost children will find freedom in Christ and live life to the full, today, with y…
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Mar 28, 2022
[SPECIAL] Finding Your People of Peace
Discipleship has moved out of the classroom (yes!) and into your normal life... but knowing who wants to be discipled and who just wants to be friends can be tough to figure out at times.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I am sharing a BONUS training I did for folks in the Everyday Disciple Challenge. I'll show you how to move friends and acquaintances toward discipleship relationships... And you’ll learn how to find the people (believers and not-yets) who may become part of your existing or new missional community.
God has people who already WANT to be with you!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How Jesus helped his disciples identify who they would disciple.
* How to identify the 'People of Peace' who are in your life today.
* Where to spend time looking for these types of people and friends.
* How to move folks from acquaintances to disciples on mission.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"If you love Jesus and you love people, you’re going…
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Mar 25, 2022
[SPECIAL] Finding the Right Missional Balance
With so many changes to the schedule and rhythms of the Church these days, it can be hard to determine what people really need. If we're not careful, we'll create new "busy stuff" for everyone to do and miss the true mission of the Church.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I am sharing Day 4 of the Everyday Disciple Challenge. This is the audio from the Live training we did online. Discover how Jesus balanced his time and attention as he moved his disciples from curious onlookers to mature disciple-makers. (_Answers the "How do *we* do this?" question.)_
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why it can be hard to find balance in changing times.
* A simple diagnostic tool you can use right now!
* The 5 Stages you'll need to lead your people through if you're making changes.
* An opportunity to find help, resources, and a community to do all of this with!
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Is the way you're living as an oikos—an extended family—easil…
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Mar 23, 2022
[SPECIAL] Discipleship Rhythms
Many Christians are frustrated with trying to fit discipleship and spiritual growth into their increasingly busy schedules. But what if God designed all of life as a perfect fit for discipleship?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I am sharing Day 3 of the Everyday Disciple Challenge. This is the audio from the Live training we did online. I reveal six ordinary rhythms of your life that are perfectly created by God for natural, daily discipleship that fits _everyone's_ schedule.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why moving from "additional" to "intentional" with discipleship is critical.
* How discipleship is both organized and organic.
* How God has perfectly designed all of life for natural, organic disciple-making.
* 6 Rhythms of life that everyone in every context of life shares.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"If everything you do in the church and with discipleship is Organized it feels very artificial, robotic, and removed from everyday l…
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Mar 22, 2022
[SPECIAL] Your Gospel Identity – The Foundation
As the Church today, like it or not, there are a lot of things changing and not everyone is happy about it... or sure what to do next.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we're sharing Day 2 of the Everyday Disciple Challenge. This is the audio from the Live training we did online. Understanding how our true Identity _changes motivations_ and sends us OUT on mission is key to making disciples in everyday life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How God created us in the image of his own triune (three-in-one) nature.
* What changes when we start to believe what God says is true of us.
* Why our Gospel Identity puts to death the DO=BE lies we've been taught.
* Practical implications that happen when we help others believe their true identity.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Don't believe the DO=BE lie anymore. What you DO does not create your value and who you really are, your true identity... especially in God's eyes! Believing what God says is true…
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Mar 21, 2022
[SPECIAL] What is Discipleship?
For a long time, the Church has majored in holding worship services and minored in discipleship and mission. Now that the Church has been scattered like never before as we enter into the "new normal", will we seize the opportunity to restore the balance?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, I am sharing Day 1 of the Everyday Disciple Challenge. This is the audio from the Live training we did online. I share a practical, working definition and framework of discipleship that will forever change the way you make disciples of Jesus.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The traditional Church approach to discipleship vs. the biblical (Jesus) approach.
* Why the difference between evangelism and discipleship is so important.
* How disciples made in community (not in a classroom) are a very different type of Christian.
* Simple homework and Action Steps you can take TODAY to get started with everyday discipleship in your life.
Get started here…
From this episode:…
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Mar 14, 2022
The Habit of Small Steps
Staying on track toward accomplishing large goals can seem hard, but all big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision and we all do exactly what we choose to do every day.
In this episode, Caesar shares a simple process for getting started and sustaining movement toward our great task and mission of making disciples of Jesus in community. You'll discover the habit of small daily steps that add up to something big!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The "Daffodil Principle".
* The power of moving 1% each day toward your goals.
* How our actions and habits reveal our true motivation.
* A simple daily process that will add up to big changes!
Get started here…
From this episode:
"We all do exactly what we choose to do every day. If your family life on mission, or your church or small group is not living with the spiritual freedom and relational peace you desire, it is within your God-given ability to change that. Your actions r…
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Mar 7, 2022
Conversations: Missional Community Growth
From the outside looking in, missional communities can look very attractive and appear to be a straight line of growth toward multiplication. It is not always so.
In this episode, we finish up our Conversations series. You'll hear a conversation between a couple of guys who are leading missional communities. One of them is newer to the process and a little disappointed in how things are going with his community.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Missional communities are messy...but a glorious mess!
* Why things only seem like they're moving slowly.
* You’ve engaged in the most meaningful journey of your life.
* Why you'll want to seed multiplication into everything you do.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"That’s why we do all of this, why we are so privileged to be and make disciples of Jesus. A life given to making disciples is a life lived fulfilling God’s eternal purpose for us and all of creation! Talk about living a life of purpose! I want this for…
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Feb 28, 2022
Conversations: Proactive and Reactive Mission
We will never accidentally disciple someone to maturity in Christ. Discipleship that brings the Gospel to bear in all of life must happen in the rhythms of normal life together. But we often confuse discipleship with being a strong witness of God’s love and character to others.
In this episode, we continue in our Conversations series. You'll hear a short conversation between two close friends as they take a few minutes to sit and chat about the differences between their proactive and reactive missional opportunities.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The difference between proactive and reactive mission and opportunities.
* Several examples of a clearly identified proactive mission.
* What to do with those who fall outside your proactive mission.
* Why "witnessing for Jesus" is not our mission!
Get started here…
From this episode:
"A proactive missional opportunity is when we say as a community, “we're going to give ourselves, together, to radically reorient our…
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Feb 21, 2022
Conversations: Small Group or Missional Community?
Through the years we’ve seen Christians group themselves into 'holy huddles' that leave little room for new friends to join them in meaningful ways. That’s not God’s plan!
In this episode, we continue in the Conversations series. You'll hear two different conversations: The first is a couple of friends who’ve been in a small group together for quite a while… and the second one is between some couples in a true missional community. They are very different conversations. Pay attention to who and what is the focus of their groups and life together.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why our traditional 'small groups' are not what God intended.
* 6 important distinctions between small groups and missional communities.
* God's amazing hope and desire for his family.
* A clear illustration of how people in a missional community see their lives on mission.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Our co-mission as the Church is to lovingly invite the people God has pu…
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Feb 14, 2022
Conversations: Gospel Communities On Mission
Most people cannot multiply or replicate what they experience on Sundays at a church service. If what we preach, and teach others cannot be reproduced immediately, over and over, then it will never lead to maturity, growth and multiplication.
In this episode, we continue in the Conversations series. You'll hear a short but natural conversation between a couple of buddies who meet up at a cafe. They end up talking about a pretty common misperception connected to discipleship that a lot of us were taught in church, and maybe, still hold onto today.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why it's critical we have all 3 "legs of the stool" in our churches.
* How your discipleship process may be missing a key ingredient.
* Why one-to-one discipleship does not lead to maturity.
* A conversation about the importance of living in gospel communities on mission.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"If mature disciples could be made in a one-to-one setting alone, or in classrooms,…
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Feb 7, 2022
Conversations: Discipleship In All Of Life
The gospel is not just the beginning of our Christian life and how we obtain a ticket to heaven. Our discipleship has implications for all of life today. And think about this… we are actually _always_ in discipleship mode.
In this episode, Caesar continues in the Conversations series. Hear a conversation between a married couple talking about a recent trip to the grocery store. Learn how discipleship should, does, and will affect all of life, not just spiritual things and where we’ll spend our afterlife.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How and why God has us continually in "discipleship mode".
* The ways God uses our discipling of others for our own growth.
* The importance of helping people understand discipleship in all of life.
* How a super gospel-fluent conversation in everyday life sounds.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"We tend to think that everything going on in our life, or that the things we do to disciple others, are always about what the othe…
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Jan 31, 2022
Conversations: How We Make Disciples
Discipleship is not about knowledge acquisition or teaching folks lots of stuff about the Bible. It's not enough to teach facts or gain knowledge… Disciples must be formed in ways that change their motivation and give them active gospel experiences.
In this episode, Caesar continues in the series Conversations. We're halfway through 10 essential topics you'll need to discuss with those you want to lead toward a lifestyle of discipleship and mission. Hear a conversation between a couple of friends that in a powerful way teaches us to reorient our thinking on how we need to make disciples of Jesus.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A powerful parable that reframes disciple-making.
* How our current methods of discipleship fall way short.
* The ways people need to experience new things in order to change.
* A reproducible method for making your discipleship more holistic.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"If you feel like your current discipleship (in your church…
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Jan 24, 2022
Conversations: The Mission of the Church
Everything we do as the Church should support the only mission Jesus gave us–make disciples who make more disciples. How's that coming along in your church?
In this episode, Caesar continues in the series Conversations; 10 essential topics you'll need to discuss with those you want to lead toward a lifestyle of discipleship and mission. Hear how a conversation might sound between a couple of friends on staff at the same church, as they discuss *The Mission of the Church*, and how they might start to align all ministry areas toward making disciples.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A powerful analogy of the church's "discipleship drift".
* How every department or program of your church can be mission-focused.
* Using Sunday services to help align all other areas of ministry.
* How a conversation about the mission of the church might sound.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Discipleship-focused language should be used often and regularly if we are going to cre…
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Jan 17, 2022
Conversations: The Purpose of the Gospel
Jesus did not die to save us just so that we could get a ticket out of hell and a spot in heaven someday. Do your people know why God saved them in Christ?
In this episode, Caesar continues with a series of essential conversations you'll need to have with those you want to lead toward a lifestyle of discipleship and mission. Hear how a conversation might sound between a couple of friends discussing the purpose of the gospel. You will love this!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The often "missing" part of our gospel understanding.
* The sad self-focus in much of the Church today.
* How discipleship fulfills God's eternal purpose.
* How a conversation about the purpose of the gospel might sound.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Many of us have grown up being taught and believing a very small version of the Gospel. In fact, in my experience growing up in the church, the “gospel” was almost completely about sin management, behavioral modification and focused…
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Jan 10, 2022
Conversations: Who We Are
Our human tendency–and religion has certainly reinforced this–is to focus on all the stuff we need to start DOing (or stop DOing) and forget that our life in Christ is more about our BEing.
In this episode, Caesar continues with a series of essential conversations you'll need to have with those you want to lead toward a lifestyle of discipleship and mission. This simple yet crucial topic: Who We Are and how to articulate our gospel identity.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to change the motivations of the heart toward mission.
* A surprising and powerful truth about you contained in Matthew 28.
* What your Christian baptism is meant to convey.
* How a conversation about our true gospel identity might sound.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"We have all tried to create a life and identity (fame and glory) for ourselves apart from God. But until Christians believe their true, restored gospel identity, their Christianity will be filled with a whole bunch…
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Jan 3, 2022
Conversations: We Don’t Go To Church
The church is not a building; it is the family of God on his mission. This may seem simple, or just a matter of semantics, but language creates culture. This is actually a very important distinction to make with people.
In this episode, Caesar kicks off a new series of conversations that you'll need to start having with folks if you want to lead them _outward_ on mission, starting with a simple yet crucial topic: We Don't Go To Church!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why helping people move towards discipleship and mission can be confusing.
* How you may be swimming against the tide of tradition and misunderstanding.
* The 5 stages that we all go through when learning new things.
* A sample of how a conversation about BEing the Church might sound.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"If you’re tired and frustrated with trying to get people to actually care more and DO more...you’ll definitely want to pay close attention to this series of conversations. If you…
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Dec 27, 2021
Ring Out The Old, Ring In The New!
When we look back at 2021, will we focus on living in a state of confusion, stop-start social restrictions, endless Zoom calls, and arguments over vaccinations? Maybe so... But buckle up, here comes 2022! 😳
In this episode, Caesar is joined by Tina and Heath as they catch up on big changes in their lives this year, what they're learning from God, and what they hope for in 2022. You will love this funny year-end wrap-up!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Huge evidence of grace in a year of uncertainty.
* Caesar, Tina, and Heath's High/Low/Buffalo from the past year.
* What we've learned about God and ourselves in 2021.
* What to expect on the show in the year ahead.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“We appreciate each and every one of you who regularly tune in to the podcast and leave us reviews, ideas for new episodes and share the podcast with others. May God bless you in every way, and may you experience his amazing grace with abundance in the year ahead!…
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Dec 20, 2021
Preparing For a New (Big) Year on Mission
*2021 has felt like a year of "limbo"! We’re all living in the midst of so much uncertainty, and when your plans have evaporated, when it feels so tiring to look ahead… the future can feel a little scary. But we all long for something new; something that brings freshness to our lives and faith. *
In this episode, Caesar will help you start to "dream forward" and gives you three distinct areas you need to look at as you prepare for a new year of discipleship and mission.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Are we created to actually desire newness and freshness?
* A simple, tangible way to begin to "dream with faith" for the new year.
* 3 areas of your life that you'll want to prepare for mission.
* How everything you plan for can be put right into God's hands!
Get started here…
From this episode:
"I know that God wants you to experience new grace (his unmerited favor) this year. New mercies, so you believe that God is not punishing you or limiting you for somethin…
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Dec 13, 2021
10 Ideas For a Missional Christmas
Many of us were raised to believe that the Christmas holidays are a time to unplug from outside relationships and our “normal” community rhythms. Even many Christians tend to isolate away from their small groups, missional communities, and neighbors instead of pressing deeper into relationships at this time of year.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we'll give you 10 fun and easy missional ideas that you can do with family and friends to help you stay on mission this holiday season.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the Christmas holidays are a perfect time to reach out on mission.
* How recent social distancing regulations have made certain, favorite, holiday traditions a perfect opportunity for mission in your neighborhood.
* How to pick one other family to be part of your family this holiday season.
* 10 ideas you can mix and match that are fun for your family to do together.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Try doing a Christmas Eve…
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Dec 6, 2021
How To Identify Your Best Leaders
Whether it’s in your church, non-profit, or missional community, growth requires you to develop your next generation of leaders. How will you know who they are? Is everyone really a leader? Could you be wasting your time developing the wrong people?
In this episode, Caesar and Heath talk about how to effectively identify your best leaders. We'll show you what to look for and how to spot faithful, servant leaders that are right in your midst already.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A new paradigm for developing people in community.
* How discipleship and leadership development work together.
* 3 Questions to ask yourself to know who specifically to develop as leaders.
* 5 Qualities you want to look for in anyone you place in a position of leadership.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Competency is something that can be developed in any person who has character and capacity. In my experience, those with high capacity are continuous learners and develop new comp…
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Nov 29, 2021
5 Ongoing Essentials Missional Leaders Need
Leadership within the Church is so much more than just tasks and jobs getting done. Biblical leadership does get things done and serve the Family, but effectiveness as leaders is so much more about character, their hearts, and a growing ability to speak and model the Gospel in all of life.
In this episode, Caesar gives you 5 ongoing essentials that every missional leader needs in their life. Unfortunately, almost no one was trained for the type of leadership that missional communities require. Let's be the ones that change that!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the commitment to developing leaders attracts great leaders.
* What to do if YOU are not getting these 5 essentials as a leader.
* The importance of every leader having an apprentice.
* What happens if you're missing any of these 5 essentials.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
"Treating people like “stop gaps” to our problems in an area of ministry only reinforces a DO=BE mentality and ultimate…
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Nov 22, 2021
Multiplying Your Missional Community
*Moving a missional community toward multiplication is a lot like preparing your kids to move out of the house and start a life with families of their own. Done well, it takes a great level of intentionality on the leaders' parts and does not happen accidentally.*
In this episode, Caesar walks you through a recent planning session he did with church leaders as they prepare for the multiplication of their groups and the starting of a new missional community at the same time.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The best time to start preparing your community for multiplication.
* Necessary steps to get your people on board for growth.
* Why every leader needs an apprentice.
* How the Gospel implicates us toward multiplication.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“The right time to start the preparation to multiply your missional community is when you’re first starting it! A missional community is not a “holy huddle”, renamed small group or Bible study. Your…
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Nov 8, 2021
Moving From Small Group to Missional Community
*What happens when you feel God leading you, beyond a weekly meeting with a handful of other Christians, out to make disciples in the most underserved neighborhood in your city?*
In this episode, Caesar is joined by author and community builder Terence Schilstra. You'll hear the exciting story of how his traditional church small group slowly morphed into a missional community. Along with several other Christian families, they've become connected to over 30 families in their new neighborhood as they make disciples.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How a "small voice" became a much louder calling from God.
* What personal challenges they faced to follow God deeper.
* The problems their small group experienced. (Not everyone loved the change!)
* The amazing adventure that this community now lives!
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“Our calling to make disciples among a specific group of people requires us to be present with them. Just like Jesus came to us as…
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Nov 1, 2021
Our Crazy Bivocational Lifestyle
There are more and more people interested in bi-vocational ministry these days. And more reasons that people want and even _need_ to be involved in jobs that go hand in hand with their vocational ministry.
In this episode, Caesar and his wife Tina share their incredible 30+ years of doing full-time ministry while starting and running dozens of businesses and other non-profit ministries. Their story will encourage anyone who is considering alternative ways to do ministry and pay the bills at the same time!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to have the flexibility and freedom to do what God is calling you to.
* How Caesar and Tina combined ministry and business with their family life.
* The benefits and challenges of working bi-vocationally.
* Why our identity is NOT attached to our title or specific job.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“Let God route your paycheck wherever he chooses. It is not forsaking the ministry to NOT work at a church. The one mis…
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Oct 4, 2021
It’s Time For The Church To Tell a New Story
If we are serious about changing the culture within the church, then we must begin to change the narrative that leaders tell. If the only stories we are telling through social media are who is preaching, what _you’re_ preaching, and how amazing everything was on Sunday, then we will continue to get and BE what we continue to highlight.
In this episode, Caesar is joined by author and missional strategist, Brad Brisco. They discuss how the types of stories we're commonly telling about our churches are having damaging consequences. It's time to change all that!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How silly our stories about our church sound and look online.
* How many of our stories betray a deep sense of consumerism.
* Why changing the narratives we tell will reshape the Church itself.
* Ways to discover and discern what God is already doing, and then tell those stories.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
"If our relationship with God is largely transactional, th…
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Sep 27, 2021
Experiencing Spiritual Disciplines In Everyday Life
Making mature disciples of Jesus includes passing on healthy spiritual disciplines... life-giving, gospel-reminding practices and rhythms. Yet you won’t find a passage in scripture that gives a list of spiritual disciplines listed.
In this episode, Caesar will explode your understanding of what spiritual disciplines are, and show you how they can be woven into the rhythms of your normal, everyday life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why spiritual disciplines and discipleship should be linked together.
* 4 lies you may believe about traditional spiritual disciplines.
* What the Bible does teach about disciplining ourselves.
* Practical ways to fit spiritual disciplines into your life.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“Spiritual disciplines are a means, not an end. The disciplines themselves are never the goal. Think discipleship, when you think disciplines. Our spiritual disciplines should be focused on helping us move from unbelief to belief in light…
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Sep 20, 2021
7 Lies That Ruin Our Ability To Rest
Rest is fueled or depleted by the impact of what we believe. Are you letting God's perspective about you, guide you into a life that is abundant and fulfilling?
In this episode, Caesar is joined by author, Twyla Franz, as they talk about the lies we too often believe, that are ruining our ability to truly rest.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The importance of letting rest flow from your Gospel Identity.
* God's love for you does not depend on what you do.
* Why resting is not being lazy!
* How rest actually fuels, not slows, mission.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“When we don’t rest, we get missional living backward. We focus on the doing, forgetting that doing flows from being. What we do doesn’t procure our identity as missional people. We first know who we are because we choose to stay in close proximity to the only One who can tell us who we truly are. And then with Him right next to us, we learn to copy the way He thinks and loves a…
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Sep 13, 2021
5 Dumb Things Christians Need To Stop Doing
*The life of Jesus was and will always be counter-cultural. But often, it seems, we’re not ridiculed or rejected because we’re living such radically loving and selfless lives, it’s because we actually live so little like Jesus.
*
In this episode, Caesar looks at 5 dumb things that Christians need to stop doing that are affecting our witness and our discipleship efforts. And he gives a little of the gospel “thing behind the thing” with each of these issues.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we need to be careful with what we say online.
* How even our most loving actions can be misunderstood.
* The things that Jesus got angry about (are you?).
* How the way we handle conflict reflects our faith.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“The world has a judge and it's not you! Remember, God has both judged and punished all human sin on the cross. It is finished. That's what Jesus said. It is finished. Do you believe that? So let's stop judging everyone,…
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Sep 6, 2021
Disciple-making In Your Unique Context
It is important to _observe_ your culture and context in order to be able to _understand_ it. Without this, it is hard–if not impossible–to speak and embody the Gospel in a way that is Good News to people.
In this episode, Caesar is joined by author and church planting guru, Peyton Jones. They discuss the importance of understanding key elements of the context you're in when planting a church, leading a community on mission, and making disciples. You can't skip this step!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the Gospel is always Good News in context.
* 5 important elements of every city and neighborhood.
* How every culture has "keys" that unlock hearts for Jesus.
* Ways to gain a deeper knowledge of your disciple-making context.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“The gospel is very big and it's fuller than what we think. And so I want to know what are people's fears? What is the culture of men? What are they afraid of? What are their hopes? What are th…
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Aug 30, 2021
The Cost of Discipleship in Afghanistan
It will be hard to forget the images and video of Afghans mobbing outgoing aircraft in a desperate attempt to leave their country following the Taliban’s recent seizure of Kabul.
In this episode, Caesar examines how thousands of Christians remaining in Afghanistan are counting the costs of discipleship and following Jesus–potentially at the risk of their lives. And he asks the question: What is your discipleship costing you today?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The complexity of this 20-year saga and the outrage it has caused.
* The persecution that Afghan Christians are immediately facing.
* Jesus' surprising commands concerning his will in persecution.
* 3 things you can do immediately to help the people in Afghanistan.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“Afghan Christians pay a very high cost for being disciples of Jesus. They pay a very high cost and I've been asking myself this... What does discipleship cost us here in America and in the Western…
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Aug 9, 2021
Discipleship: Embracing The New Normal
The way many are engaging in church and their faith has forever changed. Will the Church change too? Now is the time to start new discipleship rhythms!
In this episode, Caesar spells out four foundational disciple-making elements that the Church needs to embrace as we head into the "new normal".
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why having a clear definition of discipleship is vital.
* Understanding our Gospel Identity is foundational to all discipleship.
* Why discipleship must happen in the rhythms of normal life.
* How to find a balance on mission and avoid burnout.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
"When we live with gospel-intentionality, living out of our gospel identity into all of these 6 discipleship rhythms, the pressure is off! All of life becomes an opportunity for discipleship. It’s not a hassle or series of classes we need to talk people into taking. Discipleship is woven into all of life. That’s the way we see Jesus discipling his 12 discipl…
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Aug 2, 2021
Are You Too Busy For Discipleship?
"I'm too busy for all of that!" We hear this opposition to discipleship as a lifestyle more than any other. And as crazy as it sounds, Churches say the same thing.
In this episode, Caesar asks the question: Are you too busy for discipleship? If you are honest, you may not be happy with your answer. Fear not! You'll get some help to get started, or re-started, regardless of where you're at today.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The true issue behind all of our perceived busyness.
* How discipleship is moving from "additional" to "intentional".
* The importance of growing in gospel-intentionality.
* Free discipleship training that fits your life and schedule.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
"Sometimes we say we're too busy for discipleship or meaningful relationships in community, but then truth be known if we look at our calendar, we're spending way more time hanging out watching Netflix, watching sports, playing sports... Fill in the blank, all kinds of st…
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Jul 26, 2021
Is Missional Church (Still) Our Best Option?
It may be hard to believe... The “missional movement” began over 20 years ago. With it came the hope to transform the Church and make loads of new disciples. Did it happen? Is it happening?
In this episode, Caesar confronts the massive shift we're seeing as the western church emerges from the pandemic with a question: Should you be steering your family or church community toward missional living today?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* If the Church ever really understood and embraced missional living.
* What a missional community is and how it is different.
* 7 common challenges facing leaders today.
* Questions you'll need to answer before moving forward.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
_“God has always desired that his people, his family, would live together in such a way that the world would know what he's truly like. Living a life on mission with God is the life you were created and saved to now live. And this starts by believing that you are p…
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Jul 19, 2021
Introverts and Extroverts on Mission Post-pandemic
Once upon a time, we had a wide world of socializing opportunities. But the COVID pandemic made many of our common social interactions dangerous, or legally impossible, shrinking our relational connections significantly. And some people enjoyed that change.
In this episode, Caesar discusses how introverts and extroverts are engaging discipleship and mission differently as social restrictions have started to loosen up.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The true difference between introversion and extroversion.
* How spouses on opposite ends of this can better serve each other.
* How the culture has taught us to hide our self-love behind these distinctions.
* Practical ways to begin to re-engage in social life as restrictions lift.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
“It’s important to understand there are times when all of us feel more introverted and need to be alone or seek a quiet place. I seem to remember Jesus doing this from time to time. There are also…
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Jul 12, 2021
How the Gospel Changes Our Motivation and Desires Pt.2
How do we motivate people to develop a lifestyle of discipleship and mission beyond a weekly meeting? Learning how the Gospel changes our motivation is key!
In this episode, Caesar continues his talk on Gospel Motivation and why what we _truly_ believe will become evident by the work of our hands and the patterns of our lives.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Jesus’ commands to his potential disciples may surprise you.
* How to look at a leader’s life to see if they are motivated by the gospel.
* 3 crucial things you absolutely cannot make mature disciples without.
* Where we get the power to live with gospel motivation.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
_“Jesus was serious about the cost of discipleship. But he was also clear about the benefits and results of living in light of the gospel of the Kingdom. Be aware of the subtle ways that disobedience, self-preference, and complacency creep into your heart and replace a gospel-motivation with a self-mo…
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Jul 5, 2021
How the Gospel Changes Our Motivation and Desires Pt.1
After a hard year of changes for Christians and the Church, it seems easier than ever to slip into complacency. Are we going to start another new thing? How do we stay motivated, and motivate others, to desire a lifestyle of discipleship and mission beyond a weekly meeting?
In this episode, we talk about how Gospel Motivation changes the way you lead your church, community group, and family toward life on mission with God… and what happens when you don’t.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the ‘American Dream life' may be a convenient excuse for not living on mission.
* How what we believe in our head changes what we believe in our heart.
* How the gospel changes ALL of our motivation, affections, and desires.
* Why our Christian lives are often not attractive to non-yet-believers.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:`_*
_“It can be hard to rightly motivate people on mission… we have well-worn grooves, patterns, and language that end up being more law…
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Jun 28, 2021
Beware These 7 Community Relationship Killers
Life in a community on God's mission is messy. It just is. Lots of relational dynamics come into play… hopes, fears, preferences, etc. Things will get complicated when you have humans working together!
In this episode, Caesar gives you 7 community relationship killers that you'll want to watch for and avoid. You're going to need this!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why confidentiality is critical for a healthy community.
* How unspoken expectations undermine unity.
* How to deal with the "fixer" in your group.
* Ways that leaders set the tone and ethos for the community.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:`_*
_“If expectations stay unspoken, and probably everyone has their own... you’ll start to–or continue to–have conflicts and hurt feelings that go unaddressed. Without vision, values, and expectations about who we are, what we’re doing together, and WHY being discussed and agreed upon, you’re open to a lot of conflicts and unspoken hard feelings…
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Jun 21, 2021
Hearing God With a Head Full of Voices
*Are we hearing impaired when it comes to the voice of God? Could it be that what we believe and have labeled as relational, emotional, and spiritual problems are actually 'hearing' problems? *
In this episode, Caesar shows us how to turn down the negative voices in our heads, dial in the authentic divine Voice, and listen intently. The voices you believe will determine the life you experience!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Ways to sort out all of the chatter coming your way each day.
* Why the voices you listen to shape your own voice in the world.
* How to apply the "Jesus filter" to everything you're hearing.
* Why _listening prayer_ is so different from the ways we usually pray.
Get started here…
*_From this episode:_*
_“If you are listening to the Voice of love, hospitality, generosity, justice, and compassion, and hope – NOTHING in this whole world will be able to snatch you away – nothing will be able to knock you down, tear you up, turn you around…
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Jun 14, 2021
7 Challenges To Cultural Diversity in the Church
Experiencing a diverse group of believers walking with and worshiping God together as a family is a beautiful thing. However, there will be obstacles to overcome for this to become a common reality.
In this episode, Caesar walks through 7 challenges to greater cultural diversity that are facing the Church. Some of these are age-old; some of them are unique based on society today.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Diversity is not just about skin color or race.
* God has a diverse family–and not just on Sunday!
* Why the restoration of relationships is key to diversity in the Church.
* Steps to living a more diverse cultural experience together.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“The Bible teaches that we've been given the ministry of reconciliation. Reconciliation is meant to repair relationships that are broken. It's about restoration. So when we talk about cultural diversity in the church and as the church–as God's family–that's what we're talking about.…
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Jun 7, 2021
Helping People Feel Like Part of Your Family
*With more Christians and churches doing home-based micro churches and neighborhood-focused expressions, it's fair to ask: how are we making people feel when they’re in our homes or anywhere with us?*
In this episode, Caesar and his wife, Tina, let you in on a recent coaching call where they discuss treating people like family–not like guests—and the powerful heart change that happens for us and others when we do.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How our language reveals our true hearts in this.
* God's desire is that we treat everyone like part of his family.
* Missional living is a beautiful, glorious mess!
* Examples of what this looks like in your home and elsewhere.
Get started here…
From this episode:
_“Life and community on mission are messy. But it's a beautiful mess. And just like we see people in messy situations differently when they're our family members than when they're not, once we start to see and treat everyone like part of the family, our h…
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May 31, 2021
How You Communicate Vision & Values Shape Mission
Most churches have a vision statement with values listed out that they've put a lot of work into creating. They might even have their people regularly stand and recite them. But is your vision compelling enough that people will give their lives to it?
In this episode, Caesar gives you a radical understanding of how your vision and values can shape the mission of your church, community, or family. And he'll share a process for crafting a vision statement that will transform your ministry.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The way language creates culture within your church.
* How a compelling vision statement brings unity and movement.
* How your values and vision clarify your ministry model.
* A proven process and tool for creating a powerful vision statement.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“So often both values and vision statements within the church just sound like a doctrinal thesis. They're super uninspiring. Most people really don't understand what t…
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May 24, 2021
Micro Church, House Church, Simple Church. What’s the Difference?
It is becoming increasingly popular for churches to pioneer new models of "micro church". You may know them by various names, but these intentionally simple, streamlined expressions of the church are often small, volunteer-led, and casual. Could this be the answer for post-congregational Christians?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar is joined by Gino Curcuruto, as they discuss these new micro church experiences. Are they all the same thing with different names, or are there real, important differences and goals behind each?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Not all of these newer expressions of the church are the same.
* Is a Missional Community a micro church?
* Why existing churches need to check their motives when beginning.
* The Top 3 priorities when starting a new "micro church".
Get started here…
From this episode:
“A lot of the churches are saying, ‘Well our people aren't coming back… so we're going to start micro churches.’ And wh…
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May 17, 2021
Missional Community: Neighborhood or Network?
When making disciples in community, a common strategy question arises: should we have a Missional Community that is only neighborhood-based, or should we start a Missional Community that's relationally network-based?
In this episode, Caesar lays out the advantages and disadvantages of both neighborhood and networked-based approaches to community building. And the importance of creating organized and organic rhythms whichever way you go.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why proximity is gold when living on mission together.
* The importance of understanding your proactive and reactive mission.
* The benefits and challenges that both approaches present.
* Loads of real-world examples on how all of this works.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“If your Missional Community is made up of people that are coming from different parts of town and for whatever reason, have formed a community on mission, you can still succeed. You're going to have to be a LOT more intenti…
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May 10, 2021
Losing a Scarcity Mentality To Discover Abundance
The world has moved into a new sense of scarcity and lack. As the pandemic has taken its toll on jobs and our savings, a feeling of scarcity in our lifestyle and relationships has also set in.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar shares his own experience of being raised with a scarcity mentality and where the true root of this mindset comes from. He'll also help you find freedom and show you how to experience an abundance mindset.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What causes a scarcity mentality and how to escape it.
* How living with a scarcity mindset affects all of life–not just money.
* How the gospel speaks good news and abundance to scarcity.
* Steps to begin to lose a scarcity mentality and find freedom.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“An abundance mentality flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth and security. Remember, you were created in the image of our perfect Father God who loves you! Out of his endless supply…
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May 3, 2021
Creating a Multi-Generational Family Team
For many in Western civilization, our idea of "family" seems like a failed experiment. We’ve been sold the line that the family exists primarily as a springboard for the individual. But what if our families functioned more like a team–a team on a mission?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with Jeremy Pryor, who has created a multi-generational household that lives together on mission making disciples of Jesus. Their story is powerful!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why so many families fail to live as a team and do life and mission together.
* The simple, yet powerful rhythms that Jeremy's family live in.
* The role that "intentionality" plays in establishing new family rhythms.
* Ideas to help you start to create a family team right where you're at.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“There’s this other bigger story about what God's doing with his bride and the church, which is nested inside an even bigger story. Which is how G…
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Apr 26, 2021
Is Discipleship Different for Women?
Men's and women's ministries have been separated in the church for years. But the church is a family. And when we disciple together, as a family in community, we experience deeper discipleship in every area of life.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar is joined by his wife Tina, and their friend and fellow disciple-maker, Barb Terry. He gets their perspective on women and discipleship. Are there differences? We find out that the answer is both "yes" and "no".
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the church has traditionally separated men and women.
* The importance of women finding their "sisterhood" within community.
* Can women be effectively discipled by men?
* Why understanding our gospel identity leads to freedom for both women and men.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"We are all completely uniquely created, designed by God. We're here for a purpose. We're not just here to get by or survive or get stuff done, we get to live our lives in a…
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Apr 19, 2021
Restarting Your Missional Community Rhythms
Our best intentions don't always stay that intentional, and the stuff of life (plus this past year of social distancing) has derailed even our best efforts at living together in a missional community.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar will give you a few simple, intentional rhythms that you can dive into that will make all the difference, and get you and your community back on track.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The power and necessity of predictable patterns.
* 6 Discipleship Rhythms that provide easy ways to get restarted.
* How Jesus' focus on his UP, IN, and OUTward relationships guide us.
* A great free download that will give you a lot of ideas to get started.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"We've been blessed to be a blessing. That's part of the original covenant God made with his people. We're all super resourced and blessed. How can you as a family, individually, and as a missional community intentionally bless others through y…
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Apr 12, 2021
Disciple Making: 10 Things That May Be Stopping You
As the Church, it’s pretty common to assume the things we’ve seen as barriers to discipleship and life in community are unique to our own context, neighborhood or circumstances. That’s just not true!
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks about 10 things that may be keeping you and the folks in your church from making disciples and really living on mission with God in everyday life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The most common roadblocks to discipleship and mission.
* What is really behind each of these apparent obstacles.
* Questions to ask yourself to get free and get moving.
* The surprising “roadblock” that encompasses most (or all) of the rest!
Get started here…
From this episode:
"For a whole lot of the church around the world, no one's making disciples, and they don't know how, and they've never really been discipled in all of life and they've never seen it. So they don’t know how to get started with true discipleship comm…
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Apr 5, 2021
Can Starfish Help Us Reimagine Church?
The Church was originally a decentralized movement. Before everything became housed in church buildings with hierarchical leadership, the priesthood of all believers was equipped and sent to make disciples.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with Rob Wegner and Lance Ford about why the distributed structures of 'starfish' organizations uniquely fit the church today. Just like a starfish can reproduce itself fully from only one of its legs, churches with this type of regenerative ability are much more nimble in reacting to external change and outside forces.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The difference between "spider" and "starfish" organizations.
* How embracing the starfish's reproductive ability changes the way we lead the church.
* Why equipping is job #1 for pastors and leaders in the church today.
* How every Believer carries the full DNA of a disciple-making movement.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Leaders need to do an hone…
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Mar 8, 2021
How The Gospel Speaks To Our Anger
Anger is clearly a huge issue in our lives and culture. It's probably going to stay that way. However, anger can be a good thing. Yes. You read that correctly. Anger is actually an attribute of God and of those who desire to love well.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar breaks down the source and purpose of anger. You'll also see how and why anger destroys. And we'll give you a way to heal the anger in your life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How anger may be destroying your health and relationships.
* Where (and why) the Bible commands us to be angry.
* A definition for uncorrupted, righteous anger.
* How to begin to heal your anger and move toward love.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“We tend to think that hate is the opposite of love, but actually the opposite of love is indifference; which is what we have if God never gets angry. True love gets angry at the unbelief, pain, and messed up consequences we see in the world and in the li…
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Mar 1, 2021
Stop Waiting! Bloom Where You’re Planted
With all of the changes we’ve seen in life over the past several months, many people I know have sort of stalled in their disciple-making and living life on mission. Everything is different and many seem to have lost their way and are feeling a bit stuck. Waiting...
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar gives you 7 things to help get you unstuck, be encouraged, and start to bloom where you're planted.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Where you're at now is preparation for what God has next.
* Why it's time to stop making excuses.
* The power of choosing to be "all in" regardless of your circumstances.
* Small steps you can take, starting today!
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Every step in life God is preparing you for the next one. Do you believe that? How are you stewarding all that God has given you now? Not just your stuff, but your circumstances. Yep, we get to steward our circumstances too. Stewardship is not just about money and hard…
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Feb 22, 2021
Looking Back To Move Our Church Forward
Church leaders are navigating great changes and conflict today. It may be the way forward requires a serious look back at the patterns and promises of Jesus.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar shares a good bit of his own story on how God moved him from traditional, vocational church ministry to living a life on mission. This will encourage you not to despise the day of small beginnings!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Caesar's journey from businessman to pastor to full-time disciple-maker.
* The Patterns and Promises Jesus taught about Kingdom growth in the parables.
* Why healthy things (including churches) always grow.
* Why small is big, slow is fast, and multiplication wins.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“There is another story we need to hear, one that doesn’t fit with the tale we’ve grown up believing: The kingdom of God has come, and our King desires to have our entire life. He doesn’t just give us a ticket to a happy after…
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Feb 15, 2021
Why No One Really Wants Your Advice
Christians can often get into a mindset where we think everything that is wrong or untrue needs to be addressed NOW! And so with the banner of “speaking the truth in love” flying high over our heads, we dive in with our unsolicited advice.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar explains why most people really don't want to hear our advice. We'll look at what motivates a lot of our advice-giving, and learn some best practices for when we do need to offer help and insights to others.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The 4 types of advice that we give to people.
* Why we feel the need to quickly offer our advice to others.
* How the gospel speaks into our motivations when giving advice.
* Best practices so people will want to hear your advice.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Do you give advice because you want to see a person’s pain stop and their situation improve? (Sounds good…) Or so that God will be more glorified in their life? Whi…
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Feb 8, 2021
Becoming a Family on Mission Pt.2
You're never going to lead anyone further, faster, or deeper into the gospel and discipleship than you’re leading your own family. Never. But people are waiting for a place at your table and a taste of life in the Kingdom of God! Let's go deeper...
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar and his wife, Tina, continue the story of how their family rhythms grew to include many others as they make disciples in community. They'll share some of the things that God had to change in their hearts and home in order for this Kingdom lifestyle to become a reality.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The rest of the Team K story and a heartwarming testimony you gotta hear!
* The ways God may want to speak into your busyness, fear, shyness, lack of love, etc.
* How individualism in our Western culture has severely damaged our families.
* Why the way you lead your family on mission can be the model for your church.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“I want to ass…
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Feb 1, 2021
Becoming a Family on Mission Pt.1
*I’ve come to see discipleship, in many ways, as a re-parenting of people, a re-parenting of their culture. People need to understand and experience life in our perfect Father’s family and life in the Kingdom before they fully understand the love of God. Can others find that when they hang out with your family?*
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, you get a BONUS training done this week for folks in the Everyday Disciple Challenge. Caesar and his wife, Tina, share exactly how their family (Team K) rhythms grew to include many others as they make disciples in community. When living as a family on mission, discipleship naturally flows out of your normal family rhythms to include and draw more and more people to God's family!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How "Team K" was born as a family on mission and why it's a big deal!
* The ways that discipleship in community mirrors effective parenting.
* Why church leaders need to have a family worth imitating as t…
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Jan 13, 2021
More Surprising Trends For The Future Church
Because of the pandemic, restrictions on church gatherings will ultimately be measured in months or maybe years. No one knows for sure how or when this will resolve. And when things do re-open, it won’t be an instant, overnight return to unlimited gathering sizes. Our rhythms of life as the church have forever changed!
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar continues his conversation with church strategist and disciple-maker, Rob Wegner, discussing the trends that are emerging as the church embraces a new future.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why slow is fast as we seek to help our people make significant changes
* Ways pastors will need to be humble to be able to lead in the future.
* How church staff and budgets will be changing in the future.
* Why a new reliance on the power of the Spirit must be embraced.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“If you’re discouraged as a leader because you realize you haven’t made disciples… or really…
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Jan 11, 2021
Emerging Trends For The Future Church
By now you're probably figuring out that the Coronavirus pandemic, and related social distancing, has produced more of a disruption than just a temporary interruption for your Church.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with church strategist and disciple-maker, Rob Wegner, about some positive (and not-so-positive) trends that are emerging in the new realities of the future church.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Ways that many churches have experienced GROWTH during the pandemic.
* Will your church continue to live stream their Sunday services?
* How church buildings may be repurposed in the future.
* How the traditional sermon is being reimagined for our times.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Yeah we are meeting, we met last week for the first time. And this person of peace in our neighborhood says, “how many people showed up? 6 families?... I wasn’t there!” And this lady shows up the next week with six more families, so they…
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Jan 4, 2021
How To Avoid Misunderstandings–10 Steps
Have you ever been misunderstood or misinterpreted? Do you sometimes misunderstand the signals and words you’ve received from others? Oftentimes communication seems to be a fight for control. But it doesn't have to be that way!
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar will teach you how to avoid being misunderstood and give you 10 steps to becoming an active listener and effective communicator.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The biggest mistakes people make when communicating.
* Why you must level-up your non-verbal communication skills.
* Secrets to becoming an empathetic and active listener.
* 10 Steps to move from misunderstanding to effective conversation.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Engaging in mental criticisms in the middle of a conversation you’re having will impede your ability to effectively listen to the other person. You’ve gotta listen without making any hasty conclusions, or judging another person’s motives and thei…
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Dec 28, 2020
Was 2020 The Craziest Year Ever?!
A global pandemic, social distancing. and lockdowns, relief checks, protests, massive business closures, worldwide contentious political climate, emergency vaccinations... was 2020 the craziest year ever?!
In this episode, Caesar and his special guest, Heath Hollensbe, catch up on all that has happened in their lives this year, what they're learning from all of this, and what (hopefully) 2021 has in store. You will love this end of year wrap-up!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What Heath has been up to in 2020 since his role change on the podcast.
* Caesar and Heath's High/Low/Buffalo from the past (crazy) year. (Heath found a shrimp in his can of 7-Up!)
* What we've learned about God and ourselves in 2020.
* Some new changes coming to the show in the year ahead.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“We appreciate each and every one of you who regularly tune in to the podcast and leave us reviews, ideas for new episodes and share the podcast with others. May God b…
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Dec 14, 2020
We Can Experience Love Because God is Gracious
A recent survey asked, "If you could say in one word what you want more of in life, what would that be?" Very surprisingly, LOVE didn't even make the top 10! Could it be that money and fleeting happiness have replaced the need for love in our lives?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar concludes the Advent Series as he talks about the truth that because God is gracious, we can experience love in the deepest ways.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The final look at four eternal truths about God that transforms us. (The 4 G's)
* Why we don’t know or understand true love in our lives and relationships.
* How we no longer have to perform for God, and why we don’t get to.
* Why it's important to understand what we actually deserve from God.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“When we don’t believe we have God’s grace, we try to prove ourselves to other people. I want other people to be impressed by me. We may want to fit in or get other peop…
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Dec 7, 2020
Introducing Everyday Disciple – Trailer
I’m Caesar Kalinowski, and it’s my passion to help those with a high commitment to discipleship, family and faith, learn to naturally and confidently integrate the really good news of the gospel into every area of life. I’ve worked in over 30 countries training thousands of people in discipleship and mission as a lifestyle.
Each Monday you can listen to a new episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast where I'll show you (in about 30 minutes or so) how the good news of the Gospel, and our Christian faith, can naturally and confidently be woven into everyday life.
We'll talk about things like...
* Family life
* Parenting
* Missional living
* Career and Work
* Finances
* Relationships / Community
* Our Health
* Entertainment
Pretty much everything... you get the picture :-)
Get started here…
Thanks for Listening!
Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
Important Links and Resources:
Coaching with Caesar…
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Dec 7, 2020
God Is Good So We Can Find Joy In Our Life
For hundreds of years, the church has anticipated the coming of Jesus during the season of Advent. Into this space, this void, the angels announced to the shepherds the good news of Jesus that would bring great joy to all people.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar continues the Advent Series as he looks at the truth that God is good so we can find satisfaction and joy. Believing that God always does what is good, right, and perfect will change how you view everything and everyone in your life!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The third of four eternal truths about God that transforms us. (The 4 G's)
* Why we search for satisfaction and joy to fill the "hunger" in our lives.
* How Jesus is the better fulfillment of all your hunger and lack of joy!
* How to find the unbelief and actions that are keeping you from finding joy.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"God created us with hunger for our own Good. God isn’t manipulating us, but sustaini…
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Nov 30, 2020
We Live With Peace Because God Is Glorious
The peace Jesus came to bring was not coercive or backed up by military might. And it was not the type of peace that most of the world was looking for. The announcement of the Messiah’s birth heralded something different and transformational.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar continues the Advent Series as he looks at the truth that God is glorious so we don't have to fear others! Believing this leads us to peace in relationships, peace with ourselves, and peace with God.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The second of four eternal truths about God that transforms us. (The 4 G's)
* The ways that the "fear of man" may be ruining your life and relationships.
* How Jesus came to bring peace to all of mankind and the world.
* How to find the unbelief and actions that are keeping you from having peace.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Think about what your fears and the need for other’s approval have produced in your heart and life… comparis…
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Nov 23, 2020
We Have Hope Because God is Great
The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and revolutionary love. So, what happened? What was once a time to celebrate the birth of a savior has somehow turned into a season of stress, shopping lists, and debt.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar starts a special Advent Series by diving deep into the greatness of God and how believing this changes what and Who we put our hope in this holiday season, and in everyday life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The four eternal truths about God that change everything. (The 4 G's)
* Why we continue trusting in "self" yet hoping for more.
* How Jesus was born to bring and fulfill hope!
* How to discern the areas of life you are still trying to control.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"For me the issue is escapism. I have to choose between a fantasy in which I am sovereign and the real world in which God is sovereign. I have to choose between my false sovereignty and God’s real sovereig…
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Nov 9, 2020
Treating Everyone Like Part of the Family
Guests never do any work or preparation; family members always pitch in. We try and impress guests with our hospitality; family members expect to be “part of the flow” and help themselves to whatever they need. Are you treating people like guests or like family?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we ask the question: do the people coming to your church service each week, and the folks coming to your home, feel more like guests or like part of the family? Caesar is joined by his wife Tina to share how and why we can help everyone feel like true brothers and sisters.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The difference between treating people like guests rather than part of the family.
* Why treating everyone like family is a picture of the Gospel.
* What people really need… and it’s NOT your perfectly clean house.
* How your Sunday church services can help people feel like family rather than visitors or guests.
* How our language reveals our true heart an…
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Nov 2, 2020
How To Talk About Politics With Your Kids
Political talk is everywhere right now — it’s on the news and all over social media, it’s happening between friends and family, and it’s most likely happening at your kitchen table too. I wonder... what are your kids hearing?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar shares insights on how to talk politics with your children, giving them the tools and gospel-perspective to make wise political choices throughout their lives.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why talking about politics with your kids at an early age is important.
* How to teach them NOT to believe everything they hear.
* How to use gospel-fluency to frame the conversation around politics.
* 5 Tips for changing the conversation right now.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"As parents, we want to transmit a value system to our children. For most of us, the idea of our kids switching from blue to red, or vice versa, is pretty scary and maybe unacceptable. I think what we want to do…
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Oct 5, 2020
Living As a Friend Of Sinners
Often we let others' sin define them and divide us. But our ongoing involvement and relationship with others, especially those we think of as "sinners", begins with a profound grasp of God’s grace.
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we'll see why Jesus came to be called a friend of sinners. And I'll share the journey we've been on to earn that same moniker for ourselves as we make disciples where we live.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The #1 thing we have in common with everyone else in life.
* How to know if you're a "clean" sinner or a "dirty" sinner.
* Why Jesus' hung out with the outsiders and why we want to as well.
* How I came to be known as the Pub Pastor.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Christians will cite John 15:14 ('You are my friends if you do what I command.') as their justification for not wanting to hang out with those they see as "sinners". What a horrible example of proof-texting! The entire passage there has Jesus explainin…
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Aug 10, 2020
Leading the Scattered Church on Mission
Everything that has happened in the past several months, especially social distancing restrictions, has scattered the Church back out into our neighborhoods and cities like never before. Is this a problem or an opportunity?
In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we’ll talk through the “what, why and how” of leading the scattered church on mission. Perhaps you've been placed in your position for such a time as this!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the Church was always meant to be a 'Gathered and Scattered' people.
* Why when we embrace more scattered, missional modes of being the Church, it greatly enhances our gathered experiences.
* 3 foundational steps leaders need to be taking right now with their folks.
* An opportunity to get FREE discipleship tools and training that you can use in your context today.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"The last forty years of Sunday services, biblical sermons, safe childcare, affinity-based small groups,…
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Jun 15, 2020
How to Have Amazing Family Dinner Nights
Everyone I know feels maxed out on their schedules with the commitments they already have. Yet we are all living with a rhythm that provides one of the most valuable and recurring opportunities for discipleship in our families: Dinner.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we show you how to re-tool and repurpose your Family Dinner Nights in a way that will make them fun, more focused, and a perfect way to naturally engage in discipleship and missional rhythms as a family.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How few families are actually eating meals (with intention) together these days.
* What you're missing out on if you are not having special family dinner nights.
* Why your mealtimes are the best opportunity for discipleship as a family.
* Step-by-step help to make your Family Dinner Nights an amazing part of your discipleship and an ongoing legacy.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Start by picking one meal per week that you can bring greater intentionality to. Ag…
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Jun 8, 2020
How to Effectively Identify Your Next Leaders
Whether it’s in your church, non-profit, or missional community, if you are looking to grow, you’ll need to develop your next generation of leaders. How will you know who they are? There are certain qualities people exhibit that you can be looking for to identify the best and potentially most competent leaders.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about how to effectively identify your next leaders. We'll show you what to look for and how to spot faithful, servant leaders that are right in your midst already.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why models from the business world are not always good when looking for church leaders.
* How to start noticing the servant leaders you already have around you.
* Three questions to ask yourself to know who specifically to develop as leaders.
* 5 Qualities you want to look for in anyone you place in a position of leadership.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Competency is something that can be developed in any pe…
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May 25, 2020
Rebooting Community Rhythms After Lockdown
As we move back toward normal and new rhythms in community, this can be a powerful time to re-evaluate our commitment to God’s mission, which has always been making disciples of Jesus.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we give you practical steps for rebooting your community rhythms as the lockdown and social distancing restrictions are beginning to lift.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Your normal rhythms of life in community may need to be rebooted.
* Why over-communication is key to re-establishing connections and community life.
* How to speak to those who are afraid of starting to gather again in community.
* The best things to do during your first few times together as you reboot.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"This is a good time to recalibrate and be reminded of your mission: why does this community exist?! What has God said to you during this time of physical separation? In the wake of this pandemic, we can’t assume everything will continue as i…
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May 18, 2020
The High Value of Asynchronous Discipleship
Building trust with others in person or online is key to making disciples of Jesus. Removing any barriers to the growth of these relationships is honoring to God. How might you begin to move past your own preferences, past experiences, or traditions to engage in new forms of discipleship?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about methods of asynchronous discipleship that are having a powerful impact on the way we interact as God's family on mission. Are you up for it?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why online gatherings are not a "forsaking of the gathering of the saints."
* How God has always given us new ways to build relationships and stay connected.
* Ways that synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid methods of discipleship are emerging.
* Powerful ideas for releasing more people into leadership.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"I know there is some fear or pushback from certain people, often those who were not raised in the current online, social…
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May 11, 2020
Gospel, Community, Mission: Why We Need All 3
The idea that 'Gospel, Community and Mission' is crucial to making mature disciples of Jesus may sound a little bit obvious to you at first. But it is surprising how few of us, and our churches, are careful to balance the focus and engagement of these powerful discipleship foundations.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about why all three of these components must be consistently engaged in and balanced if we want disciples of Jesus to grow to full maturity.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we are seeing a lack of maturity in the Church today among Christians.
* How all 3... Gospel, Community, and Mission play a critical role in disciple-making.
* What it looks like when you only engage 2 of these 3 foundations with others.
* Practical resources for growing your people in Gospel, Community, and Mission.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"It is when we are out on God’s mission together, interacting with and serving others that are not exactly like u…
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Apr 27, 2020
Finding Your Value When “Doing” is Broken
So many of us are not getting to do the same jobs and the same tasks or shoulder the same responsibilities and important stuff as we had been doing before this pandemic hit or before our church services shut down. Our egos and self-worth may be taking a big hit.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about finding your value when “doing” is gone or broken. Hint: where you find your true value and worth is not based on your performance… it’s based on the gospel!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we are all so wired to find our value from doing and performing.
* How our Gospel Identity guards us from performance-based spirituality.
* 7 signs that you may be suffering from the “DO to BE” distortion.
* 5 practical ways to begin to regain your perspective and manage the “newness” of your routine.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Your actions do not define who you are. God defines you, your value, and your identity. What you do does not equal…
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Apr 20, 2020
The ‘New Normal’ Will Need Daring New Leaders
The 'new normal' we are entering into as believers will require daring new leaders who partner with their people, open new doors for not-yet believers, and model new ways of BEing the church.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about how our current and evolving reality will require church leaders to become humble guides and equippers. Our new normal will need new types of leaders!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the Church must move beyond just live-streaming our old norms.
* How our leaders were never equipped for the times we're entering into.
* Why our pastors need to move from being "experts" to being active "guides".
* Practical ideas for pastors, worship leaders, children, and youth workers.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Who knows when social activities, public gatherings, the church, and most of life will get back to normal. It seems in many ways we are entering into a 'new normal' that will cause us to reconsider how and why we do a lot…
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Apr 13, 2020
Virtual Sacraments: 5 Ways to Do Communion Online
One of the greatest pictures of the gospel and life in the Kingdom is expressed every time we share in the Lord’s Supper together. Can we, should we, and how do we participate in this sacrament during these times of social distancing?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we look at how the current reality of "doing church" online has created the need for participation in virtual sacraments. We'll give you 5 unique ways to do communion online.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Various beliefs and traditions connected to the sacrament of Communion.
* What the scripture actually teaches about how, where, and why we do the Lord's Supper together.
* Why this powerful sacrament is a Reminder and a Demonstration of the Gospel.
* 5 easy, creative, and powerful ways to participate in communion online.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Next time you’re all together, face to face, online, or at home as a family, take out some bread and a cup of something delicious to dri…
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Apr 6, 2020
Don’t Pray For Church To Return To Normal
Sure, you might miss gathering at the church building. But God has given his Family an opportunity to hit the reset button on who we are and how we get to live and minister the Good News of the Kingdom of God in everyday life. People are waiting!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about why you don't want to be praying that your church goes back to what had been considered "normal" by way too many Christians and church leaders.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* If and when the Church will ever get back to "normal".
* Encouraging new things we see the Church (people) doing today.
* How rebooting all our programs might just kill us.
* Practical steps to start building new discipleship framework and rhythms today that will pay off BIG in the "new normal".
Get started here…
From this episode:
"It's time for 'low control and high accountability'... low control over what your folks specifically choose to do, but high accountability that they are actually engaging in…
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Apr 3, 2020
[C19 XTRA] Pastors: 7 Ways To Take Care Of Yourself
Now that your duties include being a TV producer, online tech support, health expert and full-time counselor, it’s super important that you’re actively (intentionally) taking care of YOU!
In this short BONUS episode of the Lifeschool Podcast, we remind pastors that it is NOT selfish to care for yourself. If you don’t “sharpen the saw” and stay healthy, then you’ll not be able to serve anyone else and your family will suffer too.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* 7 Ways to take care of yourself...today!
* Why meditation and time in the Word is crucial now.
* How taking a media break reopens your heart.
* The importance of doing something fun each day.
Get started here…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.…
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Mar 30, 2020
Gospel Fluency and COVID-19 Fears
Does the worldwide coronavirus crisis have you feeling anxious, out of control, afraid, or angry? You don’t have to stay in that place! The gospel speaks good news to all of this and can transform your mind, heart, and response right away. Do you know how to speak hope and freedom into all of this?!
With all of the fear surrounding our hearts and lives connected to COVID-19, this week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we look deeply at the lies we may be believing, and how gospel-fluency can replace lies with truth.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we need to be growing in gospel-fluency today more than ever.
* How all fear, anxiety, and sin comes from lies we believe about God.
* 4 simple questions that lead us to the truth of the gospel for any issue.
* How the gospel replaces fear and anxiety with hope and trust.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"Here is what is actually true of us... We do not have to choose fear and self-protection. We are dearly loved sons and…
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Mar 23, 2020
WWJD During This Pandemic?
As Christians, we rack our brains for ways to build trust and relationships with people in our neighborhoods and cities. And we often hide behind the facade of, “Everyone’s just too busy to get together much…” Not anymore.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we ask, "What would Jesus do during this pandemic?" What would he focus on, and how would he prioritize his time with his disciples and those that did not yet believe in him?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How Jesus stayed radically focused on his mission–all the time.
* Why what you do with people right now makes a huge impact.
* How to recalibrate Jesus' UP/IN/OUT priorities during this pandemic.
* 30+ ways to be with and bless your community and others while being safe, yet intentional.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"After all of the mandated isolation and fear is starting to go away and people are dying for closer connections and time with people, who will they be thinking about? The people…
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Mar 19, 2020
[BONUS] Evangelism or Discipleship Right Now?!
As we face new ways of BEing the church during this global pandemic, should we be focusing on evangelism or discipleship with people?
In this short BONUS episode of the Lifeschool Podcast, Caesar will share with you a simple way to do both at the same time. This may surprise you a little!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What Jesus said and modeled about discipleship and evangelism.
* Why the Church may have been doing this wrong!
* How true discipleship and evangelism are forever linked together.
* A simple way to do both evangelism and discipleship at the same time.
Get started here…
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Join us on Facebook and take part in the discussion!
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of this page or right below.
Also, please leave an honest review for The Lifeschool Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever…
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Mar 16, 2020
Are You Leading With a Missional Mindset?
The word “missional” is not a dirty word, out of fashion, or dead. It still means today: living radically focused on the mission of discipleship; making more disciples of Jesus in everyday life. That’s our only mission as the church, and it will always be that way.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we look at distractions and loss of focus, and regardless of what you call it, we talk about having a “missional mindset” and the importance of that discipleship focus, especially if you’re a pastor or leading a community group, etc.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
-How your view of the gospel shapes your mindset and focus.
-Why discipleship is not something just preached about on Sunday.
-10 ways people with a missional mindset live and lead.
-How our language impacts what others think Christianity is about.
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Mar 13, 2020
Coronavirus: A Gospel Opportunity Amid Crisis
Due to the fear and hysteria connected to the current Coronavirus outbreak, the Church is presented with an opportunity unlike any other we’ve probably seen in our lifetime.
On this special episode of the Lifeschool Podcast, we look at our opportunity to truly glorify God and bring the reality of salvation, hope, and the Kingdom of God made real, for many people in a way they’ve never seen, heard or experienced before.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the new trend of churches starting to live-stream services may backfire. (Or produce healthier new rhythms!)
* Why a Christian version of "social isolation" is misguided.
* How the Gospel informs our actions and response in times of great need.
* Practical steps you can take TODAY to display and proclaim the Gospel to those in need and trapped by fear.
Get started here…
From this episode:
"God is not punishing you or me or anyone with this virus. His grace and unmerited favor is available in full measure for us…
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Mar 2, 2020
Maybe You’ve Never Really Tried “Missional”
Many church leaders think they’ve tried “missional community” before, and it failed. But actually… maybe they haven’t. Often, they’ve only tried more religion and new “DO to BE” activities with hipper language. That won’t get it done!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we look at the difference between talking a good missional game and really living in a community that is radically focused on discipleship as a lifestyle.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* One of the most common reasons that missional communities fail.
* Why our best intentions at living on mission often turn into new “law”.
* The difference between religion and the gospel of grace.
* How to get the help to make authentic missional living a reality.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Often folks that say they’ve tried to start missional communities actually only tried decentralized religious activities. They lay out a list of what folks are supposed to DO when they get toget…
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Feb 17, 2020
Everyday Discipleship + Our 3 Year Anniversary
For Jesus, discipleship was a lifestyle, not a series of classes or big events he worked hard to promote and fill up the room. And he didn’t teach morality or doctrine and send his disciples out to try and sin less as they waited for his return.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we celebrate our 3rd anniversary of the show and reaffirm the importance of everyday discipleship. We’ll share our vision for resourcing you to live a lifestyle of discipleship in the months and years ahead. Join us...the party has already started!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Caesar and Heath’s favorite episodes from the past 3 years.
* Who some of our favorite and most engaged listeners are.
* Why we will keep waving the banner of “discipleship as a lifestyle”.
* Upcoming opportunities to have Caesar and Heath in your city.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“We’ve said this over and over, but it remains true, and it’s the heartbeat of our show: Discipleship is the pr…
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Jan 27, 2020
Accountability Relationships Are Not All Good
We hear the word ‘accountability’ thrown around a lot within Christian circles. And for some it can hold deep meaning and value, while for others, it can conjure up feelings of failure, shame, or defeat.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about how accountability relationships are not all good or beneficial... but they can be! We’ll give you several steps toward participating in gospel-centered accountability that can really bring about transformation in your life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why most people shy away from accountability relationships (and should).
* How many people hide their true selves while pretending to be accountable.
* 8 Accountability Group killers to avoid.
* What powerful, gospel-centered accountability looks and sounds like.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“In my past experience with accountability groups or relationships, it seemed the focus was primarily on trying to ‘not sin’. I had to come together each wee…
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Dec 30, 2019
Lifeschool Cafe – Your Questions Answered
A lot of great, important questions come into Caesar and Heath every week. Topics range widely, but all things focus on and help us all learn how to live out our Christian faith and express the gospel in everyday life. Awesome.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we answer as many of your questions as we can in one special episode. Some things are serious, some are personal, some are just funny. Hope you enjoy it and learn a few things as we head into the new year together on Mission.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Strategies for living on mission as a couple without kids.
* How to deal with and disciple negative people in community.
* Was Caesar a rock-star in the past… he looked like one!
* Should the Lord’s Supper / Communion be a somber thing or a celebration?
* What music and books Caesar and Heath have been diggin’ lately.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Pick one small change you and your family, missional community or small group will make in…
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Dec 23, 2019
Christmas and Consumerism as Christians
There is no evidence that the disciples of Jesus, or the 1st Century church, ever celebrated Christmas or Jesus’ birth as an annual holiday. And yet, many of us have been taught that consumerism has killed the true meaning of Christmas. Has it?!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we look at the history of Christmas, how it started, and when the holiday took on religious significance as we talk about Christmas and consumerism as Christians.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How many of our Christmas traditions got started.
* When the Christian message and religion was added to the celebration.
* The commercial roots of this annual holiday.
* 7+ ways you can still make Christmas about Jesus and the gospel.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“If anything, religion was grafted onto consumerism, rather than consumerism grafted onto religion. But who or what is the focus of our celebration? Are we using it as an opportunity to help others move from unbelief to belief…
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Dec 16, 2019
Neighborhood Missional Living for the Imperfectly Ready
Neighborhood missional living is something that many ascribe to, but not everyone achieves. This type of intentional discipleship in community includes family, friends, and those living closest to you and helps you experience the gospel in ways that you never imagined.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk with our friend Twyla Franz, a mother of three, as she shares a bit of her family’s journey into missional living. She’ll show us how to start taking baby steps in spite of being imperfectly ready.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What life for a young family living on mission looks like (it’s a beautiful mess!).
* Why being “imperfectly ready” is the perfect place to be.
* Why proximity to those you are in community with is crucial.
* How to make a habit of taking baby steps!
Get started here…
From this episode:
“You can lead a missional community and make disciples out of your home and in your neighborhood. This is not something for a magical, sp…
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Dec 2, 2019
5 Stereotypes Christians Need To Change
We all seem to put people into a box–labeling them in ways that we can either easily dismiss, or categorically aspire to, without really getting into the messiness of really knowing them. Most are likely to say that stereotypes are not true, yet they still exist and influence our perceptions in profound ways.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we look at the reality that not only have we stereotyped certain people and groups in life, but the same has happened to us. We’ll talk about changing five stereotypes Christians are known for.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why humans tend to want to stereotype and label others.
* Ways that the media shapes unhelpful stereotypes about Christians.
* How Jesus was hard to label because he moved in a “third way”.
* 5 stereotypes that Christians need to change about us immediately.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“I fear that some of our listeners may want us to come down way harder left or right on this issue, bu…
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Nov 25, 2019
Why We Want To Let Our Redemption Show
When we can be honest about where we’re at with our problems and in our own spiritual life, it also gives others permission to do the same. Ask yourself, do others feel safe to approach you, even with their sins and screw-ups?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll show you why it’s important to let others see the redemption that is taking place in our life. Letting others know that you are definitely a work in progress and that God is still at work teaching, transforming, and changing you, will transform your relationships!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The one thing we have most in common with every other human being.
* How your own redemption lights a path to God for others.
* How to make God the hero of your life in every conversation.
* Why it’s important to stop worrying about “who’s in” and “who’s out”.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Give God the credit due for the changes that are happening in your life and faith. This w…
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Nov 18, 2019
Living on Mission When Your Spouse Is Not Into It
Discipleship starts in your home and works its way out through relationships. So our families and marriages need to be the “red hot center” of discipleship that we invite others into. But what happens if you’re trying to live on Mission and your spouse is not into it?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about the challenges that come up when we are not on the same page as a couple when it comes to discipleship and mission. Whether not-yet-believers or your spouse is just not into this “missional thing”, we’ll help you break through and live the life you’ve been called to live!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What the Bible teaches about having an “unbelieving” spouse.
* Why no Christians get a pass on making disciples.
* How to start where you’re at, with what you CAN do, rather than focusing on the limitations.
* 10+ ideas to get you started living on mission even if your spouse is not into it.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“…
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Nov 12, 2019
Gratitude, Grace, and the Gospel
Gratitude is more than delighting in a gift; it is a feeling of happiness directed toward a person for giving you something good. Growing in our ability to consistently be grateful and express gratitude is not only life-changing but is part of becoming a mature disciple of Jesus.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll look at the connection between gratitude, grace and the gospel. You’ll discover that expressing gratitude for the giver–not just the good gift–connects our hearts deeper to that person and is a picture of the gospel in and of itself.
Think of the godliest people you know, the people you most respect, other mature Believers you want to emulate and imitate. Almost certainly, the people you are thinking of are grateful people. Cynics, complainers, and critics may be popular on social media and late-night television, but they do not make great heroes of the faith.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How expressing gratitude actually changes us physically.
*…
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Nov 4, 2019
Are You Living Like a Missionary?
Living as a missionary is more about “being” than “doing”. Even if you’re part of a church that only refers to missionaries as those who go overseas to do ministry, the truth is, if you are a Christian, YOU are a missionary. It’s part of your identity!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll talk about the reality of living our lives–right where we’re at–as missionaries. This is what the Bible teaches, and it’s the life you were created and saved to live. Buckle up…this is going to be amazing!
The Church was never meant to be a building out on the edge of town. Jesus intended us to be a people of love and service who live out and proclaim the good news of his kingdom–right where we live. God’s missionary family (us Christians) are intended to be woven into the very fabric of the culture, shouldering sin and pain in the lives of others.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Who the Bible calls “missionaries” or the “sent ones” in this life.
* H…
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Oct 21, 2019
Halloween: Is Your Door Open For Mission?
Halloween and the beloved ritual of “trick-or-treat” is getting more and more popular each year, worldwide. With dozens (if not hundreds!) of your neighbors lining up for candy and a warm smile… is your door open for Mission this year?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about what may be the lowest hanging fruit of the year when it comes to relationship building and intentional missional engagement with your neighbors.
Halloween has some “dark history,” and many of us were taught that this was a holiday you were supposed to avoid if you’re a Christian. But the truth behind this annual event may surprise you. There’s no reason to miss out on this HUGE chance to bring redemption to your neighborhood.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The history of Halloween and how the Church may have actually invented it.
* How the Gospel redeems culture instead of avoiding it.
* Why Christians can and should participate with radical generosity.
* 7 ideas on ways to…
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Oct 14, 2019
5 Steps To Making Friends Quickly
Friendship and relationships are inseparably connected to the heart of God. Not only were we all created in the image of our relational God, who exists in community, but making friends is a critical component to making new disciples of Jesus.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you 5 steps to making friends quickly. We’ll show where to look, and give you the confidence to find new friendships and bridge those relationships into the rhythms of your normal life.
Most people don’t _avoid_ making new friends, but are often distracted or fall into self-focused patterns for so long that they have missed many opportunities for real relationships with new people of peace that are right in front of them.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* Why making new friends is not an “introvert vs. extrovert” issue.
* Where to look for new friendships in places you already frequent.
* How the lost art of being a good listener is key to this process–and discipleship.
* 5…
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Oct 7, 2019
Invitation and Challenge: Moving Disciples Toward Maturity
Whenever we’re investing time and energy into discipling someone or developing them as leaders, there’s this strong dynamic that we learn from Jesus where he perfectly calibrated invitation to his life, with a challenge to grow, to participate, to be more like him.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you how understanding “Invitation and Challenge” can help you in your leadership, your parenting, and how it moves disciples toward maturity.
This concept of invitation and challenge is one that is surprisingly simple to understand and amazingly powerful when we master it.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What it looks like to be highly “invitational” with others.
* How understanding the concept of “invitation and challenge” will explain past situations in leadership that didn’t go so well.
* The types of relational environments you may be creating in your church based on I&C.
* Why learning to calibrate I&C will forever change your leadership…
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Sep 30, 2019
God, Guns and the Second Amendment
One of today’s biggest and most vigorously debated issues is gun control. Statistics show Americans of all persuasions and political affiliations have become increasingly opposed to more gun control laws, despite the growing number of mass shootings. Yet clearly, there are those who cry out for greater gun control.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk with Caesar’s son, a former Marine and now an attorney, to gain a better understanding of the issue of gun control from a legal, Christian, and gospel perspective.
The issue of gun control from a Christian perspective is not black and white. All of this is fueled by past and present history, personal pain, and plenty of emotion.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What the Second Amendment actually says and the context in which it was originally written.
* Why new gun control laws are so hard to get passed in America and abroad.
* If the Bible and Jesus ever advocate for either lethal self-defense or passivity.
* How…
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Sep 23, 2019
Is the Church a Black Hole for Leaders?
Pastors and other leaders in ministry are often under so much stress that they find themselves hanging on by a thread, often-times for years, ready to burn out from exhaustion or blow out morally. This is a huge problem facing the Church today.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about the alarming number of high-profile Church leaders who are resigning, being fired, or walking away from the faith and why this may be happening so often. Is the Church a black hole for leaders?
Why aren’t more pastors overflowing with the love, joy and the peace of the Lord in their lives, families and ministries? What is the cause of their emotional problems and moral failures?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we didn’t see this type of “leadership burn out” with Jesus and his disciples.
* Alarming statistics about the levels of stress and low emotional and moral health of today’s pastors.
* Why the ‘model’ that many churches follow is leading to leadership fall out…
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Sep 16, 2019
7 Secrets to Lifelong Marriage Unity
Almost no one was raised in a perfect home with perfect parents who modeled a perfect marriage. It takes intentionality and a lifelong commitment to learn, adapt, and bear with one another… if you want to stay married!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, Caesar and his wife, Tina, share 7 “secrets” that have helped them stay on the same page and maintain unity throughout 36 years of marriage. You’ll want to take notes, for sure!
All marriages are unique but require many of the same elements to continue growing and sustain unity, romance and a sense of hope for the future.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why our marriage is the greatest picture of the gospel others see (or don’t).
* The truth about what date nights can and cannot do for your marriage.
* The reason why vacation without the kids is crucial!
* 7 secrets to lifelong marriage unity.
Get started here…
From this episode:
“Don’t hide your marriage imperfections. Find a community of trusted be…
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Sep 9, 2019
How Procrastination Kills Discipleship and Mission
Have you ever really “intentioned” to make disciples and focus your life on God’s mission and his glory, rather than your plans for your own glory? If that’s your hope and intention, but you’re not taking action, it’s procrastination.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll talk about what leads to procrastination in our lives and how procrastination kills discipleship and mission.
If you’re feeling that life has just gotten in the way of discipleship… even when it comes to your own family, spouse and kids, the lack of motivation to change that may be coming from several underlying causes.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* The 3 major underlying causes of procrastination.
* Examples of what procrastination looks like in discipleship and missional living.
* How you may actually be procrastinating in trusting God.
* Ways the gospel speaks to this issue and how to get “unstuck.”
*Get started here…*
*_From this episode:_*
_“Be honest with yours…
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Sep 2, 2019
The 7 Worst Evangelism Mistakes Today
*Evangelism has almost become a dirty word in our culture… And it’s not all that different in some church circles. We’re either all “gung-ho” about it and finding that people aren’t very interested, or we’ve given up really trying long ago.*
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll help define what true biblical evangelism really is, and the 7 worst evangelism mistakes we see today.
Even when we are certain of our faith and what the Bible teaches, our posture and how we discuss these things is a HUGE proclamation to others about who God is and the heart of our Father. God is never pushy–he’s patient. He is kind, slow to anger, gentle, generous, loving and available.
*In This Episode You’ll Learn:*
* What “evangelism” is and what the Bible actually teaches about it.
* Are all Christians called to be “evangelists”?
* Why lots of Christians are looking for ways to “get out of” evangelizing others.
* The 7 worst evangelism mistakes today…an…
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Aug 26, 2019
How Baptism Shapes Our Identity and Culture
Whether we are aware of it or not, everyone is being "baptized." While the church baptizes believers in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the culture is baptizing us into the trinitarian values of consumption, production, and acquisition.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast we talk with author and pastor Eric Peterson and get a pastoral perspective on the power of baptism to lead people deeply into a more sacred way of life.
When we operate out of our identity–believing that we are God’s beloved children and that our heavenly Dad is really pleased with us–we can live in freedom and a deeper connection to others, seeing everyone as part of the same divine family. No longer do we need to prove our worth or importance or earn our Fathers affection.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How our culture is constantly “baptizing” us in ways we may not be aware of.
* Why Christian baptism reshapes our identity and worldview.
* How the Church today has largely lost…
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Aug 19, 2019
Discipleship and Gospel Fluency in the Workplace
Many of us spend more time with our co-workers than we do with most anyone else consistently each week. And the question of how we can make disciples at work is common, yet not without some obvious challenges and nuance required.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast we talk about how discipleship in the workplace has its advantages and challenges...it’s a matter of seeing things through “new” eyes.
Work relationships are a bit artificial and forced and usually don’t allow for “all of life”, life on life, life in community, which is how true discipleship takes place. But we are always in discipleship mode, and aspects of discipleship can definitely happen at work and on the job. Gospel fluency is key!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Discipleship is evangelism (and vice versa) and it is often a slow process.
* How to think more holistically about discipleship in the workplace.
* Ways to identify who at work is open to Spiritual things.
* Practical examples of dis…
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Aug 12, 2019
Why is Missional Living So Hard?
Living life as a ‘family on mission’ with others in community is a big commitment. But starting or transitioning small groups that were pulled together for reasons other than discipleship and mission, and asking folks to now to commit to increasingly live like a family, together on mission, can be tough sledding... It’s hard!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast we’ll try and help answer the question, “Why is missional living so hard?” while also giving you hope, practical tips, and a little help during the hard times.
Sure, this seems hard at first… (it is!) but once you’ve experienced life in a gospel-centered community, living like a family, there’s no going back to just “checking the church box” once a week on Sundays!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The difference between a traditional small group and a true missional community.
* How our time, schedule, activities and preferences all play into this.
* Why married couples must be on the same page a…
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Aug 5, 2019
Is It Time to Leave Your Church?
Is it time to leave your church? You didn’t always feel this way...but lately, you’ve had a nagging discomfort that it may be time to leave and find a new church home. But you wonder, “Is it just me?!”
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll try and help you make that decision. We give you 7 legitimate reasons why it may be time to leave your church, and some cautions you may want to heed first.
If you’re thinking about leaving your current local church, ask yourself why you originally started engaging with this particular church body. What did you like about it? What drew you to it… and what’s changed? How might God want to use you to change things about it? Or… what might God be wanting to teach you and your family by staying part of this church?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How your “Church” is people... and that includes you!
* Why God may want to keep you right where you’re at.
* 7 legitimate reasons why it may be time to leave.
* Key…
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Jul 29, 2019
How the Gospel Speaks to Anger
We all know what anger looks and feels like. But most of us don’t know much about this emotion and where it comes from. Is anger always a bad thing or could it at times actually be a picture of God’s own heart in a situation?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast we look at the source of our anger, how so much of it is disordered love, and how the gospel speaks to anger.
If we find ourselves angry about getting snubbed on social media, or being cut off in traffic, or going unrecognized for work, or having an idea shut down, or feeling underappreciated by our spouse… the problem might be that we love ourselves too much!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Where the different types of anger come from.
* When and why Jesus got angry.
* The 3 Levels of anger we experience.
* Three steps for dealing with our anger in light of Gospel truth.
Get started here...
From this episode:
“God and Jesus both displayed times of their anger. But they were never angry for their own ben…
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Jul 22, 2019
Tips for Hosting Missional Summer Meals
Missional community life includes a lot of eating together. Your meals should be a reflection of your life as a family. When we invite people to experience dinner with the Family—God’s family—loving them well is far more important than what you serve or how perfect it all looks.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk with Caesar’s wife Tina, a professional chef and hospitality expert. She gives us her best tips for hosting missional summer meals that are easy to do and won’t leave you frazzled.
Everyone has their 'go-to' favorites—dinners that you can pull off—even in your busiest and most stressed times. Share the meals your family likes. Family favorites will most likely also be enjoyed by friends, as are the stories connected to those meals and recipes.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why it’s important to treat people like family, not like guests.
* Meals that you can do easily and quickly.
* Why theming your meals and parties is fun and super invi…
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Jul 8, 2019
Why Discipleship Is Like Reparenting People
So many people have never been taught basic life skills, and certainly not how to view all of life through the lens of the Gospel. Discipleship must seed the good news of the Kingdom into every area of life–not just a bunch of teaching on the Bible and theology.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about why discipleship is like reparenting people, showing them how to live in God’s family in light of what our Father now says is true of them. In so many ways it mirrors the same steps and patience required to raise kids!
I am increasingly struck by how many of the things that my wife and I did with our own kids as they grew up are the same things that we find ourselves replicating with others now in the missional community.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why discipleship is deeply connected with a form of reparenting people.
* The most crucial areas of a disciple’s life that may need reparenting.
* Why most traditional forms of discipleship don’t address enou…
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Jul 1, 2019
How to Pray the Gospel for All of Life
Prayer was always meant to be a conversation with our heavenly Father, our Daddy. If your prayers are cold, formal, self-focused or rare, then seeing prayer as a time you get to talk with Dad will draw you to the source of all life, grace, and love.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you how Jesus’ model for prayer actually leads us to pray the Good News of the gospel over all of life. Prayer is all about experiencing the gospel in relationship with our Father!
Jesus said it pretty plainly, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Through us having a relationship. And when he taught his disciples how to pray, he led them in relationship to the Father.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why Jesus always saw prayer with our Father as a relational practice.
* The 6 movements or “petitions” of the Lord’s Prayer.
* Specific (HUGE) gospel connections to each of these 6 movements.
* How to pra…
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Jun 24, 2019
Where to Find Your Unique People of Peace
God has already placed unique people in your life that have been waiting for someone to introduce them to Jesus and live in His Kingdom. You’ll find that these “people of peace” are longing for relationship and are naturally easy to spend time with.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you where to look, and how to find your unique people of peace. They’re closer than you think... and now you’ll know how to find them!
Helping those people God has uniquely chosen for you to help move from unbelief to belief about who God really is, what he thinks of them, and how they get to live because of Jesus, is what discipleship is all about.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What Jesus taught his disciples about finding those people they would disciple.
* How you can spot the “people of peace” in your own life.
* The places in your life that make natural relationship building easy.
* How a person moves from being an acquaintance to a disciple of Jesus.
Get…
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Jun 17, 2019
Hugh Halter: An Apostle’s Journey
Do modern-day apostles exist? Are there still people that God sends to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom to the lost and broken and start new movements of the gospel where the Kingdom of God touches down here on Earth?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, Caesar interviews his close friend, author and modern apostle, Hugh Halter. His story of restarting from scratch in a city across the country will encourage you that God is still at work establishing His kingdom. And He may just be waiting for you to join Him!
Few people seem to be willing to “risk everything” for the sake of the Gospel. My buddy Hugh Halter has done that several times while answering God’s call on his life. He really is a modern-day apostle and someone we can learn a lot from. This is a great story!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why Hugh would uproot his family from comfort and move to a broken, impoverished place.
* The difference between “planting a church” and “planting the gospel”.…
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Jun 10, 2019
Top 10 Roadblocks to Discipleship and Mission
“If I’ve heard it once I’ve heard it a thousand times!” We hear the most common excuses, fears, and roadblocks to discipleship and mission over and over. The reason they come up so often is... they must be real. Or at least we think they are.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll share (from our listeners and students) the top 10 roadblocks to discipleship and mission we run into all the time. We’ll discuss what’s really lurking behind each of these, and give you a way around each roadblock.
It can be easy to stay “stuck” and make excuses for why we’re not really engaged in discipleship and mission in our lives. Or not as far along as we’d like to be. But it doesn’t have to stay that way!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The Top 10 roadblocks to discipleship and mission.
* What is really behind each of these perceived barriers. (Most are not roadblocks at all!)
* Diagnostic questions to ask yourself to move beyond each of these.
* The surprisin…
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Jun 3, 2019
Creating the Right Discipleship Environment Pt.2
Discipleship that mirrors what Jesus did with his disciples, and produces the same hope, maturity and multiplication is an “all of life” experience. It looks pretty different than what most of us Christians have seen or participated in.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll give you Part 2 of our talk on the 10 necessary aspects you’ll want to focus on in creating the right discipleship environment.
Discipleship is not fast. It takes a lot of time, commitment, and sacrifice. A discipler must be with his or her disciples frequently and must care for them over the long-term.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The difference between discipleship classes and holistic life-on-life experiences.
* Why words and knowledge alone are not enough; Modeling the life of Jesus is key.
* 6 of the 10 necessary aspects of a healthy discipleship environment (like Jesus had).
* Why ‘one-size-fits-all’ discipleship NEVER works!
Get started here...
From this episode:
“Teach…
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May 27, 2019
Creating the Right Discipleship Environment Pt.1
Discipleship is an all of life apprenticeship led by Jesus himself. In order to make disciples of Jesus, who in turn, know how to make more disciples, we must pay close attention to the experience and environment that Jesus provided his disciples.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll give you Part 1 of a two-part talk on the 10 necessary aspects you’ll want to focus on in creating the right discipleship environment.
Discipleship for Jesus was never a series of curriculum or a set of events and classes that he asked his disciples to attend. Those kinds of things may teach what Jesus taught, but they don’t create an experience where people learn to obey all that he commanded in every area of life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why your “discipleship” may not be producing the desired results in your people.
* Where, when and how often Jesus interacted with his disciples.
* 4 of the 10 necessary aspects of a healthy discipleship environment (like Jesus had).…
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May 20, 2019
217 Why Discipleship Is So Rare In Our Churches
Without discipleship, we are left with a “shadow church”… a lot of religious trappings and tradition without the red hot center of the mission Jesus gave us at its core. Is the church stuck?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll address why discipleship is so rare in our churches and we’re calling church leaders to rethink and reframe what we actually mean by discipleship, to begin with.
If we keep talking about the lack of discipleship in our churches for another 20 or 30 years, like we have been—without changing things—we won’t have this problem. Not because we’ve solved things, but because the Church will be all but irrelevant and further marginalized in society.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we may not be talking about the same thing when it comes to discipleship.
* A practical and super-helpful definition of discipleship that makes sense.
* Why discipleship is equally important for not-yet believers as it is Christians.
* 7 Roadblocks and…
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May 13, 2019
216: A Week in the Life of a Missional Community
If you try and treat life and the rhythms in a missional community like a light switch, something you suddenly flip on in your lives, you’ll be disappointed and frustrated. It takes time for any group of people to develop new rhythms and begin to truly feel as if they are part of a family.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you how to organize some things right off the bat and create space for the more organic rhythms to develop. And we’ll give you a peek at some sample calendars for a week in the life of a missional community.
It takes an extra measure of grace and patience when building an extended family, given the integrations of the various schedules and unique responsibilities everyone has. It also takes great intentionality.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How life in a missional community (MC) is both organized and organic.
* The types of events and rhythms that need to be organized and those that don’t.
* The 3 minimum, weekly touch points you…
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May 6, 2019
215: Are You Too Comfortable for a Missional Life?
We live in a culture oriented entirely toward comfort, and the church is not immune to this allure. Are we just dissatisfied consumers hoping to find our perfectly customized dream job, dream house, dream vacation, and even our dream church and a perfectly comfortable dream life?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll help you discover if you are already living too comfortably for the mission that Jesus called us—his Church, his disciples—to live out.
When Jesus said that we would do the things he has done and even greater things, we’re reminded of a Savior who endured the discomfort of the cross to bring us new life… and then sent us out on his mission.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* If your life is arranged for maximum comfort and pretty inflexible.
* The areas of life you may have grown too comfortable in for a missional life.
* How the Gospel speaks into where and Who we find our comfort.
* 7 signs that you may have slipped into a comfortable and comp…
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Apr 29, 2019
214: Is Your Family Prepared for Missional Living?
The foundation of living as a ‘family on mission’ is believing you are part of God’s family and seeing others as family members that God is looking to restore and bring close to himself. And all of it must be a natural outgrowth of our family life together on mission.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll show you the steps you need to prepare your family to actually be ready for missional living.
Today, we are not talking about preparation to go overseas as a family, but how you can begin to prepare to live life together in community, right where you live, on mission together. Is your family prepared for missional living?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How our true gospel identity sends us on mission as a family.
* If your family is worth imitating and something others would want to join.
* Initial rhythms of life you can establish in your home as a family.
* FREE BONUS training you can access that will help you jumpstart missional living.
Get started here…
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Apr 22, 2019
213: How to Destroy the Idols in Your Life
The foundation of living as a ‘family on mission’ is believing you are part of God’s family and seeing others as family members that God is looking to restore and bring close to himself. And all of it must be a natural outgrowth of our family life together on mission.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll show you the steps you need to prepare your family to actually be ready for missional living.
Today, we are not talking about preparation to go overseas as a family, but how you can begin to prepare to live life together in community, right where you live, on mission together. Is your family prepared for missional living?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How our true gospel identity sends us on mission as a family.
* If your family is worth imitating and something others would want to join.
* Initial rhythms of life you can establish in your home as a family.
* FREE BONUS training you can access that will help you jumpstart missional living.
Get started here…
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Apr 15, 2019
212: Why Apologetics Makes For Poor Evangelism
One of the things that keep Christians from talking about their faith to their friends is the fear of sounding like a freak or being asked hard questions they can’t answer. Or they feel like they are supposed to “win” people over to their side of the discussion or they’ve failed.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll explain why focusing our evangelism on winning a spiritual tug-of-war is not a great approach to evangelism. In fact, apologetics often makes for poor evangelism... No one is ever really “argued” into the Kingdom!
Apologetics is for the defense of the faith within our faith communities and makes for poor evangelism outside of the Church. And with each other, always remember that it is with gentleness and respect that we are to discuss differences in our understanding and belief. Let’s be sure to get our hearts in that position before we jump into a debate.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A working understanding of what apologetics is, and what…
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Apr 8, 2019
211: Why the Church Should Throw Better Parties
Does the way we celebrate, drink and eat remind us of God’s continued blessing in our life through Christ... and show our culture what it looks like to really party and celebrate unto the Lord?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll show you why Christians should be the most celebratory people in the world. In every neighborhood, in every city!
The Church is a family–God’s family–and healthy families eat and celebrate together often! Your meals and parties can serve as both a demonstration of what God and his family are like and a reminder that we can live open, generous lives with everyone. Let’s party!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why God loves it when we celebrate and party as his kids.
* The rhythms of celebration that God gave Israel so they would live as a reminder and demonstration of what He is like.
* How our views on partying and alcohol are shaped by our understanding of the Gospel.
* Why we get to live lives that are being redeemed and used…
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Mar 25, 2019
209: How to Make Faith and Life Fit Together
Many of us live with a form of spiritual schizophrenia. We live our “Christian life” primarily on Sunday, and then there’s our “regular life” lived the rest of the time.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll help you learn how to incorporate your faith into every area of life. To see that the Gospel really is good news for today, and help you experience a fuller, Kingdom life now.
If you have a desire to live with greater intentionality in your life when it comes to your faith, work, ministry, parenting, being a good spouse... now is your time.
One small step starts the journey.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* If your family or church is really living on mission with God (or something else).
* How the gospel really does speak into ALL of life, not just your afterlife.
* Caesar’s personal journey from “attending church” to BEing the church.
* What it would look like to live as a full-time missionary in your neighborhood.
Get started here...
From t…
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Mar 18, 2019
208: Growing in Patience with God, Yourself and Others
Patience is a fruit of the Spirit, but it is often difficult to find. How many people would label you “a patient person”? The roots of impatience lead deeper than you might imagine, and the effects compound each other.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll look at the immediate and lifelong benefits of growing in our ability to be more patient… with God, with others, and with ourselves.
An impatient person has a hard time waiting for others or does so with great reluctance. An impatient person feels anxious or upset when things do not go according to their hoped-for plan.
There is a pretty big ME focus connected to impatience.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The roots of selfishness and false sovereignty that are behind our impatience.
* The connection between unhappiness and impatience with myself.
* How the Gospel speaks hope into our need for Spiritual Patience.
* A 15-minute exercise to uncover your areas of greatest impatience and why.
Get started here…
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Mar 11, 2019
207: Missional Living When Your Church Doesn’t Support It
You desire to live a more missional life in community with others… making disciples in everyday life, but you don’t have the support of your pastor and local church leadership. Now what?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll speak to your heart first and then give you steps to get started and ways to help you get your leaders and others on board with this missional lifestyle.
God has always desired a worldwide, earthly family that would live in such a way as to show the world His love and generosity… inviting everyone to a place at His table. This needs to happen in all of the normal rhythms of everyday life… not just once each week.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The crucial difference between most traditional churches and missional communities.
* The real threats and fears that your opposition may be experiencing.
* How Jesus was definitely in the “both/and” camp with a single focus.
* Ways to get started living as an example of what’s possible on…
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Mar 4, 2019
206: How to Speak Gently and Think Clearly Amidst Conflict
It happens over and over again: a political argument with a friend, a fight about racial issues on the internet, a disagreement with a coworker… At the first sign of conflict, we flee to a bunker with people who think like us and—internally or externally—attack everyone else. We feel safe there, but it’s killing us: killing families, friendships, civility, and discourse.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll talk with author Brian Jennings and discover there is a better way… and we can walk in it! It may look like you’re dodging cultural landmines, but you just might be learning how to dance!
God is not wanting you to believe or settle for a watered-down version of the truth. He offers a way to break down walls with a Truth that heals families, friendships, churches, and communities.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The “thing behind the thing” with all the conflict we see in ideology today.
* How Jesus faced personal, political, and relational conflict…
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Feb 25, 2019
205: Why You (Yes You!) Need a Discipleship Coach
Why do all serious players on any team have a coach, and why might all serious disciple-makers also need a coach? Life and ministry accelerate when you have someone help you call plays and develop strategies as you make disciples and live out this amazing Kingdom life.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll hear from some folks who have engaged with being coached and the difference it is making in their marriages, families, and communities as they press into a lifestyle of discipleship and mission in everyday life.
We don’t find the term “coach” specifically used or applied to anyone in the Bible. But we do see Jesus, Paul, Barnabas, and a host of others playing the role of “coach” and mentor in the lives of others. Being coached and coaching others is incredibly consistent with biblical principles and can produce pretty amazing results in our lives too.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Several examples of coaches and coaching relationships in the Bible.
* A pr…
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Feb 18, 2019
204: Is Cultural Diversity Realistic in the Church?
It’s easy to look across the auditorium–or across the room–and ask why the church and our small groups or missional communities are not more diverse. But are racial differences the only form of diversity there is?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll look at some of the reasons we don’t see greater diversity in the church and why there may be false expectations in connection with some of this. We’ll give you practical ways to look at your own church and community groups and begin to discern new opportunities for diversity.
True, life-giving relationships with others who are different than ourselves take humility. We will have to lay down our pride and any snobbery we have and be willing to include, learn from, and even follow others.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why Sunday is the most segregated (or most homogenous) day of the week.
* The “thing behind the thing” when it comes to our lack of diversity in the church (and life).
* Why diversity is not…
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Feb 11, 2019
203: 7 Ways To Romance Your Wife All Year
After several years of marriage, the passion in your relationship can begin to fade into the normalcy of everyday life. If you have lost some of the romance in your marriage and are needing to turn up the fire, this episode will show you how.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you 7 ways to romance your wife on Valentine’s Day and every day! Ladies… you may need to pass this one on to your husband.
We have been created for love. We need to be loved throughout our lifetime. For many people, they also have been in love and desire romance in their life. Of course! But there is a difference between these two very important aspects of relationship–especially within marriage.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The difference between love and romance… and if both last forever.
* Why “falling in love” feels so amazing and why we all want more of that feeling.
* How God is the author of love and romance and His example for both.
* 7 ways to romance your wi…
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Feb 4, 2019
202: How to Do Church Discipline with Love and Purpose
Church discipline is a term found nowhere in the Bible. But its taught, often necessary, and it is usually very difficult to practice in ways that show the love of God. And many of us, and those we know, have been hurt by churches not doing this correctly.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we discuss how to do church discipline with love and purpose… instead of just “handing people over to Satan” and being done with them. :-/
[spp-player]
So much of what is written about church discipline is steeped in old covenant, temple theology, and language. It’s taught as if Jesus never came and died for all of our sins already; forgetting that we are now the righteousness of Christ. What should be the goal and purpose of church discipline?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How ‘discipline’ and ‘disciple’ have the same root meaning and goals.
* How Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18 may surprise you when read in its full context.
* Who should be involved with doing chur…
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Jan 28, 2019
201: Leadership Harmony in Missional Communities
Missional community life can be tricky and hard to sustain. Leading missional communities can seem even harder to navigate. How do you determine if you are like-minded enough to lead with another person or couple? How do you get started?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’re gonna teach you how to determine who you should lead a missional community with and what should happen when you don’t agree on things.
When discussing leadership within new or existing missional communities, there are two roads we need to look at: 1. working with leaders you’ve developed and they too are now leading with you, and 2. putting a new team of leaders together.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What missional community (MC) leadership looks like.
* How MC leaders can build stronger relationships outside of a weekly meeting.
* The best ways to bring up conflict as leaders and how to deal with it.
* Getting leaders on the same page as to “what the mission is” that we are on.
*…
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Jan 7, 2019
198: A Million Little Things: Discipleship in the Real World
Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus had just left us his “5 Big Steps” or “3 Important Ingredients” for disciple-making? It would be so much simpler if discipleship in the real world was a little more spelled out and outlined into a few basics.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’re going to show you how discipleship looks less like one big thing or series of classes... and more like a million little things.
We’ve made discipleship a lot more complicated than it was ever meant to be. When Jesus commanded us to “go and make disciples,” he was not commanding us to hold a specific set of classes or scheduled routines but to enter into the everyday lives of people. Into all the little stuff of life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why there will never be a perfect set of classes or “one big thing” that adds up to maturity in our churches.
* How Romans 8:28 helps clarify what God is up to when it comes to our sanctification.
* Why dependence on the works of t…
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Dec 31, 2018
197: Lifeschool Cafe: Your Questions Answered
Wouldn’t it be great if you could get any (all) of your questions about discipleship, relationships, and life on mission answered by a couple of “experts”? Here ya go...
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, you have asked, and we’ve listened! Caesar and Heath answer a pile of your questions about discipleship and missional living in this special “LifeSchool Cafe: Your Questions Answered” edition.
We get a lot of emails and questions here at the Lifeschool Podcast, and we love it! And we understand that it can be easy to get stuck or feel uncertain of how to navigate certain relational waters when making disciples and doing life in community on mission.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to correct weird or damaging “Christianese” without coming off as rude.
* What is a good starting point to start discipling people after they are baptized?
* What are the most formative books on theology, ecclesiology, and mission you’ve read?
* How do you navigate frien…
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Dec 24, 2018
196: Christmas and the Incarnation
Imagine Jesus being born today, in our times. Do you think he'd be received as God’s own son? Would the world believe... would you?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, Caesar and Heath celebrate their second annual Christmas episode, as they dive deep into the Incarnation and what it means for us today.
It’s crazy to think that we get so lost in the consumerism of Christmas, even as Christians, that we forget about the magnitude of God becoming man. God putting on flesh.
This year, let’s recapture the essence of the Incarnation as we are now the flesh that is wrapped around God’s Spirit!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What Jesus’ name(s) teach us about the Incarnation.
* How Jesus’ incarnation is a model for how we “go” into the world and make disciples.
* That we have the exact same Spirit of God dwelling in us as Jesus. (This is huge!)
* Ways we can make this a special Christmas for those whose burdens we seek to bear.
Get started here...
From this…
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Dec 10, 2018
194: Climate Change. What to Know, What You Can Do
Rising sea levels... raging storms. Ferocious fires and punishing floods. Is something changing on our planet, or is all of this just… normal?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we revisit a powerful conversation we had with renowned climate scientist, Katharine Hayhoe. Recently, the US federal government issued a new National Climate Assessment, and Katharine is one of the co-authors!
We will also leave you with a TON of resources and next steps for helping to combat climate change so you can begin to make a small (but big) difference in the world!
This is not a political issue for Heath and I (Caesar). We’re not advocating for the left or the right in this. We believe that it is less important to try and place blame for this shift in the climate and learn how to unite, rather than divide, over solutions and in a hope to offer help and assistance to those on our shared planet who are most affected by these changes.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* About the new National…
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Dec 3, 2018
193: 12 Small Ways You Can Improve Your City
As God’s kids and together as his family here on Earth, we get to serve others as an expression of our identity in Christ. And sometimes, the smallest acts of service can have the biggest impact!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll show you how serving your city in little ways provides a picture and experience of the good news of the gospel. You’ll hear about 12 small ways you can improve your city individually or as a group together. This is fun!
Working from a list of 101 ways to improve your city (which we’ll give to you), we share twelve of our favorites. These are things that can be done almost anywhere by anyone. All hands on deck!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why serving others is a display of what God is like in the world.
* How restoration and reconciliation often flow from small acts of service.
* 12 things we LOVE that you can do to improve your city through serving. (Easy stuff!)
* How you, your family, and your community group can get starte…
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Nov 26, 2018
192: Why Intentional Disciple-Making = Real Church Growth
Much of the Church today seems to be operating with a “functional Great Commission”: Go into all the world and make more worship attenders, baptizing them in the name of small groups, and teaching them to volunteer a few times a month.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk with author and sought-after consultant, Will Mancini, about why intentional disciple-making = real church growth.
More than we’d like to admit, so much of our default strategy for seeing people come to faith in Jesus begins and ends with pumping people through our priority programs. It’s the classic attractional mindset.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why the Church has slipped into a functional, versus original, Great Commission mindset.
* How your language will reveal what’s most important to you as a church.
* The 3 types of Christian churches we’ll experience in the next 20 years.
* Why programs don’t attract people; people attract people.
Get started here...
From this episo…
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Nov 19, 2018
191: Friendsgiving: Making Room At God’s Table
Thanksgiving meals give us an opportunity to turn strangers into friends and friends into family. Who will you invite to be part of your family this year?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, Caesar’s wife, Tina, joins him and Heath and teaches you how to include others from outside your immediate family in a new tradition–Friendsgiving. Let’s start making room at God's table!
There may be no more appropriately suited time of year than Thanksgiving to express our gratitude for all that God has blessed us with in this life. And no better way to express our thankfulness than by sharing it with others.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why it may be time to rethink who we include in our understanding of “family”.
* Who to invite to your “Friendsgiving”.
* How to deal with your family members who are less excited about having “strangers” at their table this year.
* How to express thankfulness around the table without it being weird or forced.
* Tips for putt…
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Nov 12, 2018
190: How To Deal With Difficult People in Your Life
We all have those people in life who just rub us the wrong way. How are we supposed to deal with that? Ignore them, avoid them? Or... is there another way?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you how to deal with difficult people in your life. Whether they’re family members, co-workers, or people in your community, this will help you maintain healthy relationships–and your sanity.
Jesus dealt with lots of challenging people. And compared to him, everyone is a difficult person! Look in the mirror to see one. Truth is, you can be pretty sure that you may be on someone’s “list” as hard to deal with in certain ways too.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A deeper look at some of the difficult people Jesus encountered and how he dealt with them.
* How to identify 4 different types of difficult people.
* How to understand ‘the thing behind the thing’ with each of the 4 types.
* Why difficult people present easy opportunities for discipleship.
Get star…
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Oct 29, 2018
188: Conversion Without Discipleship? Why You Need Both
Church doctrines of grace and salvation, in some cases, may actually prevent us from creating an expectation that we are to be and make disciples. Do our existing models of evangelism and discipleship fail to produce true followers of Jesus?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we dive into the importance of recovering a robust view of the gospel and taking seriously the connection between conversion and discipleship with Bill Hull, a “discipleship evangelist” (I love that term!) who’s the author of a bunch of bestselling discipleship classics.
A person can profess to be a Christian and yet still live under the impression that they don’t need to actually follow Jesus. Being a follower and disciple is seen as an optional add-on, not a requirement. It is a choice, not a demand. Being a Christian today, unfortunately, has little connection with the biblical idea that we are formed into the image and identity of Christ.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A historical definitio…
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Oct 22, 2018
187: Why Jesus Didn’t Make Disciples in a Classroom
Something isn’t working. More and more we’re seeing people leave the church because it seems less relevant to them, and they are not being discipled in the normal aspects of everyday life. Jesus… can you help us?!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we look into why Jesus didn't make disciples in a classroom or only sitting in rows at the temple once a week. And we’ll show you the discipleship environment he created. (You’ll want to live the same way too after hearing this!)
Most of the time Jesus spent with his disciples was in the normal rhythms of life as they ate, traveled, taught, and served others. While there were times when he taught in more formal settings, it was his consistent example of love, generosity, encouragement, prayer, etc. that probably had the greatest impact on their lives.
Jesus modeled the life he wanted his disciples to go and live.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How Jesus’ discipleship happened outside of classrooms. (And what it looked…
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Oct 15, 2018
186: Why Our Leaders Need to Reimagine the Church
The Church has been run in much the same way for decades; we’ve run programs, services, built buildings, and held conferences. I wonder if we’ve really achieved the thing that is most on the heart of God?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk with author and movement leader, Nic Harding, and try and explain why our leaders need to reimagine the church as it functions today.
For many of us caught up in the treadmill of Church activity, we’ve lost sight of the abundant life Jesus offers us. Needless, stress-inducing busyness is a sure sign that we have got something badly wrong. But joy and a truly abundant life is the hallmark of getting this right. You in?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to clarify the “win” that Jesus gave us for the Church.
* What to do when you find yourself WAY TOO busy (and stressed) leading in the Church.
* How discovering your true purpose will set you free from crazy, religious busyness,
* Great resources for walking step-by-s…
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Oct 8, 2018
185: How Do We Love Mercy and Do Justice?
It seems like it only takes a few seconds being on social media or TV to see people crying out for justice. We often speak of “getting justice”, but the Bible speaks of “doing justice”.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we discuss the command in scripture to love mercy and do justice… and if our cultural understanding and experience of justice is lining up with God’s heart and hopes.
Justice is disillusioning... Where do you draw the lines of where justice starts and end? We all have different ideas on correct levels of justice—what is just and what is not. How do we set a baseline of what justice (or maybe even injustice) looks like? Who sets the bar?
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Life-changing (and biblical) definitions of mercy and justice.
* What exactly produces a “love of mercy” in our own hearts and lives.
* How God’s “justice” will change the world.
* How we can participate in God’s restorative justice in the lives of others.
Get st…
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Oct 1, 2018
184: Sowing and Reaping: What is the “Harvest” Jesus Talked About?
Unless seeds are planted, watered, and given enough time for growth, there is little expectation of a harvest. That’s how it works in farming; it seems it is similar with people and their faith.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we discuss the spiritual metaphor of sowing and reaping. Is it possible to do any reaping if there’s been no sowing done before us? And what is the “harvest” that Jesus actually talked about?
This topic gained quite a bit of traction and interest when we posted it on the Lifeschool Facebook group. And it appears that while harvesting is where the “action” is, Christians are often unsure how to do it and are left curious about previous seed sowing efforts that would lead to a spiritual harvest in a person’s life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What Jesus taught about the amount of “fruit” that is ready to be harvested.
* The harvest Jesus was actually talking about and interested in. (It’s different than you were taught.)
* Wh…
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Sep 24, 2018
183: How to Transition to a Spiritual Conversation
It can seem like the scariest and most awkward thing to do in life and relationships: you’re having a nice conversation, and you feel it’s time to bring up Jesus or transition to spiritual things. Yikes!
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we discuss how to transition normal, everyday discussions to spiritual conversations—without it being weird.
We are too often compelled by guilt to transition to spiritual conversations. We are supposed to try and slip in a little “Jesus talk” or church stuff whenever we can… right? But most of the techniques we’ve been taught are just that–techniques. And they can feel like a sales pitch to others and ourselves!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we are afraid to engage in spiritual conversations.
* The most common excuses we have and the lies behind them.
* How past “techniques” rarely, if ever, end up being beneficial.
* Why the gospel is NOT a set of facts about sin, hell, and our afterlife.
* Effective ways…
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Sep 17, 2018
182: What Does a Missional Community Need to “Do” Together?
Other than a weekly meal and hangout, what does a missional community need to do together? Are there set patterns for being together, or are we just trying to fit everything into a neat little once-a-week box?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we discuss what a missional community is supposed to do from week-to-week. This is surprisingly simple, yet powerful!
Too often what is labeled as a Missional Community is just a renamed, traditional small group or Bible study together. Maybe there’s an occasional service project added in. But what if a missional community actually lived like a family with both organized and organic rhythms?
That’s what a missional community needs to do together.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A working definition for what a missional community actually (biblically) is.
* What the mission of a missional community is and always has been.
* The organized and organic rhythms of a healthy missional community.
* How to include and balance the in…
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Sep 10, 2018
181: How To: Missional Community in Any Context
“Missional community life probably works great where you live, but you don’t understand my context. People are different here…” I've heard this a zillion times.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we discuss whether or not it’s actually possible to start and sustain a missional community in any context: urban, suburban, rural… the moon!
Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples, teaching and modeling his life to people, in every context… in every nation. He only and always made disciples in community, living his life closely with others. I think we oughta trust Jesus on this one!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why Jesus always made disciples in community.
* Did Jesus start the first missional community?
* The surprising similarities to the challenges people face in every context.
* The close correlation between how healthy families function and missional community life.
* Tips for figuring out the DNA of your particular community, in your context.
Ge…
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Sep 3, 2018
180: How to Say NO and Get Out of Bad Commitments
Whether caused by fear of man or the fear of missing out (FOMO), most of us need to learn to say “no” a whole lot more often.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’ll teach you how to say no more often in life and how to un-commit yourself from the things that you shouldn’t have said yes to in the first place.
Saying no to people is not easy. Sometimes we give in and say yes to please others, but saying yes to everything and everyone is impossible and leads to burnout. Let's master the art of gracefully saying no and uncommitting.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why we find it so hard to say “no” to people.
* What the Bible teaches in connection with bailing out on commitments.
* 10 ways to gracefully say no to people… plus a bonus to use with telemarketers!
* The right way to uncommit to things you should not have said yes to.
Get started here...
From this episode:
“The more we think about what we are giving up when we say ‘yes’ to someone, the e…
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Aug 27, 2018
179: Why Conflict is Not All Bad. How to Resolve It When It Is
When we hear the word "conflict," it is usually perceived as a negative thing. However, there is a reason why conflict is not all bad, and can be either a positive or negative thing. The key is understanding the difference.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we are going to show you how to recognize and engage in healthy conflict in a way that repairs relationships and shows the world what God is truly like.
The problem with conflict is that the two types usually run counter-intuitive to our inherent emotional state as humans. Therefore, human nature is to squash the conflict that is most apparent (the good kind) and adjust to the subtle conflict that no one can quite put their finger upon (the bad kind).
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* The glaring difference between the two kinds of conflict you experience.
* Why we're hard-wired to avoid the good type of conflict and embrace the bad.
* How conflict actually presents you with an ideal environment for discipleship.
* Id…
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Aug 20, 2018
178: Why You Want To Be A Mentor To A Child
Most of us would agree with the age-old saying, “The youth of today is the future of tomorrow.” But how many of us take that sentiment seriously enough to actually do something about it?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about the opportunities for mentoring those who are eventually going to take our place in the world with author and experienced mentor, Dr. Rick Bartlett.
Kids and youth today are open to you engaging them in the journey of discovery they are on. As their world moves from concrete and simple to more abstract and nuanced, they are looking for guides, sounding boards, and encouragement. You can be that for them!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why you don’t need to be married or a parent to be an excellent mentor.
* How the Church can offer youth a different message than the culture does today.
* The ways that young people may be “called” at an early age.
* Ways you, your church, and your community can help young people engage with thei…
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Aug 6, 2018
176: Why You Need Gospel Motivation In Your Life (Part 2)
It’s easy to listen to sermons and read books on theology and missional living… nod our heads in agreement… yet very little change happens in our lives. Jesus made some surprising (maybe unreasonable?) commands to his potential disciples.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we continue our talk on Gospel Motivation and why what we truly believe will become evident by the work of our hands and the patterns of our lives.
This is not just a message for “leaders”, but it is really a message about the gospel and how it changes our affections and reshapes every area of life.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Jesus’ surprising commands to his potential disciples.
* Why we are all full-time, paid missionaries regardless where we work.
* Ways to look at a leader’s life to see if they are being motivated by the gospel.
* Why you absolutely cannot make a mature disciple without 3 crucial things.
* Where the power to live out of a gospel motivation comes from.
Get sta…
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Jul 30, 2018
175: Why You Need Gospel Motivation In Your Life
“I have a whole bunch of people that have bought into this missional community thing and lifestyle–living like missionaries in our city–but HOW do you keep them motivated? They start out all fired up, but after a while, they seem to fizzle out.” Sound familiar?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about why you need Gospel Motivation to lead your church, small group, or family toward a life on mission with God... and what happens when you don’t.
For those of us that were raised in the church, there is a sense of the law and legalism when it comes to having a motivation to live on mission with God. Legalism, at times, produces outward change but not on a lasting heart level. Using “should” and “supposed to” only leads to fear or self-righteousness. Neither of these are good motivators if you want to sustain a lifestyle and movement within your tribe.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How the ‘American Dream’ life may be a smokescreen in your life and…
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Jul 23, 2018
174: How to Figure Out Your Personal Superpower
Many of us have a sense of the two or three things we are really good at, either naturally or we’ve put in the time and investment to learn and develop certain skills or abilities. Do you know how to figure out your personal superpower?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we are going to show you how to figure out your personal superpower and also discover what your “kryptonite” might be.
It’s not prideful to know the things you are really good at in life and to develop and share those things with others. All of us have certain things we are good at doing or noticing or perceiving. We also have blind spots and weaknesses in life that, if left unchecked, could take us down or hurt others. Beware of the kryptonite in your life!
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Your strengths in life can be your primary way to display God’s glory.
* Why it is not prideful to know and exercise the things you are really good at.
* Tips and tools for identifying your personal “superpo…
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Jul 16, 2018
173: How to Crush Idols and Counterfeit Gods in Your Life
When I was a kid in Sunday School, I can remember being taught about not having idols in our life. I envisioned totem poles or statues in my room…
NOPE, none of those! But we all have idols galore.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we are gonna teach you how to identify and then crush idols and counterfeit gods in your life.
What is so central or essential in your life that, should you lose it, you’d feel like life would hardly be worth living? We let these false “gods” gain such controlling positions in our hearts that we will spend large amounts of passion, energy, and emotional and financial resources on it without a second thought.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What idolatry really is and how to recognize it in your own life.
* Why we are quick to defend our idols and counterfeit gods.
* How to uncover “the thing behind the thing” that exposes the real idol.
* Why idols will never just go away in our life… always demanding more.
* 20 Idol-Crushi…
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Jul 9, 2018
172: How to Have the Best Summer on Mission
Summer is here again, yes! And for many involved in vocational ministry or even a regular part of a small group or missional community, summer is a time for a taking a break from ministry… Don’t do it! Your neighbors and friends are all out looking for fun and relationships this summer.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we are gonna show you why and how to take advantage of these summer months to boost your community life and discipleship this fall.
Summer is gold! And there is a level of intentionality we get to live with as we "breathe out" beyond our own family and closer circle of friends. The rhythms you already live in are the perfect way to build deeper relationships with new friends and people of peace this summer.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Why summer's the time to “lean into” new relationships rather than take a break.
* Where new friendships are “hiding” in your neighborhood.
* Why kids are such a great opportunity for building relationship…
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Jul 2, 2018
171: What is Freedom in Christ and How to Find It
Do you feel like you are truly living in freedom? Is there an ease and “lightness” in your head and heart about your life and relationships? Is the idea of “freedom in Christ” just a nice sentiment... or does it actually have real implications for our lives today?
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk through the idea of freedom in Christ, what true freedom is, and how one finds and sustains it.
Everyone is promising us freedom, liberation, opportunity... Politicians, vacation commercials, credit card companies, and even our religious leaders. There’s a lot of offers for freedom, it seems.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What the Bible teaches about the experience of freedom.
* Is freedom found in Jesus real for today, or is it an “in heaven” thing?
* Does freedom in Christ come with conditions or obligations?
* How our complacency may be dampening our experience of true freedom.
* Ways to uncover the unbelief behind the areas of your life you are…
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Jun 25, 2018
170: It’s Time to Redefine the Value of Marriage and Singleness
Should all Christians be married? Although we might quickly respond "no," our cultural stories and norms―including those in the church―often communicate "yes!"
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we’re joined by Kutter Callaway, an author and assistant professor of theology and culture. We talk about this and how culture is redefining marriage and singleness... and what this means for those who follow Jesus.
If you’ve ever turned on the TV or read a newspaper in the last few years, it’s pretty apparent that marriage is being redefined by the culture, and the purpose that the Church places on this institution is also changing. It's time to redefine the value of marriage and singleness.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What the Bible teaches about the institution of marriage.
* Ways to think about biblical marriage and the reasons to get married.
* How the legal and cultural definitions of marriage differ from the Bible.
* How our narratives have limited our under…
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Jun 18, 2018
169: Why Artists Need to Shape the Identity of the Church
The church was once the premier creator of art and beauty within culture. Christian artists throughout history saw it as their honor, and even their duty, to portray Christ and his Kingdom in ways that spoke to the hearts of people.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, Caesar talks to Heath about art, identity, and the importance of letting your true self be known and loved and why artists need to be embraced in our churches. (This is a very special episode!)
If we can learn anything about God’s character from looking at the world around us, it is that he is creative and diverse and is fascinated with detail and beauty. And then you look at people and see the result of his handcrafted pleasure! We could live in a black and white boring world with just enough grayscale to provide the very basics of existence, but we live in the massive detonation of beauty and awe and diversity.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A little about art, music, and the Church throughout history.
* H…
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Jun 11, 2018
168: Simple Discipleship Practices Outside the Box
Discipleship is not a series of classes. Discipleship is the process of moving from unbelief to belief in every area of life... It must be done life on life, life in community, and life on mission.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we talk about a form of discipleship that includes cigars, fireplaces, and an occasional glass of fine spirits. Some of you will LOVE this… some will be freaked!
There is a level of intentionality that must be employed in order to actually disciple a person in all of life. And there is no way to model and observe people actually living out the life of Jesus unless we do normal life stuff with them and roll discipleship and training into it.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* A little about the environment that Jesus discipled in. (Hint: it was never a classroom.)
* Why it’s vital to disciple and model the gospel in normal, everyday rhythms of life.
* Why “everyday discipleship” methods translate and reproduce better and more naturally.…
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Jun 4, 2018
167: How Consumerism is Killing the Church
A new(er) building. The nicer children’s ministry wing. The best preacher. Comfy seats and a great band. Many Christians approach their churches, and their faith, as consumers. Even the term “church shopping” betrays the reality of our spiritual consumerism.
This week on the Lifeschool Podcast, we expose and articulate the ways that consumerism is killing the church today. And how you can identify and stop it in your own life and church.
We think th