What if the biggest challenge facing churches today isn't a lack of teaching, but a failure to make disciples the way Jesus did?

In this episode of the Disciple Makers Podcast, Josh Howard sits down with Moose Bright of the Relational Discipleship Network (RDN) to explore what it really takes to build a church culture focused on making disciples who make disciples.

Moose shares a powerful conviction: somewhere along the way, churches separated the teachings of Jesus from the methods of Jesus. While we've become skilled at communicating biblical truth, we've often overlooked the relational, intentional approach Jesus modeled when He invested in His disciples.

Together, Josh and Moose discuss why church leaders must shift from doing all the ministry themselves to equipping everyday believers to carry out the mission. They explore the importance of prioritizing disciple making over programs, developing mature leaders who can reproduce themselves, and building relationships that lead to lasting spiritual growth.

Moose also shares practical insights from nearly three decades of experience helping churches make this transition through the Relational Discipleship Network, including coaching cohorts, leadership development, and immersive training experiences designed to help churches put relational discipleship into practice.

Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or everyday follower of Jesus, this conversation will challenge you to evaluate your priorities and take practical steps toward a lifestyle of intentional disciple making.

Are we simply teaching people about Jesus, or are we actually making disciples the way Jesus did?

Learn More:
Relational Discipleship Network: https://rdn.org

Discipleship.org: https://discipleship.org
Join us for the 2027 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2027-national-disciple-making-forum/

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Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

In this special on-location episode from the Spire Conference in Indianapolis, Josh Howard is with Chris Goulard to explore an area of discipleship churches can sometimes hesitate to address: money and financial stewardship.

Chris makes the case that the way we handle our resources is deeply connected to our relationship with Jesus. Drawing from Jesus’ parable of the soils in Mark 4, Josh and Chris discuss how the deceitfulness of wealth, the cares of this world, and the desire for other things can choke out spiritual growth and keep believers from becoming fruitful disciples.

But stewardship is about far more than encouraging people to give more to the local church. It’s about helping followers of Jesus recognize that everything they have belongs to God. When stewardship becomes part of our identity in Christ, generosity becomes a natural response—not only with our finances, but with our time, energy, talents, and every resource God has entrusted to us.

The conversation also explores practical ways churches can make financial health and stewardship part of their disciple-making culture, including financial education, estate planning, and other ministries that address real needs within both the church and the surrounding community.

Ultimately, Josh and Chris challenge leaders to begin with themselves: Are we faithfully stewarding what God has given us? And are we helping the people we disciple surrender every area of their lives—including their finances—to the lordship of Jesus?

Join us for the 2027 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2027-national-disciple-making-forum/

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

In this episode Bobby Harrington hosts Dr. Marcus De Carvalho, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in addiction, to discuss his new book Untangling Addiction. They explain how addiction rewires the brain—through dopamine, neuroplasticity, and genetics—and how substances and behaviors like opioids and pornography hijack survival pathways.

Dr. Carvalho shares practical recovery approaches rooted in discipleship: mindfulness (acceptance and commitment), value-based spiritual disciplines, and the power of transparent, supportive relationships (Celebrate Recovery/12-step models). Resources mentioned include UntangleAddiction.com, HealthyMindMD.com, and Discipleship.org.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Robby Gallety challenges listeners to put Jesus' disciple-making mandate into practice, arguing believers cannot expect the blessings of Jesus' ministry while ignoring his method.

He outlines two core problems—many churchgoers don't know the Great Commission and don't know where to begin—and presents a practical model rooted in Scripture: worship, life groups, D‑groups, and mission. Research on Bible engagement and group discipleship supports the approach.

The episode ends with a call to equip everyday believers to make disciples who make disciples, following Jesus' inspired method and empowering lasting spiritual growth.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

DA Horton argues that discipleship is essential to the life of a local church while reminding listeners that Jesus — not pastors — ultimately builds the church, releasing leaders from performance pressure.

He lays out a practical three-level strategy (inner circle, intermediate council, interdependent congregation), emphasizes balancing social and spiritual obedience, and offers concrete steps to train and multiply leaders.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Ariyana Rimson teaches that disciple making is Christ’s command beginning with submission to God (James 4:7). She urges executing Scripture—not personal opinion—resisting the enemy, and modeling a Christ-following life through teaching, Scripture-based advice, and accountability. Using her S.U.B.M.I.T. framework (Submit, Understand, Boldness, Mutual submission, Invitation, Temptation/pride), she shows how humility, community, and gospel-centered relationships transform lives, especially in her work with women in recovery.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Justin Gravitt and Roy of the Navigators Church Ministries discuss Jesus-style disciple making, coaching pastors, growing disciple making cultures, and partnering across denominations. They describe a three-circle process (leadership core, church culture, sending disciples), practical pathways for spiritual growth, workshops on relational discipleship, and resources to help churches become sending communities.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Josh Howard presents a recorded talk from the 2026 pre-conference summarizing research on disciple-making churches and the seven core practices they share.

Those seven practices are convictional leadership; obedience-based, reproducible models; prayer and Scripture as the foundation; relational community; clear pathways and expectations; mission beyond the walls; and leadership alignment.

The episode explains how these principles work across different models, offers practical examples, and invites churches to apply the practices to grow a disciple-making culture.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Bobby Harrington unpacks research showing that 95% of North American churches lack a Jesus-style disciple-making culture, describing how consumerism, program-driven models, and unclear metrics have produced few reproducible disciples.

He also shares encouraging findings: nine Level 5 churches demonstrate that multiplication is possible through seven shared practices—clarity of mission, simple reproducible models, prayer and scripture, relational life-on-life discipleship, clear pathways, mission beyond the walls, and aligned leadership.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

Kerry Cox and Ashlee Catizon unpack a simple, effective and reproducible discipleship model used at Crossings Church: relational outreach, two-on-one personal Bible studies, intentional small-group culture, and clear, repeatable training that equips every generation to make disciples.

Learn how this approach moves people from unchurched to committed followers, produces young leaders who multiply the work, and keeps discipleship focused on lifelong repentance, baptism, and mission.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/

This episode shares a recording on a simple, effective, reproducible disciple-making model used at Harding University. Hosts explain the five-step process: begin in prayer, invite face-to-face, set expectations, make a covenant, and follow rhythms of Jesus.

Listeners will hear how two-by-two groups, Oikos mapping, and coaching produce multiplication across campus and churches, leading to new conversions, baptisms, and a culture of mission. Practical examples and resources for training and church planting are included.

Stay informed - Get our newsletter: 
http://eepurl.com/hPViAr

Get Discipleship.org's premium Podcast Feed: https://disciplemakerspodcast.supercast.com/ 

Check out the following eBooks from Discipleship.org:

-- What Is Church? And How Important Is It? 
https://discipleship.org/shop/what-is-church-and-how-important-is-it/

-- Family Discipleship Blueprint: A Year-by-Year Guide to Family Discipleship
https://discipleship.org/shop/family-discipleship-blueprint-a-year-by-year-guide-to-family-discipleship/

-- Becoming a Disciple Maker
https://discipleship.org/shop/becoming-a-disciple-maker/

-- National Study: The State of Disciple Making Churches: A 10 Minute Visual Guide
https://discipleship.org/shop/national-study-the-state-of-disciple-making-churches-a-10-minute-visual-guide/

-- Reaching & Discipling Women: A Guide to Women’s Ministry in Your Church
https://discipleship.org/shop/reaching-discipling-women-a-guide-to-womens-ministry-in-your-church/

Check out the following Books from Discipleship.org:

-- Recreated to Be like God: Making Disciples in the Image of Jesus
https://a.co/d/6DDvUrC

-- King Jesus and the Beauty of Obedience-Based Discipleship
https://a.co/d/7d85z6T

-- The Disciple Maker's Handbook: Seven Elements of a Discipleship Lifestyle
https://a.co/d/4ZHIbQz

Take the FREE Disciple Maker Assessment:
https://church-multiplication.com/disciplemaker/

Come to the The National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/national-disciple-making-forum/

Listen - Disciple Maker's Podcast: 
https://discipleship.org/resources/podcast/