One of the biggest roadblocks to intimacy is vulnerability. Many leaders wonder: Can I be real with those I lead? The truth is, without vulnerability, real relationships can’t happen—whether in the church, the workplace, or our personal lives.

In our latest monthly webinar for Disciple-Makers, The Power of Vulnerability in Discipleship, we explored the critical role of trust, intentionality, and authenticity in disciple-making relationships. Disciple-making is not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about creating deep, intentional relationships that foster transformation.

Lasting spiritual transformation is the heart cry of every disciple of Jesus. Many start their journey with zeal, only to feel stuck or see temporary progress fade. Why is it so difficult to experience and sustain true change? The answer lies in re-imagining discipleship—moving beyond surface-level growth to a deeper, intentional approach that transforms every aspect of life.

It’s natural for church leaders to want their congregations to thrive, and numbers often feel like the easiest metric of success. But what if the very strategies designed to keep people in the pews are the ones holding the church back from true growth?

In our quest to make Jesus’ church more relevant, we’ve fallen short in helping Jesus’ followers burn bright with spiritual influence. The time has come to Re-Imagine Discipleship. Let’s dive into three compelling reasons why re-imagining discipleship is essential in 2025, and how you can make 2025 your year to shine.

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, the first request was, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Waiting until you die to experience heaven is not what Jesus intended…

You may have heard the statement, “We are educated beyond our obedience.” In other words, we know the right answers but do not follow through with the right actions. Jesus, in the parable above, makes it clear that having the right answer is not enough. Life is found in obedience.

I believe one shift in our disciple making efforts will turn this tide and lead more followers of Jesus “into the vineyard.” I believe it is the most important shift we can make in our lifetime. We must shift from content-focused disciple making to outcome-focused disciple making.

As we step into the Advent season, we’re reminded of the anticipation and hope that marked the arrival of Jesus. But beyond the twinkling lights and festive carols lies a profound truth about our faith journey: obedience trumps competence. Advent invites us to prepare our hearts, not by perfecting our skills, but by surrendering to God’s plan. Let’s explore how radical obedience can lead to unexpected freedom and growth, transforming not only our lives but also our communities. ✨

Fully Alive’s focus for December is one of our Core Values… Obedience > Competence.

This December, we invite you to renew or reclaim the power and beauty of the word "obedience," and the role it has in becoming Fully Alive. 

Consider these words of Jesus…

Imagine if worship didn’t just happen on Sundays. Instead, it flowed seamlessly into your entire week, from morning routines to daily interactions. This concept of worship as a lifestyle was at the heart of our recent conversation, Discipleship as Worship, where we explored how discipleship goes hand-in-hand with worship, transforming our everyday moments into meaningful acts of devotion.

My Dad was a devoted reader, reading “for awhile” every night before bed. That habit led to the outcome of his being well-read. Recently, I’ve intentionally emulated that, connecting with that piece of his legacy. But a recent challenge from a friend sparked a thought: What if, in my quest to be a “devoted reader” like my Dad, I “devoted” more of that reading to spiritual pursuits?

Bible studies are meaningful, but Mission trips are life changing.

Bible studies engage the mind, helping you understand the bible. Mission trips engage the whole self... head, hands, and heart. Mission trips help you see the bible, and life, in a life-altering way. 

Fully Alive is more like a mission trip than a Bible study because it is an invitation to engage in the biblical story... not just study it.

Apprentices are people you choose to mentor. The best apprentices desire to grow, demonstrate initiative, and make sacrifices to gain wisdom from a good mentor. 

Experienced mentors know a powerful truth… the benefits of routinely developing apprentices far outweigh the investments. Every follower of Jesus can live more Fully Alive as they identify, develop, and release apprentices throughout their life.

How Do I Find the Best Peers To Walk With Me?

Peers share a similar phase of spiritual development as you. They have similar hopes and ambitions as well as similar challenges and limitations. Peers are not in front of you or behind you, but stand side by side with you in your pursuit of Jesus…

Mentors are seasoned in their walk with Jesus, filled with wisdom on how to live Fully Alive, and able and willing to share that wisdom with others. Finding a great mentor is challenging, as many mentor and apprentice relationships are initiated by the mentor… not the apprentice. This is certainly true in the biblical examples. Paul chose Timothy. Jethro offered unsolicited advice to Moses. Elijah chose an unsuspecting Elisha to be his successor as prophet. Even Jesus, the ultimate mentor, selected His disciples to their great surprise.

Jesus came so you could live Fully Alive.

Since the secret to living Fully Alive is to actually die to your own desires and inclinations, which seems “upside-down” and contrary to what most of us want out of life, then we must admit from the outset that     WE.     NEED.     HELP!

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” —Jesus (John 10:10)

I am not easily intimidated. I like a good challenge. I love jumping headlong into opportunities and running full steam at them.

Here, I suggest a third question to guide your answers to the first two: Will you allow your longings for intimacy and influence to drive you to Jesus, now and for the rest of your life?

The question I invite you to consider in this blog is, “Were your longings for intimacy and influence so powerful that they caused you to try and fulfill them in ways that caused more pain than joy?”