The Disciples Made Podcast

Discipleship Is Incarnational: Moving Toward People the Way Jesus Did

In this month’s Disciples Made Podcast, Jason Phelps and Brian Phipps explore what it means to live and lead like Jesus in an incarnational way. Instead of discipling from a distance, Jesus stepped into people’s real lives—up close, personal, and fully present.

In this episode, you’ll discover why proximity is the engine of transformation and how disciple-makers today can model the life of Jesus in practical, sustainable ways. This conversation also unpacks insights from Hugh Halter’s book, FLESH and offers clear next steps for those sensing a call to deeper leadership.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What “incarnational discipleship” really means
• Why Jesus’ method was built on proximity and presence
• How structure (like Leaders Made) actually fuels relationships
• The power of vulnerability, availability, and consistency in disciple-making
• How digital environments can still be deeply personal
• The rise of Ready Leaders inside the Fully Alive community
• A practical on-ramp to start: the 5-week BLESS Those Around You course
• A bold vision for 2026: Scholarship 20 churches for a full year of coaching

Are You a Ready Leader? Start Here:

1. Take the Discipleship Effectiveness Assessment
2. Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call to go over your results
3. Receive a free preview of Chapter 4 of Breaking the Addition Addiction

Support the 2026 Vision

We’re stepping into a God-sized goal:

🎯 $130,000 to scholarship 20 churches into a full year of disciple-making coaching.

Partner at → disciplesmade.com/give

Your generosity helps churches break the addition addiction and multiply Fully Alive disciples.

Resources Mentioned

• FLESH by Hugh Halter
• BLESS Those Around You (5-week Develop Course) — inside the Fully Alive app
• Leaders Made — discipleship & leadership multiplication journey
• The Fully Alive App → Explore Courses, Assessments, Community

Christmas Blessing

We close the episode with a blessing for a Christmas filled with the presence of Jesus—the One who moved into our neighborhood so we could become Fully Alive.

Feed My Sheep: How to Turn Disciple-Making from a Task into Worship

In this month’s episode, Discipleship as Worship, Brian Phipps (Founder of Disciples Made) and Jason Phelps (Houston-based Disciples Made Coach) dive deep into Key #3 to Leaving a Disciple-Making Legacy — remembering that discipleship is worship.

They unpack how Romans 12:1 and John 21 redefine what it means to serve God — not as performance or obligation, but as an act of love and surrender. Drawing from decades of ministry experience, Jason shares why he shifted from leading worship on stage to leading disciples in everyday life, emphasizing that “character is greater than craft.”

Brian follows with a powerful personal story from his seminary years that reshaped his understanding of disciple-making — from duty to devotion. His encounter with John 21 and Jesus’ words to Peter, “Do you love me? Feed my sheep,” re-centered his entire ministry as an overflow of love for Jesus, not merely a job or mission.

Together, they explore how pastors and leaders can keep disciple-making rooted in worship through abiding, accountability, and obedience, ensuring their impact flows from intimacy with Christ rather than burnout.

---

🧭 Key Insights for Church Leaders

• Discipleship ≠ Duty — It’s the highest expression of worship when it overflows from a life abiding in Jesus.

• Character > Craft — Ministry fruitfulness starts with who you are becoming, not just what you’re producing.

• Abiding Fuels Multiplication — True transformation and generational impact come through spiritual habits that keep leaders connected to Christ.

• Love for Jesus → Love for People — We disciple others not because they’re easy to love, but because we love the One who first loved us.

• Every Disciple Is a Worship Leader — Whether you’re a pastor, parent, or professional, helping others live Fully Alive in Jesus is worship in motion.

---

💡 Reflection Questions

1. How can I ensure my disciple-making remains an act of worship, not a task list?

2. Where might I be valuing “craft” over “character” in my leadership?

3. Who in my church or network needs to rediscover disciple-making as worship?

---

🔗 Mentioned in This Episode

• Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…”

• John 21:15–17 – “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.”

• Adopt a Church Campaign – Help fund coaching for churches eager to multiply disciples.
  → Learn more or give at disciplesmade.com/give

---

👥 About the Hosts

Brian Phipps — Founder of Disciples Made, equipping disciple-makers and church leaders to multiply movements of transformation through measurable growth in character and calling.

Jason Phelps — Pastor, coach, and storyteller helping leaders live and lead Fully Alive through intentional disciple-making environments.

---

🏁 Closing Challenge

Don’t just attend worship — become worship.
Disciple-making is your opportunity to love Jesus back by helping others live Fully Alive in Him.

---

⏱️ Chapter Markers

• 00:02 – Welcome & Fall Vibes
  Brian opens the November webinar, quick intros and seasonal check-in.

• 00:31 – Houston Weather & Hobbies
  Jason on “does it ever get cold?” and why fall is prime fishing.

• 00:57 – Thanksgiving Traditions
  Backpacking with kids, a pop-up camper, and Brian’s family legacy trip.

• 03:20 – Today’s Focus: Discipleship as Worship
  Setting the frame: why this key sustains a disciple-making legacy (Romans 12:1).

• 05:15 – From Stage to Shepherd
  Jason’s vocational shift: why character > craft and “disciple-maker first.”

• 08:56 – Everyone’s Craft = Disciple-Making
  Reframing roles across the church: worship, kids, tech—start as disciple-makers.

• 09:23 – What Worship Looks Like Daily
  Abiding practices: Bible engagement, accountability, prayer, journaling.

• 10:04 – Keeping Disciple-Making as Worship
  Living sacrifice in real relationships; holy and pleasing rhythms.

• 13:12 – Duty vs. Delight
  When abiding feels like duty—and how community fruit restores delight.

• 15:21 – Measuring What Matters
  You can measure transformation, not the totality of impact.

• 16:21 – Brian’s Reset: John 21
  Russia, discouragement, and Jesus’ question: “Do you love Me?… Feed My sheep.”

• 21:38 – Love for Jesus → Love for People
  Choosing to disciple beyond preference; worship over mere mission.

• 23:11 – Don’t Grow Weary
  Pouring out after Jesus has poured in (Gal. 6 language; perseverance).

• 24:59 – Priesthood of All Believers
  Feeding sheep isn’t just “the pastor’s job”—it’s our shared calling.

• 26:40 – Adopt a Church: Year-End Invitation
  Why coaching accelerates culture change; $1,500 cohort underwriting, $6,500 tailored coaching; closing notes and tech hiccup sign-off. disciplesmade.com/give 

Redefining Accountability: Building a 360° Support Circle

What if accountability helped you grow, not feel guilty? In this episode, Brian Phipps and the Disciples Made team redefine accountability as a 360° support circle that fuels your spiritual legacy.

🔹 Learn the 3 key relationships: Paul, Barnabas, Timothy  
🔹 Hear stories of real-life transformation  
🔹 Understand how to give and receive life-giving accountability  
🔹 Learn how to build a lasting disciple-making rhythm

Featuring: Jason Phelps, Tiffany Danley, Craig Watson

🔗 Free Resource: Who Do I Need on the Journey? → https://app.gofullyalive.com/share/-M1UezL0cSLdIis4?utm_source=manual  
🔗 More from Disciples Made → https://disciplesmade.com

📬 Questions or feedback? Email us: info@disciplesmade.com  
🔔 Subscribe & share this episode with someone in ministry

Ep. 69: Fully Alive on Mission: Discipleship from Creation to Restoration

What story are you living in?

In this episode of The Disciples Made Podcast, host Jason Phelps is joined by Brian Phipps and Myra Schraeder to explore how understanding the unified story of God — from creation to restoration — transforms our faith, leadership, and disciple-making. Together, we unpack the four movements of God’s grand narrative and discover why Jesus is the center of the story.

You’ll learn how seeing Scripture as one continuous story helps you live Fully Alive, lead with clarity, and step confidently into God’s mission of restoration. We’ll also talk about how growth in character and calling through outcome-focused disciple-making expands your capacity for intimacy and influence, helping you participate fully in God’s reconciling work. Through a partnership with the Holy Spirit, your life and leadership become catalysts for transformation — both personally and within your community.

This conversation will inspire you to embrace your role in God’s story, pursue intimacy with Jesus, and multiply your influence where you live, work, learn, and play.

---

Take the Next Step

📲 What Story Am I In?
Discover where your story connects to God’s bigger story by enrolling in the free Develop Level Discipleship Course on the Fully Alive App.
👉 Download the Fully Alive App and start today.

🚀 Ready to Build an Ecosystem of Disciple Multiplication?
If you’re ready to create a culture where multiplication becomes possible and measurable, it’s not too late to join us! Our Platinum Coaching Plan kicks off new cohorts in September 2025.
👉 Learn More & Schedule a Call

---

Connect with Disciples Made

🌐 Website: disciplesmade.com
📱 Fully Alive App: app.gofullyalive.com
📧 Contact Us: info@disciplesmade.com

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Multiply Disciple-Makers, Not Ministry Stress

Feeling burned out in ministry? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to lead alone either.

In this episode, host Jason Phelps sits down with Brian Phipps, founder of Disciples Made, to unpack the why behind their 12-month Platinum Coaching Journey. Discover how churches across the country are raising up everyday disciple-makers, renewing their culture, and sharing the load of ministry.

Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or marketplace missionary, this conversation will challenge and encourage you with real stories, practical tools, and a proven path to sustainable leadership.

In This Episode:

• Why so many pastors feel burned out

• How shared leadership leads to spiritual renewal

• What makes the Platinum Coaching Journey unique

• How one church moved from surviving to multiplying

• Next steps for your church or ministry team

Resources:

• Learn more: Platinum Coaching Package at disciplesmade.com

• Watch the full webinar on YouTube

• Contact us: disciplesmade.com/contact

Subscribe, rate, and share if this episode encouraged you.

Leveraging Assimilation to Fuel Disciple-Making

Leveraging Assimilation to Fuel Disciple-Making: Why Clear Pathways, Not Just Programs, Lead to Multiplication

In this powerful episode of the Disciples Made Podcast, host Brian Phipps is joined by special guest Joe Klassen, Pastor at Westside Family Church in Leavenworth, KS, as well as the Disciples made coaching team to explore the critical distinction—and synergy—between assimilation and disciple-making pathways. You’ll hear real stories, biblical insights, and practical strategies to help your church or ministry move beyond connection and into true spiritual multiplication.

Whether you're a pastor, volunteer leader, or disciple-making catalyst, this conversation will challenge and equip you to clarify your next steps, contextualize your process, and cultivate a disciple-making culture where every believer lives Fully Alive.

Top Takeaways:

• Intentionality is crucial in disciple-making.
• Assimilation and disciple-making pathways serve different but interconnected purposes.
• Measuring success is essential for ministry health.
• Every believer has a role in the Great Commission.
• Effective pathways must be clear, contextualized, and reproducible.
• Assimilation should fuel discipleship—not be mistaken for it.
• Disciple multiplication leads to exponential growth and community transformation.

Next Steps:

Ready to Multiply Disciple-Makers in Your Church?

If you’ve been longing for a more sustainable, Spirit-led approach to discipleship—one that transforms passive attendance into multiplying movement—the Platinum Coaching Package from Disciples Made is your next step.

This 12-month coaching journey is built to elevate your disciple-making strategy with measurable spiritual impact and the tools to raise up new leaders from within your church. You’ll walk alongside a coach and a peer cohort through a proven process that includes immersive leader training, digital resources via the Fully Alive app, and influence-level IDEs—designed to create a culture of transformation that lasts.

Imagine seeing a 25% boost in spiritual vitality and 1–2 new disciple-makers emerge for every 10 trained. This isn’t theory—it’s proven.

With only 30 spots available for our Fall 2025 Promo ($6,000 total value), now’s the time to register your team and begin the mission mapping process.

Secure your spot with a $500 Mission Mapping Call today. Begin building a fourth-generation disciple-making culture that multiplies long after the programs end.

Learn more and register now at DisciplesMade.com

If You Want More Disciple-Makers, Celebrate Better Wins w/ The Disciples Made Team

In this episode of the Disciples Made podcast, the Disciples Made team explores Key #2 to Thriving as a Disciple-Maker: Clarifying and Celebrating Wins.

Too often, churches celebrate activity—programs, attendance, events—without knowing if transformation is really happening. This conversation unpacks why clarity matters, how to identify true disciple-making wins rooted in character and calling, and how intentional celebration can shift your culture from passive participation to spiritual multiplication.

🎯 You’ll discover:

• Why celebrating the wrong wins leads to burnout and confusion

• How character x calling = impact

• Practical ways to celebrate transformation in your church, groups, and teams

• How clear wins energize your leaders and catalyze multiplication

Whether you're a pastor, group leader, or discipleship director, this episode will help you define success the way Jesus does—and build a thriving disciple-making culture.

---

👉 Ready to multiply Fully Alive disciple-makers in your church? Book a Discovery Call with the Disciples Made team today.

#DiscipleMakingWins #FullyAliveLeadership #MultiplyDisciples

Obedience Over Competence: The Key to Thriving as a Disciple

In this episode of the Disciples Made Podcast, Jason Phelps is joined by coaches Tiffany Danley, Myra Schraeder, and Craig Watson to explore April’s theme: “Obedience is greater than competence.”

This conversation will challenge and encourage you to step into the kind of obedience Jesus modeled—relational, Spirit-led, and rooted in abiding—not rule-following or performance. You’ll hear powerful stories of real-time, reflexive obedience and discover practical ways to shift from busyness to purpose.

✅ Learn the difference between checklist obedience and Kingdom obedience
✅ Hear four types of obedience: general, specific, situational, and reflexive
✅ Discover how to grow in obedience even when you're unsure or unqualified
✅ Reimagine your role in the church—not just to fill roles but to fulfill your personal calling
✅ Get inspired to “Pray Big. Obey Small.”

This episode is for everyday people, disciple-makers, and leaders longing to live with deeper impact and freedom.

🔗 Join the movement and access free discipleship tools at gofullyalive.com

From Pews to Purpose: Unlocking Calling in Your Church

Many believers struggle to connect their faith with their everyday lives, leaving their true calling undiscovered. In this episode, we equip pastors and church leaders with tools to help their people find and step into their God-given mission. We unpack the My Impact Equation (Character x Calling = Impact) and explore how understanding spiritual gifts, passions, and life experiences leads to powerful disciple-making. You’ll learn how to overcome common misconceptions about calling, make decisions aligned with purpose, and empower your church to move from sitting in the pews to engaging in mission. Don’t miss this transformative conversation with the Disciples Made Team!

• Free resources and Leadership Community at gofullyalive.com
• Take the free GPS Assessment to discover your Masterpiece Mission at giftpassionstory.com
• Coaching and training available at disciplesmade.com

Mind, Soul, and Discipleship: How Neuroscience Shapes Spiritual Formation with Dr. Stan Wallace

How does neuroscience shape our faith and disciple-making? In this thought-provoking episode of The Disciples Made Podcast, Brian Phipps sits down with Dr. Stan Wallace to explore the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, neurotheology, and spiritual formation. They dive into groundbreaking discoveries about the brain’s role in belief, the power of neuroplasticity, and why understanding both body and soul is essential for human flourishing. Drawing from his book Have We Lost Our Minds?, Dr. Wallace unpacks the significance of holistic dualism and the impact Christian professors can have in shaping faith within academia. If you're passionate about discipleship, spiritual growth, and the science behind transformation, this episode is for you!

 

• For more information on Dr. Stan Wallace and his book "Have We Lost Our Minds?" visit: stanwallace.org
• Are you a church, business, or network leader needing a strategic partner to help make and multiply disciples? Visit disciplesmade.com
• Are you a follower of Jesus wanting to live more fully alive? Download our Fully Alive by Disciples Made app!