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 episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast examines the connection between gratitude, grace, and the Gospel. You’ll discover how 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.
  • What a lack of gratitude and a tendency to focus on the negative leads to.
  • How even spending a few minutes with a truly grateful person changes lives.
  • Immediate, hand-held steps you can take to grow in expressing gratitude.

 

Get started here…

Gratitude, Grace and the Gospel experienced as a family around the Thanksgiving table.

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Hugh Halter: An Apostle’s Story

Do apostles still walk among us today? Are there people God sends to proclaim the Good News to the lost and broken, sparking new movements and bringing his Kingdom to life here on Earth?

In this episode of the Everyday Disciple Podcast, Caesar talks with his close friend, author, and modern apostle, Hugh Halter. Hugh’s story of starting fresh in a new city will inspire you to see that God is still actively building His Kingdom—and maybe He’s inviting you to be part of it, too!

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

  • Why Hugh chose to uproot his family from comfort and move to a broken, struggling community.
  • The key difference between “planting a church” and “planting the gospel.”
  • How a network of small, micro-communities focused on blessing others is transforming a Midwestern city.
  • Powerful lessons on trusting God when his call feels overwhelming.

 

Get started here…

Hugh Halter: An Apostle's Story

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Finding Gospel Opportunities at Work

We spend much of our lives with co-workers, often more than with family or friends, making the question of workplace discipleship both natural and nuanced. Opportunities are there, but they require a unique approach.

This week on the Everyday Disciple Podcast, we discuss the realities of disciple-making at work. While work relationships can be limited, discipleship remains possible. Gospel fluency becomes essential as we look to infuse these settings with purpose and love, seeing our workplaces with fresh eyes and a heart for others.

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 discipleship and gospel fluency at work.

 

Get started here…

Two friends at work clearly enjoying each other and their relationship of trust.

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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…

Small Group Missional Community

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[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 – Embracing The New Normal. 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.)

right missional balance

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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?

mission post-pandemic

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