In Preaching Articles: "Disciple"

Always Choose The High Road (There’s Less Traffic)

By Jonathan Herron on Dec 6, 2022

Jesus said his disciples would be known by their radical love for one-another, (John 15:12).

Scripture: John 15:12

Tags: honor, SALT AND LIGHT, Encourage Others, pastoral leadership, speak truth in love, Slow to speak, church leadership, Guard your tongue  (view more)  (view less)

5 Problems With Top-Down Vision Casting And A New Testament Alternative

By SermonCentral .com on Mar 6, 2022

Acts 2 does not give us a picture of Peter hearing from God in private, then coming to the disciples with the vision.

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:2, Proverbs 29:18, Acts 2:14

Tags: vision, empower, pastoral leadership, dreams and visions

Jesus Preached To Doubters--You Can, Too

By Ed Cyzewski on Jul 25, 2025

When Jesus called his disciples, there wasn’t a single one who understood that he was the Messiah or Son of God.

Tags: doubt, Jesus, Preaching, preaching

4 Thoughts On Finding A Mentor

By Ron Edmondson on Jun 24, 2024

"I have had many mentors who have invested deeply in my life. I am who I am partly because of the intentionality of others pouring into my life. They have made me a better leader, better husband, father, friend, and person."

Scripture: Proverbs 15:22

Tags: Character, Grow, Personal Growth, Mentor, Godly Leaders, mentoring, personal holiness, Disciple  (view more)  (view less)

Prepare Your Heart To Lead Your Home: Advent Advice For Fathers

By Douglas Wilson on Dec 11, 2025

A father who wants to lead and disciple his family needs to remember that the one thing he must cultivate is heart loyalty. He must, of course, connect that loyalty to scriptural and worthy objects, but if he does not have heart loyalty, childrearing will simply be one grief replaced by another.

Scripture: Ephesians 6:4

Tags: Christmas, Advent, parenting, discipling, teach children, Discipline, Attitudes of thanks, child training  (view more)  (view less)

The Future Of The Church Depends On Developing Deep People

By Ray Hollenbach on May 7, 2020

Gordon MacDonald argues that preaching and programs cannot secure a church’s future. Only intentional disciple-making and leadership development can.

Scripture: Mark 3:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:2, Matthew 28:18-20, John 15:5, Ephesians 4:11-16  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: leadership, training, Church Renewal, Leadership

Pastors: The Ceo Has To Go

By Derek Vreeland on Aug 23, 2023

I feel the impulse to forsake the pastoral vocation of word and sacrament, prayer and disciple-making, in favor of becoming a CEO who gets things done.

Tags: liturgy, Theology, church and business, consumerism

How Do You Prepare Your Child For Adulthood?

By Brian Croft on Jan 1, 2023

Many of you knew I was on a trip with my 13 year-old son recently. What was the occasion? My wife and I promised each of our children when they turned 13 years old, they would get to take a special trip with one of us.

Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:8, Ephesians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 3:1-7

Tags: protection, Shepherd, parenting, discipling, Role of Men, Christian fathers, teach children, Godly Fathers  (view more)  (view less)

The Best Way To Avoid Ministry Burnout That You Keep Forgetting

By Eric Bryant on Aug 4, 2024

Exodus 18 exposes leadership myths that exhaust pastors and shows how shared leadership restores health, disciples others, and strengthens God’s people.

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-27, Numbers 11:16-17, Deuteronomy 1:9-13, Acts 6:1-7, 2 Timothy 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Team Development

How To Plan A Preaching Calendar That Reaches And Grows

By Herbert Cooper on Oct 8, 2020

Strategic sermon planning helps churches reach new people and disciple believers. Here are ten practical principles for building a balanced, effective teaching calendar.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:14-20, Acts 20:27, James 1:22, Ephesians 4:11-12, 2 Timothy 4:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Faith, Preaching, sight, walk, substance, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Fruit Over Size: What Jesus Really Measures In Ministry

By Mike Breen on May 13, 2021

Church success is often measured by size, but Jesus measured fruitfulness. Discover why disciple-making and spiritual reproduction matter more than growth metrics.

Scripture: John 15:8, Matthew 28:19, Luke 10:1, Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 2:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Tree, Fruit, Reformation, lead, Movement  (view more)  (view less)

Niceness Is Not The Gospel

By SermonCentral .com on Sep 30, 2024

Faithful Christians pursue kindness and humility, yet the gospel itself will offend some people. Disciples must be willing to face rejection rather than dilute the message of Christ.

Scripture: Mark 13:13, John 15:18, 2 Timothy 3:12, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Evangelism, Persecution, Gospel, Preaching, hate, evangelism, gospel, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Sorry, Pastors – The Growth Of The Church Is Not Up To Us

By Karl Vaters on Jun 4, 2024

"Preaching the Word, training disciples and ministering to the community may or may not increase the number of people who sit in front of me from Sunday to Sunday. But it will produce a healthy church."

Tags: Church Growth, Surrender, Healthy Church, God's Church, God in control, pastoral leadership, call to discipleship, church leadership  (view more)  (view less)

5 Top Priorities For Increasing Your Church

By Charles Arn on Jan 10, 2025

Decades of research reveal five church-growth principles—disciple-making, relationships, felt-needs, transitions, and social networks—that help any church engage its community.

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Tags: Growth, Discipleship, leadership, pastor, Church Growth, Ministry Leadership, Pastor, Leadership, Congregational Health  (view more)  (view less)

13 Harvest Sermon And Worship Resources

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 29, 2024

In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus tells his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

Tags: Harvest, Worship, sermon, Sermon