The 7 Practices of Disciple Making Churches Part 2 (Bobby Harrington)

Key takeaways

Disciple-making is the core mission of the church, led by convictional leaders who practice what they preach.
Obedience-based models focus on putting teachings into practice rather than just acquiring knowledge.
Prayer and Scripture are foundational components that drive the disciple-making process.
Building loving and relational communities is essential for effective discipleship.
Clear pathways and expectations provide direction for church members to engage in disciple-making.
Reaching out to lost individuals beyond the church is vital for true disciple-making.
Alignment at all levels within the church strengthens the culture of disciple-making.

Summary

Introduction to the Seven Practices

In this episode, hosts Josh and Dr. Bobby Harrington dive deeper into the seven practices that define a DiscipleMaking Church, expanding on insights gained from studying nine high-impact congregations. They emphasize the collective effort behind the research, noting the contributions of Mason Eagle, the data specialist.

Convictional Leadership

The first practice discussed is convictional leadership, where church leaders are deeply committed to the mission of making disciples. Leaders exemplify this by actively practicing disciple-making in their lives, emphasizing the principle that one cannot lead or teach something without first practicing it.

Obedience-Based, Reproducible Models

Churches succeed by utilizing simple, obedience-based models that everyone can follow. Instead of merely imparting knowledge, these models focus on teaching congregants to put into practice what they learn, fostering a culture of action-oriented discipleship.

Prayer and Scripture as Foundations

Prayer and Scripture serve as core foundations for disciple-making churches. The discussion highlights a shift towards deeper prayer involvement and reliance on the Bible as the authoritative curriculum, pointing out that many successful movements started with a strong emphasis on prayer.

Relational Community

The importance of building relational communities is emphasized, stating that genuine discipleship occurs within relationships characterized by love. The 'one another' concept is crucial, as biblical love dictates Christian interactions.

Clear Pathways and Expectations

Success in disciple-making relies on clear pathways and expectations for church members. The podcast reinforces that everyone should know what steps are next, leading to a unified direction rather than an overabundance of options.

Mission Beyond the Walls

A compelling focus on reaching lost individuals beyond church walls is discussed. It’s emphasized that true disciple-making involves outreach efforts, equipping congregations to share their faith in everyday settings.

Leadership Alignment

The final practice covers the significance of leadership alignment, ensuring that everyone in the church, from leaders to volunteers, is aligned with the disciple-making mission. This level of alignment enhances effectiveness in achieving the church's disciple-making objectives.

Show notes

Join us for the 2026 National Disciple Making Forum: https://discipleship.org/2026-national-disciple-making-forum/

Check out the Church Disciple Making Culture Assessment: https://discipleship.org/disciple-making-culture/

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In this episode Josh and Bobby Harrington continue their conversation on the seven practices of disciple making churches, drawn from a study of nine high‑impact congregations. They unpack each practice.

Listeners will find actionable guidance, real church stories, and resources (including the book and a national forum) to help their church move from attractional programming to a culture of disciples who make disciples.