Love Where You Are with Somer Colbert Podcast
Oct 3 • 41:06
Understanding the Discipleship Dilemma with Dennis Allen
Episode:

Understanding the Discipleship Dilemma with Dennis Allen

October 3, 2022 • 41:06 • Somer Colbert

Welcome to the Love Where You Are podcast! 

In todays episode, Somer is joined with Dennis Allen.

Dennis Allen has served as a Chief Executive Officer in electronics, software, distribution, oil & gas, and conglomerates in public and private corporations. He has also served in leadership with mega, mid-sized and startup churches, as an elder, deacon, teacher and speaker across Presbyterian, Evangelical Free, Baptist churches and Military Chapels in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Dennis was an Air Force F-15 fighter and instructor pilot serving in stateside and international posts prior to his business career. He is also the author of, "The Disciple Dilemma."

In this episode, Somer and Dennis discuss:

*How parents can effectively disciple their children

*Why our kids and young adults are leaving the Christian faith

*Traditionalism vs true discipleship

Dennis and Somer step out of the comfort zone today to highlight a very important issueThe Disciple Dilemma, Dennis literally wrote the book on it! 

This episode is a bit of a gut punch, but the good kind (I know its weird but we need the honest truth!) as Dennis and Somer understand the reality of Christianity today. 

Pastor Tony Evans says it this way: "The problem isnt that we dont have enough Christians. The problem is Christ doesnt have enough disciples.

Statistics from Dennis' book:

  • 65 % of the US population identify as Christian (200 million believers) and yet less than a quarter of them attend church (50 million)
  • 82 % of these believers say they have no Bible study, faith community or mentor
  • 80 % say they lack the skills or relationships to feel free to talk about their faith
  • Another survey found that 92% of Christians do not believe that sharing their faith is important
  • The statistics show 6 out of 10 young people walking away from the church - calling it arrogant, evil or irrelevant

This is every Christian parents worst nightmare and yet it has proven true for people all around us and maybe in our own homes. Knowing the reality of these statistics, lets dive in and ask, "What is the disciple dilemma we face today? Why is it important to me as a parent?"

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Connect with Dennis:

The Disciple Dilemma: Rethinking and Reforming How the Church Does Discipleship

Thediscipledilemma.com

Instagram

 

FAVORITE TAKE-AWAYS:

The problem is doing the same thing but expecting a different outcome.

Weve been hacked and its coming for your family - what now?

The idea of discipleship is not about perfect parents in perfect control of perfect children who do perfect things. The idea of discipleship is about an individual human being being invited to come and investigate and evaluate who the person of Jesus Christ is.

It is critical that we understand that the largest problem in American Christianity today is the idea that I want Jesus to save me, but this idea about being "Lord - Im good." 

We really like being a fan of Jesus but having him as our Lord, not so much. Sam Albury

If you think your kids have to look this way, talk this way, act this way - youre going to lose the fight.

The problem that we face in contemporary American Christianity is. 

Weve got to stop worrying about conversation and start worrying about what Jesus actually talked about which is make disciples of people. Parents, stop trying to control it and take the walk with your kids.

We dont need the answers to every question - we need the time to take the walk out the questions and go through life together.

If you are living for the metrics of managing your kids, you lose the mission.

 

QUESTIONS TO ASK: 

Are you afraid?

Are you stressed out? 

Or are you just going through the motions?

 

REMEMBER:

Biblical Discipleship is -

*Invitation

*Investigation

*Surrender

Stop trying to control your kids' outcome and start showing them, walking with them through real life - give them the steering wheel so to speak.

Discipleship is a constant, neverending, lifelong journey of surrender.

You have to learn to see the unique human being that is in front of you. 

Meek - powerful but under control 

Submission = a battle formation in good order

Parents - The Lord Jesus Christ has called you to the role you are in.

 

SCRIPTURE: 

Micah 6:8

1 Peter 3:15

 

CONNECT with Somer! 

Stay connected to Somer and the Love Where You Are podcast through her Facebook & Instagram! Now, go love where you are and live on mission for Jesus today. 

Podcast:

Love Where You Are

With Somer Colbert
Equipping Christian Moms to embrace their season, live life on mission and share Jesus right where they are! Like a weekly coffee date with the girls, Somer and her guests come together to ask the hard questions, have honest conversations and dive deep into God's Word. Her heart is to equip and encourage Moms who are seeking to model an authentic Christian walk for their families while also making an impact for the kingdom through love in action wherever God has them in their current season of life. Following the Deuteronomy 6 model, Somer encourages listeners to identify their gifts, talents and current season of life as opportunities to impact the lives of others and bring their children along in the journey reminding us there are opportunities everywhere and every day to love right where you are!
All Episodes:
Jan 29 • 35:27
Love Where You Are Finale: Making Spirits Brighter (Shiloh Women's Christmas Conference 2023)

Hey sweet friend, 

This is a very special episode of Love Where You Are for a few reasons. One reason is because this audio is from when I spoke at the Shiloh Women's Christmas Conference just last month, "Making Spirits Brighter." I shared a message of leadership and delegation, coming from a story of Moses that deeply resonated with me and I feel like it's something many of us moms deal with... 

We get so busy juggling all the things and adding stuff to our plate, that we can often lose sight of what God is truly calling us to: the holy work of motherhood. And when we are juggling all the things, we are so suspectible to the temptations and distractions of the enemy, and that pulls us from that holy focus. 

It was not long after sharing this message, a message that I needed in my own life, that I realized what God was calling me to do. 

Right now, I am shifting my focus and energy to the Called to Love podcast here on Christian Parenting, where I specifically answer your questions about adoption and foster care. If you have enjoyed Love Where You Are, you will most likely enjoy Called to Love. It's still me, Somer, just with a new and specific purpose and mission to serve those walking the beautiful and broken journey of adoption or foster care. I would love it if you joined us for those deep conversations, friend. 

And thank you for suporting me with Love Where You Are. It has been a beautiful chapter that draws to a close, but I am excited for what God has in store.

I hope this message from the Shiloh conference impacts you just as it has impacted me. God bless! 

Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman. 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Click here to learn more about the Called to Love podcast. 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

Jan 22 • 30:32
Taking Care of the Mind, Body, and Spirit with Laura Smith

Welcome to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, "The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman." 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

In this episode, she is joined with today's guest, Laura Smith

Laura is a Jesus Lover, best-selling author, speaker, wife & mom of four. She is passionate about equipping families with a better understanding of mental health and scripture, and has a new book titled "5 Minute Devotions for Teens: A Guide to God and Mental Health"  In this conversation, Somer and Laura discuss practical ways for us busy moms to take care of our bodies, minds, and spirits so we can better glorify God in all that we do  

You can also connect with Laura on Instagram.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, let's dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.org

Jan 15 • 32:56
Purposefooled with Kelly Needham

In todays episode Somer and Kelly discuss how easy it is to become purposefooled. Even before the rise of social media which has exponentially impacted this problem, humans have sought after glory for themselves and the extraordinary, as Kelly describes with the Tower of Babal story. We often seek to make ourselves the saviors, the heroes, of the story, instead of giving everything to God. We will run ourselves ragged, wheels constantly spinning, doing all the things, because the mundane and ordinary don't feel like enough. God is meant to be our purpose in life, not the titles we possess or the activities we do. 

Thanks for coming to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman. 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Kelly Needham is a busy mom of five kiddos, wife to Jimmy Needham, and author to several books. Click here to buy Purposefooled and click here to follow her on Instagram

Thank you for being here today. Now, lets dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

 

Jan 8 • 36:56
Courage for Life with Ann White

In todays episode Somer and Ann discuss courage as we enter a new year full of uncertainity when it comes to our economy, politics, and the culture war. Ann gigves us seven practical tips for courage, examples of courageous people from the Bible, and reminds us that sometimes God calls us to something even if we "aren't ready." 

Scripture reference: 2nd Timothy 1:7

Notable moments: 

-God does not give us a spirit of fear. 

-God carries us through life's hardships and traumas. 

-Living in fear can be comfortable if it's all you've ever known.

 

Thanks for coming to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman. 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Ann White is passionate about creating resources to help women build their relationship with God. It drives her to create such things as the first female-voiced audio Bible. The female voice is important to her mission, which has reached behind bars as well as in church pews. One thing in working with at-risk women, its important to use gender-specific treatment. You dont put a woman who may have been traumatized by a man with a male counselor or a male-voiced program. "Courage for Life" is only the beginning as Ann works with Tyndale House Publishers on a Womens Study Bible. We should be sharing God and his word, teaching other people, and inspiring life change. Everyone needs a daily dose of God-given Courage For Life! says Ann.

Thank you for being here today. Now, lets dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

 

Jan 1 • 33:52
Stuff I'd Only Tell God with Jennifer Dukes Lee

In this episode Somer and special guest Jennifer Dukes Lee discuss the power of journaling and being honest with God.

Despite the fact that we KNOW cognitively that God KNOWS everything and we can't keep secrets from Him, there is something that prevents us from opening up that dialogue with Him and being vulnerable... And yet in that vulnerability, we can deepen our relationship and connection to Him, and it also impacts us as mothers. 

Notable moments the conversation: 

-"Holiness in the holy mess" 

-We can miss out on intimacy with God if we keep our distance. 

-If you don't process things properly with the Lord, you may end up taking out all the pent up emotion and internal conflict onto your kids or those close to you. 

Thanks for listening to the Love Where You Are podcast! Just for stopping by, here is your FREE downloadable resource from Somer, The 2023 Proverbs 31 Woman. 

You can connect with Somer through her Facebook & Instagram!

Jennifer Dukes Lee is a prolific author and calls herself a "storyteller and grace-dweller." Her recent book, "Stuff I'd Only Tell God: A Guided Journal of Courageous Honesty, Obsessive Truth-Telling, and Beautifully Ruthless Self-Discovery" is the catalyst for today's conversation and available wherever you find your books. You can also connect with Jennifer on Instagram on her personal account or the account specific to this book, and Facebook.  

Thank you for being here today. Now, lets dive into the conversation! 

Love Where You Are is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit http://www.ChristianParenting.org

About the Host

Somer Colbert

Somer Colbert is a writer, speaker and host of the Love Where You Are podcast. She is the Director of Adoption and Foster Care Ministry at Crosschurch and Connected Champion with the Arkansas Baptist Children and Family Ministries where she creates support, awareness and advocacy for families seeking to serve in the areas of adoption and foster care. She creates weekly podcast episodes and resources to equip and empower Christian families to identify their influence for the gospel in every season, live life on mission and share Jesus right where they are.  Somer is passionate about equipping spiritually healthy families and seeing a movement of God's people step into confidence in their ability to change the world around them through the way they love! 

She resides in Arkansas with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She's obsessed with British docudramas and cooking shows and can always be found with a cup of hot tea in hand. Her life has been forever changed by the love of Jesus, marriage to her favorite person, parenting her crazy crew and walking multiple adoption journeys. 

Connect with Somer on Facebook and Instagram

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