https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-hw655-1b4a065

This episode looks at what Jesus models in selecting the twelve and what that means for disciple making today. Brett Maddocks, Allen Cason, and Jim Morrow focus on the difference between mass ministry and intentional investment in a few, with an emphasis on prayer, discernment, and long-term multiplication.We discuss why selection is not favoritism, how to choose people to pour into, and why discipleship is more about formation than information. The conversation also gets practical about different disciple-making models, permission to say no, and what to do if you realize you need someone to disciple you first.

Key topics

• In this episode: Jesus’ selection of the twelve in Luke 6:12 to 13 and the significance of his all-night prayer before choosing
• Brett, Allen, and Jim discuss how Scripture often compresses time, using Paul’s timeline as an example
• The group contrasts modern urgency and efficiency with the slower work of forming disciples
• Jim shares a quote from Alan Hirsch on the “strange and wonderful math” of multiplication in the gospel
• The conversation highlights that discipleship is not information transfer but the formation of Christ in a person
• Allen argues that Jesus consistently worked with fewer people, not more, even while ministering to crowds
• The team discusses the tension some church members feel when leaders choose a few people to invest in deeply
• Brett and Allen stress that selection is not about creating tiers of Christians, but about wisdom and multiplication
• Practical criteria are given for choosing disciples: faithful, available, intentional, teachable, and humble
• The hosts emphasize that prayer should come first, and that God is already at work in the lives of both the discipler and the disciple
• Brett explains why it helps to give people permission to say no when invited into a discipleship relationship
• The group talks about flexible models for discipleship, including one-on-one mentoring, triads, and small groups
• Allen shares that sometimes the right next step is not discipling others, but asking someone to disciple you
• Brett gives examples of older and younger leaders asking to be discipled, showing that disciple making is kingdom work across age and denomination

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome, Diet Coke debate, and introducing the question of choosing disciples
02:01 – Why Jesus choosing the twelve is about disciple making, not predestination
03:08 – Luke 6 and Jesus praying all night before selecting the twelve
04:58 – How scripture compresses time and why that matters for reading the Gospels
07:05 – Why discipleship resists quick wins and instant results
08:33 – A cookie analogy for slow, intentional formation
09:17 – Why crowd ministry matters, but few-to-few multiplication matters more
10:23 – Alan Hirsch on the multiplication math of the gospel
12:28 – Why discipleship is the main engine of the church, not a side department
13:08 – God’s pattern of working through the few
14:52 – What Jesus looked for when choosing disciples
15:22 – Faithful, available, teachable, intentional, and humble
16:16 – Why selecting a few does not create spiritual hierarchy
17:58 – Thinking ten years ahead in disciple making
20:33 – How to start praying for people to invest in
21:56 – A real story of someone showing up after prayer
22:58 – Group models versus one on one mentoring
24:22 – Giving people permission to say no
26:05 – Learning by doing instead of waiting for the perfect system
27:33 – Don’t get stuck on methods before you know who God is sending
28:39 – Fear as a major obstacle to disciple making
29:49 – Choosing flexible plans instead of rigid programs
31:25 – What if you have never been discipled yourself?
32:21 – Asking someone to disciple you
33:10 – An 80 year old asking to be discipled
34:07 – A pastor asking another pastor for discipleship
35:07 – Asking the question may spark a movement
36:06 – Great Commission and Great Commandment together
36:22 – Purpose, assignment, and the call to make disciples
36:37 – Final encouragement: pray first and keep asking who God is putting around you

Notable quotes

• “Discipleship is not information transfer, but the formation of Christ in a person.”
• “No choice is still a choice.”
• “Our purpose is to love God and love one another. Our assignment is to make disciples.”

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Episode Credits:

Episode written, produced, and hosted by Brett Maddocks, Jim Morrow, and Allen Cason.

Allen, Brett, and Jim are three Christ-followers, husbands, fathers, pastors, disciple makers, and all-around decent fellows who love Jesus, his church, and the historic faith.  You can reach us individually via Twitter.

@casonpreach

@jimmorrow

@bmaddocks