Impartation: How Jesus Made Disciples Up Close

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-4x8zz-1b82fe2

Brett Maddocks, Allen Cason, and Jim Morrow continue their series on disciple-making by focusing on impartation from Robert Coleman’s The Master Plan of Evangelism. They argue that Jesus did not form disciples through information alone, but by living closely with them and modeling a whole way of life. The conversation also tackles a major practical question: how can pastors and lay people impart faith faithfully without pretending to have it all together?

Key topics
  • In this episode, Brett Maddocks frames impartation as Jesus giving his life to his disciples, not just his teaching.
  • Allen Cason emphasizes that disciple-making cannot happen from a distance and that people learn by being with us, not just hearing us.
  • Jim Morrow compares disciple-making to residency training, noting that information alone is never enough without lived demonstration.
  • The hosts discuss 2 Timothy 3:10 and Paul’s call for Timothy to follow his teaching and way of life, not just his theology.
  • They explore the balance of vulnerability in ministry, saying leaders should not present only their best selves, but also should not “bleed on people.”
  • The group stresses that Jesus must remain the hero in any vulnerable story shared in discipleship or preaching.
  • They distinguish between sharing struggles and showing how faith shapes the way those struggles are lived through.
  • The conversation highlights several Gospel scenes as examples of impartation, including the feeding of the 5,000, the Gethsemane prayer, the calling to watch and pray, and Jesus responding to opposition.
  • Brett offers four practical areas of impartation: abiding, character, ministry, and mission.
  • Allen and Jim underline that disciple-making must include a plan, but the Holy Spirit must remain the main partner in the process.
  • The hosts encourage listeners that they do not need to be experts to begin discipling, only willing, intentional, and a few steps ahead.
Timestamps

00:00 – Podcast intro and the Braves, Phillies, and disciple-making setup
01:20 – Why the episode focuses on impartation in disciple making
03:13 – Jesus formed disciples by living with them in close proximity
04:02 – More is caught than taught in ministry and parenting
05:54 – The residency analogy and why information is not enough
06:53 – Discipleship shapes the whole person, not just the mind
08:15 – Paul’s way of life as a model for Timothy
09:17 – Vulnerability in ministry and the danger of making the pulpit too polished
11:51 – Sharing struggles while showing faith in the middle of them
12:42 – Gospel scenes that show Jesus imparting by example
15:20 – Gethsemane, watchfulness, and the invitation into Jesus’ vulnerability
16:18 – A simple definition of impartation
17:18 – Intentionality as the key to imparting
19:26 – The Holy Spirit as the main partner in disciple making
21:25 – Holding a plan loosely while following the Spirit
22:33 – Jesus’ interruptions as examples of Spirit-led discipleship
23:41 – Why the plan frees disciple makers to be present
24:44 – What disciple makers actually impart
26:03 – Turning ministry over to the disciple and letting them lead
28:25 – Encouragement for someone who thinks they do not have what it takes
32:02 – You are already influencing others more than you realize
34:34 – A challenge to ask God for specific people to disciple
36:27 – Closing summary: Jesus called people to himself, not curriculum
37:24 – Final sign-off and end-of-episode bonus banter

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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

 
 

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