Selecting Disciples

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.” Listen and Subscribe to Podechesis on: Apple (Leave a 5-Star Review!!!), Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, Google, YouTube, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, Listen Notes, and Deezer. Questions? Send us an email. [email protected] 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