The Four-Fold Disciple

Christian Barrett
  • 4.8 (18)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast devoted to developing four-fold disciples, so that they may be more effective disciplers in the home, the workplace, the classroom, and the church.

  1. FEB 26

    What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ? (John 15 Explained)

    Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://emetministry.churchcenter.com/givingWhat does it truly mean to abide in Christ?In this sermon on John 15 from Christian Barrett, Jesus reveals that lasting joy, spiritual fruitfulness, and perseverance come only through remaining in Him as the True Vine.This passage confronts one of the biggest misunderstandings in Christianity: abiding in Jesus is not about trying harder or doing more; it is about resting in what Jesus has done. Jesus teaches that the Christian life flows from who He is and what He has already accomplished, not from self-effort or emotional experience.Follow us: on Instagram instagram.com/emetministriesFollow Westwood Young Adult on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youngadultwestwood?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==my reading list:⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrettChapters: 00:00 – We All Want Joy (Why Everyone Is Searching for Peace)03:30 – What Is Biblical Joy? (Joy vs Happiness Explained)04:58 – “I Am the True Vine” (Jesus’ Claim Explained)10:20 – God the Father as the Vine Dresser (Pruning and Growth)12:40 – What Does It Mean to Abide in Jesus?24:17 – The Warning of the Two Branches (True and False Faith)28:00 – Justification and Sanctification Explained (Saved for Good Works)31:40 – Why the World Hates Jesus and Christians33:24 – How Do I Abide in Christ Daily?In this expository teaching through John 15 from our Tuesday Night Bible Study, we explore:1. What Jesus means when He says, “I am the True Vine.”2. God the Father’s role as the Vine Dresser who prunes for growth.3. The difference between true and false branches.4. How justification and sanctification work together in the Christian life.5. Why the world hates Jesus and those who abide in Him.5. How believers can abide in Christ daily and experience true joy. Jesus makes it clear: apart from Him, we can do nothing. Abiding in Christ is the foundation of Christian discipleship, endurance, and peace in a broken world.#abideinchrist #John17#UnionWithChrist#christiandiscipleship #biblicaltheology #PeaceInChrist#christianteaching #BibleSermon

    38 min

  2. FEB 24

    Did the Universe Come From Nothing? The Case for God

    Did the universe really come from nothing?Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://emetministry.churchcenter.com/givingIn this message, Christian Barrett explores two of the strongest arguments for God’s existence: the Cosmological Argument and the Teleological Argument. These apologetics tackle the deepest questions humans ask: Where did everything come from? Why does anything exist at all? And does the universe have purpose or design?Drawing from Genesis 1, John 1, philosophy, and modern science, this sermon explains why:1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause2. That the universe had a beginning3. That “Nothing” cannot create something4. The fine-tuning of the universe points beyond chance5. Purpose and order in nature suggest an intelligent CreatorChristian also examines why atheism and materialism struggle to explain the origin, existence, and order of the universe, and why belief in a timeless, immaterial, powerful, and personal God is not only reasonable but compelling.Follow us: on Instagram instagram.com/emetministriesMy reading list:⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrett00:00 – Life’s Biggest Questions: Why Does Anything Exist?04:17 – The Origin of the Universe: Creation and the Beginning of Everything07:22 – What Is “Nothing”? Can Something Come From Nothing?09:28 – Did the Universe Have a Beginning?13:13 – Contingency: Why Everything Depends on a Cause17:36 – Why Does the Universe Exist at All? (Purpose & Meaning)25:00 – Created With Purpose: Meaning, God, and the Gospel#CosmologicalArgument#TeleologicalArgument#DoesGodExist#ChristianApologetics#SomethingFromNothing#FaithAndReason#ScienceAndFaith#Atheism#ExistenceOfGod#FineTuning#MeaningOfLife#ChristianWorldview

    30 min

  3. FEB 10

    America’s Discipleship Crisis: Hard Truths from Lifeway Research (2026)

    In this video, Christian Barrett unpacks the 2026 State of Discipleship study from Lifeway Research and what it reveals about spiritual formation in U.S. churches today. According to the research, average churchgoers are barely passing on key discipleship characteristics, and many churches lack intentional plans for forming mature disciples. The discipleship deficit is real, and pastors across America feel it. This video explores what the deficit means for believers, pastors, and the future of the church in America, and why discipleship can’t be assumed without intentional structures and community. Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://emetministry.churchcenter.com/givingmy reading list:⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrett00:00 – Lifeway Research Reveals a Discipleship Crisis 00:47 – Why the Church Needs Discipleship, Not Just Attendance 04:32 – What Biblical Discipleship Really Is (Belief + Obedience) 12:04 – 8 Biblical Signposts of Genuine Discipleship 15:10 – Church Attendance vs Real Discipleship 20:20 – Giving, Tithing, and Spiritual Formation 20:50 – Discipleship Through Outreach to College Students 23:30 – Why Discipleship Must Be Intentional 25:00 – How to Do Discipleship in the Local Church#Discipleship#DiscipleshipCrisis#DiscipleshipInAmerica#ChurchDiscipleship#ChristianDiscipleship#LifewayResearch#BiblicalDiscipleship#SpiritualFormation#AmericanChurch#EvangelicalChurch#ChurchLeadership#CollegeMinistry

    29 min

  4. FEB 3

    Who Is in Charge in Protestantism? (Protestant vs Catholic Authority Explained)

    Who is in charge in Protestantism? Catholics often argue that Protestantism fails because it lacks a single visible authority like the Pope. In this video, Christian Barrett responds to that claim and explains how Protestants understand church authority, Scripture, councils, and tradition by answering a recent objection made by  ⁨@CameronRiecker⁩  Christian walks through infant baptism, denominational differences, Sola Scriptura, differences in Roman Catholicism, and the reasons for disagreements in both Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.If you’ve ever wondered who decides doctrine in Protestant Christianity, how Protestants answer doctrinal disputes, or what authority looks like without a Pope, this video is for you.Topics covered:– Protestant vs Catholic authority– Who is in charge in Protestantism– Sola Scriptura and Tradition– Church councils and Acts 15– Infant Baptism– Ministerial vs Magesterial Authority of the Church00:00 – Who Is in Charge in Protestantism?00:10 – Protestant vs Catholic Authority Explained03:44 – Responding to Cameron Rieker on Church Authority07:24 – The Roman Catholic Argument Against Protestantism (Summary)09:48 – Does Infant Baptism Save?12:47 – Does Church Authority Come From Tradition?14:55 – Baptists vs Lutherans: Protestant Differences18:01 – Acts 15 and the Council of Jerusalem Explained21:01 – The Role of Christian Councils22:50 – Sola Scriptura and Tradition27:00 – Disagreements in Roman Catholicism29:25 – Ministerial Authority of the ChurchFair Use Disclaimer:This video may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. All clips used are protected by the Fair Use Doctrine within Title 17 of the United States Code. This doctrine safeguards the use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes, such as commentary, criticism, review and news reporting. Under Title 17 U.S.C. § 512(f), any person who makes a false, bad faith, or misleading copyright claim or uses a copyright takedown to infringe on free speech, criticism, or commentary can be held liable for damages to the content creator.Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015).#Protestantism #ChurchAuthority #SolaScriptura #ChristianTheology #CatholicVsProtestant #BibleTeaching

    31 min

  5. JAN 27

    Why Study Church History | 3 Reasons Every Christian Should Know

    Why study church history? Many Christians think of church history as just facts and dates, but it is essential for understanding theology, finding encouragement, and receiving warnings.Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingDo Discipleship: https://emetministry.org/doing-discipleship-sources/My reading list:⁠ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/74696644-christian-barrettIn this video, Christian Barrett looks at three reasons church history matters:1. How church history shapes Christian theology,2. How the lives of early Christians encourage our faith,3. How church history warns us against repeating past errors.From the early church fathers to modern Christianity, church history helps us understand what Christians believed, how they lived, and how God has faithfully preserved His church.If you’ve ever wondered why church history matters, why Christians should study church history, or how church history strengthens faith, this video is for you.Jesus is building His church — and we are part of that story. Topics covered:– Why study church history– Church history and theology– Encouragement from church history– Warnings from church history– How we fit into Christian history00:00 – Why Study Church History (Not Just Facts)01:30 – Church History Shapes Christian Theology06:54 – Encouragement from Church History10:46 – Warnings from Church History13:50 – You Are Part of Church History#ChurchHistory#ChristianTheology#WhyDoctrineMatters#ChristianTeaching#Faith

    16 min

  6. JAN 20

    Who was Ignatius of Antioch? | Early Church Life and The Eucharist Explained

    Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingMore in Church History: https://emetministry.org/church-history-and-theology/In this video, Christian Barrett explores the life of Ignatius of Antioch, one of the most important Early Church Fathers and the bridge between the Apostles and the Apostolic Fathers. Ignatius served as a pastor in Antioch, wrote seven powerful letters on his way to martyrdom in Rome, and became famous for being thrown to the beast for his faith in Christ.Christian also discusses why Antioch mattered so much in early Christianity, what the early church looked like before later Roman developments, and why church leadership in this period was rooted in local churches rather than a centralized papacy. Along the way, he'll cover Emperor Trajan’s persecution, Ignatius’ fight against Docetism, and the major themes of each of his seven letters: unity, false teaching, submission to leaders, the Eucharist, and martyrdom.00:00 – Intro: Ignatius of Antioch00:23 – Ignatius: Bridge from Apostles to Apostolic Fathers02:25 – Why Antioch mattered in the Early Church05:00 – No Pope in Antioch (Early Church Structure)08:00 – The Early Church was built on Local Churches10:28 – Who was Ignatius of Antioch?11:37 – Roman Persecution & Emperor Trajan15:25 – Ignatius’ 7 Letters (Overview)16:10 – Ignatius vs Docetism (False Teaching)18:39 – Letter to the Ephesians: Unity in the Church20:48 – Letter to the Magnesians: Local Church + Leaders21:55 – Letter to the Trallians: Reject False Teaching22:54 – Letter to the Romans: Martyrdom & Rome24:51 – Letter to the Philadelphians: Clean in Christ25:20 – Letter to the Smyrnaeans: Eucharist & True Flesh of Christ27:35 – Letter to Polycarp: Run the Race#IgnatiusOfAntioch #EarlyChurch #ChurchHistory #ApostolicFathers #ChristianHistory #Christianity #Theology #BibleStudy #Discipleship #Martyrdom #AncientChristianity #Patristics #Antioch

    30 min

  7. JAN 13

    My Must-Read Christian Books (Theology, Discipleship, and Apologetics)

    My Must-Read Christian Books (Theology, Discipleship, and Apologetics)https://emetministry.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Must-Read-List.pdf These are my must-read Christian books. These works on theology, discipleship, and apologetics are books every believer should read. These books have deeply shaped my thinking, ministry, and walk with Christ.Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingThere are countless Christian books available today, but not all of them are equally helpful. In this video, I share my favorite Christian books, works I believe are essential reading for anyone who wants to grow in biblical theology, discipleship, and faithful Christian living.Providence interview- youtube.comwatch?v=8WXGM5SZIGc&themeREfresh=1 #ChristianBooks#MustReadChristianBooks#ChristianReading#ChristianTheology#Discipleship#ChristianLiving#FaithAndTheology#ChristianLibrary00:09- The number One Question I get asked06:12- Alvin Plantinga- Where the Conflict Really Lies- https://a.co/d/3oTxQWC07:58- Eusebius- Ecclesiastical History- https://a.co/d/bqXZsO509:31- Origen of Alexandria- On First Principles- https://a.co/d/6SjxWZX12:10- John Piper- Providence- https://a.co/d/9GSH1Tt 14:56- Herman Bavinck- The Wonderful Works of God- https://a.co/d/51HhuPz16:04- The Biggest Story Bible- https://a.co/d/fhPWPa617:50- Eric Metaxas- Bonhoeffer- https://a.co/d/iTrgwq918:45- Richard Wurmbrand- Tortured for Christ- https://a.co/d/4hRFf9B20:06- Nabeel Qureshi- Seeking Allah Finding Jesus- https://a.co/d/dm506eV21:03- Craig Blomberg- Jesus and the Gospels- https://a.co/d/gImoNiK22:07- John Owen- Overcoming Sin and Temptation- https://a.co/d/gXJ0Nyv24:50- Donald Whitney- Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life- https://a.co/d/7MbdQ9h25:37- Courtney Anderson- To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson- https://a.co/d/0HRngFP27:09- Emily Foreman- We Died Before We Came Here- https://a.co/d/97Z5Va428:10- Augustine- Confessions- https://a.co/d/1hwlZfl29:26- Michael Licona- The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach- https://a.co/d/3P0g1nQ31:09- Francis Schaeffer- A Christian Manifesto- https://a.co/d/gfgR2gu 31:30- C.S. Lewis- The Abolition of Man- https://a.co/d/afjXgJg32:35- C.S. Lewis- Mere Christianity- https://a.co/d/fRUIyqp33:26- Justo Gonzalez- The Story of Christianity- https://a.co/d/fq48LaQ and ttps://a.co/d/aW8iVwh34:30- Mark Noll- Turning Points- https://a.co/d/hpwGDpB 35:26- Sinclair Ferguson- Devoted to God- https://a.co/d/g4xGbCl36:51- Charles Spurgeon- Soul Winner- https://a.co/d/gSTOjIt37:53- J.I. Packer- Knowing God- https://a.co/d/1ywd97I37:59- Mark Jones- Knowing Christ- https://a.co/d/8nSoNsi39:22- R.C. Sproul- What is Reformed Theology?- https://a.co/d/hjk9m3E40:01- Michael Lawrence- Biblical Theology in the Life of the Church- https://a.co/d/eLt9muT41:06- J.I. Packer- Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God- https://a.co/d/gYcjOtp41:57- Anselm of Canterbury- Proslogion- https://a.co/d/aDLzpUx43:04- Greg Koukl- Tactics- https://a.co/d/51vSUFD43:55- R.C. Sproul- The Holiness of God- https://a.co/d/dcpvTG045:07- Alvin Plantinga- Warranted Christian Belief- https://a.co/d/d8sKk0g46:11- Peter J. Williams- Can We Trust the Gospels- https://a.co/d/a9aSEQu46:55- John Lennox- Can Science Explain Everything?- www.amazon.com/dp/1784984116?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_MR5WCM1CPPWT57BGPCH9&bestFormat=true47:30- J.C. Ryle- Holiness- https://a.co/d/7XYmPY348:28- John Calvin- The Institutes of the Christian Religion- a.co/d/6mWNJEd50:00- Gregory of Nyssa- On the Human Image of God- https://a.co/d/0ywtYPp51:19- Gavin Ortlund- Theological Retrieval for Evangelicals- https://a.co/d/9JjKZS0

    55 min

  8. JAN 6

    Gen Z and a Possible Revival: Why College Students Are Turning to Christianity Again

    Is Gen Z on the verge of a revival? A recent article from The Gospel Coalition suggests something surprising is happening among college students and young adults: a renewed openness to the gospel, church, and Christian community.Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingDiscpleship Sources: https://emetministry.org/doing-discipleship-sources/In this video, Ross Geiser and Christian Barrett break down what’s behind this quiet revival, why discipleship matters now more than ever, and why college students don’t just need Christian conversations, but the local church. We’ll also talk about the rise of young men in the church, why ministry must return to the basics, and whether 2025 marked a turning point for Gen Z and Christianity.00:05 – Is Gen Z Experiencing a Quiet Revival? (The Gospel Coalition)02:45 – Why College Students Are Open to the Gospel Again10:12 – Why Discipleship Matters More Than Ever for Gen Z15:00 – Why College Students Need the Local Church20:00 – Why Ministry Must Get Back to the Basics26:00 – Why People Are More Open to Christian Conversations30:04 – The Surprising Rise of Young Men in the Church35:26 – Could a Gen Z Revival Be Coming in 2025?#GenZ #GenZRevival #QuietRevival #Christianity #Jesus #CollegeMinistry #YoungAdults #Discipleship #LocalChurch #Revival #FaithAndCulture #CampusMinistry #ChristianLiving #SpiritualAwakening #Gospel

    55 min
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4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

A podcast devoted to developing four-fold disciples, so that they may be more effective disciplers in the home, the workplace, the classroom, and the church.

Information

  • Creator
    Christian Barrett
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    215
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Christian Barrett
  • Show Website
    The Four-Fold Disciple

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