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. 3D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. JAN 1

    Why I’m Deleting Social Media and Reading the Bible More in 2026

    In 2026, I’m deleting social media from my phone and committing to reading the Bible more than ever. This video explains why—and how these choices shape spiritual formation.Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingAs the new year approaches, many people talk about resolutions that rarely last. In this video, I share two intentional challenges I’m committing to in 2026—not for productivity or self-help, but for spiritual formation.The challenges:1. Deleting social media from my phone2. Reading the Bible more intentionally throughout the yearChapters: 00:19 – Why New Year’s Resolutions Usually Fail04:15 – My 2026 Challenge: Reading the Bible More11:45 – Why I’m Deleting Social Media from My Phone15:10 – What It Means to Be a Witness of the Light in 202618:38 – Emet Campus Ministries and the Mission AheadGoal Setting Sheet: https://emetministry.org/setting-godly-goals-strategic-growth-plan/Follow us: on Instagram instagram.com/emetministries#2026Goals#DeleteSocialMedia#BibleReading#ChristianDiscipline#FaithAndCulture#DigitalDetox#ChristianLiving

    22 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Why Americans Are Leaving Christianity — And Why Some Stay (Pew Research Explained)

    Why are Americans leaving Christianity, and why do some stay?In this video, Christian Barrett breaks down Pew Research data on religious decline, Catholicism, Protestantism, and the rise of the “religious nones.”Support Emet Ministries, so we can continue to provide content and resources to help disciples become disciplers: https://veritas-ministry-415223.churchcenter.com/givingPew Study: https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/12/15/why-some-americans-have-left-catholicism-while-others-stay/Pew Research has released new data explaining why Americans are leaving religion, why some remain Catholic or Protestant, and why the number of religiously unaffiliated Americans continues to grow.In this video, Christian walks through the data and explain:1. Why Americans leave Christianity2. The importance of Christian community3. The rapid rise of the religious “nones”4. Why some people stay Protestant5. Why others remain Catholic6. The top reasons people abandon religion altogether7. Trends shaping the future of Protestantism and Catholicism8. Why family discipleship matters more than everChapters: 00:15 – Pew Research: Why Americans Are Leaving Christianity02:06 – Why Christian Community Matters More Than Ever06:26 – The Rise of the Religious “Nones” Explained07:17 – Why Protestants Stay Protestant08:19 – Why Catholics Stay Catholic09:05 – The Top Reasons Americans Leave Religion15:19 – The Religious Background of Americans Today16:54 – Is Catholicism Dying in the United States?20:47 – Major Protestant Trends in America24:24 – Catholic Trends You Need to Know29:45 – Why Family Discipleship Is the Future#PewResearch#LeavingChristianity#ChristianityInAmerica#ReligionTrends#Catholicism#Protestantism#ReligiousNones#FaithAndCulture#ChurchTrends

    33 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
    213
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Christian Barrett
  • Show Website
    The Four-Fold Disciple