For this Research Spotlight, I had a rich conversation with Dr. Jason Bybee about discipleship. Discipleship is so much more than making converts. Through Scripture and Story, we can make a meaningful impact on each other’s lives. Jason talks about programs his congregation has implemented, inspired by Paul’s own model for discipling Timothy. If you aren’t sure where to start, Jason is a helpful guide.
Conversation Highlights:
- Misconceptions about “discipleship”
- Stoic influences on Paul’s development of his discipleship model, particularly from Epictetus
- The importance of both Scripture and Story in discipleship
- Creating sacred spaces where people can provide deliberate companionship in the journey of discipleship
- The roles of Myth and Parable in how stories shape us
- Maintaining a congregational culture of discipleship
For the audio-only podcast of our conversation, click here.
Jason serves as the Lead Minister for the Mayfair church. He is passionate about the mission of the Mayfair church to follow Jesus by loving God and loving others. A native of Lebanon, Tennessee, Jason is married to Sunny and they have three children: Joshua, Abby Kate, and Jackson. He spent a decade in youth and campus ministries before transitioning into full-time preaching. Jason holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and a Master of Divinity from Lipscomb University. In 2014, Jason earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Abilene Christian University.
Jason’s Recommended Resources:
- Here is Jason’s dissertation. Have a look if you’d like to dig deeper into his research.
- Christopher R. Hutson, “My True Child: The Rhetoric of Youth in the Pastoral Epistles.” Ph.D. diss., Yale University, 1998.
- Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom, The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change.
- John Dominic Crossan, The Dark Interval: Towards a Theology of Story.
- Epictetus, Diatribes, Vols. I and II. Translated by W.A. Oldfather. Loeb Classical Library, 1959.
See Also:
- There is a series here at Kingdom Upgrowth about the philosophy and use of Appreciative Inquiry, the method that Jason describes. Here is the series summary. Here is a video where Mark shares about his own use of the method at the Old Hickory Church of Christ.
- Here is a post at Kingdom Upgrowth about the different types of stories, building on the work of John Dominic Crossan that Jason mentions in the interview.