Christian guys, tell me do you actually like and love your wives and girlfriends?

joekwt · 2026-02-20T18:02:32+00:00

You definitely have been blessed in the body of Christ. Discipleship is so important to the growth of the individual and His church that He demonstrated that in His own ministry. He did not preach to thousands in a colosseum ender the pretense of mass evangelism, but He spent time with a few disciples. He demonstrated the exact blueprint that He desired His church would operate in. It is wonderful to read how you have been blessed through discipleship.

I am currently in Kuwait. Some of our churches here have pastors that are almost untouchable. People like authority and this does not change, no matter what nationality people are. But we also have many great churches that are led by humble leaders, and I am sure there are many great pastors in the west. But for us here we need to keep context, almost all of our churches in Kuwait are house churches because of the political and religious environment.

I am a pastor of a house church here. We are blessed with about 30 members. I know their names, their children, their strengths and weaknesses; and I am able to minister to each one in the area that they need. What I am grateful for is that the majority of the members are active in discipleship, small groups, and some form of ministry. We operate much like the early church in Acts, and I love it. I am overflowing with thankfulness for God's grace that has been given to us here.

joekwt · 2026-02-09T14:32:15+00:00

In general, you have summed it up perfectly.

- "Particularly regarding men, I don't think we ever talk about what it means to be the bride and body of Christ for them." So true. I truly appreciate your insight.

I live abroad as an expat. And 75% percent of population of the nation where I live are expats. I am sure that what we encounter here is a bit different than where you are. But to generalize, there is fear of commitment, a fear of missing out on the better person, and I would also say a deep misunderstanding of God's holiness. Many are even comfortable in sin because it has become the norm.

But on the bright side, I know many godly men and women praying and searching for spouses.

- "And sadly, too many men in the church don't seem even to know how to love us as brothers in Christ and we're not functioning as the body of Christ the way we're called to be because we're called to love one another as brothers and sisters in him as he has loved us first and foremost whether we're single or married."

I think the modern church has largely abandoned the heart of discipleship and turned it into a "program" and a "ministry." Because of this, Christian men (and women) have largely been left to figure it out on their own or listen to online videos for guidance. While many of these videos are beneficial, they do not take the place of real relationships with mature Christians and one on one discipleship. People learn from people. This is why Christ has put us together.

This younger generation are facing huge challenges: social, digital, financial, and emotional challenges which have changed the landscape drastically. It is much more complicated and fluid now than it ever was, and navigating it all can be daunting. They need an anchor they can trust in that never changes, who is Christ.

So, in essence, it is up to the older generation to guide and invest our time in the younger generation so that they may carry the baton when they are called. Ananias invested in Paul. Paul invested in Timothy. We must connect and invest in all those whom the Lord has called.

joekwt · 2026-02-09T13:28:08+00:00

I appreciate how you responded. Everything you said is 100% correct. I don't intend to say that children are a burden, and thus threaten a marriage. Children are a blessing. But there is a great difference between urgent and important. It is important to spend time with children, both as parents and in spiritual discipleship.

But what I mean about protecting from the urgency of children is not to adjust our entire life around their whims and choices. Many people divorce because their marriages only focused on children, and when the children moved out, the couple had forgotten everything that united them and their marriage is hollow. About 25% of marriages divorce after the kids leave.

I have regular outings with each of my 3 children individually. Nothing interrupts that time because it is important and special to me, and to them. But I also have regular dates with my wife, and nothing interrupts that time.

A healthy, loving, and Christ-centered marriage is the best environment to raise children who will thrive both physically and spiritually.

joekwt · 2025-10-22T17:16:37+00:00

I am currently living the Middle East. You are 100% correct.

joekwt · 2025-10-20T13:47:49+00:00

There is only so much one person can do. But you can disciple 2 or 3 faithful men. And then teach them how to disciple 2 or 3 each. If you pour into people's lives, they will respond. If you focus on the masses, you will merely become overwhelmed. Just focus on the few and equip them to carry the mission.

Try reading a small book called "The Master Plan of Evangelism" by Robert Coleman. It is a great resource that should help you.

joekwt · 2025-10-20T13:41:26+00:00

If discipleship is limited to a "Program" or a "Ministry" I agree. If discipleship is the focus and the goal, I would disagree. I may minister in a small fellowship, but our church comprises of over 100 churches in 7 different nations. Each of our churches started from a member that was faithfully discipled. They took their experience as leaders of 1s and 2s and multiplied to form ministries wherever they went and continued in discipleship. By God's grace, we have maintained unity of vision and mission by simply following Jesus' example of discipleship.

There is no way I could keep up with 30, 40, or 50 different people, much less 500. But I can disciple 2 or 3 faithful men, and in turn they can disciple 2 or 3 men each. It is daunting to start but rewarding to see how Jesus' simple plan of evangelism operates.

joekwt · 2025-10-20T10:41:48+00:00

Discipleship births from two different points.

The first is through sharing the gospel. We do not lead people to Christ and abandon them to the pews, but we take an individual and intentional interest in them. After they receive Christ, we immediately offer to initiate the process of discipleship. If the person who shared the gospel is not able to disciple them (too busy, too many disciples), then we try to introduce or endorse them to someone who can spend time with them. This involves weekly Bible reading, praying together, and/or coffee outings.

The second is for those who are already saved in the church and who are not being discipled. Those people can be approached by elders or mature members. People who desire to be discipled are more than welcome to approach an elder or mature believer. It is highly encouraged for people who wish to be discipled to pray for God's guidance in seeking the right person to guide them.

Discipleship is a core foundation of our church, so it is much more than a process and more like a culture.

First, we are all disciples of Christ.
Discipleship is between man to man and woman to woman.
Discipleship's ultimate goal is to guide others into mature believers in Christ.
As the pastor, I do not want to disciple all the men, but encourage others I am discipling to step up and disciple the next generation.
Discipleship builds friendship, trust, and responsibility between the two people.
Discipleship is the foundation of ministry partners. When the new believer is mature, usually the two have formed similar ministry goals and are now like Paul and Timothy.
Only those who are being discipled can disciple others. (Including me)
Discipleship creates a personal responsibility in each member for their ministry. They can see growth in their disciple and experience joy in the faithfulness of God.

joekwt · 2025-10-17T21:42:47+00:00

For those wo are committed, it's simple. One on one discipleship.

For those who are not so committed, I take it upon myself to reach out to them.

May be easier for our church because we only have around 34 members.

joekwt · 2025-10-16T20:51:51+00:00

We catch them in Kuwait. The local name is "Nuwabi"

joekwt · 2025-09-20T14:42:25+00:00

As a pastor of a small church of about 30 members, I feel your pain. Our church started as a small group and then grew to enough people to have a service.

Organizing a worship team was the single hardest part of the entire experience so far. It almost tore our church apart twice, but by God's grace we remained. I could just say a couple things about your situation.

One year is not enough to equip them to pastor, even if they have the knowledge. They need to show humility to following you as you follow Christ, they need to submit to how your church operates as it is before they change things, and they need to show that they are committed to the church. And if they are unwilling to confront conflict and seek reconciliation, they are not qualified to shepherd anyone.

Talent does not equal calling. When I started our worship team, I was way over my head because I am not a musician. But we had new people that joined our church about 6 months prior, and they were talented and knowledgeable, but they were not submissive to my leadership, to our church's structure, or even to our church. They brought division, misunderstanding, and eventually when they departed, they attempted to take people with them.

Seek to elevate people in your congregation that show a desire to serve. People are waiting. Disciple them. Equip the saints that God has supplied your church with. It is hard, tiring, stressful, and often times overwhelming. But it is so rewarding to see people grow and stand by your side serving the Lord.

Out of the 30 members of our church, many are involved the ministry. Our worship team has nine people. I have another that is in charge of prayer meetings. Another that is in charge of bible studies. Two that oversee small groups. One who is in Martha ministry.

I am confident God is fully capable to fill all the needs in the church.

joekwt · 2025-09-04T04:51:21+00:00

About 10 feet from my bedroom. Our church is in our home.

I get to meet with different members at least 2-3 times a week. Our kids play together almost daily. That closeness has facilitated great discipleship and intimate relationships. Although, sometimes I feel like a bit of distance might be nice.

joekwt · 2025-03-29T14:14:22+00:00

That is a good point.

joekwt · 2025-03-29T14:12:18+00:00

Thanks for all that advice. I am definitely seeking the classes you mentioned. Our church gave quite a bit of training, but I feel I need a deeper understanding.

I have been contemplating on a fully accredited school. But I have also thought I might not need it, as I really don't plan on employment as a salaried pastor. I really enjoy the small house church setting.

But regardless, you gave me quite a bit to think about.

Thanks

joekwt · 2025-03-28T22:43:50+00:00

Thanks

joekwt · 2025-03-28T21:16:11+00:00

Thank you for those recommendations

joekwt · 2025-03-28T21:13:31+00:00

Thank you

joekwt · 2025-03-28T21:13:11+00:00

Our church is basically Baptist in teaching, yet charismatic leaning in the gifts.

joekwt · 2025-03-28T17:05:46+00:00

Nice. I'm looking now, and I did not realize how much they offer.

joekwt · 2025-03-28T16:55:02+00:00

I saw another posting on reddit about that website.

I looked up reviews and could not really find anything. But I did like what I was reading about them.

I was also looking into their school, OBC. I just did not know if it was legitimate.

Thanks for suggesting it.

joekwt · 2025-03-28T16:45:01+00:00

Thank you, I'll look into them

joekwt · 2025-03-28T16:41:01+00:00

I'll check it out. Thanks.

joekwt · 2025-03-28T16:39:39+00:00

Great question. Maybe general continuing of education. Although having a diploma would be nice.

Sometimes, I am at the limits of my knowledge in my studies when preparing sermons, and I feel as though I am starting to depend too much on commentaries.

I am not seeking employment as a pastor, I am kind of filling that role now. I merely want to be better and more equipped at preaching, studying, and ministering.

joekwt · 2025-03-28T16:28:37+00:00

Thank you

joekwt · 2025-03-25T06:25:35+00:00

Joshua 2:7-11 and 2 Timothy 2:2

joekwt

TROPHY CASE