For the Beauty Podcast

Theologian Christos Yannaras declares that Western culture rests on the foundation of seeking truth as the highest goal. We see this among theologians and philosophers alike, from both pre-Christian and Christian eras, from Aristotle to Augustine. However, the default pursuit of people today is utility, not truth.   How has this affected our lives and our churches?   The impact on our lives and our churches is significant. Embrace theology, which is the highest truth, not utility for your life and ministry. In this session, Chad Harrington inspires and instructs on this topic and unpacks how a theological approach, as opposed to a pragmatic-first approach, can breathe life into your ministry.   Subscribe at https://himpublications.com/subscribe   Chad's books: https://himpublications.com/authors/chad-harrington/

Learn about Jennifer Barnett's book First Freedoms, which can help readers draw close to God through a wholehearted prayer life. For the full review and favorite quotes by Chad Harrington, visit https://himpublications.com/blog/first-freedoms/ Subscribe to HIM Publications: https://himpublications.com/subscribe

Listen as Chad Harrington speaks about the "Great Commission" of John's Gospel, and the direction it offers for the church today in order to make her effective at evangelism. To read our corresponding blog post, visit https://himpublications.com/blog/great-commission-gospel-john/ Subscribe to HIM Publications: https://himpublications.com/subscribe

Discover insights on why the gospel matters today from Matthew Bates's book Why the Gospel? For the full review and favorite quotes by Chad Harrington, visit https://himpublications.com/blog/why-the-gospel/ ‎ Subscribe to HIM Publications: https://himpublications.com/subscribe

Read the summary of Chad Harrington's video here: https://himpublications.com/blog/best-childrens-bible/ Subscribe to HIM Publications for weekly discipleship updates delivered to your inbox: https://himpublications.com/subscribe

Chad Harrington shares his thoughts on Karl Payne's book entitled Spiritual Warfare. Listen along to hear Chad's key takeaways and learn some background information about this resource. For the full review and favorite quotes by Chad Harrington, visit https://himpublications.com/blog/spiritual-warfare-karl-payne/ Subscribe to HIM Publications: https://himpublications.com/subscribe

The following audio is taken from Chad Harrington's breakout session at the 2023 Renew gathering in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this breakout session, Chad talks about how to effectively create an in-house ministry training program for leaders in your church. Subscribe to HIM Publications here: himpublications.com/subscribe. View the classes Chad teaches through his church's in-house training program here: himpublications.com/courses.

Learn more about Chad Harrington and Jim Putman's book, The Revolutionary Disciple, here.

Chad Harrington explains "the means of grace" with two analogies: an oasis in the desert and for the second ... get ready for some Sci-Fi theology.

Publisher Chad Harrington interviews Georgia pastor Jason Poor on how he used The Discipleship Gospel Workbook by Ben Sobels and Bill Hull to disciple others. Hear why he uses this, how he uses it, and what success he's seen using it as a disciple-making tool. About 16 minutes in, Jason drops a truth bomb. It's a powerful disciple-making question he's learned to ask people. Get The Discipleship Gospel Workbook here: himpublications.com/product/the-discipleship-gospel-workbook

How can we lead our churches through seasons of prayer and fasting? As the Holy Spirit guides us, we can use resources as tools. Listen to the audio from a live webinar featuring Dave Clayton with Chad Harrington as a host (links to read and watch below). Learn more and purchase the resources mentioned in this podcast here: himpublications.com/books/awaken-resources Watch this or read the summary on our blog:  himpublications.com/blog/prayer-and-fasting-how-to Subscribe to HIM Publications's email list here: himpublications.com/subscribe

Parents struggle with discipleship at home, but focusing on the heart helps. Listen to the message by Bobby and Chad Harrington, which they preached together at the GO Conference in Toronto, Canada, in 2019.  Subscribe to HIM Publications to get content like this delivered to your inbox: https://himpublications.com/subscribe/ Buy Dedicated: Training Your Children to Trust and Follow Jesus here: http://himpublications.com/product/dedicated

Learn the importance of “Alignment Before Achievement“ in your spiritual formation journey. Chad Harrington takes a look at the meaning of “David … a man after God’s own heart” and what this looks like at three important moments in David’s life. Go deeper into spiritual formation like this through Chad’s video course on Spiritual Formation, and it’s available at no charge. Check it out and register here.

Brian Molitor, author of Mentoring Moments, shares with us vital advice for parents and mentors. As a parent myself, I was deeply encouraged by Brian’s perspective. He encourages parents to intentionally mentor, gives four pieces of advice that have the potential to change the trajectory of your young person’s life, and he articulates the difference between independence, codependence, and interdependence—pointing the way toward healthy interdependence as the best option. No matter where you’re at in your journey as a mentor, be encouraged and equipped. Learn more about Brian’s book Mentoring Moments: Life Lessons for the Next Generation here. Subscribe to HIM Publications here.

How are the spiritual disciplines of service, submission, and confession connected? They converge based on humility. Humble people serve and submit; they also confess when they’ve done wrong. As we seek to become like Jesus, these practices not only display humility but also cultivate humility—as God’s works in us to will and act according to his good pleasure in these ways.   We’re usually decent at serving those around us, but what those far? What about the poor? Let's find Christ among the poor by looking at Matthew 25, and discuss what this looks like, especially for Americans today. We’re called to submit to, even obey, those in authority. What authorities are we to submit to based on Scripture? And what does it look like to submit to them according to biblical teaching? Then, confession. Confession to God is must, but what about confessing our sins to one another? Learn about what the grace of God poured out through the spiritual discipline of confession looks like as we anchor our understanding in James 5 and 1 John 1.   Request the class notes and worksheets by emailing us. Find our contact info at himpublications.com/about.

Fasting is not a burden but a gift to be received—something we get to do, not have to do. In this class session, I make the case for fasting primarily as a means to connect with God to show him our desperation. Hear the story of how I fasted at age 6 without giving my family warning, but more importantly what the Bible says about fasting. We take a high-level view of fasting as we survey the Old Testament examples, asking the question: What purpose for fasting ties all these together? Esther, Elijah, Moses, David, and the nation of Israel as a whole. But the main focus is on the life and teachings of Jesus about fasting.   Learning to fast can lead to breakthroughs unlike anything else in your relationship with God. Jesus did it, and as his disciples, we can do it too. Learn why fasting is important, what it does, and how to do it in today’s class session.   Recommended HIM Publications resource: Revival Starts Here: A Short Conversation on Prayer, Fasting, and Revival for Beginners Like Me by Dave Clayton.   Request the class notes and downloads by emailing us. Find our contact info at himpublications.com/about.

Understand the Lord’s Prayer as a framework for daily prayer to help you connect with God. This starts with understanding the primary purpose of prayer as union, not utility. Then, we must be honest about what holds us back from prayer, and then authentically ask, "Why pray?" But the main bulk of today's lesson is the meaning of each line of the Lord's Prayer. What does "hallowed" mean? What is the kingdom of God? Why are we praying to not be led into temptation if God would never do that anyway? And how does it all fit together as a cohesive whole? This session is intended to give you a deep understanding of the Lord's Prayer so you can use it meaningfully as a framework for daily prayer.   Download the printable format of the Our Father Prayer translation used in the episode: himpublications.com/product/our-father-prayer   Request the class notes and downloads by emailing us. Find our contact info at himpublications.com/about.

Do you want to experience a rich relationship with God through his Word? It’s not always easy. Identify with the greatest barriers that keep us away from Scripture, learn how to go deep into God’s Word over the long haul journey of your life, and be encouraged through a biblical theology of the Word. This class session includes practical steps, guides, and resources that will help you take the next right step toward God through his Word. Request the class notes and downloads by emailing us. Find our contact info at himpublications.com/about. Subscribe to HIM Publications's blog here to weekly receive content like this in your inbox.

Should we obey "the Sabbath" as Christians? If so, what is different for us? What does the Bible say about this in the Old Testament and in the New? How exactly does Jesus handle it? And if we should obey it, what does that look like practically speaking? We cover all this and more in this episode.   Request the class notes and downloads by emailing us. Find our contact info at himpublications.com/about.

Dave Clayton shares the Awaken Nashville story, including how they used prayer and fasting books to equip over 700 churches with tens of thousands of people to pray and fast for revival in Nashville and beyond. Dave shares the story of how this all happened—from the beginning. Dave also shares his single greatest challenge as a leader, how God has changed churches in Nashville, and what God did in one man’s life that changed the trajectory of his family.   Learn more about the prayer and fasting books Dave references at himpublications.com/awaken.

This is class three of eight in our spiritual formation mini-series. Today, we enter into the disciplines themselves with Solitude and Silence, the primal “disciplines of abstinence.” In this class, Chad Harrington casts a vision for the importance of these disciplines, their benefits, common barriers, and practical guidance on how to make these disciplines an essential part of your spiritual formation journey. Get access to the class materials by going to himpublications.com/about and look for our contact info there.

This is class two of a mini-series on spiritual formation. Today we cover the importance of starting with your primary desire in life. Then, we get into the greatest barriers in your spiritual formation journey. And we look at how spiritual formation works in terms of God’s part, our part, and their part, which is other people’s role. If you want to get access to the class materials, go to himpublications.com/about for our contact info.

This is class session one of a mini-series on spiritual formation. It’s being recorded live at Harpeth Christian Church. You can join this course in audio format. If you want to get access to the class materials, go to himpublications.com/about for our contact info. We can send you class notes, downloads, and other materials to go with this course so you can join along. Enjoy!

One massive area of discipleship is learning how to handle conflict and seek reconciliation. The story of Jacob and Esau offers an excellent example of reconciliation from a relationship that had been filled with rivalry, hurt, and pain. With all the conflict in our world today, what does God's Word say about finding healing?    The story of Jacob and Esau provides a reliable guide.   As you listen to today's podcast you'll  Understand the key lesson we can learn from the story of Jacob and Esau Gain insight into how the world gets the narrative “flipped” Walk away with a practical tool for walking into any conflict Subscribe to our blog to get regular updates on our content here.

Today we're featuring a sermon preached by Chad Harrington on July 19, 2020, at Harpeth Christian Church. You can read this sermon in text form at himpublications.com/podcast/abraham-isaac/. Subscribe to the HIM Publications blog for more content like this here. 

“Disciple.” We know that word and what a disciple is, but understanding how to disciple others—how to live the life of a disciple-maker—can be confusing. It is a great challenge to lead and disciple someone, especially if we question whether we have been discipled ourselves. Brandon Guindon, author of Disciple-Making Culture, shares of the joy that comes when disciples make more disciples and when the culture of disciple-making grows and grows, just as Jesus intended it to. Brandon encourages us all to take heart because Jesus showed us the way, and Jesus invites us along in the mission of making disciples. No matter who you are or your experience with making disciples, you can be a part of disciple-making culture. You can become a disciple who makes disciples who then goes out to make more disciples. In this episode, which is the last in this five-part series, you’ll find: Stories of perseverance and transformation Glimpses into the fruit of disciple-making culture Testaments to the joy and celebration of seeing disciples grow Reasons to keep fighting for disciple-making culture in our homes Solace in the fact that a lot of people don’t quite know how to disciple (yet) A call to join with God in creating a disciple-making culture wherever you are

We are used to culture being something rarely thought about, something that goes unnoticed. But a culture of disciple-making doesn’t come easy. It’s a culture formed by people who are willing to fight for relationship, get on their knees in prayer, and strive to grow both spiritually and relationally. Jesus showed us the power of disciple-making culture. Are we willing to lean on him and live out that culture? Brandon Guindon, author of Disciple-Making Culture, speaks about the barriers we can face while living out a culture of making disciples. He shares how he’s learned to overcome the barriers and pursue Christ above all. In this episode, which is part four of a five-part series, you’ll find: Three barriers faced in shifting to a disciple-making culture Encouragement to leave busyness behind How disciple-making culture can be counter to American culture A reminder that we are taking part in a spiritual battle That Jesus modeled his dependence on God Motivation to lean into the Holy Spirit

Relationships within the church can be challenging. We are called to be unified, but often that call to unity can be difficult to navigate. Do we truly live out the culture that we believe in? Do we fight for our relationships and actively take part in the mission of Christ? Brandon Guindon, author of Disciple-Making Culture, tells of how we, as Jesus’ church, can respond in a unified way to the call of disciple-making. He points us all back to biblical disciple-making culture, and he encourages us to be in real relationship with one another as we live out our calling as disciple-makers. In this episode, which is part three of a five-part series, you’ll find: The challenges of cultivating disciple-making culture among church staff Advice for church leaders about being unified Metrics for measuring a disciple-making culture How to promote culture from within the church body Encouragement to participate in the culture-building process The power of living like disciples of Jesus What an identity of disciple-making looks like Why it’s important to protect, live out, and defend culture

Stories connect us to each other. They offer a glimpse into one another’s way of seeing the world. What happens when we realize that we are all taking part in the same narrative, that we are all already connected? In this episode, part two of five in a special mini-series on disciple-making culture, author Brandon Guindon shares some of the stories he has gained throughout his years of ministry. He also shares his heart as he tells of the struggles and challenges in his own life and the power of being surrounded by a culture built upon making disciples who live and love and act like Jesus. If believers and disciples of Christ will cultivate and live out the culture that Jesus founded, the natural effect will be a disciple-making culture with the power to renew and strengthen the effect of Jesus’ gospel throughout the world. In this episode, which is part two of a five-part series, you’ll find: Stories of disciples caring for one another That we find growth even in hardship People making a difference by letting God lead them Glimpses into the effects of disciple-making culture How we can love people right where they’re at The secret to culture is community Growth as the byproduct of culture

It’s easy to want our churches to grow. It’s easy to want more people to know and love Jesus. It’s only that we often find it difficult to actually do the work of making disciples. Where might we start? What are we supposed to do as a Christian to live out Jesus’ calling? We know that ministry can take many forms—all the while, the goal remains the same: make disciples of Jesus. In this episode, author Brandon Guindon takes you through what a disciple-making culture looks like and how you as a follower and disciple of Christ can cultivate such a culture right where you are. As followers of Christ, we are called to live out disciple-making the way Jesus did. Let’s recognize how Jesus changed the world through culture and continue in the effort to cultivate a thriving, world-changing culture that produces disciples who can then go out and make more disciples. In this episode, which is part one of a five-part series, you’ll find: What a disciple-making culture really is—and what it’s not Jesus’ timeless growth model Our call to imitate Jesus in sharing the gospel The scriptural truths behind disciple-making culture How you can equip disciple-makers What cultivating “connectedness” looks like today The background behind Brandon Guindon’s book Disciple-Making Culture

John Mark Hicks experienced great suffering when he lost his wife early in life. He wrote Anchors for the Soul as an articulation of his grief, suffering—and questions to God. Where is God during the suffering? Does he hear us? Does he care? Listen to this audiobook introduction narrated by the author, and order your copy of Anchors for the Soul at HIM Publications. 

Dave Clayton wrote Revival Starts Here to help spark a moment in Nashville with something called "Awaken Nashville." During this month-long prayer initiative, over 400 churches in Nashville prayed and fasted together. They used Revival Starts Here as a guide for how to pray and fast for revival. Order the full book here: Revival Starts Here at HIM Publications.