Passionate about helping people grow in their faith, Ministers Benjamin and Shermara Hoyte have chosen to be relational, not transactional.

The couple provide a safe space for people to voice questions and doubt and even open up about past trauma.

Shermara and Benjamin believe in discipleship across differences, whether intergenerational or interdenominational. Unity is not uniformity.

Despite their vast experience in the field, they recognise the importance of being discipled while discipling others. It’s not a one-way street.

‘Newcomers teach us to be authentic,’ says Benjamin. ‘Discipleship is messy,’ Shermara adds. It takes time and patience. ‘Leaders,’ Benjamin concludes, need to ‘get dirty with the sheep.’

Hear all about Discipleship through relationships …

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Introducing Benjamin and Shermara Hoyte
• (02:08) - Walking alongside people – effective discipleship
• (03:40) - Are we leading from wounds or scars?
• (05:10) - Availability is key for discipleship
• (07:15) - A New Thing - church for creatives in Shoreditch
• (09:00) - How to disciple across generations
• (12:35) - The Exchange – an space for questions
• (16:25) - Whole-church discipleship and unity
• (18:20) - Discipleship across denominations
• (20:20) - Knowledge being outworked in discipleship and fellowship
• (24:40) - Devotion and revelation
• (27:55) - Final advice and encouragement for leaders

Rooted:
Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.

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Disclaimer:

This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.

City Church Cardiff recognised that Sunday sermons weren’t enough. People in the pews wanted to study the Bible for spiritual growth.

Discipleship pastor David describes how the church developed communal Bible-reading plans to meet the need. Sure enough, Bible groups started to form, in-person and online.

Interactive daily Bible encounters have since become the new normal. People of all ages are getting stuck into the Bible and sharing lessons learnt. Accountability and mutual support are key. No-one is left out.

Youth worker Keren, meanwhile, says teenagers are confused by cultural relativism and individualism. She’s found that the recent surge in young people people’s interest in the Bible comes from a deep desire to tell right from wrong.

Andrew’s Bible reflection on Acts 2.42 revolves around the centrality of Scripture in the early church. Teaching the Bible, Andrew finds, is not an accessory but the engine of discipleship for the church.

Listen to how a Bible based community can change lives for good.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Introducing City Church Cardiff
• (01:55) - Deliberate Bible engagement
• (03:00) - YouVersion Bible plans in community
• (04:10) - Sharing the Bible on a Sunday
• (05:25) - Encouraging regular Bible engagement
• (06:55) - Making accountability about encouragement
• (08:30) - Preaching strategy
• (10:00) - How the Bible changes our lives
• (11:00) - Practical tips for church leaders
• (13:45) - Raising Bible confidence in teenagers
• (15:50) - The outworking of the gospel in teenagers
• (17:15) - Staying hungry for the word
• (19:05) - High-bar discipleship among Gen-Z
• (20:50) - Cultivating hunger for the Bible
• (22:30) - Encouraging conversation around the Bible
• (24:15) - A reflection on Acts 4: turning interest into discipleship

Rooted:
Rooted is our devotional journal that helps make the Bible available to everyone, everywhere. Every other month, you’ll receive a new 80-page journal filled with insightful devotionals, thought-provoking prompts, and lots of opportunities to reflect, journal and be creative. Sign up today to receive your first journal for free.

Bible Society socials:

Facebook
Instagram
X (formerly Twitter)

Disclaimer:

This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.

We visited Cirencester Baptist Church to hear from pastors Matt and Caz how bible study is at the heart of their ministry. People are encouraged to make space for the Bible daily, no matter how busy their schedule.

Together they delve into useful resources for navigating and engaging with the Bible, such as The Bible Course, Immerse and The Bible Project.

Questions around faith and the Bible are encouraged in order to deepen their understanding.

Andrew brings a reflection from 2 Kings 22 on rediscovering the centrality of Scripture to faith.

If you want are looking for ways to get your church reading the Bible, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:25) - Helping people apply the Bible to everyday life
• (03:07) - Tools for raising Bible confidence
• (08:45) - Challenges when reading the Bible
• (12:05) - Encouraging questions about the Bible
• (14:20) - Strategy for building Bible confidence across the church
• (17:00) - The importance of biblical context
• (19:00) - Spiritual openness on the internet
• (23:48) - The effect of the Bible on everyday life
• (25:35) - Head confidence in the Church
• (27:40) - Integrating old church members with new seekers
• (33:00) - Andrew Ollerton reflects on 2 Kings 22

The Bible Course New Edition:
This new and improved, free small group resource will help you and your church discover how Bible characters, stories, and themes are connected, from Genesis to Revelation.
Find out more

Bible Society socials:

Facebook
Instagram
X (formerly Twitter)

Disclaimer:

This is a Bible Society podcast, but it’s also a conversation between people exploring the Bible and culture together. We won’t get everything right – and we won’t always agree. Please be patient with us and join us on the journey. Bible Society is very proud of its generous orthodoxy.