Relational Discipleship Network

Relational Discipleship Network Shift your church to one that makes disciples of Jesus through coaching, training and equipping

The Relational Discipleship Network (RDN) is a missions organization. Our mission is to restore The Great Commission to the Church in America and beyond. The RDN stands as a dynamic faith-based missions organization committed to equipping churches and leaders to fulfill the Great Commission through relational disciple-making. Rooted in the belief that Jesus provided the most effective model for di

scipleship, RDN empowers pastors and church communities to cultivate cultures where discipleship is not just taught—but lived. (Matthew 28:16-20)

A Mission to our Jerusalem, first and foremost! The RDN is a Missions organization focused on our Jerusalem, reaching the American Church! When we forget to look after what we have right in front of us, it can be hard to tell that things are beginning to die. As many of our RDN partner churches have realized, neglecting our mission to make disciples in our home, church, and community comes at a high cost. If we continue to do what we have always done, we will get what we already have! It is our heart to come alongside the American Church and help her regain her first and only commission, to make Disciples as Jesus did.

09/06/2026

What happens when a church intentionally invests in people?

Recently, Real Life Texas equipped approximately 300 volunteers through LiferLead, a training experience designed to help people grow in leadership, service, and ministry impact.

We often say healthy churches aren't built by a handful of people doing everything.
They're built when leaders intentionally identify, equip, and release others to step into the gifts and calling God has placed on their lives.

That's what excites us most about this story.
Not the size of the event.
Not the number of volunteers.
The commitment to developing people.
Every volunteer represents someone being invested in.
Someone growing in confidence.
Someone discovering how God can use them.
Someone being equipped to serve others and help make disciples.

Leadership development isn't just for pastors and staff members. A healthy disciple-making culture equips everyday people to use their gifts, influence others, and participate in what God is doing.

Congratulations to the team Real Life Texas on this incredible milestone. We're grateful for churches that continue investing in people and creating environments where disciple-making and leadership development can flourish.

Healthy churches don't just fill volunteer positions.
They develop people.
That's what makes this worth celebrating.

Every disciple-maker should ask hard questions regularly.Not because disciple-making starts with a strategy.Because disc...
09/04/2026

Every disciple-maker should ask hard questions regularly.

Not because disciple-making starts with a strategy.

Because disciple-making requires humility.

Humility allows us to invite God to search our hearts before we focus on changing someone else's.

Am I living what I'm teaching?

If discipleship is multiplication, what parts of my life would I prefer not to reproduce?

Who am I investing in, and am I pointing them to Jesus or to myself?

How can I partner with God in what He is already doing in their life?

One of the greatest dangers in disciple-making is assuming that growth is primarily needed "out there."

Healthy disciple-makers remain teachable.

They invite God to continue shaping their character, priorities, motivations, and relationships.

Because we multiply more than our knowledge.
We multiply our habits.
We multiply our priorities.
We multiply our character.
We multiply who we are.

Humility gives God room to keep transforming us so that what is reproduced in others reflects Him more and more.

The first disciple God wants to shape in your life may be the one staring back at you in the mirror each morning.

Which of these questions challenges you most right now?

09/03/2026

Why did Jesus ask so many questions?

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus consistently asked questions, listened, and engaged with people's stories.

Not because He needed information.
He was modeling something.
He was demonstrating a relational principle about listening, hearing people, and showing genuine care for their story.

In a culture that often rushes to provide answers, Jesus showed us the value of curiosity and understanding.

Relational discipleship begins when people feel known.
It grows when people feel heard.

And it flourishes when we genuinely care enough to understand what God is doing in their lives.

The goal isn't simply to give people answers.
The goal is to help people follow Jesus in the context of authentic relationships.

What's one question that has helped you better understand someone else's story?

This is a clip from our podcast with Brandon Guindon called Intentional Part 1. Go to rdn.org for the full podcast.

The best facilitators aren't usually the ones talking the most. Many small group facilitators feel pressure to have all ...
09/02/2026

The best facilitators aren't usually the ones talking the most.

Many small group facilitators feel pressure to have all the answers, fill every silence, and keep the conversation moving.

But healthy disciple-making environments often look very different.

At RDN, we encourage facilitators to embrace the 80/20 Rule: Facilitators do only 20 percent of the talking while the group does the other 80 percent.

Talk less.
Listen more.
Let God lead.

A facilitator's role isn't to teach every lesson or manufacture transformation. It's to create an environment where people can engage with God's Word, share what He's doing in their lives, and grow together in relationship.

Great facilitators are curious.

They aren't simply asking questions to keep the discussion going. They genuinely want to know the people in the room, understand their stories, and help them process how God is at work in their lives.

Because discipleship is more than transferring information.
It's creating space for people to encounter God, His Word, and one another.
We facilitate.

God teaches.
God leads.
God transforms.

What's one thing you've learned about facilitating meaningful conversations in a group?

09/01/2026

Curriculum doesn't make disciples.

That's not a criticism of curriculum. Good curriculum can be an incredible tool.
But tools aren't the goal.

A Bible study doesn't transform lives simply because people complete the pages. Transformation happens when God's Word is discussed, applied, obeyed, and allowed to take root through the work of the Holy Spirit.

That's why relational discipleship matters.

Curriculum can start a conversation.

Relationships provide the context for accountability, encouragement, and growth.

But ultimately, we don't change people.
God does.
The goal isn't to force an outcome.
The goal is to faithfully create environments where people can encounter God's Word, apply it to their lives, and walk with others as they follow Jesus.

Thank you, Bosse, for sharing your insight on this.

Sunday EncouragementFear often reveals where we are placing (or misplacing) our trust.When fear creeps in, we're often t...
08/31/2026

Sunday Encouragement

Fear often reveals where we are placing (or misplacing) our trust.

When fear creeps in, we're often tempted to look for security in things other than
God:
• Control
• Our own understanding
• Approval from others
• Money
• Comfort
• Busyness
• Avoidance

Yet none of these can give us the peace we're truly looking for.

David points us to a different response:
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."

Notice he doesn't deny his fear. He redirects it and brings it to God.

Instead of allowing fear to drive him, he lets it become a reminder to trust God.

We encourage you to consider: Where are you most tempted to place your trust when life feels uncertain?

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You."
Psalm 56:3

Community Highlight: CyLife Church GroundbreakingWe love celebrating what God is doing through churches in the RDN famil...
08/29/2026

Community Highlight: CyLife Church Groundbreaking

We love celebrating what God is doing through churches in the RDN family.

Recently, CyLife Church broke ground on a new facility, marking an exciting milestone in their journey. But as their team shared, this moment is about much more than a building.

It's the result of years of prayer, faith, generosity, service, and people saying "yes" to God's calling.

More importantly, it's about the people who will be impacted in the years ahead:
• Families who will find community
• People who will meet Jesus
• Disciples who will be made
• Lives that will be transformed

We're grateful for how God is working through the CyLife Church family and excited to see the lasting Kingdom impact that will come from this next chapter.

Please join us in praying for their congregation, leaders, and future ministry opportunities.

08/28/2026

Weekend Listening Highlight
Fear is a natural response to uncertainty, danger, or change. But anxiety can take over when we react to fear rather than respond to it.

In this short clip, licensed professional counselor Phil Herndon shares three practical ways to work through fear:

1. Identify it
2. Explore it
3. Express it

Take a couple of minutes to listen and share your thoughts below.

Which of these three steps is most challenging for you?

08/28/2026

You can't carry everyone.

If you're trying to personally meet every need in your church, you're carrying a weight you were never intended to carry alone.

Healthy churches create cultures where people care for one another, notice when someone is missing, and step in before a crisis occurs.

The goal isn't for one pastor to shepherd everyone.

The goal is for the church to become a community of disciple-makers who help shepherd one another.

Who notices when someone is missing in your church?

🎙️ From our Chasing the Strays podcast (rdn.org).

We're grateful for this encouragement from Phil Herndon, M.A., L.P.C.-M.H.S.P., N.C.C., Clinical Director of Tin Man Min...
08/26/2026

We're grateful for this encouragement from Phil Herndon, M.A., L.P.C.-M.H.S.P., N.C.C., Clinical Director of Tin Man Ministries.

With more than 30 years of experience walking alongside churches and church leaders, Phil Herndon attended our DS Conference. He shared how much he valued the combination of practical disciple-making tools, experiential learning, meaningful discussion, and connection with other leaders committed to the Great Commission.

One part of his testimonial especially stood out:

"The two days are designed around deepening one's heart, mind, and abilities and practical resources that equip leaders to confidently and intentionally develop disciple-makers."

At RDN, our desire is not simply to host events, but to equip leaders for the ongoing work of making disciples through relationships.

We're thankful for leaders like Phil Herndon and the ministry of Tin Man Ministries, and we're honored to be part of helping churches cultivate healthy disciple-making cultures.
What's been one of the most impactful ministry training experiences in your leadership journey?

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