Crazy Love Podcast: The Power of Discipleship | Francis Chan

Episode Date: December 16, 2025
Guest: Francis Chan
Host: Crazy Love Ministries
Main Theme: Rediscovering authentic discipleship—less platform, more life-on-life transformation

Episode Overview

In this rich, heartfelt episode, Francis Chan shares what true discipleship really looks like, drawing both from biblical insight and decades of personal experience. Chan argues that real impact is not found in gaining a large following or “going viral,” but in becoming someone worth following—someone who genuinely reflects Jesus.

He unpacks the often-overlooked power of mentorship, vulnerability, and multigenerational relationships, discussing why our culture’s fixation on popularity is stunting Kingdom growth. Francis shares moving stories from his own life, issues a compelling challenge to both young and old listeners, and reinstates the beauty of humble, relational disciple-making in the church.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discipleship > Celebrity Christianity

• Discipleship is not about numbers or spectacle
  • Instead of focusing on mega events, Francis urges listeners to invest deeply in a few (00:34–01:35).
• The temptation of flash and fame
  • Today's culture celebrates online influence and platform-building, but it rarely produces genuine life change (00:49–01:35, 10:03–10:54).

“It’s a lot easier to make a video than it is to make a disciple.” — Francis Chan [10:03]

2. Personal Stories of Life-Changing Discipleship

• Francis’ own journey of being discipled
  • Youth pastor Stan Lubeck changed his life through persistent, intimate mentorship—meeting every week for years (01:00–02:54).
  • Stan, though little-known, remains faithful and fruit-bearing 45 years later.

“His name is Stan Lubeck. You’ve never heard of him… but you wouldn't have… He got the job done and survived.” — Francis Chan [01:53]

• Hospitality as discipleship: The impact of Mike and Vicky Otto
  • After high school, a newlywed couple took Francis in, transforming his understanding of family and love (02:54–04:08).
  • This practice inspired Francis and his wife to open their own home for decades, impacting over 50 people—whose ripple effects continue multiplying (04:43–05:24).

3. Living Out Discipleship: Deep Community, Not Occasional Meetings

• Discipleship means vulnerability and real-life access
  • Letting people into your home, rhythms, and struggles is at the core (05:24–06:48).
• A vision for communal living: Chan describes his current, open, multi-family housing situation as “the best living situation ever... nonstop community, nonstop evangelism.” [05:48–06:56]

“When my wife and I look back… the people I really impacted were the people that lived with me.” — Francis Chan [07:07]

4. ‘Imitate Me As I Imitate Christ’: Biblically-Grounded Discipleship

• Deep impact over broad influence:
  • Referencing 1 Cor 11:1, Chan stresses that discipleship flows from actually modeling Christ—letting others closely observe your real life (08:00–09:40).
• Our primary goal is to look more like Jesus, year after year.
  • Francis asks: “Are you more like Jesus than you were last year?” (00:05, 09:40–10:03)

5. The Generation Gap & Multigenerational Faithfulness

• Older leaders must invest in the next generation.
  • Drawing from Numbers 8:23–26, Chan highlights the biblical pattern of older leaders stepping out of the spotlight to “guard” and empower younger ones (20:21–24:00).
• The Ron Wilson example:
  • Francis recounts how Ron Wilson supported him as a young church planter—not by dominating, but by counseling and backing him up (25:19–26:31).
  • Ron’s selfless wisdom: He accepted a staff role only after Francis promised to fire him when he was no longer the best man for the job—for the good of God’s kingdom, not out of loyalty (36:27–38:53).

6. Overcoming Cultural Obstacles

• Today’s focus on success and achievement is misplaced.
  • The church too often values charisma, “bigness,” and reputation over true godly character (13:15–15:55; 20:07–20:21).
• Younger leaders need mentorship, not isolation.
  • Both generations must humble themselves: older saints stepping back to empower, and younger leaders seeking guidance and accountability (28:42–36:10, 48:52–50:00).

7. Practical Applications and Final Challenges

• Are you building your brand… or lighting other candles?
  • Francis uses the metaphor of passing a flame: our goal is not for people to look at us, but for us to ignite lasting light in others (30:00–31:33).
• If you feel unqualified, or if your home/family isn’t ‘ready’—it’s not too late.
  • The Holy Spirit can bring real transformation at any stage. Vulnerability and humility are required (45:48–48:52).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Do I want to reproduce myself?” — Francis Chan [13:48]
• “If the whole youth group was just like you, what would our youth group be like?” — Advice from Stan Lubeck, Francis’ youth pastor [16:29]
• “We have to exemplify this to the next generation … not just talk about it, preach it, but you have to make disciples, let people into your life.” — Francis Chan [07:32]
• “Too many guys my age are like, ‘look at me, look at me.’ And it’s like, no, you should be making disciples. You should be guarding the next generation.” [30:45]
• “Some of the pastors are the most stressed out, anxious, insecure… you name it. And then you’re the leader. Follow my example!” [15:59]
• “If you leave us alone, we’re going to blow it. Would you please walk alongside of me?” — Francis Chan on what the younger generation should be saying to older leaders [50:00]
• “As parents, we gotta kill that whole notion of, I want my kids to hold on to my faith. No, you want them to go way beyond your faith… It’s that Elijah to Elisha: ‘I want a double portion.’” [45:48–46:11]

Important Timestamps

• 00:34–01:35: Chan describes his youth pastor’s example of discipleship
• 02:54–04:08: The Ottos’ hospitality & its generational impact
• 05:48–06:56: Current communal discipleship living situation
• 08:00–09:40: Scriptural foundation—’Imitate me as I imitate Christ’
• 13:15–15:55: Dangers of ambition and misplaced focus in church culture
• 20:21–24:00: Numbers 8—biblical model of elder mentorship
• 25:19–26:31: How Ron Wilson supported Francis as a young leader
• 36:27–38:53: Ron Wilson’s “promise to fire,” putting the kingdom first
• 48:52–50:00: Both generations need humility and each other
• 45:48–46:11: Call for generational growth—“double portion” mentality

Conclusion: A Call to Real Discipleship

Francis Chan closes with a passionate exhortation for the church to abandon the race for celebrity and reclaim the quiet, powerful way of Jesus: making disciples by inviting others into our actual lives, being worthy imitators, and building up the next generation. He reminds listeners that transformation is always possible through the Holy Spirit, and that both young and old must walk together in humility for the sake of Christ’s bride.

For more resources or to connect with Crazy Love Ministries, visit crazylove.org.