FORMED: Disciplemaking Environment
Podcast Recording Show Notes
Scott Sullivan and Matthew Gibbs
April 9, 2026

Scott Sullivan and Matthew Gibbs discussed the second element of FORMED: A Discipleship Culture Blueprint, focusing on disciple-making environments. They explored four key components using a concrete metaphor: water (Holy Spirit), sand (small groups), gravel (micro groups), and cement (personal one-on-one time with God). Matthew shared insights from Second Baptist Church in Warner Robbins, Georgia emphasizing the importance of connecting people through multiple environments rather than relying on just one. They discussed the danger of churches focusing solely on large group assemblies without intentional discipleship pathways. The conversation covered practical tips for aligning different environments, including creating intentional processes, recruiting and training leaders, and defining what biblical discipleship means. They concluded by highlighting the critical importance of pastors maintaining a strong personal walk with God and leading by example in discipleship.

Discipleship Culture Blueprint Presentation

Scott presented the second element of their Discipleship Culture Blueprint, focusing on Disciplemaking Environments. He explained that discipleship doesn't happen by accident and requires intentional environments, using concrete as an analogy with water (Holy Spirit), sand (small groups), gravel (micro groups), and cement (personal one-on-one time with God) as essential components. Scott emphasized that while many churches focus on programs and systems, the key is to create environments where people can grow spiritually through relationships and community.

Multi-Level Discipleship Environments

Scott discussed the importance of trust and personal relationships in transformation, using concrete illustrations like cement to represent a personal walk with God. He emphasized that Jesus modeled multiple discipleship environments, including large groups, small groups, micro groups, and one-on-one time with God. Scott highlighted a gap in many churches that rely on only one or two environments for discipleship and stressed the need for connecting people across multiple levels to facilitate greater life change.

Church Discipleship Engagement Strategies

Matthew discussed how church members often value what is most accessible or central to them, noting that at Second Church, about 30% of members primarily attend large gatherings. He emphasized the importance of intentionally guiding people into smaller groups and discipleship environments to move them beyond just attending services. Matthew highlighted the difference between stated values and actual practices, using Second Baptist Church's mission to help people find and follow Jesus as an example. Scott shared an illustration about people "sniffing" a meal rather than fully engaging, emphasizing the need for integrated discipleship environments that foster genuine growth and collaboration.

Intentional Discipleship Process Development

Matthew and Scott discussed the importance of intentional discipleship processes rather than relying on assumptions. Matthew emphasized that programs should form people through a connected system rather than just filling calendars, suggesting a pathway from visitor to member to growing disciple to leader and multiplier. He recommended mapping out current processes to identify gaps and redundancies, then developing a plan to address these issues over the next 30-90 days.

Ministry Environment Alignment Discussion

Matthew and Scott discussed the importance of aligning ministry environments to produce multiplying disciples rather than maintaining existing programs. Matthew emphasized that intentional, regularly evaluated environments are more likely to produce growth and multiplication, using a yard maintenance analogy to illustrate the point. They agreed on a definition of discipleship as a lifelong process where individuals mature in faith and multiply their experience. The conversation concluded with Scott asking about the importance of leadership pipelines for sustainability.

Ministry Leadership Development Strategy

Matthew discussed the importance of new leaders for ministry growth, outlining a process for recruiting, training, and developing leaders with the end goal of starting new groups within 18-24 months. He emphasized that pastors must lead by example in their personal walks with God and make disciple-making a regular part of their lives. Scott highlighted the principle that personal ministry should never outpace private devotion, and both agreed on the critical role of intentional environments and cultures in making disciples who multiply.