- 13
- Episodes
- Monthly
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About Deep Discipleship Podcast
The Deep Discipleship Podcast equips youth pastors and ministry leaders with practical tools, real stories, and biblical insights to build a culture of lasting discipleship. From curriculum tips to mission trip strategies, each episode helps you lead with purpose and build discipleship culture. Powered by LeaderTreks Youth Ministry.
- Publisher
- Deep Discipleship
- Category
- religion & spirituality
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 27 Jun 2025
- Latest episode
- 10 Sept 2026
Latest episodes
13 episodes in the feed.
10 Sept 2026
EP 13 | Speaking to Students
Speaking to students isn’t just about having something to say—it’s about communicating God’s Word in a way that actually gets through to them.In Episode 13 of the Deep Discipleship Podcast, Doug Franklin sits down with speaker and pastor Chad Poe to discuss what it takes to communicate biblical truth effectively to teenagers.How do you keep students engaged without making the message about you? How do you make Scripture compelling without sacrificing truth? And how do you move students beyond simply hearing a message toward real transformation?Chad shares lessons learned from years of preaching to students at camps, churches, and events across the country.In this episode, you’ll discover:• How to build a message around one clear, memorable idea• Why being clear matters more than being clever• How to use stories, emotion, tension, and humor effectively• Why biblical teaching doesn’t have to be boring• How to help students remember and respond to what you teach• Why authenticity matters when communicating with teenagers• How coaching, feedback, and practice can make you a better communicatorThe goal isn’t simply to get to the end of a message. It’s to get through to people.Whether you’re a youth pastor, small group leader, volunteer, or anyone who regularly opens God’s Word with students, this conversation is packed with practical ideas to help you communicate with greater clarity, purpose, and impact.Start your FREE trial of Deep Discipleship today and discover a year-long strategy designed to help students grow deeper in their faith and become lifelong disciples of Jesus.👉 Start Your Free Trial with Deep Discipleship at: https://deepdiscipleship.com
19 May 2026
EP 12 | Students Lead Bible Study
Youth ministry doesn’t just need more attendees—it needs more student leaders.In Episode 12 of the Deep Discipleship Podcast, Doug and Kellee sit down with Carson Powell from River Christian Church to talk about a powerful leadership model happening inside their ministry.Instead of students simply attending Bible study, high school students are learning the lesson… then turning around and teaching preteens the very next week.They lead games.They lead small groups.They teach the message.They mentor younger students.And the result?A discipleship culture where leadership multiplies.In this episode, you’ll discover:• Why preteen ministry matters more than ever• How to build a student leadership pipeline• Why students learn deeper when they teach• How Deep Discipleship creates reproducible leadership• The importance of giving students leadership opportunities now—not someday• How one church is bridging the gap between kids ministry and student ministryThis conversation is packed with practical ideas and vision for youth pastors who want to move beyond attendance-driven ministry and build a true discipleship culture.Start your FREE trial of Deep Discipleship today and discover a year-long strategy designed to help students grow deeper in their faith and leadership.👉 Start Your Free Trial with Deep Discipleship at: https://deepdiscipleship.com
6 May 2026
EP 11 | The 8 Roots of the Gospel (A Better Way to Disciple Students)
Youth ministry doesn’t need more topics—it needs a stronger foundation.In Episode 11 of the Deep Discipleship Training Podcast, Doug and Eric break down one of the most important frameworks behind Deep Discipleship: The 8 Roots of the Gospel.Too often, youth ministry falls into the “popcorn approach”—jumping from topic to topic and unintentionally leaving gaps in what students actually understand about their faith.This episode shows you a better way.Instead of scattered teaching, the 8 Roots create a clear, repeatable structure that ensures every student builds a complete, grounded faith before they graduate.Inside this episode, you’ll discover:• Why the “popcorn approach” leaves critical gaps in discipleship• The 8 Roots of the Gospel and how they shape every lesson• How to build a year-long discipleship strategy instead of random teaching• Why students need a full-picture understanding of Scripture—not just your favorite topics• How this framework builds confidence for leaders, parents, and church staffThe 8 Roots include:• Rescue• Knowledge• Kingdom• Worship• Identity• Community• Outreach• ApologeticsWhen students understand these, they don’t just attend youth group—they graduate with a faith that lasts.As Doug shares, the goal isn’t more content…it’s no gaps in discipleship.🔑 KEY TAKEAWAY• Clarity beats creativity.• Structure beats randomness.• And discipleship happens best when nothing is left out.🔔 Start Your Free Trial At: https://deepdiscipleship.com/students/#trial
9 Jan 2026
EP 10 | 4 Retreats in Deep Discipleship That Make Your Youth Ministry Thrive
Retreats don’t have to be exhausting, last-minute, or shallow. In this episode of the Deep Discipleship Training Podcast, Doug Franklin and Kellee break down four powerful retreat experiences already built into Deep Discipleship—designed to help your youth ministry grow spiritually, relationally, and strategically.Whether you’re planning a DNow weekend, investing in student leaders, preparing a mission trip team, or training adult volunteers, this episode shows you how to do retreats with purpose—without reinventing the wheel.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How to run a DNow / Winter Retreat with fully done-for-you teaching, media, and small groups• Why the Student Leadership “Inner Armor” Retreat helps students lead from identity, not comparison• How to prepare students for mission trips with biblical depth, not just logistics• A proven way to turn adult volunteer training into a meaningful retreat experience• How Deep Discipleship gives you flexibility—retreat, weekly, or hybrid formatsIf retreats feel overwhelming—or you want them to actually move students deeper in their faith—this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a plan.👉 Start a FREE trial of Deep Discipleship and see how these retreats can transform your ministry: https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
9 Jan 2026
EP 9 | Intentional Programming in Deep Discipleship
Reach. Grow. Go. A simple strategy that changes everything.In this episode of the Deep Discipleship Training Podcast, Doug and Kellee break down one of the most overlooked—but most powerful—parts of youth ministry: intentional programming.Youth pastors don’t fail because they don’t care. They burn out because everything feels scattered. This episode shows how Deep Discipleship provides a clear, biblical, and easy-to-communicate strategy that brings focus to your entire ministry.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How the Reach, Grow, Go framework simplifies your entire youth ministry strategy• Why most ministries feel busy—but still feel stuck• How to clearly communicate your ministry plan to parents, volunteers, and church leadership in under 30 seconds• How intentional programming helps balance outreach, discipleship, and student leadership• Practical ways to train adult volunteers without overwhelming themIf you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything but still questioning the impact—this episode will help you reset with clarity and confidence.👉 Start building a youth ministry that’s intentional, balanced, and deeply discipleship-focused.🎯 Start your free trial of Deep Discipleship today at https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
12 Sept 2025
EP 8 | Student Leadership Made Simple - Deep Discipleship Tools That Work
Welcome to Episode 8 of the Deep Discipleship Podcast! In this episode, Doug Franklin and Kellee dive into student leadership and unpack how Deep Discipleship equips you with tools that actually work. You’ll discover: • Why traditional student leadership teams often fail—and what works instead • How the Leadership Pathway helps students grow step by step • Practical tools like assessments, empathy training, and leadership labs • How to challenge students in the “growth zone” (not comfort or panic) • Ways these same tools can even strengthen your adult volunteers Whether you’re just starting to build student leaders or refining your current approach, this episode gives you clear, actionable steps to develop leaders who will last. 👉 Start your free trial of Deep Discipleship today at: https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
10 Sept 2025
EP 7 | How we make Deep Discipleship
Go behind the scenes with the Deep Discipleship team as Doug, Kellee, and Eric share how many resources are created and why it’s more than just curriculum—it’s a movement. In this episode, you’ll discover: • The driving principles behind Deep Discipleship (definition, pathway, and the 8 Roots of the Gospel) • The 5 key pieces of the Deep Discipleship model (intentional programming, transformational discipleship, relational volunteer team, partnering with parents, and student leadership) • How scope, sequence, and feedback from leaders like you shape every year’s content • Why building culture—not just running programs—creates lasting discipleship impact 🎥 Watch now and see how it all comes together. Start your free trial of Deep Discipleship today and explore the tools to transform your ministry. 👉 Start your free trial at: https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
27 Jun 2025
EP 6 | Unlock Mission Trip Tools Inside Deep Discipleship
Ready to take your youth mission trips from a one-week event to a year-long discipleship journey? In this episode of the Deep Discipleship Training Podcast, Doug and David Franklin unpack the powerful tools built into Deep Discipleship to help you plan, lead, and follow up on impactful student mission trips. You’ll learn: What pre-trip, on-trip, and post-trip resources are included How mission trips can spark long-term spiritual growth Why this approach deepens relationships with students and volunteers And how you can get 2 free adult leaders on your next trip Whether you lead your own trip or join a LeaderTreks team, these tools are designed to catapult your youth ministry forward. 👉 Start your free trial of Deep Discipleship and explore the mission trip tools that build lasting faith at: https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com) Learn more about Mission Trips at: https://www.leadertreks.org/youth-mission-trips (https://www.leadertreks.org/youth-mission-trips) 👉 Schedule a call with David at: https://calendly.com/david-leadertreks (https://calendly.com/david-leadertreks)
27 Jun 2025
EP 5 | This Spiritual Health Tool Will Level Up Your Ministry
In this episode of the Deep Discipleship Training Podcast, Doug Franklin and Kellee Gentry unpack one of the most powerful tools in the Deep Discipleship curriculum—the Spiritual Health Assessment. If you're leading volunteers, mentoring students, or trying to grow spiritually yourself, this conversation will equip you with practical steps for authentic growth. What you'll learn: The 5 principles that define spiritual health (and how to assess them) Why ministry leaders must dwell with God before they serve How to use this assessment with your volunteers or staff team A powerful quote that reframes what God values most in your leadership This isn’t just about spiritual checkboxes—this is about leading from the inside out. 👉 Start your free trial of Deep Discipleship and get access to the Spiritual Health Assessment tool and more at: https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
27 Jun 2025
EP 4 | How Deep Discipleship Year 4 Equips Adults + Parents
Discover how Deep Discipleship Year 4 is expanding beyond students to equip the entire church—adults and parents included. In this episode, Doug Franklin and Eric Ballard dive into the powerful new addition of Adult + Parent Lessons and why it’s a game-changer for discipleship at home and across generations. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why discipling parents is essential—not optional What’s included in the Adult + Parent Lessons (and how easy they are to lead) How these tools equip families to have natural, spiritual conversations at home Why senior pastors are now asking for Deep Discipleship, too How the whole church can walk through the 8 Roots of the Gospel together 🎯 Whether you're leading students, parents, or your entire congregation—this episode will show you how to bring alignment, simplicity, and impact to your discipleship strategy. 👉 Start your free trial at https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
27 Jun 2025
EP 3 | Deep Discipleship + Camp Kit = Built for Real Change
What if summer camp wasn’t just fun—but spiritually transformational?In this episode of the Deep Discipleship Podcast, Doug Franklin and Eric Ballard dive into Built Different, a completely free summer camp kit created to help youth pastors lead with purpose and ease. More than a curriculum, this resource is packed with everything you need—large group lessons, small group sessions, breakout options, rec games, late-night activities, editable forms, and more.💬 Hear how Built Different helps students discover their identity in Christ, understand grace, and live out their faith. Whether you're a veteran youth worker or planning your first camp, this kit is designed to lighten the load and deepen the impact.📥 Download the FREE Summer Camp Kit at: https://deepdiscipleship.com/summer-camp (https://deepdiscipleship.com/summer-camp)No credit card. No catch. Just everything you need to build a camp that changes lives.
27 Jun 2025
EP 2 | Inside The Discipleship Pathway
Inside The Discipleship Pathway | Deep Discipleship Podcast Most youth ministries have students stuck at the starting line of faith—unsure how to grow or walk in obedience. In this episode, we break down the Discipleship Pathway, a 5-step tool designed to move students from conversion to committed discipleship. 🔍 Here's what you'll learn: Why so many students stay stuck—and how to help them move forward The 5 clear steps to making disciples (not just teaching Bible lessons) How to train volunteers who may have never been discipled themselves Why the Discipleship Pathway is woven into every Deep Discipleship lesson How Jesus modeled these same steps with His followers 🎯 Whether you're a youth pastor, preteen leader, or volunteer, this episode will give you practical tools to build a true discipleship culture. 👉 Start your free trial of Deep Discipleship and get access to the full curriculum: https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
27 Jun 2025
EP 1 | Building a Discipleship Culture
What does it actually take to build a discipleship culture in your youth ministry—not just run programs? In this episode, Doug Franklin and Kellee Gentry unpack the heart behind the Deep Discipleship curriculum and why so many youth ministries struggle to go beyond surface-level activity.🔍 Inside this episode: Why “hanging out” isn’t the same as making disciples The one thing you must have for real discipleship How to turn volunteers into disciple-makers A breakdown of the Deep Discipleship strategy (and why it works) Why discipleship works in both large and small churches Want to grow students who are rooted in God’s Word and living on mission? Start with a tool designed to help you build a real discipleship culture. 👉 Start your free trial of Deep Discipleship and get access to the full curriculum: https://deepdiscipleship.com (https://deepdiscipleship.com)
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