Building Blocks For Discipleship

Northshore Christian Church

Speaker: Nick Steinloski, Executive Pastor of Ministries This message focuses on Deuteronomy 6 and its teachings on discipleship. The speaker highlights the importance of the "Shema," a prayer that remains central to Jewish practice, recited twice daily. Within Deuteronomy 6:1–6, Moses presents foundational principles for discipleship, emphasizing the need to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength. The sermon outlines three key areas for cultivating discipleship: personal spiritual growth, family investment, and active participation in the faith community. The speaker identifies a "discipleship crisis" in America, citing research that reveals alarming trends of young people abandoning their faith, often as early as age 13. Factors contributing to this include a lack of personal ownership of faith and diminished connection to the church. This crisis prompts a call to action for individuals, families, and faith communities to prioritize discipleship. The speaker underscores that these efforts must begin with personal reflection and commitment, as love for God serves as the central bond uniting all aspects of discipleship. The urgency of addressing this issue is clear, with practical strategies offered to strengthen relationships with God, nurture faith within families, and build supportive, thriving faith communities that equip the next generation to remain steadfast in their beliefs.