Featuring Debra Mcninch, Founder of Battle Cry Moms
Being a Christian in today’s world isn’t always easy. As Debra Mcninch, founder of Battle Cry Moms, jokes, it can sometimes feel like a medicine commercial: we focus on the healing, but we often forget to read the warning label about the side effects. The world can be dark, and the opposition can be real. But as believers, we are called to be a city on a hill—a light that cannot be hidden.
In a recent episode of the 40 Days of Reconciliation podcast, Emmanuel Manishimwe sat down with Debra to demystify one of the most intimidating words in the Christian vocabulary: Discipleship.
If you have ever felt unqualified to disciple others or worried that you need a theology degree to share your faith, this message is for you.
Discipleship is Simpler Than You Think
We often complicate discipleship. We view it as a structured, burdensome program that requires expert knowledge. But Debra offers a liberating definition: “It’s a fancy word that just means to tell somebody about what God is telling you”.
Discipleship isn’t about having a perfect curriculum; it is about “doing life” with someone. It happens when you fold laundry together, do the dishes, or cook supper while sharing how you rely on the Lord to guide you. It is as simple as reading a Bible verse in the morning and saying to a friend, “Hey, I read this today, and I wanted to share it with you”.
You Cannot Give What You Do Not Have
To be a discipler, you must first be a disciple. The cycle of faith works like this: We spend time in His presence, He teaches us, and then we go and tell others.
Debra emphasizes that we cannot rely on past experiences alone. “We leak,” she reminds us. We have holes. We must wake up every morning and ask God to fill us afresh with His Spirit so that we can overflow into the lives of others.
If you want to disciple others effectively:
- Get in the Secret Place: Spend time in the Word and prayer daily.
- Don’t Walk Alone: God is with you to correct and guide you, even when you make mistakes.
- Know the Word: You don’t need a degree, but you need to know Jesus. Spend six months reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) until you can articulate who He is.
Discipleship Starts at Home
The most critical mission field is often under our own roof. Debra challenges parents to “get in the game.” We cannot rely solely on the church to train our children. If a child attends Sunday school once a week, that is only 52 hours of training a year. Who is discipling them during the thousands of other hours? It is the parents’ job to plant seeds.
But discipleship in the family works in all directions:
- Children Discipling Parents: Often, children find the Lord and bring that light home, leading to the salvation of the whole family.
- Wives Discipling Husbands: For wives with unbelieving husbands, Debra advises against nagging. Instead, let them see the change in your life. Your life might be the only Bible they read. Eventually, the kindness of the Lord, displayed through your transformation, leads to repentance.
Overcoming the Fear of “The Experts”
A common lie from the enemy is that witnessing is the job of pastors, evangelists, or “experts”. This is not biblical. The Great Commission was a command for all of us to go and make disciples.
Whether your sphere of influence is a national platform, a local elementary school, or the grocery store, God has placed you there for a purpose. Do not wait for a certificate. As Debra says, “The best training that you can get is just being in the Word… It’s about the Holy Spirit speaking through you”.
When You Face Opposition
When you say “yes” to your calling, expect pushback. Satan does not like it when we step into our purpose. You might face rejection, or people might shut the door on you.
In those moments, remember:
- Prepare in Prayer: Pray over your home, your finances, and the people you will encounter.
- Check Your Perspective: We are not fighting against flesh and blood. The hostility you face is spiritual warfare, not a personal attack.
- Love Anyway: Even if you struggle to like someone, pray for God to give you eyes to see them the way He does—looking at the heart, not the outside.
A Note for Parents of Prodigals
Debra McNinch is the founder of Battle Cry Moms, a prayer movement for parents whose children have taken alternative paths away from the Lord. If you are a parent of a prodigal, Debra wants you to know that you do not have to fret or stress. Instead, stand and believe.
“No one fights alone,” Debra encourages. We stand together, believing that God is working even when we cannot see it, and that together, we are going to make heaven crowded.
To connect with Debra and the Battle Cry movement, visit www.debramcninch.com. There you can find resources for Battle Cry Moms and Battle Cry Dads.
Thank you for reading, listening or watching. Please send your comments or questions to community@attune40.com
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