Which Jesus Did You Meet

Oct 21

Episode Summary

In this episode, Brian and BrianJames McMahon, founder of Church Well Co., explore the complexities of discipleship, community, and the human experience of pain and suffering. We discuss the importance of human connection in spiritual growth, the different ways individuals experience Jesus, and the necessity of vulnerability and attachment in relationships. Our conversation emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to faith that includes both divine and human elements, ultimately aiming to foster a deeper understanding of God through community engagement.

Key Themes & Takeaways

1. Your first Jesus shapes your journey

We all encounter a partial view of Jesus (culture, family, church stream).
Community widens that view; isolation hardens it.

2. Incarnation means both/and

We often elevate the “divine Jesus” and neglect the human dynamics of relationships, pain, and conflict.
Healthy disciple-making honors both intimacy with God and attachment to people.

3. From proximity to partnership

Being in the same room ≠ following Jesus together.
True community requires vulnerability, disruption, and mutual shaping.

4. Stories that expand our vision

BrianJames met a power-and-presence Jesus (revival) and a compassion-in-suffering Jesus (moving from angry protest to tangible care via crisis-pregnancy support).
Let others’ encounters with Jesus challenge and complete your own.

5. Why community matters for mission

Western individualism stunts multipliers.
Family-like communities help heal distorted God-images (only-judge / only-nice) and form resilient disciple-makers.

Final Thoughts

If you want whole disciples, don’t make spiritual orphans. Ask, “Which Jesus did you meet?” then invite others to answer too. Let those answers refine your picture of Jesus, and your practice of following Him together.