Kitchen Table Theology
Where Coffee, Conversation, and Theology Meet. During my 40 years in ministry, I’ve developed an increasing burden for what I sense to be an increase in biblical illiteracy, not only among those in our churches, but also in the young men and women entering the ministry. Conversely, I am hopeful, because I also sense a hunger from people to learn and know biblical truth and the things of God has revealed to us in Scripture. Our Kitchen Table Theology team has developed a list of over 150 doctrinal topics which I, along with one of my cohosts, Jen Denton or Tiffany Coker, examine weekly. Our goal is to educate and share biblical truth on the same level as if we were sitting at your kitchen table with a Bible and a pot of southern pecan coffee in front of us. Welcome to the table!
Kitchen Table Theology
268 The 3 Types of Disciples | What Does Following Jesus Require?
Many people followed Jesus. Not all of them were truly His disciples.
In this episode, Pastor Jeff Cranston and Tiffany Coker walk through John chapter 6 to examine one of the most challenging truths of the Christian life: discipleship is more than separation from sin. It requires active devotion to Christ.
As many followers walked away from Jesus when His teaching became difficult, Scripture reveals three distinct types of disciples: nominal disciples, real disciples, and false disciples. This conversation explores how each group responds to Jesus, why separation without devotion can be spiritually dangerous, and how believers today can honestly examine their own hearts.
What We Discussed
02:26 Why Biblical Separation Is Misunderstood
Biblical separation is not about isolation or moral superiority. Scripture calls believers to holiness through repentance and obedience, not excuse or compromise, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15–16 and Romans 6.
05:22 Separation from Personal Sin
Christians are called to deal honestly with their own sin through repentance, confession, and intentional turning away, rather than minimizing or justifying sinful patterns.
08:20 Why Small Sins Are Spiritually Dangerous
Hidden or “small” sins do not remain contained. Like poison in a well, personal sin affects prayer, spiritual sensitivity, relationships, and a believer’s witness.
09:54 Separation from Unrepentant Believers
Scripture teaches that fellowship should be withheld from those who profess Christ yet persist in unrepentant sin, both to protect the church and to call the individual to repentance, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 5:11.
12:41 Why the Church Must Take Sin Seriously
Unaddressed sin spreads within the church like yeast through dough 1 Corinthians 5:6.
13:42 Separation from False Teachers
Believers are commanded to test teaching against Scripture and separate from those who distort the gospel or deny its truth, following the warning of 1 John 4:1.
18:31 Separation from the World System
Scripture calls believers to resist the values and priorities of the world that oppose God, choosing spiritual transformation over conformity, as taught in 1 John 2:15 and Romans 12:2.
19:43 Set Apart, Not Isolated
Biblical separation doesn’t mean withdrawing from people. It means living with distinct loves, loyalties, and standards while remaining engaged, compassionate, and Christlike.
“Discipleship is not about perfection. It is about bringing every area of life under the Lordship of Christ.” – Pastor Jeff Cranston
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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!