The Disciples Journal
The Disciples Journal documents the everyday life of following Jesus, offering practical steps, insights, and encouragement to help you get closer to God. Join host Darin Starks as he shares personal stories, the experiences of others, and gospel-driven perspectives from the Bible, providing the guidance you need to walk with Jesus in your everyday life and stay focused on Him.
Episodes
July 30, 2025 • 29 mins
I used to think I peaked in my relationship with God—that the passion I had in high school was something I’d never get back. But what I’ve learned is that love with Jesus doesn’t fade… it matures. In this episode, I share how I fell in love with Him all over again—what had to break off of me, what shifted in how I saw Him, and how you can get that fire back too.
If you’ve ever felt distant from God or like you’ve lost your passion...
Mark as Played
July 23, 2025 • 36 mins
This one’s real personal.
I just felt like it was time to slow down and let you all l in on what’s really been happening behind the scenes the last 9–10 months. A lot has changed in my life — new city, new church, deep community, and God doing a real work in my heart.
But the biggest thing I had to face? There was this lie I didn’t even realize I was believing about God — and it had been shaping the way I saw Him, myself, and...
Mark as Played
July 21, 2025 • 17 mins
This might be one of the most important conversations we’ve had yet.
In today’s episode of The Disciples Journal, we’re diving deep into what it actually means to walk in intimacy with Jesus. Not just following Him, but abiding in Him.
You’ll hear how peace isn’t found in performance—but in a person. We’ll talk about the fruit of intimacy, why discipline without surrender leaves us empty, and how true transformation happens when ...
Mark as Played
July 16, 2025 • 13 mins
What if the real reason you feel distant from God… is something you’ve been overlooking?
In today’s episode of The Disciples Journal, we’re unpacking Hebrews 12:14 — a verse that doesn’t just talk about holiness, but reveals why so many of us struggle to feel close to God. Darin breaks down how sin doesn’t drive God away from us… but it does distort our view of Him.
Through a powerful moment of personal conviction, we explore h...
Mark as Played
July 14, 2025 • 16 mins
Do you know God, or do you just know about Him?
That question cuts deep—and it’s exactly what we’re unpacking in today’s episode.
As we officially launch After God’s Heart, I wanted to start with a conversation that’s foundational: intimacy with God. Drawing from Jeremiah 9:23–24, we explore the difference between boasting in what we do for God vs. actually walking in deep relationship with Him.
This episode is a personal one. I...
Mark as Played
July 9, 2025 • 13 mins
What if your story is the key to someone else's salvation?
In today’s episode of The Disciples Journal, we’re digging into 1 Peter 2:9 and uncovering what this powerful verse reveals about your God-given purpose. You’ve been chosen, called, and commissioned — not just to be saved, but to shine.
We’ll talk about:
Why your testimony is God's proof
The lie of “private faith” and what Scripture really teaches
What it...
Mark as Played
July 7, 2025 • 12 mins
What if your purpose isn’t just about what you do — but how you love?
In today’s episode, we’re diving into Ephesians 5:1–2 to uncover a purpose we often overlook: walking in the love of Christ. This kind of love isn’t limited to people we agree with or those who treat us well — it’s a love that mirrors the sacrifice Jesus made for us.
We’ll explore why loving difficult people is actually central to your calling, what Jesus meant...
Mark as Played
July 2, 2025 • 13 mins
What if your title didn’t determine your calling?
In this episode, I’m digging into one of the biggest lies we’ve believed in church culture—that only pastors, leaders, or “special” people are called to represent God. But Genesis 1:26–28 tells a different story.
I walk through the political context behind this passage and show how, in the ancient world, only kings were seen as the “image” of a god. But in Genesis, God flips the sc...
Mark as Played
June 30, 2025 • 14 mins
What if the reason you’re questioning your worth… is because you’ve been listening to the wrong story about why you’re here?
In this episode of The Disciples Journal, we kick off a brand new July series focused on what God says about our purpose—and we’re starting right where it all began: Genesis 1:26.
You might’ve read this verse before, but today we’re looking at it through the eyes of the people who first heard it—the Israeli...
Mark as Played
June 25, 2025 • 18 mins
What if the reason you don’t feel confident in who you are… is because you’ve never seen God clearly?
In this final episode of our June identity series, we go beyond affirmations and dive into the real path to discovering who you are in Christ. I unpack what it actually looks like to surrender your identity, how following Jesus leads to self-discovery, and why seeing God rightly is the first step to seeing yourself rightly.
We’ll...
Mark as Played
June 23, 2025 • 12 mins
Are you trying to earn what God has already freely given you?
In this episode of The Disciples Journal, we explore the liberating truth of Romans 5:1–2 — that we are justified by faith, not by performance. Darren unpacks what it means to stand in grace, how Jesus already did the work we often try to do ourselves, and why this changes everything about how we approach God.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of having to prove yourself t...
Mark as Played
June 20, 2025 • 10 mins
Does your daily life reflect the fact that God lives in you?
In this powerful episode of The Disciples Journal, we unpack what it really means when Scripture says your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). This isn’t just a metaphor—it’s an invitation to intimacy, reverence, and transformation.
Darin breaks down the original meaning behind Paul’s words to the Corinthian church, and how we too are called to p...
Mark as Played
June 18, 2025 • 13 mins
What does your life say about the God you claim to follow?
In today’s episode of The Disciples Journal, we’re unpacking what it really means to be an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). God has given us a title, a mission, and an identity—but are we actually living up to it?
We’ll break down what an ambassador is, why it matters, and how God is calling us to represent His heart, values, and priorities in every space we wal...
Mark as Played
June 11, 2025 • 14 mins
What if you’re not supposed to carry all of this on your own?
In today’s episode of The Disciples Journal, we’re digging into 1 John 3:1–2 and what it really means to be called a child of God. This isn’t just poetic language—it's a powerful truth that reshapes how you see your past, your worth, and your daily dependence on God.
We explore how your identity as God's child frees you from performance, striving, and self-reliance. You...
Mark as Played
June 9, 2025 • 17 mins
What if God doesn’t want to erase your past… but redeem it?
In this first episode of our June series, Identity in Christ, I’m diving into 2 Corinthians 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation.” But what does that actually mean for your everyday life? And what does it reveal about God’s heart?
We’re unpacking why your past doesn’t disqualify you, how God meets you in the darkest places, and why real transfo...
Mark as Played
May 26, 2025 • 19 mins
Are you actually repenting… or just feeling bad?
In this episode of The Disciples Journal, I’m unpacking what true repentance really means—and why it’s more than just saying “I’m sorry.” We’re breaking down the difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow, what it means to “make room” for God in your life, and why repentance is ultimately about relationship, not religion.
From personal stories to powerful Scripture (Romans 2...
Mark as Played
May 23, 2025 • 22 mins
What if the only thing standing between you and God… is a simple yes?
In this episode of The Disciples Journal, I unpack what it means that Jesus offers us the gift of salvation and forgiveness—not something we earn, but something we receive. We dive into why God’s love isn’t based on performance, why your worth isn’t tied to what you do, and how the gospel flips everything we’ve been taught about value, acceptance, and grace. This...
Mark as Played
May 21, 2025 • 14 mins
What if I told you the resurrection of Jesus isn’t just something we celebrate—it’s everything we stand on?
In this episode of The Disciples Journal, I’m breaking down one of the most powerful lines of the gospel creed:“Three days later, He rose from the dead, proving He is the Son of God.”
We’ll look at why the resurrection is not just a comeback story—but confirmation that every claim Jesus made was true. I unpack what Scripture...
Mark as Played
May 14, 2025 • 13 mins
What if Jesus didn’t just die for you—but also lived for you?
Most of us focus on the cross, but miss the equally powerful truth: Jesus lived the perfect life we were meant to live. In today’s episode, I unpack what that really means—and why His obedience matters just as much as His sacrifice.
We’re diving deep into what this says about God’s love, our identity, and the kind of grace that doesn’t just forgive—but credits us with r...
Mark as Played
May 7, 2025 • 18 mins
Join my daily devotional podcast here:
https://patreon.com/aftergodsheart
Has God ever felt distance in your life? In today’s episode, I’m continuing our journey into the wonder of the incarnation—God becoming human in the person of Jesus. We’ll explore how His humanity changes the way we view God, the way we see ourselves, and how we live each day. I’ll share how this truth has reshaped my understanding of God’s nearness and w...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The Megyn Kelly Show is your home for open, honest and provocative conversations with the most interesting and important political, legal and cultural figures today. No BS. No agenda. And no fear.