The heart of our mission is to serve the global church. Recognizing the growing need for biblical content to serve people in the Middle East, we launched RightNow Media MENA (Middle East and North Africa) in 2024 and it currently serves around ninety churches. Mona El Serafy is the regional director.
We have over a dozen originally produced series in the native languages of the region, with even more content on the way. Thanks to our strategic alliance with NextGen Global leaders, we’re able to reach the Middle East and North Africa with RightNow Media resources.
The library of content for the MENA audience continues to grow, covering a range of topics designed to deepen the spiritual walk of those in the region. Check out some of the recent MENA studies below:
Living with Suffering
Wassim Sabry
Difficulties in Prayer
Maher Samuel
Teach Us to Pray
Hossam Qamsieh
The impact of RightNow Media in the Middle East and North Africa is encouraging. Middle East and North Africa is our newest global region, and despite different challenges to sharing the good news in this area, the RightNow Media platform continues to make a difference.
“Among the beautiful things I found in this platform is the series on how to read the Bible. It gives you a deep and encouraging insight that helps you to really dive deep into Bible learning. RightNow Media also has a lot of very interesting topics. Honestly, I have never seen a Christian platform like RightNow Media.” — Monica A., Cairo, Egypt
RightNow Media’s mission is to work with the global church to inspire people to love others before self and Christ above all. Our strategic alliance with NextGen Global leaders in MENA and beyond has allowed us to expand our ministry to over one hundred countries in thirteen languages.
To see more original content with churches outside of the US, check out the Around the World library on RightNow Media. Additionally, you can learn more about RightNow Media’s global reach on the Global Reach page.
My husband jokes that the only difference between a toddler and a middle schooler is the need for potty training. With the pendulum of emotions and smells that pervade our home raising a ten-, twelve-, and fourteen-year-old, I must agree.
While keeping a toddler alive and happy is its own kind of hard, parenting preteens and teens feels next level. These pre-adults are dealing with hormones and the emotions that come along for the ride. They crave privacy and independence. They may experiment with pushing boundaries. They have the influence of friends invading a space that used to be mom and dad’s domain.
And although our kids still need us, they need us in a different way. How are we to navigate this new phase?
Here are seven practices to help you navigate the preteen and teen years of parenting:
Between school, sports, clubs, and youth events you may find yourself in the car with your teen more than any other place. Although Uber driver and social activities coordinator may not be impressive on your work resume, being present for those drive times with your teen is important.
One way to engage your teen during these car rides is to ask thoughtful questions. Not “How was your day?” but “How was that test?” Pay attention to what your teen values. You may still be met with a grunt but your teen hearing you ask about a specific part of their day that is important to them matters even if all they do is grunt back, “good.”
Toddlers are little chatterboxes. They ask questions and—before we have responded to their first question—they ask a second and third question. As children age, their questions and chatter slow. The worlds they readily welcomed us to be a part of become more exclusive. Friends become their sounding board. Their incessant outer dialogue and curiosity move inward.
That can be hard to take in, but it just means we need to listen and pay attention both to what they are saying and what they are not saying. Has your daughter stopped talking about her best friend? Did your son mention an audition coming up? Are they really excited about a playoff game? Your kids may not be as free with their words these days, but by paying attention, you’ll be ready for those moments when they open up to respond in a way that says, “I’m listening.”
In the classic movie The Princess Bride, Buttercup learns that the farm boy Westley is saying, “I love you,” every time he responds to her requests with “As you wish.” One of the loudest ways we can say to our teens and preteens that we love them is by being present. Save the phone call for later. Delay the email. Sign off social media. Be in the moment with your kids. That time with your kids—even if they are reluctant to engage in conversation—speaks, “I love you” even louder than Westley’s “As you wish.”
When our kids were little, we often put them in time out for poor choices. This five-minute punishment was our way of helping them understand the consequences of their actions. And it usually worked well. It can be tempting to think the same approach will work for our preteens and teens.
In their search for identity, our kids will make mistakes. Time-outs won’t work and neither will verbal reprimands. That doesn’t mean their actions are without consequences. They may have to pass on a meet-up with friends or go without tech until they raise their grades, but they don’t necessarily need a polished lecture.
You probably know what I’m talking about. We oftenfeel tempted to start a “When I was your age” Ted Talk when what our kids really need is quiet to process what they are feeling and maybe a well-worded question that helps them think it through.
Ironically, as our kids age, we may need to put ourselves in timeout—our words at least. There are days when I really ought to have James 1:19 tattooed to my wrist. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” This means holding off on the lecture. It means realizing that just like you make mistakes being parents, your kids will make mistakes being kids. It means modeling restraint and understanding.
No parent is perfect. Let that settle in your mind and heart. You will make mistakes—and your teen needs to hear, “I was wrong. Will you forgive me?” This is an important practice at any stage but especially in a time when your teen may be terrified to be wrong or reluctant to confide in you that she messed up. If you can make mistakes and seek reconciliation, it gives her permission to make mistakes and seek forgiveness.
While kids need their parents at every stage of development, they start to lean on outside voices in their teen years. Because your teens will be listening to the voices of peers and other adults, you must also invite voices of faith into the conversation. Small group leaders. The student pastor. Parents of your teen’s friends. Our teens and preteens need to hear the values you uphold from other people. It sends a message to our kids that sounds something like: “These adults I trust are saying the same things my parents have been saying for years. Maybe there is something to this.”
When my kids were little, I found it easy to turn everyday moments into spiritual ones. “Look at the trees! Who made the trees?” I would ask my toddler crew. They would joyfully reply, “God!” “That’s right,” I’d respond. “God made the trees. Let’s pray and thank God for them.” They would fold their tiny hands and thank God for the trees.
As they’ve aged, those conversations don’t come as naturally. Of course, we can still thank God for the trees, but that suggestion is often met with an eye roll. Despite what may feel awkward, don’t give up on making faith a part of your daily interactions with your teens. Encourage your teen to look for God at work in her day. Thank God for the grace he gave your son to study for a hard test. Encourage your daughter to rely on God when best friends become bullies. We can help our kids see that the God who made the trees is present in the spaces that matter to them.
Parenting teens may not be as harrowing as the toddler years, but there’s a huge learning curve for how we interact with and react to our maturing brood. Lean into the strength that only the Lord can provide and love them well. Learn to listen more than you speak. And point them repeatedly to Christ. Even if they roll their eyes. And refuse to use deodorant.
It’s a critical question that gets to the heart of our mission, yet many of us aren’t fully confident in our approach. In a recent webinar for church leaders, president of Trueface and discipleship advisor for RightNow Pastors+ Robby Angle shared a valuable framework for effective discipleship.
Rather than jumping straight into systems and models, Robby challenged us to first examine how we view discipleship. He suggested that our beliefs about spiritual growth impact our ministry approaches more than we realize.
In the webinar, Robby called us to shift from a performance-based mindset to one of grace. Many Christians unconsciously operate from a “know more, do better” philosophy, thinking that spiritual growth comes primarily through increased knowledge and improved behavior. However, Robby proposed a different lens: growth happens through trusting and receiving God’s love, not through striving to earn it.
This perspective shift isn’t just theoretical—it dramatically impacts how we lead and disciple others. Leaders who see themselves as “sinners striving to be saints” will likely create discipleship environments focused on performance and knowledge acquisition. In contrast, leaders grounded in their identity as “saints who occasionally sin” tend to foster authentic, vulnerable discipleship spaces where real transformation can occur.
When it comes to practical implementation, Robby outlined four key areas for building an effective discipleship strategy:
1. Developing Leaders: According to Robby, the health and maturity of small group leaders accounts for about 60% of a group’s effectiveness at discipleship. He said 25% of the group’s success comes from following best practices, and the other 15% comes from influences beyond the leader’s control, like group chemistry or life circumstances. Since so much of a group’s health depends on the health of the leader, Robby suggested spending intentional time developing leaders.
2. Supporting Leaders: Both initial onboarding and ongoing support are crucial for forming leaders who can disciple others in the ministry. Robby said the onboarding process is important because leadership habits are easier to form early than to change later. In the webinar Robby shared “5 Core Components that Separate Great Leaders from Ineffective Ones.” Those components can be used as a rubric to guide leaders and ensure their effectiveness.
3. Forming Groups: Robby encouraged church leaders to think about group formation like a “customer journey.” But instead of mapping a buyer’s steps to purchase a product, he said to list out all the steps someone must take to join a group at your church. The best way to improve this process is simple: ask people who recently joined groups about their experience. Use their feedback to make it easier for others to get connected.
4. Equipping Groups: Robby encouraged churches to be clear about the small groups model they choose (closed vs. open groups, study format, meeting frequency, etc.), but to focus more on the quality of the small group leaders than the actual group format itself. In Robby’s experience, he’s witnessed both excellent and poor outcomes from virtually every small group model. While many churches spend the majority of their time focused on group models and strategies, Robby suggested that this might be misplaced energy. Instead, turn your attention to your leaders by giving them all they need to lead well.
For those feeling overwhelmed by the scope of building or improving a discipleship strategy, Robby offered encouraging advice: don’t try to do everything at once. Instead, prayerfully discern the one next step God is inviting you to take in your ministry context.
Creating a thriving discipleship culture is patient work that unfolds over years, not months. But as Robby reminded us, it’s worth the investment because the impact is eternal. It’s about seeing people fall more deeply in love with Jesus and experience genuine transformation.
Want to dive deeper into these concepts? Watch the full webinar for detailed examples, additional resource recommendations, and an exclusive Q&A with Robby. Click here to access the webinar recording.
Much of the webinar’s content was based on Robby Angle’s Discipleship Framework course, a comprehensive training experience designed to help your team think about, build, and implement a discipleship strategy tailored to your church’s unique needs. Click here to learn more about Discipleship Framework.
Disclaimer: This blog was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. If you find content that is inaccurate or otherwise needs to be reviewed, please email webinars@rightnowmedia.org.
We have “work friends,” social happy hours, and a unique dialect that would have our families and friends side-eyeing us if we spoke similarly outside of work: “Could we pick a dinner spot by EOD?”
Even though our workplaces feel compartmentalized, they’re not. When Jesus commanded his followers to “Go . . . make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19), he didn’t mean for them to accomplish his mission everywhere except where they work. Jesus intended for us to see all areas of our lives as opportunities to share who he is and what he’s done—and that call extends to our jobs.
So, what does disciple-making at your workplace look like? How can we best live out Jesus’s command to make disciples not just where it’s most comfortable but where it’s most needed? Whether you’re an employee or a manager, you can take practical steps to make disciples where you work.
Most people fear being “that person” at work who only talks about their faith. While we are called to be unashamed of our faith, being belligerent about our faith isn’t the most winsome—or faithful—approach.
Never discussing your faith isn’t a faithful option either. As a Christian, you likely engage in plenty of Christian activities throughout your week—attending church, participating in small groups, or reading your Bible. When people ask the familiar, “What did you do this weekend?” on a Monday morning, tell them. Simply sharing your experience at church or with a small group—not even what happened, but just that you engaged in some Christian practice—could open the door for deeper questions.
On a more basic level, telling your coworkers stories of how God has worked in your life, whether it’s answered prayers, things you’re learning, or experiences you’ve had with Jesus, can also be a good way to prompt spiritual conversations.
Have you ever noticed the people you most enjoy talking to ask the most thoughtful questions? There’s a big difference between listening half-heartedly to someone’s answer to your question, waiting to answer it yourself, and genuinely paying attention to someone’s answer.
If you want to make disciples at work, ask good questions of your co-workers. Jesus often asked questions to prompt conversations, most famously to Peter in Matthew 16:15, “Who do you say that I am?” Look for opportunities to move beyond the typical action-oriented questions, “How was your weekend?” and “What are you doing for dinner?” Ask questions concerning their thoughts and feelings: “How did you feel about that meeting?” or “What do you think I should do?”
It may be unnerving to invite this deeper level of conversation, but the more you show interest in your co-workers’ thoughts and feelings the more likely they are to come to you with their perspective on non-work-related topics. These conversations often lead to more spiritual conversations.
Being forward with your faith can be frowned upon as a boss in a non-Christian workplace. However, one of the most enticing aspects of the Christian faith is the servant-leadership of Jesus which is modeled for us in his sacrificial death. As a boss, you can show people your faith.
As a Christian called by God to imitate Jesus, you can be a servant-leader for your employees by seeking their good above your own. Being the kind of boss who sacrifices for your employees may invite people to ask why you lead sacrificially.
Think about ways in which you can lead sacrificially for your employees. What kinds of things would the people working for you feel appreciated by? What habits could you start to show your care for your employees?
While being overly forward with your faith may not be appropriate from nine to five in the workplace, great potential exists outside those hours for spiritual change.
Companies of many sizes often have social groups focused on specific interests or hobbies—recreational sports, book clubs, food sampling, etc. Suggest beginning a Bible study or prayer meeting before or after work hours to higher management. If your company is small enough and you’re a manager, you may be able to initiate these activities all on your own.
If your company already serves your local community in some way, you could lead the service project at the next opportunity or find new partners to work with in the future. Just like Jesus met the physical needs of people around him, you can meet the physical needs of people in your community using your workplace’s resources.
For resources about how to work, live, and lead within the workplace like Jesus calls us to, check out RightNow Media’s Work library.
RightNow Media’s mission is to work with the global church to inspire people to love others before self and Christ above all. We are committed to equipping pastors and leaders worldwide with the resources they need to make a lasting impact in their congregations and communities.
As part of our global expansion, we’ve formed a strategic alliance with like-minded individuals and teams, extending our reach and impact across various countries. By working together, we amplify our efforts to support the global church.
God is using RightNow Media to support and empower church leaders around the world, making a meaningful impact in their congregations and communities. Discover powerful stories of transformation from RightNow Media regional teams and the churches they serve:
“Prior to subscribing to RightNow Media, one of the tough challenges that I faced as a senior pastor was looking for resources, quality materials, basically to help me, both as a pastor here in my church and as someone who leads other pastors here in my community. When I came across RightNow Media, I told myself this is heaven-sent…RightNow provided me with a plethora of digital resources where I am allowed to learn from the wisdom of excellent Bible teachers and wonderful pastors in the comfort of my home at the convenience of my schedule.”
—Daniel Gabasa, One Body, One Lord, Asia-Pacific
"RightNow Media represents a very uplifting experience for our congregation. Each of the resources available on the platform has served as training for leadership and as teaching material in discipleship groups."
—Pastor Mariano Marroquín, Camino Bíblico Leche y Miel, Latin America
“Not only has this tool been beneficial to us as individuals, but it has also been vital to the training and formation of leaders in our congregation.”
—Pastor Roberto Torres, Iglesia Vida para la Ciudad, Latin America
“The use of this platform and all its resources at Iglesia el Pacto has enabled us to find a deep intimacy with the Word of God and we have experienced significant spiritual growth as a community. We are grateful for this tool that has allowed us to strengthen our faith and our commitment to the gospel.”
—Andrés Bunch, Iglesia Cristiana el Pacto, Latin America
[We’ve] found it to be an absolutely fantastic resource for our church. We’ve been using it in our life groups. We’ve been encouraging people to use it on a personal basis, as well as in our kids, youth, [and] leadership development. All across the board, we’ve found it helpful in so many areas of church life.”
—Jamie Haxby, Hope Church, United Kingdom
“We are equipping all our ministries in church with tools, resources, and teaching all in God’s Word, that are relevant to them. RightNow Media gives us easy tools to go deeper in God’s Word so that we can focus on going wider in reaching the world.”
—Karen Beatty, Newtownbreda Baptist Church, United Kingdom
See some of the originally-produced RightNow Media content from around the world:
Explore our Around the World library to find a variety of content that supports church leaders everywhere. We hope these resources inspire and equip you to make a meaningful impact in your own community.
No matter how we organize our church calendar, it often ends up being a mishmash of the ancient liturgical cycle (Advent through Easter) and the school year schedule (back-to-school in the fall through summer break). So for many churches, the return of small groups in the fall can make a lot of sense.
Whether your small groups are interested in studying a book of the Bible, a frequently discussed topic, or a broad theological theme, the RightNow Media library houses a variety of series to meet you where you are and challenge you to move forward in your faith. Here are some studies to consider as we enter the fall.
Essentials of Faith is a transformative twelve-study journey designed to deepen Christians’ understanding of the gospel and address fundamental questions of our faith. Our hope is that, after going through the Essentials of Faith series, Christians will be more mature, equipped to disciple others, and emboldened to reflect Christ in their lives.
What is a Christian? with Francis Chan
Ask any group what it means to be a Christian, and we will hear different answers. In this six-session series, Francis Chan will explore key concepts common to all Christians through the centuries. No matter what divides us, we are united by these truths about the God we worship and our relationship with him.
Why Does Jesus Matter? with J.D. Greear
What makes Jesus such an important person? In this six-session series, pastor and author J.D. Greear will answer, “Why does Jesus matter?” He’ll explore who Jesus is, why he came, and what he said and did to help us understand the life-changing effect Jesus had—and continues to have—on the world.
Every marriage has its strengths and its stresses. In this six-session series created in partnership with FamilyLife, discover a transformative marriage resource to help you explore new levels of intimacy, communication, and connection with your spouse.
The Life of Joseph with Bryan Carter
Everything Joseph endured was for a purpose. His success came from the Lord, and even the most devastating events in his past were used to accomplish God’s aims. In this six-session series, Pastor Bryan Carter will trace the themes of purpose and faithfulness through the life of Joseph, teaching us how to identify and live in our God-given purpose.
The Book of Ecclesiastes with Jonathan Pokluda
Life is a gift, but it rarely turns out how we expect. Where do we turn when things are going great, but we still feel empty? In this ten-session series, pastor and author Jonathan “JP” Pokluda takes us through the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us that we are not alone in our search for meaning.
The Book of 1 Samuel with Sharon Hodde Miller
The stories of biblical heroes prompt us to examine the difference between our outward appearance and what God sees in our hearts. In this ten-session series, pastor and author Sharon Hodde Miller guides us through the book of 1 Samuel, exploring the frailty of the human heart and the faithfulness of God.
If you’d like help building a collection of studies to guide your group or ministry, check out these Bible Study Roadmaps. Each roadmap features series that are already part of your church’s subscription, and you can feel free to customize it by swapping out studies according to the needs of your group. We have roadmaps specifically designed for adults, men’s or women’s groups, youth groups, and kids.
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