The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#36: Reading God's Word for Spiritual Growth Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
Why do we neglect spiritual disciplines, such as reading the Bible, memorizing and meditating on scripture?
• We are busy people – John Ortberg – “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life.”
• We are preoccupied with other things
• We lack desire
• We simply don’t know what to do
We must begin to see the value of God’s Word. It’s though the scripture that we come to know God personally. We learn about his character, his desires, his likes and dislikes, and we learn his will for our lives.
Psalm 119:47-48 says, “for I delight in your commands because I love them. I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.”
So how do we read the Bible for spiritual growth….

We must have the right attitude. We don’t read the Bible to be smarter or to gain more knowledge. We read it to be more like Jesus. Every time you open the Bible, believe that God will speak to you through his Word.

We must read the bible consistently. You wouldn’t feed your physical body once a week, but that’s what so many people do spiritually. I’m a huge fan of starting the day in God’s Word. It really does set to tone for the rest of your day.

We must read the Bible with a willingness to obey. Without obedience there is no spiritual growth. So as we read let’s be looking for God’s word to give us instruction.

Here are some questions you can ask:
• Is there a Sin to confess?
• Is there a Promise to claim?
• Is there an Example to follow?
• Is there a Command to obey?
• Is there a Stumbling block to avoid?
Today’s Challenge: Make a commitment to read or listen to God’s Word for spiritual growth. We never do spiritual disciplines to simply check a box or to think we are earning our salvation. We read God’s Word because we want to, and because we desire to grow. And if you don’t have that desire, ask God to give it to you, and He will.
Discussion Questions:

Do you struggle with being consistent in God's Word? Why do you think this is the case?
What do you love about the Bible?
What steps do you want to take to engage with the Bible for spiritual growth?

#35: Saying No to Compromise Sep 14, 2020

Show notes

“Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards” (Song of Solomon 2:15)
Why do we compromise our beliefs, values, and convictions? We compromise because of comfort and convenience. We give into vices and weaknesses in our life. Others compromise because they’re in conflict. They think they “deserve” something because of the pain they’re in. Whether we realize it or not, areas of compromise will always become a decision of our character.
King Solomon is a great example of this. (Have you read Proverbs?) Wise Solomon fell victim to the same temptation that the rest of us so often face: to compromise in what we think are small concerns or the "gray" areas. The danger in this kind of reasoning is that small compromises weaken character and over time, lead to major sins. Just as we can grow in character little by little, so we can drift away from God in the same way.
Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
The power and ability to take a big stand happens because we have chosen to serve God in the little decisions we make every day.
Your beliefs, values, and convictions will be tested. They may be tested even today. How do we prepare for this test?
• Know your beliefs and convictions
Exercise for your quiet time: What do I believe in? What do you stand for? What life decisions have you made as you have grown in your faith? What firmly held beliefs do you have based on the authority of God’s Word.
• Determine to honor God in the moment
It would be great to say, “I am going to honor God with this day.” How many have started a day that way, only to disappoint yourself later in the day. My prayer has shifted to, “God help me to honor you in the moment.”
Let’s purpose not to defile ourselves with ungodly choices and behaviors. Ask God to give you the desire and courage to live by your convictions. What I watch, what I listen to, what I put into my mind. I will not participate in this conversation. I don’t like who I am when I am around that person.
I’ve noticed that fear is often the cause of our compromise: fear of criticism, fear of rejection, or maybe the fear of loss.
Remember, anything we may lose in this life because of our faith in Jesus, will be blessed abundantly by God.
James 1:12 - Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
Today’s Challenge: Identify an area of your life in which you have been tempted to compromise your beliefs, values, or convictions. Reaffirm you commitment to your beliefs. Ask God for strength to remain strong in Him.
Discussion Questions:

Name a few of your beliefs, values, or convictions?
What threats our convictions and tempts us to compromise?
What role does fear play in our temptation to compromise?

#34: Learning to Trust God Sep 13, 2020

Show notes

"When evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41)
There is a questions the disciples asked Jesus in verse 38 that jumps off the page for me. They asked, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
That question. It’s a question we have all asked at one point or another. “God, don’t you care?”
All of us face storms in life. No one is immune. There is a lesson we all need to learn. Don’t interpret God’s immediate lack of response as a sign that he doesn’t care.
There were two storms present that night. The storm outside with the wind and waves and also, the emotional storm that raged on the inside.
I’ve learned that my biggest battles are often inside. If I don’t fight the battle within, I won’t be ready to fight the battle without. If you learn how to calm the waves within you can ride out the waves on the outside.
There’s one more thing I want you to see here. The disciples were led into the storm so they could experience the power of God.
Just because you are encountering a storm in your life, does not mean necessarily that you are out of the will of God or willfully disobeying him.
Every storm comes with a purpose. God’s objectives. Lessons learned. Spiritual growth to be obtained. Faith to be strengthened.
We grow through adversity. If you never had a financial problem, you wouldn’t know God could provide. If you were never discouraged, you wouldn’t know God could give you peace. If you were never confused, you wouldn’t know God could give us wisdom…and on I could go. This is how we learn and grow.
Here’s what I love about this story….Jesus rebuked the storm….not the disciples. To them he simply asked, “Why are you so afraid?
Today’s Challenge: Remember this truth: Jesus cares. He can be trusted. You are not alone. He is with you. Sometimes he calms the storm. Other times he calms the storm inside of you.
Discussion Questions:

Do you have a story of God's faithfulness when you were facing one of life's storms?
What gives you encouragement when life is tough?
Do you have a "go to" scripture verse when facing adversity?

#33: The Goal of a Disciple Sep 12, 2020

Show notes

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
The one goal of a disciple is to be like Jesus.
Think about the 12 original disciples of Jesus. They spent three years with Jesus. They walked with him. They talked with him. They were eye witness of his life, his character, his attitude, his conversations, and how he interacted with people. They observed it all…and they never forgot it. I believe they spent the rest of their lives emulating his life and character. They wanted to be like Jesus.
This is our goal. I hope it’s your desire. In every area of your life to be like Jesus. God is at work to this end. The Holy Spirit with in us is transforming us and giving us the opportunities to allow our character to be changed to be more like Christ.
Theologically, this process is called “sanctification.” It’s the ongoing journey of letting go of the old life and taking on the new life that pleases God.
Paul said in Romans 8:28-29 - “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
God uses all things in our lives, the good and the bad to help conform us to the image of his son. He is at work to make us like Jesus.
Our job is to surrender to that process. We are to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit and to say yes to God. Let’s allow God to shape us and mold us to be like Christ.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
Jesus will not stop until the job is finished. And in the end we will each one stand before Jesus Christ whole and complete. Perfect, pure, perfected. No more hammering, no more sawing, no more finish work. Why? Because God finishes what he starts.
What is left for us to do? Simply to place ourselves in God’s hands. To cooperate with the Master Designer as he shapes us into the image of Jesus. To say, “Lord, here am I. Make me what you want me to be.”
Today’s Challenge: Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. During a sermon, while reading the Bible, during your prayer time, expect to hear God speak. Notice how he leads, how he guides, corrects, convicts, and be willing to say yes. The more we cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit, the more we grow to be like Jesus. This is the goal of a disciple.
Discussion Questions:

What does it mean "to be like Jesus?"
Why is sanctification the one goal of a disciple?
Where is God working in your life to help you become more like Jesus?

#32: Conquering Fear Sep 11, 2020

Show notes

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
Fear often comes because something is unknown and since it is unknown, we don’t know if we are prepared. We don’t know how we will handle it. Fear can rob us of our ability to function. It can keep you in your bed or in your home. Fear can keep you from stepping out in faith to serve God. Fear can steal your relationships and your opportunities. It can rob you of your sleep at night.
Here’s what I want you to know… Fear is a liar.
National Parks often post signs saying, “Don’t fead the bears.” What you feed becomes common place. My challenge to you today from the Word of God is to not fead the fears. Everyday you and I get a choice…will I feed fear or will I feed faith?
You get to choose which stronghold will control your life: fear or God.
“The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
Freedom from fear requires a daily focus on the Lord. This is what brings freedom from fear. We have a tendency to fixate on the worst case possibility.
Fear cannot live unless you feed it. Let’s decide to starve our fears and feed our faith.
Quote: What you fear the most reveals where you trust God the least. Ouch!
Today’s Challenge: I want you to ask yourself the questions…where is fear controlling me? What areas of my life am I giving in to fear? How has fear robbed me from the life God has for me? Pray and say, "God I invite you into my struggle. You know my fears. You know my worries and my anxieties. Today I give them to you and I declare you are greater."
Discussion Questions:

Be honest...what fears are you struggling with right now?
Where in your your life has fear held you back?
What steps can you take with God's help to overcome your fear?

#31: The Sacrifice of Jesus for our Sins Sep 10, 2020

Show notes

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)
Today we have a huge emphasis on the fact that Jesus died for you, that God loves you. We hear it all the time. God loves you so much that He gave His Son to die for you. He wants to redeem you. He wants to save you. He wants to forgive your sins. He wants to take you to Heaven. This is our central message. How many of you believe this? I certainly do.
All of these things are true, but you and I are the secondary reason Jesus went to the cross? While the cross included us, the cross really was for God.
We focus so much on what the cross means to us that we forget, or perhaps never realize what the cross meant to God. The cross was God’s idea. The plan for our salvation originated in the mind of God. No one informed God. No one gave God this plan. No one advised God in this plan. It was all him.
Why did Jesus have to die? - To absorb the wrath of God
If God were not just, there would be no demand for his Son to suffer and die. And if God were not loving, there would be no willingness for his Son to suffer and die. But God is both just and loving. His love is willing to meet the demands of his justice.
Romans 3:23 tells us… “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
There are no small sins. Here’s why: because God is not small. The seriousness of the insult rises with the dignity of the one insulted. The Creator of the universe is infinitely worthy of respect, and admiration and loyalty.
Since God is just, he does not sweep these sins under the rug of the universe. He feels a holy wrath against them. They deserve to be punished, and he has made this clear: “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). To not punish us would be unjust.
Imagine someone has committed a crime against you, or your loved ones. You would be at the court demanding justice.
But here’s what is truly amazing…Jesus accepts God’s wrath on our behalf. Jesus doesn’t cancel God’s wrath, he absorbs it. He diverts it from us to himself.
Isn’t this amazing? Jesus absorbing God’s wrath on our behalf is so important to understand. We will never stand in awe of being loved by God until we reckon with the seriousness of our sin and the justice of God’s his wrath against us. But when, by grace, we see our unworthiness, then we can look at the suffering and death of Jesus.
Jesus took my place. Jesus took your place on the cross. What a wonderful God we serve.
Today’s Challenge: Throughout the day keep the cross on your mind. Remember what Christ has done for you. Offer you gratitude for his sacrifice and your salvation.
Discussion Questions:

What did the cross mean to God?
What did the cross mean to Jesus?
What does the cross mean to us?

#30: The Urgency of the Gospel Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

“…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” ( 2 Peter 3:9)
“to seek and save those who are lost." (Lk. 19:10)
God’s great desire is that all of humanity would find salvation and forgiveness in Jesus. God has no other agenda. He has no other plan. This is why Jesus came. This is why He established the church, so that in every nation and in every neighborhood there would be a witness of the saving grace of Jesus.
The word “lost” is a term Jesus uses to describe someone who has not yet come to a point of faith and trust in Christ. They may be searching for truth but they are looking for it in all the wrong places.
As I think of those of us who are followers of Jesus, those of us who are his disciples…do we truly recognize that people around us are lost and without hope, unless they come to know Christ?
Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries….“The problem with Christians in America is we’re not concerned over lost people. We are not concerned enough to cry. He said, “A man and a woman will weep when their little pet gets run over in the street in front of their house, but that same couple has never wept one tear because their neighbor across the street is lost without Jesus. Something is wrong.”
He writes, “A woman will cry when her daughter walks down the aisle of a church to be married, but that same mother has never shed one tear because that same daughter has never been saved. Something is wrong.”
How do we do this? When you and I reach out to those in our families, and those in our workplace, and those we go to school with, and those in our neighborhood, and those little league families and say, “I want to tell you about Jesus. I want to tell you about the difference he has made in my life. I want you to come to church with me and see what God is doing. That’s how we reach lost people.
It’s important to understand how people are influenced to place their faith in Jesus. Studies have been done asking people, “what led you to faith in Christ?”
1% - evangelistic crusades
4% - church evangelistic programs
5% - walked into a church
8% - a pastor
76% through friends and relatives
In John 1:41 - When Jesus calls Andrew to follow and to be a disciple the bible says… “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ)."
Today’s Challenge: Write down the names of three family members or friends and commit to praying daily for their salvation. Ask God to give you the courage to invite them to church with you. Begin sharing with them the difference Jesus has made in your life. And let’s pray that God would help us sense the urgency of the gospel message.
Discussion Questions:

What means did God use to bring you to salvation through Christ?
Who is on your "list?"
What steps are you taking to bring them to Christ?

#29: The Incredible Love of God Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 1:9-10)
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
There is a deep hunger inside of us to be accepted and loved. We search for it often in the wrong places.
The amazing thing about God is that he provides what we need most.
Common misunderstandings about the love of God:
- Love is only a feeling
Love evokes an emotion, but it is much more than a feeling. We are always searching for that feeling. People talk about falling into love and out of love, which basically means we either feel emotion or we don’t.
- Because God’s love is so great, he doesn’t care how we live our lives.
Here’s what we know is true: God cannot overlook sin. He will never contradict his own nature. In his love he doesn’t overlook our sin, his love compelled him to provide for us a solution to our sin problem.
We live in a world that says, “If you love me, you’ll accept anything I do.” But everyone knows this is not true. Love cares about right and wrong.
- Because God’s love is so great, everyone will one day be saved.
While this sounds attractive, it is completely at odds with the Bible. It just isn’t true. While God offers his love, his grace, and his forgiveness to all people, it has to be received. A rejection of Jesus and his love is a rejection of Heaven.
So, let’s talk about the love of God. God’s love comes without human cause. He loves because that is the kind of God He is. Nothing in us causes him to love us. Not our beauty, not our wealth, not our wisdom, not our good deeds, and not our promise to love him back.
He loves you and me because God is love and he can’t help loving us, even when we were his enemies. This is his character.
His love is greater than our sin, and in spite of our sin. He really shouldn’t love us, but He does. We are not worthy, but He does. Isn’t this amazing?
No matter how you are, where you are from, what you have done, how many times you have failed, and even if you don’t love yourself, God is loves you!
Motivated by His love, God provides a solution to our impossible problem. God’s decision goes beyond human reason and comprehension. Only God could come up with a plan like this.
Today's Challenge: Respond the the love of God by placing your faith in Jesus as your savior and your Lord. If you have already done that, make time today to thank God for his love because I know it has changed your life.
Discussion Questions:

Have you ever doubted the love of God?
Where do you see evidence of the love of God in your life?
What are some practical ways we can show the love of God to others?

#28: Second Chances Sep 07, 2020

Show notes

“I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:31-34)
If you have read the story you know that when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter and the other disciples fled. When confronted in the city as a follower of Jesus, three times he denied that he even knew Jesus.
What happens to Peter at this point? This is decision time for Peter. What he does in this moment will impact the rest of his life. What do we do with failure?
Where did Peter go after he denied Christ? We don’t know. The Bible doesn’t say. But my guess is that Peter did what most of us do when we fail. When we mess up, the last thing we want is to be around people. Sin separates us from God, and God’s people. Sin isolates us so the devil can convince us that we have messed up so big, no one will want to be around us.
The Bible says, Peter went out and wept bitterly. Wherever he was that weekend, he must have felt alone in the world.
After his repeated and forceful denial of Jesus in the courtyard, the Bible says Jesus looked at Peter. Imagine this moment! At the crowing of the rooster, Jesus looked through the crowd around Him, and made eye contact with Peter. Peter was immediately convicted of his sin; not only of his denial of Jesus, but also of the pride that led him to think he could never deny Him.
Amazing, after Jesus rises from the dead, Peter is the first disciple that Jesus seeks out. After all that, the risen Christ sends for him! He doesn’t write Peter off as a permanent failure. Jesus still has plans for Peter, plans to give him a hope and a future, plans to give him a second chance.
A couple of things to remember when we fail:
1. You have failure in your past, but God has never given up on you.
2. Your past will either define you, or refine you.
There is no public humiliation. Jesus is not making an example out of Peter. He is not cast out or excluded. He is restored. He is forgiven. His past does not determine his future!
We have all failed. We all have a parts of our past we are ashamed of. We all have some regrets.
Receive this truth: Failure is an event, not a destiny.
We can’t become all God wants us to become without moving past our guilt and into the future with purpose. Our God is a God of second chances.
Today’s Challenge: Determine that your failure won’t be destiny. Reach out for God’s forgiveness and restoration. He offers it freely.
Discussion Questions:

How does it make you feel to know that God offers second chance?
What impacts you from the story of Peter's failure and restoration?
What stands out to you about the statement: "Failure is an event, not a destiny?"

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#27: Developing Godly Character Sep 06, 2020

Show notes

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 NIV).
It’s interesting how God uses the challenges of life to work in our lives and to develop of Christ-like character.
Some of the best advice I’ve ever received is: “Don’t waste your problem.” Make sure you use whatever is happening in your life as learning and growing opportunities. Allow the situation to deepen your faith in God. Allow it to cause you to trust Him in ways you never have. Let the thing you are facing right now be a catalyst for developing Godly character.
I want you to consider this question: what do you still need to learn? What areas do I still need to grow? God will provide opportunities. Patience? Self-control? To be more loving? To be less reactionary? To learn to wait on God?
Why haven’t I moved to the next level? You may be where God wants you to go, because you have not sufficiently learned the necessary lessons.
- Noah – 100 years to build the ark
- Abraham – 25 years until his son was born
- Joseph – 13 years as a slave and a prisoner
- Moses - 40 years
- David wait 20 years until he was king over all of Israel
- Paul – 3 years in Arabia
- Even Jesus waited 30 years before it was time to begin his earthly ministry
Just because you aren’t there yet, doesn’t mean God has forgotten you, forsaken you, or given up on you. It’s quite possible that you are in still in the School of Character. He may not let us move forward until we learn certain lessons.
Character is developed in times of testing.
How do we learn character? Character is never built in a classroom. Character is built in the circumstances of life. God builds character in our lives by allowing us to experience situations where we are tempted to do the exact opposite of the character quality. Character development always involves a choice. When we make the right choice, our character grows more like Christ.
Christ-like character is the goal of the Christian life. To settle for anything less is to miss the point of spiritual growth. We are to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13 NIV).
Today’s Challenge: Consider what opportunity has God brought into your life to help you develop Christ-like character?
Discussion Questions:

What have you learned from recent problems or difficulties?
How have you grown in Christ-like character through the things you have gone through?
Where in your character do you still need to grow?

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