The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#16: Growing to Spiritual Maturity Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

1 Peter 2:2 - “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
“crave” – desire- very strong word in the Greek. It represents our deepest longing.
The failure to either desire or to receive this pure milk of the word is the reason for stunted or stagnant spiritual growth.
Spiritual maturity is achieved through becoming more like Jesus Christ. After salvation, every Christian begins the process of spiritual growth, with the intent to become spiritually mature. It’s an ongoing process will never end in this life.
Spiritual maturity, then, is the process of recognizing our complete dependence on God and learning to rely on Him rather than ourselves. As we grow and mature in our relationship with Him, we realize how much we need Him.
We are called to walk in the Spirit. As led by God, we walk, one step at a time by the Spirit’s direction. As we continue to say yes to God, as we yield to his will, as we apply the word of God to our lives…we grow. We mature.
There is no growth without obedience. As children are dependent upon their parents to help them grow (nutrition, environment, protection, teaching) we too are dependent on our heavenly father. He guides. He directs. We follow. We obey. As a result we mature.
Today’s challenge: Find consistency with the milk or meat of God’s Word. Not because you have to, but because you want to. And if the desire is simply not there…ask God to give it to you. It’s a prayer he loves to answer.
Discussion Questions:

What is the difference between the "milk" of the Word and the "meat of the word?
What are the steps to growing in spiritual maturity?
What role does our obedience play in growing to become spiritually mature?
Will we ever arrive at complete spiritual maturity?

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#15: Guard Your Heart Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

The most important organ in your body is your heart. It is truly amazing. Your heart is designed to beat constantly without ever getting tire. It runs on its own, regulating the rate at which it pumps without needing instructions. Every other part of your body is dependent on the heart. When you have a problem with your heart, every other part of your body will have problems as well.
Doctors and nutritionists are constantly telling us to take good care of our hearts. Eat right and exercise regularly. Whether you follow those instructions or not, you understand what is at stake – without a healthy heart, nothing in your body can really be healthy.
But this today I want to talk about our “other” heart. Not the physical, but the spiritual side of us, and how important it is to pay very close attention to our spiritual heart.
King Solomon writes to us in Proverbs chapter 4 and instructs us to guard our hearts. He was not talking about the organ that resides in our chest; he uses the word “heart” to describe the core of our being.
Scripture - Proverbs 4:20-23 - “My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
You must guard your heart because:

It is extremely valuable.

The condition of your spiritual heart impacts every part of your life (walk with God, faith, emotional life, relationships, ministry, career, education).

Your heart is constantly under attack.

Think about this: Solomon’s word are a warning. “Guard.” He implies you are living in a combat zone. You don’t have to guard something, unless it is under attack.
I believe in spiritual warfare. We have an enemy who is determined to destroy us (faith, walk with God, influence, marriage, family, potential, and your future) He not only opposes God, but he opposed everything aligned to God – including us.
How do we guard our hearts?

Daily exposure to the truth of God’s Word
We must be cautious about who and what we allow to influence us
Keep your heart in tune with the Holy Spirit

Discussion Questions:

What kinds of things attack our hearts?
How do we guard our hearts?
Why would Solomon say we should guard our hearts "above all else?"

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#14: Take Up Your Cross Aug 24, 2020

Show notes

The story of Polycarp
Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Without a doubt, we would include this verse in our collection of “hard sayings of Christ.” But we can’t ignore the truth that Jesus is calling us to a denial of our fleshly desire, a death to our old life, and a commitment to follow.
Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love. But in Jesus’ day, the cross represented nothing but torturous death. Because the Romans forced convicted criminals to carry their own crosses to the place of crucifixion, bearing a cross meant carrying their own execution device while facing ridicule along the way to death.
When Jesus says, “Take up your cross and follow Me” he means being willing to die in order to follow Jesus. This is called “dying to self.” It’s a call to absolute surrender.
To deny yourself is not the giving up of things but the giving up of yourself wholly and completely to the Lord Jesus.
What do we gain for all of this denial and surrender? What does Christ offer us? He offers us himself. We must see that while forgiveness, grace, and mercy are tremendous blessings, the greatest prize we gain is Jesus himself.
There is nothing this world offers that compares with knowing Christ.
Polycarp was willing to give his all…and he did. Our surrender to Christ may not require the actual laying down of our physical life, but Jesus will call us to make a complete commitment of our life to follow him.
Discussion Questions:

Why does Jesus call us to a "death to self?"
In what areas of life are we to deny ourselves?
What does it mean to follow Jesus?

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#13: Recognizing God's Provision Aug 23, 2020

Show notes

2 Peter 1:3 - “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself…”
God has given us everything we need. Yes, that’s what the Bible says. And yet, we often live as though we are without. We live without joy, we live without peace, we can live without wisdom, we can live without strength, we can live without hope…and on and on.
Yes, we know that God provides all of these things for us. We run around searching in all the wrong places, hoping to find what we need instead of turning to the Lord who has already provided these resources. They are available. They are at our disposal. Any time and anywhere.
Notice the past tense: “has given us everything we need…” You have all that you need right now to be all God wants you to be. Romans 8:32 says something similar: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” While you might not have everything you want you already have everything you need.
Peter is writing to encourage a church that was facing persecution. They needed to be reminded of the sufficiency of Christ. Their relationship with God through faith in Jesus opened the door to everything they need. There was no lack, they were simply looking in the wrong direction.
Peter is reminding us to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ. It’s there that we find the riches of God. As we come to know him more we experience all the resources God provides us.
Notice Peter’s words… “by his divine power.” Peter is not talking about resources we can find through human efforts. What’s being offered to us requires divine power. We are so blessed as believers to have the resources of God at our disposal.
Whatever you need today is found in Christ.
Discussion Questions:

What resources do you often feel you are lacking?
Why is it we often look everywhere else, but to Christ?
How does it make you feel to know what we need is provided "by his divine power?"

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#12: Becoming People of Conviction Aug 22, 2020

Show notes

This principle runs throughout scripture: If you honor God, God will honor you. We often want to negotiate with God and say, “God if you’ll do this for me, I’ll do this for you, but it simply doesn’t work that way.
Daniel 1:8 - ““But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
Convictions guide our decisions and determine our character. To live a life that pleases God, we need strong biblical values. If you and I have a firm foundation on God’s Word then we will be ready to face whatever challenges come your way.
The temptation to compromise our biblical values is all around us. If you haven’t faced it, you will. It often comes when we least expect it, so it’s necessary for us to establish our convictions before the temptation arrives.
Changing Daniel’s name was insulting. Putting him through the Babylonian educational system was something that required Daniel to think clearly and to remember his convictions. However, changing the diet would actually defile Daniel. It would cause him to disobey God’s Word. It was time to take a stand.
I believe there is a battle going on for the minds and hearts of each one of us. There is a gradual conditioning that is taking place. We have to stand against this and the only way to do that is with God’s Word.
“Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself.”
Verse 8 is the hinge point for the entire book of Daniel. It’s a decision that impacted the rest of his life.
The Babylonians were attempting to determine everything in his life. His name, his training, his culture, his identity, his food, and his occupation. But Daniel determined to honor God. Likewise, we live in a world that attempts to tell us what to believe, how to live, what is acceptable. We must gather the courage to decide to follow God’s Word.
Like Daniel we live in a perverse culture. We can follow his example. We do not have to compromise. We do not have to go with the flow.
Challenge: Identify small compromises and surrender them to Jesus. Develop your own personal convictions based on the truth of God’s Word
Discussion Questions:

What is a biblical conviction?
Why is it important to identify your convictions before you are tempted?
Do small things really matter to God?

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#11: Radical Generosity Aug 21, 2020

Show notes

Scripture - Matthew 6:21 - “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Jesus is saying the that you can only have your treasure (and your heart) in one place; we can’t store up treasure on earth and on heaven at the same time.
The way we keep our heart focused on eternity and the things that truly matter is to make an investment.
How do we break this stronghold. We do so through radical generosity. Why call it radical? Because this kind of generosity is not normal. It flows out of a heart that is sold out to God.
Here are some things to consider.

Radical generosity is about an attitude, not just an amount.

God cares about the heart. He’s concerned about our motivations. We can’t impress God by a dollar amount. After all, he’s God and he doesn’t need our money. Generosity is for our benefit and for what it does in our heart.

Radical generosity gives us joy.

It is enjoyable. We give out of joy. We don’t give out of duty. We don’t give out of guilt. We don’t give out of pressure. We don’t give out of compulsion. We don’t give out of obligation. We give out of joy.

Radical generosity is radical generosity is supernatural.

Sometimes God will call us to do something crazy and give beyond your ability? That’s supernatural giving. Natural giving is to give what you’re able. Supernatural giving is to give beyond your ability.

Radical generosity makes us more like Jesus.

If God has been anything to us, He has been generous. He is generous with love, generous with grace, generous, with mercy, and even generous with blessings.
Today’s Challenge: Consider how you can take steps to be radically generous.
Discussion Questions:

Can you tell me about a time you were radically generous?
How did it make you feel?
What keeps people from being radically generous?

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#10: The Importance of Water Baptism Aug 20, 2020

Show notes

Matthew 28:18-29 – “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

Acts 2:28 – “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Water baptism is about giving a public testimony. It is often described as an outward sign of what God has done inside our lives.

The term baptize is not church or denominational term; it is a Greek term. Baptizo in the Greek meant to "dunk," "dip," "plunge," "submerge," or "immerse." Originally, it had no religious connotation. Rather, the word baptize was used to describe a ship that had been sunk in a battle or a piece of cloth that was dipped in dye. Other times it was used to refer to someone who had drowned or a cup that was dipped into a pitcher to drink from. Its use was general in nature.

Until John the Baptist, “the baptizer,” came along. He preached that people should repent of their sins because the kingdom of God was near. He would then baptize them as a sign of their commitment.

Water Baptism is God’s will for every believer. Baptism is a statement of faith: my old life is behind me – I am a new person.
The importance of baptism in the NT church …10 times water baptism is mentioned in the book of Acts.

Acts 2:38, 41: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ’…those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Acts 8:12-13: “But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized…”
Acts 8:36-38: “As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.”
Acts 9:18: “Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.”
Acts 10:47-48: “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
Acts 16:14-15: Referring to the conversion of Lydia, we read, “…The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home…”
Acts 16:31-33: “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.”
Acts 18:8: “Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.”
Acts 19:4-5: “Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 22:16:“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized...”

Discussion Questions:

Have you been baptized in water as a demonstration of your faith in Jesus? Tell me what it meant to you?
If you have not been baptized, why not?
How does baptism declare our allegiance to Jesus

#9: Will you allow God to use your life? Aug 19, 2020

Show notes

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Isaiah 6:8 - “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”
David Platt: My prayer is that people will see that following Jesus costs you everything you are and everything you have. And my prayer is that people will see that Jesus is worth it.
Common Objections:

I don’t know enough
I’m not qualified
I don’t have any influence
I’m not capable
I’m too old
I’m too young
I’m not willing

We must remember God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called. God is not looking for ability. He’s looking for availability.
2 Corinthians I love. 2:1-5 – “When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.”
This is the Apostle Paul! You would think he entered the room like a professional with courage, eloquence, and charisma, but no! He said he came in “weakness with great fear and trembling.”
Being used by God is simply a matter of saying yes to his will, his direction, and his leading. He sees in us what we do not see.
The question today is: Are you willing?
Discussion Question:

Have you ever heard God calling you to a task or ministry?
What is your response to the statement "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called?"
What next step is God calling you towards?

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#8: Abiding with Jesus Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

Recommended resources on the topic of discipleship and spiritual growth
Sermon by Pastor Tony Evans on John 15: Abiding with Jesus
John 15:1-6 NJKV - “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
To abide with Jesus we need to understand a few things:
1. Jesus is the source of life.
1 John 5:11-12 – “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
2. Apart from Jesus we are unable to accomplish anything of lasting significance.
John 15:4-5 – “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.
Remain: abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present
It has the idea of consistent connection. It is a deep, close intimacy that lasts over time, as opposed to a casual acquaintance. It has the idea of Christ taking up residence in us, and our taking up residence in relationship with him.
Where there is no abiding…there is no fruit.
Discussion Questions:

What does abiding with Jesus mean to you? What does it look like in your life?
What gets in the way and hinders you from abiding with Jesus?
What fruit will your life produce as you abide with Jesus?

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#7: Obedience to Christ Aug 17, 2020

Show notes

Episode #7: Obedience to Christ
Man assaulted firefighters and refused to leave his home.
John 14:15 - "If you love me, keep my commandments."
For so many, obedience to Christ seems harsh and oppressive. Why is God so restrictive? Why is He so controlling? Why can’t I live the way I want to live?
We must understand that just like the firefighter in our story, God doesn’t call us to obedience to be harsh, mean, rude, or oppressive. He is a good Father who loves his children. His commands are meant for our good and for our protection.
Obedience is essential for a follower of Jesus for several reasons:
It brings honor and glory to God
It proves our love for Him
It demonstrates our faithfulness to God
Opens the door for God to bless us
Questions: What has God been speaking to your heart? In what areas is he calling you to greater obedience? Where have you been resistant to obey?
1 John 5:3 - "this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome."
Quote: “We can feel strongly about obedience and not be obedient. We can feel that it’s right to be obedient and not obey. We can feel confident that obedience is the path to blessing and usefulness and joy and still not obey.” - John MacArthur
Psalm 128:1 - "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him."
Discussion Question:

Why do we struggle with obedience to God?
How does obedience open the door for God's blessings?
In which area of your life is God calling you to greater obedience?

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