The 5 Minute Discipleship Podcast

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#1,577: How Are You Using Your Influence? Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

How are you using your influence? Now, you might think you are not very influential because you define influence as position, fame, prominence, or name recognition. But listen to this definition of influence. Influence is the effect of something on a person. It's the power that somebody has to affect other people's lives, beliefs, thinking, and actions.

Main Points:
1. Everyone listening to this podcast episode has influence. You have people who like you and look up to you. There are people who come to you for your opinion, advice, or wisdom. You have acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who respect you. There are people watching your life and being influenced by it, without you even knowing it. Everyone has a circle of influence.

2. Our influence is not to be egotistical. It is not for our benefit. It is for Christ’s sake. The reason you let your light shine, the reason you are the salt of the earth, is for the purposes of God. We are an influence so we can bring more people to Jesus.

3. Let’s use the influence God has given us for God’s glory and to point others to the Savior.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

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#1,576: Wisdom for our Words Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

Today, you and I will say a lot of words. We have more ways to communicate than any previous generation. We speak, write, text, email, and social media, all of which require a choice of words. Let’s slow down, think before speaking, allow the Lord to give us wisdom, and choose our words carefully.

Main Points:
1. We might be tempted to think our words don’t matter, but according to God, they really do. Jesus spoke about how our words reveal what is in our hearts.

2. Our words are like a bucket of water dipped into a well. If there is fresh water down deep, that’s what comes out. If what is below is stagnant, polluted, and diseased, that is what will come out. In other words, “If the heart is clean, the words are clean.” If the heart is contaminated, our words will expose it.

3. Because our words have such impact on others, we must ask God to give us wisdom in our daily interactions. Through our words we have the potential to bless, encourage, and inspire. We also have the potential to injure, discourage, and inflict emotional pain.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Ephesians 4:29 - “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 - “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.”
Proverbs 15:7 - “The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.”

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#1,575: The Sin of Envy Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

What is envy? A feeling of discontentment or resentment over the opportunities, possessions, or blessings of another. I once heard envy described as the combination of a desire for something, with the resentment that another is enjoying it and you are not.

Main Points:
1. It’s been my experience that envy is not a sin we readily confess. There is a deception that accompanies envy. We can be envious and not realize it. We can feel envy towards someone and not identify the feelings as sin.

2. Envy invites comparison of relationships, success, status, or image. Envy is consuming, and it doesn’t take long before you lose yourself in the constant and relentless comparisons, all while cultivating bitterness and hatred toward people in your life, sometimes the very people you once loved and appreciated.

3. So, how can we protect our hearts from this sin? First and foremost, we must cultivate gratitude. When we focus on the blessings in our own lives rather than fixating on what others have, we develop a spirit of thankfulness.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Proverbs 4:23 - “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Galatians 5:26 - “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Proverbs 14:30 - “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”

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#1,574: Seek and Save the Lost Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

God’s heart beats with compassion for the lost, and He passionately seeks them out. As followers of Christ, we are invited into this search. We become part of the process by sharing the message of the Gospel with those around us. What is important to God, must be important to us.

Main Points:
1. Jesus’ very purpose in coming to earth and dying for our sins was to seek and save the lost. Nothing matters more to God.

2. Let me remind you of this truth: The Gospel message is urgent. Every day people are dying and going into eternity lost in their sins. The only way of salvation is through faith in Jesus, yet many have never heard a clear and simple message of salvation.

3. We have a message far more valuable than a cure for cancer, it is a cure for our sins. Only through Jesus there is salvation and forgiveness of our sins, which not only impacts our lives here and now, but also for eternity.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Luke 15:8-10 — “what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Luke 19:10 - “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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#1,573: Will You Say Yes to God? Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Unequivocally, I can say that God is looking for us to say “yes” to Him. Have you given God your yes? Have you surrendered your will and your life to God? Have you said “God, I’m yours. Take my life and use it for your glory?” Have you said, “God, I’ll say what you want me to say, go where you want me to go, and do what you want me to do?”

Main Points:
1. Some of our greatest internal battles are with God. There is an internal wrestling over whether we will say yes to God or not. Will we obey His Word? Will we submit to God’s authority? Will we let the Bible guide and direct our lives?

2. This simple response, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening," is a profound declaration of openness and obedience to God's will. We see Samuel's readiness to hear and obey whatever God may command. And it is through this willingness to say yes to God that Samuel's life is forever changed.

3. Without hesitation, let’s be quick and ready to give God our yes.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Samuel 3:4 - ““Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”

1 Samuel 3:10 - "The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

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#1,572: Here am I. Send me. Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

The Holy Spirit is speaking to every believer in Jesus and He’s asking the question, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” God wants to send every one of us into His Kingdom work. When we say “Here am I, Send me,” God will use our lives for His glory.

Main Points:
1. I’ve noticed over the years, that the thing that keeps many Christians from stepping out in faith and allowing God to use their lives is that they disqualify themselves. Some feel unusable because of their past, their failures, and their mistakes. Others think God is looking for people who are more spiritual or more gifted.

2. Notice in the verse with Isaiah, there are no qualifications listed. God was looking for one thing: availability. The old saying is still true: God is not looking for ability. He is looking for availability.

3. God is still searching for men and women who will say yes. He’s looking for individuals who are willing to be sent and to be used by the Holy Spirit.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Isaiah 6:8 - “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

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#1,571: God's Word is Unchanging Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

You and I have a truth we can hold onto today: God is a promise-keeper. He will not fail. What He has said, He will do. What He has promised, He will perform.

Main Points:
1. Let this truth be an encouragement in your life today. No word from God ever fails. No matter your current circumstances, God's Word remains unshakable. In times of uncertainty, when others may question the reliability of God’s promises, as believers we can find comfort and assurance in the unchanging nature of God's Word.

2. Some of God’s promises come to pass quickly, even overnight. Others stretch over long periods of time. Waiting on God is not always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s even painful. As finite humans, it’s difficult to understand the timing of a sovereign God. Yet, we live by faith. We trust a God who has proven himself to be true to His Word time and time again.

3. Be encouraged by the truth that no word from God will ever fail.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Luke 1:37, "For no word from God will ever fail."

Joshua 21:43-45 - “So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.”

1 Kings 8:56“ - Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant”

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#1,570: Is There a Purpose to our Suffering? Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Why do we suffer? You and I have lived long enough to see and experience suffering. It comes to us all. Suffering is no respecter of persons. There is coming a day when all suffering will cease. When we are in the eternal presence of our God. He will wipe away all tears. But for now, suffering is a part of our human existence.

Main Points:
1. Suffering exists for several reasons. The first of which is that we live in a fallen world that is corrupted by sin. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, sin entered the world and that started all of the pollution, chaos, and downgrading that's been taking place ever since.

2. Sometimes suffering is caused by our own sins and mistakes. Occasionally, suffering is the work of Satan. Other times, though we don't like to admit it, suffering occurs because of the will of God.

3. We must understand that God knew the trials were coming into our lives. He allowed them for His purpose. He is using them to teach us. He is drawing us close. He is deepening our faith and character. He is preparing us for something eternal.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

1 Peter 5:10 - “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”

Galatians 6:7 "Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

1 Peter 5:8 "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him. Stand firm in the faith because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering.”
1 Peter 4:19 - “So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 - “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

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#1,569: Is Anything Hindering Your Spiritual Growth? Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Pray and ask God to search your heart. As the Lord reveals things that are hindering your spiritual growth, be willing to throw them off so that nothing slows you down.

Main Points:
1. I must ask the Lord to show me if there is anything in my life that is hindering my relationship with Christ. Is there anything that is hindering me? Is there anything slowing me down and impeding my spiritual growth.

2. What burdens are you carrying today? Is there anything slowing you down? I think of doubts, fears, worries, sins, and distractions that hinder our progress. These hinderances could be people in our lives that not influencing us towards godliness. It could be good things like work, hobbies, or things we enjoy that are not sinful, yet they have become distractions that keep us from growing in Christ.

3. Paul said that we are to put off the old self and put on the new self. We are letting go of old sins, attitude, habits, sinful patterns of living. In Christ we are putting on the new self that exemplifies righteousness and holiness. As we pursue godliness, this is a work of the Spirit and a process that will continue in our lives until we meet Jesus face to face.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Hebrews 12:1-2 - “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

Psalm 139:23-24 - “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Ephesians 4:22-25 - “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

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#1,568: God's Definition of Greatness Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Greatness in the kingdom of God, is rooted in humility and sacrificial service. So, we see that greatness is achievable for all of us. It’s not dependent on your title, position, location, influence, or anything else. Greatness is achieved when we serve others. All of us can do this today.

Main Points:
1. Our culture sees greatness as record-breaking achievements, success, influence, power, position, fame, and notoriety. But God sees it differently.

2. Consider this: Jesus, the Son of God, the King of Kings, chose to serve rather than be served. In a culture that revered positions of authority, Jesus shattered expectations by washing the disciples' feet and living a life marked by humility and selflessness.

3. Whether in the workplace, our families, or communities, let us remember the example set by the ultimate servant-leader, Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect His humility, compassion, and commitment to serving others.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

Mark 10:35-37 - “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”

Mark 10:42-25 - “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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