Go, Make Disciples

01/30/23 • 23 min

1 Listener

On this week's episode of Spark Influence, Peter and Misty Phillip talk about the great commandment to all believers to make disciples of all believers. As the world becomes darker, we may have the inclination to recoil back from the world and circle our wagons in a safe Christian bubble. But Jesus calls us to go to go into the world and make disciples.

We are co-labors in the gospel living on mission for God. Your home, office, community, and work place is where we make disciples.

Scripture References

18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inb the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20 ESV

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” - Proverbs 27:17 ESV

Our pastor just asked our congregation these questions, and we'd like to pose these questions to you.

Who is becoming more like Jesus because you are investing in them?
When I stand before, the Lord will I be happy with what I have to present to him?

He defined discipleship a developmental process whereby believers intentionally pass on to others what they know, have experienced and are learning so that others become more like Jesus. Who are you discipling today my friends?

There are many ways to nurture and grow our faith, including:

Reading and studying the Bible: This is the foundation of our faith and the primary way we learn about God's character and will for our lives.
Praying: Talking to God and listening for His guidance is an essential part of nurturing our faith.
Worshiping: Joining with other believers in worship helps us to focus on God and to remember that we are not alone in our faith journey.
Serving others: Putting our faith into action through acts of service is a powerful way to grow in our faith and to make a difference in the world around us.
Surrounding ourselves with other believers: Being in community with other Christians helps us to be accountable, to encourage each other, and to learn from one another.
Practicing spiritual disciplines such as fasting, meditation, and journaling: These practices can help us to deepen our relationship with God and to focus on spiritual growth.

Being consistent and persistent: Growing in faith is not an overnight process it takes time and effort, but consistency and persistence in our faith practices will help us to see progress in our faith journey.

It's important to remember that nurturing our faith is an ongoing process and that it will look different for each person. The most important thing is to be intentional about seeking God and growing in our relationship with Him.

Resources

The Pilgrim's Progress is a 1678 Christian allegory written by John Bunyan. The work is a symbolic vision of the good man’s pilgrimage through life. At one time second only to the Bib le in popularity, The Pilgrim’s Progress is the most famous allegory on the Christian life.

We are co-labors in the gospel living on mission for God. Your home, office, community, and work place is where we make disciples.

Scripture References

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” - Proverbs 27:17 ESV

Our pastor just asked our congregation these questions, and we'd like to pose these questions to you.

Who is becoming more like Jesus because you are investing in them?
When I stand before, the Lord will I be happy with what I have to present to him?

There are many ways to nurture and grow our faith, including:

Reading and studying the Bible: This is the foundation of our faith and the primary way we learn about God's character and will for our lives.
Praying: Talking to God and listening for His guidance is an essential part of nurturing our faith.
Worshiping: Joining with other believers in worship helps us to focus on God and to remember that we are not alone in our faith journey.
Serving others: Putting our faith into action through acts of service is a powerful way to grow in our faith and to make a difference in the world around us.
Surrounding ourselves with other believers: Being in community with other Christians helps us to be accountable, to encourage each other, and to learn from one another.
Practicing spiritual disciplines such as fasting, meditation, and journaling: These practices can help us to deepen our relationship with God and to focus on spiritual growth.

Resources

Previous Episode

Tracking & Accessing Progress to Identify Growth & Development Areas

Welcome to the Spark Influence podcast with Tech executive Peter Phillip and his wife, Misty Phillip, Founder of Spark Media, who inspires Christian podcasters through various ventures, including the Spark Media Christian podcast, Spark Media Network, Magazine, and Spar5k Collective Membership community. On this week's episode of the Spark Influence podcast, we discuss the importance of tracking and accessing progress to identify growth and development areas.

Tracking & Reflecting

Regularly taking time to reflect on your progress and assess what is and is not working can help us identify growth and development areas. Peter recommends quarterly meetings for your business and your family to see what is working and what needs to be adjusted. By supporting each other's growth and personal development, you can work together to create a successful and fulfilling business while growing as individuals and a couple.

Begin with End in Mind

Peter asked Misty to share her secret sauce about getting things done and how she plans for success. Misty recommends starting with the end in mind and working backward. She shares how she did this while home-educating her boys—looking at college requirements while the boys were in elementary and middle school to prepare her kids for college—coupled with the interests and proclivity to devise a well-rounded curriculum.

Time Block & Batch Work

Peter and Misty share how time blocking my calendar and batching work is an effective strategy to accomplish goals. Misty also shares her strategy for long-range planning, including leaving borders and margins in our schedule and learning from our mistakes. She shares the importance of meal prep and planning for the week ahead.

Seek Ye First

Starting their day with scripture, prayer, and quiet is foundational. Misty tends to begin her day super early to read, study, and prayer. In comparison, Peter's mantra is Bible before the news. They share productivity hacks, like writing everything down, using Do Not Disturb and the notes app to organize tasks and to-dos.

Scripture Reference

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33 ESV.

Resources

Managers of Their Homes: A Practical Guide to Daily Scheduling for Christian Homeschool Families

Trello - Trello brings all your tasks, teammates, and tools together.

Next Episode

Love What You Do

Welcome to the Spark Influence podcast; This month we are focusing on love. In this episode, we are talking about finding our passion and loving what we do. We discuss why it is essential, how it can impact your life, and some tips on finding your passion.

When you love what you do, it's no longer just a job, a calling and a passion, and it brings much more joy and fulfillment to your life.

Scripture Reference

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 ESV says, "I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man."

People that love what they do are more productive!

Studies have shown that people who love their work are more productive, motivated, and have a greater sense of purpose. And it's not just about feeling good. Loving what you do also helps you work smarter, not harder. It keeps you inspired and allows you to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of challenges.

Finding your passion

Finding your passion doesn't have to be a daunting task. There are many simple steps you can take to identify what it is that you genuinely love to do. One approach is to think about your hobbies and interests. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? This often gives clues about what your passions are. Misty encourages people to pray and ask God where their gifting and calling line up in this season because God has gifted us to do the things he has prepared us to do from before the foundation of the universe.

Try new things

Another approach is to try new things. You only know what you might enjoy once you try it. And by experimenting with new experiences, you can broaden your horizons and discover new passions. And don't be afraid to take risks. If you're unhappy in your current job, it may be time to try something new. Whether starting your own business or changing careers, taking risks can lead to great rewards. (Talk about leaping to do your own thing)

It's also important to remember that finding your passion is a journey, not a destination.

It's okay if you don't have everything figured out right away. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and exploring new possibilities. So, whether you're just starting or looking to make a change, know that loving what you do is possible. And with the right attitude and approach, you can find your passion and create a life you love.