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Following Jesus by Learning and Living the Bible
Episodes
Monday May 25, 2020
Monday May 25, 2020
This episode explores several key questions about discipleship:
- Are discipleship and evangelism the same thing?
- When does discipleship begin?
- Discipleship vs. salvation?
- Why is discipleship important?
- Why is discipleship difficult?
- What discipleship is not?
- How to do discipleship?
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Monday May 18, 2020
Monday May 18, 2020
When it comes learning how to do something, showing is more helpful than just telling.
And that’s just as true of discipleship as anything else. The way of Jesus gets passed on by showing not just telling. Your relationship with Jesus is personal but it's not individual. People need your concrete example of discipleship.
Bible Passages mentioned in this episode:
2 Thessalonians 3:7-9 - For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
1 Cor. 4:15-17 - For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me. That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
1 Cor. 11:1 - Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 - Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Philippians 4:9 - The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
2 Tim. 3:10-11 - You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra. . . .”
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▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
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As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday May 11, 2020
Monday May 11, 2020
What are the main components of being a disciple of Jesus? That is, if you had to boil it down to the main ingredients… what are they? In this episode, I highlight the three main components of discipleship … and then zero in on the one component without which none of the rest are possible. So it’s the one component you can’t be a disciple without!
Bible Passages mentioned in this episode:
Mark 1:14-20
14 Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
Mark 8:31-34
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”
34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Mark 3:13-14
13 And He *went up on the mountain and *summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach
John 14:16-17a
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth,
▶️LISTENER’S COMMENTARY: https://www.listenerscommentary.com
▶️DISCIPLESHIP COACHING: I help churches create a culture of discipleship https://www.johnwhittaker.net/discipleship-coaching
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY: Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday May 04, 2020
Monday May 04, 2020
In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus challenges would-be disciples in shocking ways. In doing so, he highlights for us a fundamental requirement of being a disciple.
Why does Jesus say, "Let the dead bury their own dead"?
Why doesn't Jesus permit someone to say good-bye to their family before following Him?
And what does all of this have to do with you being a disciple of Jesus?
Luke 9:57-62
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Mark 1:16-20
16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19 Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️BECOME A PATRON: Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Apr 27, 2020
Monday Apr 27, 2020
In this episode, I focus on this question: What is the goal of discipleship? How do you know if you are a disciple? How do you know when you're a fully trained disciple?
Luke 6:39-40
39 And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.
Luke 6:43-45
43 For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
Have you checked out the Listener's Commentary on the New Testament? https://www.listenerscommentary.com
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Monday Apr 20, 2020
Christian. Religious. Church goer.
Those are some of the words and phrases used to describe followers of Jesus. But I don't think they're the best. At least, they don't get at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. So in this episode we look at the #1 thing we're supposed to do and be and the word that Jesus used to capture that.
That word is "disciple."
Making disciples is the mission - the only mission - of the church. It's also who we are as a church - a gathering of disciples. So all our energy and efforts should aim towards being disciples and making disciples. What does that entail? We're going to explore over the next few weeks on the podcast, beginning with this episode.
Matthew 28:18-2018 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Check out the Listener's Commentary on the New Testament: https://www.listenerscommentary.com
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Apr 13, 2020
Monday Apr 13, 2020
This Bible in Life episode gives you a little preview of the Listener's Commentary on the New Testament (listenerscommentary.com) and studies Galatians 1:1-10. Galatians is Paul's defense of the gospel and the freedoms it provides. In Galatians 1:1-10, Paul introduces the letter, summarizes the gospel, and rebukes the Galatians for so easily going after a false gospel. The true gospel is the one preached by Paul, and Galatians will spell that out in detail.
Visit the Listener's Commentary website for more: https://www.listenerscommentary.com
Galatians 1:1-10
Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Apr 06, 2020
Monday Apr 06, 2020
"Leviticus is one of the most revolutionary books in the ancient world." - Brad Gray.
This is part 2 of my conversation with Brad Gray from Walking The Text, whose mission is to help people learn, love, and live the Bible. Some of the topics we discuss are 1) wrestling with the question, how do I make sense of the Old Testament Law? There's so many weird laws and rules ... why is all of that in the Bible? 2) We also reflect on the importance of recognizing the Big Story of the Bible (Brad mentions a great resource here), and 3) Ways you can engage with God's word.
Bonus: stick around til the end for some fun facts about Brad!
Learn more about Brad, study trips to Israel, and how to read the Bible in its original context at:
Connect with Brad on:
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Mar 30, 2020
Monday Mar 30, 2020
What is the #1 key to learning and living the Bible?
"Everybody knows that in any facet of life context is everything, and yet the vast majority of people have never been taught how to think about context related to the Bible." - Brad Gray.
In part 1 of their conversation about learning, loving, and living the Bible, Brad Gray (from Walking The Text) and John explore the power of the original context for understanding and experiencing the Bible. What's the force and feel of the familiar mention of Caesar Augustus in Luke 2? What's really going on in Paul's well-known words in Philippians 4:13 and why the original context is so important for experiencing the promises of God? And how can you begin to learn more about the original context of the Bible so that when you read, the text begins to come to life.
Learn more about Brad, study trips to Israel, and how to read the Bible in its original context at:
Connect with Brad on:
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.
Monday Mar 23, 2020
Monday Mar 23, 2020
"I'm reading Leviticus. Enough said!"
Can you relate to that? I know I can. Leviticus is not the most exciting reading ... rule after rule, regulation after regulation! And some of those rules and regulations seem so odd!
In this episode I give a framework to help you think about Leviticus properly and then I deal with what's the purpose of the clean and unclean laws. All of this points towards Jesus eliminating the clean and unclean food laws but not the purpose of those laws.
Passages used in this episode:
Leviticus 20:24-26 - I am the Lord your God, who has set you apart from the nations. 25 “‘You must therefore make a distinction between clean and unclean animals and between unclean and clean birds. Do not defile yourselves by any animal or bird or anything that moves along the ground—those that I have set apart as unclean for you. 26 You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.
Amos 5:21-24
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me.
22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them.
23 Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.
24 But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Mark 7:18-23 - “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) 20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
▶️WANT TO DEEPEN YOU RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD? Sign up for my free video series at: https://www.johnwhittaker.net
▶️MORE FREE RESOURCES: https://www.johnwhittaker.net/resources
▶️SUPPORT THIS SHOW
Two ways you can support the show:
- Become a patron for as little as $5 per month at https://www.patreon.com/johnwhittaker
- Donate through World Family Mission … all gifts are tax deductible.
Other resources and ways to connect with me:
▶️Social Media-I would love to connect with you on facebook and instagram
▶️Email - john@johnwhittaker.net
As always, if you appreciate this teaching leave a review and share freely - on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, via email.