Today we're looking at living in the Kingdom and following the King.

Is there an area in your life where you're not submitting to Jesus as King? And what might he be leading you into that would allow you to submit in that area this week?

Lord we honour you as our King. And we thank you that you consistently and continually lead us. And so God would you give us hearts that are really receptive to where you're leading, give us ears to hear, and hearts that want to obey. But Lord when the ask isn't direct, and as we simply go about living our lives, would you help us to continually honour you. Keep refining us more and more into the likeness of Jesus, where those actions of love and mercy and power naturally flow from us. Would you keep transforming our hearts Lord so we look more like you. We love you Jesus, in your precious name, amen.

Recommended book

Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter here: https://simplediscipleship.co/

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I wasn't sure where to go next following the mini-series on discipleship but a few things coincided:

I'm reading Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

I've been reading the Sermon on the Mount

and yesterday (by the time this goes live) I preached a message about how God is King.

And all of those things have one thing in common: God's Kingdom.

So let's take a look at God's Kingdom together.

It really is the natural place to go after looking at discipleship, because it's why discipleship matters - we're being made into people who feel perfectly at home in the Kingdom of God.

Is Jesus your saviour?

Is Jesus your King?

Lord I'm sorry for all the wrong that I've done and how I've gone against you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me and covering over all of my sins. I now accept your invitation into the Kingdom and full life. Jesus I make you my Lord and saviour. In your name, amen.

Lord, I want you to be King over all of my life. And that might scare me to say. So Lord would you even just give me a heart that wants you to be King over all of my life. I know that all of this is only possible with your Holy Spirit as you transform me into a person of love, as I follow you as a disciple. So God would you bring areas to my attention where I don't yet trust you but where you're asking me to. Help me to give it all to you Lord. In your precious name Jesus, amen.

Recommended book

Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter here: https://simplediscipleship.co/

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the final part of our discipleship mini-serieswhere we're looking at putting all we've covered into practice.

This one is a little longer than usual, as I take you through what my rhythms and practices look like (it's a journey and I've still got a long way to go!

So what will your response be?

Lord thank you that you designed us, that you know exactly what our souls need, that you’ve got good works planned in advance for us to do. Lord, we bring ourselves to you again. Wherever we’re at on the journey, Lord would you give each of us hearts that long to be with you, that long to be more like you, and that long to do what you did. Take our yes Lord and transform all the parts of us that are saying no at the minute. Mark us with your love as we love others. Thank you for transformation that comes from only you, Jesus. We love you. In your precious name, amen.

Recommend books

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

You are More than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter here: https://simplediscipleship.co/

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 4 of our discipleship mini-series. What does it mean to do what Jesus did and how can we do it?

Question

Which of these practices - community, service and witness - can you take a simple, intentional step in this week?

Prayer

Thank you Jesus that we get to do what you did. To be empowered by your Holy Spirit to make a difference in our communities, to love others well, to see salvation and miracles. As we take a moment now Lord would you speak to us about these things. Help us be intentional about making space for, preaching, and demonstrating the Gospel. Thank you Lord that you’ve already equipped us with everything we need. Would you help us to be open to your Spirit’s leading as you transform us into people of love. You are worthy Jesus and we long for more of you. And so we say, “here we are, send us”. In your precious name Jesus, amen.

Recommend books

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

You are More than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter here: https://heyjohere.substack.com/

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 3 of our discipleship mini-series. What does it mean to become like Jesus and how can we do it?

Question

As you reflect on becoming more like Jesus, what practices or habits could you intentionally embrace this week to position yourself for transformation?

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you invite us to be with you, that you invite us to be transformed by you, and to do what you did. Lord, I admit that I find it way too easy to slip into self-reliance and forget that everything I have and need comes from you anyway. So Lord, would you help me to rely on you more and more. And as I rely on you Jesus, would you give me faith to trust the process that you are transforming me, whatever that looks like Lord, so I look more like you and can glorify you and share who you are with a hurting world. Thank you for the opportunity to be your hands and feet. I love you Lord. In your precious name Jesus amen.

Recommend books

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

You are More than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter here: https://heyjohere.substack.com/

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello bonus episode!

I started my winter routine this week and got a few questions about it - so thought I'd share on an episode.

Sunrise Alarm clock

Books mentioned:

Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster

The Power to Change - Craig Groeschel

Questions:

1. What do you want to fill your mind with? When is the best time to do that?

2. What do you want to fuel your body with? How can you change your week to make sure that's as easy as possible?

3. What do you want to reward yourself with?

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter here: https://heyjohere.substack.com/

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 2 of our discipleship mini-series. What does it mean to be with Jesus and how can we do it?

Question

Which of these three practices feels the most challenging to you? Do you know why?

Prayer

Lord, thank you for simply inviting me to be with you. Thank you that you fully see me and know me and love me anyway. Would you give me a heart that loves you and longs to be in your presence, would you help me to abide in you each day, to find rest in you, to find my strength in you, to find contentment in you. I need you Lord, would you transform me as I spend time in your presence, so that I become a person of love. In your name Jesus, amen.

Recommend books

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

You are More than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter here: https://heyjohere.substack.com/

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the start of a mini-series on discipleship. In today's episode we're looking at discipleship in first centruy Judaism and the concept of a rule of life. Enjoy!

Question

In what areas of your life do you sense a need for deeper connection with Jesus?

Now let’s take that area to Jesus in prayer, rather than figuring out on our own.

Prayer

Lord, I come to you humbly today, acknowledging that you are the way, the truth and the life. I long for more of all three, for more of you. So here I am Lord. There are areas of my life where I know a deeper connection with you is possible, would you help me to enter it, to embrace all you have for me, to intentionally orient my days to be with you, become like you, and do as you did. I need you Jesus. Help me to be your apprentice. In your name, amen.

Recommend books

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

You are More than You’ve Been Told by Hosanna Wong

If you're looking for more, subscribe to the Friday 'Design Your Week' newsletter.

And if you want to make sure you don't miss an episode, just follow this podcast on your favourite podcast app :)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.