Our tendency towards offenses is to react in our flesh. It is helpful to see our offender as God’s agent for developing the character of Jesus in us. Instead of just reacting to conflict and offense from our human perspective, what if we asked God for His perspective? God is able to use even the conflict we experience among believers to form Christ in both the offended and the offender!Imagine the change we would see if we, as the Body of Christ, had a heart for restoration toward offenders! Imagine if, instead of reacting to offenders in bitterness or pride, we allowed God to give us a heart of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. As believers, we need to walk in the awareness that we have been forgiven so much! As our eyes are opened to God’s love and forgiveness in “going to His offenders”, we will gain His heart to restore our offenders as well.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

What hinders us from going to offenders? Are you harboring bitterness? Are you going to others who are not part of the problem or solution? When we are offended we need to go to the Lord first and allow Him to search our heart. As we take the situation to Him, He is then able to give us His heart and His forgiveness toward our offender. Imagine the change we would see if we, as the Body of Christ, had a heart for restoration toward offenders! Imagine if, instead of reacting to offenders in bitterness or pride, we allowed God to give us a heart of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. As believers, we need to walk in the awareness that we have been forgiven so much! As our eyes are opened to God’s love and forgiveness in “going to His offenders”, we will gain His heart to restore our offenders as well.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

How are we to “go to offenders” in the first place? So often we approach an offender with our motive being vindication - we go in anger and pride and with a desire to expose them. However it is key that we approach a straying brother with the heart God has for them. If we go with an attitude of humility, love and a desire to restore, it has the potential to open their heart in a way that it wouldn’t have otherwise.Imagine the change we would see if we, as the Body of Christ, had a heart for restoration toward offenders! Imagine if, instead of reacting to offenders in bitterness or pride, we allowed God to give us a heart of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. As believers, we need to walk in the awareness that we have been forgiven so much! As our eyes are opened to God’s love and forgiveness in “going to His offenders”, we will gain His heart to restore our offenders as well.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

Going to offenders is not about condemnation; it’s about restoration. Join Nate and Gabe as they dig into the context surrounding this command. This command will open your eyes to see the heart of God to restore, not condemn, those who are lost.Imagine the change we would see if we, as the Body of Christ, had a heart for restoration toward offenders! Imagine if, instead of reacting to offenders in bitterness or pride, we allowed God to give us a heart of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. As believers, we need to walk in the awareness that we have been forgiven so much! As our eyes are opened to God’s love and forgiveness in “going to His offenders”, we will gain His heart to restore our offenders as well.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com  Study guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshiphttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

We all have “little ones” in our lives - whether they are  young children physically or those who are spiritually immature in the faith. A very practical aspect of living out this command is that we learn to take time to invest in these “little ones.” Whether you are a parent with children or someone in a discipleship setting, you will be encouraged as you listen to have God’s perspective toward those He has put in your life. Seeing how much God values little ones will help enable us to fulfill this command. Whether we are interacting with adults who are new in their faith or with children who need to mature, we can learn great lessons by looking to Jesus as our example! God’s desire is that we all become “as little children” - ones who are dependent on our Heavenly Father and who, in simplicity and trust, take Him at His word.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

It is so easy to have the mentality that we need to do something impressive or become something great in order to be used by God. In this episode, Nate and Gabe explore many examples from scripture illustrating the truth that God uses the “little ones” - the ones who are weak and dependent on Him - to accomplish His purposes. Oftentimes the reason God is not able to use us is not because we are too weak, but because we are too strong in ourselves.Seeing how much God values little ones will help enable us to fulfill this command. Whether we are interacting with adults who are new in their faith or with children who need to mature, we can learn great lessons by looking to Jesus as our example! God’s desire is that we all become “as little children” - ones who are dependent on our Heavenly Father and who, in simplicity and trust, take Him at His word.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

We are often impatient with ones who are less mature than us. However it is so important for us to humble ourselves and accept the fact that we are “little children” who are completely dependent on our Heavenly Father. As we rest in Him and receive His gentle demeanor toward us, we will be able to communicate this same attitude of love and patience to those around us. Seeing how much God values little ones will help enable us to fulfill this command. Whether we are interacting with adults who are new in their faith or with children who need to mature, we can learn great lessons by looking to Jesus as our example! God’s desire is that we all become “as little children” - ones who are dependent on our Heavenly Father and who, in simplicity and trust, take Him at His word.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

When the disciples asked Jesus “who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”, they were probably not expecting Jesus to answer the way He did! He pointed them to a little child and said that we must become as little children in order to enter the Kingdom. Join Nate and Gabe as they explore the rich insights of becoming “as little children” - ones who believe God and take Him at His word. Seeing how much God values little ones will help enable us to fulfill this command. Whether we are interacting with adults who are new in their faith or with children who need to mature, we can learn great lessons by looking to Jesus as our example! God’s desire is that we all become “as little children” - ones who are dependent on our Heavenly Father and who, in simplicity and trust, take Him at His word.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com  Study guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshiphttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

Often when we think of denying self, we think of abstaining from things that are obviously “bad.” We need to be aware that there is also a “lust of the flesh” that looks good - it is a desire to be good in our own strength and by our own efforts. We must deny this dependence on the flesh because even though it looks good, it keeps us from dependence on Christ. Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

Does our behavior define our identity or is our identity supposed to define our behavior? Often we wrestle with our identity in Christ because we still wrestle with old patterns and behaviors. It is paramount to our Christian life that we learn to bring our behavior in line with who we are in Christ. In this episode, Nate and Gabe share that this mentality is a key in learning to walk out the command to Deny Yourself. Denying self is just learning to walk out the reality of who we are in Christ.Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

What does it mean to deny yourself? And what does it look like to deny yourself daily? Listen as Nate and Gabe discuss the freedom that comes when we forget ourselves and our own interests and begin to live for the Lord’s purposes. At the core of this command to “Deny Yourself” is that we learn to say “no” to ourselves and “yes” to Jesus every time.Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

Do you ever hear the words “deny yourself” and interpret them to mean something austere and lifeless? In this episode, Nate and Gabe will challenge you to think about the lifegiving implications of Jesus’ command to Deny Yourself. Where living for self brings bondage, depression, and darkness, you will see that turning from self and following Jesus brings life, and joy and peace.Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com  Study guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshiphttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

We can know a lot about God, but information doesn’t change us. One of the Greek words used in Scripture for the word know is “ginosko.” The meaning is deep and beautiful and refers to something beyond just knowing information — it is an experiential knowing, a knowing that changes us. In this episode, Nathan Johnson testifies to the fact that your Christian life will change dramatically once you grasp the difference between the informational knowing about God and experiential knowing of God.We are delighted to have guest Nathan Johnson join us on the Commands of Christ podcast! Nathan is a writer, teacher, and communicator with an overwhelming passion for Jesus Christ. Along with teaching at the Ellerslie School of Discipleship in Colorado, he seeks to encourage Christians of all ages through his ministry called deeperChristian.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshiphttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.instagram.com/homediscipleshipnetwork

How are we to deal with the compromise, the hypocrisy, the unbelief (i.e., the leaven) in our lives? In this episode, Nate and Gabe give encouragement on how to allow the Lord to search our hearts, expose us, and bring us back into fellowship and communion with Him in every area of our lives. As we humble ourselves under His Word, He will replace the leaven with His truth.Do you seek to keep certain things hidden so people will have a good opinion of you? Do you care more about looking good on the outside than you do about having a heart that is without compromise before God? This is called hypocrisy and it is something Jesus took very seriously. As you listen, allow the Lord to search you and bring His light to the hidden areas of your life. God longs to reveal Himself to you through a personal and intimate relationship; what will you allow to stand in the way?Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

It has been said that “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” Beware of the lie that “little things” are not a big deal. In this episode, Nate and Gabe will expound on the fact that, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”Do you seek to keep certain things hidden so people will have a good opinion of you? Do you care more about looking good on the outside than you do about having a heart that is without compromise before God? This is called hypocrisy and it is something Jesus took very seriously. As you listen, allow the Lord to search you and bring His light to the hidden areas of your life.God longs to reveal Himself to you through a personal and intimate relationship; what will you allow to stand in the way?Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

Jesus said that the leaven of the Pharisees was hypocrisy. They loved the praise of men, they looked good on the outside, they did and said all the right things, but inwardly they missed the mark! Hypocrisy is very connected to pride - “I want to look better than I am.” In this episode, Nate and Gabe exhort us to ask ourselves the question, “Is there leaven in me?”Do you seek to keep certain things hidden so people will have a good opinion of you? Do you care more about looking good on the outside than you do about having a heart that is without compromise before God? This is called hypocrisy and it is something Jesus took very seriously. As you listen, allow the Lord to search you and bring His light to the hidden areas of your life.God longs to reveal Himself to you through a personal and intimate relationship; what will you allow to stand in the way?Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

What is leaven? And what are its effects? In this new study on the command of Christ to “Beware of Leaven”, Nate and Gabe will take a deeper look into the metaphorical “leaven” in our own lives. Leaven is something very small that grows in secret, and ends up permeating the whole.  Do you seek to keep certain things hidden so people will have a good opinion of you? Do you care more about looking good on the outside than you do about having a heart that is without compromise before God? This is called hypocrisy and it is something Jesus took very seriously. As you listen, allow the Lord to search you and bring His light to the hidden areas of your life. God longs to reveal Himself to you through a personal and intimate relationship; what will you allow to stand in the way?Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com  Study guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshiphttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

The question needs to be addressed: how do we honor parents or in-laws who are difficult? If we really want to honor our parents, we need to walk in forgiveness toward them. This episode is packed with encouraging truth! Listen as Nate and Gabe give encouragement on how God desires to free us from bitterness toward our parents and enable us to honor them even in difficult situations.In a day where it is culturally acceptable to dishonor parents and those in authority, it is so important for us to be reminded of the command to “Honor Your Parents.” Sadly this attitude of dishonor is something that has been disregarded and excused even by Christians. The honoring of those over us is something very close to the heart of God. As you listen, be exhorted to turn your ear away from what is culturally “normal” and give weight to what the Word of God says about this area.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

It is important to  see that not only does Scripture address those under authority - it also addresses those in authority. Being in a position of authority is a weighty responsibility. Parents are accountable before God for how they lead their children. Listen as Nate and Gabe discuss how one of the greatest ways to encourage your children to honor you is by living and walking in an honoring way.In a day where it is culturally acceptable to dishonor parents and those in authority, it is so important for us to be reminded of the command to “Honor Your Parents.” Sadly this attitude of dishonor is something that has been disregarded and excused even by Christians. The honoring of those over us is something very close to the heart of God. As you listen, be exhorted to turn your ear away from what is culturally “normal” and give weight to what the Word of God says about this area.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

It is all too common for us to have a list of excuses for why we don’t have to honor our parents. While there may be situations in which we need to “obey God rather than men”, most often we are just looking for an excuse because honoring them is hard and uncomfortable. It all boils down to our heart - if our heart is to honor our parents, we will look for ways to do it.In a day where it is culturally acceptable to dishonor parents and those in authority, it is so important for us to be reminded of the command to “Honor Your Parents.” Sadly this attitude of dishonor is something that has been disregarded and excused even by Christians. The honoring of those over us is something very close to the heart of God. As you listen, be exhorted to turn your ear away from what is culturally “normal” and give weight to what the Word of God says about this area.Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.comStudy guide includes: Scriptures referenced in podcastReview of Old Testament contextGuide for Scripture meditationQuestions for application and prayerFor more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.comFind us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetworkhttps://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast