Discipleship Conversations: Intentionality

[00:00:02] Speaker A: Welcome to the YA Podcast. Lean in as we dive into the practicals of life with Jesus as spirit filled young adults. [00:00:27] Speaker B: Hello everyone. Welcome back to the YA Podcast. My name's Thomas. If you can't recognize my voice, feels like it's been a while since I've been on, but I'm here with Sam. [00:00:38] Speaker A: Hello. I'm back as well. [00:00:40] Speaker B: We haven't been on a podcast together in a while. Yeah, it might have been a couple. [00:00:43] Speaker A: Seasons, probably last season at some stage. [00:00:46] Speaker B: But yeah, probably had more Bibles in front of us and maybe a commentary or two. [00:00:51] Speaker A: But yeah, definitely. [00:00:53] Speaker B: But yeah, we're going to jump in. We're talking about discipleships and discipleship specifically in your life. There's been a few different conversations with different people. I hope we've learned some things. And I love hearing stories because you can have like these theories around what discipleship looks like. But even like when you read the Bible, a lot of the theory of discipleship comes from the stories of Jesus. Jesus discipling the 12 disciples. [00:01:21] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:01:22] Speaker B: And yeah, like Paul unpacks it, Peter unpacks it, those sorts of things. But really a lot of what we, in a modern day church context called discipleship comes from the stories of Jesus discipling him. So I think it's cool, we get to hear play by play how you've become more Christ. Like hopefully I have. Sure you have, Sam. So, so maybe that's like a good starting point is to go to the start. How did you like initially come to faith? What did that look like, that initial discipleship into faith? [00:02:00] Speaker A: Yeah, so I guess, I guess this is a, probably a common thing for people who grow up in Christian homes, but it's. Sometimes it feels like it's a bit hard to know where it started because you. I was brought up in the Word with my parents. They did a really good job and everything, but I definitely. Parents, they did a very good job actually. And then classically as like, you know, people who grew up in a Christian household go through, they. There was a period where I was cold and I kind of moved away from the Lord a little bit. And that was probably around like late high school to early uni period. [00:02:35] Speaker B: Would you say that during that time like there was any, there was any point where there was actually a denial or was it just like a lack of acknowledgment? [00:02:43] Speaker A: There was no denial. I, I was always quite certain of God being real and that I should serve him, but it was more like I have doubts and I have questions and theological things. I don't understand and don't make sense to me and I can't reconcile. So I kind of just almost ignored it. [00:03:03] Speaker B: Yeah, okay. [00:03:04] Speaker A: Yes. Yeah, yeah. [00:03:05] Speaker B: I'll jump in with another question because I feel like that's just. That's a very common thing, is you have questions, you have doubts, you even have things that you need to process and you don't have the avenues to do so, and so you just kind of COVID it over. You might have been. Been about to answer this, but what was the process then to start actually addressing those things? The things that pulled you away from like, actively pursuing your faith? What was the process to like, address those things? [00:03:37] Speaker A: Yeah, well, it's tricky to be honest, but I felt that at the time, one of the key things that helped me get out of that kind of rut was the realization that I didn't actually need to have all the answers for everything. And that even. Even though the Bible's so comprehensive in it says so much, there are some things that we just don't know as well and maybe we're not even meant to know as well. And God. And part of the faith journey is trusting that God is good and that regardless of the things that we do not know, that we can still trust him because we know his nature. [00:04:12] Speaker B: And was that just a realization you came to with the Lord or was there like conversations you had or. [00:04:18] Speaker A: I believe it was something I came to with the Lord, but I definitely, like, through as well. Just like I. To be honest, I went and googled some of the questions, you know, and I found different resources and things like that. And I could see as well that there was diversity of thought on it and everything like that. And it started to make me realize that, like, okay, there. There isn't like a set answer to these tough, tough questions in life as well. And so why should I expect that I will find that answer? Me personally and like, out of how however many years we've been living in existence and stuff, I'm going to be the first person that discovers that. And. Yeah, and I think also realizing what was the. What the Bible's actually trying to address and what the Bible's actually trying to say and that it's not about was there actually a firmament or not and things like that and was evolution. Like, those aren't the questions that the Bible asks. Is trying to answer, is trying to tell a story of mankind and God and how we sinned and God redeemed us. And he's always been good from the start. And Me learning that. Okay, that's like, as you're reading scripture, that's the main message. [00:05:28] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:05:29] Speaker A: And that's when I kind of. It kind of didn't become my focus anymore. [00:05:33] Speaker B: Yeah. Okay. [00:05:34] Speaker A: And yeah, since then it's been really good because I can still feel the freedom to ask those tough questions and still seek answers, but it doesn't shake the foundation of my faith because it's not founded on those questions being. [00:05:46] Speaker B: That's good. Yeah. You're in this place where you're okay to question, but the questions doesn't like change your faith in your relationship with the Lord. [00:05:54] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:05:54] Speaker B: That's awesome. So like, you obviously had a, you were brought up to have an inquiring mind if, if you like, you know, had these questions long enough to the point where you're like, you know what? I'm just going to try and figure it out myself. [00:06:09] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:06:10] Speaker B: Was that something like your parents instilled in you? [00:06:13] Speaker A: Yeah, I suppose so. Yeah. Because they're both scientists. [00:06:17] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:06:18] Speaker A: Like my mom's a forensic chemist, my dad was in research. So kind of makes sense as well. There's constantly that kind of questioning as well. So, yeah, I feel like I definitely was kind of inclined to questioning things and wanting to. I was a very analytical, like, scientific minded kind of person. And a lot of my questions did relate to science and how it. The intersection in that and faith and stuff like that. So I think, yeah, that definitely affected me as I was, you know, growing up and questioning things and stuff. Yeah. [00:06:52] Speaker B: Cool, cool, cool. So like, that's kind of where you come back in and you're like, okay, I can sit in this tension. I can sit in this place of mysteries of God, which is a good. [00:07:01] Speaker A: Place to be, actually. [00:07:04] Speaker B: What was it like then to go on a journey of intentional discipleship? Like, you know, you grew up in a Christian home, there's parenthood and those sorts of things, and you were being discipled, whether that was in the faith or outside of the faith. There was a forming of some sort. [00:07:18] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:07:19] Speaker B: What was then the journey post that, where you're like, okay, I want to intentionally be formed into Christ likeness. [00:07:25] Speaker A: Yeah. Yeah. Because interestingly enough, before that period where I kind of moved away from God, I would say that most of my experiences with discipleship were through like my life leader at youth and stuff like that. But it was a very informal type of discipleship. To be honest, pretty much none. He was great and I still love, I still love him. But it was mostly like, pick us up, buy some frozen goods from woods. And then we'd watch, like, a TV show together. And that was the discipleship that I knew of. So to be honest, I knew nothing about discipleship. [00:08:00] Speaker B: So there was a lot of relationship happening. [00:08:01] Speaker A: A lot of relationship, but not a lot of, like, forming into Christ likeness, should I say? And then after that, the conviction of the Lord started coming upon me a lot, especially when I moved from Brisbane to Melbourne. And then, like, with all these convictions coming up and everything, I. I suddenly felt that, like, I needed someone. [00:08:24] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, okay. [00:08:25] Speaker A: Like, I needed someone to be guy to help guide me on this pathway as well in these things that I was struggling with and, you know, like, trying to work through and what stuff. And it was really good because at the time I. I started praying about it, I was like, how do I find someone? Like, this was all very new to me. I never experienced it before. And I'm thankful for Pastor Brennan as well, because he was the one that I ended up reaching out to. God had already spoken to him about it that I was going to reach out, and it was like a real God. [00:08:57] Speaker B: Yeah. Okay. [00:08:58] Speaker A: And so then, yeah, it was kind of like, initially, to be honest, I didn't even know what I really fully needed. [00:09:04] Speaker B: Right. [00:09:04] Speaker A: I was just like, I need discipleship in different areas of my life. And he was like, yes, I'll come on the journey with you as well. And, yeah, I had to be. Learn to become more intentional with it with time as well and being like, okay, like, there's these areas and being transparent and vulnerable. These were things that I hadn't really fully been like, you know, okay with. [00:09:26] Speaker B: So part of that, like, becoming more intentional was also learning how to open your life up to someone. [00:09:32] Speaker A: That was the biggest thing. Yeah, yeah. And I think that that's probably the biggest thing I've learned from discipleship that, like, without vulnerabilities, pretty meaningless because, like, if you're gonna, like, open up certain sections, but close off certain sections, like, that person's not going to really be able to speak properly into your life. And your. Those areas that you need to grow in that you're keeping hidden because maybe you're too ashamed of it. Like, they're just going to fester and get worse and stuff. [00:09:58] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:09:59] Speaker A: So vulnerability is, like, the biggest thing. [00:10:01] Speaker B: That I feel I've learned, which requires humility to begin with. [00:10:04] Speaker A: Absolutely. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And submission. Yeah, that's the biggest one. [00:10:09] Speaker B: Dirty word. [00:10:10] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, it's a very dirty word. It's great. It's. There's, like, a safety that comes from it. [00:10:17] Speaker B: Well, I mean, the word for submission is often parallel to covering. [00:10:23] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:10:23] Speaker B: So one submits to covering. [00:10:25] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:10:25] Speaker B: And that concept in the Bible is always protective. [00:10:29] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:10:30] Speaker B: So we think submission, as I am lower than someone. [00:10:34] Speaker A: No. [00:10:34] Speaker B: Rather than I'm choosing to come under your covering. [00:10:39] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:10:40] Speaker B: Which is way better. So yeah, I think that that's a good way to put. Submission is like you're choosing to be covered by someone, which means protected, which means supported, champion, empowered, all those sorts of things. Covering and submission should never be squashing, controlling. That's not submission at all. In actual fact, it's more demonic than anything. Control is inherently demonic. But yes, submission is a beautiful thing. Even Christ chose to submit. [00:11:11] Speaker A: Yes. Yeah, yeah. [00:11:13] Speaker B: Humbled himself to the point of emptying himself of all divinity, becoming fully God. [00:11:18] Speaker A: The ultimate submission. [00:11:20] Speaker B: Ultimate submission. [00:11:21] Speaker A: That's crazy. [00:11:22] Speaker B: So, yeah, I think submission is a big part of it. I like. Sorry to go back a bit. I like how you said that it started with conviction that like, it wasn't like someone came along and was like, sam, you need to clean up your life. [00:11:38] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:11:39] Speaker B: But it was the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I love that because John chapter 16 says that. It's like the Holy Spirit's job when he comes. John chapter 16, I think it's in verse 25. He will come and convict the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. [00:11:55] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:11:56] Speaker B: And yet we often try and convict people of their own sin. We try and convict people of righteousness. We try and convict people of judgment. But like you're saying it was the opposite. It started with the Holy Spirit going, hey, Sam, this isn't right. This isn't Christ. Like, this isn't what you're made for. And from that place you chose to submit to someone. And covering, it wasn't like, you know, someone was like, sam, you need, you. [00:12:22] Speaker A: Got no living in that. [00:12:23] Speaker B: It was like, no, no, no. Holy Spirit did a work. [00:12:26] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:12:26] Speaker B: He discipled you before you actually came under anyone else. [00:12:30] Speaker A: Yeah. And it was a really natural process as well because it was at. I had just in a sense, recommitted myself to the Lord. [00:12:40] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:12:41] Speaker A: Coming out of that really cold season. And I was starting to take my faith seriously. [00:12:45] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:12:45] Speaker A: And then when you start to take your faith really seriously, like there's no point in wasting time with all this type of stuff and just doing it half heartedly. [00:12:52] Speaker B: Very true. [00:12:53] Speaker A: Like, honestly, like, like if we really truly believe what the Bible says and are really, truly convicted about, like, you know, the gospel and all that kind of stuff, it will lead Us to wanting to go on this journey of discipleship, in my opinion. [00:13:08] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. [00:13:09] Speaker A: Because you'll see that. Okay. Yes. I am fallen, I am broken. And I want to be. I desire to be more like. Yeah, more like Jesus. And I desire to be closer to him. And so that naturally led me on that pathway to I need to be discipled in this as well. [00:13:22] Speaker B: That's good. So very good. So you reached out to Brano back in the day. [00:13:28] Speaker A: Yes. [00:13:29] Speaker B: And you went on that journey. What were some things that practically. What did that look like for you? And then what were some things that were helpful that he did? [00:13:38] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. So, like, we would try to be intentional about, like, the regularity of meeting as well. Cuz I guess that also depends on what you're being discipled in and the stage that you're at with that kind of stuff in terms of how regular it is and stuff like that. I felt like, because at the time I needed a lot of discipleship. It was. It was somewhat regular. Yeah. And it was also just a lot of hanging out as well and just talking and conversing, just doing life together as well, and kind of being discipled even indirectly in some senses as well. Because we were also in ministry together, obviously, as well as you were. Yeah. And so, like, there's a lot of discipleship even just happening by observing him and just engaging with the youth ministry space with him as well. [00:14:22] Speaker B: And even just to jump in, like, it wasn't this, like, oh, once a fortnight thing. [00:14:27] Speaker A: No. [00:14:27] Speaker B: Like, you were at minimum twice, probably most weeks, three times a week. You were actually like, in his world. [00:14:36] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:14:36] Speaker B: And he was in your world. And I think that's like, something that we need to realize is, like, you need that proximity. And that doesn't. That's not like, oh, you had like a counseling session three times a week. It was like. No, no. But you were in each other's world at least three times a week across multiple contexts. [00:14:53] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:14:53] Speaker B: And that, I think witnessing that from like a third person, I think that that's a key for you, but I think in general, for discipleship. [00:15:03] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:15:03] Speaker B: Massive thing. [00:15:04] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:15:05] Speaker B: That we often forget. [00:15:06] Speaker A: No, absolutely. Yeah. And I think another thing was the accountability as well. And that, again, required the vulnerability as well. [00:15:15] Speaker B: What did that look like? Like, because we always say, oh, like, I want to be held accountable, but anytime someone says to me, like, thomas, can you keep me accountable to xyz? I'm like, what do you mean by. [00:15:28] Speaker A: I don't even know if necessarily. That was super clean at the time in terms of how it was done. But like, for example, like at the time, like, you know, they'll struggle with lust and things like that. And so there would be regular check ins. How did you go this week? [00:15:45] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:15:45] Speaker A: Or like the last few weeks or something like that. And then I'd have to be like, this is what happened, this is where I'm at, all that kind of stuff. And then we'd have discussion about it and like, what led us there, what can we do to like, you know, prevent that from like, you know, progressing to that point, all that kind of stuff. So yeah, that's kind of what it looked like at the time. I think that I would maybe have it be even more structured if, if I were to do it again possibly and be more intentional about like having more regular checkpoint points and stuff like that. [00:16:18] Speaker B: Yeah, that's interesting. Yeah, I mean like often nowadays for me, I put the accountability back on the person. [00:16:25] Speaker A: Yeah, true. [00:16:26] Speaker B: So when someone's like, I want you to keep me accountable, this I'm like, cool, so you need to actually like action the xyz. And so like often, because I think that's half the thing of like knowing that there's someone who cares. And of course, like I'd be praying for that person. That's part of it and I'd be checking in on them regularly and those sorts of things. But I'm not there to like go, did you do bad things this week? No, no, no. Like you with the holy spirit need to be convicted and then I can help you. Yeah, but yeah, I think that's just probably my. [00:17:00] Speaker A: No, I didn't. [00:17:01] Speaker B: I don't convict people of their sin. [00:17:03] Speaker A: No. Yeah, because I think as well from the person who's trying to be accountable to someone else. Like, like if it's lost, for example, and you've fallen this week and stuff, that you reach out and be like, hey, this is what happened. It requires a little bit of you to step out as well to make sure that you are. [00:17:24] Speaker B: I think I've just seen more fruit in that, especially with guys when it comes to lust. Like, it's like, you know, the time between, you know, pornography or whatever it is that they're dealing with and the communication, to me it's like that gets shorter and shorter and shorter and shorter because often what you're dealing with is shame. And so if I'm having to check in on you, it probably means you're still functioning from a paradigm of shame. Yeah, like I have to hide because I've Done something shameful. [00:17:52] Speaker A: Yes. [00:17:53] Speaker B: But if it's like, no, no, you need to approach this, it starts to break down the shame paradigm. [00:17:59] Speaker A: Absolutely. And. [00:18:00] Speaker B: And you watch shorter and shorter and shorter towards like they're about to. Or there's a thought. [00:18:06] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:18:07] Speaker B: And they're calling a brother for prayer. Like that's what you want to get to. [00:18:11] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:18:11] Speaker B: I think that's the goal of accountability rather than like a follow up. That's where it starts. But it should get to the point where it's like not even like follow up anymore. It's, oh, I am running because I need help. [00:18:26] Speaker A: And I think as well, from the point of view of the person being accountable, that you always feel like it's so embarrassing. [00:18:35] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:18:36] Speaker A: Oh, it just happened a few days ago. I just watched porn a few days ago and now it's happening again. And now I have to message again and it's going to be, they're going to be like, oh, shame on you. It was just three days ago. [00:18:46] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:18:47] Speaker A: But it's actually never like that on the other person's side. I know that like isn't enough of people to suddenly feel comfortable, but it is cool to keep in mind as well that like it's natural that there's failure along the pathway as well. That it's, you fail and then you get back up and you're accountable and you fail again and then you grow from it and stuff like that. That is a part in like a natural part of the journey. [00:19:09] Speaker B: So there's a proverb, I can't remember which one, but it says, I'm going to paraphrase it and probably butcher it. But hey, we'll get the point across. No, yeah, it says like where whether a tree falls to the north or to the south, where it falls, it will lie. And it's like, cool, bro. Like, where it falls, that's where it's. But like, I remember reading that and, and this is why you got to read the word with Holy Spirit. Right. Because he illuminates and he's the one that like provides revelation. And I remember him saying to me, you can either fall into your own shame and you will lie there, or you can fall into my grace and where you fall, you will lie. [00:19:55] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:19:56] Speaker B: And I think within this sort of discipleship stuff, it's like there's this choice constantly that we need to continue to fall into the place of grace. [00:20:06] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:20:07] Speaker B: And often that does look like, confess your sins to one another and find a brother that you can confess your sins to. Because yes, you have grace in that moment from the Lord. But I think you still need to people to walk things out with. [00:20:20] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:20:21] Speaker B: Yeah. So, like, I just remember that proverb and such a strange one. But you're like, yeah, once I, I, once the Lord highlighted that to me of, hey, like where you fall, that's where you lie. So fall into my grace. I'm like, okay, if I'm going to fall anywhere, may as well fall into your grace. [00:20:37] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, no, that's awesome. Yeah. [00:20:39] Speaker B: So continuing on the journey. [00:20:41] Speaker A: Yeah. So, yeah, no, that discipleship experience with Brennan was great as well. Another one was with you, Thomas, being under you as well as a youth leader as well. So that was a really critical period for me as well, because that was much, very much a period of being pushed beyond the. What's the word? [00:21:04] Speaker B: Comfort zone. [00:21:04] Speaker A: Comfort zone. That's the one I'm looking for. Push out of my comfort zone. Because I think you were really good with like being like, I don't know, very empowering being like, oh, yeah, you can preach that word or you can do that life group study and you can do that, all that kind of stuff. And I was like, no, I can't. And you're like, no, just do it. So it was really. [00:21:28] Speaker B: Did you do it, though? [00:21:29] Speaker A: I did do it and it was great. And also you're making me make games and stuff. I suck at making games. Hey. [00:21:36] Speaker B: But like now discipleship, enjoy. [00:21:40] Speaker A: It was like really practical stuff as well. Well, which is really good. So, yeah, it was a lot of like feeling like, oh, there's a lot of stretch right now and stuff. But it's like you saw something in, in me and stuff. And so you were like, oh, yeah, like, he may not see yet, but I'm going to call out in him as well. So. Yeah, a lot of calling out as well. [00:22:01] Speaker B: Yeah. Maybe like, let's just jump on that for a moment. The beauty of having like disciple and disciple. [00:22:07] Speaker A: Yes. [00:22:08] Speaker B: I think for me, in those sorts of spaces and if you're trying to disciple someone, you need to hear the Lord. There's like no point otherwise. Like, yes, we have a blueprint of Christ likeness based on the Bible. There's like just black and white things that are Christlike or not Christ, like righteous, unrighteous. We get that. [00:22:29] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:22:29] Speaker B: But I think discipleship is so individual and you need to hear the Lord's heart for the them. [00:22:35] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:22:36] Speaker B: Probably where I've come to as well is like, if we're discipling someone, this has been a recent thing that I've had in conversations, whatnot. Like, if we're discipling someone, we're actually just joining what the Holy Spirit is already doing. [00:22:50] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:22:51] Speaker B: So the Holy Spirit's job is to transform them. We're just joining the Holy Spirit and help, essentially being a conduit for that work. [00:23:00] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:23:01] Speaker B: So if we're not asking Holy Spirit, what are you transforming them into, or what are you calling them to, or what's my. Even simply what's my role in their life, then we will be some help, but I don't think we'll be fully helpful. And so even the things that you're pointing to, I did like, you're like, oh, you did a lot of calling things out. It's like, yeah, I had to do a lot of listening before I could call anything. [00:23:23] Speaker A: Yeah, absolutely. [00:23:24] Speaker B: And so if you're discipling someone, a lot of it is going, okay, I didn't design this person. I don't know where they're going. And I. And so you got to seek the Lord for them. [00:23:36] Speaker A: Yeah, no, absolutely. Because, like, if you were like, oh, Sam, you're going to do the teaching, but really teaching is not something that. [00:23:44] Speaker B: God wants to step into. [00:23:45] Speaker A: It would be really bad. [00:23:46] Speaker B: 100. [00:23:47] Speaker A: And I would potentially also feel really, like, out of my depth completely. [00:23:53] Speaker B: Could have done the opposite. [00:23:54] Speaker A: Right. Yeah. It would actually make me almost run away from the calling of God sometimes. [00:23:57] Speaker B: Which is something I've probably grown in bit by bit. Is like, before I was like, oh, man, everyone should be out. And like, to some degree, everyone needs to teach the Word. Like, Absolutely. Because you need to teach your friend, like, friends the word that aren't safe, like, those sorts of things. But not everyone's called to be on a platform with a microphone. And I think we've elevated it in the church of, like, that's the pinnacle. And so we work towards that rather than going, no, no, that's just a version of Christ. [00:24:25] Speaker A: Like, yes. [00:24:27] Speaker B: Just the same as, like, you know, other avenues of, like, being a worship leader. It's like, if you can't sing, you're not a worship leader. But, like, we've made this, like, a high thing rather than just made, like, obedience to whatever the Lord's asking you to do is the highest thing. [00:24:42] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:24:43] Speaker B: And so because of that, people are chasing after things that they were never called to. [00:24:46] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:24:47] Speaker B: And disciplers are not doing their job in going, hey, you're not called to that. [00:24:53] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. [00:24:54] Speaker B: So no wonder you're in pain. [00:24:57] Speaker A: Absolutely. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. [00:24:58] Speaker B: Just some thoughts, for sure. So in that season where you're. Where there was a discipleship relationship between me and you, I just want to highlight something again. You provided time and you actually set aside time. I think that's a really big thing for young adults these days is they're like, I want to be discipled. I want to become more Christ. Like, but they have no time. And even if that's simply they have no time to like open their word. It's like, well, there's no point meeting with me for coffee if you're not even opening. Like, you know what I mean? It's like, oh, you. They don't even have time to reflect on the things that Holy Spirit is putting here, finger on and going, hey, deal with. Like, they don't even have a time to journal. They don't. It's like. So my advice, and I witnessed this in you, is at every stage of discipleship, you created time. [00:25:55] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:25:55] Speaker B: And it was sometimes a sacrifice, whether that was a sacrifice of literal money because you weren't working that day, but you chose it to do that because you saw the value in it. And you're like, I will sacrifice the working that day and earning X amount of dollars. Because I see the value in this. [00:26:14] Speaker A: Yeah. I think as well, for young adults specifically, it's such like a huge issue because it's. I was literally talking to someone about this a few days ago. Cuz you've just come out of like high school potentially. [00:26:28] Speaker B: Yep. [00:26:28] Speaker A: And you have no control over anything in your life. Basically. You have to go to school like 9 till 3 and then you have to come home, do your homework and then all that kind of stuff. And now you potentially at uni or working in a job and you have money now and you have your own time, you maybe moved out of home, all that kind of stuff. And so that it's almost like you swing to the other end of the spectrum and it's like you fill your time with stuff and you're just like, oh, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do this, I'm gonna do this. And you feel very busy. But are you actually busy with anything? [00:27:00] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:27:01] Speaker A: As well. Yeah. Not to say that there isn't anything. [00:27:04] Speaker B: No, true. [00:27:05] Speaker A: That you're doing like, I'm sure like uni can be super intense as well. But. Yeah. That you don't want that freedom to like swing to the other end where it's just like you've just kind of. [00:27:17] Speaker B: Because you, you grow up having the priorities of life determined for you. [00:27:22] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:27:22] Speaker B: And then you come into a season where you have to determine the priorities of life for yourself. [00:27:27] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:27:28] Speaker B: And so you don't. Like, sometimes we. I think we watch young adults do this. They. They don't realize that they're actually determining their own priorities now, because no one's been like, hey, guess what? You now have to determine your priorities. And so they just fall into patterns. [00:27:44] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:27:45] Speaker B: And I think for everyone listening, hey, you now determine your priorities. With your finances, it demonstrates priorities. With your time, it demonstrates your priorities. And so I think part of discipleship, and you actually alluded to this right at the beginning, was, yes, there was conviction of the Holy Spirit. But prior to that, there was this. I'm coming back to the Lord, and if I'm coming back, then I may as well do this. [00:28:10] Speaker A: Right. [00:28:11] Speaker B: Because what's the point otherwise? [00:28:12] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:28:13] Speaker B: And I think people need to come to that place. [00:28:15] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:28:16] Speaker B: And comes that place of going, well, okay, that means it's a priority. Which means if I have to lose that or lose that, that's okay. Because they're not priorities. [00:28:26] Speaker A: They're not priorities. Yeah, absolutely. [00:28:27] Speaker B: But I think we don't realize that we are determining our priorities when we come into young adulthood, we stumble across it. [00:28:34] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:28:34] Speaker B: So here's your disclaimer. You are now determining your priorities. So work them out. [00:28:38] Speaker A: Yeah. What you're investing your time into now is what you're, like, really prioritizing. [00:28:44] Speaker B: Yeah. And being formed by. Right. [00:28:45] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:28:46] Speaker B: So determine what you want to be formed by and where you want your money, finance and, like, time to go. Because that's the priority of a young adult. [00:28:56] Speaker A: Yeah, very true. [00:28:57] Speaker B: Do you have anything to add? [00:28:59] Speaker A: No. [00:28:59] Speaker B: What are you doing now, Sam? To be discipled. Yeah. [00:29:02] Speaker A: Yeah. So I have, like. I still get discipled by. [00:29:08] Speaker B: You. [00:29:10] Speaker A: Don'T catch up as often to disciple specifically, unfortunately. But yeah, no, like, also meet with, like, pasta de Fuentes and stuff like that, which is great. And. [00:29:23] Speaker B: Sorry, can I pause for a second? [00:29:24] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:29:24] Speaker B: Because the three people that you've said I've been disciples, they're all. They were all pastors. [00:29:29] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:29:30] Speaker B: I just want to highlight for people. It's not. You don't need a pastor. [00:29:34] Speaker A: I just happen to have pastors as well. [00:29:38] Speaker B: The reason those three people were key people in your discipleship was because of relationship. [00:29:44] Speaker A: Absolutely. Yeah. [00:29:45] Speaker B: You had relationship with these people, and it was not that they were a pastor. It was that they were a man of God. [00:29:50] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, yeah. [00:29:51] Speaker B: Okay. [00:29:51] Speaker A: Absolutely. [00:29:51] Speaker B: So don't come looking for a pastor. You don't need a pastor. You just need A man or a woman of God that you have relationship with. Yeah, I just had to put that disclaimer in. [00:29:59] Speaker A: The funny thing I'm about to say as well is that the other person getting mental by was Pastor Steve Alpine. [00:30:04] Speaker B: Great. Really good. [00:30:06] Speaker A: But. [00:30:06] Speaker B: Okay, go back to disclaimer. [00:30:09] Speaker A: Back to the disclaimer. I will be very transparent. Right now. I don't feel like I'm intentionally being discipled as much. And it's been something that's on my mind recently. And so, funnily enough, I literally just met with Dave Fuentes yesterday because I've been like, I need that again. [00:30:25] Speaker B: Like, yeah, Dave, I'm going on a podcast about discipleship, so. [00:30:29] Speaker A: Because I will. I will not lie. Like, the last few months have been, like, very stressful and stuff, and there's been a lot going on, and you end up just almost just churning over things in your own head and just like, not really much progress is made, and it's just like, no, I think I need to journey this out with someone. And I've been feeling that really strongly recently. And just because of, like, the busyness of life and all that kind of stuff, I haven't had the time. Which is literally what we were talking about as well. What are we prioritizing? [00:30:57] Speaker B: And so there's some seasons that, like, you. That the Lord is doing something in you. [00:31:01] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:31:02] Speaker B: And it, like, you are being. And you are always being discipled by the Lord, if you allow him to. [00:31:08] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:31:08] Speaker B: But, like, you're. You're talking about intentionality. Yeah. And that is really important because that's probably where a lot of people lack is, like, maybe they're reading the word, maybe they're praying, but they're lacking this intentionality to pursue righteousness. [00:31:23] Speaker A: Yes. [00:31:24] Speaker B: And that does come with actually going, hey, I need to catch up with someone to process what the Lord's processing with me. And that's what you're talking about is this added layer of intentionality when it comes to pursuing righteousness. [00:31:36] Speaker A: Absolutely. And, yeah, so I feel like it comes back down to the disciple being intentional in pursuing discipleship. Right. And I think, no, not Dave Hunter. It was Steve Alphine. When we first started our discipleship relationship, he was just, like, basically really blunt with me. Like, you'll get out of this as much as you want and invest into it and as much as you pursue, like, you know, like, wanting to meet up and wanting to be discipled and stuff like that. So, yeah, it's just really important to make sure that we're seeking that discipleship ourselves as well, because it's not just always going to be pursuing us as well. [00:32:12] Speaker B: Yeah. I think there's the two side. Like, Jesus provided the invitation. [00:32:17] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:32:18] Speaker B: But it was all. He never, like, just was like, oh, yeah, that's fine. We can do it on your turn. It was like, like, come follow me. And it was like, oh, I gotta go do this. I'll be with you in a sec. It was like, no, no. Follow me or don't. And I think that's what you're articulating is. [00:32:33] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:32:34] Speaker B: Yes. The. Just like the one who is, like, actually discipling you. They need to be intentional. [00:32:40] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:32:41] Speaker B: And they need to be in it. But at the same time, you can't just be like, sorry, I just got to go do this one thing. And then I'll like. It's like Jesus was like, come, follow me or don't. [00:32:50] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. [00:32:51] Speaker B: So, yeah, I think that's what you're trying to. [00:32:52] Speaker A: Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. [00:32:56] Speaker B: Cool. So watch this space Sam's gonna get back into. [00:33:00] Speaker A: Yeah, I'm getting back into it. Yeah. [00:33:01] Speaker B: Nice. That's so good. I think we've touched on a bunch of helpful things, so I hope you guys have been helped. It's been fun having this conversation and. Yeah, it's always a journey, I think, and some things are for a season, some things for a lifetime. So, yeah, just keep plodding along and becoming more like Christ. That's just the focus. [00:33:22] Speaker A: Yeah. [00:33:23] Speaker B: Awesome. Well, we'll chat soon. [00:33:31] Speaker A: Sam.