Submitting to God in Discipling Relationships | Shodankeh Johnson · The Disciple Maker‘s Podcast summary

Key takeaways

The transformation from ordinary to extraordinary happens when individuals submit to God's will.
Prayer and fasting are critical components for effective discipleship and should be integrated into everyday practices.
Authentic discipleship is disruptive and requires a commitment to align wholly with the teachings of Jesus.
Collective prayer efforts among churches can lead to impactful community changes and should be prioritized.
Cultivating spiritual desperation lets believers experience deeper relationships with God and encourages active submission to His will.

Summary

Ordinary vs. Extraordinary Through God

Shodankeh Johnson begins by emphasizing that the difference between ordinary and extraordinary lies in God's intervention. He shares how God uses ordinary people to achieve remarkable outcomes, reminding listeners that God is the 'impossibility specialist' who can turn basic abilities into life-changing actions. He emphasizes the critical need for submission to God in forging disciple-making relationships and reinforces that followers of Jesus must embody his example in their prayers and actions.

The Central Role of Prayer and Fasting

A significant segment of the episode focuses on prayer and fasting as essential components of discipleship. Johnson breaks down three levels of submission necessary for effective disciple-making: the disciple maker, the lost, and the spirits. He reflects on how prayer—including fasting—serves as a vital ingredient in bringing about change and empowering individuals to become disciples, all while combating forces that resist. Personal testimonies are shared about miraculous transformations that have occured through diligent prayer and fasting.

Disruption as a Path to Transformation

Throughout the episode, Johnson discusses the disruptive nature of true discipleship and its necessity in breaking away from 'pick and mix' religion, which he cites as a prevalent issue within the church. He warns against crafting a belief system that cherry-picks aspects of God's word while neglecting key doctrines. Instead, Johnson advocates for a return to wholehearted applications of scripture and a fervent commitment to align with God's will through obedient practices like fasting.

Community Impact Through Collective Efforts

The conversation transitions to the efforts of pastors like Dave Clayton and others who are mobilizing local churches towards collective prayer and fasts. The guests share their insights on the necessity of humbling oneself as churches and learning from global perspectives on discipleship. They discuss challenging the North American ethos of convenience theology and emphasize the importance of creating a community that actively participates in fervent prayer, leading churches to visibly impact their neighborhoods and beyond.

A Call to Spiritual Desperation and Action

The episode wraps up with a challenge for listeners to cultivate a deep-seated desperation for God. Mandisa’s reflections highlight the contrast between spiritual fervor in certain global contexts and what is observed in many North American churches. The speakers collectively call on leaders and church members alike to desire and pursue prayerful dependency upon God—intentionally navigating discomfort in order to realize genuine transformation both personally and within community.

Show notes

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Submitting to God: Discipleship, Fasting, and Prayer | Shodankeh Johnson

In this video, Shodankeh Johnson, from Sierra Leone, shares how God uses ordinary people to achieve extraordinary outcomes. Emphasizing that the key difference between the ordinary and extraordinary is God's divine touch, Johnson discusses the critical importance of discipleship, fasting, and prayer. He underscores Jesus' ultimate act of submission in the Garden of Gethsemane and how followers are called to be like Jesus in saying, 'Thy will be done.' Johnson cautions against 'pick and mix religion,' urging believers to fully align with God's word to see divine power manifest in their lives.

Check out Discipleship.org for resources on disciple-making: https://discipleship.org/resources/

Key Takeaways 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 07:48 Prayer and Fasting Practices 12:28 Testimonies of Transformation 19:56 The Power of Persistent Prayer 28:12 Praying for the Nation 32:37 Introducing Dave and Mandisa 37:59 The Importance of Fasting and Prayer 49:27 Dave's Journey to a Praying Church 56:36 Encouragement for Church Leaders

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Other Videos about Shodankeh Johnson:

Why Radical Obedience Is Necessary for Discipleship https://youtu.be/VGq_EfdCCSY?feature=shared

A Powerful Prayer For The Movement of God in America https://youtu.be/EdZIlDnRrT8?feature=shared

What the North American Church Largely Missed on the Holy Spirit!https://youtu.be/a8FdA69TwUY?feature=shared

A Disciple Making Movement In West Africa: https://youtu.be/xx3Kr79-kos?feature=shared

Discipleship Principles for North American Churches https://youtu.be/wOaMm2OB0YU?feature=shared

How to Raise Up Movement Leaders in Christianity : https://youtu.be/aJssQ6JdQD8?feature=shared

Discovery Bible Study: https://youtu.be/TC12QGzQvZk?feature=shared

Summary: In this powerful video, spiritual leaders gather to discuss the significance of prayer, fasting, and disciple-making in contemporary Christianity. The video opens with Shodankeh Johnson, a renowned Christian leader from Sierra Leone, Africa, sharing extraordinary testimonies about the transformative power of prayer and fasting. Shodankeh emphasizes that these spiritual disciplines can turn ordinary people into extraordinary individuals who can accomplish God's work.

Shodankeh illustrates his points by sharing compelling stories from his own life and ministry. He explains how submission to God through prayer and fasting can open doors for disciple-making and transforming communities. His stories include instances where prayer and fasting led to miraculous conversions, including a confrontation with a militant leader who eventually became a Christian and now serves as part of Shodankeh's ministry.

Shodankeh argues that disciple-making involves three levels of submission to God: the disciple-maker, the lost, and the spirits. He highlights how prayer and fasting are active ingredients that empower these stages. Through fasting and prayer, ordinary men and women have become powerful instruments for God's work in Sierra Leone, leading to entire villages and tribes coming to know Jesus.

As Shodankeh's session concludes, Dave Clayton and Mandisa join the conversation. Dave Clayton, a pastor from the Nashville area, shares his journey of integrating prayer and fasting into his church's practice. He narrates their struggles and triumphs, emphasizing how persistent prayer and fasting have begun to catalyze a spiritual shift within their community. Dave explains his vision to mobilize churches across Nashville to pray and fast over every name, neighborhood, and nation represented in the city. His goal is to spark a broader movement of prayer and fasting throughout America.

Mandisa, known for her work in the Discipleship First Tribe and her music career, talks about her realization of the need for desperation in prayer. She compares her experiences in American churches with those she observed during international tours, noting a stark contrast in the desperate fervor for prayer and fasting. She is moved to challenge herself and others to cultivate a similar level of spiritual desperation.

Throughout the video, the speakers discuss cultural differences and the challenges faced by the American church in adopting these spiritual disciplines. Shodankeh explains that fasting and prayer are disruptive, yet necessary for true disciple-making. The leaders highlight the importance of humility, learning from the global church, and bringing a disruptive disciple-making mindset to North America.

In conclusion, this video is a stirring reminder of the power of prayer and fasting in disciple-making. It challenges viewers to reconsider their spiritual practices and embrace a deeper, more committed walk with God for the sake of personal transformation and broader community impact.

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Submitting to God in Discipling Relationships | Shodankeh Johnson