Discipleship Insights

Let's Connect

I would love to hear from you. Feel free to drop us a DM and we will get back to you within 2 business days.

Additional Topics

Come Out of the Shadows to be an Emotionally Healthy Leader

Peter Scazzero’s book The Emotional Healthy Leader covers significant facets of a leader’s life to ensure effective and spiritually healthy leadership. He reminds ministry leaders that while you might be working so hard to grow the Kingdom and serve others, that can be very dangerous if you do not have some fundamental and foundational boundaries. In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus reminds us that there are few laborers.

Yet, Scazzero reminds us that we must build a sabbath into our ministry and not get blinded by focusing on the limited laborers and taking too much on. I am surrounded by people whose identity is in their work. And I’m not even talking about people in vocational ministry. Coming from a place of scarcity, or, as Scazzero calls it, their shadow, are workaholics. While some view it as a work ethic, it could also come from a place of fear.

I try to keep Sunday holy and not work unless there is an exception. What convicted me with Scazzero’s sabbath argument was that I focused on “paid work” and not “unpaid work” or chores I neglected during the week or even seminary classwork. Sabbath was made for man (Mark 2:27) so we/I could reconnect with the Lord. Scazzero also suggested making fun lists to go through so that, as a believer, I can reconnect with the Creator through the glory of His creation.

Scazzero also recommends that we/I work out of the strength in my marriage. He argues that you cannot healthily serve the Lord if your marriage (or singleness) is dying. I can attest to this. In all my discipleship training, keeping the vertical relationship is the first priority, and then the second is your spouse. Keeping this priority right, I have found my marriage a source of life and encouragement vs. draining and contentment. I also agree with Scazzero that being one, you have more strength and power to do ministry together versus a he/she dynamic.

Establishing healthy boundaries is vital to protecting your marriage/singleness and sabbath. Scazzero suggests writing these down to plan what to walk out of clearly. He also suggests revisiting them periodically to ensure they are honored and achieving the desired outcomes.

The final item that resonated was properly understanding your shadow as it affects your marriage and work. Scazzero calls it a shadow as your brokenness and developmental traumas follow you around. A healthy understanding of your journey and what affects your emotions and actions is key to your spiritual formation. There is hope that the brightness of Jesus’ light removes the prominence of my shadow.

To be a healthy leader, you need to understand and practice these key takeaways. As I have personally added these practices to my walk, I have seen the fruit and growth in my walk with the Lord and my relationship addressing these. While I realize I still have ways to go, Scazzero has great wisdom to help in spiritual growth and spiritual formation.

Spiritual Gifts Assessment

God has uniquely gifted you for a purpose! Take our Spiritual Gifts Assessment to uncover how He has designed you to serve in His Kingdom.

Related Articles

Disciple or Follower: Is There a Difference?

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? Is there a difference between being a disciple and a true follower? While a disciple learns from Jesus, a follower strives to fully mirror His life and teachings. In this post, we explore the key difference between learning about Christ and being transformed into His image.

Evangelism Reframed: Starting Where God Started

In many circles, evangelism begins with Genesis 3, with sin, brokenness, and separation from God. The approach is valid, but I would like to challenge you on the starting point for evangelism. When we open with, “You are a sinner in need of saving,” we bypass the foundational truth of Scripture’s opening movement, that we were made in the image of God, for relationship, purpose, and flourishing. For those in positions of leadership and influence, this reframed approach is not only theologically faithful, but it is strategically wise.

Radical Discipleship: Living the Call in a Comfortable World

True discipleship demands sacrifice. Explore the cost of following Christ, guided by Bonhoeffer, Hull, and Scripture, and discover why the eternal reward makes the journey worth every step.

Unparalleled Impacts Being a Royal Priest

As chosen members of a holy nation, we are called to minister to one another, embodying the transformative power of God’s grace and love.

Biblical Models of Discipleship: Lessons from the Old and New Testament

Discipleship has deep roots throughout the Bible, from the one-on-one mentoring of Moses and Joshua to the life-transforming relationship between Jesus and His disciples. By exploring these biblical models, we gain practical insights into how discipleship is intentional, relational, and mission-driven. Are we following these examples today, equipping others to go even further in their walk with Christ?

Why Emotional Intelligence is Biblical Wisdom Rediscovered

Why Emotional Intelligence is Biblical Wisdom Rediscovered
For evangelical executives seeking leadership development grounded in Scripture, not secular psychology
When Daniel Goleman published Emotional Intelligence in 1995, the business world took notice. Suddenly, boardrooms buzzed with talk of self-awareness, empathy, and social skills as the new keys to leadership success. Yet for many evangelical executives, this created tension: Was adopting “emotional intelligence” compromising biblical leadership principles for secular psychology? The answer might surprise you. What if emotional intelligence isn’t secular wisdom imposed on faith, but biblical wisdom that secular research has rediscovered?

Praying the Bible

When your prayer life feels stuck, turn to the Psalms for inspiration. Journaling these prayers can bring renewal and connection. You’ll find renewed strength and connection with God by praying through the Psalms and journaling your prayers.

Evangelism Reframed: The Goodness of Work Before the Fall

Before sin ever touched the world, God called humanity to meaningful work as an act of worship. When leaders embrace their vocation as a sacred partnership with the Creator, they reveal the gospel’s power to restore purpose, dignity, and hope in every boardroom and business decision.

Evangelism Reframed: Bringing Genesis 1 Evangelism to Work

For many Christians, evangelism in the workplace feels daunting. Do I need to be the office preacher? Should I hand out tracts at lunch? Must every meeting become a mini-sermon? These questions reveal an underlying tension: we often think of evangelism as an event...

Surprise a Dark World as His Light Ambassadors of Hope

Discover how living as the light of the world, reflecting Christ’s character, and sharing His love can transform our lives.

Why Emotional Intelligence is Biblical Wisdom Rediscovered

Why Emotional Intelligence is Biblical Wisdom Rediscovered

Why Emotional Intelligence is Biblical Wisdom Rediscovered
For evangelical executives seeking leadership development grounded in Scripture, not secular psychology
When Daniel Goleman published Emotional Intelligence in 1995, the business world took notice. Suddenly, boardrooms buzzed with talk of self-awareness, empathy, and social skills as the new keys to leadership success. Yet for many evangelical executives, this created tension: Was adopting “emotional intelligence” compromising biblical leadership principles for secular psychology? The answer might surprise you. What if emotional intelligence isn’t secular wisdom imposed on faith, but biblical wisdom that secular research has rediscovered?

read more
Evangelism Reframed: When the Design Fractures

Evangelism Reframed: When the Design Fractures

When sin fractured God’s original design, work became toil and relationships strained, yet the image of God remained. For leaders, this means every boardroom and team carries both dignity and distortion. The gospel speaks into this reality, not only forgiving sin but restoring what is broken. In Christ, leaders can face fractures honestly, model hope, and point others toward redemption.

read more