Scott Perkins | Defining Your Identity and Finding Your Value in Christ

Episode 15 of the podcast features and interview with Scott Perkins. He is a discipleship coach and the author of the book Tree of Lies: Transforming Decisions, Behaviors, and Relationships By Gaining Perspective On Your Identity in Christ. We have a fantastic conversation about what identity in Christ really means, and the dangers of basing our identity and value in other things.

Visit Scott’s website for a special bonus just for listeners of the Spirituality for Normal People Podcast!

Quotes:

• “Ministry happens wherever you are.”
  
• “In our weakness and vulnerability there can be great power.”
  
• "The central lie that we tend to believe is that we need something in addition to or in place of God for wholeness.”
  
• "If your first thought when it comes to developing a rhythm of life is 'I don’t have the time' this might be an on-road to understanding your identity."
  

In this episode, we discuss:

• The challenges of ministry in the Church
  
• Challenges for congregational leaders, trap of numbers, double standards for pastors
  
• The problem of using results as a measure for our spiritual life, rather than our identity in Christ.
  
• How our identity must only be in God and not in other things (even things that are good!)
  
• Doing spiritual practices not to earn God’s approval, but to live as who God created you to be.
  
• How to build a rhythm of life - just start something - set small goals.
  
• What is discipleship coaching?
  

3 things to move forward in your identity in Christ:

1. Know what you look to as your defining characteristic (e.g. other people’s approval)
   
2. Know how you’re created (e.g. introvert or extrovert)
   
3. Finding a rhythm of life
   

Spiritual Practices that we touch on:

• One-line prayer in the morning - a way to remind ourselves about our identity in Christ
  
• Journalling based on Scripture
  
• Walking and Hiking as prayer. Repeating a short scripture passage while walking.
  
• Silent Meditation - used as a reminder to listen for God and to shut down lies that you tell yourself.
  
• Using a word or a phrase as a way of focussing in prayer.
  
• Leaving time for quiet, stillness, listening.
  
• Once a week - Examine (looking back on the week)
  
• An open Bible near the door and a commitment to reading at least one verse.
  
• Trinkets and icons as ways of reminding you to pray or read the Bible.
  

Once again, I mention the book Mini-Habits by Stephen Guise - http://amzn.to/2seGkL5

Examples of one-line prayers:

• Lord Jesus, have mercy of me, a sinner. (The Jesus Prayer) - good prayer for living in grace.
  
• Holy Spirit come and fill me with your joy.
  

Links:

• Special bonus on Scott’s website
  
• Tree of Lies Book
  

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mattbrough.substack.com