Unseen Leadership Episode 75: David Platt on the Importance of Intimacy with God
Aug 16, 2023
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David Platt, Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church and founder of Radical, discusses the importance of intimacy with God and prioritizing a biblical gospel over an American one that values comfort, power, and politics. He shares insights from his new book, 'Don't Hold Back,' exploring unity in the church, justice with the gospel, and the beauty of a multi-ethnic bride of Christ. Platt also reflects on embracing spiritual disciplines and the danger of ministry without intimacy with Jesus.
Intimacy with God is essential for effective leadership, and leading without it can be detrimental.
Meditating on and internalizing Scripture is crucial for knowing God intimately and leading with authenticity.
Deep dives
The Importance of Intimacy with Jesus in Leadership
David Platt emphasizes the significance of leading out of an overflow of intimacy with Jesus. He shares how he learned the hard way that mechanical study without a genuine connection to God misses the point. He encourages young leaders to prioritize a daily routine of spending time with God in prayer, meditation, and Scripture. Platt shares his personal routine, which includes waking up early, having an hour of solitude with God, followed by a workout. He also emphasizes the importance of unplugging from work and being fully present with family and loved ones. Platt asserts that intimacy with Jesus is the foundation from which effective leadership flows.
The Power of Internalizing Scripture
Platt highlights the significance of meditating on and internalizing Scripture. Drawing from his own experience, he recalls a moment when he and a mentor read a passage on their knees and internalized its message deeply. Platt encourages young leaders to approach the study of Scripture not merely as a means to gather content for sermons or teaching, but as an opportunity to know God intimately. He emphasizes the importance of diving deep into the text, taking notes, circling keywords, and identifying main ideas. Platt also stresses the need to balance urgency in accomplishing a vision with patience in shepherding people toward that vision, drawing from his experience of casting a 10-year vision prematurely.
The Significance of Discipline and Productivity Tools
Platt discusses the value of discipline and productivity tools in his leadership journey. He mentions using the Things app for organizing tasks and to-do lists. Platt emphasizes the importance of building discipline into daily routines, such as waking up early, exercising, and prioritizing time with God. He also highlights journaling as a helpful practice for reflection, prayer, and studying Scripture. Platt shares that writing a full manuscript for his sermons helps him internalize and deliver the message effectively. Additionally, he encourages leaders to find a balance between being driven and patient, noting that productive habits and discipline are driven by God's grace.
Advice for Young Leaders: Prioritize Intimacy with Jesus
Platt's advice for young leaders centers around the necessity of prioritizing intimacy with Jesus. He warns against leading apart from a daily connection and reliance on God. Platt encourages young leaders to cultivate a routine of spending time with God, meditating on Scripture, and praying. He highlights that effective leadership flows from an overflow of intimacy with Jesus. Platt emphasizes the danger of leading without genuine connection to God and assures young leaders that understanding and leading with God's grace is essential for fruitful leadership.
In this episode of the Unseen Leadership Podcast, Chandler Vannoy and Dan Iten are joined by David Platt, who is the Lead Pastor at McLean Bible Church and founder of Radical, who discusses his journey in ministry and the importance of intimacy with God. He emphasizes prioritizing a biblical gospel over an American one that values comfort, power, and politics. Platt’s new book, “Don’t Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully,” explores topics such as unity in the church, justice with the gospel, and the beauty of a multi-ethnic bride of Christ. Platt also shares a pivotal moment in his personal life where his wife’s wake-up call led him to embrace spiritual disciplines such as meditation, prayer, fasting, exercise, and sleep.
QUOTES FROM EPISODE 75
“I don’t think it was just an American dream that was captivating our hearts, I think there’s been an American gospel that’s been consuming our lives.” – David Platt
“A gospel that exchanges the biblical gospel that exalts Jesus above everything in the world for an American version of it prostitutes Jesus for the sake of comfort and power and politics and prosperity in our country. It has ravaged the church in many ways and our witness, not just in our country, but to the ends of the earth.” – David Platt
“What frightens me is how successful in the eyes of the world that I could be in ministry and do it totally apart from intimacy with Jesus.” – David Platt
“Don’t try to manufacture a heart for ministry and miss a heart for Jesus or you’ll miss the whole point.” – David Platt
“Of course, it’s unhelpful if you never act on anything and you’re just always indecisive, but at the same time, be wise in learning and listening before deciding or acting to learn that balance or that tension of when it’s healthy to move forward.” – David Platt
That’s part of what leadership is which is to shepherd people toward where God’s calling you to go and not just telling them to go there and expecting it to happen.” – David Platt
“Be afraid of leading apart from intimacy with Jesus.” – David Platt