Founder's Table Network

In this series, we're diving into the deep wisdom Scripture gives us for building and running a business. Some would say -- and many have -- that the Bible has very little instruction on what it means to run your business.

In this episode, we discuss the hidden business codes in the New Testament and how they apply to modern-day entrepreneurship. We introduce the concept of household codes, which were instructions for Christian households to live out their faith in a pluralistic culture. These codes also apply directly to business and provide guidance for creating a redemptive and impactful business.

Show Notes

• David Lomas - Reality SF on Household Codes
• References to the Household Codes:
  • 1 Peter 2:13–3:7
  • Ephesians 5:22–6:9
  • 1 Timothy 2:1ff., 8ff.; 3:1ff., 8ff.; 5:17ff.; 6:1f.

Takeaways

• The New Testament contains hidden business codes known as household codes that provide guidance for creating a redemptive and impactful business.
• Businesses should be viewed as economic households, and the values and ethics of the home should be integrated into the business.
• Right relationships in the home are the basis for a godly business that can transform culture.
• The biblical household codes address different groups of people and provide instructions for living out faith in a pluralistic society.
• Integrating personal and professional life and cultivating right relationships are essential for creating a redemptive business.

Keywords

hidden business codes, New Testament, household codes, redemptive business, right relationships, integration of personal and professional life

Once a week, we grab a cup of coffee and discuss the world of missional entrepreneurship.

In this series we're talking through the "gifts of ascension." These 5 gfits help us understand leadership, teams, and ministry through the lens of Jesus.

In this episode we talk about the Shepherding gift. At its core, to have a shepherding gift is to nurture and walk beside people inside the family of God. To be longsuffering, to bring meals, reach out to check on people, and to express the unconditional love of God.

Grab some coffee, and chat with us.

Show Notes//

• How you're built to lead like Jesus: 5Q Assessment
• Upcoming Events + Groups at Brand Disciples
• 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ by Alan Hirsch

Takeaways

• Shepherding is about walking alongside and carrying people.
• The shepherding gift is often misunderstood as merely a pastoral role.
• Everyone should operate in their unique gifting, like Jesus.
• Shepherds nurture those already in the community.
• Shepherding can extend to those outside the church.
• Boundaries are essential for effective shepherding.
• Shepherds must help others grow and take responsibility.
• Customers should be viewed as individuals needing care.
• Pseudo shepherding is a counterfeit to true shepherding.
• Love and truth must coexist in shepherding relationships.

In this series, we're diving into the deep wisdom Scripture gives us for building and running a business. Some would say -- and many have -- that the Bible has very little instruction on what it means to run your business.

In this episode we talk about the false promise of prosperity Gospel, or a "God hack", in our business. We mix up our calling to start a business with the promise that we'll be successful. As we prepare to dive into the New Testament business codes, we have to do a heart check about what we believe God's real purpose is in our business.

Show Notes//

• Virtual Discipleship Groups + Events
• 5Q Assessment: How You're Gifted to Lead Like Jesus
• IT Crowd "spaceology" scene
• John Mark Comer
• David Lomas of Reality SF

Keywords

business, Bible, guiding philosophy, God hack, prosperity gospel, success, wealth, influence, reframing, kingdom of God

Takeaways

• The search for a guiding philosophy for business in the Bible and the temptation to find a 'God hack' for success
• The influence of the prosperity gospel and the obsession with wealth and success in our culture
• The need to decouple financial success from obedience and redefine what success looks like in business
• The importance of reframing our mindset and being open to the unexpected teachings of Jesus
• Seeking God's way of doing business and prioritizing the kingdom of God over worldly success

Once a week, we grab a cup of coffee and discuss the world of missional entrepreneurship.

In this series we're talking through the "gifts of ascension." These 5 gfits help us understand leadership, teams, and ministry through the lens of Jesus.

In this episode we talk about the Evangelistic gift. This is one that so many salespeople and marketers share. At its core, to have an evangelistic gift is to bring people outside of the body of Christ into the body of Christ with urgency, winning language, and a desire that they hear the Good News.

Grab some coffee, and chat with us.

Show Notes//

• How you're built to lead like Jesus: 5Q Assessment
• Upcoming Events + Groups at Brand Disciples
• 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ by Alan Hirsch

Takeaways

• Missional entrepreneurship calls for a unique understanding of one's gifts.
• Evangelism is about bringing people into a community.
• The evangelistic gift is often misunderstood and stigmatized.
• Character development is crucial for effective evangelism.
• Evangelists need to be connected to a supportive community.
• Rejection is a common experience for evangelists.
• Different styles of evangelism exist based on individual gifts.
• Evangelism can be integrated into business practices.
• The church and evangelists must work together for mutual growth.
• Practical experience is essential for developing evangelistic skills.

Keywords

missional entrepreneurship, evangelism, church, business, Ephesians 4 gifts, community, character development, marketplace ministry, outreach, discipleship

In this series, we're diving into the deep wisdom Scripture gives us for building and running a business. Some would say -- and many have -- that the Bible has very little instruction on what it means to run your business. If you behave in a moral way, and love your employees, you'll basically meet the mandate. But we believe there is much more to uncover. In this episode we explore the reality many entrepreneurs face: a lack of focus. We see the world in opportunity but struggle to focus our goals. And, even more, we struggle to feel that our work is fully aligned with our life as a believer.

Show Notes //

• Virtual Discipleship Groups + Events
• 5Q Assessment: How You're Gifted to Lead Like Jesus
• With Everything by Hillsong
• Reserve your copy of The Hidden Business Codes of the New Testament

Takeaways

• As Christian business people, we can experience disorientation as we navigate the tension between the kingdom of God and the world of business.
• It is important to seek God's instructions and align our business practices with His ways, rather than relying solely on secular business philosophies.
• Integrating faith and business means surrendering every aspect of our work to Jesus and allowing Him to guide our decisions and actions.
• Worshiping God through our work means recognizing that our business is an opportunity to honor and glorify Him.

Keywords

hidden business codes, New Testament, guidelines, leading a business, Bible, disorientation, secular business philosophies, seeking God's instructions, integrating faith and business, worshiping God through work

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the Search for Business Guidelines in the Bible

03:01 Disorientation and the Tension Between the Kingdom of God and Business

09:56 The Temptation to Rely on Secular Business Philosophies

14:51 The Importance of Seeking God's Instructions for Business Practices

19:58 Integrating Faith and Business: Surrendering to Jesus

24:56 Worshiping God Through Our Work: Honoring Him in Business

28:07 Conclusion and Preview of Next Episode

Once a week, we grab a cup of coffee and discuss the world of missional entrepreneurship.

In this series we're talking through the "gifts of ascension." These 5 gfits help us understand leadership, teams, and ministry through the lens of Jesus.

In this episode we talk about the Apostolic gift. This is one that so many entrepreneurs share. At its core, to have an apostolic gift is to be sent. And that's exactly what we get into.

Grab some coffee, and chat with us.

Show Notes//

• How you're built to lead like Jesus: 5Q Assessment
• Upcoming Events + Groups at Brand Disciples
• 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ by Alan Hirsch

Key Takaways

• Prophetic gifting is about aligning with God's heart.
• Misconceptions about prophetic roles often stem from cultural portrayals.
• Old Testament prophets had a performance-based relationship with God.
• New Testament prophets focus on love and alignment with God's heart.
• Prophetic individuals often see injustice and seek to correct it.
• Entrepreneurs with prophetic gifting drive social justice initiatives.
• Prophetic people can be found in various fields, including arts and activism.
• The blend of compassion and strength characterizes prophetic individuals.
• Prefigurative community is about right relationships with God and others.
• Prophetic voices can express both nurturing and chastising aspects of God's heart.

In this second parter, we lay a foundation of the waters we swim in as entrepreneurs who love Jesus. We discuss the importance of structure, singularity, and community in the lives of missional entrepreneurs. Ultimately, we encourage entrepreneurs to align their gifts and work with the redemptive plan of God.

Show Notes //

Virtual Discipleship Groups + Events

5Q Assessment: How You're Gifted to Lead Like Jesus

Keywords

structure, singularity, community, kingdom purposes, mission, entrepreneurs, gifts, work

Takeaways

• Restructure your business around kingdom purposes and be intentional about being on mission with God.
• Be part of a community of believers and leverage the diverse gifts and perspectives within that community.
• Align your gifts and work with the redemptive plan of God.
• Create relationships that are deeply connected, functional, and provide tension for growth and correction.

In this discussion, we lay a foundation of the waters we swim in as entrepreneurs who love Jesus. We know we're called into the risk-taking business of starting a business, but we often feel that we're wandering around in a sea of divided ideas. Part of us longs for a successful business and the other part wonders how it fits into the bigger picture of Jesus' calling.

Show Notes //

Virtual Discipleship Groups + Events

5Q Assessment: How You're Gifted to Lead Like Jesus

Keywords

entrepreneurs, confusion, conquest, calling, gifting, work, mission, strategy, structure, singularity

Takeaways

• Syncing up your calling, gifting, and work is essential for entrepreneurs to be effective and fulfilled in their work.
• Entrepreneurs should see their business as a platform for mission and organize it accordingly.
• Strategy should go beyond material success and focus on the spiritual impact of the business.
• Entrepreneurs have unique access to groups of people who may be far from God, and they should consider how they can be a light to them.

Once a week, we grab a cup of coffee and discuss the world of missional entrepreneurship.

In this series we're talking through the "gifts of ascension." These 5 gfits help us understand leadership, teams, and ministry through the lens of Jesus.

In this episode we talk about the Apostolic gift. This is one that so many entrepreneurs share. At its core, to have an apostolic gift is to be sent. And that's exactly what we get into.

Grab some coffee, and chat with us.

Show Notes//

• How you're built to lead like Jesus: 5Q Assessment
• Upcoming Events + Groups at Brand Disciples
• MPACT Business Inventory based on Ephesians 4

Keywords

missional entrepreneurship, apostolic gift, Ephesians 4:11, starting new initiatives, discernment, working in community, developing and maturing

Takeaways

• The apostolic gift is about being sent and starting new initiatives in the church or the marketplace.
• Apostolic people have the ability to set vision, initiate, innovate, and scale organizations.
• Discernment is crucial for apostolic people to distinguish between good ideas and ideas from God.
• Apostolic people should seek to function within a community to fully express their gifting.
• Developing and maturing in the apostolic gifting requires taking risks, learning from others, and pursuing intentional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

03:52 Understanding the Apostolic Gift

11:19 The Characteristics and Functions of Apostolic People

17:19 The Importance of Discernment and Community

23:52 Tips for Developing and Maturing in the Apostolic Gifting