What will the local church look like in 20 years? Take a peek into the youth room of your church and then visit the young adult class. The glimpse may be frightening. In many settings, children and youth ministries are failing to make disciples of Jesus Christ who stand in faith beyond their teenage years. Some churchContinue reading “Beyond Pizza and Swim Parties: Disciple-Making with Children/Teens (a book review)”
Category Archives: Discipleship
The Prayer of a Sheep
Psalm 23 has been a long-time favorite. Years ago, I committed this to memory as a reminder of God’s care and provision. I would like to revisit this chapter, which the Holy Spirit inspired King David to write over 3000 years ago. I also would like to offer each point as a prayer to God.Continue reading “The Prayer of a Sheep”
The Leader’s Greatest Investment (5 Christ-honoring Distinctives)
Leadership is not complete until someone walks in the footsteps of a leader. In the Bible, it was no coincidence that we see a marked change in the original disciples from the end of the Gospel according to Luke to the first few chapters in Acts. Out of genuine love for His disciples, Jesus trainedContinue reading “The Leader’s Greatest Investment (5 Christ-honoring Distinctives)”
Something Greater than 33 Billion Cubic Inches
A shoe box donated to Operation Christmas Child (OCC) has the space that averages 330 cubic inches. Over the last 20 years, Samaritan’s Purse (OCC’s parent organization) has collected over 100 million of these boxes filled with love, toys, bars of soap, socks, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (This number is comparable to theContinue reading “Something Greater than 33 Billion Cubic Inches”
A ? that Begs Your Answer.
We may argue about church stuff. We can disagree about methods and practice. But we must be clear on one thing. Jesus came to this earth on a rescue mission: “to seek and save the lost.” (Jesus, Luke 19:10) Of all the great debates within Christ’s Church, none is more important and divisive that the question, “HowContinue reading “A ? that Begs Your Answer.”
attn Christians: 9 Quick Questions and One Big Proposal
1. Do we show love to others that surpasses that of non-Christians? 2. Do we display a joyfulness greater than Jews who have faced a life of persecution? 3. Can people see a consuming peace that prevails in our lives greater than our Buddhist neighbors? 4. Are we more patient than Jehovah’s Witnesses who continues to goContinue reading “attn Christians: 9 Quick Questions and One Big Proposal”
The Gospel’s Secret Agent
Something critically important is missing in most evangelistic efforts of churches and individual Christians. Many pastors want to point at the problems of apathy, busyness, or laziness. Yet the real problem lies within the core of the Church. For the most part, we have shut out the third person of the Trinity from our GospelContinue reading “The Gospel’s Secret Agent”
The Cause of a Crumbling Life (Lesson #58 Summer School with Jesus)
Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:26-27 (HCSB) But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great! Today’s Question: What areContinue reading “The Cause of a Crumbling Life (Lesson #58 Summer School with Jesus)”
A House that Can Withstand a Storm (Lesson #57 Summer School with Jesus)
Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:24-25 (HCSB) Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. Today’s Question: WhatContinue reading “A House that Can Withstand a Storm (Lesson #57 Summer School with Jesus)”
Salvation Is About Who You Know (Lesson #56 Summer School with Jesus)
Today’s Reading: Matthew 7:22- 23 (HCSB) On that day many will say to Me, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?” Then I will announce to them, “I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!” Today’s Question: How deeply doContinue reading “Salvation Is About Who You Know (Lesson #56 Summer School with Jesus)”
Shepherding Well 