Dr Steven

Check Out Our New Ministry

We are excited to announce the launch of a new ministry, “Truth Defended.” If you want engaging theology and reasonable apologetics, please check out our site, http://www.truthdefended.org. This new ministry aims to equip Christians to defend their faith with engaging theology and reasonable apologetics. Pastor Steve Harness is writing interesting blog articles, producing encouraging podcasts,Continue reading “Check Out Our New Ministry”

A New Apologetics Ministry

Marks of a Disciple, PART 2

Following Spiritual Disciplines, as advised in the following Growth Plan, will contribute to the overall spiritual health of a disciple of Christ. These are a means to an end, not the end itself. The result of discipleship is becoming more like Jesus; this is the goal.

Marks of a Disciple, PART 1

From the gospels to the church and personal letters, the Bible gives many examples of Christ’s immediate and subsequent disciples. How did they live? What were their struggles? Which markers or characteristics stand most prominent among these early disciples of Christ?

Starting Points for Teaching and Preaching

Teachers and preachers have much in common. Both are vital in church life and Christian spiritual formation. The development and delivery of lessons and messages are remarkably similar, and one can definitely learn from the other in method, development, and delivery. While teaching is generally known as the transfer of information, preaching goes further and seeks to affect the heart. Both teachers and preachers declare the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 proposes, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” One explanation I heard of this passage years ago from Dr. Jim Schettler suggests that “doctrine is what is right, reproof reveals what is wrong, correction says how to make it right, and instruction in righteousness tells how to keep it right.” Christian growth, spiritual maturation, and formation are possible with preachers and teachers being an important part of this developmental process. All this, of course, revolves around the Scriptures and relies upon the Holy Spirit of God.[3]

Teaching with Gladness

When Hebrew boys and girls ascended up to the Temple Mount on special occasions each year, many of them would be able to sing this song, Psalm 100.

The Best Leaders Are the Best Followers

“Don’t be a follower” is good but incomplete advice. Normally this is said as a negative response to following an evil, corrupt, or bad example. Some people, friends, or relatives may not be good examples of how to live and of what to think.
I once knew a 21-year-old man who had a friend too. He had several friends. His group of friends said: “Let’s go get a drink and have a ‘good time.'” He drank his first alcohol that night. He became drunk and ended up in a bar fight. This man took the fight outside where (with his military training) he ended up killing the man. With one dead, the man’s life will never be the same. Prison. Criminal record. Guilt. All it took was one choice. One moment, following some bad advice from a “friend.” He willingly let someone lead him astray. You don’t want to follow this sad example.

No Tripping Allowed

Years ago, I was sailing a sail boat in Florida. The sun was shining and the wind blowing fast that day. With the waves spritzing water in our faces, my friend and I had our boat propelling through the water at nearly 30 mph. Moving that fast, the hulls of the catamaran boat were skipping on the water. The sail was full of wind and we were having a blast. While steering the boat’s rudder, we took a turn too sharply while traveling too fast, and the boat dipped up out of the water and landed with the 30-foot mast directly in the water, upside down. When the boat flipped, my friend and…

Train Like a Scribe

The word “treasure” is a term we are familiar with. “Treasure” (θησαυρός) is “Thesaurus” in our language. A Thesaurus is similar in some ways to a dictionary. A Thesaurus is a collection of words that are organized in a systematic way to identify synonyms and antonyms to learn language and concepts. Words and concepts are treasures! Bible teaching is a treasure. Truth is a treasure.

How to Listen to Preaching

Billy Sunday was known for his dynamic, boisterous, loud, and sometimes rough preaching. He held the attention of his audience and was possibly “entertaining” to listen to and watch when he was preaching. Even if your pastor or guest preacher is not “entertaining” that’s OK. Entertainment is not the goal – knowing God is.