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.
Tag Archives: church
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]
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.
A Sharper Image
The books we read, the films we watch, the news we listen to, the church we attend, the work we do, the classes we take, and the friends we keep will greatly influence our potential to look more like the Lord.
Moral Awareness
Men are not objects to covet. Women are not objects to lust after. Men and women are to be viewed through the personal lens of being a brother or a sister. For those readers who are born-again Christians, we have brothers and sisters in the Spiritual Family of God. They are siblings along with us in God’s Church.
Everyday Fellow(ship)
MRE stands for Meals Ready to Eat. Survivalists have adapted military technology and have meals full of calories and nutrients with the only thing needed to add – water. You may or may not have an MRE, but every Christian should be having some degree of fellowship with other Believers. We need each other. Every Day Carry Christians have fellowship with other believers every day, not just on Sunday.
Building Your Kids
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 The house is going up. In the field where the large tree fell, a new home is being built. On our way to school, my children make comments, and we enjoy watchingContinue reading “Building Your Kids”
The Tree Who Stood Alone
Not long ago, just down a ways from our church building, a property was cleared of nearly every tree. This flat one acre or so of real estate was cleared and excavated for a new house. After removing 30-40 trees, there was one tree left in this new field. It appeared it was left toContinue reading “The Tree Who Stood Alone”
The Trash Thieves
We hear of this more and more each holiday season. Some people steal boxes as soon as they are delivered to a house. UPS, Fed Ex, and USPS are working overtime in deliveries and thieves are working overtime at collecting the deliveries. Have you seen that in the news? Simple crooks may prowl through aContinue reading “The Trash Thieves”
The Man Singing in the Window and the Outdoor Concert
The Christmas music was reverberating through the streets. People were exuberantly pacing the town. Aromas of coffee, hot chocolate, and special foods wafted through the Winter air. Bundled up in warm clothes and ready for seasonal fun, thousands of people walked the streets of Saratoga Springs in what is known as the “Victorian Street Walk.”Continue reading “The Man Singing in the Window and the Outdoor Concert”
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