Tag Archives: study

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. 

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.

Everyday Read(y)

I carry what is considered an EDC knife. I do not feel prepared for a day in the office, in the woods, or on a trip – without my knife.
In the same way that I am not prepared for the day without my knife, the Christian is not prepared for the day without his/her Bible. The Bible is what keeps the faith and love growing in the Christian. The Scriptures help us to know God, and learn how to have salvation through the finished work of Christ.

3 Lessons From George Washington

Recently I have been reading about the life of George Washington.  His incredible story continues to motivate and shape the direction of many people today.  His famous speech delivered to The Continental Congress, once nominated to be the first Commander in Chief, is worth repeating today for its sincerity and humility. He said in part: Continue reading “3 Lessons From George Washington”

3 Church Priorities in a New Year

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20 Time goes by soContinue reading “3 Church Priorities in a New Year”

Fellow Servants in the Church

Fellow Servants in the Church But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.  Acts 6:4 There is much to do in ministry.  Preach, teach, pray, plan, promote, organize, visit, encourage, make phone calls, send texts and emails, administrate, design, print, clean, build, repair, record radio, post messages andContinue reading “Fellow Servants in the Church”