You have a powerful story. Believe it or not, you already have a very effective tool that will help you point people to Jesus Christ. That tool is your personal story. Every believer has a story, and when you tell how Jesus encountered you and changed your life, it yields powerful results. Just think about […]
You were created to know God in a deep and personal way. That kind of relationship requires not only listening to God, but also talking to God through prayer. Maybe in the past you struggled with your prayer life. Maybe you are tired of rote, wooden, repetitive prayers that never really seem to go anywhere […]
A disciple-making church is constantly evaluating the effectiveness of every program, event or initiative and asking the hard questions: “What part of the strategy is this accomplishing?” “Is this really working?” “Is there a better way to be more effective?” Traditions are not bad. In fact, they can be incredibly powerful. We have certain traditions […]
It was late in Jesus’ ministry. He knew that His time on earth was coming to a close. Jesus turned to His disciples and stated plainly, “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is still day, night is coming when no one can work,” (John 9.4 ESV). The work Jesus […]
It was the only time I’ve ever hit my mother-in-law. She was busily preparing a special luncheon, and I could tell she was a bit nervous. Her son was bringing home the girl he planned to marry, and this was going to be their first meeting. Suddenly the doorbell rang, followed by introductions and hugs. […]
John Newton was in trouble. The battering waves and violent winds beat against the bow of his ship to the point that all hope was lost. In utter despair, John cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us!” Reflecting back, those words were the turning point for this wayward man. John grew up on the ocean. […]
Once a leader knows what a disciple looks like and understands Jesus’ four-step process for making disciples and begins to actively invest his life in people, then he is ready to raise up a team of disciple-makers. Ministry is not something you do in isolation; rather it is something you do in community. Far too […]
Dietrich Bonhoeffer grew up in an upper-middle-class German family of doctors and scientists. So when he told his parents that he wanted to study theology, they were not that excited. Dietrich later became one of the world’s foremost theologians and thinkers of the 20th century. He is not remembered as much for his public sermons […]
Fear can hold you back, but the Spirit can make you bold. Probably the biggest excuse that keeps us from talking about Jesus is fear. We are afraid to talk to someone we don’t know. We are afraid of how they will respond. We are afraid of looking foolish or saying the wrong thing. We […]
You were created to know God in a deep and personal way. He never intended for your relationship with Him to be distant, formal or mechanical. He knows you. He has a plan for you that is beautiful, adventurous and significant. And most of all, He created you to have fellowship with Him. The Apostle […]