Have you ever been part of a team? Maybe it wasn’t a sports team; maybe it wasn’t even called a ‘team.’ Maybe it was just a group of people all working towards the same goal. I can’t say I was ever part of a sports team, but I was a member of my high school … Continue reading –>
Sometimes in our efforts to express the importance of conversion, or “being saved” we underestimate the role of the church. While we all understand that being joined to the church does not save us, it is or should be instrumental in us maintaining the saving relationship with Jesus. We are social creatures and we need … Continue reading –>
Picture this: Two beautiful people sit on a beach, the perfect breeze blows around them. The seagulls call all around them. They look deep into each other’s eyes. They’re smiling at each other as though they share the best secret in the universe. The camera zooms in for a close up; the music swells and … Continue reading –>
We’re having a Julie Andrews moment here. I’m sure you remember that song: “Let’s start at the very beginning; a very good place to start. When we read we begin with a, b, c; when we sing we begin with doe, ray, me…” But when we’re sharing the gospel of Jesus with someone, where do … Continue reading –>
What was it that made Jesus so different from any of the other religious leaders of His time? Well, His message was clearly different – keeping the rules can’t save you, be a servant, love your enemies. That was all new stuff to the people of Jesus’ time. I think sometimes we forget how really different … Continue reading –>
Once while some Israelites were burying a man, suddenly they saw a band of raiders; so they threw the man’s body into Elisha’s tomb. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the man came to life and stood up on his feet. 2 Kings 13:21 NIV There was no magic in the prophet Elisha’s bones. The … Continue reading –>
Discover (or organize) local training opportunities. If you have decided upon an area of witnessing and evangelism and have discussed it with your pastor and evangelism leaders, it is time to consider your readiness for the task. You will want the best possible chance of influencing people for Jesus; thus, training is important. Remember, working … Continue reading –>
Spiritual gifts are not discovered just to satisfy our curiosity but rather to indicate what the Lord would have us do and to show where we fit into the church body. This, of course, brings great responsibility as we seek to fulfill that for which God has especially equipped us.1 Compare Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12, and Ephesians … Continue reading –>
Once upon a time, in the land of Gifted, lived some very miserable people. They trudged through the streets of Gifted every day carrying huge burdens on their backs. A visitor to Gifted once asked why the people of Gifted carried these heavy burdens with them day after day. The answer was surprising. The visitor … Continue reading –>
When we think of spiritual gifts and witnessing and evangelism, we tend mostly to focus on the gifts of evangelism, preaching, and teaching. Though not all gifts are overtly evangelistic, if ministered within the church body they will have varying degrees of impact upon the church’s evangelistic mission.1 Read Acts 6:1–4 again. People were given similar responsibilities to … Continue reading –>
