“All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.” Mark 4:28, NIV An old story tells of a passerby admiring another man’s beautiful garden. Looking over the beautiful blooms, he remarked that God had certainly produced a wonderful garden, blessed with so many beautiful flowers. … Continue reading –>
Have you ever noticed how people often lament the fact that members slip out “the back door”? They even state firmly that the church’s back door must be closed but fail to tell us how to close the door or even the location of the door. Some growing churches may think that their back door … Continue reading –>
Backslider is a word we wish did not exist in the Christian vocabulary. It is a fact, however, that many people slide away from church and from a saving relationship with the Lord. Although people do, at times, leave us over doctrine, most of the time they leave over other things, usually personal disputes and … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : Since we are children of God, we will ever seek to promote His kingdom, minister to His children, and share all that we know of His goodness. [Teaching plan for A Perpetual Ministry June 25, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 2:42. A. Ask class members to share a short thought … Continue reading –>
We live in a world where people are highly mobile. Local churches seem to regularly process transfers out and transfers in and often lament the loss of capable members who have been involved in significant ministries. Because of this potential transfer of skills and because the local church’s evangelism and witnessing ministry should continue expanding, … Continue reading –>
“And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went … Continue reading –>
Have you burned any bridges lately? Are you sure? Could you have burned a bridge without being aware of doing it? Next time you’re sitting in church, take a look around. Are there some folks missing? I don’t mean like on-vacation missing, but folks who haven’t been to church for maybe a month or two … Continue reading –>
A vital part of evangelism takes place in church every week. This aspect of evangelism is called “nurture” and “incorporation.” We have been very good at inviting people to our churches, but we have not always done so well in the creation of an environment that will encourage them to return and settle into the … Continue reading –>
It must be emphasized, again, that witnessing and evangelism must continue as long as there are people who need salvation. It is God’s plan to save as many people as possible. Those, meanwhile, who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior are called upon to work with God in this soul-saving work. No matter who … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 4:7–30, Acts 2:42, 11:19–23, 2 Tim. 2:1–7, 2 Cor. 5:18–20. Memory Text: “ ‘What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds … Continue reading –>
Inviting Others to Join Your Ministry Have you ever heard of a one-man band? This is a band in which one person plays all the instruments in the band. The drum is strapped to his back and operated by a foot pedal; cymbals are strapped between the knees and so on. In the metaphorical sense, … Continue reading –>
I had been assigned to a congregation in Cameroon that was facing a huge crisis. A man had given the church land on which the congregation built a simple church. But the land transfer had not been completed when the man died, and his widow wanted the land back. She took the church to court, … Continue reading –>
