How would you have recognized the followers of Jesus back in the first century? You could recognize the priests and the Pharisees by the way they dressed. Likewise, you would recognize a fisherman, a peasant, or a Roman soldier by their clothes. But, again, how would you recognize a Christian?1 Read John 13:35. According to Jesus, … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Cor. 3:2, 3; Matt. 9:36–38; 1 Cor. 9:20–22; Mark 5:1–19; John 17:11–19. Memory Text: “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did”(Acts 9:36, NKJV). Key Thought: Whether we acknowledge it or not, all believers preach … Continue reading –>
And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Revelation 14:8 [1.Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com] Many say that Babylon means confusion. Well it may, but it is not so much confusion about certain … 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 –>
Eddah watched the activity in the Masai camp nervously. It seemed that the whole clan had come to help her mother prepare for her wedding feast. But Eddah didn’t want to marry; she wanted to continue her studies. She is a bright girl and had completed several years of primary school several miles from her … 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 –>
Gifts of the spiritual kind “Spiritual gifts,” Donna said. “Why do I always get nervous when we talk about spiritual gifts?”1 Dean cleared his throat. “Well, it’s true,” Donna said. “Every time we start talking about spiritual gifts it ends up as a long meeting with even longer forms to fill out, and then we’re … 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 –>
Key Thought : The Holy Spirit has given us spiritual gifts to use in witnessing and ministry. He calls us to share these gifts. [Teaching plan for “Spiritual Gifts for Evangelism & Witnessing” April 16, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:11-14. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the … Continue reading –>
Discovering our gifts is not difficult. You will be able to recognize quickly the gifted ministry areas of your pastor and other key leaders in your church. All you have to do is observe what they are doing and notice how people respond to their ministry. However, it is another matter when it comes to … Continue reading –>
To a certain extent a person’s spiritual gifts define his or her place in the local church. In other words, to discover spiritual gifts is to discover where the Lord wants you to function in the body. Have you ever been asked to be involved in an area for which you just had no passion … Continue reading –>
