Thursday is for Discipleship “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:3, ESV) Meditation on the life of Christ, specifically on the suffering of Christ seems to be a key ingredient to the writer of Hebrews’ disciple-growing strategy. Do you know what … More Is Meditation a Key to Spiritual Formation?
What does it mean to live like a missionary in the neighborhood? It means to live like Jesus wants us to live. It means to live for the gospel-good of our neighbors. It means to live like my friends from New Jersey in this story post from my archives. Living Missionally in Suburbia.
Tuesday is for Preaching I love this presentation of gospel truth not only for its clarity but also for its pastoral sensitivity. Some in our time want to say that the Reformation doctrine of the atonement is a new thing. Anselm predates the Reformation by 400 years and it doesn’t sound like Anselm had any … More A Brilliant 11th Century Gospel Presentation
Monday Discussion Athanasius (c. 295–373) Bishop of Alexandria (Egypt) [For forty five years, Athanasius, starting at the age of 27 (!), was the key figure in the battle against the heresy of Arianism. It cost him dearly. Five times he was sent into exile. But in the end, his intellectual prowess, personal integrity and passion for … More Fourth Century Gospel Presentation
First Century Gospel Presentation Clement lived between A.D. 30-100. He is one of what are called the Ante-Nicene [Before Nicene Council] Fathers. He may have known the apostle Paul (cf. Phil 4:3). He probably wrote his first letter to the Corinthians in about A.D. 96. The following is from “chapters 7-9” where he writes about … More A Gospel Presentation from the First Century
Thursday is for Discipleship How quickly did Jesus expect those who believed in him or those whom he touched to begin to tell others about him to others? One of my former students (Matt) put it this way: “’Follow me’ – that’s discipleship. ‘and I will make you fishers of men’ – that’s the … More How Quickly Should Those Who Follow Learn to Fish?
Monday Discussion I am convinced that the church needs to re-learn how to be the church in the neighborhood. Thirty-five years of seeker-sensitive, seeker-targeted methodology has created congregations that have no ability to herald the gospel and who can do little more than invite people to programs. Our people need to be retaught, after the … More Living for the Gospel-Good of Our Neighbors
Twenty Five Percent of the Men Had Led Someone to Christ in the Previous Three Years. Pressed the “Random Post” button on the wordpress tool bar and this one came up. Always exciting to revisit the wonders of what God has done.
Thursday is for Discipleship “Lower the bar on what it means to be a church. Raise the bar on what it means to be a disciple.” –Neil Cole Whatever you think of the overall approach of Neil Cole [That’s Neil pictured on the right.] and the Organic Church movement, this mantra is hard to argue … More What Does it Mean to “Raise the Bar on What it Means to be a Disciple”?
Wednesday is for Prayer The words of Bonhoeffer, because we tend to forget what is most basic to the Christian life of humility and service. We tend to forget to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” (Matthew 6:33) “The cross is laid on every Christian. The first Christ-suffering which every man must … More A Christian Never Lays Down His Cross.
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