Two Ways to Contribute to Your Church's Health

Gary DeLashmutt

Galatians 3:24

It is easy to develop a consumer mentality when it comes to church. The Bible prescribes a different way. Instead of taking, we can be part of contributing to a church community. This includes properly understanding the role of God's law and also to appreciate God's grace.

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Timothy 2:17

It is important to communicate effectively and clearly the main message of the Bible. There are two key elements: 1) Faith is the path to God, and 2) love for God, other believers, and for people who do not know God.

Wherever the Corpse is, There the Vulture Will Gather

Gary DeLashmutt

Hebrews 2:17

Jesus talks to his disciples about the end of the age and God's judgment of evil. The Bible reveals a God who takes evil seriously and whose judgment is in connection to His love. Through God's mercy, Jesus has taken on himself the judgment we deserve.

Evangelism: Heart Issues & Practices

Phil Franck

Hebrews 2:17

God wants to use His people to reach the lost by spreading His Good News as He opens doors of opportunity. We need to examine our motivation and attitudes that may block our participation in evangelism. There are many things that can cause fear in sharing the Good News. To overcome those obstacles we need to start with our identity and mission from God. There are endless tools God has given us to be effective; His Holy Spirit, prayer, His Gospel, and creativity, to name a few.\r\n

Helping Disciples Develop Time with God

Sara Bott

Colossians 3:16

As we seek to fan the flame, igniting other's time with God, we should seek to understand three main concepts: our role in motivating people, actions through which we can help motivate, and areas in which we should seek to motivate. When we understand what is our role apart from God's, we can imperfectly but effectively motivate others without falling into manipulation. To ignite a fire in others, modeling is important as well as persuading, instructing, encouraging and vision-setting. With these tools, we can help others develop a consistent and faithful time with God that is still centered around grace.

The Word and Leading Home Group Evangelism

Doug Patch

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

God calls every one of his followers to evangelize, including people who may not be gifted in this area. Therefore, we must strive to lead this practice in our home groups, making sure that we are utilizing God's Word to do so. From there we can begin approaching our group by first making a clear biblical case for evangelism. We should communicate how the group is doing, demonstrate how God's grace empowers believers to do this, develop an action plan for both the inner attitudes and outwards actions, and present vision for where God will lead the group.

Good Friends are Hard to Find

Patrice McCormac

1 Samuel 18:1-23:29

If we want to have good friendships, we need to choose to be a good friend! Through studying the deep friendship between Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel we see many elements of true friendship. Good friends are faithful to promises, willing to warn of danger, speak well of others, and ultimately pursue a friendship that is centered on God and advancing his purposes! \r\n

See, Feel and Do

Gary DeLashmutt

Acts 7:16-17

During Jesus' healing ministry he saw the needs of the people, he felt compassion on them, and he acted by healing and showing grace. He teaches that "the harvest is plentiful", there are many more people in need. "But the workers are few", Jesus is seeking people who will see the needs of the people, feel compassion, and act by guiding them to Him.

Humility and Exaltation

Gary DeLashmutt

Matthew 23:5-12

Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and God's opposition to pride. God is always opposed to the proud and He always exalts the humble. God does this by looking for: 1) our heart attitudes towards ourselves; 2) our view of human praise and recognition; 3) our fear of man or rest in Him. We can cultivate humility by cooperating with God in the process.