Top Ten Forward-Thinking Trends for Disciple Makers
*Editor’s Note: Each year, Discipleship.org publishes a list of the top 10 trends they see that year on disciple making. They pool insights from all the leaders, practitioners, and organizations they can find and compile the trends of what they see God doing through disciple makers in North America. The following is their annual report. ...
Bobby Harrington
Noisy Minds and Honest Relationships – Reflections on “Chaos Walking”
Have you ever had a thought so loud it seemed impossible no one else could hear it? I’ve often felt like the intangible thoughts and feelings rattling inside me had to be strong enough that other people could observe them. No one had ever said anything to suggest this… but then again, maybe everyone was...
Nathan Storms
Mirage #2: I Want God to Fix Everything without Touching Anything
Sometimes we ask God “Please,” followed by “No thank you.” Why? This video based on Daniel McCoy’s Mirage: 5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist examines the desire that people tend to have for God to intervene in…
Daniel McCoy
Daniel McCoy
Sermon on the Mount: Pure in Heart
*Editor’s Note: This is the tenth article in a 13-part series on the Beatitudes. Here’s the complete list of articles in the series: Who Does Jesus Think He Is? Crowds or Disciples? The Sermon’s Most Important Word The Pursuit of Happiness Poor in Spirit God’s Answer to the Problem of Evil Meekness Hunger and Thirst...
Jeremy Bacon
Small Beginnings for Discipling a Child
When I became a parent, I was intimidated by the prospect of transmitting my faith to my children. The Bible is an enormous volume with sixty-six individual books, and the gospel message spans thousands of years. How do you reduce the gospel, to say nothing of church history, theology, and apologetics, down to something that...
Luke Gray
Restoring Our City – Q&A with Kelvin Teamer
*Editor’s Note: It’s no surprise that evil is at work in our world. Are our churches at work restoring what is broken? I recently caught up with Kelvin Teamer, minister of the Bouldercrest Church of Christ in Atlanta, GA, and asked him some ways God is using them to restore their city. Q: What’s the...
Kelvin Teamer
Crossing the Invisible Fence: An Opportunity for the Church to Lead
If you have a rambunctious dog who likes to run around outside, you can purchase the product known as the “invisible fence.” The fence is set up as a barrier that broadcasts a signal to a collar worn by the dog. The dog will receive a mild electric shock as it gets closer to the...
Christopher Barras
Friendship Evangelism in a Post-Christian Era
Our culture currently demeans church, seeing it as offering little value. They see the gospel as unscientific and something that once held value in the evolution of civilization. However, friendship with Christ-followers meets little resistance. Pursue a friendship long enough and authentic evidence of God begins to show up if you live the fruit of...
Ralph Moore
Mirage #1: I Want God to Love Me by Affirming My Decisions
When we want God to love us, what exactly are we asking of Him? This video based on Daniel McCoy’s Mirage: 5 Things People Want from God That Don’t Exist examines the desire that people tend to have for God…
Daniel McCoy
Daniel McCoy
Do I Love People? Honestly?
The following is an excerpt from Corey Trimble, An Authentic Experience: Creating an Inviting Culture with Biblical Integrity. I remember when I got saved in August of 2002. I instantly fell head over heels for Jesus. I know that sounds goofy, but I did. I was reading the Bible nonstop, I was at church every...
Corey Trimble
Sharpening Our Focus on the Great Commission
The Great Commission is a foundational Scripture and seemingly clear-cut. However, the way that you interpret and apply it will affect your church’s vision when it comes to missions. We would like to make two general observations. When you think of the Great Commission, you probably focus on the imperative “to go and make disciples,”...
Andrew J
Fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom Takes This Uncomfortable Step
For a time, I worked as a berry farmer. I have some advice for you: If you are going to grow berries, do not start with blackberries. Growing them is extremely labor-intensive. You have to set up a trellis system with two wires and place a berry plant every six feet, next to a pole....
Curtis Sergeant
Bible Interpretation Is Closer Than You Think – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
*Editor’s Note: The Bible has been subject to some wild misinterpretations. And yet some of the basic tools which would help us interpret the Bible accurately are tools we use every day in other areas of our lives. In order to interpret the Bible accurately, we need to be able to incorporate these commonsense tools...
Orpheus J. Heyward
The Equality Act: The Background, Battle, and Our Beliefs
The Equality Act passed the US House of Representatives on February 25, 2021, and is on its way to the Senate. What is the Equality Act? And why should disciples of Jesus pay attention? In this article, we will discuss the background of the bill, the current battle that centers on the bill, and how...
Renew.org
The Truth Is Better Than My Truth (Because It’s True!)
You may have heard these popular statements: “Go live your truth,” “You do you,” “I’m speaking my truth,” “She’s being authentic to her truth.” Have you ever thought about what these statements really mean? We live in a world where objective truth is on the chopping block. Objective truth is defined as truth that is...
Holli Turner