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The call of discipleship
I am reading Transforming Discipleship: Making disciples a few at a time by Greg Ogden. We have been developing this thought for training leaders in our church. We want intentional leadership not mass produced in a classroom. Small groups and one on one develop disciples in a stronger way. But it is a decision to become a disciple. “The seeking…
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The surrender of discipleship
I love the phrase I learned years ago: As a leader you have to give up to go up. As a leader you give up “rights” and “privileges” so you can keep growing as a leader. The whole point was to keep “rising” as a leader. Over the years I’ve realized that “rising” as a leader has a lot of…
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Parenting and discsipleship
The internet has been around the entirety of raising three boys in our family, but I can’t imagine raising young kids in today’s environment. It’s entirely possible, of course! But the challenges! It is incredibly difficult to “train up a child” as a family, and then add in all the other sources of input flying at a kid every day.…
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In this world we are like Jesus
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. (I Jn. 4:17) I know I could sure do a better job of THAT! We need to rise to this challenge as the body of Christ. Now, more than ever. There is nothing to fear in…
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Discipleship prayer
Lord, may people see in me a God they want to follow.
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The chilling effect of the power of the gospel
I have taught, preached, and led in a way over the past decade or so that has tried to prepare me and my church for the cultural shifts and the challenges of living out a gospel that will sometimes have consequences. I never taught it in a way where someone just doesn’t say, “Merry Christmas” to us and we cry,…
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Jesus and crowds
The interesting picture in John 6 with Jesus and crowds is that Jesus knew they were following him because of the signs and the food. He then worked to thin it down. If they didn’t understand the full ramifications of the Kingdom, he wanted them to quit hanging around. He is working on them to get away from the shallow pursuits.…
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When Christianity in America will finally grow up
We will realize the true power of the gospel in our lives when we, as Americans, give up our “right” to “win” and be willing to look like we’ve lost. Right now, all we want to is “win.” Win an argument. Win a court case. Win public opinion. When we’re willing to lose… THAT is when we find a better path…
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What if Jesus really meant it?
What if Jesus really meant all that stuff in the Sermon on the Mount? You could love your enemies. You could bless those that curse you. You could live in spiritual maturity. You could live with peace and without anxiety. Not only could you… but the implication is you should. What if Jesus really meant all that? No more excuses. He has given…
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Anxiety and the Kingdom of God
There is a place of freedom we can truly find in the Kingdom of God. It’s often seen as “beyond reach,” or for when we “get to heaven,” but when Jesus talks about the abundance of the Kingdom of God he is speaking directly to tremendous benefits. Benefits NOW. Expectations NOW. In Matthew 6:25-34 he talks about freedom from anxiety. Grab…
Tag: Discipleship
