I'd been talking about evangelism with a friend's child. And, to illustrate my point, I mentioned that new people had just moved in down the street. I said that I wanted to make the effort to get to know them and planned to pray for them and invite them to church.
I was expecting a barrage of questions. After all, adults always question things when it comes to mission. How will you approach them? What will you pray? Will you build up relationships with them before issuing the invitation? When is the best time to call? Won't they think you odd? Aren't you scared? ... But the questions didn't come. Instead, I got 5 words that stopped me in my tracks.
What are you waiting for?... continue reading
There's nothing more depressing for a home group leader than members who don't show up.
Sometimes it's inevitable - people who have jobs that take them away. People who are part of messy, chaotic families. People who struggle with illness. We should cut them slack.
But then there are those for whom the weekly Bible study just does not appear to be a priority. How can we encourage them?
Perhaps the root of the problem is that these friends often view homegroup as just another "event" that we show up to for our own enjoyment or benefit. And because it is mentally filed as such, it immediately becomes optional. It is thrown out in favour of a drink with friends, a desire to work late, a vague feeling of tiredness, or a TV programme they would rather stay home and watch. The key to changing their discouraging attendance pattern is to change their thinking about what a homegroup really is.... continue reading
What sermons or Bible talk do you remember most? It's a really important question - and not just for you.
There are moments in sermons when God's Spirit speaks to us with such clarity and simplicity that they become turning points for our spiritual lives. There are moments when things just go "click" in our minds, and what was cloudy or opaque becomes suddenly crystal clear. It's what every preacher longs for, prays for, works for as they prepare week by week, and as they strive to develop and improve their craft.
My own observation is that it is the simplest and clearest of talks that have remained with me over the years. Of course I love to hear a talk that is filled with deep thoughts, has impressive cultural and biblical cross references, and stretches my thinking and understanding. But the ones that have stuck with me; the ones that have made a conscious change to my direction or motivation in following Christ have all had this in common: they were plain, simple and clear.... continue reading
Work was going well. Yes, very well indeed.
Jim couldn't stop himself rubbing his hands together as he cast his eye over the latest monthly figures. His timber yard was bustling with energy, and the shouts of the foreman and the sound of sawing came through the open window.
But he had a problem to deal with. He had seen only growth for the past three years, but would it continue? Lots of building work going on. And lots of rebuilding work too. There were always places that burned down in the hot summers - and there were plenty of louts around who were happy to set fire to places for fun. But there was a cloud on the horizon. His best customer had just finished his massive project and, unless he decided to start something else equally ridiculous, it would drop his income by a quarter the next year.... continue reading
Do you ever get that sinking feeling on a Sunday? That heaviness in the heart which means just one thing: you don't want to go to church.
Maybe it's the people in your congregation - one or more of them has caused you hurt. Maybe, it's a sermon series that seems to be dragging. Or, dare I say, a minister that is driving you nuts with decisions that you don't understand. Of course, it may be that God is convicting you of some sin or throwing some difficult circumstances your way and your heart has become hard instead of submitting to his sovereign and good will. Maybe you have some key questions that you want answering - but the answers aren't coming at the moment. And the temptation is to stay at home for one week, or a month, or maybe just drift off until you feel more positive.... continue reading
The gears are grinding. The wheels are turning. The phone calls are made. The emails fly around. As the new term starts the small-group programme is swinging into action in your local church.
Many of us who lead small groups, however, might be heaving an involuntary sigh as we step on the treadmill that will grind on until we are drinking eggnog round the tree at Christmas. We will be concerned about how to raise the enthusiasm of less committed members. We will be wondering how we will cope with those "problem" people who sap so much of our time and energy - for so little seeming result.
So here's a few thoughts as you start the new season to give you a renewed vision for your work:... continue reading
It’s back-to-school week in the UK. Some children are starting a new school; most will be going into a new class or form. Some will have been looking forward to it; others dreading it. All of them need our prayers—so here are five things to pray for a child (or children) in your family, or your church family, as they return to school, based on James 1 v 17-21:
1. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (v 17). Give thanks for this child, for the gift from God that they are. And pray that they would grow in thankfulness to God over this academic year, not taking the good things they have and enjoy for granted.... continue reading
When I was a schools’ worker, I used to put on an annual meal for Christian teachers from the education borough where I worked. They came from around twenty schools in the local area. Even though term time is busy, and evenings are precious, most of them made the effort to come. Why? Because it was an opportunity to meet with other Christians who uniquely understood the situation they were in. (There was always very good cake as well!)
Do you know any Christian teachers? (Or classroom assistants, school administrators, playground supervisors…) For some, this is the start of a new term – but whether it is or not, here are a few suggestions for how you could pray for them this week:... continue reading
I don't think I've ever heard anyone ask the question. It's not the kind of thing we tend to talk about. But, for some of us at least, it's a significant issue. How should we, as Christians, respond to being left an inheritance?
Whether the sum is large or small it can open up a whole can of worms in our minds. Of course, it's great to have a bank balance that is fuller than normal. But the money is only there because a loved one has died. Somehow it feels wrong to enjoy it. But the person who left it to us wanted us to benefit from it and we certainly can't ignore it. There are decisions to be made and, for Christians, they need to be made in a godly way.
So how can Christians respond to being left an inheritance? Here are our top tips.... continue reading
Recently, Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote an article on the need for real expository preaching. He defined expository preaching as, “that mode of Christian preaching that takes as its central purpose the presentation and application of the text of the Bible. All other issues and concerns are subordinated to the central task of presenting the biblical text.”
Dr. Mohler writes, “Authentic Christian preaching carries a note of authority and a demand for decisions not found elsewhere in society.” We should expect no less from our own personal study of Scripture. He continues, “Unfortunately, the appetite for serious preaching has virtually disappeared among many Christians who are content to have their fascinations with themselves encouraged from the pulpit.”... continue reading
