The Prophetic Nature of Biblical History
When we approach the section of the Bible that we commonly refer to as history, such as the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings, we tend to categorize them as separate from the …
When we approach the section of the Bible that we commonly refer to as history, such as the books of Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, and 1 and 2 Kings, we tend to categorize them as separate from the …
For far too long, our readings of the Bible have been confined to specific boundaries, limiting our understanding and conversations about its profound teachings. However, there is a better approach—one that involves learning to ask better questions of the Scriptures. …
Read moreHow to Ask Better Questions While Reading the Bible
The zoe life is an intimate friendship with that boundless Mystery we call God. How does this zoe life take shape amid our everyday tasks of washing dishes, playing with the kids, going to work, dealing with family conflicts, paying …
There is a threshold we are daily called to—a renouncing of honor and power and prestige on the world’s terms, a renouncing of what spiritual writer Fr. Ronald Rolheiser calls the “pleasure principle” as the guiding factor of our lives,17 …
We’re all busy, and our pace of life doesn’t leave much room for anything other than the highest of priorities. As you choose to place Jesus’ call to make disciples as a high priority in your life, you may find …
Many years ago, I conducted a weekend preaching mission in a congregation known for its liveliness and charismatic expression. Using the words of the Father to Jesus at his baptism, “You are my beloved son in whom I delight,” I …
Read moreHow to Know that We Are God’s Beloved in a More Personal Way
New research from a Barna study on discipleship revealed four qualities common to disciplemakers, which I believe can help us not only understand the mindset of those who prioritize disciplemaking but also adopt this mindset ourselves. For all US Christians, …
Let’s say you’ve settled on someone you believe God would like you to disciple. Now what? When you’re beginning a disciplemaking relationship, have an open and honest conversation about your intentions for the relationship. If you don’t, you run the …
We’re all busy, and our pace of life doesn’t leave much room for anything other than the highest of priorities. As you choose to place Jesus’ call to make disciples as a high priority in your life, you may find …
Read moreHow Do I Know Who to Invest My Disciplemaking Efforts in?
As we grapple with submitting to a God who invites us to come and die, there’s another layer of fear that often scares us away from God. For generations, our definition of Christian has been overshadowed by medieval threats of …