Divergent is a novel trilogy written by Veronica Roth and includes Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant. Without giving away any surprises the series is about a teenager who lives in a post apocalyptic society. Similarly to many other series in this young adult genre the authorities have tried to bring order to chaos by dividing society into groups. … Continue reading Divergent
discipleship
Journey to Follow
As we follow Jesus as His disciple there are some warnings from Jesus that you need to know. Mark 8:34-38: And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life … Continue reading Journey to Follow
A Quick Thought on Discipleship
Yesterday both sermons and our small group discussions were about discipleship. This is a statement made in these lessons and studies that I want you to consider. One sentence that is a reminder about discipleship. Life in Christ is not about me. Scott
Making a Habit of Discipleship
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after … Continue reading Making a Habit of Discipleship
Evaluating My Discipleship
Someone told you that necessity is the mother of invention. That may well be true. However, today, I want to suggest that, Evaluation is the Father of Improvement. Think for a moment about the automobile industry. Constant evaluation of market, performance, safety, fuel efficiency gives us improved transportation. Similarly, great marriages have couples who evaluate … Continue reading Evaluating My Discipleship
Four Principles for Discipleship
The word disciple or disciples occurs 268 times in the New Covenant while the word Christian or Christians occurs only 3 times. We can safely conclude that discipleship is a vital part of our life for God. I go as far as to say that you cannot be a Christian if you are not first … Continue reading Four Principles for Discipleship
Disciples Reproducing Disciples
Being a disciple is not the end goal of discipleship. Discipleship has a goal of its own: making more disciples. The Good News is not ours to keep or hoard. We are not simply containers of the Gospel, but a conduit through which God's grace passes on to others. Consider 2 Timothy 2:2, "and what … Continue reading Disciples Reproducing Disciples
Disciples and Our Example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjBQzkIAue8 I hear statements like that all the time. "It doesn't matter what I say or do." "What I am doing is my business, what others think is their problem." "No one is watching me." Really? 1 Corinthians 8:9, "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to … Continue reading Disciples and Our Example
Discipleship: Lesson Three
As we continue to look at discipleship, we look at Jesus' last full night with His disciples. The last night of Jesus freedom before the cross would prove to be a night of sadness. Sadness as Jesus foresees the trauma, pain, and suffering He is about to endure. Yet this night is significant. Jesus has … Continue reading Discipleship: Lesson Three
Discipleship Lesson Two – Courage
"And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after … Continue reading Discipleship Lesson Two – Courage