Discipleship Archive
Introduction: In the latter half of the 20th Century, Old Testament scholars and theologians began to voice their concerns about the contemporary church’s loss of reading and understanding the Old Testament as a story for Christian formation and growth. For these scholars, Christian formation and growth can best be summarized as the dynamic, growing relationship between God and his people. In this relationship, God takes …
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen… And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:1, 6, ESV). How Kids Think “Can you prove it?“ Some kids are taught to believe that the scientific method …
“Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8, NLT). Jesus is the picture of humble obedience to the will of God. In this article, Dr. Scott Turansky, co-founder of the National Center for Biblical Parenting, provides practical considerations to help children learn the value of obedience. Children need to learn to obey, but not merely to make …
Children’s ministry “Typically is the largest single group in the church being served,” writes Greg Baird. It has the largest need of volunteers to recruit, train, and manage. It deals with the most treasured part of a family’s life – children. The rewards are great, but the demands are great. It is sometimes viewed as the least valuable ministry in the church. Many children’s pastors are overwhelmed, overworked, underpaid, …
En·gage: occupy, attract, or involve (someone’s interest or attention) Ever had that moment when you feel like you’re herding cats? In this article by Greg Baird, discover six keys that will help you engage, impact and create life change. Leading in children’s ministry involves many things. Aligning vision. Growing ourselves. Recruiting leaders. Equipping our team. Managing programs. Ensuring safety in all environments. And we could list a …
Dr. Howard Hendricks, who taught at Dallas Theological Seminary for more than 50 years, said, “When a person makes a confession of faith and is never taken through a formal discipleship process, there is little hope of seeing genuine spiritual transformation.” There is nothing more important than teaching children how to know God intimately, to love Him passionately, and to serve Him selflessly. Choosing a …
Real Life Heroes Television and other media often exalt sports starts, super-models, and Hollywood celebrities. Nearly every child today idolizes these heroes and wants to emulate the rich and famous. Jesus could have established a cult-following. He could have basked in His popularity and His power. But Christ’s mission transcended the lures of wealth or status. The greatest people in God’s kingdom are those who …
