A Healthy Church is a Messy Church, As it Should Be
Spend more than a few weeks in the heart of a church and you discover that church is messy. I can see it in the face of first-timers, that look […]
Sermon on the Mount: Building Your House
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the […]
VIDEO: Review of ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account,’ by Bear Grylls
Using the Gospel of John as the backbone, The Greatest Story Ever Told by Bear Grylls is a harmony of the Gospels retold from the perspective of various characters who […]
What Did Jesus Look Like?
Legend says that when Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper he used a young man’s face as a model for Jesus’s that radiated the Christ’s nobility, wisdom, and gentleness. […]
Meekness: Strength Under Control?
December 6, 2025 Once upon a time, so the legend goes, there was a man named Xenophon who loved horses. He loved horses so much that he wrote an entire […]
Review of ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told: An Eyewitness Account,’ by Bear Grylls
There’s a good chance when you hear the name Bear Grylls, the first thing that comes to mind is outdoor adventurist and survival expert, not “author of a book about […]
Pastors and Workplace Leaders: A Two-Way Street to Kingdom Impact
In today’s cultural seismic shifts, the boundary between sacred and secular continues to blur—and that’s a positive development. As pastors, we have a unique opportunity to extend our influence beyond […]
The Deceitfulness of Wealth?
Wealth, like sex, drugs, and fame, has an unusually strong effect on people. Everyone knows sex, drugs, and fame will seriously influence us, but for some reason, we resist the […]
The Character of God: Compassionate
If you ask someone, “What is God like?” you’ll get a variety of answers. I posed this question on Facebook last year. From dense theological explanations to quick two-word descriptions […]
Young Jesus in the Temple: an Insuperable Assignment (Part 1)
From the first words Jesus bar Joseph spoke, he forecast the genius the villagers had heard only prodigies possessed. As he matured, an unbroken spiritual intuition distinguished his speech. Each […]
Normalize Conformity to the Image of Jesus as the Goal of Disciple Making
It’s common to hear that, as Christians, it’s important to be and make disciples of Jesus. But why is it so important? Sometime after discovering that we were supposed to […]
Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two: 7 Reflections on How Disciples Go
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Luke 10:2, NIV) […]
What DID Jesus Do?
I was in middle school when I got my first WWJD bracelet. It was a black silicone band with white letters, and I can still remember how it felt on […]
Jesus Told Us to Go Bird Watching?
If I’m honest, I sometimes feel a little embarrassed going on walks with my parents. Why? Well…my mom and dad…are bird watchers. Mom, Dad, I know that you’re probably reading […]
When I Find Myself Running Ahead of Jesus
“You’re not struggling to hear me, So I’m not striving to be heard I am sure the One who made me, Is catching every word When You’re this close, I […]
Igniting Disciple Making Movements in North America: Four Crucial Steps
There’s a question I get asked. A lot. The question church leaders ask me is, “Josh, why do you think disciple making movements are happening in places like China and India […]
Leading from the Subway: The Importance of Knowing Whom You Lead
Faced with one of the most daunting decisions to make, Winston Churchill found himself in a dilemma. One decision would plunge the United Kingdom into world war. The other choice […]
Sermon on the Mount: What Is Love in Christianity?
What is love in Christianity? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us about the love God has for us and we are called to have for each other. […]
Discipling Lost People into Salvation
“Metanoesein kai pistos emoi genesesthai!” These were the words of Flavius Josephus to a group of Jewish rebels in 66 A.D., commanding them to abandon their current course of action and […]
Jesus and the Buddha: How Did They Interact with Society?
It’s impossible to overstate the influence of Siddhartha Gautama over the Eastern world and Jesus Christ over the Western world. But how did they minister in society? In this article, […]
Jesus and the Buddha: How Did They React to Suffering?
If we were to name the most important religious figures of the Western and Eastern world, they would be Jesus Christ for the West and Siddhartha Gautama, also known as […]
Is Jesus the Only Way?
A few years ago, a really big question on the minds of a lot of people, especially around 9/11 (September 11, 2001), was about Islam: Is Islam a religion of […]
Sermon on the Mount: Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth. . . You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13-14, NIV) When Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth/light of […]
What Is the Gospel?
Let me start by stating the simplified answer to the question, “What is the gospel?” The “gospel” is an expression in Scripture that simply means “good news.” It is best […]
Why Do We Confess Jesus as Messiah and Lord?
We call the “good confession” what Christians confess out loud when they convert to Christ. Early Christian formulations of the good confession point to two important ideas. First, confessing that […]
Resisting the Lure of Legalism
“Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?” (Mark 7:18, NIV) Let’s talk about legalism. I know […]
Beatitudes: The Path of the Kingdom
Jesus’ original audience often misunderstood him because they filtered his teachings through their preconceived worldview and the skewed questions that flowed from it. We have a different worldview with different […]
Jesus Clears the Temple (and What He’ll Do to You Too)
Have you ever seen somebody get really angry who normally doesn’t get angry? It’s a little like, “Oh! Never seen that side of you.” You realize it must be really […]
What Was Jesus’ Teaching? Rediscovering Jesus’ Primary Message
It would be a glaring understatement to say that the Church today is in deep crisis. And not just local churches and their leaders—but the whole enterprise of global Christianity. […]
What Prevents Us from Life Transformation?
At a ministry conference recently, I commented that, when measured against the heart of God in the Sermon on the Mount, large segments of American Christianity seem to be going […]
Take My Yoke Upon You
Living in the world is tiring. From work, to school, to familial duties, to just living life, it can all be so much. The good news is that our God […]
‘Why the Gospel’ by Matthew Bates Book Review
As disciples of Jesus, we believe, obey, and share the gospel. But what is the point of the gospel? Author, theologian, and educator Matthew Bates’s newest book is Why the […]
Which Is Our G.O.A.T? Reflection on the Greatest Commands and Great Commission
As an avid sports fan, I’m not one to object when pulled into a friendly debate discussing the merits of this or that player of this or that professional sport. […]
The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock: 3 Questions to Ask About the Way We Build
“The wise man built his house upon the rock.” By “rock,” Jesus meant his teachings. Unfortunately, it is very possible to hear the teachings of Jesus but not to put […]
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness?
Meals Ready to Eat or MRE are pre-packaged meals given to service members when cooking or preparing food is not an option. You should know a few things about them […]
How to Love Your Neighbor
Jesus tells us to love our neighbors, but what does that look like? How do we practice it regularly? Paul Huyghebaert shares intentional steps to make this a regular part […]
The Relationship Between Surrender & Self-Control
One of the beautiful and frustrating things about biblical Christianity—about following Jesus—is the tension that we face between seemingly incompatible things. I say incompatible in the sense that we try […]
Jesus Washing Feet: Why Humble Service Makes a Lot of Sense
What are we to make of the story of Jesus washing feet? This act was meant to give Jesus’ disciples a dramatic example of love to follow so that they […]
How Does Jesus Teach Disciple Makers to Conquer Fear?
I am constantly trying to learn skills and tactics to help me be a better dad, husband, writer, teacher, and how to be a better disciple maker. In my reading […]
The Offensive Words of Jesus
Several years ago, I was confronted by a disgruntled woman about something I taught in a Bible study video. “What you said in that lesson offended me!” Looking for an […]
What Was Jesus’ Disciple Making Method?
It was a tough few weeks for me. I was juggling my responsibilities with the church I serve as lead pastor. I was working with a small group of senior […]
Sermon on the Mount: “Lord, Lord”
For most of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has been happy to dance in the fuzzy intersection between the “now” and the “not yet”—between the old age that is […]
Keep Speaking These Unspeakable Words
We’re discovering some words which used to be fine to talk about, but which now have become increasingly unspeakable. These aren’t cuss words; rather, they’re Bible words. One of these increasingly unutterable […]
Jesus Is Lord: On Finding Our Identity by Discovering the Identity of Jesus
What does it mean to declare that Jesus is Lord? The Greek word kurios is a word that can mean lord, master, or sir. It is also the Greek word […]
Sermon on the Mount: False Prophets
One thing that makes walking the narrow path difficult (Matt. 7:13-14) is that the wide path has a lot of hype men. They’re not hard to find. Thomas Keating recounts […]
Sermon on the Mount: Narrow Gate
In Luke, someone straight-up asks Jesus, “Are only a few people going to be saved?” (Luke 13:23). In his answer, echoed in Matthew, Jesus clearly says, “Yes”: “Enter through the […]
The Greatest Thing You Can Do In 2023
Paul knew Jesus. He experienced him personally on the road to Damascus. Paul was inspired. Paul had the Spirit. Paul had visions. Paul knew Jesus but there was still much […]
Sermon on the Mount: Do Unto Others
Do unto others what you would have them do unto you… So that’s the Sermon on the Mount. At least the meat of it, anyway. Matthew 7:12 is the second […]
Give and It Will Be Given to You?
Jesus once told his disciples, “Give and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38, NIV). Really? I struggle to see how that works at times. Logically, if I give […]
Sermon on the Mount: Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged?
Judge not lest ye be judged. In the larger flow of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ command to “Judge not” (Matt. 7:1-6) seems to come out of nowhere. Here […]
Sermon on the Mount: Don’t Worry
Storing up treasures in heaven makes sense. Serving God and not Mammon is obviously the right choice. But if you follow this train of thought all the way, it brings […]
Messianic Secret: Why Did Jesus Quiet People Down About Him?
In what has been called the “Messianic Secret,” Jesus told both demons and people not to tell what they knew about him. Sometimes it was during an exorcism, after a […]
Sermon on the Mount: Mammon
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot […]
6 Discipleship Insights We Learn from Watching Jesus with Disciples
Watching Jesus with disciples is one of the best ways we learn to disciple others. There are a lot of healthy conversations in churches and Christian leadership about discipleship methods. […]
Sermon on the Mount: The Eye Is the Lamp of the Body
Where is your focus? I think that’s the question Jesus poses in Matt. 6:22-23: “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body […]
Better to Be a Good Samaritan Than a Good Priest
“Good Samaritan” has entered our English vocabulary to mean someone who helps a person in a tough spot. The phrase comes from a story Jesus told of an unlikely hero […]
What Does the Bible Say about Divorce? 10 Truths About Marriage and Divorce.
What does the Bible say about divorce? Through Scripture Jesus teaches us that marriage is good and its purpose is for companionship, sexual enjoyment, and raising godly children. It is […]
Bible Verses About Money & 10 Questions That Follow
There are surprisingly numerous Bible verses about money. What does the Bible teach about money? Biblical teachings on money emphasize our need to steward it wisely and never let it […]
Sermon on the Mount: Treasure in Heaven
In English, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21), almost sounds redundant. We use the word “treasure” to mean something we care about (e.g., “Those […]
Lord’s Prayer: Deliver Us From Evil
Seriously? The last word in the Lord’s Prayer is “evil”? That’s a terrible ending (Matt. 6:13). An early Christian community couldn’t handle it, so they decided to come up with […]
Lord’s Prayer: As We Forgive Our Debtors
We live in between the old and the new. The Kingdom is “now,” but it is also “not yet.” So if forgiveness is the bridge between the two, and we […]
Loving Your Actual Neighbor: Starting Where You Live (Part 1)
In 2017 on a return flight from Orlando back to Ohio, I sat quietly contemplating one main question posed at the Exponential conference I had just attended. And that question […]
Lord’s Prayer: Forgive Us Our Debts
The Lord’s Prayer is short. That’s kind of the point (Matt. 6:7-8). If you’re going to whittle things down and say no more than what absolutely needs to be said, […]
Amid Unspeakable Tragedies, This Is What I Most Appreciate about Jesus.
Nineteen children and two teachers were gunned down yesterday in a 2nd–4th grade elementary school in Uvalde, TX. Their parents will be sobbing and rocking themselves in grief tonight at […]
Fearing the Waves, Trusting in Jesus
I like to blame my fear of water on the 2006 film Poseidon. In the movie, a cruise ship is hit by a massive wave, and nearly everyone drowns. It’s […]
The Devil Comes to Steal, Kill, and Destroy—and What This Says about False Teaching
One of the clues that something is evil is that it’s not very creative. Instead, it takes what’s been created and seeks to destroy it. The Bible teaches that the […]
Revisiting Jesus’ Unabridged Invitation
Picture a typical worship service, youth group lesson, or revival meeting somewhere in America. There’s been worship in song, prayer, preaching, and now the invitation to “accept Jesus into your […]
Jesus Loves the Little Children—and the Church Must Too.
Jesus loves the little children, and he taught his followers to do the same. This is why churches have historically helped care for children in vulnerable situations, whether facing poverty, […]
5 Reasons Jesus Teaches Us to Choose Life
There are lots of opinions, philosophies, and beliefs surrounding the topic of abortion. As Christian ministers, we believe it is best to trust Jesus over human wisdom. By his teaching […]
Lord’s Prayer: How Can We Pray for Our Daily Bread?
If you’re looking for general advice on prayer, the first thing the Lord’s Prayer says is to center yourself on eternity. Paradoxically, the second thing it says is that the […]
Lord’s Prayer: Your Kingdom Come
What did Jesus mean we told us to pray, “Your kingdom come”? It’s worthwhile to pause and ask how this core concern ought to shape our prayers. Jesus’ discussion of […]
Sermon on the Mount: Why Philanthropy & Prayer in Secret?
Why would Jesus tell us to practice our righteous acts such as giving and prayer in secret? It’s a crucial test of the heart. “Beware of practicing your righteousness before […]
Zacchaeus of the Bible & the Cure for Little Man Syndrome
Who was the Zacchaeus of the Bible? Zacchaeus was a little guy with a massive salary. Although a Jew, he collected taxes from the Jews for the Romans and climbed […]
Sermon on the Mount: An Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a Tooth
What are we to make of Jesus’ take on “An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”? Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount explains that there’s a better […]
What Is a Disciple?
What is a disciple? A disciple is someone who is following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission of Jesus. The football coach Vince Lombardi (whose […]
Sermon on the Mount: How to Cut Off Your Hand
The problem with most Christian discussions of sexual ethics is that they’re usually heavy on the “why” and light on the “how to.” But in Matthew 5:29-30, Jesus is pretty […]
Why Storytelling is Important to the Life of a Christian
Christian Storytelling: Why It Matters for Faith Chime argues that storytelling is a constant part of human life, building connection, unlocking memory, and helping people make meaning. Scripture models God’s […]
Learning to Pray: Ask (Part 3 of P.R.A.Y.)
Prayer Request: Ask Boldly and Expectantly Even when prayer feels awkward, the article reminds us that asking is central to prayer and invites discouraged believers to start asking again. Through […]
Sermon on the Mount: Lust and Objectification
In our culture, sexual morality hinges entirely on consent. If you don’t have it, sex is bad. If you do have it, anything goes. Biblically, sexual morality hinges on whether […]
What Is the Kingdom of God?
Kingdom of God and the Reign of King Jesus The Kingdom of God is the realm where God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven through the […]
How Does Faith Respond to the Enthronement of King Jesus?
King Jesus and Faithful Responses to His Enthronement Faith responds to the enthroned King Jesus by living faithfully and pursuing the Great Commission with compassion, hope, and worship despite hardship. […]
Learning to Pray: Rejoice (Part 2 of P.R.A.Y.)
Rejoice Always: Learning to Pray with Praise and Thanks Thanksgiving and praise belong at the heart of prayer, because rejoicing honors God for what He has done and who He […]
Sermon on the Mount: Contempt
Contempt: Jesus’ Heart-Level Call to Reconciliation Jesus links contempt to the whole spectrum, from anger and “Raca/Fool” name-calling all the way to murder as its ultimate expression. Rather than policing […]
What is the Gospel?
The Gospel: What It Is and Why It Truly Matters The Gospel announces Jesus as the saving King—promised, incarnate, crucified for sins, buried, resurrected, enthroned, and returning to rule. Counterfeit […]
Introduction to The Gospel Precisely: Surprisingly Good News about Jesus Christ the King
The Gospel Precisely: Why the Gospel Must Be Clear The Gospel Precisely equips believers to participate more fully in God’s saving mission by learning the gospel with greater nuance and […]
Your Reconstruction Story as Told by Jesus
Faith Reconstruction and Jesus Repairing the Foundation Faith Reconstruction highlights how Jesus deconstructs what cannot remain, leaving only what God intends to be truly foundational. John’s “I am” statements show […]
Habitual Sin: Do We Want to Get Well?
Habitual Sin: Do We Truly Want to Get Well? Jesus’ question in John 5 exposes whether we truly want healing or keep waiting in patterns that never change. Habitual sin […]
Learning to Pray: Pause (Part 1 of P.R.A.Y.)
Pause in Prayer: The First Step Toward Deeper Connection Discover how slowing down before you speak helps you center your heart on God and approach prayer with reverence. Learn why […]
Sermon on the Mount: Fulfilling the Law
Fulfilling the Law Through Jesus’ Completion and Covenant Shift Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount that He did not abolish the Law and the Prophets but brought them […]
Why Are the Teachings and Life of Jesus Important for Disciple Making?
Teachings and Life of Jesus in Disciple Making Teachings and Life of Jesus anchor the Great Commission, where making disciples means teaching people to obey everything he commanded, not just […]
On What Basis Will God Evaluate Our Lives?
God Evaluate Our Lives and the Teachings of Jesus Jesus’ words in John 8, John 12, and Matthew 7 reveal that God Evaluate Our Lives based on whether we build […]
Sermon on the Mount: 7 Questions to Ask of Each Beatitude
Beatitudes Part 13 Pathway into Kingdom Living Beatitudes Part 13 unpacks seven probing questions that help you draw out the virtues, paradoxes, and promises woven into each Beatitude. Seeing Beatitudes […]
The Secret to Telling the World a Better Story
Telling the World with Better Stories Telling the world a better story begins by recognizing that God has already given the church the richest stories in Scripture. By using a […]
The People of God Refuel in the Desert
People of God Strength in Desolate Places Desert encounters with God show that the People of God can become strongest against temptation when they withdraw like Jesus to lonely places […]
The Deconstruction Story That Makes the Most Sense
Deconstruction as the Work of Jesus in Our Lives Christ-centered deconstruction exposes false views of God and self, as Jesus analyzes human beliefs, judges them by God’s standard, and replaces […]
There Are Two Crosses in the Life of a Christian
Life of a Christian – Walking the Path of Two Crosses Carrying the two crosses reveals true discipleship. Christ’s cross brings salvation, while our cross calls us to die to […]
Mirage #4: I Want to Find Peace through Trusting What I Can’t Trust
Find Peace in Trust — Lasting Assurance Chasing stability in possessions, people, or success only ends in disappointment because all earthly things fade away. Jesus alone has proven trustworthy through […]
Sermon on the Mount – Peacemakers
Peacemakers in Community: Practices for Shalom Calming the emotional brain opens space for active listening and de-escalation, moving conflict toward real reconciliation. Scripture frames the calling—Jesus blesses peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) […]
Sermon on the Mount: Pure in Heart
Pure in Heart — Cleanness that Sees God Jesus moves past externals to the inner life, insisting a clean heart matters more than ritual performance (Mt 5–7; 15). Leviticus’ pattern—confession, […]
Sharpening Our Focus on the Great Commission
Great Commission and the Church’s Discipling Mission As Jesus frames it, discipling is the main command of the Great Commission, with going, baptizing, and teaching describing how the church carries […]
Fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom Takes This Uncomfortable Step
Fruitfulness in God’s Kingdom and the Pain of Pruning Carefully cultivated blackberries illustrate how intentional, repeated pruning leads to a far greater harvest than wild, unmanaged growth. Through John 15, […]
Sermon on the Mount: Mercy or the Mob?
Mercy in a Culture of Outrage—Forgiveness Lived In Matthew 5:7, Jesus blesses the merciful, showing that mercy moves from seeing suffering to compassionate action, often expressed as forgiveness. Rather than […]
When the Foundations Are Being Destroyed
Foundations That Endure Through Faith Discover how Foundations grounded in God’s Word give strength when society feels unstable and divided. Explore David’s Psalms to understand why trusting the Lord offers […]
Sermon on the Mount: Hunger and Thirst
Sermon on the Mount and Kingdom Life Jesus presents righteousness as visible obedience—the lived Kingdom way that surpasses mere status and calls for transformed conduct. Instead of legalistic perfectionism, the […]
5 Shifts to Return to Jesus-Style Disciple Making
Jesus-Style Disciple Making — Five Shifts in Practice Rooted in Matthew 28:18–20, this approach returns to Jesus as the Master Disciple Maker and His plan to go, baptize, and teach […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and Be with Me” (Part 3)
Disciple Making Part 3 — Prayer, Selection, Coaching Through an all-night prayer (Luke 6:12–13), Jesus seeks the Father and then chooses the Twelve, concentrating especially on Peter, James, and John. […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and Follow Me” (Part 2)
Stages of Disciple Making Part 2 — Come and Follow Me in Community After hearing “Follow me,” new disciples step into deeper teaching, witness Jesus’ works, and face real conflicts […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: “Come and See” (Part 1)
Stages of Disciple Making Part 1 — Come and See Foundations In the opening phase, seekers watch Jesus at Cana, the temple, with Nicodemus, and with the Samaritan woman before […]
Sermon on the Mount: What Is Meekness and Does It Work?
What Is Meekness — Lessons for Disciples Today Drawing from the powerless Israelite and the virtuous Greek ideal, meekness rejects domination while embodying gentle strength grounded in Jesus’ teaching. Practically, […]
Sermon on the Mount: What Is God’s Answer to the Problem of Evil?
God’s Answer in Mourning and Hope Jesus enters human grief (Jn 11:35), walking with mourners so no one suffers alone. Through the cross and resurrection, evil’s curse is confronted and […]
Sermon on the Mount: Poor in Spirit
Beatitudes and the Poor in Spirit Desperation reveals our limits; the “poor in spirit” see that this world can’t save them and turn to Jesus for the Kingdom. Rather than […]
Sermon on the Mount: the Pursuit of Happiness
Pursuit of Happiness — Kingdom Portrait Amid shallow buzzes and self-made idols, Jesus sketches a citizen of the Kingdom whose blessing comes first, not after rule-keeping. Drawing contrasts with Deuteronomy […]
The Inspiration of the New Testament
The Inspiration of the New Testament — Why It Matters Jesus claims the Father’s authority, commissions apostles to teach everything He commanded, and promises the Spirit to help them recall […]
Sermon on the Mount: The Sermon’s Most Important Word
Sermon’s Most Important Word — Heaven’s Nearness and Fulfillment Tracing “heaven” across Scripture, the article presents it as the spiritual realm where God rules—more solid and enduring than this passing […]
Sermon on the Mount: Crowds or Disciples?
Crowds or Disciples: The Sermon on the Mount Call In Crowds or Disciples, the audience is split. Jesus addresses committed followers while seekers listen, pushing fence-sitters to step into genuine […]
Jesus, Suicide, and Our Lowest Points
Jesus – Care at Our Lowest Points From Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–38) to Mark 2:17, He acknowledges deep anguish and invites the broken to His healing. Prayer, gratitude, and corporate intercession […]
Sermon on the Mount: Who Does Jesus Think He Is?
Who Does Jesus Think He Is – Portrait in Matthew Matthew presents Jesus as Israel’s true representative, retracing Israel’s story and succeeding where it failed before teaching from the mountain. […]
Fishing & Faith
Fishing & Faith — Lessons from John 21 From the Sea of Galilee setting, the narrative shows that faith is enacted through obedient action, not merely held as belief. Peter’s […]
It Is Finished
Finished and the Meaning of Tetelestai Ancient uses of tetelestai—task completed, orders executed, promise fulfilled—illuminate Jesus’ declaration from the cross. Most powerfully, the term marked receipts “paid in full,” pointing […]
Break for…a God-Sized Question
God-Sized Question and the Transfer of Authority Scripture shows the Father giving “all authority” to Jesus (Matthew 28:18), a loving move that secures His family’s honor. Against the Accuser’s challenge, […]
Rethinking What Bible Character You Are
Bible Character in Self-Examination Looking closely at Gospel details challenges default identification with the “good guy” and exposes Pharisee-like habits. Considering Malchus’s healing reframes the scene: we were among those […]
What’s the Alternative to Judgmentalism?
Judgmentalism — Paths to Empathy and Mercy Jesus’ “Judge not” warns of both human backlash and divine accountability, calling for humility instead of superiority. Proverbs-like wisdom shows criticism triggers defensiveness […]
Pigs and Dogs: What is Jesus Talking About?
Pigs and Dogs in Jesus’ Teaching on Judgment Pigs and Dogs illustrate unreceptive hearts. Jesus warns that offering correction to those unwilling to receive it often leads to frustration and […]
Q: Fearless or Fearful? Jesus’ Answer Is Confusing.
Fearless or Fearful and the Challenge of Trust Fearless or Fearful highlights how Jesus contrasts fear of people with fear of God, urging disciples to remain faithful under pressure. The […]
Did Jesus Really Mean “Judge Not”?!
Judge Not: Living Jesus’ Teaching Jesus frames “judging” as a condemning attitude that spots a brother’s speck while ignoring our own plank, not wise evaluation of fruit. Matthew 7 with […]
Reaching the Unreached with Stories
Unreached Communities and Transformative Storytelling Stories mirror the method of Jesus, who used parables to engage hearts and reveal truth, showing the power of storytelling for oral cultures. Oral learners […]
The Stewardship of Suffering
Stewardship of Suffering and Its Redemptive Power Grief can feel isolating, yet the Stewardship of Suffering reveals God’s ability to redeem pain and bring beauty from ashes. Lessons from Scripture […]
Reaching the Next Generation Using the Methods of Jesus
Reaching the Next Generation — Jesus’ Methods in Action Prioritize relationships that multiply by doing life together, mentoring, and forming disciple-making bonds beyond Sunday gatherings. Proclaim a message that actually […]
6 Lenses for Reading the Psalms (Part 2)
6 Lenses for Reading the Psalms Part 2 for Christ-Focused Reading Jesus’ prayers and quotes—from Psalm 22 on the cross to Luke 24:44—teach us to wear “Jesus glasses,” seeing his […]
Mansion
Mansion as God’s Eternal Abiding Place Mansion in John 14:2 reveals permanence, showing that Jesus’ promise points to a lasting dwelling with Him rather than earthly grandeur. Mansion also describes […]
The 7 Rhythms Played Out
7 Rhythms Played Out Redefines Discipleship Jesus modeled relational rhythms like prayer, eating, resting, and serving that deeply shaped His followers into disciple makers. Chinese believers live out these rhythms. […]
An Inviting Alternative to Defensiveness
Defensiveness: Responding with Grace Over Reaction Rather than snapping back, Christians can follow Jesus’ model of disarming skepticism with gentle invitations to explore faith. By shifting the focus from rebuttals […]
Deep Roots in Jesus
Deep Roots in Jesus: Why Surface-Level Faith Isn’t Enough Deep Roots in Jesus start with surrender. Dave Clayton shares how self-reliance, even in ministry, can lead to spiritual emptiness without […]
Refueling When You’ve Been Rejected
Rejected: How God Refuels the Wounded Facing dismissal isn’t unfamiliar to Jesus. From His hometown to His closest circles, He knew the sting of being turned away—and still pressed on […]
How God Used My Miscalculation, an Awkward Prophecy, and a Crowded Capital
How God Used My Miscalculation — Lessons in Providence A school transfer that looked like a mistake positioned Stephen to meet Joy and begin a story only God could script. […]
What Is the “Person of Peace”?
What Is the Person of Peace? Biblical Insight for Disciple-Making What Is the Person of Peace introduces the biblical principle Jesus taught His disciples—to find spiritually open individuals who become […]
A Prophet for our Times
Prophet for Our Times: Why Jesus Still Speaks Today Prophet for Our Times explains how Jesus fulfills Moses’ promise of a prophet who would speak God’s words, offering clarity in […]
Planet
Planet: How the Bible Warns Against Wandering from the Truth Planet means “to go astray.” In Greek, planetes refers to wandering stars—mirroring how people drift from God’s truth. Spiritual wandering […]
Bridge the Gap
Bridge the Gap: How Faithful Preaching Connects a Changing World Bridge the Gap calls Christian leaders to remain faithful to Scripture while building relational bridges in a culture drifting from […]
It May Not Be Your Gift, but It Is His Command
Command for Evangelism and Disciple Making Command distinguishes gifts from obedience, urging every believer to share the gospel, not only those especially gifted. Mission and purpose are clarified—enjoy God and […]
Choosing Joy with OCD and Messy Children
OCD and Messy Children — Practicing Presence over Perfection Relationships before chores. From Luke 10’s Mary and Martha, Jesus redirects priorities so time with Him and with kids outranks spotless […]
Meek
What Does Meek Really Mean in the Bible? Meekness means power under control. Ancient Greeks used it to describe strong animals like trained horses and elephants—never weak ones. Moses and […]
Do You Know What You’re Asking for Your Kids?
Do You Know What You’re Asking for Your Kids – Lessons for Parents The article Do You Know What You’re Asking for Your Kids explores how a mother’s bold request […]
Thoughts about Hell from Jesus Himself
Thoughts About Hell: What Jesus Actually Taught Thoughts about Hell rooted in Scripture: Jesus speaks more about Hell than any other New Testament figure, using vivid metaphors to awaken spiritual […]
Meals of Jesus
Meals of Jesus Reveals God’s Kingdom Through Table Fellowship Meals of Jesus highlights how Christ used shared meals to connect with outcasts, offering grace and belonging. Transformations unfolded as people […]
Jesus Never Lost at Rock, Paper, Scissor
Jesus Never Lost: What Rock, Paper, Scissors Reveals About His Priorities Discover how Jesus ranked justice, mercy, and faithfulness over ritual. See why “Jesus Never Lost” applies to His moral […]
Abba.
What Does Abba Really Mean? Understanding This Sacred Name for God Abba is an intimate word Jesus used for God. In Gethsemane, Jesus cried “Abba, Father,” introducing a deeply personal […]