Jesus knew what it was like to face trials in life. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that he is not “unable to empathize with our weaknesses” (4:15). He faced temptations in the desert at the beginning of his ministry...
Category: Spiritual Life
External-Focus, Spiritual Life
A Change in Citizenship
When you became a Christian, you took on a new citizenship. You no longer belong to this world. Your citizenship in now in the kingdom of heaven. Comparing non-Christians and Christians of his day, the apostle Paul commented, “Their mind...
Facilitating Discussion, Spiritual Life
Share Stories … Grow in Grace
Helping people in our churches, classes, and small groups understand and experience God’s grace is vital. What is the best way to teach and, better yet, experience this fundamental doctrine? Use stories, says Kyle Idleman. In a recent interview for...
Small Group Leaders, Spiritual Life
Don’t Let the Sheep Lead the Flock!
God often takes us places we didn't plan to go. As I got into my rental car in Louisville, Kentucky, to head out to The Groups Conference in Mattoon, Illinois, where I was speaking last weekend, I set the route...
Small Group Leaders, Spiritual Life
C.J. Stephens on Prayer in Group Life
Today's guest blogger is C.J. Stephens, Small Groups Minister at Northeast Christian Church. Because I lead a Northeast small group, I receive C.J.'s monthly newsletter called "Leader Connect." This past month, C.J. wrote about prayer in groups, an important topic...
Spiritual Life
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Well . . . Even if It’s Not Happy
How can you live with thanksgiving even if you don't feel like it this Thanksgiving?
Spiritual Life
How to (and NOT to) Love your Trick-or-Treating Neighbors
What does it look like to "love your neighbor" on All Hallows' Eve? This is one day of the year that many of your neighbors come to your house. So why not treat them with love rather than just candy?...
Spiritual Life, TIPS
Small Group Leader TIPS of the Week: Oct. 10-14, 2016
Here are the Small Group Leader TIPS for the last week as Tweeted, posted on our Small Group Leadership Facebook page, and posted on LinkedIn. This week’s TIPS focus on the Leader's Spiritual Life and Overflow. #SmallGroup #Leader #TIP of...
Leader's Heart-Overflow, Spiritual Life
Get the BLANK Out of Leadership!
How does the way others think about you—or what they've said about you—affect your ministry? How does the way you think about yourself, perhaps based on those tapes that keep playing in your head of what others have said to...
Spiritual Life
3 Ways to Deal with Your Stressors Today: Encouragement Letter
My wife, Heidi, has struggled with several stressors in her life this week. So, this morning I sent her a quick email of encouragement. Later I realized that many others may also need encouragement today. Hope this helps: Take time...