Discipleship Network Forum

MORE>>>"The One Thing That Changes Every Thing" 

... #Prayer #DIscipleship #Church #Ministry #Evangelism

The Powerful Message of #12 in the Bible

When someone recently posted on Facebook that the final full moon of the decade would occur this year on December 12 (12/12) at preciously 12:12 a.m. Eastern Time, I found myself getting really excited. Wow, what a rare occurrence: 12.12.12.12.

My excitement had nothing to do with stargazing or astrology, but was simply because this unusual event reminded me of the amazing biblical significance of the number 12.

You see, when the number 12 occurs in the Bible, it generally represents ORDER and INCREASE—two things we all greatly need.

For example, order is shown by God’s instructions to arrange the Israelites according to 12 tribes and by Jesus’ selection of 12 original apostles. This theme extends all the way to the end of the book of Revelation, where the New Jerusalem is described as having 12 gates, guarded by 12 angels, with a wall that had 12 foundations (Revelation 21:12-14).

I’ve come to treasure God’s divine order, but it’s often elusive. I frequently find my life in disarray, much like the early creation: “without shape or form” (Genesis 1:2 CEB). At such times, I recognize my need for God’s Spirit to fill my heart and hover over my life, bringing His order to my time, relationships, priorities, and resources.

However, God’s order isn’t the only thing I need. I also need Him to give me His supernatural increase, for Psalm 115:14-15 says, “The Lord, who made heaven and earth”…wants to “give you increase more and more, you and your children.” Accordingly, I’m asking Him to multiply my resources so that I have more abundance at the end of the coming year than I do at its beginning.

Changing Our Perspective

One story in Scripture beautifully illustrates the different strands of the 12.12.12.12 message. In Mark 6:34-44, Jesus and the 12 disciples confronted the same dilemma many Christian leaders face today: overwhelming needs but seemingly limited resources. The disciples logically concluded that they were unable to feed the hungry multitudes, so they should just “send them away” (v. 36).

Have you ever made a similar decision? I have, more times than I would like to admit.

Yet Jesus displayed an entirely different perspective on the apparently hopeless situation: “You give them something to eat,” He told the disciples (v. 37).

As the story continues, we see a fascinating progression of questions—the same thought processes we must use when we face difficult situations today:

• What is the need? Sometimes we face a crisis in our own life, where we need God to bring His order and increase. More often, though, we’re called upon to remedy some need in the lives of others. This is what the disciples faced in Mark 6. From a human perspective, they evaluated the needs quite well, accurately calculating the immense amount of bread required to feed such a huge crowd.

• What do we have? It’s important to realize that God although never requires what we don’t have, He expects us to freely surrender what we DO have. He can turn a simple shepherd’s staff into the rod of God…use the jawbone of a donkey to slay the enemy…or kill huge giants with a slingshot and a stone. So it’s no problem for Him to multiply loaves and fish. However, the miracle can’t begin until we put our resources—no matter how meager they may seem—into His outstretched hands.

• Have we put things in order? It’s interesting that the disciples had to put things in ORDER before the INCREASE came: “He commanded them [the disciples] to make them [the crowd] all sit down in groups on the green grass.So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties” (vs. 39-40). If you’re waiting for your increase today, it may well be that God is waiting on you to first make the necessary preparations. Perhaps you remember the story in 2 Kings 3:16-20, where God told people that if they would first dig trenches in the valley, He would be faithful to fill the trenches with water.

• Do we have our “baskets” ready? Often I hear believers say they’re expecting God to bless them with an increase, yet they’ve done absolutely nothing to demonstrate faith and expectancy for that kind of outcome. After Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes they had given Him, the disciples “picked up 12 full baskets of broken pieces” (v. 43). In the hands of Jesus, their paltry resources not only were enough to meet the need—they were MORE than enough. Friend, that’s what increase looks like. Rather than being like the Israelites’ hand-to-mouth existence while eating manna in the wilderness, it’s a life of overflowing abundance, a cup that “runs over” and blesses others (Psalm 23:5, Genesis 12:2).

The 12 disciples brought their resources to Jesus and made sure the massive crowd was put into order. The miraculous result was 12 full baskets of leftovers!

Do you see why I’m so excited about the number 12 and the message of 12.12.12.12?

I pray today—for myself and for you—that we’ll allow the Spirit of God to order our lives according to His perfect plan. May we also put all of our resources into His hands, trusting Him to supernaturally bless and multiply them. Once we’ve done these two things, it’s time get our baskets ready for an INCREASE!

NEXT>>> Utilize The Jesus Ratios as Your Ministry Format

MORE>>>"The One Thing That Changes Every Thing" ... #Prayer #Discipleship #Church #Ministry #Evangelism

>>>12 Different Types of Prayer

√ 6 Spheres of Prayer

Crown Point at Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 28:7 NIV

     I am your Strength. When you seek Me, I never turn a deaf ear. I am not, as the skeptics claim, “a very absent help in time of trouble.” When you stand in need, I am only a prayer away. Whatever enemies you face, I take your side.

     Your critical need for forgiveness is met by infinite love and mercy. Your desperate need for victory is answered by supernatural assistance. Your pivotal need for friendship is found in the Shepherd’s tender care. Your crucial need for reinforcement is nourished in waiting on Jehovah—enabling you to walk farther than the fainthearted and lethargic, run faster than the tempter, and soar higher than the mediocre.

     You have found the secret of surviving all situations—Christ’s help. Infused with His strength, you are ready for anything life throws at you. Relying on His power, you can live to tell about difficult circumstances. Inspired by His example, you can hold your head high and march forward.

     I am your Shield. Your deep need for tranquility is met by My gift of peace of mind. As you pray about every situation and thank Me for My responses to your needs, perfect peace forms a bulwark around you and fills your mind with thoughts of your Savior’s love. You cannot comprehend this; neither can you define or explain it, but you can experience it.

     The Breath of heaven holds you together. Do not try to go it alone—take My hand and journey on.

     I am your Song. Trust Unfailing Love and celebrate total salvation. Sing a new song every day—praise Me from wake-up call to lullaby.

     Your crucial need for lightheartedness is met by My Presence. You cannot always be happy in your circumstances, but you can always rejoice in your inner-stances. I am the God of your life—I meet all your needs out of My unlimited resources. I am Everything You Ever Really Need in life. What more could you ask?

     I have always loved and cared for you—rest assured I always will. Review the history of our relationship, and be hopeful for your tomorrows. “In all of life’s ebb and flow,” as Luther Bridgers celebrates in his hymn “He Keeps Me Singing,” I will keep you “singing as you go.”

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 202 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

What’s Holding Back DiscipleMaking?

What’s holding back the acceleration of disciplemaking movements around the world? Someone asked me this question recently and I thought hard about the answer. Here are some notes I took on some of the obstacles I see holding back the acceleration of disciplemaking movements around the world.

Lack of a reproducible process:

We need structures that can support a movement—simple, easy, reproducible ways to keep making disciples at a grassroots level. Without structures, even the most powerful movements of the Spirit fade over time and lose their apostolic edge. A good structure can come alongside people to keep the movement going forward. 

Becoming inwardly focused:

All disciplemaking movements begin with an outward focus—loving people and sharing their stories of faith. When those movements fade is often when they shift from an outward to an inward focus. We can help maintain an outward focus through coaching relationships where we ask each other questions about serving, using our gifts, and sharing our faith.

Lack of structures for compassion movements:

On the flipside, some movements can become so overly focused on external compassion ministries that they lose the heart of discipleship—the why for why we’re serving. When this happens, we have care ministries but with no disciplemaking going on. Discipleship leads to compassion and serving, but it doesn’t end there. By creating structures for both discipleship and compassion ministries, you can ensure they run alongside one another, both moving forward.

A relational approach to discipling younger leaders:

Although there currently seems to be a greater sense of interest in the discipleship of younger leaders, the approach taken with that needs to be more relational and personal. Younger leaders don’t want to be pressed into anyone else’s mold. They want to be developed to focus on what God has called them to do particularly. The only way to develop leaders in this way isn’t through classrooms, but through intentional relationships and real-life ministry experience.

What other obstacles do you see holding back disciplemaking?

Did you find this post helpful? Check out these resources:

The Discipleship Difference- This book lays out an intentional, holistic, and relational approach to discipleship that is individualized to meet each person wherever they are.

The Leadership Difference- This book focuses specifically on key leadership skills you need to be effective as a leader

Finding the Flow- This book helps small group leaders experience the power small groups have to allow members to wrestle with questions, create a space where people know and are known by others, and to open people up to encounter God more deeply.

Photo by Isaiah Rustad on Unsplash

*This blog entry was first posted on loganleadership.com.

The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1a NLT

     The light of courage dispels the darkness of cowardice. Faith is the antidote to fear’s poison. Fear Me and you need fear nothing else! Trust the Solid Rock in a quicksand world—I will never disappoint you. Stay close to My heart— change will not throw you. Rely on Me—storms will not dismay you. Build on Christ as your Foundation—be well.

     The light of conquest dispels the darkness of defeatism. The dark side cannot vanquish the trusting heart, because I am the Victor. I am your Strength, so do not let anything Satan hurls scare you. Jesus plus any problem equals victory. Hide in Me, your Fortress—win.

     The light of communion dispels the darkness of self-centeredness. I am your Salvation, so you are satisfied in all circumstances. Happiness comes and goes; joy stays.  I am your Felicity—worship.

     The light of companionship dispels the darkness of loneliness. I am your Song, so you are not down-in-the-mouth. In the hymn “Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus,”   Anna Russell reveals an unfailing source of music: “There is never a day so dreary, there is never a night so long, but the soul that is trusting Jesus will somewhere find a song.” I am your Friend—enjoy My welcome.

     The light of counsel dispels the darkness of ignorance. My guidance may seem slow in coming to you, but it is a reliable light to guide your way. Live more by faith, less by sight. Use faith eyes to see invisible realities. I am your Father—live by My wisdom.

     The light of confidence dispels the darkness of pessimism. There is Light beyond light at the end of the tunnel of despair. No matter how depressing current events,   look forward to My promised tomorrow. The future is bright as My promises. I am your Future—just wait!

     A new day is dawning. You can choose to be anxious about it, or you can choose to be enthusiastic about it. How you choose will determine your day. Gaze reverently on the cross—it shines as a plus sign that dispels all darkness.

     Do not reclaim unnecessary lost baggage of fear, negativism, egocentricity, melancholy, conceit, and despair—now is the perfect time to lose your luggage. Walk as a child of the Light—travel light!

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 201 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

This blog post is adapted from an excerpt from my latest book, The Church Planting Journey, and was originally posted on loganleadership.com.

In any healthy ministry, there needs to be a strategy in place for passing discipleship along from one person to the next. Here I cover a few of my most important recommendations and options for discipleship processes.

Make the method easy to pass on

Whatever type of system or approach you take, ensure that it’s something easy to pass on. You need a simple, reproducible disciplemaking process. You can create your own process, or you can borrow one of the following options.

Focused discipleship conversations:

Any discipling relationship must be intentional and developmental, with both an inward and outward focus: 1) helping people celebrate where they’re at, 2) listening to God together to pinpoint where he may want them to grow, and 3) thinking about how they can disciple and serve others outside of themselves.

Life Transformation Groups (LTGs):

Another option designed for two to four people is the LTG. I've found it to be a helpful way to empower ordinary people to make disciples (free downloadable handout). These groups meet weekly to challenge each other in the reading of Scripture and for accountability in life choices:

• Describe your interaction with God this week.
• How did you share Jesus with others?
• What temptations did you face this week? How did you respond?
• What did the Holy Spirit teach you through your Scripture reading this week?
• What next steps does God want you to take personally? With others?

Guide for Discipling (Logan Leadership):

As Jesus discipled people, he expected that there discipleship would touch all aspects of their life, relationships, and even society as a whole. Along with Dr. Charles Ridley, we developed a picture of what a disciple looks like:

• Experiencing God
• Spiritual responsiveness
• Sacrificial service
• Generous living
• Disciplemaking
• Personal transformation
• Authentic relationships
• Community transformation

There are 40 guides can be used as a resource for focused discipleship conversations, or in a peer discipling group. People can read Scripture together, pray together, and ask one another questions about their growth (Hebrews 10:24–25). You can download the free overview and a sample guide here.

Discovery Bible Study (Cru):

This study has a simple structure with three basic parts. The first is connection, thanksgiving, and prayer. The second is reading and engagement with Scripture. The third is committing to living in obedience in response to what you’re hearing and learning. Check out the details here.

There are many, many others...

Precisely which discipleship processes you use doesn’t matter, as long as it includes both an inward and an outward journey—a way of personal growth and a way of reaching out to others. Choose one that is simple enough to be reproducible, but flexible enough that people don’t feel forced into a mold.

Pitfalls to avoid

Avoid the temptation to scatter your efforts. To be effective, just start with one—or maybe two—approaches that work. When you have too many options and too many activities, it’s easy to overwhelm a newcomer or a new believer. They may try to attend everything rather than focusing in on one thing that will facilitate growth and outreach.

Also, while curriculum can be helpful initially, there are also risks to becoming curriculum-dependent. It can feel intimidating to laypeople if it’s too complex to pass on. It can also be viewed as a course or class that, once completed, is never revisited. You’ll need something transferable, ongoing, and relational. You also need something flexible enough to allow people to listen to the Holy Spirit—sometimes people need to address issues in a different sequence than traditional curriculum allows.

Journeying together

Listening to the Holy Spirit and responding in loving obedience—that is the essence of discipleship. We tend to give people more direction when they’re younger in the faith and less when they’re more mature, but we want to encourage people to take responsibility for their own growth at all times. We are not “gurus” —everyone is on this journey together.

Good discipleship processes focus more on facilitating the reproduction of the message than about teaching specific information. The responsibility goes beyond one generation:

You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; 2 and what
you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people
who will be able to teach others as well. (2 Timothy 2:1–2)

Consider what type of simple and reproducible method you might use to create a disciplemaking pathway that moves people from not knowing Jesus to following and helping others follow Jesus.

More resources...

The Church Planting Journey- This newly released book is a comprehensive guide for the church planter. It is the culmination of experience that includes being a church planter myself, and coaching and consulting church planters for more than 40 years. Within the pages of The Church Planting Journey, you will find wisdom, systems, and processes that can help you launch well as well as sustain your unique vision and call.

The Discipleship Difference- This book lays out an intentional, holistic, and relational approach to discipleship that is individualized to meet each person wherever they are.

Finding the Flow Small Group Leader Training: Training your leaders to listen well, recognize the Holy Spirit at work in people, and respond accordingly is an essential component to all discipleship processes. Adapted from the book, Finding the Flow, this downloadable training kit maximizes your small group leader training, equipping facilitators for a myriad of circumstances.

Photo by Samuel Zeller on Unsplash

Just as the lightning fl ashes from the east and shines and is seen as far as the west,
so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Watch [be cautious and active]
for you do not know in what kind of a day your Lord is coming.
MATTHEW 24:27, 42 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE

My return will be evident to skeptics—the end of the world for atheists.
Those who thought it would never happen will be convinced—too late.
My Presence will be as obvious as lightning lighting up the entire sky.
The Second Coming is more than a doctrine—it will really happen.
You can count on it—you have My Word.
The King’s return will be unmistakable.

My return will be exciting to saints—the ecstasy of worship for believers.
The King of kings will unite unsettled nations and rule the universe.
The surprise and shock will be more than many people can bear.
The Second Coming will bring the future perfect tense I have promised.
Everything will be transformed for the better when I put My foot down.
The King’s return will be unimaginably beautiful.

My return will be enlightening to the sincere—
     the encouragement of wonder for the redeemed.
The triumph of righteousness will obliterate the darkness of evil.
Constellations will fade in the light of the Bright Morning Star.
To the lost, My return will mean tragedy—outer darkness with no exit.
To the saved, My Second Coming will mean triumph—eternal light.
The King’s return will bring unending celebration.

My return will be embarrassing to the slothful—
     the exposing of waste to the lazy.
The unprepared will blush with shame—and cry tears of futile regret.
The King’s return, to them, will be uncomfortable—to say the least.
Are you surrendered to Me as your King? Then be subject to change!
Are you convinced I am actually going to return? Then live like it!
Are you persuaded you have an interview with Me? Then get ready!

(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 311 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

This Week’s Question: Since prejudice was systemically built into the moral fabric of America, do you think Americans who tacitly or actively profited from that model (past, present, and future), will be damned eternally?

There should be little disagreement between true Disciples of Christ that those who were, are, or will be controlled by prejudice, and therefore discriminates against his/her brother or sister will be damned eternally, if he/she does not repent and experience transformation before death! Their discrimination may be based upon physical, mental, social, ethnic, or a host of other arbitrary characteristics. Discrimination, regardless of the motive, violates God’s moral code! But what about those who support prejudicial acts but does not participate? Or one who neither supports nor participates but still profits from discrimination? What destiny should they expect under God’s judgment?

Let’s confirm the presupposition above by dissecting I John 4:17-21. Verse 17 teaches, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” This verse confirms what Peter discovered when visiting Cornelius in Acts 10:34-35: God does not discriminate among people groups, and that pattern must be adhered to when we come under God’s judgment. John’s affirmation is the righteous, in God’s eyes, must personify Jesus when he says, “as He [Jesus] is, so are we.” According to John 3:16 God sent Jesus into the world, to save the world He loved, which confirms God does not discriminate since recipients of salvation are open-ended. A tactic, historically used by those who discriminate, is fearmongering which justifies their discriminatory actions. Mr. Trump uses that tactic today, and we saw it effectively used by Mr. Nixon and other world, national, and local leaders.

John challenges that strategy by exclaiming in I John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Fear should be easily recognized as a motive behind the manufactured immigrant crisis facing America today, which has led to the inhumane treatment of immigrants. Fear also motivated the hostility and rage African-Americans endured during slavery which persists today. And fear also motivated the displacement and annihilation of Native Americans on their native soil. John linked fear to torment, and torment is the common thread that links these groups together. The great commandment teaches us to love God and our fellow man, but John argues that anyone who discriminates does not love authentically, and affirms that truth in verses 19-21: “We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” The net of this discussion is those whose actions reflect their prejudices are doomed to eternal destruction, but what about those who sit tacitly by while others do the dirty work?

Dr. King addresses that group in a quotes which says, “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” John also speaks to that group in I John 3:15-18, which was cited in our last post. He writes, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” John, in this passage, equates those who are not moved by atrocities and remain tacit -- to murderers; and John categorically affirms that no murderer will receive eternal life. God’s Word unequivocally affirms that it is not okay to sit idly by, attribute blame to others, and wash our hands as if we played no part in this world’s denial of rights to others, due to our lack of participation! Anyone who believes he/she is standing up for Jesus, must also stand up for the rights of brothers and sisters who are discriminated against, even when their characteristics differ!

Finally, what about those who neither participates in nor condones discrimination, but still benefits from it? A popular saying is, “Love is what love does,” and John affirms the substance of that quote. Therefore, it is not sufficient to tell someone we love him or her, without also addressing their pressing needs, especially when it is within our power to do so! The question can be raised, where did John obtain his insight on this matter? The answer is straight from Jesus! Beginning in Matthew 25:34-36 Jesus teaches, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” When the righteous declared they had no recollection of ministering to Jesus in that way, Jesus replied in verse 40, "... ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” It is clear from Jesus’ teaching, the righteous are not those who love by words, but those who demonstrate his/her love with kind deeds.

In the same discourse Jesus castigates those who did not participate in prejudicial actions, but also did not fight for the needs of those who suffered when He said in verses 41-43, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’” Social ministry is not an optional service for Christ’s followers to choose to participate in or not. It is the very essence of our faith, and Disciples must actively address societal wrongs. Those who were sidelined in the Matthew 25 passage also had no recollection of seeing Jesus in need and not ministering to Him. Jesus cleared up that mystery in verses 45 and 46 when he says, “... ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

According to Scripture, injustice should not be left for others to fight! It does not matter whether a person participates in prejudicial actions, remains sidelined while it occurs, or merely benefits from it. If he/she is not actively using his/her time, talent, and resources to fight for justice, when it is within his/her power to do so, that person will be forsaken by Jesus and sentenced to eternal damnation!

Next Week’s Question: What are the underlying sins behind prejudice, discrimination, and isms like racism, sexism, and chauvinism?

Our best prayers start in the heart of God...

are directed by the mind of Christ...

empowered by the Holy Spirit...

Be still, and know that I am God ... Selah.

Psalm 46:10a, 11b NIV

     Uncomfortable with silence? Addicted to the comfort of noise? Why not turn off all your gadgets, call a halt to your hectivity for a day, and ponder awhile what you are aiming for and why you are living? Acknowledge that I am totally, eternally, and irrevocably responsible for everything. Get out of fast forward mode—push the pause button…

     I am your Eternal Refuge in the storms of life. In difficulties, I am your Mighty Fortress. In faith quakes, I am your Rock. On high seas, I am your Captain. I am not a very absent help in time of trouble—I am your Invincible Hiding Place. Satan cannot disturb your rest when you are nestling near My heart. I am your Castle of courage—when you are humbly relying on My grace, NO FEAR is far more than a t-shirt motto. Exit bumper-to-bumper high-speed traffic—take a scenic route.

     In the turmoil of life’s hectic pace and pandemonium, pause and calmly think about Me—I calm your raging storms by My Presence.

     I am your Ecstatic Resource in the sorrows of life. I am your Delightful Festival of celebration, cascading your inner being with joy from the unseen river of My Holy Spirit. Perfect peace cures worry. Heaven-given patience slows hurry. Living Water quenches soul thirst. Jerusalem did not have a river, but it had the Lord Almighty. I was more than enough for them—        and I am more than enough for you.

     In the trauma of life’s pain, pause and calmly think about Me—I cure your sadness by My peace.

     I am your Exalted Ruler in the struggles of life. I am the Prince of Peace who will transform unsettled nations into united nations, inspire warriors to become farmers, and halt senseless combat. Human solutions have not fixed the problems of planet Earth. The military solution has only aggravated international disputes. The economic solution has widened the gap between the rich and poor. The political solution has broken innumerable empty promises. The white-horse Rider who judges righteously is heaven’s Final Answer. I am your Dependable Future of confidence—brightening tomorrow.

     In the terror of life’s perplexity, pause and calmly think about Me—I cheer your soul by My promise.

© Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 209 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

Many years ago, in the midst of a Thanksgiving sermon, I decided to ad lib. I suggested that everyone think of three people for whom they were thankful and tell them of their thankfulness. After the sermon, my wife asked me who my three people were. I really hadn’t thought about it. The sermon was for others, right? But I decided to take my own advice and thank three people. I have no idea why I challenged that congregation to thank three people, and surely no idea where the number three came from, but it was such a rewarding experience, I have repeated it every year since. Have I run out of people? Not a chance! God keeps bringing people into my life or allowing me to re-new long-ago friendships every year around this time, I have no problem identifying three people for whom to thank. The Bible encourages us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (1 Chronicles 16:34). So, I challenge you not only to remember to be thankful this year, but think of a few people, perhaps even three people, for whom you are especially thankful, and tell them so. Robert Lewis Stevenson wrote, “The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.”

Beyond the Walls is a weekly email to help Christ-followers move beyond the walls of their church buildings, homes, comfort zones, and culture to engage people where we live, work and play with the Gospel. 

When we talk about moving beyond the walls to engage people with the Gospel, we often confine our understanding to solely speaking the Gospel into someone's life who is not yet a Christ-follower.  And the reason we do so is because of the dichotomy we have created whereby we see evangelism as what we do beyond the walls of our buildings and disciple-making as what we do inside the walls.

Nothing could be further from the truth!  When Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19 to "Go and make disciples", He was talking about pre-conversion discipleship as well as post-conversion discipleship.  When Jesus called the 12 to follow Him, they were not yet fully devoted followers of Christ.  He had to disciple them into understanding who He was and why He came. And then after they trusted Him as their Lord and Savior, He discipled them into understanding what it meant to follow Him.

In the same way, we disciple people into a relationship with Christ and then once they trust Him, we disciple them in how to walk with Christ as a Christ-follower.  

Disciple-making is evangelism and evangelism is disciple-making.  They are not separate and distinct disciplines.  We speak the Gospel into the lives of those who are spiritually lost so that they will come to believe and we speak the Gospel into the lives of those who are Christ-followers to strengthen them in their walk with Christ.

A great example of this is the Apostle Paul.  Throughout the book of Acts, we see him in the synagogues and marketplaces proclaiming the Gospel; discipling those who had yet to believe.  At the same time, we see Paul pouring his life into Timothy and others as he discipled them to be fully devoted Christ-followers.  

Therefore, if we are to fully obey Christ's command to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19), we need to be speaking the Gospel into those who are spiritually dead and those who are spiritually alive.

Who are you discipling?  Who are you leading to Christ through your Gospel conversations?  Who are you encouraging in the faith through your Gospel conversations?  

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..." Mathew 28:19

For the Fame of His Name!

John Whaley
The Rooftop US

https://www.assistnews.net/the-role-of-orality-for-disciple-making-and-church-multiplication/

Recently I was trying to think through the most simple way to represent what happens in successful ministry. What is the fewest number of things that need to happen for the basic ministry process to be complete?

Here’s are the seven elements I have so far:

Living and loving like Jesus

Followers of Jesus must live like Jesus, showing God’s love to others and doing the work of the Kingdom of God. This is the great commandment, and is foundational for everything else.

Inviting people to follow Jesus

Those who are following Jesus then invite others to follow him. This is the great commission.

Starting new believers in the faith

 New believers must be established in the faith through baptism and through community with other believers.

Growing as disciples while making disciples

All believers are both being discipled and discipling others. In this way, new believers grow, and those who have been in the faith longer also continue to grow.

Gathering in groups

Believers have always gathered together for encouragement, worship, and prayer. This is the commandment given in Hebrews 10.

Developing leaders for ministry

We need leaders to serve the church. Just as disciples develop other disciples, leaders develop other leaders.

Sending leaders to plant new churches

Some of those leaders then go on to reach out beyond the church and develop new communities of faith in new places, bringing Jesus to the next neighborhood and next people group.

I’d welcome your thoughts on this simple ministry flow. Is there anything I’m forgetting? Anything essential to the church that doesn’t fit under one of these categories?

*This post was first published on loganleadership.com.

This Week’s Question: Does the Bible refer to prejudicial or discriminatory actions in Scriptures other than James? If so, where, and what is the context?

No other Biblical writer addresses prejudice or discrimination as comprehensively as James, but other books have nuggets to understand why prejudice and discrimination are anathema to God. Genesis 1:26a, and 27 are great verses for initiating this discussion, “Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness... So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” The truth is all men, women, and children are made in the likeness of God, so there is no justifiable basis for someone to treat, discriminatorily, another person with different physical or social characteristics.

Peter affirms that position in his visit to Cornelius, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him’ (Acts 10:34-35).” Although Peter’s visit violated Jewish law, he was given clearance by the Holy Spirit to violate that law since Christ broke all walls of separation. Peter justified his visit by saying, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean (Acts 10:28).” It seems clear that these words apply to everyone and all circumstances both then and now. Therefore, any intentional discrimination is self-imposed, and pits the perpetrator against God.

Paul used Jesus’ kenosis as a model for others to emulate by declaring, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). To save a dying world, Jesus shed His divinity to become a servant which is contrary to many today who fight aggressively to maintain his/her power, prestige, and position. The problem is the privileges they may receive in this life will eventually be lost because according to Matthew 5:5, it is the meek who will inherit the Earth. The bottom-line is a person should not think too highly of him- or her-self, and should treat all others with respect, honor, and esteem.

John captures the essence of the problem of discrimination as the abandonment of love in several of his first epistle passages. In I John 2:9-11 he writes, “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves .his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” This proposition is frightening for “Christians” who discriminate because Jesus says (this is a paraphrase), when someone thinks he/she is walking in the light but are actually walking in darkness, how deep is that darkness (Matthew 6:23)?”

In I John 3:15-18 readers are challenged to put love into action when John writes, “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” It is important that John equates someone who hates a brother or sister to a murderer, which does not bode well for purveyors of past, present or future discrimination. John also makes it very difficult for anyone who lives according to God’s moral code to remain ambivalent of injustice. John’s charge is to take sides with the needy!

Based upon these passages, more people need the love John wrote about, and the evidence of that love is more people would be engaged in fighting the social ills that have plagued America for hundreds of years. Among them are an ongoing fight for civil rights; immigrant rights domestically and at the border; climate change so the world our children inhabit is livable; and Native American rights since they are the only non-immigrants living in this country! Unfortunately, all that was rightfully theirs was stolen due to the greed, pride, and prejudice that are denounced by the above passages.

Next Week’s Question: Since prejudice was systemically built into the moral fabric of America, do you think Americans who tacitly or actively profited from that model (past, present, and future), will be damned eternally?

This Week’s Question: From a Biblical perspective, what is prejudice or discrimination?

James 2:1-9 is a great passage for answering this question because it uses four Greek words to define prejudice from God’s perspective. The dictionary definition is “a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.” Using this definition as a backdrop, James, in Verse 1, warns against showing partiality or having respect of persons. The Greek word in that context is prosopolepsia, and means “the fault of one who when called on to give judgment has respect of the outward circumstances of man and not to their intrinsic merits, and so prefers, as the more worthy, one who is rich, high born, or powerful, to another who does not have these qualities.” This definition summarizes America’s perpetual discrimination which transmuted Native Americans into pariahs on their native resource-rich soil; systemically relegates African-Americans to second class citizenship; and explains why Mr. Trump proposes limiting America’s nouveau immigrant population to the skilled, while heartlessly incarcerating indigents.

In Verses 2 and 3 James gives an example of someone giving preferential treatment to a well-dressed person, while showing disdain to another dressed shabbily. The Greek word contextually is epiblepo, and means to look up to or have regard for someone. This definition explains why the American government extends exorbitant benefits to the rich, while simultaneously curtailing or threatening to curtail necessary social programs by arguing that it has no resources to continue serving its poor, disabled, and elderly population. Based upon political norms, one can easily conclude that America has the best government money can buy!

In Verse 4 James describes the fault behind prejudice as partiality. The Greek word contextually is diakrino, which means, “to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, or to prefer.” Another definition is, “to separate one's self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, or contend.” These definitions sound very much like the impetus behind America’s Civil Rights movement, which was a fight, led by African-Americans, for equal social rights. It also explains why Muslims (domestically and internationally), are under heightened scrutiny by America’s governmental agencies.

James sums up this partiality discussion in Verse 9 by categorically declaring that anyone who is partial toward others commits sin! The Greek word in that context is prosopolepteo, which means to respect the person (in reality it means respecting or discriminating against a person because of external characteristics). Unfortunately, almost 250 years after the following Declaration of Independence words were penned: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” From God’s perspective, the sobering reality (based upon American History), is these words are merely an empty phrase penned on parchment, and many discriminators who defied these self-evident truths by their discriminatory actions, have hell to pay since the wages of sin is death (see Romans 6:23)!

Next Week’s Question: Does the Bible refer to prejudicial or discriminatory actions in Scriptures other than James? If so, where, and what is the context?

Need your feedback regarding one of our Discipleship.Network Profile questions...

Which one of these below is more understandable?

     >>How Would You Coach Others to Begin a Reimagine Journey in a Tweet-Sized (280 characters) suggestion

   >> What would be your first-step-suggestion on how to begin a journey to reimagine disciple-making? [ Tweet-Sized (280 characters) ]

My thanks,

Phil

Curator/Coordinator

My evangelism team consisting of myself, a nine-year-old boy, a PhD student, and a former gang member who spent 15 years in prison. We approached a young lady trying to get her wiggly 2-year-old into the car. After small talk, bending down and introducing myself to Carter, I asked, “How can I pray for you?” She mentioned a friend. We prayed. I shared my testimony in 90 seconds. She listened. Noticing she was in a rush, I asked, “Do you have a Bible?” She said, “No!” “Would you like a Bible?” “Yes!” After mentioning someone from the church could deliver a Bible, she gave me her address and phone number. During this time, my other team members prayed for two people. 

My team was part of an effort to help a church 50 miles away to move outside the four walls. Two months ago, we spent two Wed. nights training in basic gospel conversations, including role play. Three weeks ago, five teams took to the streets. Three weeks later on a Sat. morning, we trained them in the priority of prayer. Two people at a time paired up to role play the gospel before we hit the streets to pray and share the gospel.

In one hour of time, a person trusted Christ as Savior in a park. The pastor’s wife prayed with a formerly homeless, young mother whose 8-year-old child has cancer. She lives next to the pastor’s wife’s sister. This lady wants to visit the church. The various teams prayed with three people who had or knew people with cancer.

The pastor’s wife shared with me that formerly uninvolved church members joined us in praying and sharing the gospel in the streets these past two times.      

In contrast, people spend much time and energy preparing and earning a living. The rich man went to the finest schools and found success. He had a fine house, servants and enjoyed life. He reached the pinnacle in making a living, but did he learn how to live? What’s your investment strategy for maximum reward?   

1. Discern most strategic kingdom opportunities

Jesus told a parable about a rich man who asked his steward to give an account after squandering his master's possessions. The steward made each of his master's debtors pay off a fraction of the oil and wheat owed. The master praised the unrighteous steward because he acted shrewdly.  “The sons of this age are shrewder in relation to their own kind than the sons of light." (Luke 16:1-8). Discern most strategic kingdom opportunities.

2. Invest resources to make friends in heaven

Christ said to make friends using riches. When it fails, they will receive you into eternal dwellings. He who’s faithful in a little is faithful in much. He who’s unrighteous in a little thing is unrighteous in much. God won't entrust spiritual riches unless you've been faithful with money. No servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or hold to one and despise the other. No one can serve God and money
(Luke 16:9-13). Invest your time, talent and treasure to make friends in heaven.

3. Seek the application of God's word

The Pharisees who loved money scoffed at Jesus since they justified themselves before men. God knows your heart for what’s highly esteemed among men is detestable in His sight. The Law and Prophets were proclaimed until John. The preached word brings people into the kingdom of God. Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries a divorcee commits adultery
(Luke 16:14-18). Seek the application of God's word more than recognition from men.

4. Help people avoid eternal punishment

A rich man lived in splendor every day. Lazarus, a poor man covered with sores, longed to be fed with crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The poor man died and went to Abraham's bosom. The rich man died and went to Hades with agony in flames. He cried for mercy so Lazarus could dip the tip of this finger in water to cool off his tongue. Abraham said he received the good things of life and Lazarus the bad things. The latter is being comforted but not the rich man. A great chasm prevents anyone from crossing over. The rich man asked Father Abraham to warn his five brothers about torment in Hades. Abraham said if they don't listen to Moses and the Prophets, someone rising from the dead won’t persuade them either (Luke 16:19-31). 
Help people avoid eternal punishment by sharing God’s word on how to reach heaven.

Action Step:

Invest my time, talents and treasure for eternal reward to help people enter heaven and grow spiritually.

The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
LUKE 19:10 MLB

I could have saved Myself a lot of trouble, if I had stayed by My Father’s side;
     instead, I made Myself nothing, donned the garb of a slave,
     and died a criminal’s death on a Roman cross.
          Skull Hill was a long way from glory.
          I went to hell so you would not have to.
          I became a servant so you could avoid self-destructiveness.
          I was crucified so you could be changed for the better.
          I was deserted so you could enjoy the pleasure of My company.
          I became the Son of Man so you could become a child of God.
          I died in your place so you could live in Mine.
          I came to the world not just to challenge you to seek higher goals—
               I came to offer you My forgiveness and mercy and grace.

I condescended to save you from sin’s penalty, power, and presence.
     Heartfelt faith in the Savior and public confession of allegiance to Me
          sets you on the road to heaven.
     If you have taken this first step of trust in Me, you are free of guilt—
          no longer on death row, no more condemned to torment!
     When your old life of sin is buried with Christ, you live a new, free life.
     One day you will be like Me—this is My dream and your destiny.
     Salvation is a process I began in your heart—I intend to complete it.
 

I could have saved Myself from physical death had I descended the cross;
     instead, I saved believers from spiritual death by staying on the cross.
          If I had saved Myself from humiliation, you could not be saved from hell.
          My heart goes out to all people—I died for the sins of the entire world.

I did not leave heaven to seek smug legalists and self-righteous snobs—
     but sinners who are painfully aware of their moral failure.
          Religionists who think they are good enough have no interest in Me.
          Humble souls understand My purpose—smart-alecks are clueless.

Glory will fill your soul when you know why heaven visited earth.

(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 318 Gentle Whispers from Eternity

My good friend, Phil, recently asked how I "re-imagine" discipling in today's world. My reply to him, as you'll see here, does not point to trendy technology or novel approaches. It points instead to timeless truth and ancient paths -- for ourselves and our grandchildren.

  I re-imagine that we'd "zero-base" our goals and strategies for cultivating Christlikeness in ourselves and others. Starting at zero, we'd re-examine the Scriptures for key goals and strategies. Ten steps would emerge, which we'd take ourselves. Then we'd recommend them to other God-followers whom we influence:

1. Trust Jesus Christ--and Christ alone--for His redemption of your "wages of sin" (Romans 3:23).
2. Bask in the Bible and in the presence of God.
3. Ponder the interrelationships among, and implications of, these scriptures: Matthew 5:14-16; I Corinthians 13; and Ephesians 4 & 5.
4. Ask the RIGHT questions – the core, “Why?” questions -- about these scriptures.
5. In prayer and unrushed reflection, with God’s Spirit filling your heart and mind, embrace God’s answers to those questions.
6. Decide what you will say “no” to in your current swirl of goals and activities, so that you can say “yes” to focusing on and cultivating #5.
7. Go out and do it. Walk as a child of light (Ephesians 5:8-10).
8. As you walk, look for others whom you may influence in this same way.
9. Be available to them; develop a healthy, Christlike relationship.
10. Speak mostly with your life, not your words. As appropriate, share your journey with them in ways that encourage them to walk as “children of light” who influence others in their world likewise.

  Questions for journaling or discussion:

1. Which particular steps (above) reflect Deuteronomy 6:4-7?
2. What scriptures come to mind in support of step #2?
3. What key goals and strategies do these steps suggest to you as you convey your spiritual legacy to your grandchildren?

(c) 2019 John Garmo

This Week’s Question: There should be little disagreement that discrimination remains a part of the social fabric of America, so what are the underlying problems with showing partiality or favoritism, as commanded by James in James 2:1-9?

According to James there are several problems associated with showing favoritism! Nevertheless, the favoritism James describes is not based upon an affinity one person has towards another because of one’s personal knowledge or an interpersonal relationship. Instead it is based upon a prejudicial attitude toward another person’s physical characteristics, which in this case is attire and jewelry (or lack thereof which is discrimination). However, the favoritism could have, just as easily, been precipitated by one’s gender, ethnicity, vocabulary, native language, citizenship, or a host of other factors. When physical factors are the sole basis for how one person treats another, James calls the offending party a judge with evil thoughts (see verse 2:4), and the Bible teaches “Judge not, that you be not judged (see Matthew 7:1).”

The second reason for not showing favoritism is a person’s actions may pit him/her against God. James teaches in verse 2:5, “…Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” Therefore, James identifies the poor who are rich in faith, as God’s chosen people. Thus anyone who offends anyone within that group, especially when the offended party does not retaliate, has to face God’s vengeance according to Romans 12:19-21, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The third and final reason James offers for not showing favoritism is it violates God’s law. Verses 8-9 teach, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.” Being labeled a sinner or transgressor by God is not a badge of honor, because Scripture teaches, “the wages of sin is death… (see Romans 6:23).”

Thus, in the final analysis, showing favoritism, irrespective of one’s motive, is dangerous because it is a sin fueled by lust, pride, or fear (to be explained more fully in a future post), and pits the offending party against God for one of three possible reasons: (1) Being an evil judge; (2) Offending God’s chosen people; or (3) Forsaking the law of love. Finally, regardless of the underlying reason one shows favoritism, he/she has “hell to pay” when they come before God’s judgment seat!

Next Week’s Question: From a Biblical perspective, what is prejudice or discrimination?