NCC Daily

Pick a habit, any habit. Do it for a day. Then add resistance. One more mile, one more minute, one more rep. The way you push your limits is by setting stretch goals. Increase the incline on the treadmill or the resistance on your Peloton. Graduate from one gratitude to two gratitudes a day. Do your deep breathing exercises morning, noon, and night. Double down on your giving with a double tithe....

The challenge on day one was pick a habit, any habit. The challenge on day two is pretty simple: do it for a day!

I have no idea what goal you’re going after, what problem you’re trying to solve, what habit you’re trying to break or build, but I know the secret to your success. It’s gonna happen one day at a time! You have to win the day. Then you have to get up and do it all over again the next day. Do that two days in a row, and I think it’s called a winning streak.

Today I want to share some instances where others discipled me using the unique gifts God gave them and encourage all of us to pass the baton.

I want to challenge you to pull someone close and invite them into your world. Be transparent and be vulnerable. Share with them your prayers and what you are believing for and struggling with. Show them that discipleship is a lifelong endeavor. Demystify God! When people see us for who we really are, shame has no place, and where there is no shame, God can transform you.

If I wanted to be rooted—in Christ, in community—then I had to show up, and relationships are a two-way street, and being rooted is not passive. When I wake up, I have a choice to make. I can choose the words that were spoken over me as a child, or I can choose the words of who God says I am. I choose God. Every day. Sometimes multiple times a day. I choose God.

Two of my most formative discipleship experiences since I became part of the NCC family have been in prayer and in peacemaking. I joined the prayer team at NCC Georgetown several years ago at the prompting of one of the leaders, and from there was discipled by multiple prayer warriors who truly interceded for the family of God and all those who are seeking Him.

NCC has undoubtedly shaped me, and I think it’ll continue to affect me forever. So much of that is because of the people who have poured into my life and who have been there for me physically and spiritually. Grown-ups like my pastors, kids’ church teachers, and fellow choir members have been discipling me, even before I understood what the word really meant.

When did we start believing that God wants to send us to SAFE PLACES to do EASY THINGS at CONVENIENT TIMES with NICE PEOPLE? Newsflash. Jesus didn’t die to KEEP US SAFE. Jesus died to MAKE US DANGEROUS. The will of God isn’t an INSURANCE PLAN. It’s a DARING PLAN. And the complete surrender of our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is not radical. It’s normal. The problem? Our normal is so subno...

There's a lot of people who've never really learned about Christianity as they may not have grown up with it. Faith is often a private affair, but it is good to share what it means to you and to teach others about Christianity when the right moment arises.

Keep pursuing your friends who don’t know Jesus. It’s easier said than done, I know, and different people are definitely receptive to different approaches. With Baran, it was friendship and community that really helped him. I think going into our conversations without an agenda was a plus. However you approach those in your life who don’t know Christ, I pray the Holy Spirit will guide you

Discipleship was at the root of all of these missions, both me being discipled by my small group leaders to step out in faith, and also opportunities for me to disciple others. To be honest, though, the idea of discipling people in the context of my passions and interests was very intimidating. I felt as if I only could bring some life experience to the table and wasn’t even sure if that was enoug...

My prayer for all of you today is that you will connect with those who can serve as examples of discipleship, show you that it is not out of your reach, and encourage you to be a better follower of Jesus and partner with Him in His missions of love and empathy.

The Living Room ministry is a mission of Jesus because He has called us to feed the poor. Every Wednesday evening from 6pm to 7pm, volunteers meet at Ebenezer’s coffee house. I am honored to share with you today my experiences of engaging in discipleship with and to those who call the streets “home” specifically in the Union Station area of Washington, DC.

Discipleship is a significant part of our growth and development in relationship with Christ. Discipleship is measured by multiplication.

When I think of integration, of course I think of full integration into all of my life. But it also helps for me to think in categories, so I like to use these five areas of human flourishing: Relational, Vocational, Financial, Spiritual, and Health, which covers mental and physical.

Discipleship is a process that requires intentionality, commitment, and perseverance. It’s a life-on-life journey that leads to transformation. Discipleship brings us fully into the presence of God and His Kingdom work.

Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” And I found myself in a season where I needed a friend. Nathan suggested that we spend a few weeks studying Lamentations and listen to Rob Bell’s sermon series on it—going chapter by chapter. I don’t think Nathan fully knew everything that I was going through in that season. I was experiencing so much loss around me—los...

Now, I want you to pause for a moment and think about the best birthday or Christmas you’ve ever had as a child. Let’s be honest, it was probably so great because of a gift or toy you received, just waiting for you by the cake and ice cream or maybe it was under the Christmas tree. What was the best gift you’ve ever received? I hope this is bringing joy to your face and you’re going down memory la...

Jesus said "Go make disciples." Too often, we allow Jesus' last command to become our least concern. We have replaced being a follower of Jesus for simply being a fan of Jesus. We think we are following Jesus but in reality, we have asked Jesus to follow us. Disciples are students of the words of Je

Discipleship is one of the many ways to demonstrate the word of God. It’s the loss of words when you can’t explain your gratitude, it’s the loss of words when you can’t explain your love for God.

I’m really happy to be able to share a quick story about my journey as a disciple of Jesus and the way that I found myself helping others along their journey as a disciple.

We continue our series on discipleship—the process of learning to live our lives as followers of Christ and inviting others to do the same. Before I share a discipleship experience, let me start with a bit of background. My view of God was shaped during my formative years. I was part of a legalistic church environment, and most of the elders I looked up to were bound by chains of religiosity. In a...

Discipleship is relational. Building and cultivating relationships is at the heart of discipleship. The ultimate relationship starts and ends with Jesus and the love He has poured into us is also poured into our relationships. Jesus’ love is the glue when it comes to building relationships with others. The Church is stronger when relationships are cultivated in love.

Go make disciples. In the last command recorded in the book of Matthew, Jesus looks at his followers and invites them on a journey. A lifelong pursuit of learning to live their lives from him and inviting others to do the same. Becoming people who are students of the words of Jesus, imitators of the ways of Jesus and partners in the mission of Jesus. In the original language, the word “follow” mea...