Living Biblically

Does the modern church's reliance on programs weaken its effectiveness? Paul Carrington suggests a direct correlation between the number of programs in the church and the weakness observed in the modern church today. Carrington critiques the trend of learning through structured programs and seminars, comparing it to learning to swim in a classroom setting. Instead, he advocates for experiential le...

How can fathers best disciple their children according to the teachings of the Bible? Paul Washer discusses the role of fathers in the spiritual upbringing of their children, based on Scriptural guidance found in Ephesians 6 and Deuteronomy 6. Washer emphasises that the ultimate goal of parental discipleship is not merely to raise ethical or moral children, but to raise children who love the Lord...

What does it mean to be the "light of the world" as a disciple of Jesus Christ? Paul Carrington explains that being "the light of the world" stems from the Great Commission and is broad in context. After the Beatitudes, Jesus declares that his followers are the light of the world and describes the characteristics and purpose of this light. It is not meant to be hidden or consumed upon itself. Inst...

What is the role of discipleship in both family and church life? Robert Bosley highlights the critical responsibility of discipleship bestowed upon the family and the church. The family, where new life emerges, and the church, where new believers are taught and transformed, are natural settings for discipleship. However, Bosley observes that today's church often overlooks discipleship, treating it...

How does a man's heart open up to Christ? In this video, Paul Washer introduces the concept of the human heart being akin to Jericho, tightly shut and resistant to outside influence. Despite their best efforts, one cannot force their way in, emphasizing the ineffectiveness of brute force in opening up the human heart to Christ. He references Colossians 4:1-4, highlighting its significance in teach...

What does it mean to be a "follower of the way" as a Christian? In this video, Paul Carrington reminds us that being a Christian is synonymous with being a follower of "The Way." As seen in Acts 9, disciples of Christ were not only defined by their faith but also their path. This path represents a journey, a discipleship that goes beyond the moment of conversion. It's a continuous journey of livin...

How impactful is the practice of daily family worship in shaping the discipleship of children? Robert Bosley emphasizes the immense value of family worship in the realm of discipleship. He explains that the home is the primary setting for discipleship, especially for young children. The family, ideally, becomes a primary place where the gospel is regularly preached to children, with family worship...

Are we letting the Word of God guide our church life? Jeffrey D. Johnson points out a worrying trend in the modern church. He notes that many churches are failing to disciple their congregations correctly. Instead of focusing on the Word of God, they are using pragmatic methods to attract people, such as adapting their music or watering down the Gospel. This approach is teaching that doctrine and...

What are the potential pitfalls of easy believism as a method of making disciples? Dr. Joel Beeke highlights a common yet erroneous method of discipleship that has more harmful effects than benefits. This method, termed "easy believism," involves a shallow commitment to Christianity, often involving a simple hand raise or signing a card. The danger in this approach lies in the potential deception...

How much time is the church investing in teaching fathers to disciple their own children? God has designated men, particularly fathers, to be teachers to their own children. Yet, there seems to be a gap in the training provided to these men for this critical task within the church. Paul Washer points out that just as men called into ministry are taught how to teach, fathers, who have also been cal...

Do we understand the significant role that mothers can play in the spiritual upbringing of their children? Paul Carrington reminds us of the words of Spurgeon, who emphasized the inestimable value of a godly mother. Carrington encourages mothers who are laboring and struggling to teach their children to aim high, to pray and hope for their child's salvation. He emphasizes that the role of a mother...

Have you been passive in your spiritual life and feel it's too late to change? Robert Bosley addresses this concern, reminding us that it's never too late to become intentional in our faith. He encourages us to put away idols and harmful habits and to use our past as a testimony to God's grace and faithfulness. Even if there are years of passivity, Bosley explains that God can change our hearts, l...

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jason Dohm explains that a disciple is essentially a student, a pupil, or a follower who has willingly placed themselves under the authority and instruction of another for the purpose of learning and growing. In the context of Christian faith, this means becoming a disciple of Jesus, striving to emulate His teachings and His way of life. As spoke...

What does it mean to be a strong man in a culture that often views masculinity as toxic? Jeffrey D. Johnson emphasizes the importance of fathers teaching their sons to be men through both words and actions. In a society that can sometimes diminish the value of masculinity, it is crucial for fathers to be strong role models. Johnson argues that children often learn more from observing their parents...

Is family worship a lost means of grace in our modern Christian experience? Dr. Joel Beeke emphasizes the importance of family worship for the spiritual training of the next generation. He asserts that millions have been saved through the combined effect of preaching in church and family worship at home. Family worship, as he defines it, is more than just praying, singing, or reading the Scripture...

What does it mean to be "fishers of men" and how does it apply to all followers of Christ? In this video, Paul Washer explains that while there are those who are specifically gifted in evangelism, all followers of Christ are called to evangelize to some extent. The modern culture of indifference towards witnessing can make this task difficult, but the call remains. In order to effectively witness...

How can we learn from Jesus' patience with his disciples as an example of how to interact with children? In this devotional, Paul Carrington reminds us of the remarkable patience Jesus showed towards his disciples. Despite the disciples' lack of understanding and their frequent squabbles, Jesus never gave up on them. This patience mirrors the experiences many parents, particularly mothers, have wi...

What does it mean to be a man in a society that appears to despise traditional masculinity? Robert Bosley addresses the prevailing societal views on masculinity, noting that there seems to be a disdain for men, particularly those who exhibit traditional male traits. He shares his personal journey of teaching his sons about the essence of manhood. He defines a man as one who uses his strength for G...

Are churches replacing parental influence in the discipleship of children? Jason Dohm notes the prevalent trend of churches focusing extensively on age-segregated discipleship programs for children. He explains that this practice inadvertently gives the illusion that the church can replicate or replace the unique influence that parents have over their children. There's a clear delineation of roles...

What does it mean to disciple the nations as commanded by God? In this video, Jeffrey D. Johnson explains that to disciple nations means going out and spreading the Gospel to people all around the world. It is not about converting civil authorities or redeeming every societal structure. Instead, it is about recognizing that God has a people in every race, tribe, or group. This mandate from God doe...

How can we impart a realistic yet hopeful perspective of salvation to our children? Dr. Joel Beeke emphasizes the importance of honesty when discipling our children. We need to explain to them about their inherent sinful nature, the daily sins they commit, and the fact that heart conversion is a divine miracle. They should understand that they can't convert their hearts on their own, but God can....

What is the role of preaching in the life of the church and the spiritual growth of believers? Josh Buice emphasizes that preaching is God's means of awakening dead souls to life, calling people out of darkness into His marvelous light, and growing believers through His Word. The preacher acts as a herald, an ambassador with the primary goal of announcing what God has said in His Word. His role is...

Are a multitude of programs in the church beneficial or detrimental to the faith community? In this video, Paul Washer observes that there has been a trend of churches in America introducing numerous programs, many of which have failed due to a lack of grounding in the Word of God and leadership by unqualified individuals. He warns against a reactionary swing to the other extreme, where churches h...

How can we incorporate correction as an essential part of discipleship for our children? Scott Aniol emphasizes the importance of correcting children when they sin, as part of their discipleship. He believes that it is crucial for children to understand that sinning results in consequences. While punishment can help to prevent severe consequences later in life, it is essential not to do so in ange...

What makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ so transformative? Paul Carrington highlights the missionary nature of God and the chain of discipleship that has spread the Gospel throughout the world. As Christians in America or Europe, we are considered the 'ends of the earth', the recipients of the teachings of countless missionaries before us. The fundamental aspect of this process is not merely gaining...