Living Biblically

What does it truly mean to follow Jesus? Scott Aniol suggests that following Jesus primarily involves listening to His teachings and seeking to understand and comprehend them. This process involves reading the Scriptures, sitting under the preaching of the Word, meditating upon the Word, and studying the Word. Both the Old and New Testaments are truths about Christ and God communicated to us. Howe...

Why does stepping out in faith often feel uncomfortable, even when we know it's vital to our spiritual growth? Paul Carrington discusses the discomfort that often accompanies evangelism, acknowledging that it's a universal experience among believers. Stepping out in faith is not an easy task; it's fraught with fear of rejection and doubt about the worth of our efforts. Carrington suggests that the...

Has the loss of family discipleship negatively impacted the church and its mission to make disciples? Robert Bosley notes a shift in the pattern of discipleship, especially in the United States, tracing back to the Industrial Revolution and the Great Awakenings. The cultural revolution that systematized schooling and church programs, replacing home-based discipleship, has failed the church. Despit...

Does discipleship equate to a series of classroom-based courses? In this video, Paul Thompson raises questions about the nature of discipleship. He challenges the idea of discipleship as a classroom-based learning experience, akin to signing up for a college course. Thompson argues that discipleship isn't as simple or sterile as attending a series of classes and advancing through levels until grad...

What did the disciples do in response to the Great Commission? In this video, Paul White emphasizes the importance of interpreting the Great Commission through the actions of the disciples who heard it. The disciples, as documented in the book of Acts, preached the gospel, made disciples, gathered them into churches, and provided them with training and teaching. This resulted in the continuous adv...

Does our current educational system equip our daughters for godly womanhood and our sons for godly manhood? In this sermon by Kevin Swanson, he proposes that the egalitarian approach to education may fail to prepare our children according to their God-intended roles. Swanson suggests that girls should be raised with the vision of becoming help meets for their husbands, home managers, and keepers a...

How do pastors carry on the Great Commission today? In this video, Rob Ventura describes the role of pastors in fulfilling the Great Commission as it was understood by the apostles in the early church. According to Acts 2, the apostles began to teach disciples all things that Jesus commanded. This role of teaching the Word of God has continued in the local church to this day. Pastors, like the apo...

What is the role of a pastor in raising up faithful men within the church? Pastor Josh Buice emphasizes the dual role of a pastor as both a teacher of God's Word and a leader in raising up faithful men within the church. The aim is to guide and disciple men so they can effectively lead and shepherd their own families. He stresses the importance of these men observing the life of the pastor, his ha...

Should we segregate our children from parents during church services? In this video, Toby Logsdon addresses the practice of separating children from parents during church services and questions whether it has a biblical basis. He expresses the view that children are primarily discipled by their parents, as evident in the biblical scriptures. He encourages parents to take on the role of the 'youth...

Are we, as a church, prioritizing programs over people? In this video, Brandon Scroggins discusses the risk of elevating church programs over the people they're intended to serve. There's a natural instinct to keep programs running as they seem to yield visible results and foster enthusiasm. However, the proliferation of programs can lead to a dangerous disconnect between pastors and their congreg...

Are churches unintentionally taking on a role that should primarily belong to parents? In this video, Jason Dohm discusses two ways in which churches may be engaging in unhelpful discipleship methods. Firstly, he points out that although local churches play a crucial role in making disciples of Jesus, they should not be seen as the primary disciple makers, especially when it comes to children. The...

What does Acts 1:8 mean for you in your everyday life? Paul Washer discusses the significance of Acts 1:8 and the role it plays in our call to serve as witnesses of Christ's teachings. We are called to reach out, not just to those in our immediate vicinity, but to the farthest corners of the world. Yet, it is crucial to not only talk about these remote areas but to actively spread the Gospel both...

Do we truly grasp the significance of hearing God's word repeatedly? In this video, Jeffrey D. Johnson emphasizes the importance of reaffirming our faith through the constant hearing and re-hearing of God's word. He illustrates this point through personal anecdotes, where he was reminded of truths he knew but needed to re-hear, and how these reminders fueled his faith and determination. He emphasi...

What does it mean to truly follow the Lamb, Jesus Christ, in all aspects of our lives? In this video by Trent Moody, we are taken through Revelation 14:4, which speaks of those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These individuals are described as the redeemed, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. The defining characteristic of a disciple, as Trent Moody highlights, is the unwavering commitm...

How does singing contribute to the mission of making disciples? In this video, Scott Aniol discusses how every aspect of corporate worship, including singing, plays a crucial role in fulfilling Christ's command to make disciples. While the teaching and discipling effects of preaching and Scripture reading are often recognized, the powerfully-formative function of singing in corporate worship can b...

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Dr. Joel Beeke defines a disciple as a follower of a teacher and specifically, in the context of Christianity, a follower of Christ and His teachings. He stresses that being a disciple of Christ means not only to believe in His teachings but also to live according to them. This includes denying oneself, carrying one's cross, and following Jesus....

What are some common mistakes in the process of making disciples in the Church? Carlton McLeod highlights that discipleship within the church often begins with an emotionally-driven decision, followed by an expectation that one's life will automatically align with Christian principles. He notes that this is an erroneous assumption, as many find their lifestyle not reflecting the teachings of Chris...

What does it mean to be a true disciple of Christ, and how does this display itself in our interactions within the church and the world? Chris Law emphasizes the significance of love as an identifier of a true disciple, as stated by Jesus in John 13:35. This love, however, is not the type casually thrown around in society today, but rather a biblical love that serves as evidence of discipleship wi...

What role do fathers play in discipling their children according to the teachings of Christ? Paul Thompson emphasizes the crucial role fathers play in the discipleship of their children. He firmly believes that fathers are the most influential figures in a child's life, especially when it comes to instilling the Christian faith. The father is not merely a disciplinarian, but he is a disciple himse...

What roles should a father play in the spiritual growth of his family? According to Paul White, a father's duty extends beyond providing for his family's material needs. He is tasked with the responsibility of spiritual leadership within the home, much like how Jesus led His disciples. This involves spending quality time with the family, demonstrating godly living, and applying Scriptural teaching...

How does the influence of family, particularly parents and grandparents, shape the faith of the next generation? In his sermon, Kevin Swanson emphasizes the importance of multi-generational influence in the discipleship of a child. The role of Scripture is preeminent in this process, and it's often carried out by both the parents and grandparents. Swanson likens this to a double-strand rope, where...

In regards to discipleship, what ought to be our primary focus? In this video, Rob Ventura explains what should be the focus of programs within churches today. He emphasizes that the goal of any program should not be to somehow "generate" more saved individuals, but rather to help existing Christians grow in their faith. Discipleship, according to Ventura, is about making better Christians out of...

Has the Church lost touch with the Word of God in its pursuit of relevance? In this video, Josh Buice raises a critical concern about the current state of the Evangelical Church. He suggests that the church, in its quest to stay relevant and attract the world, has compromised the pure teachings of the Bible. This compromise manifests in the use of gimmicks and tricks to draw in people who may not...

How can the spirit of independence affect our commitment to the church and its community? In this video, Toby Logsdon discusses one of the major discipleship challenges faced by churches today - the independent mindset. This mindset, particularly prevalent in Western societies, often encourages individuals to participate in church activities without any intention to engage in accountability. Accou...

What role does the Great Commission play in our relationship with Jesus, and how does it connect us with His teachings and the community of believers? In this video, Brandon Scroggins discusses the significance of the Great Commission, particularly the often-overlooked aspect where Jesus instructs His disciples to teach others to observe everything He has commanded. This command highlights that Je...