Pastor's Bible Study

If we're going to be a disciple (follower) of Jesus, we must daily deny ourselves and take up our cross (i.e. being hated by the world, being surrendered to God, and being "spent", i.e. a living sacrifice). Following is not a haphazard, sporadic, every now and then choice. It is a regular, consistent, frequent, daily choice. It is a choice a disciple makes faithfully. It is a discipline.

If we're going to be a disciple (follower) of Jesus, we must daily deny ourselves and take up our cross (i.e. being hated by the world, being surrendered to God, and being "spent", i.e. a living sacrifice). Following is not a haphazard, sporadic, every now and then choice. It is a regular, consistent, frequent, daily choice. It is a choice a disciple makes faithfully. It is a discipline.

What we see in the Great Commission is the mandate to make disciples (i.e. see people saved, baptized, and brought into the church where they can be taught to observe all things - beliefs, practices, ministries, etc.). If we have a mandate to teach, then the flip side must also be true. We have a mandate to learn. A disciple is a learner. And to learn we must have some discipline.  In Lk 2:46-47 J...

What we see in the Great Commission is the mandate to make disciples (i.e. see people saved, baptized, and brought into the church where they can be taught to observe all things - beliefs, practices, ministries, etc.). If we have a mandate to teach, then the flip side must also be true. We have a mandate to learn. A disciple is a learner. And to learn we must have some discipline.  In Lk 2:46-47 J...

The one thing most of us lack when it comes to sharing the gospel is boldness. The early church and church leaders shared with boldness. It is what they were known for. How do we get boldness? Spend time with Jesus and pray for it. Take a listen to this lesson where we are encouraged to share Jesus boldly.

The one thing most of us lack when it comes to sharing the gospel is boldness. The early church and church leaders shared with boldness. It is what they were known for. How do we get boldness? Spend time with Jesus and pray for it. Take a listen to this lesson where we are encouraged to share Jesus boldly.

The disciplines of silence and solitude go hand in hand together, and when practiced help us to actually be more effective in other disciplines like prayer, bible intake, fasting, worship, etc.

The disciplines of silence and solitude go hand in hand together, and when practiced help us to actually be more effective in other disciplines like prayer, bible intake, fasting, worship, etc.

When it comes to time we wish for more, but there isn’t more. It just comes down to how we use what we’ve been given, hence the exhortation from Paul to make the most of our time. This lesson is going to focus on time in the context of spiritual disciplines. Time is required in order to participate in any spiritual discipline. Because this is true, we must make the most of the time afforded to us....

When it comes to time we wish for more, but there isn’t more. It just comes down to how we use what we’ve been given, hence the exhortation from Paul to make the most of our time. This lesson is going to focus on time in the context of spiritual disciplines. Time is required in order to participate in any spiritual discipline. Because this is true, we must make the most of the time afforded to us....

Giving and acts of generosity allow us to look like Jesus because when we give financially we do some of the very things Jesus did: give, love, sacrifice, and serve. In this lesson we look at 8 principles for giving financially. In end, Jesus only asks us to give what He is already willing to give us. Take a listen to this lesson and be encouraged to steward well and look like Jesus.  

Giving and acts of generosity allow us to look like Jesus because when we give financially we do some of the very things Jesus did: give, love, sacrifice, and serve. In this lesson we look at 8 principles for giving financially. In end, Jesus only asks us to give what He is already willing to give us. Take a listen to this lesson and be encouraged to steward well and look like Jesus.  

Jesus didn’t say “if you fast” but “when you fast.” Implied in Christ’s teaching is that we would fast and should fast. It's not a matter of if but when.  Charles Stanley said, "Fasting is the abstinence of anything that hinders our communion with God. In particular, fasting is the abstinence of food for the purpose of seeking God in prayer." It is this spiritual discipline that goes hand in hand...

Jesus didn’t say “if you fast” but “when you fast.” Implied in Christ’s teaching is that we would fast and should fast. It's not a matter of if but when.  Charles Stanley said, "Fasting is the abstinence of anything that hinders our communion with God. In particular, fasting is the abstinence of food for the purpose of seeking God in prayer." It is this spiritual discipline that goes hand in hand...

When we serve with a smile, God smiles. Serving is expected and results in growth, glory, gratefulness, and godlness.

When we serve with a smile, God smiles. Serving is expected and results in growth, glory, gratefulness, and godlness.

Praying is one thing. Being disciplined in our praying, that is another. We can grow in our consistency and fervor in our praying over time just like we can physically grow in our strength and stamina over time, if we are disciplined. This lesson looks to answer questions like: Why pray? How do we develop discipline? And, what is our motivation?

Praying is one thing. Being disciplined in our praying, that is another. We can grow in our consistency and fervor in our praying over time just like we can physically grow in our strength and stamina over time, if we are disciplined. This lesson looks to answer questions like: Why pray? How do we develop discipline? And, what is our motivation?

The bible is a fruit bearing tree from which we eat when we listen to it, read it, and study it. We increase our harvest from God's Word when we memorize it, meditate upon it, and apply it to our lives.

The bible is a fruit bearing tree from which we eat when we listen to it, read it, and study it. We increase our harvest from God's Word when we memorize it, meditate upon it, and apply it to our lives.

The Christian life isn’t just about knowing a certain set of doctrines. It is more than knowing. It is believing. But it is more than believing. The Christian life is also about doing. It is doing what we believe. But to truly do what we believe is going to require some discipline, disciplines, habits, spiritual activities to be engaged in. If we never engage in spiritual activity, then we’re just...

The Christian life isn’t just about knowing a certain set of doctrines. It is more than knowing. It is believing. But it is more than believing. The Christian life is also about doing. It is doing what we believe. But to truly do what we believe is going to require some discipline, disciplines, habits, spiritual activities to be engaged in. If we never engage in spiritual activity, then we’re just...

Self-control is the last quality of the Fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul, but there can be no doubt about its importance to Christian living. Can we truly be in a place of pleasing God if we're not living in a way that we exercise self-control? We are to live controlled lives; lives in balance and in the boundaries of God's Word, will, and desire. Self-control in the physical realm may happen by...

Self-control is the last quality of the Fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul, but there can be no doubt about its importance to Christian living. Can we truly be in a place of pleasing God if we're not living in a way that we exercise self-control? We are to live controlled lives; lives in balance and in the boundaries of God's Word, will, and desire. Self-control in the physical realm may happen by...

The world may view meekness as weakness in a person's make-up, but in reality, meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. It is a quality we very much need on display in God's people. We especially need it as we increase in power and authority. It is meekness that keeps us from being abusive or overbearing with our authority.