Monthly Archives: January 2018

You Can’t Stand Pat, by Dave Travis

Written on January 31, 2018 at 4:43 pm, by

Well you can, but the results are less than best. A few years ago I was talking to one of our pastors who had been engaged with us for a… Read More

Who Watches Porn? 3 Key Predictors of Porn Use

Written on January 31, 2018 at 4:28 pm, by

Thursday, January 25, 2018 | Written by Jay Stringer What if I told you that your use of pornography could reveal your way to healing? As a licensed mental health counselor and… Read More

Nothing Derails A Small Group Discussion Quicker Than This..

Written on January 31, 2018 at 4:07 pm, by

Have you ever had that moment in a small group? You know, the moment where you can tell breakthrough is coming soon, everyone is focused and engaged and……..READ MORE

Hard Teachings and Disciple Making

Written on January 31, 2018 at 3:57 pm, by

We live in a time of great change in some core moral beliefs in North America. For example, Barna research has documented that over 40 percent of self-described practicing Christians… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 31

Written on January 31, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (21 minutes), or right click here, save and listen later. 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 And the soldiers wove a… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 30

Written on January 30, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (19 minutes), or right click here, save and listen later. 18:1 After Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples… Read More

Dangers of a Leader’s Echo Chamber, by Art Rainer

Written on January 29, 2018 at 2:54 pm, by

Echo chambers occur when a leader’s ideas are consistently applauded without question. Rarely are the leader’s ideas, decision-making, and actions challenged. And rarely are ideas brought to the table that… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 29

Written on January 29, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

The entire chapter is a prayer. This falls into three parts: Prayer for himself (vv.1-5). Prayer for his disciples (vv.6-19). Prayer for the world — future believers (vv.20-26). The order is crucial: Jesus’ training… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 28

Written on January 28, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Jesus has been preparing his apostles for the persecution to come (15:18 into chapter 16). Persecuting Christians will come to be seen as service to God (v.2). John’s gospel was… Read More

4 Major Reasons Churches Fail to Reach People

Written on January 27, 2018 at 2:30 pm, by

It’s no secret that I’m passionate about churches reaching their communities. After all, evangelism and outreach is at the heart of the gospel. So when I hear from pastors who… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 27

Written on January 27, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (18 minutes), or right click here, save and listen later. Chapter 15 tells us about our relationship to Jesus (vv.1-17), using three different… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 26

Written on January 26, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Having heard Jesus’ prediction of his betrayal, and death, the apostles are understandably anxious. That is why in 14:1 Jesus tries to calm them. We too may have our own reasons for… Read More

Now Available: The Master Plan Online Course with Robert Coleman

Written on January 25, 2018 at 9:54 pm, by

Robert Coleman’s book, The Master Plan of Evangelism, is the gold standard work on Jesus’ disciple making method. You can jump into the video recordings of this material through our online… Read More

Bolivia Makes Evangelism a Crime – Christianity Today

Written on January 25, 2018 at 6:02 pm, by

Evangelicals ‘deeply worried’ about socialist government’s changes to penal code. Read article here.

A Tour Through John, Lesson 25

Written on January 25, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Jesus speaks to the apostles in chapters 13-16, on the eve of his death. For an excellent study on John 13:31-17:26, read The Last Discourse, by James Greig. Even though he knows… Read More

Ten Bible Verses Prosperity Gospel Preachers Need to Stop Misusing

Written on January 24, 2018 at 10:26 pm, by

Can you believe your way to health and wealth? Prosperity teachers say yes — and they misuse these Bible verses to convince millions of people that they’re right. Read article… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 24

Written on January 24, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (19 minutes), or right click here, save and listen later. 27 Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say? Father, deliver me… Read More

A Conversation with Lee & Leslie Strobel

Written on January 23, 2018 at 10:25 pm, by

The Case for Christ author Lee Strobel and wife Leslie share how investigative reporting led to faith — and an intense desire to share it. Read the Christian Chronicle piece… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 23

Written on January 23, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

After the podcast on scripture memory, we now return to the gospel of John, chapter 12. Click on the arrow to play the podcast (12 minutes), or right click here… Read More

Is the end nigh for Palestinian Christians?

Written on January 22, 2018 at 10:27 pm, by

Bethlehem (CNN) A church service begins in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. Worshipers descend the stone stairs, worn smooth by millions of pilgrims over the centuries, down into the Grotto –… Read More

Mysterious Dead Sea Scroll deciphered in Israel

Written on January 22, 2018 at 10:20 pm, by

One of the last remaining obscure parts of the Dead Sea Scrolls has been deciphered by researchers in Israel. Read all about it here.

A Tour Through John, Lesson 22 (scriptures)

Written on January 22, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (11 minutes), or right click here, save and listen later. Scripture for memory (Prov 22:17-18 — see also 3:3; 7:3, on internalizing God’s word)… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 21

Written on January 21, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Today we come to the final chapter in John’s “Book of Signs.” And in chapter 10 we saw the 3rd and 4th of seven “I am” sayings (gate and Shepherd)…. Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 20

Written on January 20, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

In the previous chapter Jesus proved that he was truly the light of the world. Here we find the third and fourth I am statements: “I am the door” (vv.7,9)… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 19

Written on January 19, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

This entire chapter illustrates how Jesus is the light of the world (8:12; 9:5). Without him all are blind. Click on the arrow to play the podcast (21 minutes), or right… Read More

Q&A 1519 – Actual forgiveness in OT times?

Written on January 19, 2018 at 12:00 am, by

“On page 75 of your Exodus book you state, ‘Nowhere either does the Bible associate obedience and works with the old covenant, or faith and grace exclusively with the new… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 18

Written on January 18, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Last time (lesson 17) we stopped at John 8:11. The rest of chapter 8 reveals an escalation in tensions between Jesus and the Jewish leadership. The acrimony culminates in an… Read More

Become a Level 5 Disciple Maker

Written on January 17, 2018 at 11:28 am, by

Discipleship.org and Exponential pulled together top national disciple making leaders to map out five levels of disciple making.Our model shows people moving from conversion where a person starts as a… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 17

Written on January 17, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

The beginning section of today’s podcast (on John 7:53-8:11) some may find a bit academic, or even unsettling. Please bear with me; certain explanations need to be made. Soon we… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 16

Written on January 16, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (19 minutes), or right click here to download and listen later. 32 The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering such things about him, and the… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 15

Written on January 15, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Following Christ requires focus, commitment, discipline. And there are so many distractions. We need to put considerable effort into arranging our lives so that we can live as his disciples. After… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 14

Written on January 14, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (20 minutes), or right click here to download and listen later. 6:37 Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and… Read More

The Top Book Recommendations of 12 Disciple Making Leaders

Written on January 13, 2018 at 4:00 pm, by

Discipleship.org asked the leaders of 12 Disciple Making ministries that partner with us to share their top 2 book recommendations. We told everyone to assume the recommendations of two classics: The… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 13

Written on January 13, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (22 minutes), or right click here to download and listen later. 6:1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 12

Written on January 12, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Today we finish our study of John 5. Click on the arrow to play the podcast (20 minutes), or right click here to download and listen later. 19 Jesus said to them, “Very… Read More

Was Jesus Just a Great Teacher?

Written on January 11, 2018 at 11:53 pm, by

Greg Koukl unpacks why Jesus was more than just a morally good teacher. Watch the video (less than 4 minutes) here.

A Tour Through John, Lesson 11

Written on January 11, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Today we finish John 4 and begin John 5. Click on the arrow to play the podcast (25 minutes), or right click here to download and listen later. 43 When the two… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 10

Written on January 10, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

We continue to read the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman — a story that could easily be titled “The Stranger.” Click on the arrow to play the podcast… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 9

Written on January 9, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

The story of the Samaritan woman is well known. She is a stranger to Jesus, as he is to her. But his interaction speaks volumes about what it means to… Read More

Is Religious Belief Just a Brain Function?

Written on January 8, 2018 at 11:49 am, by

Religion, we are told, has a scientific explanation; so we have no need of the God hypothesis. But is that so? This article reviews the alleged evidence and then responds… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 8

Written on January 8, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (18 minutes), or right click here to save and listen later. 16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 7

Written on January 7, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

We come to the ever-popular John 3!  While most who profess Christ know only verse 16, the entire chapter is chock-full of incredible passages. For example, verse 16 requires faith… Read More

Atheism & the Burden of Proof, by Paul Copan

Written on January 6, 2018 at 11:22 pm, by

Atheism and the Burden of Proof In conversations with atheists, they may challenge us: “You’re claiming that God exists. Therefore, the burden of proof rests on you, not me. So… Read More

A Tour through John, Lesson 6

Written on January 6, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (20 minutes), or right click here to save and listen later. Recap of lesson 5 (Water to Wine) Time out for a wedding:… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 5

Written on January 5, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (24 minutes), or right click here to listen later. Introduction Jesus’ core group of disciples, his apostles, has grown. In chapter 2 he… Read More

Q&A 1518 – Did Pharaoh’s Firstborn Son Die in the 10th Plague?

Written on January 5, 2018 at 12:00 am, by

Exodus 12:29-30 says. “At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the… Read More

A Tour through John, lesson 4

Written on January 4, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Click on the arrow to play the podcast (20 minutes), or right click here to listen later. Last time we looked at the first two days; today we will read about… Read More

Watch These 10 Disciple Making Trends in 2018

Written on January 3, 2018 at 4:09 pm, by

A national disciple making movement in North America is starting to take off. Groups and networks are forming everywhere. Over 1400 pastors and leaders from around the country joined 17… Read More

Commencement Address to John Robert’s son’s ninth grade class

Written on January 3, 2018 at 4:01 pm, by

‘I wish you bad luck,” said the chief justice of the United States. He meant for those words, delivered last spring, to express encouragement and optimism. The year now ending… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 3

Written on January 3, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

Having set the stage with his prologue (vv.1-18), John the evangelist now begins the story proper. In this lesson (22 minutes), we cover John 1:19-34, which details the first two… Read More

A Tour Through John, Lesson 2

Written on January 2, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

In this lesson (20 minutes), we will finish our study of the prologue (1:1-18), which sets the stage for the entire gospel. Click on the arrow to play the podcast,… Read More

New Year’s Resolutions for Disciple Makers

Written on January 1, 2018 at 11:03 am, by

Like most people, I make New Year’s resolutions, but I have a unique focus with some of my goals. I want to want what God wants, and God wants more… Read More

A Tour through John, Lesson 1

Written on January 1, 2018 at 12:01 am, by

In this opening lesson (15 minutes), we will consider the nature of John’s gospel, and then probe the important prologue (1:1-18), which sets the stage for the entire gospel. Click… Read More

OT50-Hosea.mp3

Written on January 1, 2018 at 12:00 am, by

For O.T. Lesson 50, Hosea (26 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and… Read More