New Believer Mentoring

Have you ever mentored a new believer? If not, plan to do so in the near future! It is one of the most exciting and inspiring assignments you will ever accept as a Christian. Here are some basic, fundamental steps a person might take during the first year as he/she mentors a…

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How to Finish Well, Part 2

One of these days, all of us who are Christians, will be welcomed home to Heaven. Our race will be complete. I imagine that God will pull out all the stops. No earthly event, regardless how spectacular, will compare to that moment when we first see Jesus! All that will…

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How to Finish Well, Part 1

Every racing fan knows that yesterday was the 50th running of the Daytona 500. Although I did not get to see the race live, I watched the race in its entirety on my DVR last night. Wow! What a spectacular pre-race extravaganza. The France family (owners of NASCAR) pulled out…

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Spiritual Gravity

I grew up on a variety of two-wheeled, speed-producing machines. Bicycles, homemade minibikes, and Honda motorcycles of all sizes and shapes. We had Trail 70s, TL-125s, CR-250s, 650s, 750s, and Gold Wings. We even had a couple of pieced-together Harleys along the way. Recently, I owned the Yamaha 1600cc Roadstar…

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Sermon: Created to Become Like Christ

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Col. 2:6-7 (NIV) As believers, our ultimate goal is to become like Christ. He is the bullseye.…

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Read the Bible

What is the most important spiritual discipline? What is the one thing that is paramount when it comes to maturing as a follower of Christ? I believe the Bible is the key. As a follower of Christ, I have discovered that my intimacy with Christ rises and falls in connection…

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Teacher or Disciple Maker?

Is a person who teaches a Bible study class on Sunday morning a Sunday School Teacher or a Disciple Maker? I believe they are both! I commend men and women who faithfully teach the Bible every week in our churches. After preparation during the busy week, they share information from…

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Lawless on Discipleship

Dr. Chuck Lawless, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth as well as Director of Professional Doctoral Studies is a person I highly respect. He is thorough, consistent, relevant, and approachable. I have been privileged to have him speak in one of the churches where…

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Discipleship Evangelist

As a young pastor, I read several books that impacted my life and gave focus to my ministry. One particular book that impacted me the most was The Disciple-Making Pastor by Bill Hull. In his book, Hull challenges and encourages the pastor to adopt disciple making as his primary assignment…

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The Importance of a Membership Class

I cannot overemphasize the importance of starting a good membership class. A membership class can be a place where relationships are developed, doctrine is taught, vision is shared, expectations are expounded, and the Gospel is presented. A membership class can play a key role in both assimilation and discipleship. On his…

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