Saul’s conversion dramatically changed the missional focus of the early Church and Christianity as a whole. During that time, the gospel opened the door to both Jews and Gentiles, and the Jerusalem Council ensured it would stay that way.
The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples on Pentecost, but they required persecution to move them out of Jerusalem. God uses varied catalysts to send His people out on mission.
Without the empty tomb, the Christian faith is an empty religion devoid of any hope. Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave and commissioned us clearly to the world.Â
While Jesus’ death seemed like a shocking defeat to his followers, the crucifixion of Christ was God’s plan all along. By studying the context of the event, we can understand what Jesus truly accomplished.Â
Jesus’ ministry centered around his association with two critical groups: sinners and self-righteous. To understand these complex dynamics reveals the nature of Jesus’ approach.
When you look at this unique group of disciples that Jesus chose, there isn’t anything special about them. Jesus invested three years into these men so they would be mature disciples.
Jesus’ ministry only lasted three years, but the effect of it has completely changed history. In studying the critical components of his ministry, we can better ascertain the purpose for which he came.Â
We know little about his life between the birth of Jesus and the beginning of his ministry. The gospel authors reported very sparse details, but what we do know provides excellent insight into his preparation for the ministry.Â
The Son of God came in the flesh to fulfill God’s plan of salvation. The birth of Jesus was not an afterthought but an intentional plan from the beginning.
The four Gospels are books about Jesus but not by Jesus. These accounts show a full picture of Jesus’ message and ministry, delivered to four specific audiences.
Truth has a story, and the Bible puts the entire narrative together. While many people know isolated events and popular phrases from within the pages of the Scriptures, it is important to understand the big picture of what God is doing.
Nine authors wrote the twenty-seven books that comprise the New Testament. Within a few decades, they complied and spread the message of Jesus and the ministry of the early church.
The New Testament highlights the message and ministry of Jesus Christ. Understanding the purpose and position of the section within the Bible helps us know how to apply it better to our lives.
When encountering other religions or cults, it can be difficult to share Christ with people of religious backgrounds effectively. It is important to understand shared language and differing beliefs.Â
If you want to break the weekly cycle of aimlessly planning worship services, you can plan with a purpose. Considering your church and team, you can learn how to improve your ability to design intentional worship gatherings.
Every worship team is under spiritual attack, and they must decide if they want to put up a fight. Discover what takes down many teams, and do what you can to reverse the trends.
After we have put our faith in Jesus, we can often be led to question our salvation due to our circumstances. When we put our faith in Jesus, His work has saved us once and for all.Â
Once someone has received the gospel, our job is incomplete. Jesus has called us to baptize those individuals and disciple them into mature faith.
As we share our faith, we will encounter common pushback. We need to understand these obstacles in order to help people move past them.Â
Even when we understand the message of the Gospel and the method we would like to share, we can struggle to learn the best way to begin a conversation. Crossing the bridge into a spiritual conversation can be difficult but is much needed.Â
The Gospel is not just for those of a certain age. Jesus himself teaches that we should invite children to believe in Him. Ultimately, Evangelism begins in the home.Â
We can only know which method of sharing the gospel is most comfortable to us by practice and repetition. Once we have a preferred method, we can start to learn the best way to call for a response.Â
There are many methods to share the gospel, and there is no one surefire way. It is best to find some options that you feel comfortable using and get started by telling the greatest news to your closest relationships.
There is no one method for sharing the Good News of Jesus. The best practice is the one that makes us feel the most comfortable.Â
Prayer ought to be a vital component to anyone’s evangelism efforts. We don’t desire to trust in our abilities but seek to align, through prayer, with the One who cares for others more than we do.
As Christians, we are called to evangelism. But why should we be motivated to do so? The more we understand Christ’s love for us, the more we will want to share it with others.Â
The task of evangelism is an expectation of all followers of Jesus, but few of us feel comfortable in undertaking it. We must understand the foundation of evangelism if we are to prioritize it in our lives.
Jesus single-handedly altered the course of history and is the most influential person who ever lived. As a homeless teacher, His ministry emerged from obscurity to a worldwide impact based on uncommon humility and power.
Leaders will experience no shortage of conflicts when they try to make a difference. It’s not a matter of if crises will come but how we will respond when we encounter them.Â
Ambitious yet isolated individuals will not advance Kingdom work. Jesus’ plan to reach the world hinges on our ability to pass lessons and provide opportunities to those behind us.Â
We can easily miss leadership opportunities due to perceived inabilities. We must maintain that conviction that God will give us what we need to accomplish what He has called us to do.
A position may grant you the right to give orders, but a true leader is one who diligently works alongside others. Your example lived in front of others will be the most remarkable leadership lesson you could ever teach.Â
The dismal state of the world can cause a leader to question if positive change is even possible. We must lead with integrity and intentionality no matter how dark this culture becomes.
Failures will either sideline us from future usefulness or motivate us for current development. We will make mistakes, but we don’t have to let them define us.
The world characterizes leaders as those who have achieved so much that others serve them; the Word surprisingly teaches that the best leaders are the humblest of servants. Humility distinguishes authentic leadership.
We desire to be more than a mission-minded church; we want to be a mission-guided church. If we are not careful, we will miss opportunities for missional endeavors because of dangerous distractions.Â
As we undertake the Great Commission, we will share the gospel with people firmly convinced of another religion’s claims. Discover the differences between the major world religions and how the Word interacts with them.Â
We often strategize ways to impact international fields with the gospel, but Western culture is also in great need. Understanding this mission field is necessary as we seek to engage the people around us.Â
Many ministry leaders know how to operate intentionally on Sundays but fail to capture the rest of the week’s potential. Be the most effective and efficient version of yourself for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
Throughout the years, Christianity has struggled to maintain the proper balance of sharing both the gospel and compassion. As followers of Jesus, we are called to display His kindness in both word and deed.