Associations
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.
Prioritizing Holy Habits
Psalm 119:145-160 – To maintain awareness of God’s presence, we must prioritize holy habits to reinforce that reality. Know God better through consistent time committed to spiritual disciplines.
What If Groups Were Focused on Discipleship & Mission?
We want our people to grow in the gospel and go with the gospel. That’s why our groups are designed to facilitate both discipleship and missions.
Getting Over the Fear of Evangelism
Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a disciple quite like the expectation to share Christ with another person. We must learn to embrace our commitment to Jesus so much that it becomes an easy thing for us to talk about Jesus to others.
Godly Legacies Aren’t Left By Accident
If you want your children to grow up loving Jesus, are they seeing that authentic example in your home? Godly legacies aren’t left by accident; you must become intentional if your children have a chance to follow Jesus well.
Everyone Discipling Someone
Jesus did not reserve the Great Commission for those with special degress or extensive experiences. He plans to use ordinary people to fulfill the task of discipleship.
Disciples
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.
How to Get Your Eyes Off Your Circumstances
It’s not easy to endure challenges when they continue to increase. The only way to get your eyes off your circumstances is to refocus them on something greater.
Rejecting Teenage Apathy
Our culture doesn’t expect much from teenagers, but that doesn’t mean that Jesus feels the same way. Throughout the pages of Scripture and over the course of history, God has repeatedly used young people in incredible ways.
Cookie Cutter Discipleship Doesn’t Work
You are not in the same spiritual situation as anyone else in the world. While you have common characteristics with others, your unique scenario requires an individualized focus to make personal progress.
Waypoint (February 2024)
Waypoint helps us remember what God has done among our church family, and what we are looking forward to in the months to come. Check out the February 2024 edition of Waypoint here.
Rejecting Cultural Compromise
Psalm 119:113-128 – Our world is rampant with people who not only defy God’s Word but persecute anyone who seeks to do the opposite. We cannot compromise commandments to be accepted by our rebellious culture.
Why Is “LORD” All Caps in the Old Testament?
If you’ve ever read sections of the Old Testament, you might have realized that “LORD” is sometimes written with all capital letters. The translators are trying to indicate something essential to us within that distinguishing formatting.
Open Homes & Deep Relationships
We live in a society where we oftentimes revert to isolation rather than embracing community. Understanding that we are in need of deep relationships, we lack the prioritized time to see those connections thrive.
The Distinctive Discipleship Process
Distinctive Discipleship is a process – not a program. It’s a method to help you design a specific plan for Christian maturity in your life or in the life of someone you are discipling.
Ministry
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.
Seeking Lifelong Discipleship
Psalm 119:97-112 – Just because someone is seasoned does not mean they are scriptural. We need personal commitment and committed disciple-makers to follow God’s ways for the long haul.
On a First Name Basis with God
God is not a distant deity in the sky, unwilling to be known by His people. He provides us with His name, indicating the type of relationship He desires to have with us.
Something Worse Than Being Single
While the desire to find someone and eventually be married isn’t a wrong thing, you must be careful not to settle. Wait for the right person and the right time.
If You’ve Got Good Leaders in Your Church
While no human leader is perfect, we should consider ourselves blessed to have godly leaders charting our path. If a minister is following Christ, it shouldn’t be a struggle to follow the one at the front of the pack heading in a Godward direction.
Preparation
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.
Investigating Biblical Inerrancy
Psalm 119:81-96 – This culture seeks to lead us astray from God’s truth by planting doubt and distrust in our minds. The more we investigate Scripture, the more we find it trustworthy.
Some Days Are Just Hard
No matter how positive you try to be, some days are just more difficult than others. The work of Jesus should put our challenges in a healthy and needed perspective.
Jesus Will Make You Pick a Side
If you really follow Jesus, He will demand you to express clear allegiance. Your relationship with Him will also cause others to determine their interaction with you based on how connected you are to Him.
7 Years
It’s hard to believe that it’s been seven years of serving as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek. This church family has been a steady source of inspiration as we have sought to follow Jesus together.
Incarnation
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.
Interpreting God-Given Afflictions
Psalm 119:65-80 – You can only say that God does all things well if you can accept that He does rightfully bring discipline into our lives. God can even use afflictions for our instruction.
The Grandfather I Longed to See
When I was younger, I thought that this photo on my grandmother’s wall was a photo of my deceased grandfather. I later found out that he was a symbol of what so many were longing to see: an older, faithful disciple of Jesus finishing strong.
Healthy Friendships
Whoever is nearest to you will have the greatest influence upon you. There’s no way around it. Our relationships determine how well we can follow Jesus.
Recommended Books for 2024
Our church has a recommended book list for both men and women during this year. The list aligns with our sermon series and course offerings to help our people go deeper in discipleship.
The Four Gospels
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.
Befriending Faithful Companions
Psalm 119:49-64 – The company you keep will dramatically affect how well you follow biblical principles. Beware the wicked and befriend the wise.
How to Tell If a Church Member Needs Warning or Comfort
In this world full of hurting people, the church needs to be active in meeting their needs. We have multifaceted concerns, so we must intentionally help those struggling in unique ways.
Unity Is Possible Yet Unconventional
We all know that unity within a church or ministry organization is important, but how do you obtain it? It won’t be found in everyone trying to bend to one another.
4 Steps to Consistent Bible Study
Plenty of people struggle to keep a consistent Bible reading plan due to numerous distractions that consistently keep us from this necessary discipline. These four steps can help you stay faithful in a habit that can change your life for the better.
The Grand Narrative of Scripture
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.
Avoiding Disgraceful Endings
Psalm 119:33-48 – If you desire to finish strong at the end of your life, it is necessary to apply God’s Word now. To avoid a disgraceful ending, diligently learn and relentlessly stay on the scriptural paths.
Why It’s Important to Encourage Spiritual Leaders
There are days when your spiritual leaders could use some encouragement, yet most of them could probably use a lot. You may never know the difference that a small intentional dose may provide for someone else.
Why Some Christians Never Grow Up
When someone receives the gospel, that individual starts the journey of discipleship. We often classify such new believers as spiritual infants. But what happens if those young in their faith never grow past their initial faith commitment?
Why a Counseling Ministry Is Important
As we help others in discipleship, some situations require additional guidance. That’s why we are committed to assisting members who face life’s deep and difficult issues by providing onsite, Christ-centered counseling.