Do you ever feel like some people are in a different spiritual category than you? As you witness their spiritual health and spiritual growth, you become mesmerized when you look at them and defeated when you look at yourself.
You might have a million reasons to why God shouldn’t use you, but He is not frightened by your insecurities or inabilities. Jesus is calling you to follow Him simply because He wants you.
Are you exasperated by the lack of growth in your life? In the lives of others? Maybe it’s not a content issue. Maybe it’s that they need a shepherd. We all need someone watching out for our soul conditions.
Our cravings often direct our lives. Whatever we want most of all, whatever we think about most often, and whatever creates in us the deepest hunger will be the central directive in our lives. Have you ever considered how deep your hunger is for spiritual matters?
As Jesus began the most quoted sermon in history, he explained what the blessed or happy life looks like. Living according to the principles of the kingdom is a pivotal yet promising paradigm shift.
Many people claim to follow Christ, but they are actually only associating with the crowd. Discipleship is different. Following Jesus means you forsake the conveniences of this fleeting world to obtain the joys of this Kingdom’s lifestyle.
Have you ever felt like you are stuck in a rut? It just feels like the same thing day after day. When you read the pages of Scripture, their stories may seem very different than yours. Or are they?
I have struggled with feelings of inadequacy like you. If I would have waited till I felt ready before I engaged in ministry, I would have never taken one single opportunity. What are you waiting for?
Whether you are starting a group or continuing a group, we often need to be reminded of tangible goals so that we won’t get stagnate.
Jesus taught the importance of hearing and obeying God’s Word in a story he taught about two builders. The difference may seem subtle at first, but the outcome is dramatically polarizing from each other.
Many people walk away from the faith not because they aren’t close enough to God but because they are too close to people who neglect God without having the support of those who follow after him. The people closest people to you must be closest to God.
Since your child is unique, there is a unique approach to parenting them. Acknowledging how God has shaped them, we are called to affirm who they are but also to work on who they could become.
As our world tries to discover the rhythms of the new normal, whatever that is, you have a summer ahead of you. Regardless of your stage in life, you will probably have more margin than you typically have. What do you want to do with it? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in making the most of your summer.
Every parent is teaching every child something. But is it really what you want him or her to learn? I often hear parents comment on how they struggle to teach their children anything. That is simply untrue. We teach our children something every single day. The greatest pursuit of our lives comes through our speech, actions, and reactions. Every parent …
You want your family to follow Jesus. I’m right there with you. But each person has unique challenges to getting an adequate view. As you think about your family today, what greatest hindrances block their connection to Jesus? Doubt – Maybe your family member has intellectual blockades that oppose the idea that God is with him or her. Guilt – …
Christian maturity is a matter of progression instead of perfection. As we follow Jesus, we gradually grow closer to Him in our personal discipleship. None of us are so spiritually mature that we can afford to coast the rest of the way. Philippians 3:12-16 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it …
When it comes to the work of our salvation and sanctification, who is ultimately responsible? Scripture indicates that God works hard through our hard work. How spiritually healthy would your family be if the church doors had to close? The mature Christian must show diligence in personal responsibility and dependence on God’s activity. Philippians 2:12-13 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have …
Life as we know it as changed just a wee bit. With the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives are being changed. If you aren’t quarantined, you are at least limited. So, what should you do when your schedule has changed and the world is in fear? It’s time to go the 2nd mile in quarantined discipleship.
I had the wonderful privilege of preaching at Edwards Road Baptist Church’s DNOW 2020. The theme was “Set Apart.” Here are the notes from our sessions together. Session 1 – Set Apart 1 Peter 1:13-16 If God has provided necessary holiness, we should pursue practical holiness (1:13). One sign that we belong to Jesus is if we are fighting against …
God began a good work in you, and He never leaves anything unfinished. While you are not there yet, He will gradually help you make progress. Philippians 1:1-11 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. …
If every Christian is in a unique place surrounded by specific challenges, why do we think that a broad approach will work for every single one of us? In this 11-chapter book, you can learn the biblical framework for discipleship and a practical guide to getting started with your own growth or in helping to disciple another. Like me, you …
The Great Commission calls us to make disciples – not converts. As he ascended into the skies, Jesus clarified our purpose of discipleship when he delivered the Great Commission. The job is incomplete when someone comes to faith in Christ. Discipleship – and not conversion – is the goal. Evangelism is necessary, but it is not ultimate.
Most Christians can easily communicate the importance of making disciples, but few can articulate how they are personally engaging in the process. Proclaiming the need for discipleship in theory is not the same as prioritizing its implementation in life. Most churches and ministries are very busy with numerous activities, yet many regularly lament the lack of tangible success despite extensive …
For all the sermons you have heard, for all the studies you have completed, for all the events you have attended, for all the books you have read, and for all the lessons you have learned, you are desperately in need of someone a little ahead of you to show you the way. The missing component in most of our …
Each of us must count the cost to follow Jesus. We need more than motivation to begin; we need preparation to endure. If not careful, we will start with high aspirations yet fail to follow through due to a lack of planning. Listen to the podcast below or subscribe to your favorite podcast app here.
It’s an easy target these days to criticize how pastors and churches in the past never discipled anyone. If we spent half the time that we have spent criticizing how others haven’t discipled people and instead invested that time to actually disciple others, we would start fixing our problem. The desperate need for discipleship seems to be a cyclical point …
There is a sin or a few sins that easily entangle you. While we all can struggle with every possible sin imaginable, there are certain sins with which we regularly drift. In order for you to make progress in your discipleship, you need to narrow down the list to the sin which is critical for you to address right now. …
You don’t have to follow Jesus; you get to follow Jesus. The moment that you can see your walk as an opportunity rather than an obligation is the moment when your growth will progress exponentially. If you have felt like you are following Jesus out of duty, it’s time to go the 2nd mile in rediscovering delight in our discipleship. …
While there are many examples of how Jesus trained his disciples, we are limited in our level of knowledge. With them spending three years with him, they experienced countless lessons and experiences of which we are unfortunately unaware. Jesus did so much in his life that the world is unable to contain all the volumes that they could have written …
We talk about discipleship in churches a lot, but are we really doing it? Jesus’s words are straightforward – make disciples of all nations. Before we attempt to make a bunch of disciples, maybe we just need to learn how to make one. It’s time to go the second mile in developing a discipleship plan. Listen to the podcast below …
For the last few decades, we have expected church programs to do what God has called parents to do. We have effectively dropped our children off at church and expected them to be Jesus-loving, Bible-obeying, manner-displaying kids by the time we pick them up. If we want children like that, we will need to be parents who prioritize family discipleship …
We all want change, but few of us were willing to do the work with one another to see that change happen. Discipleship happens within the context of intentional relationships. If you have gotten tired of spiritual stagnation, it’s time to go the 2nd mile with your small group. 6 Helpful Tips Listen to podcast below or subscribe to your …
A Gospel Group connects disciples together who are committed to growing in the gospel and going with the gospel. Psalm 1 Acts 17:10-12 If we aren’t careful, certain practices or allowances can take place to run the dynamics of a group. Here are 6 group killers: Subjective Content If the Bible isn’t your textbook, you might find temporary encouragement but …
As a church grows larger, how do you avoid getting lost in the crowd? Our relationships in the church will only grow according to how intentional we are. Current Trend The larger a church becomes, the easier it is to remain anonymous. People expect to make instant relationships with a church without the patient intentionality that is necessary. Discipleship doesn’t …
As we registered our sons to play Upward Basketball at our church, there was one question lingering at the end of the form. The question read: “Would you be willing to coach your child’s team?” It should have included a checkbox for, “Do you want to be a glutton for punishment?” I realized that I had yet to coach my …
What a privilege to serve New Prospect Baptist Church in Inman, SC at their Gospel-Centered Parenting Event. Here are the notes for the 3 sessions on parenting with purpose. #1. Faith of a Child [Deut. 6:4-9] – How do you create your home to be an environment to help nurture the faith of your children? In this session, learn practical …
Recently, someone asked me a question regarding family discipleship and my wife responded for me, “How much time do you have?” I’m very passionate about the subject. It’s been a burden for our home and ministry. The topic was the focus of my doctorate. Since I talk about it a lot, I often get asked what Bibles or books do …
As believers, we should be in a state of spiritual growth, but too often, we seem to be stuck in the same place. If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith. In this episode of The 2nd Mile Podcast, we discuss the importance of selecting that next spiritual discipline to make intentional …
I have started a podcast in 2019 entitled The 2nd Mile. While our church has a podcast that archives weekly sermons, I wanted a platform to equip others in their pursuit of Christ. I have grown so much from listening to podcasts, and I want to take advantage of this platform and opportunity to speak some specific truth into willing …
LifeWay Research conducted a national survey of 1,200 adults with children under 18 at home. They attempted to discover what parents defined as “successful parenting.” Their findings were interesting yet not shocking. 25% of those interviewed would view their jobs as parents as successful if their children were happy as adults. 22% were hoping their children would find success in …
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