April 15, 2024
April 21 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Love” (1 Corinthians 13:1-13), by Mark Scott.
Church & Ministry
Church & Ministry equips leaders and everyday believers to build healthy, gospel-centered congregations. Explore biblically grounded articles on church leadership, preaching and teaching, eldership, staff and volunteer development, discipleship systems, small groups, church planting, church growth, and ministry strategy. You’ll also find practical guidance for navigating transitions, cultivating congregational health, and serving your community with wisdom and compassion. Whether you’re a pastor, elder, ministry staff member, volunteer leader, or church member who wants to help your church thrive, this hub brings together resources to strengthen the local church and advance Christ’s mission.
April 8, 2024
April 14 Study | Spiritual Gifts
Every Christian has received grace (charis) and therefore has been given gifts (or charisma) from the Holy Spirit to be used in ministry in the body of Christ. . . .
April 8, 2024
April 14 Application | ‘Don’t Cell Out’
"Do you realize that you own factories, warehouses, transport systems, and power plants?" David Faust writes. "It’s true! In fact, although you probably haven’t given them a single thought before today, you would literally die without these valuable possessions. . . ."
April 8, 2024
April 14 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Spiritual Gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 27-31), by Mark Scott.
April 1, 2024
April 7 Study | God’s Wisdom
There is a mind-boggling profundity in the message of the cross. What seems to be a picture of weakness actually is the only true power to get us home to God. . . .
April 1, 2024
April 7 Application | ‘Swim Upstream’
Peer pressure isn’t new. First-century believers swam against the current of competing worldviews. The apostle Paul summarized two of them by saying . . .
April 1, 2024
April 7 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “God's Wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:18—2:7), by Mark Scott.
The Best Sermon I Never Heard
"Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?" Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. "If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . ."
March 25, 2024
March 31 Lesson | Edification
What constitutes success in the church? The number of seats occupied on Sunday mornings? The number of baptisms per year? . . . For the apostle Paul, one litmus test for church success surely was edification.
March 25, 2024
March 31 Application | ‘Hidden Gems’
An inquisitive fellow e-mailed me some probing Bible questions. Fittingly, the doubter’s name was Thomas. I couldn’t tell whether he was sincere or just wanted to argue. I wrote back, “Would you like to meet in person to discuss your questions?” . . .
March 25, 2024
March 31 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, "Edification" (1 Corinthians 12:12-26; 14:1-12), by Mark Scott.
March 18, 2024
March 24 Lesson | Communion
A secular proverb says, “When all else fails, read the directions.” The Corinthian church had trouble following directions . . .
March 18, 2024
March 24 Application | ‘Communion: More Than a Routine’
Throughout history, Christ’s followers have placed high value on the Lord’s Supper. Whatever else takes place in our weekly worship gatherings, the bread and the cup focus attention on the central facts of our faith: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. . . .
March 18, 2024
March 24 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, "Communion" (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), by Mark Scott.
March 18, 2024
How to Tell Your Church Is ‘Tanking’—and What to Do
How do elders or pastors know their churches are sliding toward closure? Christian Standard posed that question to Stan Granberg, vice chairman of Heritage 21, which specializes in helping noninstrumental Churches of Christ that are facing closure. . . .
March 11, 2024
March 17 Lesson | Selfless Liberty
Simon Sinek emphasized that “Great leaders sacrifice their own comfort—even their own survival—for the good of those in their care.” The apostle Paul could have written that line. . . .
March 11, 2024
March 17 Application | ‘Eye Contact’
It’s creepy if a stranger looks directly at your face. In some situations, though, the best way to communicate is eyeball to eyeball. . . .
March 11, 2024
March 17 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, "Selfless Liberty" (1 Corinthians 8:9-13; 9:19-23; 10:23-33), by Mark Scott.
March 4, 2024
March 10 Lesson | Servant Leadership
The divisions in the church at Corinth were mostly caused by pride, which ran counter to servant leadership. . . .
March 4, 2024
March 10 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, "Servant Leadership" (1 Corinthians 3:5-15; 4:1-5), by Mark Scott.
