June 5, 2023
No More Dead Ends
Jesus shows us how to exit from all the side streets and get us home where we belong. . . .
Articles for tag: Follow Me
August 30, 2021
Sept. 5 | Application
Many wanted to know, “Jesus, who do you think you are?” However, he turned the question around and asked, “Who do you say I am?” Some compared him to prophets like Elijah or Jeremiah, but Peter gave the most logical answer . . .
August 17, 2020
Faith Follows (Aug. 23 Lesson Application)
By David Faust Judge Deborah gave General Barak a tall order. It would take considerable amounts of faith and courage for him to lead 10,000 soldiers and face a formidable enemy at Mount Tabor. But Deborah declared, “Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” (Judges 4:14). In today’s troubled times, Deborah’s question can help us climb our mountains and face our battles, too. “Hasn’t the Lord gone ahead of you?” Yes, he has. He is ahead of us in time, for he knows the future. He is ahead of us in wisdom, for his ways are higher than our
April 9, 2018
Lesson for April 15, 2018: Follow Me (John 21:15-25)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 4 (weeks 13–16; April 1–22, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “To follow Christ is to obey Christ.” The apostles had the privilege of literally “coming after” Jesus. For them, following Jesus meant geography, physicality, and proximity. But after Jesus’ resurrection their following of him became more like ours. Obedience outstripped physical presence. The lesson text today picks up
February 14, 2010
NACC: The Rock & The Rabbi
By Phyllis Fox So, you want to hear about the Rabbi. Good. You”ll get your chance at the Thursday-evening session of the North American Christian Convention. I should warn you, though, it”s challenging to find the right words that will take you BEYOND your imaginations and BEYOND your previous theater experiences, because The Rock & The Rabbi is so much more. Beyond the synagogues and shorelines, beyond the church walls and workplaces””the Rabbi says, “Follow Me. I”ll make you fishers of men.” It all begins with a name-changing encounter and a miraculous catch of fish for Peter, the Rock, when
December 21, 2008
Questioning Worship
By Tom Lawson For many, worship is all about answers. Big answers. Little answers. Even ordinary answers. “Where can I find meaning for my life?” “Where can I find a place to belong and be loved?” “Where can I go when I”m broken and empty and alone?” For many, worship is all about answers. Children like answers. “What is that?” “Are we there yet?” “Is it gonna hurt?” Sometimes college students like answers. “Listen, I understand the three views you presented in class, but which one is the right one? Which one will be on the test? Which one am
July 20, 2008
Changing the Way We Do Church
By Darrel Rowland About a year ago the founder of one of the most influential churches in modern American history confessed a need for repentance. But Bill Hybels wasn”t adding his name to the list of those succumbing to moral failures. Instead, he admitted that despite Willow Creek Community Church”s worldwide influence and 21,000 weekly attendees spread across four campuses, the church had failed. How so? By not equipping its members to become mature Christians. STALLED OR DISSATISFIED Using techniques borrowed from sophisticated consumer studies, Willow”s leaders discovered they were doing well meeting the needs of those exploring Christianity and
February 4, 2007
No More Christians! (An Excerpt from The Big Idea)
By Dave Ferguson, Jon Ferguson, and Eric Bramlett If you”ve been calling yourself a Christian, you should stop. If you have ever encouraged someone to become a Christian, you should never do that again. Seriously, I hope you will never again ask a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor to become a Christian. Why? Because the last thing the mission of Jesus Christ needs is more Christians. Here is the brutal fact: 85 percent of the people in the United States call themselves Christians. Now, let”s pause long enough to realize that”s a whole lot of people””247 million people, to
December 17, 2006
Questioning Worship
By Tom Lawson For many, worship is all about answers. Big answers. Little answers. Even ordinary answers. “Where can I find meaning for my life?” “Where can I find a place to belong and be loved?” “Where can I go when I”m broken and empty and alone?” For many, worship is all about answers. Children like answers. “What is that?” “Are we there yet?” “Is it gonna hurt?” Sometimes college students like answers. “Listen, I understand the three views you presented in class, but which one is the right one? Which one will be on the test? Which one am
