July 1, 2024
A Financial Deep Dive
In 2023, 57 percent of churches reported that giving exceeded their budget, with 21 percent saying giving met their budgeted needs. . . .
Articles for tag: Matthew 6
February 20, 2023
February 26 | Discovery
Questions for group discussion for use with this week's lesson from Nehemiah 10:28-39, "Courage to Restore."
January 17, 2021
Jan 24 | Singular Servants
In this latter half of Matthew 6, Jesus employed at least 18 different metaphors or images to drive home his point. He spoke of treasures, moths, vermin, and thieves. He spoke of eyes, light, darkness, masters, money . . .
January 11, 2021
Jan 17 | Reverse Rewards
The practice of faith is always public and private. If the practice of faith is only public, then it is hypocritical. If the practice of faith is only private, then we miss the community aspect of it.
January 11, 2021
Jan 17 | For Mine Is the Kingdom?
Often I find myself trying to run my own little kingdom—the “kingdom of Dave.” I know that sounds ridiculous, but it won’t sound any better if you substitute your own name in the phrase.
May 31, 2016
June Ministry Ideas
By Michael C. Mack Father”™s Day is Sunday, June 19: Leverage this special day to resource dads for their ministries to their families. Or announce the start of a new ministry with dads in mind. One such ministry resource is Manhood Journey (see article in this section). Summer Solstice is Monday, June 20: This is the first day of summer. (Interesting fact: on this day the sun does not set at the North Pole.) Plan outdoor serving activities in your community to celebrate the beginning of summer and take full advantage of the longest day of the year. Forgiveness Day is Sunday,
April 1, 2015
Advice for Emerging Leaders
In a recent address, leadership expert and author Jim Collins provided advice to young, aspiring leaders to help them become great leaders. It”s interesting to see how this secular business leader”s advice lines up with God”s wisdom. 1. Build a personal board of directors selected for their character, not their accomplishments (see Proverbs 15:22). 2. Turn off your electronic gadgets. Effective people take time to think. Begin the discipline of putting white space into your calendar. Like Jesus, make time for solitude (Luke 5:16). 3. Work on your three intersecting circles, what Collins calls the “Hedgehog Concept”: (1) what you
January 26, 2015
Lesson for February 1, 2015: Feasting and Fasting (Daniel 1; Matthew 6; 9:9-17)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 25 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone “The Book of Daniel has attracted more interest than any book of the Old Testament,” declared Dr. James. E. Smith. “Because he was willing at all times to stand up for what he believed, Daniel is a true hero of the Faith.” In today”s lesson the role of one”s dietary choices focuses on two perspectives””feasting and fasting. The first text describes
January 19, 2015
Carpet Splitting
By Brian Jennings As a young man still in Bible college, Chuck Thomas was invited to preach at First Christian Church in Gotebo, Oklahoma. The church was searching for a new preacher. Chuck accepted, and drove to the small town the following Sunday. Chuck noticed the church (both the building and the people) seemed split down the middle. Both sides had their own Communion table, and their own elders, who separately prayed and served their half of the congregation. This strange division bewildered Chuck and his wife, Anita. A friendly family invited them over for Sunday lunch. After eating, Chuck
January 5, 2014
The Kingdom of Anxiety or the Kingdom of God?
By Ryan Connor Instead of satisfying us, the things we buy can leave us simply frustrated or even afraid. A Christian”s first weapon against consumerism is deciding which master he or she will serve. Are you worried about your life? We Americans are an anxious people. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports anxiety disorders to be the most common mental illness in the United States. From a biblical worldview, anxiety disorders are ultimately a result of the curse God placed upon all of
November 21, 2011
Lesson for Nov. 27, 2011: Facing Life Without Worry (Matthew 6:19-34)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 27) is written by Phil Roberts, who serves with Hill-N-Dale Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. ____________ Facing Life Without Worry (Matthew 6:19-34) By Phil Roberts (Note to teachers: The italicized sections are questions designed to help involve your students in the learning process.) My wife and I are parents of a second grader and a set of triplets (technically, three surviving quadruplets). The triplets are approaching their sixth birthday and recently entered a whole new world called kindergarten. They come home daily from their full-day school with stories and
November 14, 2011
Lesson for Nov. 20, 2011: Praying Sincerely (Matthew 6:1-18)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 20) is written by Jim Littlejohn, pastoral care minister at Connection Pointe Christian Church in Brownsburg, Indiana. ____________ Praying Sincerely (Matthew 6:1-18) By Jim Littlejohn There seems to be a growing number of books about who we are when no one is looking. Our true character jumps up when our guard is let down. Even though we need accountability, the other side of the coin can be just as ugly. How are other people””people we may trust””when we are not looking? For example, ask that question of investors who
