March 21, 2022
March 27 | Application
Romans 12:1 makes me ask myself, "Am I unreservedly devoted to the Lord? What does it cost me to follow Jesus? . . ."
Articles for tag: Serving Others
March 21, 2022
March 27 | Discovery
How does your choice—to conform or be transformed—affect how you follow Christ?
October 18, 2021
Oct. 24 | Discovery
In what ways is the New Covenant more personal, internal, and relational than the Old?
April 26, 2021
May 2 | Discovery
How do you see God's permissive will at work in this passage?
April 19, 2021
Apr 25 | Discovery
In Matthew 20:17-28, what types of attitudes do you see in the various apostles?
March 1, 2021
Aroma of Christ
Consider that Jesus' sacrifice was on a cross, which smelled like blood and grime and torture and the bile of humiliation. And yet it was fragrant to God.
January 11, 2021
Jan 17 | Discovery
Study Questions for Groups — In what ways are a person’s motives important to how they practice their faith?
September 22, 2020
5 Lessons from a Flea
By Megan Rawlings The Black Death was caused by bacterium and was initially spread by fleas. Starting in Asia (most likely), it spread to Eurasia and North Africa in the mid-1300s, and eventually the plague killed up to one-quarter of the world’s population in about four years. At least 100 million people died. And to think, it was spread by a pest barely visible to the eye. I will spare you the details, but the symptoms of this virus were devastating, and death usually occurred only weeks, sometimes days, after the first symptoms. It was not uncommon for the ill
May 25, 2020
Discovery Questions for May 31, 2020
(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 31, 2020: “The Look of Integrity” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. This past week, did you spend time with a friend, coworker, or family member who has been going through a dark time of suffering? If so, who, and how did that go? 2. What challenges did you face last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to read Job 27:1-6 one after the other (possibly from different Bible versions). Then ask
May 3, 2020
Application for May 10: It’s Never Quite Enough
(This “Application“ column goes with the Bible lesson for May 10, 2020: “His Treasured Possession.”) By David Faust At age 86, Jackie Long died from injuries sustained in a car accident—an abrupt end to a fruitful life. Jackie worked tirelessly on our church staff for four decades, and then after retiring in her sixties, she continued to serve cheerfully as a volunteer for another 20 years. She welcomed guests, cared for those in need, coordinated countless weddings and funerals, took meals to shut-ins, ministered with senior adults, and volunteered with benevolence agencies in our city. Hundreds gathered at the funeral
March 1, 2015
Five Phrases Every Leader Must Say More Often
By Michael C. Mack As a leader, your words, whether written or spoken, carry tremendous weight, says teaching pastor and author Eric Geiger. Here are five phrases you should make a point of saying on a regular basis: 1. “Thank you” (or “Good job” or “We could not do it without you” or “I”m so glad you are a part of this team!”). 2. “You make the decision.” Empower others, even when they might decide differently from you. 3. “How can I help you?” Look for ways you can help and serve your team members. The best way to do
August 9, 2013
Communion . . . and Service
By David Timms Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We typically use the word remember in a rather abstract way. Do you remember your first car? Your first boyfriend or girlfriend? Your first job? The birth of your first child? We recall an event and the warm emotions attached to it. Or perhaps we were forced to remember information for school. Remember the list of presidents? Remember those algebraic equations? Remember participles, passives, and prepositions? That kind of recall can raise our blood pressure and stress all over again. Let”s not dredge up those memories! But remember Jesus
Body Language
By Robert F. Hull Jr. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (1 Corinthians 10:16, 17).* In some traditions, the person who hands the worshippers the Communion bread says, “This is the body of Christ.” This body language naturally leads us to think about the body of Jesus given in death on the cross. But perhaps we should also think about what Jesus
April 26, 2013
How Do We Get Busy People to Show Up?
By Michael C. Mack QUESTION: How do you get busy people to show up at small group meetings? ANSWER: This is one of the most frequently asked questions I hear from small group leaders and ministers. People are busy, so what can leaders do to make their small groups a priority? Value What value does the meeting have for group members? “None of us has time for another meeting,” says Eric Bingaman, minister of discipleship at Batesville (Indiana) Christian Church. “However, I”ll make all the time in the world [for] a group of people who are helping me grow
October 1, 2012
One-Day Project or Sacrificial Service?
By Jennifer Johnson “The church has left the building!” “Don”t miss our great day of service!” “This Sunday we”re not going to church, we”re going to BE the church!” These churches mean well. They want to show God”s love to their communities in practical ways while making it easier for church members to practice serving others. And some, like the annual ServeFest coordinated by Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland, have grown into very effective partnerships with dozens of other area churches in a common cause. (Check it out at www.servefestmd.org.) But I often wonder about the recipients of these
February 21, 2012
‘Promise Island’ VBS Earns Top Honors
Standard Publishing again received top honors for best Vacation Bible School in the nation for its 2012 curriculum, “Adventures on Promise Island.” Lynda Freeman, editor of the popular blog “About the Children”s Department,” chose “Adventures” as her top pick. “This VBS has solid Bible content and a strong focus on living what you learn by serving others,” she writes. “Combine this with a fun island setting and great music from Yancy [and] you have a VBS which will impact and change lives!” “Adventures on Promise Island” uses the fun of surf, sand, and island adventure to introduce God”s lifesaving
January 2, 2012
The First Step Toward Unity
By Mark A. Taylor Christian unity, like so many other grand doctrines of the Bible, is something none of us would repudiate. Just as all of us are for love, joy, peace, patience, and self-control””just as all of us would lift up the ideas of mercy, grace, or forgiveness””all of us, if asked, would agree we”re for unity. But deciding to discuss unity is something else. When I talk about unity, my notions of it are challenged. I must sit across the table from a fellow believer who disagrees with me and yet acknowledge that I want unity with him.
February 14, 2011
Lesson for Feb. 20, 2011: Jesus Came to Serve (Mark 10:35-45)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for February 20) is written by Jonathan Feathers, senior minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Virginia. Jesus Came to Serve (Mark 10:35-45) By Jonathan Feathers (Note: The italicized words in this lesson may be used as discussion questions.) To serve or to be served? What is your response to this question? In our 21st-century American culture, we strive to make it to the top and to cross the finish line first. In today”s economy, we are prepared to push and shove to be the front-runner for the new
May 21, 2008
From Guilt to Joy
By Mark A. Taylor As I remember it, I spent most of my first full-time ministry feeling guilty. The issue was my time and what to do with it. When I was working for the church, I worried about how much time I was spending away from home. When I was home, I worried about all the church work I””or some church member””thought I should be doing. It was a lose-lose situation that I escaped with my move to the 9-to-5 world of the publishing house. But since then I”ve replaced my guilt about time with fretting about money. It
June 17, 2007
Needed
Moving a piano becomes a vivid picture of why believers need community. Chris Travis explains how God’s grace often reaches others through our gifts—and why a small group may need you more than you realize.
