God must be at the center of family ministry to ensure that the ministry will be a blessing for everyone in the church.

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Where does the saying “Be in the world but not of it” come from, and what does it mean?   This familiar expression is derived from Jesus’ prayer for His disciples in John 17: “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world . . . They are not of […]

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Discipleship is one of the most important aspects of the faith, though many parts of Christianity today don’t seem to practice it. Many things might stand in for discipleship: reading a book about a Christian subject, for example, or listening to sermons and going to church each week. However, though beneficial, these and similar activities […]

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The best strategy for growing people spiritually is to first grow ourselves. In so doing we model the change we wish to see in them.

The post What it takes to Grow People Spiritually: Reflecting on Dallas Willard’s not so surprising strategy appeared first on Bible Advocate.

The great commission is to make disciples, not converts, and so our evangelistic methods should be in keeping with our goal.

The post Evangelism and Discipleship: Jesus is Not A Used Car appeared first on Bible Advocate.

You may be wondering which Mary this article is focusing on. You have probably noticed that there are many Marys in the New Testament. At the cross, we are told that “many women” followed Jesus (Matthew 27:55), but of those named, Mary is the most common. John indicates the popularity of the name when his […]

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Christian women serve in leadership roles because of their calling, leading with their gifts, and through their roles as wives and mothers.

The post What does scripture say about women leading in the church? appeared first on Bible Advocate.

When done right, church administration is essential for accomplishing the heart of any effective church ministry—equipping discipleship.

The post 5 REASONS THE CHURCH NEEDS ADMINISTRATION appeared first on Bible Advocate.

The story is told of a busy father who wanted to occupy his toddler so the boy wouldn’t distract him. The father tore a world map into several pieces and sent the little boy to his room to put it back together, instructing him not to return until the job was done. Surprised by his […]

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A mother teaches her toddler to share her toys with her brother, who is one year younger. A father instructs his seven-year-old son about trust and mistrust before he goes to school. Teaching and sharing are a natural part of our daily lives. They should also be a natural part of our daily witness. For […]

The post Like the Master appeared first on Bible Advocate.

Chalkboards, classrooms, and open books dominate web search results for teaching-related imagery. When we include the word Christian, then pulpits, pews, and Bibles join the mix. Because we are heirs of the Enlightenment and citizens of the Information Age, our concept of discipleship and teaching is often conflated with the notion of sharing information. We […]

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Is it possible to experience a church environment with singing, reading Scripture, preaching, and celebrating every Sabbath, without fully experiencing the lordship of Jesus Christ? “Really?” you say. “How could you not know the Lord Jesus?” Jesus on the sidelines isn’t so far-fetched! Did you know that happened in the first century? The church community […]

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