Free Printable: Holy Spirit Worksheet

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March 11, 2020

Free Printable

Download and print this worksheet to help teach your kids about the Trinity, with this lesson focusing on God the Holy Spirit.

From Ministry to Children, “These are recommended for second grade and up. Each worksheet has two pages, which we recommend printing back to back. This could be used in Sunday School, during another children’s activity, or as a kids’ bulletin during adult church.”

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Resource provided by Ministry-to-children.com

Download Instructions: To download this resource, right-click on the link that says “Click here to download this free printable” and choose “Save As.”

App Updates Are Great – Unless You’re “Updating” God’s Word

By

Steven Sundermeier

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March 10, 2020

As the owner of Thirtyseven4, a leading provider of Windows, Mac and Android antivirus solutions, I have a yearning for “security” coursing through my veins. If you have no care or are complacent about the thought of making purposeful strides in improving your data security, this is troublesome to me. The attitude of “meh” when it comes to cautioning yourself about attachments and clicking on socially engineered links (in emails, social media sites, etc.) is unacceptable: and this blase’ attitude is exactly what cybercriminals are banking on. That’s why updates are important.

In fact, just last month, we alerted our users about fake scanned documents appearing in your inbox. The advisory was prompted due to the Necurs (malware) botnet. If you think that malware writers are gaining momentum and notoriety in their scripts and intentions—you are correct! Necurs is the world’s largest email spam botnet and those compromised systems just distributed 12.5 million emails with the Scarab ransomware. What location was its main target? The United States… 12.5 million fresh emails polluting our Inboxes (think about the shear volume of these ill-intentioned emails!), and yet most of us have no interest in proactively taking new steps in protecting our systems more thoroughly.

While I could continue to point to endless examples of security advisories associated with weak passwords and email/social media habits, I’d like to concentrate on our software updating behaviors. I’m first to admit, that despite my role and responsibilities in the antivirus industry, I get frustrated easily when it comes to updates (I’m human!). My family owns multiple desktop systems at home that continually request updates (and restarts) for Windows or Java or Adobe, etc. usually while the kids are busy completing school course work. And this may only happen to me, but it also seems like my smartphone is always wanting to update itself and update my installed apps at bad times. So that’s the good news and bad news: that these apps update on their own whether the time is favorable or unfavorable. However, my point is that applying updates are a critical part of safe computing, and if you’re doing it, I say keep up the GREAT WORK!

A Crazy, Apocalyptic Thought

I think we can agree, maintaining updates and patches are a good thing (I highly encourage you to continue this practice!), but I recently had a contradictory thought (realization?) pertaining to Updates. Could applying updates ever be a bad thing? Please hear me out.

In our couples’ Bible study, we are in a sermon series covering the book of Revelation (a book full of apocalyptic visions and filled with prophetic pronouncements). Anyhow, in one of our first Revelation discussions, we discussed (and were challenged by!) the dangers of compromise and complacency in our faith. One member opened up about his dependency on his Bible app, rather than opening a physical Bible. He was making a separate point, but one thing he mentioned caught my attention and my got my security feathers ruffled. He shared how his Bible app was updating itself daily. He sarcastically asked the group, “What are they updating about God’s Word?”

Hot on the trail to investigate more into the Bible app (and its updates!), I went to the Google Play Store and downloaded the latest version of the YouVersion Bible app. You probably have heard of it, as the YouVersion Bible app looks to be on more than 250 million devices around the world, making it the #1 rated Bible app. And according to its website, the YouVersion app offers over 1,400 Bible versions in over 1,000 languages. Once downloaded and installed, I too, noticed an unusual number of updates to its app. I tried searching through the app to find the possible update release notes but was unsuccessful (and to be honest I did not spend a considerable amount of time doing it) and have also reached out over email (to get information on the updates) to the supplied email address available on the Google Play Store website but at this time have not heard back. The frequent updates and their contents remain a mystery.

I am not in any way disparaging YouVersion, quite the opposite is true, I find it a great and very useful app. I am so glad that millions of people are downloading YouVersion and other Bible apps: it is an excellent way to have the Word of God in your hands wherever you go. I simply wanted to confirm/experience the updating process of the #1 rated Bible app.

Here was my crazy thought: How easy would it be to “rewrite” or “recode” a Bible app, as opposed to rewriting/replacing one of the 5 billion distributed physical Bibles, to release an update that automatically updates on 250 million devices at once slightly modifying the wording of the Bible, and thus the Word of God. Ponder that thought. How many of us would notice the slow fade of alterations? Scary.

This may seem cloudy, but to clarify, I am grateful for my Bible app, and very partial to it. I have been grown and stretched by God’s word through sermons on this app, and love being able to walk in the morning with a sermon in my ear. So, to be clear—I am not raising suspicion on Bible apps, but rather awareness that we need to be careful and not complacent with Biblical content. We need to know God’s word, so that if it is altered or changed, we would recognize that.

This article originally appeared here, and is used by the kind permission of the author.

Greg Laurie: Viral Fear Is Worse Than the Coronavirus

By

Jessica Lea

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March 10, 2020

In a recent sermon, Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship urged his congregation not to give way to fear about the coronavirus. Across the country, schools are closing, public events are being cancelled, and toilet paper is flying off the shelves, but Laurie reminded his church that, no matter what happens, God is in control.

“Everywhere you turn, people are talking about [the coronavirus],” said Laurie. “There’s a lot of panic. In some ways, I think the viral fear about it may be worse than the virus itself.”

Greg Laurie: God Is Bigger Than the Coronavirus

Even though the focus of his message was to encourage believers not to live in fear about the coronavirus, Greg Laurie didn’t downplay the importance of practical protective measures. People should take the basic steps of washing their hands, not touching their faces, and so on. “We want to take care of the practical,” said Laurie, “but then there’s the prayerful. We need to be praying about this. We need to pray for our church, we need to pray for our nation, that God would protect us. And the Lord can do that.”

Laurie also encouraged Christians to respond to the coronavirus with “proclamation,” meaning that because people are fearful, we have a unique chance to share the gospel. Said the pastor, “I think we should use it as an opportunity to talk to people about Jesus Christ because a lot of people are freaking out.”

Toilet paper does not offer special protection against the novel coronavirus. It’s not considered a staple of impending emergencies, like milk and bread.

So why are people buying up rolls more quickly than they can be restocked? Here’s what experts say: https://t.co/klP0iPvhXv

— CNN (@CNN) March 10, 2020

But as followers of Jesus, we do not need to be afraid. “Here’s the thing,” said Laurie, “The Bible tells us, ‘Don’t worry about it. Pray about it.’” He quoted Philippians 4:6-7, which says,

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

“Listen,” he said. “God is bigger than the coronavirus. Don’t be afraid.”

Laurie also pointed to the biblical account of Jesus miraculously walking on the water to meet his disciples, who were in a boat in the middle of a storm. The disciples were terrified, but Jesus told them not to be afraid. Laurie alluded to the fact that Peter was also able to supernaturally walk on the water toward Jesus, but started sinking when he got distracted by the storm around him. Said the pastor, “The key is you’ve got to keep your eyes on the Lord.”

Coronavirus Fears in the U.S.

In an article providing live updates about the coronavirus, the New York Times reports that there are currently over 740 known cases of the virus in the United States. This morning, Governor Jared Polis made Colorado at least the twelfth state to declare a state of emergency. This action gives him, among other abilities, the power to cancel public events, close public buildings, and quarantine individuals and property.

Francis Chan Shares Rare Story About His Mother and God’s Goodness

By

Megan Briggs

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March 10, 2020

Pastor and author Francis Chan has just moved to the Sham Shui Po neighborhood in Hong Kong with his family. The Crazy Love author announced last year that he and his family decided to become missionaries in Asia after taking a trip to Myanmar. Now, Chan is sharing something extraordinary God showed him as he was packing up belongings from his home in California.

Chan says he ran across a folder containing pictures of his birth mother while packing. The pictures show his mother nearly 70 years ago as she was living in Hong Kong. Chan’s mother, who died while giving birth to him, was a believer and was active in ministry work. Some of the pictures Chan came across included the location the picture was taken. Chan said they were taken in the same neighborhood he was considering moving into and doing ministry.

“It was confirmation of God’s goodness,” Chan said. The evangelist believes him finding the pictures was God’s grace telling him, “you’re on the right direction.”

The neighborhood Chan moved to with his family is called Sham Shui Po, located on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. He was originally drawn to the location because it is home to a lot of the Hong Kong’s poorest residents. He also has a couple friends who are already doing ministry there–one planting a church and the other working with the poor. One of these friends offered Chan some office space to use in the neighborhood, but Chan said he was still trying to discern God’s will on the matter when he ran across the pictures of his mother.

Chan speculates that God may be answering his mother’s prayers of wanting to make an impact on Sham Shui Po by sending her son there all these years later.

Francis Chan and Family Move to Hong Kong

In November, Chan announced he would be moving his family to Asia sometime in February 2020. Sharing his update with GodReports.com, Chan explained why he had made this decision:

About two months ago, I was walking through a slum in Southeast Asia. I went from hut to hut with a translator, sharing the gospel with people who had never heard about Jesus. The more I shared the gospel, the more alive I felt. It’s a completely different experience sharing with those who have never heard versus sharing with those who have already chosen to reject Jesus over and over. The more I shared my testimony coupled with the gospel message with these unreached people, the more I thought about how I wanted to do this with the remainder of my life. When I considered the need and opportunity, I knew I wanted to be based in Asia.

I also have an opportunity there to work with the ultra poor (living off less than 50 cents a day)—to bring relief, share the gospel, and plant churches among them. When I compare that opportunity to things I currently do in the States, the Kingdom profit seems much greater overseas at this point of my life. While I think I will occasionally minister in the US, I plan on being based in Asia for this next season of life.

It wasn’t just Chan who was eager to move. Apparently his whole family (including two married daughters and their husbands) felt the call to go, too. In fact, Chan says they felt that call nearly 10 years ago while they were visiting Hong Kong. At the time, they didn’t want to go back to the U.S., but Chan felt God had some work for him to do in the States before they could move to Asia:

As we were searching for an apartment and school in Hong Kong, I believe the Lord spoke to me. He made it clear that there were two things I had to do in the States before I could go anywhere else: He wanted me to display a different picture of Church and a different picture of marriage/family.

In my study of scripture, I saw a goal for Church and family that was radically different from what most American Christians envisioned and enjoyed. It has taken longer than I expected, but I believe I have completed the work I was supposed to do. Over the past 7 years, I have written two books—one about marriage and one about Church. More importantly, I have tried to live those messages out, giving those around me an example of what I wrote about.

The books that Chan refers to are Letters to the Church, which he published in 2018, and You and Me Forever, 2014.

Chan was born in 1967 and was raised mostly by relatives as he was growing up. After his mother died, he lived with his grandmother in Hong Kong until he was five. Then his father moved back to the U.S. and married Chan’s step-mother. Unfortunately, Chan’s step-mother died when he was nine and his father died three years later. Despite an incredibly difficult family situation marked by tragedy, Chan’s youth was filled with support from church family. He came to know God personally in junior high and high school.

Why Study Local Church History?

By

James Faris

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March 10, 2020

Russ Pulliam and I just completed co-teaching a class at church in which he recounted Jesus’ advance of his kingdom through the service of various Christians in their callings in Indiana history. I focused on local church history and associated Christian movements in our state and city.

The question, “Why study church history?” has been answered time and again and again. But why study local church history and Christian influence? The typical reasons given for the study of church history apply locally. Additionally, knowing the history of our “neighborhood” enables us, wherever we live, to know and serve both God and our neighbors better in our locale.

How does knowing local church history equip us to better serve our neighbors?

1. We better understand our congregation.

How did this particular church begin? What kinds of people have joined, and when? What events caused the congregation to grow/decline in various seasons of growth/decline? For example, the congregation I serve was started in 1963-64 through an effort of long-time Reformed Presbyterians in conjunction with a ministry effort of various campus-ministry groups focused on what was called The Indiana Vision. The Indiana Vision was a joint commitment to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to every student (sometime in his four years) at the state’s five major university campuses. Fifty-five years later, a number of members still trace their spiritual roots to Reformed Presbyterian migration and/or the fruit of The Indiana Vision. In each case, people were offered the gospel and a place to serve Jesus Christ with vision for what he would continue to do; with varying degrees of consciousness, they are still carrying that banner forward. When you ask people about themselves, and you’re ready to listen, they are usually happy to talk. When you know the right questions to ask about their past, you’ll hear some great stories about the grace and goodness of God that encourages your heart and theirs.

2. We better understand our immediate culture.

What people settled this community? What customs, expectations, strengths, and weaknesses did they bring? How have immigrants been treated through the years? What impact has that had on local churches? What has driven the economy and the culture? In our case, it’s important to understand how heavily Indiana was settled from the south and how Indianapolis has grown with migration from the rural areas to this central city in the state. Much of that southern migration came carrying the influence of the Cane Ridge revival of 1801. One must understand the timing of immigration waves from Germany, Southern and Eastern Europe, and more recently, Mexico, and parts of Africa and Asia. In Indiana, one must understand the influence of the KKK in its three forms through history. It also helps to understand the historic economic and educational poverty of the region. Knowing the influences of the Sunday School movement, and other critical educational, social or political movements aids our thinking further. When we understand the ways in which people have sought and are seeking meaning and purpose in life, we are enabled to know how to engage with people most profitably. Reading books about broad cultural influences can be helpful, but what about getting to know the influences in our own neighborhood?

3. We better understand other churches in our community.

What kinds of people formed them? What theological trajectories shaped them? What other movements influenced them? What colleges did they form, and why? In our context, one must appreciate revivalism, Methodism, the Restoration Movement, key denominational/congregational splits and mergers, the origins and emphases of various denominational colleges, various renewals in different movements, the rise of mega-churches, and the prevalence of specific preaching and worship styles. When we grasp something more of the culture in neighboring churches, we can better understand how the Lord has been at work. Then we understand more of people’s preferences, aversions, expectations, and emotional anchors.

4. We get to know our neighbors.

John Calvin opens his Institutes of the Christian Religion asserting that knowing God and self is central to the Christian life. We also need to know the other people around us. How do they think? What is their temperament? At a minimum, knowing the background of our neighbors helps us know what to expect in wedding and funeral customs. We learn to appreciate how the Lord has used other Christians in our community and become able to express gratitude appropriately. We may discern what obstacles stand in the way of some people embracing Christ. Whatever the detail, when we study church history at a local level, we are simply enabled to love people more fully because we can appreciate who they really are.

5. We must talk to our neighbors.

We face a crisis of loneliness and isolation in our communities today. Studying local church history requires face to face communication. You simply cannot understand local church history using the same methods used to study church history in general. You must go meet people. You must ask about their religious background, the origins of their churches, the influences in their lives, the structures and ideologies that have shaped them. The very act of exploring our local past will connect us in the present and for the future.

6. We are better equipped to participate in what the Lord is doing next.

Aside from the historical reality of God’s creative and saving works, our most important history is our future history. Understanding God’s work in our communities in the past is wonderful and necessary, but we cannot live there and we must not try to live there as some do. The present reign of Christ and his coming again govern our lives such that we must seek to serve him going forward. Why study local church history? So we can most effectively motivate ourselves and summon others to seek the Lord as we step into the future together prayerfully expecting that the Lord will cause his kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.

This article originally appeared here.

Free Easter Lesson: Washed Clean

By

Daniel So

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March 10, 2020

Free Easter Lesson

Use this illustration involving a simple chemical reaction to help engage your students in the Easter story.

From Grahame Knox, “What’s so special about Easter? Why did Jesus die on a cross? What does it mean? Was it a big mistake? Is it important? How does it affect me?”

This lesson includes:

Preparation list
Presentation notes
Discussion questions
Reflection ideas

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Resource provided by Grahame Knox

7 Reasons Why Churches Fail Special Needs Kids

By

Sam Luce

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March 10, 2020

One of the things that the kidmin community is lacking is a clear focus on special needs ministry. We have seen lots of traction when it comes to ministering to families, creating environments. One area that that is severely lacking is comprehensive ministry to special needs kids. You go to most churches in America, even megachurches, and there is little available for families with special needs kids. I am not here to point fingers at others, but at Redeemer we are starting down a path to create a world-class ministry to kids with special needs.

The kidmin community needs to have an open and honest conversation about special needs ministry. In my mind there are 7 main reasons why churches don’t engage families with special needs kids.

1. Ignorance

If you are anything like me, it’s daunting. You don’t know where to start. In this journey, we have found that churches, leaders, and families with special needs kids are ready and willing to help you along the path toward understanding and removing obstacles.

2. Fear

I think fear is connected to ignorance. If we are honest, I think we are afraid of what we don’t know. I know there has been and still is so much I don’t know, so I am afraid. What helps conquer that fear? Seeing the need and seeing God’s heart.

3. Lack of Vision

You have to see the need before you can meet it. As a leader, you have to help others see the need before they will move toward the solution.

4. Priorities

To have a world-class ministry to families of children with special needs, it needs to be a priority of not just the children’s department but of the whole church. You need to devote time, money and talent towards the ministry in a significant way.

5. Humility

You need to be humble enough to admit you don’t know everything and humble enough to seek help from professionals inside and outside the church.

6. It’s a Big Job.

The amount of work and dedication that goes into special needs ministry is intense, but the payoff is unbelievable.

7. We Don’t Think an Hour Will Make a Difference.

Special needs kids need many of the same things typical kids need. They need someone other than their parents speaking life into them, believing in them, and standing up for them.

FIRST STEPS IN STARTING A SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY

When it comes to starting a special needs ministry or anything in life that is worth doing, the hardest part is knowing where to start. The first thing that you have to do is deal with the ignorance factor. This is so huge because I believe ignorance is one of the biggest reasons churches don’t have a more comprehensive ministry to families with special needs kids.

How do we overcome ignorance?

Iranian Judge Upholds Pastor’s 5-Year Prison Sentence with No Trial

By

Jessica Lea

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March 9, 2020

On February 25, 2020, authorities upheld the five-year prison sentence of a pastor in Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, reportedly gave a judge authority to reject the pastor’s appeal without following proper court procedures.

“We urge the Government of Iran to end the harassment of the Christian community,” said Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), a human rights organization. Responding to the pastor’s arrest in February 2019, Thomas said, “The fact that Iran continues to commit flagrant human rights violations while simultaneously seeking improved relations with other countries should be a matter of utmost concern.”

Pastor in Iran Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Pastor Matthias Haghnejad is with the Church of Iran in Rasht, which is the capital city of Gilan Province in Iran. According to CSW, on the evening of February 10, 2019, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) came to the church and arrested Haghnejad after a service had finished. While there, the IRGC confiscated Bibles and cell phones, after which they went to Haghnejad’s house and took the pastor’s books and his wife’s phone.

According to the BBC, the IRGC is distinct from Iran’s regular armed forces. Since being established 40 years ago “to defend the country’s Islamic system,” the IRGC has “become a major military, political and economic force in Iran, with close ties to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and many other senior figures.”

Sources for CSW say that Haghnejad encouraged the congregation as he was being led away and seemed not to have been surprised at his arrest. This is not the first time the pastor in Iran has been detained by authorities. CSW reports,“Since 2006, Pastor Haghnejad has been arrested and tried on several occasions in the cities of Rasht, Shiraz and Karaj.” During one of those incidents in 2014, the pastor was charged with “Moharebeh,” or “enmity against God,” a crime for which people can be executed.

Eight other members of the Church of Iran were detained in early 2019 following the arrest of Pastor Haghnejad. The men were tried with the pastor and received the same sentence that he did.

Iranian authorities have been guilty of “numerous legal irregularities” throughout the past year, says CSW, noting that the presiding judge in the case, Mohammed Moghisheh, is “notorious for miscarriages of justice.” At a hearing at the end of July, Moghisheh tried to force five of the men (including Pastor Haghnejad) to replace their defense attorney, Moshgani Farahani, with a court-appointed lawyer. The other four defendants had chosen to represent themselves. At a hearing a few days later for those four men, the judge showed his prejudice by calling them “apostates” and saying that the Bible was false.

The nine Christians received their five-year prison sentences at a trial on September 23, 2019, during which Farahani was allowed to speak. However, one source said, “It seemed as if the judge had already made his decision and allowed this process as a formality before pronouncing a predetermined sentence.” The men were sentenced under charges of “endangering state security” and “promoting Zionism.” All nine appealed their sentences at the time and remained in custody.

Now Pastor’s Haghnejad’s sentence has been upheld without a hearing. Says Thomas, “We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process in Pastor Matthias Haghnejad’s case, and that of the eight other members of the Church of Iran, who have been sentenced alongside him. CSW believes that the charges against them are without basis and continues to call for their immediate and unconditional release.”

In addition to the troubling nature of this ongoing obstruction of justice, CSW says there are concerns that Iranian officials are not sufficiently protecting prisoners from the coronavirus.

Pray for All Believers, As Well As This Pastor in Iran

Christian persecution is severe in Iran, which ranks ninth on Open Doors’ most recent World Watch List. Iranian authorities oppress Christians for sharing their faith, producing Christian literature, and attending church services. In the summer of 2019, one bookseller was arrested for selling the Bible.

Because of this persecution, some Iranian Christians are fleeing the country and seeking asylum elsewhere. Another result of the oppression, however, is that the Iranian church is growing dramatically.

At a press conference for the 2020 World Watch List, Open Doors president and CEO David Curry said, “People are speaking out. They are crying out, and we have an obligation to hear them.” One of the ways all believers can respond to the suffering of our brothers and sisters across the world is by supporting them through prayer.

The World Watch List concludes, “Your prayers are such a source of strength and hope for Christians who live in places where it’s dangerous or hard to follow Jesus. As you walk through 2020, will you remember the countries on the World Watch List?”

Jim Bakker Ordered to Stop Peddling Coronavirus ‘Remedy’

By

Stephanie Martin

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March 9, 2020

As coronavirus fears escalate, authorities are sounding the alert about fake cures. On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has warned seven companies—including televangelist Jim Bakker—to stop selling unapproved treatments for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. New York’s attorney general also sent Bakker a cease-and-desist letter concerning the so-called Nano Silver Solution.

Health officials emphasize there’s currently no cure, treatment, or vaccine for COVID-19, which has killed 22 Americans and infected almost 600. Worldwide, the death toll is approaching 4,000.

Bakker Touts Nano Silver Solution

For more than a decade, Bakker’s TV show and website have promoted Nano Silver Solution, which comes in various forms and reportedly builds the immune system. On the February 12 episode of The Jim Bakker Show, guest Sherrill Sellman, introduced as a “board-certified integrative naturopath,” implied the product could effectively treat the current outbreak. “Let’s say it hasn’t been tested on this strain of the coronavirus,” she said, “but it’s been tested on other strains of the coronavirus, and it has been able to eliminate it within 12 hours.”

The show’s website also contains an article titled “Covid-19 Coronavirus, building immunity, staying healthy and the benefits of Silver Solution.” It includes quotes from Sellman about the importance of maintaining a strong immune system, plus references to “documented government studies that have been done on Silver Solution.” The article promises: “We will soon be providing a couple of these studies on our website.”

Although Bakker’s site touts the “natural, God-given actions” of silver, experts say it can make other medications less effective and can permanently turn skin gray or blue. The National Institutes of Health says silver not only is an unproven dietary supplement but “can be dangerous to your health.”

These Products Are a Threat, Officials Say

The FDA, which has given Bakker and the other companies two days to respond, calls “the sale and promotion of fraudulent COVID-19 products” a “threat to the public health.” In particular, it’s concerned that fake remedies may cause patients to stop or delay recommended treatment. The FDA is extra-aggressive about scams “during a significant public health issue,” says Commissioner Stephen Hahn.

Letitia James, the New York attorney general who sent Bakker a cease-and-desist letter, warns: “In addition to being mindful about our health, we must also beware of unscrupulous actors who attempt to take advantage of this fear and anxiety to scam or deceive consumers.” James’ office gave Bakker 10 days to comply with the order, which states: “Your show’s segment may mislead consumers as to the effectiveness of the Silver Solution product in protecting against the current outbreak.”

Lisa Landau, health-care-bureau chief for the New York AG’s office, says she’s “extremely concerned” about Sellman’s interview. She instructed Bakker that all Silver Solution ads must include the following disclaimer: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

Bakker, who served five years in jail for fraud, also sells end-times products such as emergency-meal survival kits. As the coronavirus spreads, survivalists and “preppers” say they feel vindicated for stockpiling necessities.

Price-gouging and shortages are being reported for face masks, cleaning products, and even toilet paper. Experts advise washing your hands often, not touching your face, and practicing “social distancing,” especially if you’re in a high-risk group for the coronavirus.

Christian Leader in Madhya Pradesh, India Run Over by Motorcycles, Sources Say

By

Morning Star News

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March 9, 2020

NEW DELHI (Morning Star News) – Violence against Christians in India hit a new level on Tuesday (March 3) when Hindu extremists ran their motorcycles over a key evangelical leader after beating him, sources said.

Armed with bamboo rods and a thick metal chain with a heavy lock on it, the 10 Hindu nationalists in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh state beat Isaac Paulose, 48, and then ran their five motorcycles over him, fracturing one of his ribs, said Uttar Kumar Deep, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church of CEA (Christian Evangelistic Assemblies), Sehore.

Paulose, an elder at the church and Madhya Pradesh coordinator of the New India Evangelistic Association, was attacked shortly after dropping his 5-year-old son off at school that morning, Pastor Deep said.

Paulose was in his car when a Hindu nationalist on a motorcycle stopped him and told him to get out, he said.

“Unaware of his intentions and without a slightest of suspicion, Isaac stepped out,” Pastor Deep said. “Suddenly others joined the biker, and all of them began to beat Isaac with bamboo logs and a chain.”

Paulose’s wife, Elizabeth Isaac, said he was stopped no more than 300 meters from their home.

“The moment he stepped out of his car, the others joined in, and they began to beat him,” Isaac said. “Accusing him of ‘converting people,’ they beat him with bamboo logs and a thick metal chain with a lock attached to its end. They scorned and ridiculed him, daring him to continue to convert people.”

Hindu extremists routinely attack Christians for “conversion,” though conversion is legal in India, and also routinely raise false accusations against them of illegal “forcible conversion.” They frequently make no distinction between the two.

The assailants threatened to kill the pastor before leaving, Pastor Deep said.

“When he lay on the ground half-dead, they drove their bikes, five in number, one after another over him, injuring him further and breaking his rib,” Pastor Deep told Morning Star News. “They scorned and taunted him, asking him to call on the name of Jesus. They also threatened to kill him if he continues to ‘convert’ people.”

Paulose also sustained injuries in his head and legs and hand, dislocating three fingers, sources said.

Acquisition vs. Retention

By

James Emery White

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March 9, 2020

In the business world, there is a clear understanding about the dynamic between acquisition vs. retention. Meaning the value of gaining new customers vs. keeping existing customers. Both, of course, are important.

What is clearly understood is that while it’s important to expand your customer base, it is imperative to keep your existing customers. Far too many businesses focus more energy on acquisition alone because…

… getting a new customer is harder than keeping a current one,

… getting a new customer is more expensive than keeping a current one,

… and getting a new customer to the “place” of a current customer takes time.

But keeping current customers and building loyalty is just as valuable.

Think about someone who buys a car. Smart car dealers know that this is not the end of the game, but the beginning. After the sale, there are oil changes and new tires, repairs and tune-ups.

Not to mention the buying, in the future, of new cars.

Keeping that customer is gold.

Churches need to learn from this. I know, the crass consumerism in which this has been laid out is distasteful and not fully applicable to the Christ life, much less Christian community.

But play with it for a minute.

I trust that no one who reads these blogs questions my maniacal focus on reaching the unchurched. But I hope I am also street-smart enough to know that keeping those we’ve reached is also important.

Very important.

Not in the sense of catering to felt-needs that detract from the mission, but in the sense of ensuring that they are receiving what they need in order to be on the front lines of the mission.

When you have reached someone, poured into them in terms of teaching and discipleship and mentoring, and they become servers and givers and inviters and leaders, they are your rock stars. They are the ones advancing the mission down the field. God honors their commitment and uses them in disproportionate ways.

And it often takes years to get them to that place.

A new acquisition is always celebrated—someone bursting forth from the waters of baptism is always the reward. But it takes an enormous amount of time and effort before they, in turn, contribute to someone else bursting from those same waters.

I’ve often said that evangelism and discipleship are not pitted against each other, nor do they offer competing missions. They are simply two sides of the same coin. But make no mistake—if you do not flip over the coin and ensure that you are as committed to retention as acquisition, you are biting the hand that feeds you.

Actually, no. That’s not worded quite right.

You are cutting off the hand that’s fueling your growth.

This article originally appeared here.

10 Things That Will Never Change in Children’s Ministry

By

Dale Hudson

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March 9, 2020

There are 10 things that will never change in children’s ministry. We talk about change all the time. And we know change is a must if you want to continue to be relevant with kids and families.

Music styles change. Games change. Teaching methods change. Theming decor changes. Colors we paint the walls with changes. Technology changes. Outreach methods change.

But today, let’s take a look at 10 things that will never change in children’s ministry. Things that will remain the same over the years and decades that are ahead of us.

The Gospel will never change in children’s ministry. The Gospel is at the center of everything we do in children’s ministry. Jesus died. Jesus was buried. Jesus rose from the dead. Even though it happened thousands of years ago, the power of the Gospel will never diminish. As leaders, we must make proclaiming the Gospel our top priority. And we can do so with the confidence that the power of the unchanging Gospel is still at work today.

2. Relationships will never change in children’s ministry. Relationships matter now. Relationships will matter in the future. Every child needs to be connected to a caring leader who personally knows him or her. A leaders who invests in the child, challenges him or her and listens to him or her.

It is through relationships that spiritual growth happens. It is through relationships that kids are made to feel important. It is through relationships that kids get connected to a local church.

3. God’s Word will never change in children’s ministry. The B-I-B-L-E. It is the inspired Word of God now and forever. It’s a love letter sent to children. It’s a manual for spiritual growth. Though people may try to discredit it, the Bible stands true forever. Man’s unbelief cannot change that. The Word of God will never change.

4. Volunteers will never change in children’s ministry. You need more volunteers now. And you will always need more volunteers. Children’s ministry is powered by the strength of volunteers. Especially if you are a growing ministry. Effective ministry happens through volunteers. If you need to know how to grow your volunteer team, then check out my book “The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams.” It’s available at this link.

5. Sin will never change in children’s ministry. Everyone has sinned. Everyone owes a penalty for their sin. Jesus died for our sins and paid for them on the cross. That will never change.

While some may say to stop calling certain behaviors “sin,” God hasn’t changed His mind about what sin is. We must continue to warn children of the pitfalls of sin. Even when it is not “politically” correct to do so.

6. The Fun Factor will never change in children’s ministry. Kids are wired to have fun. They are wired to laugh, run and play. And they hear the same question each week when mom or dad picks them up.

“Did you have fun today?”

The need for kids to have fun at church will not change. Even when you try to hush them for long periods of time.

And if you stop and think about it – the question “Did You Have Fun Today?” has a deeper meaning. Parents are seeking to find out if their child was engaged with the lesson? Did their child learn something new from God’s Word that they can apply to their life? Did they connect with a leader and other kids?

That question will always be asked. How kids respond is up to you.

7. Parental involvement will never change in children’s ministry. Parents will always be needed for effective ministry. Their involvement greatly influences the spiritual growth of their child. No matter how great the lesson is at church, the impact will be diminished if the child’s parents don’t talk about it during the week.

You will always need to encourage parents to be their child’s spiritual leader.

8. Prayer will never change in children’s ministry. Kids need to pray. Volunteers need to pray. Leaders need to pray. The power of prayer will always be effective. The “prayer of a righteous man (woman) ” is just as powerful as ever. Teach kids to pray. Pray FOR the children. Pray WITH the children.

9. God’s love will never change in children’s ministry. Nothing can ever change God’s love for the children in your ministry. His love never fails. Help kids understand just how much God loves them. Help them see His love for them is unending.

10. Leadership will never change in children’s ministry. Children’s ministries are led by leaders. Volunteers rally to strong leadership. The success of your ministry rises and falls on the strength of the volunteer team you build. Your leadership is needed now. Your leadership will be needed just as much in the future. Especially if you are reaching kids and their parents which is resulting in growth.

So, there you have it. 10 things that will never change in children’s ministry.

Your turn. What are some other things that will never change?

This article originally appeared here.

Polarization Is Always an Identity Issue

By

Mike Leake

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March 9, 2020

A couple years ago Scientific American published a study which found that “identifying as liberal or conservative was a stronger predictor of affective polarization than issue positions.” To put that in more understandable terms the study found that a person who identified as a conservative would have a stronger negative emotional response to someone who identified as a “pro-life liberal” than to a “pro-choice moderate.” The article concluded with this warning:

If Americans slide into seeing all policy debates as battles between Us vs. Them, we stop selecting policies based on their actual content. Ironically, this would lead to choosing policies that don’t match our personal values, because the content and evidence would become less important than the source. In short, seeing politics as a battle may worsen things for everyone. (Here)

Polarization in the SBC Denomination

What is true within American politics is also true within religious circles such as the SBC. We’ve broken up amongst various camps. The SBC has always been a “big tent” denomination with several differing beliefs partnering together for the sake of missions. But in our increasingly polarized society our predominant identities are now found within our splinter groups instead of the name outside the big tent. As such we’ve become Corinth. “I follow Tom, I follow Beth, I follow JD”.

We might say that our fractures are centered around issues, but it’d be interesting to do a study within the SBC similar to that done by Robert Talisse which finds that “Americans are less divided over the issues” but we “see ourselves as profoundly at odds.”

This means that when you see a Tweet from someone from the “other” party our first instinct is to suspect instead of engage the actual statement or argument being presented. When all is said in done we probably have more in common with the “other team” than we think we do. But our polarization causes us to maximize those difference.

This was the very thing which plagued the church at Corinth. We will always attach our identities to something or somebody. As those created in the image of God who are hard-wired for worship this will always be the case. We were made to have our identities attached to the Lord. But if our identity is not attached to Christ it will be attached to someone or something else.

In Corinth they had similar things with polarization. Who are you? I’m part of team Apollos. I’m the guy who speaks in tongues better than any of those other jokers. Oh, I’m not like those fools who can’t eat meat they got at the market, I understand the gospel. I’m a forgiving dude. I’ve arrived. I’m knocking this Christianity thing out of the park.

And what Paul does here in the very beginning is remind them of who they are in Christ and how empty all those other identities are. No matter what that self-focused identity is founded upon it will always hinder our ability to be kingdom-focused.

And this was precisely what was taking place at Corinth. When God used Team Apollos perhaps Team Cephas was getting upset about it. That promotion should have gone to them. I belong to Apollos…

But notice what Paul does at the very beginning of his letter to them. He reminds them who they are. Their identity is found in Christ not anywhere else. They were saying “I belong to Apollos, I belong to Cephas, I belong to Paul” and God is saying, “No, you belong to me.” Notice how verse 2 begins. “The church of God…” Not Apollos, not Paul, not Cephas, but God. It is God’s church. They belong to God– those who have settled in Corinth and have been rescued by Jesus.

So how does that change things?

If my identity is found in money then I’ve got to claw and scrape and do everything I can to be financially successful. Same with power. Same with parenting. Same with pastoring. None of those are big enough to hold the weight of our identities. They will all come crumbling down. So when I hear in the gospel that my identity is found in Christ that changes everything. I don’t have to make my life about these other things. I belong to God. And so does my neighbor.

“There is not one square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”

We rightly use that Abraham Kuyper quote to be involved in many different things—a host of missional enterprises—but perhaps we should extend it to our fellow humans. While I’m certainly involved and our unity and shared responsibility in Christ says something to a church which features dancing storm troopers, a faithful starting point is that such a church belongs* to God—even if they are fully apostate. It’s ultimately His to sort out. My higher calling is to be faithful with what God is calling me to do and be. (John 21:21)

Again this is what Paul is doing when he reminds them that they aren’t the only church. They are a church and not the church. Their identity is found in Christ just like all of the others who “in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. You don’t have to compete or compare yourself with other churches. That’s just silly. But you’ll do that if your identity isn’t found in Christ. You’ll compete instead of cooperate. You’ll start asking the wrong questions and make wrong comparisons. But Paul reminds the Corinthians that they aren’t alone in calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are in this with other believers from all around the globe. Their calling is to be the church at Corinth. To be obedient to God and do their thing that God has called them to do.

Polarization happens when we move away from our identity in Christ being primary. Such a move will always call me to put undue weight on the identity of something else. And it’ll impact the weight that I give to the words of others as well. It’ll shape the way that I view them. If we want to fix our squabbles and increasingly polarized tribes within the SBC (or within Christianity at large) it’ll do us well to begin with digging into what it means to be “in Christ”.

Notice that Paul never really settles whether team Apollos or any other team is the one who is theologically correct or the one who is knocking it out of the park. He changes the focus for every one of the groups. If Christ isn’t their identity then everything else (even correct theology) is going to miss the mark.

*When I’m using the term “belong” I mean in the creational sense and not necessarily in the relational sense. Though I’m not necessarily saying they don’t belong to the Lord in a relational sense. I’m simply not making that point.

This article about polarization originally appeared here.

5 Reasons You Should Preach Through 1 Thessalonians

By

Nick Gatzke

-

March 9, 2020

The book of 1 Thessalonians encourages believers in the ordinary occurrences of the Christian life. Paul’s letter recounts the work of God in how the gospel is received; as a result, it inspires the church to endure the trials of persecution, hope for the future, and pursue everyday faithfulness. These themes are most certainly applicable to churches today.

Here are five specific reasons you should preach through 1 Thessalonians.

1. It will prompt a correct understanding about how to decipher God’s will.

Some of the questions I’m most commonly asked as a pastor is “What does God want me to do?” and “What is God’s will for my life?” How we understand the relationship between the Bible, prayer, and the personal guidance of the Spirit is important to the Christian life. Where the Bible speaks clearly, we must exercise attentiveness.

Nowhere is Scripture clearer about God’s will for people than in 1 Thessalonians 4: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification” (4:3). The careful application of this truth is so important for Christians. Not only does this passage give clear teaching about growth in holiness and the shedding of sinful behavior, it also gives us a needed framework to think through our questions of guidance and the voice of God. If sanctification is the expressed will of God for us, then the primary framework by which we probe questions like “Which job should I take?” or “Which house should I buy?” becomes much clearer. As a result, Christians begin to experience both wonderful freedom and helpful boundaries of life under the banner of God’s expressed will.

2. It will remind you and your congregation of the proper motivation and disposition for gospel ministry.

Paul’s example gives gospel workers an approach to ministry while contrasting many of the common trappings ministers find themselves in. This disposition of a gospel worker can be described as:

Not pleasing ourselves through greed or glory, but desiring to please God (2:4–6)
Not demanding, but gentle and affectuously desirous (2:6–7)
Not lazy, but hard working (2:9–10)
Not founded on the word of Men, but the Word of God (2:13–14)

If we as pastors follow Paul’s footsteps, we’ll set the right expectations in the church and guard against many of the contemporary business models of what a pastor-leader should look like.

3. It will compel you toward others-centeredness.

One of the most powerful expressions in the book is found in 2:19: “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

This is a curious expression, but the more you think about the things of greatest value, it begins to makes sense. When Jesus comes back, all will recognize him in his pure, brilliant, loving, just, powerful majesty. We will do whatever we can to worship him. So Paul is thinking to himself, “How can we worship? What will be most valuable to him? What will give him the most glory? What will make him the most pleased?”

People.

Those created in the image of God. Those redeemed by the blood of the Savior. Those are most precious to him. This compels the Christian to invest themselves in others for the sake of worshipping Jesus.

When Paul says that these people are his “joy,” we’re convicted. We want to love people like this. But we’re also spurred on to invest in the spiritual growth of others. It’s truly one of the most exciting and joy-inducing dynamics of this life. We sense this when we lead someone to Christ. We experience this in an ongoing fashion when we disciple other people. A front row seat to the life-changing work of the Spirit brings great joy.

4. It will comfort the grieving.

Every culture seems to have a plethora of ideas about what happens when a person dies. Some don’t believe in life after death. Others believe in different versions of reincarnation. It seems that many today believe that a person goes to a “good place,” and then their spirit travels in and out of the physical realm to help the living.

In our mix-and-match culture, it’s not uncommon to hear hybrid theories as well. Confusion about what happens after death compounds and prolongs the grief of those who have lost loved ones. That is why Paul teaches Christians, “We do not want you to be uniformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope (4:13).” Therefore, we can “encourage each other with these words” (4:18).

The pain of grief can be profound. Thank God for clarity that helps the grieving Christian understand what happens next.

5. It will press upon us the reality of the Second Coming as a motivation for obedience.

It’s common for Christians to struggle with the motivation to remain faithful. The battle between the flesh and the spirit is real and the allure of the world leads us toward spiritual apathy. However, when we’re reminded of the imminent return of Jesus, we’re jolted out of apathy and prompted toward urgency. Nearly every chapter of 1 Thessalonians refers to the second coming of Jesus as a motivation for faithfulness.

First Thessalonians 5 provides an opportunity to attack our cultural anxieties about the end of the world coming through nuclear holocaust or climate change. It sets us at ease about the end while offering a clear warning for the non-Christian of the imminent, unexpected Day of the Lord. The encouragement for Christians is that we shouldn’t fear that Day because children of the light are to be “awake and sober” and therefore unsurprised.

CONCLUSION

First Thessalonians is immensely practical and wonderfully motivating. It paints the picture of the grandeur of God and the glory of the gospel. Your church will benefit greatly.

Commentaries

Gene Greene’s, The Letters to the Thessalonians (Pillar New Testament Commentary) provides a scholarly work with practical implications.
John Stott’s, The Message of Thessalonians (Bible Speaks Today) and Leon Morris’ 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Tyndale New Testament Commentary) are helpful preaching resources.
Charles Wanamaker’s, The Epistle to the Thessalonians (New International Greek Testament Commentary) is still the standard for a technical treatment of text.
Charles Spurgeon’s messages on 1 Thessalonians in The Treasury of the New Testament are, as always, encouraging and stimulating.

This article originally appeared here.

Is Your Church Website Ready For Easter?

By

Yvon Prehn

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March 8, 2020

With the importance of digital information to people today, it is incredibly important that your website is ready for Easter or any special event. Before visitors meet your welcoming people, have fun at children’s events, or hear your challenging sermon, chances are they will go to your website. In large measure, whether they visit your physical church or not, may in large measure depend on what they find on your site.

Unchurched people visit church websites for the same reason they visit the website of any secular company—they are checking you out. They see an advertisement (your Easter invitation) and then go to the website to find out the details: who you are, what you are selling, how easy is it to find out information and get answers, if you are worth a live visit.

Potential customers form an opinion about a company by their experience on the website. If a company has not updated its website in months, if links don’t work, if the website is filled with splashy images but little real information, if all the terms are insider jargon (whether it’s about a product or a church), if emails are not responded to quickly, a potential customer most like won’t care about learning any more about the company, let alone visiting.

Keep in mind that the visitor you sent an Easter mailing to doesn’t know how nice your people are or how powerful the preaching is, or how the music will inspire them until they come to your church. Your website is what often stands between your invitation and their response.

Here are 10 suggestions to make your website one that will result in a visit to your church

1. Answer the “what’s in it for me?” for your visitor

Sometimes it merely takes rewording to make the events you’re doing appeal to visitors. For example instead of an insider announcement such as “traditional Kid’s Kove Easter Morning” say sometime like: “Join us for our Giant Easter Egg Hunt, Muffins & Juice for All Children of our community! Parents are invited to free coffee and donuts while the kids have fun.”

Make it clear that your events aren’t just for members only and there is no obligation to attend.

2. Provide clear explanations of the simple details of what you do—especially for special events

Make the service times, parking directions, child care and programs all easy to find. This is especially important for an event like Easter where you may have totally different service times than your regular ones. If you aren’t clear and you don’t change your usual times on your website, it can be very confusing.

Answer the question of what to wear if it matters at your church or even if it’s like churches in Southern California, where anything other than a wet swim suit if pretty much OK. A bit dressed up or totally comfortable—let people know.

3. Provide updated and complete pictures and bios of your staff

People want to know who your leaders are: their background, education, why they do what they do. In an age when almost all business leaders have Facebook pages, blogs, Twitter & other social media accounts and almost everything else you can imagine for greatest exposure, for your church leaders to not have at least an updated photo and complete bio on your website does not communicate a positive image of your staff or church.

4. Link to staff blogs and social media accounts

Visitors today expect to get to know church leaders through social media. If the church leader is not able to do this for him or herself, as is often the case when the leader is a baby-boomer who went to seminary before the days of the personal computer, assign a “web buddy” to update or create this content. This is a wonderful expression of how we can serve and support one another in the church.

If you give out staff email addresses (and you should) be sure staff is committed to answering them. There is no shame in having someone answer your emails if you can’t do it and if it is clear who the message is from. It can be a disaster if you post an email address, people contact the church, and no one responds.

If your staff prefers to answer text messages, give contact information for that.

5. Be sure ALL ministries have descriptions and updated schedules

Without this very basic information, your church will not be taken seriously by visitors or seekers. Think about it: would you do business with a company that did not tell you when it was open; what products or services it offered or anything about the staff who can help in various areas? Ask yourself what you would want to know about a church and its programs and be sure you have complete information on the website. Children’s, men’s, women’s, singles, programs for teenagers and young adults, music, outreach, missions—if you church has it, explain it on the website.

6. Add life-skill how-tos to show you care about more than Sunday Morning

For children’s ministry, you could have practical parenting tips, a Q & A section hosted by your children’s pastor, fun-time suggestions or activities for parents and children. You can attach blogs from experts in the church on life-skill topics, finances, child-raising, marriage tips, budgeting help, link to other helpful sites, whatever you can think of to connect with people who are looking for the answers to life.

A fun way to do this for Easter is to have on your website a recipe for Resurrection Cookies, which is a fun way to teach children (and parents) about Easter. CLICK HERE to go to a free download of it.

7. Be sure to have a clear explanation of the Christian faith

It is astounding to me how few church websites have information on what it means to be a Christian, how one becomes a Christian, and links to either pages on the website or to other sites that answer questions about the Christian faith. Even less have a link either email or phone to contact for more information or questions. Check out your site—what do you have on it in these areas? If you are like most churches, you’ve got some homework to do. Your statement of faith doesn’t count—that is what you believe, and though it is important, it rarely invites someone else in. Take some time and create sections that clearly share your faith and invite others to join you.

For an e-book on gospel presentations, CLICK HERE. Though this primarily illustrates gospel presentations for church bulletins, you can use the same ideas for your website.

8. Answer the special questions Easter brings up

Have questions and answers about life after death, the resurrection, many of the questions about Jesus, why he had to go to the cross and what his death accomplished. You could have videos of your pastor answering these questions; you could have podcasts of Q & As; you could have annotated links to apologetic websites or to other videos that explain the Easter message.

In the midst of doing special things for Easter, don’t forget to be incredibly clear about your church traditions for Easter. Explain them, keeping in mind that many of the traditions that are treasured activities many mean nothing to a seeker. Be sure your guests know who the events are for, e.g. some events for children may have age limitations, some actions, such as churches who celebrate communion on Easter may only allow it for members. Nothing is worse than making a visitor feel like a total outsider.

9. Have a section titled “What we do when it isn’t Easter”

Invite people back for your regular service, at the regular times and to ongoing ministries. You might even put on your site a section about, “If you miss Easter—come next week!” Let people know what you do on a regular basis and let them know they are welcome.

It is a lot of work—but the hours you spend praying for wisdom that the Lord will give you eyes to see the needs of the people in your community and the many more hours you spend updating your site will be worth it when you meet those needs through your website and help people connect with your church and ultimately with Jesus.

10. Don’t be shy about presenting the spiritual benefits

You have the words of eternal life. Following is one message from a collection of materials you can use for your Easter outreach, website or invitations. CLICK HERE to go to the messages in the collection. You have permission to use these in any way you want without attribution or links or anything else distracting. On your website be clear that you are inviting them for an opportunity to explore the Christian faith. To do that, you can include something like this on your site:

Easter is about so much more than you can image

What do you think your life would be like if you believed in the Jesus?

Boring? Constricted? An endless series of don’t do this or that?

Intellectual suicide?

We don’t think so because. . . . .

Christians claim that Jesus conquered death.

If that’s true—imagine what it would mean to become a friend and follower of Jesus, someone, totally and eternally ALIVE?

Someone who spoke and the worlds, galaxies, stars and starfish, came into being?

Someone who, when he walked the earth, played with children, was a great party guest, healed sick people, loved enough to die for all of us.

Challenging, exciting, never-ending and never alone—more than you can ever imagine is the life you can discover this Easter, in Jesus.

Sometimes we forget how extraordinary it is to know Jesus. He is forever fascinating. We need to let our guests know we have much more for them than one wonderful Sunday of fun for kids and great music.

At Easter people will have a chance to learn more about Jesus. The Holy Spirit is out there convicting people of their need for Him, on your website, as you prepare for Easter, let them know answers can be found at your church.

Free Kids’ Lesson Package: “Candy Bar Lesson”

By

Daniel So

-

March 7, 2020

Free Kids’ Lesson Package

From CMD, “They say that “Snickers satisfies.” Kids will learn that we can be truly satisfied with Jesus. John 4:4-26, The Living Water.”

This kids lesson package includes:

Make It Stick! Parent Sheet
Memory Verse
Skit
Object Lesson or Kids Sermon
Large Group Lesson
Small Group Discussion
Large Group Game

Get Download Now

Resource provided by Children’s Ministry Deals

Download Instructions: Follow the on-screen directions at the download site.

‘My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?’ Didn’t Jesus Already Know?

By

John Piper

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March 7, 2020

Welcome back to the Ask Pastor John podcast with John Piper. Podcast listener Bridgette writes in to say: “Pastor John, I love the Lord deeply and my faith continues to grow, but I’ve always struggled with Matt 27.45–46″>Matthew 27:45–46. Why would Jesus call out to the Father ‘why have you forsaken me?’ when Jesus knew the answer? It was for this very reason Jesus came, to be forsaken on our behalf! Could you give insight into this, so that this hurdle in my faith can be removed?”

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Those terrifying words occur in two gospels—Matthew 27:46).

Now, one very important fact to remember is that these words are the exact first words of Psalm 22. And that is important because Jesus seems to have known that the whole psalm in some way or other was about him, because at least three other parts of this psalm are quoted in the story of his death. So you have got verses 1–2. This is what the psalm says: “Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.” “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

And in verse 7: “All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads”—and those are exact words. “They wag their heads,” quoted in Matthew 27:39: “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads” to show that this psalm is being played out in the death of Jesus. And in verse 16 of the psalm, “They have pierced my hands and feet.” And in verse 18, “They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”

So the words, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” are part of this psalm that contains, as it were, a script for Jesus’ last hours. Now, why did he say it? She wants to know why. Why did he say it? And here is a three-part answer.

First, this was a real forsakenness. That is why. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” means he really did. He really did. He is bearing our sin. He bore our judgment. The judgment was to have God the Father pour out his wrath on us, and instead, he pours it out on him—and that necessarily involves a kind of abandonment. That is what wrath means. He gave him up to suffer the weight of all the sins of all of his people and the judgment for those sins. And we cannot begin to fathom all that this would mean between the Father and the Son. To be forsaken by God is the cry of the damned, and he was damned for us. So he used these words because there was a real forsakenness. That is the first reason.

The Royal Royal: "Praise Him"

By

Toni Ridgaway

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March 7, 2020

http://youtu.be/9KIaDL5yFss

Don’t Get Distracted from the Mission

By

Toni Ridgaway

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March 7, 2020

Hillsong’s Carl Lentz on Being a ‘Gay Welcoming’ Church

By

Brian Orme

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March 7, 2020

carl lentz hillsong gay welcoming — Template:Obtained from Hillsong Church, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons; Adobestock #162680629

What posture should the church take when it comes to LGBT visitors and seekers?

Hillsong Church’s Carl Lentz believes we should be ‘gay welcoming’ without compromising our convictions, according to a recent interview with Jonathan Merritt for Religion News Service. Lentz says, “Our beliefs on biblical marriage and sexual morality have never changed at Hillsong church. Yet we stay open and desperate in our pursuit of the whosoevers.” Read more here.

Hillsong’s grace-centered approach has many detractors, but it’s hard to deny the fact that their unique ‘welcoming’ culture is bringing more and more people to faith in Christ.

“What concerns me is that it seems like more people are concerned about our ‘method,’ despite the fact it’s working, than they are the young gay teens that are killing themselves, and the LGBT community at large that has found zero refuge in our ‘churches,'” Lentz says.

And this is the kicker. While we clamor to make a stand against the evils of homosexuality, real human beings in the LGBT community are dying without hope. Why? Because they see the church as the enemy–not a refuge.

Andy Stanley, the pastor of North Point Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, said something just as bold about welcoming LGBT teens during a talk at Catalyst West–pointing out that our churches should be the “safest place on the planet for students to talk about anything, including same-sex attraction.”

Stanley went on to drive the point home even more, “We just need to decide from now on in our churches when a Middle School kid comes out to his small group leader or a high school young lady comes out to her parents… we just need to decide, regardless of what you think about this topic — no more students are going to feel like they have to leave the local church because they’re same-sex attracted or because they’re gay. That ends with us.”

Some leaders have voiced concern about the inclusive perspective Carl Lentz and Andy Stanley suggest–that it ignores the need to be set apart, but it’s an important issue to discuss together–and it’s a critical discussion every leader should have with their staff.

So should your church become ‘gay welcoming’ without being ‘gay affirming,’ and if so, what does it look like in everyday practice?

Share your thoughts in the comment section below, but please keep it civil. Make sure your response is thoughtful and adds to the value of the conversation–no matter what side you take.

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How does knowing local church history equip us to better serve our neighbors?

1. We better understand our congregation.

2. We better understand our immediate culture.

3. We better understand other churches in our community.

4. We get to know our neighbors.

5. We must talk to our neighbors.

6. We are better equipped to participate in what the Lord is doing next.

Free Easter Lesson

The kidmin community needs to have an open and honest conversation about special needs ministry. In my mind there are 7 main reasons why churches don’t engage families with special needs kids.

1. Ignorance

2. Fear

3. Lack of Vision

4. Priorities

5. Humility

6. It’s a Big Job.

7. We Don’t Think an Hour Will Make a Difference.

FIRST STEPS IN STARTING A SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY

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But today, let’s take a look at 10 things that will never change in children’s ministry. Things that will remain the same over the years and decades that are ahead of us.

Polarization in the SBC Denomination

Here are five specific reasons you should preach through 1 Thessalonians.

1. It will prompt a correct understanding about how to decipher God’s will.

2. It will remind you and your congregation of the proper motivation and disposition for gospel ministry.

3. It will compel you toward others-centeredness.

4. It will comfort the grieving.

5. It will press upon us the reality of the Second Coming as a motivation for obedience.

Here are 10 suggestions to make your website one that will result in a visit to your church

1. Answer the “what’s in it for me?” for your visitor

2. Provide clear explanations of the simple details of what you do—especially for special events

3. Provide updated and complete pictures and bios of your staff

4. Link to staff blogs and social media accounts

5. Be sure ALL ministries have descriptions and updated schedules

6. Add life-skill how-tos to show you care about more than Sunday Morning

7. Be sure to have a clear explanation of the Christian faith

8. Answer the special questions Easter brings up

9. Have a section titled “What we do when it isn’t Easter”

10. Don’t be shy about presenting the spiritual benefits

Easter is about so much more than you can image

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