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If you are regular reader of the blog, on Fridays I have shared new books, favorite books, and most recently kid books.  Now, I am going to share discipleship resources that I would recommend each Friday. We, as pastors, have learned a great deal from DiscipleShift by Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington.  It has shaped a lot of our discussion about discipleship and even how we define a disciple.  We talk a lot about head, heart and hands and this concept was introduced to us in this book.  If you have struggled with the tension between evangelism and discipleship, this book is a great resource. Tomorrow I will share some quotes from the first few chapters of the book because we as pastors are going through the book again.

You can read my notes from all of the speakers in previous blog posts.  Today, I am sharing some of my favorites from different speakers: Don't assume God is not at work in certain people or certain places. Be looking or listening for how God is already working. (Deb Hirsch) When Jesus says one thing and we experience something else, it should lead us to ask why. (Lance Ford) Discipleship is moving from unbelief to belief in all of life. All sin comes from unbelief. 4 Truths about God: God is Great so you don't have to be in control. God is Glorious so you don't have to fear others. God is Good so you don't have to look elsewhere for your satisfaction. God is Gracious so you don't have to prove yourself to self, others or God. (Caesar Kalinowski) The church needs to have a big front door-new believers. The church needs to have a big back door-church planting. (Nicky Gumbel) Repentance means to believe the truth and live in light of that truth....

This is not just a theological concept. It is real. Disciple-Learner, Follower Larger framework of evangelism & discipleship is love.  Love's definition-John 4 & 5-Idea of knowing and flowing. Jesus engages in meaningful conversation with Samaritan woman.  Jesus knew her soul.      Flowing with the Father. Are we listening to Him?    When we think of massive numbers, we become confused. Multi-lights-Living temples in workplaces and neighborhoods. You don't have to be big to make impact! X-Factor-Holy Spirit-lean into Him to give us wisdom, power

On Thursday of last week, I continued reading Creature of the Word: The Jesus Centered Church by Chandler, Patterson and Geiger.  I think I will be recommending this book to many people in the future.  The chapters I read last week focused on service and multiplication.  Here are a few quotes for you today: "Guilt-driven serving is the antithesis of Jesus-driven serving. . ."  "Wise church leaders will preach the gospel and provide opportunities for people to serve in response." "Churches centered on Jesus constantly remind their people how Christ has served and continues to serve them. And this becomes the one, the only, the supreme impetus for serving others." "Our real lives are a daring connection point between God and men for the healing of broken lives and a broken culture." "Regardless of where we, or the people we serve, are in spiritual maturity, we are instruments in the hand of God to see all things reconciled to God ...

I have been a little behind in my reading of Prayer Coach by James Nicodem. We are using this book with our D6 Dads groups this year. Here are a few quotes that caught my attention today: "You don't have to save your praying for something really, really big." "What are you praying for these days, in vague generalities, that you need to express in more specific terms to God?" "We can-obviously, with God's help-put an end to fear and anxiety when they threaten us." "The second thing that praying does to my fears is take my focus off them and place it back on God." "We pray for open doors-opportunities to engage in spiritual discussions. We pray for open mouths-boldness to speak up about Christ when the time comes. And we pray for open hearts-responsiveness to the good news we share."

I am reading through Gospel Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson.  I am thoroughly enjoying the book as it resonates with many of my thoughts regarding evangelism, discipleship, and the gospel.  On Thursday, I read a great chapter on the Holy Spirit.  Here are a few quotes for you to ponder: "Fear of charismatic excess has driven many evangelicals to emphasize Jesus to the exclusion of the Spirit." "Evangelicals rarely emphasize the role of the Spirit in motivation for discipleship." "What is gospel holiness? In short, gospel holiness is obedience to Christ procured from belief in the gospel, not from one's moral effort. . . Morality is self-centered; gospel holiness is Christ centered. . . .Gospel holiness requires both truth and grace." "What if you began to expect unplanned change and interpreted it as an opportunity to rely on the Spirit?" "Yet, instead of failing at each temptation of food, faith, and fame, Jesus su...

Currently, I am serving on a committee at church called the Discipleship Ministries Committee.  It has replaced the Christian Education committee.  We have been discussing for a few months what we should focus on and what are responsibilities are.  One of the committee members sent us an email with a link to an article.  This article linked to a specific website called Gospel Centered Discipleship.  I went to the site and downloaded two free e-books.  I started reading one of those e-books on Thursday.  It is called Grow: Reproducing through Organic Discipleship by Winfield Bevins.  I have not finished the e-book, but was challenged by several through provoking quotes.  Here are a few quotes from the introduction and first two chapters: "In a similar way, a church's discipleship strategy must be structured enough to maintain order, but organic enough to change with the ongoing needs of the church as it grows or it will hinder its growth."...

Let me begin by saying that evangelism is not my spiritual gift. I know a dear friend who obviously has this gift. She shares Christ with people easily and without reservation. I am thankful for examples like her. However, even though, it is not my spiritual gift, I am still called to make disciples of all nations. So, know that as I write this I am writing it for myself as much as for you. We need to tell the world about Jesus (which could be overseas, but also more than likely across the street or in your workplace)! I also know that it is not just our words, but also our actions. Some people need to know they are loved before their hearts are opened to the gospel which is where acts of service come in. And even though I have them separate in the title of my post, I really believe they closely intertwined. Here are the lies we tell ourselves or Satan yells at us about evangelism/service: I wouldn't know what to say. Someone else will do it. They might ask me a question wh...

This question, was posted on the Hesston MB facebook page, so I thought I would answer it here. The number one reason I worship on Sunday but also throughout the week as well is because God is faithful, holy, just, awesome, and worthy of worship. When I show up on Sunday, it is not about the great music, great preaching, great people, but it is about an offering of praise to the Audience of One. It is all for and about God and my attitude should reflect that. But there are many other reasons as well. In Hebrews 10:25-26, we are told to "not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing" because we are to "encourage one another". When I show up I should be looking for ways to encourage others in the body and to allow them to encourage me as well. We should be strengthening each other's faith as we gather on Sunday. Similarly, my gifts are needed in the Body of Christ and if I am not using my gifts then the church is not ministering at 100%. ...

The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is "Prayer . . . America's Hope." The honorary chairperson this year is Beth Moore. I would like to share one of her quotes, " Every young person, male or female, no matter what your background, no matter how much experience you've had, you can be powerful in prayer. Lift up your voice. Simply voice the needs around you. What is it you see that we are desperate for as a nation? Cry out to God. Prayerless lives are powerless lives. But prayer-filled lives are powerful every single time there is intercession before the throne of God. You will never waste a moment you spend in prayer ." Here are a few Scriptures about prayer: 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 12:12; Psalm 50:15; James 5:16; Ezra 8:23; Isaiah 59:1 I firmly believe in the power of prayer. I have seen it in my own life as well as the lives of others. God hears our prayers and He has the power to do something about it. We know this as believe...