We Must Consider What Our Life Produces The word fruit appears nearly two hundred times throughout Scripture. Coupling the word fruit with the word bear, as in bear fruit, bears fruit, and bearing fruit occurs twenty-nine times, split between the Old and New Testaments. Jesus often talks about the fruit that people bear, with the […]
Consider Your Response to Receiving the Greatest Gift Anyone Could Ever Get Paul tells the church of Philippi to work out your salvation (Philippians 2:12). He doesn’t say to work for your salvation. They’ve already received eternal life as a free gift through God’s goodness (his grace), and there’s nothing they need to do to […]
Discussing Church 30 When Candy asked about the service time, the pastor confirmed what their website said: 10 a.m. When we arrive, they tell us to sit anywhere. After fifty agonizing minutes, they say, “Thanks for coming. The service will start in about ten minutes.” They used the old bait and switch tactic on us. […]
Discussing Church 29 As we pull into the church parking lot, we realize our daughter attended preschool here, many years ago. What we don’t know is that we will experience a laity led service. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #29: 1. We amble in and one woman approaches us and mutters to herself, […]
Discussing Church 28 We learn of this church when we spot their name in a local paper’s church directory. Still, we struggle to confirm their meeting time. We expect to experience a liturgical church service. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #28: 1. We walk inside and a lady shares some basic information about […]
Discussing Church 27 This charismatic church meets in an old, run-down building, originally built for shared-tenant use. It looks abandoned and forms our first impression. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #27: 1. With a half dozen equally accessible doors, we don’t know which one to use. Regular attendees know which entrance to head […]
Discussing Church 25 The website of this church shows captivating photos of their worship team, implying high energy and an edgy sound. Consider these four discussion questions for Church #25: 1. Everyone wears an adhesive nametag, and we make our own nametags. At some churches members wear permanent nametags and guests use temporary ones, which […]
Discussing Church 24 This church resulted when three dying congregations merged a quarter century ago, but with a worship team of teens brought in, today isn’t a normal gathering. I suspect it’s a more atypical church service. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #24: 1. Most of the congregation are senior citizens, with few […]
What Scripture Teaches About Meeting Together Is Far Different Than Our Sunday Services We talked about three options for a house church gathering: duplicate a typical service, participate online, or just hang out. Each of these three approaches have their strengths and weaknesses. However, in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives us some ideas […]
Discussing Church 21 Most of this church’s ministry happens on Saturday. The Sunday service is for those they meet during their Wednesday evening street ministry. Consider these four discussion questions about Church #21: 1. We turn to Hebrews 6, but as the pastor begins her message, the Holy Spirit sends her to Ephesians 4. We […]