Making of Disciples

Lunch Reading: May 25 - 31, 2014

There are some really exciting things going on in the Church.  On the ground, I recently met an amazing group of church planters in my local community.  I found myself drawn to their mission of building churches from the ground up in various college towns.  They talked about spreading the gospel, building a community and exemplifying Christian love.  I would later find out this all comes at a time when existing churches are struggling to keep their doors open and serve our changing communities.  Very interesting...

Coincidentally (I think not!), I also had the awesome opportunity to help launch a few Bible studies and review recent releases by B&H Publishing.  Two titles I previously reviewed have similar themes on the importance of returning to fundamental principles of the faith.  #RecoveringRedemption provides a roadmap to personal change by focusing on the gospel.  Autopsy of a Deceased Church gives practical advice on maintaining healthy churches by remembering the Great Commission.  Another new title, #ThePeopleofGod: Empowering the Church to Make Disciples, ties it all together by describing the process of taking the gospel-saturated Christian in a healthy church and making them a disciple. 

Am I the only one who's spine tingles when I think about all of these pieces moving together?  This is no coincidence that there is a building movement of missionary church planters while respected church leaders are providing roadmaps on how to rebuild our ailing communities.  It's time for revival folks! 

More to come for sure on #ThePeopleofGod after this week's lunchtime reading! 

In My Spare Time
 
#ChildrenoftheDay - This is a amazing study on 1 and 2 Thessalonians.  Beth Moore really goes deep in this one.  Paul's letters are inspiring and so relevant to the issues that many of us struggle with today. Check out Lifeway Women All Access for great excerpts and video clips from the study.

Believing God: Day by Day - A year-long, daily devotional that is modeled after the book, Believing God.  Great daily reminders regarding the importance of "active faith" in our daily walk.