Discipleship 101
Persevering In Discipleship
May 3, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • 2 Peter 1:5–7
The link between discipline and godliness is perseverance; between being a believer and a consistent follower is perseverance. If we cannot persevere, then we will not see much godliness in our lives. It is perseverance over the long haul, even if slow, rather than a short lived burst of activity in one or more of the disciplines that brings godliness and a consistent following of Jesus.
Following Jesus
April 26, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Luke 9:23–25
If we're going to be a disciple (follower) of Jesus, we must daily deny ourselves and take up our cross (i.e. being hated by the world, being surrendered to God, and being "spent", i.e. a living sacrifice). Following is not a haphazard, sporadic, every now and then choice. It is a regular, consistent, frequent, daily choice. It is a choice a disciple makes faithfully. It is a discipline.
The Discipline To Learn
April 19, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Luke 2:46–47
What we see in the Great Commission is the mandate to make disciples (i.e. see people saved, baptized, and brought into the church where they can be taught to observe all things - beliefs, practices, ministries, etc.). If we have a mandate to teach, then the flip side must also be true. We have a mandate to learn. A disciple is a learner. And to learn we must have some discipline. In Lk 2:46-47 Jesus was learning. He was doing it the old fashioned way, i.e. asking questions, reading the law, discussing, etc. If Jesus was determined to learn, then let's follow His example. Jesus didn't sit in a school of religious law, but He certainly leaned the Word of God. (John 7:15)
Bold Evangelism
April 12, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Acts 4:13
The one thing most of us lack when it comes to sharing the gospel is boldness. The early church and church leaders shared with boldness. It is what they were known for. How do we get boldness? Spend time with Jesus and pray for it. Take a listen to this lesson where we are encouraged to share Jesus boldly.
Time Management
March 8, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Ephesians 5:15–16
When it comes to time we wish for more, but there isn’t more. It just comes down to how we use what we’ve been given, hence the exhortation from Paul to make the most of our time. This lesson is going to focus on time in the context of spiritual disciplines. Time is required in order to participate in any spiritual discipline. Because this is true, we must make the most of the time afforded to us.
Giving Is...
March 1, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson
Giving and acts of generosity allow us to look like Jesus because when we give financially we do some of the very things Jesus did: give, love, sacrifice, and serve. In this lesson we look at 8 principles for giving financially. In end, Jesus only asks us to give what He is already willing to give us. Take a listen to this lesson and be encouraged to steward well and look like Jesus.
When You Fast...
February 22, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Matthew 6:16–18
Jesus didn’t say “if you fast” but “when you fast.” Implied in Christ’s teaching is that we would fast and should fast. It's not a matter of if but when. Charles Stanley said, "Fasting is the abstinence of anything that hinders our communion with God. In particular, fasting is the abstinence of food for the purpose of seeking God in prayer." It is this spiritual discipline that goes hand in hand with prayer. Fasting is the other hand with which we let go of the world. Fasting helps us to sharpen our focus and fervency in prayer.
Worshiping For Change
January 25, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Matthew 15:1–9
D you know what God wants to do with your heart and life in worship? He wants to change you and transform you. Worshiping God leads to change in our hearts and lives. Our purpose in worship is to glorify God. God's purpose in our worship is to change us, which in turn, brings glory to Him. There is no audio of this lesson.
Discipline And Prayer
January 18, 2023 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Colossians 4:2
Praying is one thing. Being disciplined in our praying, that is another. We can grow in our consistency and fervor in our praying over time just like we can physically grow in our strength and stamina over time, if we are disciplined. This lesson looks to answer questions like: Why pray? How do we develop discipline? And, what is our motivation?
Taking In God's Word (Part 1)
January 4, 2023 • Pastor Chad • Matthew 4:4
The Christian life isn’t just about knowing a certain set of doctrines. It is more than knowing. It is believing. But it is more than believing. The Christian life is also about doing. It is doing what we believe. But to truly do what we believe is going to require some discipline, disciplines, habits, spiritual activities to be engaged in. If we never engage in spiritual activity, then we’re just spinning our wheels, going through the motions, but having no substance to our form. This lesson focuses on the broadest and most basic, foundational, and important of all the disciplines - bible intake. Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Where do we get these words that come from God's mouth? His Word. We must be committed to taking the bible into our hearts and minds. When we do, God does something in us that we cannot do on our own; He transforms us.
The Fruit Of Self-Control
December 21, 2022 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Galatians 5:22–23
Self-control is the last quality of the Fruit of the Spirit listed by Paul, but there can be no doubt about its importance to Christian living. Can we truly be in a place of pleasing God if we're not living in a way that we exercise self-control? We are to live controlled lives; lives in balance and in the boundaries of God's Word, will, and desire. Self-control in the physical realm may happen by our determination and will power, but strength and victory in the spiritual realm come only by yielding to the Holy Spirit. Surrender + Sacrifice produce self-control through the Spirit's power.
The Fruit Of Meekness
December 14, 2022 • Pastor Chad Thompson • Galatians 5:22–23
The world may view meekness as weakness in a person's make-up, but in reality, meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control. It is a quality we very much need on display in God's people. We especially need it as we increase in power and authority. It is meekness that keeps us from being abusive or overbearing with our authority.