Mentorship and Discipleship Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Equip Scripture: Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. – Proverbs 27:17 (KJV) Spiritual growth is rarely a solo endeavor. God designed us for community because He knows that left to our own devices, our edges become dull. ‘Iron sharpening iron’ involves honest, sometimes challenging,…
The Love of God Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Theology Scripture: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. – 1 John 4:8 (KJV) God does not just ‘do’ love; He is the very essence and origin of love. Because we have been brought into union with Him, His love must flow through us as…
Work Ethic Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: SHAPE Scripture: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; – Colossians 3:23 (KJV) Work is often viewed as a necessary evil—a burden to be endured until the weekend. However, Scripture elevates our daily labor into an act of worship. When Paul tells us…
Worshiping in Truth Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Worship God Scripture: God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. – John 4:24 (KJV) Worship that is ‘in truth’ is worship that is aligned with the revealed Word of God. While music can move our emotions and community can stir…
Reflecting on Forgiveness Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Rest & Reflect Scripture: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. – Ephesians 4:32 (KJV) Forgiveness is the ultimate test of our understanding of grace. We find it easy to judge others, yet we desperately crave mercy…
Engaging Secular Culture Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Share Scripture: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. – Matthew 5:13 (KJV) Salt was the primary preservative…
Fixed-Hour Prayer Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Practice Scripture: Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. – Psalm 55:17 (KJV) Prayer should be the pulse of our day, not just the emergency brake we pull when things go wrong. The Psalmist cultivated a rhythm of prayer at…
Goal Setting for Spiritual Maturity Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Equip Scripture: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14 (KJV) Spiritual maturity does not happen by accident; it is the result of ‘pressing toward the mark.’ Paul used the imagery of an athlete straining toward…
The Wrath of God Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Theology Scripture: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; – Romans 1:18 (KJV) It is common in our culture to focus solely on God’s love while ignoring His justice. However, the Bible presents God’s…
Godly Ambition Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: SHAPE Scripture: Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: – Romans 15:20 (KJV) Ambition is a powerful force, but it is a neutral tool that takes on the character of its object. The Apostle Paul possessed…