WORSHIP
Songs are discipleship (Andrew Lovette at Sola Ecclesia): Because those who lead music in our churches are responsible for a teaching ministry, we should make sure they are growing as disciples (μαθητής, mathitís) and not merely technical musicians—or worse, as performers. Their voices matter to the extent that they are filled with the Spirit and truths of the Gospel.
CHRISTIAN LIVING
Moms, make the most of margin time (Ann Swindell at The Gospel Coalition): Even if we don’t have many free hours during any given week, we probably have a lot of usable minutes—5 minutes here, 10 minutes there. Whether we’re waiting at the doctor’s office or supervising a child’s bath, our snatches of time can be employed in beautiful ways.
How to live for God through the “What-If” game (Douglas Allison at Living to God): For myself, worry is not bound to the future. I find myself at times playing what I call the “What-If” game about things that have already happened. For instance, my children came rather close to a venomous snake the other day. Although everything turned out fine and I was the closest one to the snake, I have since replayed the event various times in my mind and imagined it going different ways.
Just not feeling it: How routine awakens devotion (Scott Hubbard at Desiring God): “Not feeling like it.” In the daily pursuit of Christ, I fear no phrase has hindered me more. A few moments’ reflection reminds me of the silliness of such a feelings-based spirituality. A farmer will find nothing at harvest if he sets aside his plow with a wave of “not feeling like it.” A pianist will end her performances embarrassed if she takes a “not feeling like it” attitude to her practices. A couple will greet their anniversary with an unromantic sigh if they allow “not feeling like it” to govern their marriage.
Gen Z needs a place at your kitchen table (Abigail Thompson at The Gospel Coalition): Unless the gospel puts on flesh, it can’t transform a generation. Dear Christian, Gen Z desperately needs your hospitality. I believe it’s the evangelistic approach my generation needs most.
PREACHING
We need encouragement in sermons, not only challenge (Simon Van Bruckem at Written for Our Instruction): You and I need to be convicted of our sin. We can always do better in all kinds of areas of our lives. We need to have the light of Scripture shone into the darkness we try to hide or don’t realize is there. That’s all true. Yet, after a difficult week living in a dark world and often being apart from God’s people, Christians need encouragement too. We need to know that we are deeply loved and that Jesus died for our sins. We need to be reminded of the goodness of God and the wonder of his plan. We need a boost of hope for the week ahead.
GOSPEL
9 things you should know about the prosperity gospel (Joe Carter at The Gospel Coailtion): A recent survey finds an increasing number of churchgoers in the United States subscribe to beliefs associated with the prosperity gospel. “In the last five years, far more churchgoers are reflecting prosperity gospel teachings,” says Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, “including the heretical belief that material blessings are earned from God.”
MINISTRY
10 reasons swapping sheep can be a problem (Chuck Lawless): First, a caveat: I know there are times when transfer church growth is necessary and right. We need to be serving in a church near where we live, and we need to be in a church that preaches the gospel. It makes sense to me to move our membership to reach those goals. Nevertheless, transfer growth can be a problem. Here’s why:
BIBLE INSIGHT
The hallmark of genuine Christianity (Tim Thorburn at The Gospel Coalition): What is the hallmark of genuine Christianity? What is the outward sign that a person is truly Christian, or that a community of Christians is the real thing? What is the inevitable fruit of obeying the gospel? There are many potential hallmarks…But I have been struck by another recurring note as the Bible describes those who know God in Christ: thanksgiving.