Jesus Changes Everything

The gospels and the book of Acts are full of stories of people who encounter Jesus at varying stages of life. Children are brought to him by their parents. Prophets rejoice because they had waited their whole life to meet him.Blind men shout out for his attention because they know he has the power to heal them. Tax collectors climb trees to catch a glimpse of him. Fishermen leave everything to follow him. And many more.

Each person who encounters Jesus has one thing in common: They are forever changed.

That is because Jesus changes everything.

(more…)

Three Rs of Bible Reading

This week as I was sharing with our youth group, I reminded them of the 3 Rs of Bible reading. Often, I find myself and others reading passages so quickly that we glance over most of the details that give insight into what’s actually happening.

I’m trying to remember to do these three things when I read the Scripture, whether its in my own personal time or with a group. I call them the “3 R’s.”

(more…)

The #NTvember Challenge

Can you read the whole New Testament in the month of November? That’s my challenge to you. I’m going to commit to reading the New Testament in the next 30 days, and I want you to do it, too!

It’s definitely possible. The New Testament is only 260 chapters, and it is estimated to take 18 hours and 20 minutes to read through completely.

Even though November is busy, I think we can find 18 hours to read.

If you’re up to the challenge, let me know in the comments below. It will encourage me to know that someone is doing this with me.

You can also follow along and share what you’re learning on social media using the hashtag #NTvember.
(more…)

Five Things I Ask Our Small Group Leaders To Do

At the beginning of each week I send an email to our small group leaders to encourage them as well as let them in on what the lesson will be about on Sunday and give them the questions for their small groups to discuss.

This week I included a list of things that I’d love for each small group leader to do each week. The things small group leaders do outside of their group time will be as valuable as the time they spend with their students each week, and these five tasks are mostly done outside of group time.
(more…)

What I Learned from Dr. Harold Willmington

This week I learned that one of the great professors at Liberty University, Dr. Harold Willmington, passed away. His son announced the news on Facebook with a picture of an empty bed and the caption, “Finally home.”

While I didn’t have Harold Willmington as a professor, I heard him speak in chapel many times and knew he was one of the foremost Biblical scholars of his day. His book, Willmington’s Guide to the Bible, is one of the few books I made sure I brought back with me from Mexico City when we returned from serving there.

Dr. Willmington made an impact in my life, and I wanted to make a video to share his impact. I’d love it if you took some time to watch it.

If you knew Dr. Willmington, what did you learn most from him? I’d love to hear in the comments.