Tag: disciples
Why Mary of Bethany is My New Spiritual Hero
I imagine you are familiar with the phrase “heroes of faith.” People like Moses, Abraham, Daniel, Paul, Barnabas, John, and—of course—Jesus often come to mind when discussing this phrase. Within the past couple of months, I have gained a new spiritual hero—Mary of Bethany. For most of 2013, our house church was studying the New Testament…
The Role of Teachers in the Church
In the post entitled “The Purpose of the Various Roles in the Church,” I listed the roles pertaining to the church which are mentioned in Scripture. We’re in the process of looking at each of these roles in light of GOD’s overall purpose of the church, which is to help individuals be transformed into the…
The Role of Apostles in the Church
Whenever we study the roles in the church, it makes sense to begin with the apostles, because that’s where Jesus began. Paul wrote the following to the Corinthian Christians: 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second…
Have Christians Over-complicated the Process of Making Disciples?
Recently, I’ve heard a number of believers calling for increased focus and teaching on how to make disciples. These statements got me to thinking about discipleship and what the real needs are. On the one hand I agree—Jesus clearly told His followers to go teach people and make disciples, and the world certainly needs more…
November 19 – Jesus is Raised from the Dead
Reading Matt. 28:2-4 Mark 16:1-7 Luke 24:4-8 Mark 16:8 John 20:2-10 Mark 16:9; John 20:11-17 Matt. 28:8-15 Luke 24:9-11, 13-35; John 20:19 Luke 24:36-44 John 20:21-29; 21:1-24 Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18 Luke 24:45-51; Acts 1:6-11 Luke 24:52-53; Acts 1:12-26 Mark 16:20 John 20:30-31; 21:25 Devotional Early on Sunday morning there was a violent earthquake and…
November 16 – Jesus is Betrayed, Arrested
Reading Mark 14:32-34; John 18:1 Luke 22:41-45 Matt. 26:40-46 Mark 14:43-45; Luke 22:47-48; John 18:2-9 Matt. 26:50b-54; Mark 14:46-47; Luke 22:49-51; John 18:10-11 Luke 22:52-53 Matt. 26:56b; Mark 14:50-52; John 18:12-17, 19-23 Luke 22:54; John 18:18, 24 Matt. 26:69-72; Luke 22:55-58 Mark 14:55-64 Luke 22:63-65 Matt. 26:73-74a; Luke 22:59-60a; John 18:26-27 Luke 22:60b-62 Matt. 27:1; Luke…
November 15 – The Vine and the Branches
Reading John 15:1-17:26 Devotional After Jesus left the upper room where He had gathered with the twelve, they went to the Mount of Olives. Along the way, Jesus had one final conversation with His disciples. During this conversation Jesus told them more about what was about to happen with His going back to the Father,…
November 14 – The Upper Room
Reading Luke 22:14-21, 23-30 John 13:1-21 Matt. 26:22-25; John 13:22-35 Luke 22:31-34; John 13:36-38 John 14:1-31a Luke 22:35-38 Matt. 26:20; John 14:31b Matt. 26:31-35 Devotional As the Jewish day transitioned from Wednesday to Thursday (Jews measured days from sunset to sunset), Jesus and His apostles met in the upper room, that Peter and John had…
November 8 – Jesus Raises Lazarus
Reading John 11:1-54 Devotional Jesus had three friends who were brothers and sisters, Mary, Martha and Lazarus who apparently lived in the town of Bethany, which is about 2 miles from Jerusalem. (Note: This is likely the same Mary and Martha referred to in Luke 10:38-42 where Martha wanted Mary to help her prepare the…