Tag: disciplefirst
It’s Time to Pivot in Discipleship
by Craig Etheredge Dietrich Bonhoeffer grew up in an upper-middle-class German family of doctors and scientists. So when he told his parents that he wanted to study theology, they were not that excited. Dietrich later became one of the world’s foremost theologians and thinkers of the 20th century. He is […]
Is Fear Holding You Back?
Fear can hold you back, but the Spirit can make you bold. Probably the biggest excuse that keeps us from talking about Jesus is fear. We are afraid to talk to someone we don’t know. We are afraid of how they will respond. We are afraid of looking foolish or […]
God’s Love Language
By Craig Etheredge: In 1992, a book was published that took off like wildfire. To date, it has sold more than 10 million copies, has been translated into 50 different languages, and earned a spot on Amazon’s top 100 best seller’s list of all time. That book is “The 5 […]
Jesus Is Inviting You
By Craig Etheredge: Are you a disciple? Are you making disciples in the world around you? A disciple is a person who is devoted to Jesus. Disciples are consistently developing in the character and competencies of Jesus. They are continually being changed both inside and out. This disciple is also […]
Roadblocks or Smokescreens?
By Craig Etheredge: Be ready to give an answer for the hope that you have. Questions The restaurant was packed and busy, but we didn’t notice. We were deeply engaged in conversation. “But how can I believe that the Bible is true?” he asked. “I think it is just a […]
The Great Adventure
Following Jesus By Craig Etheredge: Jesus gave the same invitation to everyone. It was simple, direct, and called for a decision. It could be accepted or denied, but not ignored. The invitation was simply, “Follow me.” More than twenty-four times in the Gospels, Jesus invited people to follow Him. He […]
How to Share the Gospel
The Path By Craig Etheredge: The path you choose determines your destination. This is a simple way to share the Gospel. The Gospel begins, “in the beginning.” In our day and age, we cannot assume someone has a Biblical worldview, or even believes in a personal God. It’s best to […]
The Lure of Temptation
By Craig Etheredge: Not only will this world resist you, but this world will also tempt you. The culture will oppose you, and if that doesn’t work, it will try to lure you away from following Jesus by enticing you to sin. Jesus experienced both. Those who opposed Jesus resisted […]
What Are You Pouring Your Life Into?
By Craig Etheredge: Let’s just say it out loud. We are addicted to programs. We are tied to our traditions. Just as an addict reacts emotionally when weaned off of his drug, people react negatively when their favorite program is changed or canceled. This reality has kept even the bravest […]
Move from Religious Activity to Relational Investment
Making Disciples By Craig Etheredge: “So if I buy into what you are saying, what is going to be different about my ministry six months from now?” It was a good question, coming from a seasoned pastor. As we shared lunch together in a nice restaurant, the topic of conversation […]