Eternal Security
Living in fear of losing your salvation and relationship with God is placing ourselves back into the bondage that he set us free from on the cross. We do not have to fear losing our salvation, and the reason why is simple: God tells us so in his word.
Why You Should Be Using a Wide-Margin Bible
Per their namesake, wide-margin Bibles have more space around the text for you to write notes. They also are typically more expensive than their digital and regular-margin counterparts. So is the ability to write in your Bible worth the investment (and heft)?
Why You Don’t Understand Yourself
Millennials (and generations following) don't understand themselves. They are searching, aching for self-discovery and self-transformation. They don't see how the pendulum swung in a rejection of truth, when it was not truth's defect at all.
Lessons on life and discipleship from the church at Thessalonica
It is only because the Thessalonians had all three of these qualities that they were so effective for God’s mission. They were fully surrendered, completely in love with their saviour. If we desire to live rightly before God and fulfill his mission, our lives must also be drenched in true faith, love, and hope.
The Tabernacle: A Pattern for Prayer
more of God is available to those who are willing to press in and go further and deeper in prayer. I was one that wanted to go deeper but didn’t know how. This approach is meant to help you with the “how” part!
Laser focus: Being an effective minister as a young person
I wanted so desperately to be involved that, as I got older, I became overextended without even noticing it. But I want to be laser-focused on making disciples that make disciples.
The Double Mind
A deep longing and desire raging against our hope for righteousness. A civil war for our flesh (Romans 7). This spectrum ranges from the daily distractions of the interweb epidemic and “smart living” to mental states of dissociation, completely detached from reality, ourselves, others, and a God who loves us. In this mortal fight we oppose ourselves (2Ti 2:25), generating an incongruence that wages in all of us, corrupting us emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically (Romans 6:23). Ultimately, this robs us of the clarity of God's call.
The Necessity of Accountability
Accountability is not comfortable or easy, but to remove it from the discipleship process would be like removing the wings from an airplane and expecting it fly.
The “Comment Section” Christians: A Serious Look at Developing a Biblical Social Media Philosophy
We are called to teach those who oppose themselves, but we’re not called to do it with virtual picket signs and pitchforks. We’re called to do it gently, patiently, and with meekness. After all, it’s God that will lead them to repentance and the acknowledgment of the truth, not your rhetorical skills.
Making Missionaries of Millennials pt. 3: The Pattern
For 2,000 years, growing Christians have been looking to Timothy as a model for what their own personal faithfulness should look like. His testimony is particularly significant to young people because of his age as well as the manner in which his spiritual growth is displayed. We see the pattern of his life from one faith proposition to another, growing from a spiritual child to a developed pastor and leader at a young age.
Making Missionaries of Millennials pt. 2: The Proving
For young adults, it is important to recognize the challenges the age with the intent that we choose to pursue the great commission regardless of culture’s obstacles. While notions about your generation may be pervasive, it is important to recognize that the Christian isn’t obligated to be in bondage to them. Because of biblical truth, the millennial Christian can live without being controlled by other people's thoughts.
Making Missionaries of Millennials pt. 1: The Prejudice
This article is part of a three part series that discusses the need for our leaders to invest in the lives of future generations. Making Missionaries of Millennials pt 1: The Prejudice calls us to be aware of our own generational bigotry and points to a biblical philosophy to combat it.
Your Christmas Wish List: Pastor Book Recommendations
Have you been racking your brain thinking about what should go on your Christmas Wish List this year? I mean, what could someone who is “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places” possibly want? Well, if you are a student of the Bible, maybe you are beginning to consider your library. There have been so many wonderful books written about God’s Word throughout the years: amazing reference materials, study tools, and commentaries written by like-minded students of God’s word. But where should you begin? Which books should go on your Amazon Wish List?
Graves of the Longing
Melissa Wharton is a student at UMKC and a leader in C&YA. She is involved in Temple Worship, our worship team, and leads a girls bible study in Waldo. In this post Melissa explains what it means to walk with Christ and deny one's flesh.
Why I Love My Church
The 10 year anniversary of Midtown Baptist Temple as a church plant is coming up. In these ten years we have watched God do amazing things. Over the years we have seen many lives changed, many disciples made. We have seen many young children grow into adulthood and continue to follow Christ. We have witnessed God grow the congregation to the point where new church plants have happened naturally and with joy.
Deb Molder is a leader in C&YA and the Administrative Assistant to our staff at Midtown Baptist Temple. In this post she talks about how God has worked in her life since coming to MBT.
What the 4 Goals of Discipleship Mean to us as Young Believers
Alex Allen is a leader in C&YA and recently taught in our "Cost of Discipleship" class. In our discipleship ministry at Midtown Baptist Temple, we have four goals that should be evident in the life of a bible believer. In this post Alex explains to us the significance of each of these goals.
What the 7 Marks of a Disciple Mean to us as Young Believers
Uriah Guenther, leader in C&YA, recently helped teach the "Cost of Discipleship" class to a group of prospective disciples. This class is intended to help young believers learn what the bible has to say about following Christ. "Disciple" is a word used to describe a follower in Jesus Christ. Uriah explores the seven character traits that the early disciples had that we should also adopt as we "count the cost" of following Jesus as a disciple.
What the Cost of Discipleship Means to us as Young Believers
Myles Cheadle, leader in C&YA, recently helped teach the "Cost of Discipleship" class to a group of prospective disciples. This class is intended to help young believers learn what the bible has to say about following Christ. There are things that must be abandoned along the way but there is far more to gain in pursuit of Jesus. This post is Myles sharing what he believes it means to "count the cost".
True Satisfaction: Bible Study Review from John 4
In our CAYA Bible studies we’re going through the book of John, and my group just finished up chapter four. Although the stories in the Gospels take place before Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, there are so many things we can apply to our lives as believers alive in the church age. After all, like 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, all scripture is able to teach us what’s right (doctrine), what’s wrong (reproof), how to get it right (correction), and how to keep it right (instruction in righteousness).
