Embracing an Outreaching Lifestyle
  • Unexpected Opportunity
  • Resources
  • Blog

Prepare for Effective Discipleship Ministry

4/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Sam and Joe get together practicing social distancing. “I’m overwhelmed with the worldwide need,” Sam said. “How can I make a dent?”

Joe said, “God’s word says in Colossians 1:28 that we should see everyone complete in Christ. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be concerned about physical and emotional needs.”

“I’ve never done anything like that before,” Sam said. “I’m fearful that I might do the wrong thing. What if people think I’m one of those Jesus freaks? I’m not a Bible scholar.”

“It’s simpler than you think, Sam,” Joe said. “It begins with renewing your mind in God’s word and loving others. God will then open up divine opportunities, beyond anything you’ve ever imagined!”

“That doesn’t sound complicated, Sam said. “I can do that!”

Put Christ first (Colossians 1-2) and prepare spiritually for an effective discipleship ministry (Colossians 3-4). This blog examines spiritual preparation and ministry effectiveness. Put off the old self and put on the new self by renewing your mind richly in God’s word in order to love others. Family and work provide natural opportunities for ministry. Prayer opens the door to share God’s word with wisdom and grace, encourage people to help others grow in Christ, create interactive small groups, and guide people to fulfill God’s ministry.

 1. Put off the Old Self and Put on the New Self
Set your minds on things above where Christ was seated at God’s right hand. Embrace your position in Christ: you died and your real life is hidden in Christ where you will appear with Him in glory. Put to death your earthly nature and idolatry including sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed causing God's wrath. Put off the old self of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lying. Put on the new self with mind renewed according to Christ’s image (Colossians 3:1-11). Put off the old self and put on the new self with mind renewed in God's word.


2. Put on Love Allowing God's Word to Dwell Richly
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Forgive grievances against one another. Put on love being united together. Let Christ’s peace and thankfulness rule in your hearts as members of one body. Allow Christ’s word dwell richly in you while teaching and admonishing others with all wisdom. Sing psalms and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Do everything in word or deed in Jesus’ name thanking God (Colossians 3:12-17). Put on love by allowing God's word to dwell richly in you through teaching, admonishing and expressing gratitude.


As you renew your mind in God’s word and love others, God will open up amazing opportunities for ministry.

3. Submit to Family and Work Authorities
Wives should submit to their husbands as fitting in the Lord. Husbands should love their wives and not be harsh. Children should obey their parents in everything to please God. Fathers, don’t embitter your children lest they become discouraged. Employees should obey their bosses in everything with sincerity of heart and reverence of the Lord. By working heartily serving Christ and not men, employees will receive an eternal inheritance as a reward. Those doing wrong will suffer consequences. Bosses do what was right and fair because they have a Master in heaven (Colossians 3:18-4:1). Submit to family and work authorities to build ministry relationships and earn heavenly reward. 


4. Pray for Open Doors to Share God's Word
Be watchful, thankful and devoted to prayer. Ask God to open doors in proclaiming clearly the mystery of Christ. Make the most of every opportunity speaking with clarity, wisdom, and grace (Colossians 4:2-6). Pray for open doors to share God’s word with clarity, wisdom and grace.



5. Encourage People to Help Others Grow in Christ
Paul sent Tychicus and Onesimus to encourage Philippians about his circumstances. Aristarchus, Mark and Justus sent greetings as the only Jews among his kingdom fellow workers who comforted Paul. Epaphras always wrestled in prayer for them to stand firm, fully assured, and mature in God's will. Luke, the doctor, and Demas sent greetings (Colossians 4:7-14). Encourage people to pray, work together, and help others grow in Christ.


6. Create Interactive Small Groups
Paul sent greetings to the Laodicea’s and Nympha’s house churches. He asked that his letter be read to both places, along with the Laodiceans’ response letter
(Colossians 4:15-16). Create interactive small groups.


7. Guide People to Fulfill God’s Ministry
Paul wanted them to tell Archippus to complete the Lord’s work he received (Colossians 4:17-18).  Guide people to fulfill God’s ministry.

Action Steps:

I will prayerfully consider the following process in preparing for an effective discipleship ministry:
1.   I will put off the old self and put on the new self by renewing my mind in God's word
2.   I will put on love by letting God's word richly dwell in me as I teach, admonish and express gratitude
3.   I will submit to delegated family and work authorities to build ministry relationships and earn heavenly reward
4.   I will be prayerful so God opens doors to speak God's word with clarity, wisdom, and grace
5.   I will encourage people to pray, work together, and help others grow in Christ
6.   I will participate and help create interactive small groups
7.   I will guide people to fulfill God’s ministry

​In order to apply concepts from Colossians 3-4 for your personal ministry:
  • “Download” “6 Fields Discipleship Strategy Worksheet” after clicking on https://bit.ly/6fields so you can fill out the Word document 
0 Comments

Benefits of God's Word in Affliction: Part 2 (Insights in Psalms)

12/22/2011

0 Comments

 
Picture
God wants His word to fully possess every part of your being. It begins with seeking Him and then obeying Him as we saw in the earlier chapters of Psalm 119 (Part 1). God wants to be your guide, joy and ultimate rest so you don't have to be concerned about anything. We will examine how to experience God’s attributes through deeper knowledge of His word. 

Teach me good discernment and knowledge since I believe in His commandments. It was good for the afflicted to learn and keep God's word. The arrogant lie and their heart is covered with fat, but I delight in His law, which is better than 1000s of gold pieces (Ps. 119:65-72). Affliction motivates you to discern, know and obey God's word.

God's righteousness, faithfulness, lovingkindness and compassion  provides comfort in affliction so you may live. I fear, meditate and hope in His precepts when the arrogant lie. Give me understanding that I may learn His commandments so my heart is blameless and unashamed (Ps. 119:73-80). Affliction motivates you to learn God's attributes and gain a blameless heart. 

My soul languishes and eyes fail as I hope in His word. The arrogant dug pits, persecuted me with a lie and almost destroyed me, but I did not forsake His precepts. God's love revives so may keep the testimony of His mouth (Ps. 119:81-88). Affliction motivates you to be revived in God's love. 

The wicked try to to destroy me, but I diligently consider His testimonies to stay alive. God's faithfulness and His authority continue through all generations so I can stand. I seek His precepts because they revive and are exceedingly broad (Ps. 119:89-96). Affliction motivates you to freely stand in God's authority.

His commandments make me wiser than my enemies, more insightful than my teachers and more understanding than the aged because I observe and meditate on His precepts. I hate and restrain my feet from every false way so I can understand and keep His word. God's word are sweeter than honey to my taste (Ps. 119:97-104). Affliction motivates you to be restrain your feet from every false way to understand and obey His word.

His word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. When the wicked lay a snare, it causes me to be revived by His word. God's word becomes a joy of my heart as I personally possess and perform His statutes (Ps. 119:105-112). Affliction motivates you to allow God's word to guide and be your  joy.

I hate the double-minded, but I observe His commandments. God's hiding place, shield, safety and sustaining grace occur as I regard His statutes continually. God rejects and removes the wicked like dross so I can love His testimonies and fear His judgments (Ps. 119:113-120). Affliction motivates you to rest in the safety of God's word. 

Experience God’s Attributes through Deeper Knowledge of His Word: 
Emotions Filled with Love & Joy:

1. Discern, know and obey God's word
2. Learn God's attributes & gain a blameless heart 
3. Revived in God's love
4. Freely stand in God's authority
5. Restrain feet from every false way to understand and obey His word
6. Allow God's word to guide and be your joy
7. Rest in the safety of God's word

0 Comments
    Picture
    Mark Pomeroy

    RSS Feed


    My goal is to ignite the hearts of people by explaining God's word in the Law, Prophets, Psalms and New Testament consecutively, much like the experience of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32,44). I have been a missionary in Lincoln, NE, for 13 years with Christ For the City Int. and Sync with God.
     

    Sync with God is a highly versatile web app that hosts on-demand, virtual small groups. Sync is designed to connect young seekers in the faith and scripturally-trained mentors, even globally. It offers a safe, engaging interface for Millennials/Gen. Z and is readily adaptable to technical advances well into the future.

    ​Overview
    ​Sync pilot lesson 1
    Sync YouTube

    ​
    ​

    Follow syncwithgod on Twitter
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    November 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010

    Categories

    All
    1 Chronicles
    1 Corinthians
    1 John
    1 Kings
    1 Peter
    1 Samuel
    1 Thessalonians
    1 Timothy
    2 Chronicles
    2 Corinthians
    2 John
    2 Kings
    2 Peter
    2 Samuel
    2 Thessalonians
    2 Timothy
    3 John
    Abide
    Abortion
    Abundance
    Abundant Life
    Acceptance
    Accomplishment
    Accountability
    Accuracy
    Accusations
    Acts
    Addiction
    Adultery
    Adventure
    Affiction
    Affirmation
    Affliction
    Alcoholism
    Alive
    Ambassador
    Amos
    Antichrist
    Anxiety
    Apathy
    Apostasy
    Apostolic Gifts
    Appearance
    Application
    Armor Of God
    Artistic
    Asleep Spiritually
    Assignment
    Assurance
    Attacks
    Authentic
    Authorities
    Authority
    Awesome
    Balance
    Bargain
    Beauty
    Believe
    Benefits
    Betrayal
    Bible
    Biblical Illiteracy
    Biblical Worldview
    Blameless
    Bless
    Blessing
    Blessings
    Blind
    Blood
    Blood Of The Lamb
    Boast
    Bold
    Bondage
    Broken And Contrite Spirit
    Broken Heart
    Burdens
    Business
    Business Plan
    Busyness
    Calling
    Careers
    Cares
    Change
    Change Agent
    Character
    Children
    Choice
    Choices
    Chosen Instrument
    Christ
    Church
    Church Growth Strategies
    City Ministry
    City Transformation
    Clarity
    Clear Conscience
    Coach
    Colossians
    Comfort
    Comfort Zone
    Command
    Communication
    Communities
    Community
    Community Ministry
    Compassion
    Compensation
    Competence
    Complacency
    Complexity
    Complications
    Compromise
    Condemnation
    Confess
    Confession
    Confess Sin
    Confidence
    Confident
    Conflicts
    Conformity
    Confront Sins
    Confusion
    Connect
    Consequences
    Conspiracy
    Consumerism
    Contend Earnestly For Faith
    Contentment
    Control
    Convergence
    Convict
    Convictions
    Coronavirus
    Corrupted
    Cost
    Counsel
    Courageous
    Covenant
    Covet
    Craftsmanship
    Creative Media
    Creator
    Credentials
    Crime
    Crisis
    Critical Speech
    Cross
    Cross Denominational Lines
    Crown Of Glory
    Cultivating Spiritual Life
    Cultural Christianity
    Cultural Insiders
    Culturally Sensitive
    Culture
    Curses
    Cursing
    Daniel
    Deacons
    Deadness
    Death
    Debt
    Deceit
    Deception
    Decision
    Decisions
    Defraud
    Delegation
    Deliverance
    Deliverer
    Dependence
    Depression
    Descendants
    Desire
    Desolation
    Destiny
    Deuteronomy
    Development
    Dialogue
    Diligence
    Discernment
    Disciple
    Disciplemaking
    Disciples
    Discipleship
    Discipline
    Discussion
    Disease
    Disenfranchised
    Disgrace
    Disobedience
    Dissension
    Distractions
    Divisions
    Divorce
    Double-minded
    Doubt
    Dread
    Drift
    Drudgery
    Dry
    Ecclesiastes
    Economic Depression
    Edify
    Effectiveness
    Elders
    Emotions
    Empower
    Emptiness
    Encourage
    Endurance
    Enemy
    Entanglement
    Entrap
    Environment
    Ephesians
    Equip
    Esther
    Eternal Impact
    Eternal Life
    Eternal Punishment
    Eternal Reward
    Evangelism
    Evangelism And Discipleship Team
    Evangelismi
    Evil
    Exalt
    Exaltation
    Excessive Profits
    Excessive Study
    Exodus
    External
    Ezekiel
    Ezra
    Faith
    Faithful
    Faithfulness
    False Gods
    False Security
    False Self
    False Teachers
    False Teaching
    False Way
    Families
    Family Relationships
    Famine
    Fasting
    Fathers
    Father's Blessing
    Favor
    Fear
    Fear Of God
    Feedback
    Feel-good Religion
    Fellowship
    Finances
    First Love
    Fisherman
    Flesh
    Flourish
    Fool
    Forgiveness
    Foundation
    Freedom
    Free Gift
    Fresh Relationship
    Friends
    Friendship
    Fruit
    Fruitfulness
    Galatians
    Generational Sin
    Generosity
    Generous Giving
    Genesis
    Giving
    Glory
    Goal
    God-confidence
    Godliness
    Godly Foundations
    Godly Offspring
    Godly Sorrow
    God Rules
    God's Agenda
    God's Leadership
    God's Rule
    Good Friends
    Good Life
    Goodness
    Good News
    Good Works
    Gospel
    Gospel Of The Kingdom
    Gospel Workers
    Grace
    Gracious
    Gratefulness
    Gratitude
    Greater Works
    Greatness
    Great Society
    Grief
    Grieve
    Growth
    Grumble
    Guidance
    Guide
    Guilt
    Habakkuk
    Haggai
    Happiness
    Hardships
    Harmony
    Hate
    Hate Sin
    Healing
    Health
    Health-giving Service
    Heart
    Heart Test
    Hebrews
    Heir
    Hell
    High Priest
    His Design
    Holiness
    Holistic
    Holy Spirit
    Holy Spirit Power
    Homosexuality
    Honor
    Hope
    Hopeless Situation
    Hosea
    Hospitality
    House
    Human Resources
    Humble
    Humility
    Hunger
    Hurt
    Husband
    Hygiene
    Hypocrisy
    Identification
    Identity
    Identity In Christ
    Idol
    Idolatry
    Idols
    Image
    Immigration
    Immorality
    Implosion
    Impossible Situation
    Independence
    Individualistic
    Influence
    Infrastructure
    Initiative
    Injustice
    Insight
    Inspire
    Instruction
    Insubordination
    Insults
    Integrity
    Integrity Tests
    Intellectual Faith
    Intercession
    Internal
    Interpersonal
    Intimacy
    Intimidation
    Invest
    Isaiah
    Isolation
    James
    Jealousy
    Jeremiah
    Jesus
    Job
    Joel
    John
    Jonah
    Joshua
    Joy
    Jude
    Judges
    Judgment
    Judgment Seat Of Christ
    Judicial System
    Justice
    Kindness
    King
    Kingdom
    Kingdom Dominion
    Kingdom Impact
    Kingdom Ministry
    Kingdom Mission
    Kingdom Of God
    Kingdom Opportunities
    Kingdom Strategies
    Kingdom Work
    Kingship
    Knowledge
    Know Your Heart
    Lack Of Love
    Lamentations
    Law
    Leadership
    Leadership Crisis
    Least Of These
    Legacy
    Legalism
    Leviticus
    Lies
    Life
    Lifestyle
    Listen
    Living Faith
    Living Water
    Longterm Impact
    Longterm Success
    Lord's Table
    Lose Life
    Loss
    Lost
    Love
    Loved
    Love Of Money
    Lovingkindness
    Luke
    Lukewarm
    Lust
    Majestic
    Make Disciples
    Making Decisions
    Malachi
    Margin
    Mark
    Marketplace
    Marriage
    Martyr
    Mask
    Materialism
    Matthew
    Meaninglessness
    Meditate
    Men Of Peace
    Mental Capacity
    Mentoring
    Mentors
    Mercy
    Micah
    Micromanage
    Mighty Deeds
    Mindset
    Ministry
    Ministry Plan
    Miracles
    Mission
    Mistreatment
    Mocking
    Model Cities
    Money
    Moral Purity
    Moral Relativism
    Motives
    Mourning
    Multiply Disciples
    Music
    Nahum
    Name
    Narrow Way
    Need
    Neediness
    Nehemiah
    Neighbor
    Neighborhood Ministry
    Network
    New Covenant
    New Hands
    New Heart
    New Heaven And New Earth
    New Mind
    New Testament
    New Wine
    Nt
    Numbers
    Nurture
    Obadiah
    Obedience
    Obey
    Object Lesson
    Obstacles
    Offend
    Offense
    Ogd
    Older Men And Women
    Opportunities
    Oppressed
    Organize
    Othercenteredness
    Outcomes
    Overcomer
    Over-confidence
    Pain
    Parenting
    Parents
    Participate
    Partner
    Partnership
    Passion
    Pathway
    Patience
    Peace
    Peacemaker
    Perceptiveness
    Performance
    Persecution
    Perseverance
    Persevere
    Persistent
    Personal Identity
    Perspective
    Persuasiveness
    Petition
    Phiippians
    Philemon
    Philippians
    Physical Needs
    Plagues
    Plans
    Pleasure
    Political Tyranny
    Poor
    Pornography
    Possessions
    Possess Territory
    Post
    Power
    Powerlessness
    Practice
    Pragmatism
    Praise
    Prayer
    Prayer Partners
    Prayer Walking
    Preach Gospel
    Preparation
    Presence
    Presence Of God
    Pressure
    Pride
    Priest
    Priorities
    Proclaim
    Prodigal
    Productivity
    Professionalism
    Profit
    Profiteering
    Promise
    Promise Land
    Promotion
    Prophecy
    Prophesy
    Prophets
    Prosperity
    Protection
    Proverbs
    Provision
    Psalm
    Psalms
    Purity
    Purpose
    Quarrel
    Questions
    Rationalism
    Rationalization
    Reality
    Real Living
    Rebellion
    Rebuild
    Reconcile
    Reconciliation
    Redemption
    Refresh Others
    Refuge
    Reign
    Rejection
    Rejoice
    Relationship
    Relationships
    Relief
    Religious System
    Repent
    Repentance
    Rescue
    Research
    Resources
    Responsibility
    Responsible
    Rest
    Restitution
    Restoration
    Restore
    Restoring Relationships
    Resurrection
    Revelation
    Revenge
    Revenue Stream
    Revival
    Revive
    Reward
    Riches
    Right
    Righteous
    Righteousness
    Right Living
    Ritual
    Romans
    Rule
    Ruth
    Sabbath
    Sacred Assembly
    Sacrificial
    Sacrificial Death
    Safety
    Salvation
    Sanctify
    Satan
    Satisfaction
    Satisfied
    Scroll Of Remembrance
    Second Coming
    Secular
    Security
    Self Confidence
    Selfishness
    Self-made Religion
    Self-righteousness
    Self Sufficient
    Self-sufficient
    Sent
    Servant Attitude
    Serve
    Service
    Sex
    Sexual Sin
    Shame
    Share Gospel
    Shepherd
    Significance
    Signs
    Simplicity
    Sin
    Sinfulness
    Single Minded
    Single-minded
    Skillful
    Skillful Workman
    Small Groups
    Social Justice
    Song Of Solomon
    Sound Doctrine
    Sovereignty
    Sow
    Sowing
    Sowing The Word
    Speak Tenderly
    Speak Truth
    Speech
    Sphere Of Influence
    Spiritual
    Spiritual Battle
    Spiritual Defenses
    Spiritual Discipline
    Spiritual Dryness
    Spiritual Enemies
    Spiritual Fruit
    Spiritual Gifts
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Harvest
    Spiritual Influence
    Spiritual Intimacy
    Spiritual Leadership
    Spiritual Leadership
    Spiritual Nourishment
    Spiritual Warfare
    Spiritual Warriors
    Spiritual Weapons
    Stability
    Stand In The Gap
    Status Quo
    Steal
    Stewardship
    Straightjacket
    Strategic Partnerships
    Strength
    Stress
    Strong
    Strongholds
    Structural Connections
    Struggles
    Study
    Submission
    Submit
    Success
    Suffering
    Supernatural
    Supernatural Transformation
    Supervision
    Surrender
    Sweet Spot
    Sync With God
    Take Up Cross
    Talents
    Teach
    Teachable
    Teaching
    Team
    Teamwork
    Technology
    Temptation
    Temptations
    Testimony
    Test Spirits
    Thanksgiving
    Theology
    Thinking
    Thirst
    Thirsty
    Throne
    Timing
    Titus
    Tongue
    Training
    Transform
    Transition
    Transparency
    Tree Of Life
    Trial
    Trials
    Tribulation
    True Justice
    True Self
    Trust
    Truth
    Unashamed
    Unbelief
    Unconditional Relationship
    Underdog
    Unforgiveness
    United Prayer
    Unity
    Vanity
    Victory
    Vindicator
    Vocation
    Volunteer Recruitment
    Volunteers
    Vows
    Wait
    Wait Patiently
    Walk
    Warfare
    Warning
    Wasted Life
    Water Of Life
    Weakness
    Wealth
    Well Being
    Well-being
    Wife
    Wisdom
    Witness
    Wonderful Counselor
    Word Of God
    Word Of Testimony
    Work
    Workaholic
    Work Environment
    Work Life Balance
    Workmen Of The Word
    Works
    World-changing Ministry
    Worldliness
    Worldly Advice
    Worldly Thinking
    World's Scorn
    Worship
    Worthless
    Wounds
    Wrath
    Young People
    Zeal
    Zechariah
    Zephaniah

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from blumenbiene, Kirt Edblom, f2 photografia