Category: Discipleship

Me and my idol

Tom Wood writes in Gospelling Life Together: We admit our own striving for wholeness through approval, comfort or security from others, from self-accomplishment, from this world’s offers of life or even our religious successes, as if they are life. Wood, Dr. Tom. Gospelling Life Together: How Gospel Discipleship Can Change Your Life (p. 69). Sandals… Continue reading Me and my idol

Laying down your life for your friends in a pandemic

Throughout the pandemic, pastors have found themselves under fire from two sides. For some, every decision to conform with guidelines, providing online services, introducing social distancing, asking people to wear masks has been seen as an act of compromise with the state driven by fear of death. Thy are told that they should not fear… Continue reading Laying down your life for your friends in a pandemic

A magnifying glass on my sin

Back in 2019 I was becoming increasingly irritable and snappy.  I found that my patience was in short supply and that I struggled to find joy and delight in things.  Perhaps it was no surprise then when towards the end of the year I found myself diagnosed with Mixed Anxiety and Depressive Disorder. Things had… Continue reading A magnifying glass on my sin

Introducing the First Look Course

The First Look Course is an opportunity to start to explore the claims of Christianity. It runs for 4 sessions and includes discussion questions and videos to watch. It is based on the eye witness accounts of Jesus’ life reported by an early historian named Luke. You can find his Gospel in the Bible. You… Continue reading Introducing the First Look Course

The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

How you come in will be how you go on I’m sure you’ve heard this or something similar said about evangelism. If we rely on big events and entertainment to attract people to the Gospel, then we shouldn’t be surprised if that’s what it takes to hold them going forward. Your church will find that… Continue reading The problem with asking people to serve before they belong

Faithroots Training – take a tour

One of my aims in starting Faithroots was to provide a teaching and training resource for those who wanted to dig deeper into aspects of Bible teaching, theology, practical pastoral care and leadership. I believe that there are a lot of people who would both welcome and benefit from further training for Gospel work but… Continue reading Faithroots Training – take a tour

On weaponising the words of Jesus –  a modern retelling of an old parable

I came across this twitter thread today.  It’s not always easy to be certain when dealing with subtweets but I have an inkling that the target of the thread is Kevin DeYoung who recently wrote an article on The Gospel Coalition website about what it means (and doesn’t mean) to “weep with those who weep.”… Continue reading On weaponising the words of Jesus –  a modern retelling of an old parable

Calvin on parents and children

Having had a look at what Calvin has to say about slaves and masters based on Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 5-6, I thought it would be worth having a look at his comments on the other two issues treated there, first on parents and children, then on wives and husbands. Calvin picks up on the… Continue reading Calvin on parents and children

How can dads disciple their kids?

I recently wrote about what it means to disciple children and young people. I’ve been thinking a little further about what I would say from the front of church to encourage parents, particular fathers in their responsibility to teach and disciple their children.  Here’s what I’d say: Tomorrow is Monday. Here’s what I want you… Continue reading How can dads disciple their kids?