Do you have a desire to be a force for good in your sphere of influence?
This tool is free, and it didn’t originate with me!
When a friend introduced me to the Discovery Group process, it impacted my life and leadership in ways I never expected.
You can gather for Discovery with friends, family, coworkers — sky’s the limit!
Use the Discovery Questions to discuss any story or passage in Scripture together (usually about 10 verses at a time), seeking to understand, apply, and share what you’re discovering together!
1. What are you thankful for? What challenge or stress are you facing? How can we help? Do you know anyone who needs help at this time?
Check-in: Since we last met, how did your “I will…” and sharing go?
2. Read the Scripture passage together (at least twice) and take turns retelling in your own words like sharing with a friend who isn’t here.
3. What stands out to you, and why? What do these verses tell us about God? What do these verses tell us about humanity / about us?
4. If this is God speaking, how will you apply it to your life? (Aim for a specific: “I will…” next step.)
5. Who will you share with before we meet again? (Name a specific person you want to share with who may be encouraged on their spiritual journey by hearing something you discovered.)
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What stands out to you? What did you discover about God and yourself? How will you apply these principles in your life and leadership?
Do you have a life message, motto, or verse you would love to be known for?
I want my heart to beat in rhythm with the heart of Jesus for all peoples to experience His love, to follow Him, and to embrace His mission to help disciple others!
Here’s a message I got to share from Luke 10 (one of my favorite passages of Scripture), where Jesus sends out 70 everyday disciplemakers like you and me!
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
What stands out to you? What did you discovery about God and yourself? How will you apply these principles from Jesus in your life and disciple-making way of life?
On Monday, I had the great honor to chat with two dear friends: Myles Hanson & Gerrylynn Ferguson!
The second hour with Gerrylynn Ferguson, we focused on making a kingdom impact in our communities.
Gerrylynn also shared insights on clarifying God’s call for your life and how to leave a lasting legacy in your community:
THIS Monday, Oct. 26, 7-9 PM Central Time, I’ll have Tom & Sue Rice of Great Marriages for Sheboygan County, sharing their wisdom and experience from 50 years of a joyful marriage!
Tom & Sue Rice on their wedding day (a few years ago) — I’m sure it feels like yesterday! 🙂
~Nov. 2, Liz Kohli with Perspectives on the World Christian Movement ~Nov. 9, Jim Egli of New Generations — Disciple Making Movements around the world ~Nov. 16, Ross Nelson — intercessory prayer that births movements! ~Nov. 23, Dave & Rennie Garda of Cadre — real life disciple-making friendships ~Nov. 30, Christine Jacobs — effective prayer & spiritual warfare
~Dec. 7, Bill Marris of Circuit Rider Ministries — Looking thru Jewish Eyes: the Christmas Story Revisited ~Dec. 14, Avi in Israel — Finding Jesus in the Jewish Feasts ~Dec. 21, Roy Schwarcz of Chosen People Ministries — Without Hanukkah, There Would Be No Christmas ~Dec. 28, Dr. Walter Kaiser — Jewish Roots of our Faith in Jesus
~Jan. 4, Jim Corbett of the Family Rescue Campaign — The Wonder of Covenant with God & Others ~January 11, 18, 25, Q&A with Dr. Walt Kaiser — Women in Ministry Matters, Treasures from the Old Testament, Prayer & Revival
I recently heard a talk about a dangerous enemy that seeks to demoralize and disarm any who have the heart to make a difference.
Miller calls this enemy, “narrative void.” It looks like attempting to live without a story that’s larger than ourselves.
I find myself more susceptible to discouragement and drift when I fail to keep my eyes fixed on our mission. Living for kingdom purposes has eternal ramifications and allows us to leave a legacy that will outlive us.
I recently had the opportunity to share a message on living each day on mission.
May our lives be forever changed as we discover and apply the missional strategy of the greatest difference Maker who ever walked the earth…
I recently heard about a local church with financial problems that looked to their mission budget as an easy target for cuts.
Sweet Bridget and I served for a time in Africa. Having made such meaningful memories in South Africa, Malawi, and North Africa, part of our heart has been planted there (1 Th. 2:8). It’s heartbreaking to think global mission could be viewed as a low priority.
Last month, we heard Larry Osborne of North Coast Church teach from his book Mission Creep. Jesus gave us one mission (Matt. 28:16-20). But Larry explained the process of drift. When we consistently miss His target of multiplying disciples all over the world who obey Jesus, we tend to shift our aim toward whatever we think we’re good at.
Insert: _______________ …programming, music, food, ad nauseum.
Larry acknowledged North Coast won’t be around forever. He soberly stated, once it’s reached its lifespan, like any human organization, it will cease to exist. Its meeting space will likely be used for another purpose. But the kingdom of God, which they sought to advance, will live on… eternally. Toward kingdom unity, Larry charged church leaders to consider a local missional gift to a neighboring church in need, even one of another denomination.
The question is: Until that day, are we living to advance our own castles or His kingdom?
Jim Cymbala, who we were blessed to hear the final Sunday of our American Revival Heritage Tour, explains the identity of the people of God and our purpose when we gather: Jesus called us, “a house of prayer for all nations” (Mk. 11:17).
Prayer + Mission → Our Focus
Jim Cymbala & the Music Conference choir ~ Brooklyn Tabernacle, New York City (10-7-19)
I was in an elder meeting once where a slight mission budget cut was proposed, which would’ve eliminated support for some of our faithful missionaries. I’ll always remember the words of a seasoned elder:
“What message do we send to our church and to our young people if we defund our mission?”
For local churches:
Consider your missionaries an extension of your staff.
Partner based on shared mission and kingdom values.
Feature image credit:
NASA, “On October 7, 2018, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) shot this photograph while orbiting at an altitude of more than 250 miles over Australia” (Earth Enveloped in Airglow).
I recently heard a talk about a dangerous enemy that seeks to demoralize and disarm any who have the heart to make a difference.
Miller calls this enemy, “narrative void.” It looks like attempting to live without a story that’s larger than ourselves.
I find myself more susceptible to discouragement and drift when I fail to keep my eyes fixed on our mission. Living for kingdom purposes has eternal ramifications and allows us to leave a legacy that will outlive us.
I recently had the opportunity to share a message on living each day on mission.
May our lives be forever changed as we discover and apply the missional strategy of the greatest difference Maker who ever walked the earth…
As we began our revival history tour, I couldn’t help but feel the minister at Park Street reminded me of George Whitefield or Jonathan Edwards (but without the white wig). His message was from John 17…
George Whitefield & Jonathan Edwards
…Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so He can give glory back to You” (Jn. 17:1).
The night before, our group gathered around a table and shared what brought us on the trip. We each expressed a passion for prayer and a heart for revival. Though from many different backgrounds, we were united in mission.
Park Street Church was founded in 1809 by handful of people, who united to address Unitarianism. They were clear about their purpose, emphasizing biblical theology, revival and spiritual renewal, and worldwide mission.
As a congregational church, they’ve consistently emphasized mutual accountability and the priesthood of all believers (1 Pet. 2:9-10). As a church that loves the Gospel, they’ve hosted great revival preachers through the years like Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney, D.L. Moody, and Billy Sunday. They gathered 40,000 on the nearby Boston Common to hear Billy Graham.
As a missional church, they were part of sending some of the first cross-cultural American missionaries, who sailed to India in 1812. In 1819, Park Street commissioned its first team of missionaries to the Sandwich Islands.
Living out their faith through social action, William Lloyd Garrison hosted anti-slavery meetings at Park Street, and the American Educational Society was founded there. They were among the first to provide Sunday School for those without access to formal education, during a time when this was looked down upon as “working on the sabbath.” This calls to mind Jesus’ question: “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?” (See Luke 6:7-11 for His answer).
Each week, 40-50 different nations are represented by those who gather to worship King Jesus at Park Street. I was blessed to worship beside a brother in Christ from Nigeria.
How could a local church be true to hermission for over 200 years?
“I have revealed You to the ones You gave Me from this world. They were always Yours. You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.” ~Jesus, John 17:6
As we worshiped with this biblical, Gospel, missional church, the minister spoke from John 17 on what Jesus wants for us. The night of His betrayal, just before His suffering and death, Christ prayed for our unity. Let’s not miss the significance.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent Me.” ~Jesus, John 17:20-21
This was Jesus’ last prayer for us before the dawning of a new era. The season of the Spirit was about to be inaugurated through His death and resurrection.
Jesus could have prayed for many things. Just as Park Street’s message that morning could’ve covered many topics. But Jesus prayed and the minister preached on unity in mission.
“I have given them the glory You gave Me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me.” ~Jesus, John 17:22-23
“Let’s follow Christ’s example and pray for unity!” ~Rev. Kris Perkins, Associate Minister at Park Street Church
We so often allow differences to divide. We underscore what makes us different instead of our Gospel commonalities.
We attempt all sorts of programs and expansions while neglecting Scripture, prayer, and mission. And we wonder why modern religious methods fall so short…
Will we learn from a 200-year-old church who has stayed united and true to her heritage?
“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent Me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for Me will be in them, and I will be in them.” ~Jesus, John 17:25-26
Chime in. I’d love to hear from you…
In what ways are you pursuing Gospel unity and missional priorities in your community?
Living Truth 