I have been preaching on the 4 key words of the vision for the church. Last week I preached on the word reaching: reaching out in the name of Christ. Yesterday I preached on moving: moving forward in Christ. It really was a message on discipleship. Too many times we want to challenge people coming into the church to do things that we do not do ourselves. I made a huge challenge to the Church as a whole yesterday. I challenged the church to pray for five minutes a day (not too bad) and read through the New Testament in 30 days. It means that they will have to read 8 chapters or so per day. The challenge was a little more than that though, I had a reading plans for those who were willing to come up and get them. I did that because too many times we make commitments in the pews and never tell anyone and then we stop doing what we committed to. I made 50 copies and thought I might have 20 -30 of the 125 that are there regularly come up. I ran out and had to make more copies. It ended up that about 75 choose to make the commitment to read the New Testament through in 30 days! I was overwhelmed and I am so excited to see what God is going to do in a church that immerses themselves in his Word!
I have really thrown the challenge out to them and now pray they follow through. I am learning that we need to keep a constant challenge before the church to grow in His grace and knowledge.
What challenge have given the church or have you been given?
Lofty challenge Jim. I pray it brings fruit to the lives of those who take it. Even though it is a quick read through the NT, the seed will be planted. You gotta pray that some will be so struck by what they read that they will say, “Hey that was cool. think I will start over and take my time.”
I have challenged the church (as you know) to read through the bible this year using the ESV OneYearBible. Over 50 signed up.
Wow! 75 out of 125! That is 60%! That is so cool. I pray that He keeps moving amongst the people you’ve been entrusted to.
Wow, that is intense. The response is fantastic. I think people are able to push way harder than anyone (even themselves) knows. It’s just a matter of pulling them up beside you. We just need encouragement.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Michael and Marsahll – Thanks for stopping by and reading. I am praying that God does something powerful. I also found out that the youth last night were challenged by the leaders to do it and 13 out of 15 of them agreed. I just pray that 25% of all who said they would follow through because I think God can and will do extraordinary things!
Bill – I was encouraged by your challenge to your church and part of this came from you. Thanks for your friendship, prayers, and encouragement!
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