As a parent, you have to deal with a lot of stress, overwhelming emotions, and difficult callings. But this is what can make parenting exciting and beautiful.

Every child is unique, carefully put together by God in their mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-18). Raising them is a blessing in itself. God has given parents the responsibility to nurture their children to the best of their abilities. And disciple them in the ways of Jesus.

Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents],
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
– Proverbs 22:6

It is important to remember that when you disciple your family, God is with you every step of the way.

“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
– Isaiah 54:13

He helps us to know what to say to our children, how to say it, and how to treat them. In reality, He knows them better than any of us ever will.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
– 3 John 1:4

Whether you are a new parent or you have older kids, here are 10 things you should know about family discipleship.

Standing on top of a mountain after being resurrected, Jesus Christ tells his followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). 

This scripture in Matthew 28 is referred to as the Great Commission.

In the call to make disciples everywhere and to teach Christ’s commandments entirely, we are sure that this obligation also applies to those disciples we will make in our homes. To lead your household on this spiritual journey is a job commissioned by God, and it would be negligence to forsake it.

“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.”
– Proverbs 29:17

As a Christian parent, family discipleship is a vital component of your role when it comes to parenting responsibilities. From housing, clothing, and feeding to affection, play, and education you have to look after many aspects of your family. But what benefit will it be if your children do not have the knowledge of their Savior?

Discipling your family is important in every aspect. Spiritual growth will help them move forward. With a foundation that provides them with moral discipline and reasoning to understand life. 

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”
– Proverbs 1:8-9

The best family discipleship practice is to include it constantly in your regular activities. You can do so by aligning your talks and guidance with your family’s normal rhythm. The moments in which your family already interacts during the day can be used to talk about God’s Word and to live it out.

It is the need of the hour to raise children who can question the motives of secular culture. Today’s children need to not only be taught what is true but how to distinguish it from what is false. They need to know how to boldly stand up against a torrent of opinions to the contrary.

As a parent, you might want to raise a child that is admired by everyone. But the command of God is to raise a family that remains true to the message and is ready to be hated for following Christ and upholding the truth.

If you have fulfilled your responsibility to disciple your children and preached to them the message of following Christ, you are no longer responsible for their salvation. It is just as true for your child as it is for you that “by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). 

Remember that coming on the righteous path is a blessing that can only be granted by God.

Although parents are the most influential figures in a child’s life and the home is the principal place for discipleship, parents are not the only entity to disciple a child. The church can play an important part in supporting a family’s discipleship. 

The best version of family discipleship involves an entire community of believers working in concert with the parents in spiritually raising children.

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
– Proverbs 17:6

It is also important to remember that teaching your family about the commandments of Christ includes the importance of sticking to the pure truth of the gospel, not letting false interpretations distort the truth for your family. For indeed, the truth will set you free (John 8:32). You are equipping your family with a lens by which to see the world as it truly is, broken and in desperate need of a Savior.

By portraying God as angry at your children when they commit wrongdoings and happy when they accomplish what you want, you deprive them of the beauty of true grace that always loves us better than we deserve and calls us to obey out of love and joy rather than fear or coercion.

Discipleship should never be used to intimidate or threaten your family into obeying what you want. Family discipleship pleads with the Lord for heart transformation, and that will lead, consequently, to a heart that delights in obedience to the Lord.

Family discipleship is an important and significant endeavor, but no one can promise that it will be simple.

There are times when children of all ages will resist instructions from their parents. Therefore proper spiritual leadership of a family requires righteously stubborn persistence and gentle patience. 

It is inevitable that we will make mistakes as parents, but may it never be the biggest mistake that we make giving up on God’s call to lead our families simply because it is not easy.

If you are reading this, it is assumed you follow the Lord our Savior, Jesus Christ.

If He is for you, tell me, who can possibly be against you? (Romans 8:31). No one wins against your God. This family and children he has entrusted to you with are his, and it is no accident that he has put them in your care. 

Even though we work on our salvation with great caution and sobriety, we are sure and confident that the Lord who began faith in our hearts can do the same in the lives of our dearest children.

Even with all the resistance, flaws, and failures along the way, there is no lack of hope for what the one true God who made the universe can do in the hearts of those who share his word.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Committing your entire life to Christ is the most liberating experience you could have on Earth. It can be unsettling when you first consider doing it because you realize that it means not putting any worldly pleasure above God. It’s about submitting everything in your life to Him. 

This does not mean you cannot have any fun in life. What it does mean, however, is that you start working at dedicating every moment of your life to His will. This is why some people find it scary at first because we are giving over control to Him. Many people don’t like not being in control. They want to decide how their lives play out. However, a big part of reaching the moment of total submission is the realization that we were never in control of our lives in the first place. We lie to ourselves when we think we can dictate how the world around us treats us. Unexpected changes to our routine can happen at any time.

A much more stable approach is to acknowledge our helplessness in this unpredictable world and submit to Christ for His guidance. Of course, discipleship is not always easy. There will be times when you are called to step out in faith, even when you are afraid. There will be times when you are challenged and stretched beyond your comfort zone. But that’s all part of the journey! So if you’re ready to take the plunge, here are a few things you should know about discipleship.

“He sleeps and rises night and day; the seed sprouts and grows, although he doesn’t know how” (Mark 4:27).

Like a seed that grows, the verse perfectly encapsulates what it means to be a disciple of God. First and foremost, it means being dedicated to following Jesus Christ and His teachings. It means being willing to grow in your faith and to help others do the same. Being part of discipleship also means being part of a community of believers who can support and encourage one another.

It’s a place where you can grow together, and where you can be held accountable. Being part of discipleship means being willing to serve. It means using your gifts and talents to bless others and to build up the body of Christ.

Love is the foundation of being a disciple. Without love, we have nothing. Love is what motivates us to follow Christ and to serve others. It is what enables us to put others first and sacrifice our own desires for the sake of the gospel.

The first condition of being a disciple is that we must love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This means that our whole lives must be centered on him. We must love him more than anything else in the world.

The second condition of being a disciple is that we must love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). This means that we must care for others as we would want them to care for us. We must put their needs above our own.

When we love God and others, we are fulfilling the two greatest commandments. And when we do this, we are living as disciples of Christ.

A disciple is a follower of Christ who is committed to learning His teachings and living according to His ways. Discipleship is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey of growth and learning. This means that the disciple endures difficult times and does not reject Christ at the first sign of trouble. 

Even if this does happen, the good news is that God forgives us multiple times each day and invites us to get back on course and continue living a life of discipleship. Being steadfast in our faith does not only apply to those who never falter in their faith—it also applies to those who do slip in their faith but get up with stronger determination to keep going in the Christian life.

Obedience and accountability are also important conditions of being a disciple. As a disciple of Christ, we are called to obey His commands and to be accountable to Him for our actions.

Obedience is a key part of our relationship with God. Sin in us steers us towards disobedience, but the eternally powerful Holy Spirit in us helps us to reject sin and pursue God’s will. A very important part of obedience is hating sin. Even if we struggle with sin in our lives, we need to be careful to not become comfortable with that sin and see it as no big deal. No, sin stops us from living the way God calls us to live and we need to identify all sin in our lives, reject it, and cry out to Christ Jesus for help in not letting it have any hold on us.

Accountability is also essential for discipleship. We must be willing to answer for our actions and to take responsibility for our choices. We cannot simply blame others for our mistakes or our failures.

We must be accountable to God and to those around us. Only when we are willing to obey God and to be accountable for our actions can we truly follow Him.

The conditions of being a disciple are not easy. To be true followers of Christ, we must be willing to deny ourselves. This means that we must be willing to put Christ first in our lives, and to live according to His teachings. We must also be willing to suffer for His sake and to be persecuted for our beliefs.

Self-denial is not easy, but it is essential if we want to be faithful disciples of Christ. When we deny ourselves, we are saying that we are willing to give up our own desires and plans to follow His will. This is a difficult thing to do, but it is what Christ calls us to do. It is a life that is worth living because we are living for Christ and his kingdom.

What does it mean to truly be a disciple of Christ? It means having the willingness to leave everything behind to follow Him (Matthew 19:27-30). It means putting Him first in our lives and making Him the center of our focus. It means obeying His commands and living our lives according to His Word. It means being willing to sacrifice our own desires and plans to serve Him and further His kingdom. In short, being a disciple of Christ requires a willingness to put Him above all else in our lives.

Being part of discipleship means committing to grow in your faith alongside other believers. This can involve attending regular meetings or Bible studies, praying and worshipping together, and accountability to one another.

Being a disciple of Christ is the most rewarding experience you can ever have. He fills you with joy, peace, and life beyond what you could have ever imagined possible. Just like any truly rewarding experience, it does come with a challenge. The challenge is not about working hard to earn the right to be a disciple; no, Christ offers us discipleship freely. Rather, the challenge is to set down more of our lives every day by committing everything that we have, do, and are to Him and His will.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. 

If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Just like a dedicated gardener who diligently grows seeds until they become strong and healthy plants, God grows our faith throughout our lives.

But how does our faith grow? Here Global Disciples Canada shares some ways:

John 20:31 tells us that there is a reason the Bible exists. God preserved His Word in the Bible so that it could guide us and help our faith grow. Our faith starts to grow when we plant the ideas and promises of God as seeds in our very hearts. Plant the truth about what God is like and how His love results in all the marvelous things around us. Just as water and fertilizers nourish plants, the Word nourishes our faith. 

When you are trying to grow plants, you must water them daily. Similarly, you can grow your faith when you commit to reading and learning God’s Word daily. It may be the first thing you do when you wake up or the last thing you read before bedtime. Remember, consistency can help strengthen your faith.

Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith, Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” 

This teaches us that Abraham did not only use his faith to think according to God’s will but to act in obedience. That’s the kind of faith you want – a belief that moves you to act in accordance with God’s will, to follow His Word with no questions asked.  

When your faith moves you enough to take action, you are following in the footsteps of Jesus. So remember to act with love, forgiveness, and mercy in mind. Always keep in mind how your faith can affect all aspects of your life. For example, how do you apply faith to your career, raising children, and your hobbies?

Practice deliberately asking God for guidance at every step of the day. In many of these moments, you may not hear specific guidance from Him in the day-to-day activities, but the discipline of constantly asking Him is not about getting an answer first before you do an activity; rather, it is about tuning your spiritual ear to His voice, so that you hear it when it does matter. The more you practice this, the stronger your faith will be. 

In Luke 17:5-6, “the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!'” Jesus replied by telling them that the tiniest amount of faith (a mustard seed, which is a minute seed), can achieve impossible tasks (even moving a mountain). Because faith is something God gives us and grows in us, we do not need to be caught up in discussions of how large our faith is. The more important question is whether we are living in the faith God has given us. 

You’ll also find that by putting your trust in the Lord during the harshest storms in your life, your faith will grow. It is these hardships that can strengthen you and your faith that will get you through those trials. 

In the book of James, the churches are encouraged to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials because we understand that “testing your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

When we go through tough times, it can be difficult to see the silver lining. However, the book of James tells us that we should consider it pure joy when we face trials because we know that they will help us to grow in our faith.

When our faith is tested, it gives us an opportunity to persevere. And as we persevere, our faith will grow stronger. So, even though trials may be difficult at the moment, we can take comfort in knowing that they are helping us to grow closer to God.

God created humans for serving: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10).

As Christians, we believe that God created humans for a purpose. We are his masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things he has planned for us.

God has given us each unique gifts and talents so that we can serve him and others. When we use our gifts to serve others, we are glorifying God and fulfilling our purpose.

Service is not always easy, but it is always worth it. It is an act of love and a way to show others the love of Christ. When we serve others, we are showing them that we care about them and that we are willing to put their needs above our own.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says,

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together… but let us encourage one another…”

If you are looking for ways to serve others, there are many opportunities available. You can volunteer at your local church or at a local charity. You can also reach out to your friends and family members to see if they need help with anything.

No matter how you choose to serve, know that you are making a difference in the lives of others and in the world.

When serving others, it can be easy to become exhausted and even dejected. The constant need for love and care can, at times, seem overwhelming. While it is important for everyone who serves to take times of rest where they can replenish their strength, you will find that the faith God gives you can give you strength to keep going longer than those without faith. God fills us with supernatural strength and patience, as reflected in Isaiah 40:31: 

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Faith needs to be an all-encompassing part of your life. Faith is not just a nice word to say to make yourself feel more holy; it is an active, powerful tool for you to use as you pursue a life focused on Christ. Whether your faith is small or large, learning to use it for God’s glory is a challenging and wonderful experience that you can enjoy throughout your life.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today! Our Christian missionaries are waiting for you!

Isaiah 61 gives us an amazing depiction of God’s heart. Reading this should stir us to act out his love for the most heartbroken and lost in our communities. 

Throughout the Bible, we can see God giving His attention to the humble and afflicted. From Moses, who could not talk properly, to Gideon who was the least of his tribe, God worked with flawed humans to communicate His love to the world. Key figures such as David, Peter, and Mary who were underestimated by so many.

In fact, even the entire nation of Israel was heavily persecuted! Yet, God called them His chosen people. Let that encourage you today. You have something to offer this world that no-one else has!

These examples and more echo clearly the sentiments in Isaiah 61. When we focus our attention on what He is focused on: the brokenhearted, humble, and afflicted we will be effective. And we will continue in His good work in the power of His love. 

The reason why God is drawn to the weakest is because that is the way to show true selfless love. Think about it. When you love someone who has no way to repay you, how do you react? In reality, the love you show them is a love that seeks nothing in return. There is no distraction of wondering when they will return the favor. There is a special sweetness that comes with the freedom of knowing that they cannot do anything for you in return and your gesture to them is simply a way of blessing them.

If we’re honest, human love almost always seeks something in return. Romantic partners receive love back from each other. Friends benefit from having similar hobbies and interests. Children love their parents, often resulting in their parents giving them financial aid.

God shows a higher love than that, In turn, he invites us to also show that higher love. That love is called agape, and it is a love that loves simply because it is capable of loving. It is a love that continuously gives and expects nothing in return. This love that led Jesus to the cross and that is continually offered to us all by our Heavenly Father. It is the perfect love from the perfect One.

It is impossible for us to show this truly selfless love to the afflicted out of our own motivation. We are prone to always find a payoff from showing love. So,for the love we show to truly be selfless, it needs to have Christ as the center. We can only discover His agape for the brokenhearted when we realize He has agape for us. When we each take a personal moment to acknowledge His love, thank Him for it and embrace it, He fills us with a love we never could have known, and, by His grace, can start to show this selfless love for others.

In Isaiah 61, God gives us some powerful and very specific promises that can fill us with hope. These promises center around favor and comfort. They focus on restoration and justice. Through the detailed description of these promises, God makes it clear that He will set right what is wrong.

There are two sides to this. First, things are not as they should be. If they were, God would not need to promise this restoration and justice. Second, He is the one who makes things as they should be. We step out in faith to fulfill the great commission, but at the end of the day, He is the one who fixes the situations we encounter.

The best way for us to start living out Isaiah 61 is to start turning our attention to who is identified in the chapter. In our daily life, we should actively ask ourselves who around us is mourning and brokenhearted. Who’s life is in ruins, and who’s in need of justice? These are the people we need to reach out to.

Do you struggle to know what to say to these people? Often there are no words that we can say that will make their circumstances easier. But what we can share with them are the promises God gives us in Isaiah 61. Desperate people just need hope, something to cling to and help them not give up. Sharing God’s promises can give them this strength because the truth of God pierces the depths of our souls and awakens our hope if we allow Him to awaken us inside. People in dire situations often embrace this offered hope with open arms.

Serving the broken-hearted is the greatest service we can experience. Serving them does not need to be daunting. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, our simple gestures can be used by our God to pour selfless love and hope into their souls and refresh their resolve to keep going, since God carries us through it all.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Worship always gets elevated with music. Whether we can sing in tune or not, we can all benefit immensely from singing to God with enthusiasm. What is it about singing in worship that God values so much?

You may not fully realize it, but God has already provided answers to this question in the Bible.

Here are five powerful reasons God loves for us to sing in worship:

In the Bible, singing is not just a suggestion. It’s actually a directive from God:

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)

“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)

God’s people are not only invited to sing; God also commands us to do so. It is one of the many expressions of worship that He has graced us to enjoy, and when we do, we are fulfilling God’s command!

True obedience, deep roots in the Word, encouraging others, fighting Satan and sin, persevering, and finding delight in God bring honor to God, which is everyone’s primary objective and purpose.

Singing has a special way of pulling together your heart, soul, mind, and strength to focus wholly and completely on God. In an age of distraction, singing captures all of our senses and directs our attention to God.

As Colossians 3 tells us, we are instructed to allow the Word of Christ to inhabit us richly, and one way is to sing in worship. 

The Apostle Paul invites us to let God’s Word dwell entirely in us, and then he informs us how to put that mandate into practice—by teaching and singing!

Singing is one of the two primary ways God’s Word richly resides in us.

Singing is a command, but there is a promise attached to this command: If we do as the Word says, we are assured that the Word of Christ will dwell in us richly, which is what we should desire as believers.

We often think of singing solely when we’re pleased and things are going well. However, Acts 16 mentions singing for strength in times of difficulty. What do Paul and Silas do while imprisoned unjustly for the sake of the Gospel? 

“But at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)

There was something about singing as a vehicle of Paul and Silas’ prayers that brought God’s very presence into that prison, loosening the bonds that held them. There is power in prayer and in worship, and the Bible shows us that worship amplifies that.

Some see the idea of serving their god as a burden, a strenuous obligation to fulfill out of fear and obedience. The wonderful news for Christians is that we serve a God who has made our burden light and who wants us to enjoy being in His presence, as well as the presence of fellow believers. 

Nearly every major celebration of life involves singing. Birthdays, bar mitzvahs, and weddings involve singing. These events typically use singing to celebrate the blessing of the subjects of the event, born out of joy for the occasion. 

Fellowship in God’s presence is also an occasion for celebration. We celebrate because He fills our hearts, minds, and lives with joy. Make a joyful noise to the Lord! (Psalm 100:1)

God instructed His people to write down His promises and hang them in their houses. These were to be reminders. The reason we need reminding is that we can be forgetful of what God has done, especially when we face difficult times.

A proven strategy for helping people remember details is by putting the information into songs. When we learn songs about God’s goodness and, especially when our children learn these songs, we create a lasting memory to encourage us when hard times hit us.

The Apostle John provides a glimpse of eternity in Revelation 7:9-10, when a vast multitude of people from every beautiful tribe, race, and language sing before the Lamb, 

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Eternity is waiting. Will you be among the enormous multitude that no one can count on that day, singing the Lamb’s song and shouting his praises? Singing is an integral part of our worship of God, and we are all invited to sing along.

Do you desire to grow in your own personal discipleship and walk with God? To help promote the Good News of Jesus Christ, Global Disciples trains local leaders in hard-to-reach areas. Contact us if you’d like to get involved with Jesus’ Great Commission to the unreached.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

If you are a Christian, you’ve undoubtedly heard John 3:16 multiple times. In fact, this is the verse we, as a body, usually quote when sharing the Gospel with others. 

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

However, “Jesus loves you” is not just some cliché we should say when preaching and demonstrating the Gospel. This simple term has such a profound effect on our salvation and eternal destination. 

Out of Jesus’ love for us, the eternal, all-powerful Son of God left Heaven and chose to be limited to a mortal body. He chose to live like a man, just like us, to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). 

Because Jesus so loved us, He died a sinner’s death on the cross, even though He was sinless, to be the ultimate offering and sacrifice that we may make right before God.

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The Bible is full of verses showing that Jesus loves us unconditionally and eternally. He would die on that cross even if it were just for you alone. Such is the love of Jesus for you and for me. 

God’s love is unchanging, steady, and unwavering. Despite our shortcomings, sin, and tendency to drift away from God, God’s love calls us back to Him. God’s love is constant, healing, soothing, and a source of safety in a world where giving and receiving love is often fleeting and conditional.

The Bible reminds us that God’s love is constant, unchanging, and unconditional. Because there is no comparison, God’s love cannot be compared to human relationship love. 

Psalm 136:26 says, “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”

Thus, when we declare “Jesus loves you,” it needs to come from a heart of faith and boldly shared out of love for the eternal destiny of others as well.

It’s more than a slogan or something you wear on your shirt. It needs to be demonstrated by how we live and treat others.

If you’ve ever reached a moment in your life when you don’t know how to find peace anymore, having tried every promise of the world and still remain empty, it’s probably because you have not allowed Jesus Christ into your heart to fill the empty hole that only He can fill. No accomplishment, act of service, or romantic relationship can fill that hole.

This need is not something that can be ignored. Either you realize your desperate need for God and embrace Him, or you hate how His truth exposes your own sinful nature and try to run away from Him. The fact that we have all sinned and desperately need Him in our lives is a fact that cannot be altered. Rather than trying to change this eternal truth, we can just embrace the cure.

God created us because He loves us. He gave us free will because it allows us to respond freely to that love. 

Jesus’ life was His way of saying, “I love you.” We can trust Him with anything, even our love. When you tell someone that “Jesus Loves You,” it’s the same as saying that “God is on your side.” 

“Jesus Loves You” is a significant term many well-meaning believers use as a simple and quick way to encourage, exhort, and empower others. 

The Bible says this, 

“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

The power of the Gospel is available to “those who believe.” This powerful statement can change lives, impact generations, and draw people closer to God. Moreover, there needs to be physical evidence of this good news in your way of life. 

John 1:14 says,

“So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Jesus Christ is the Word. He wants to dwell among us, be part of our lives, and have communion and a loving relationship with Him. Whenever we declare His Word and Him to others, the Word can also become alive in them, dwell with them, and become a living, breathing experience.

What makes God’s love different from our love is the selflessness of His love, known as agape. Agape loves for totally selfless reasons. We love because of how the person we are loving makes us feel, or because of how much joy loving them gives us. No matter how selfless it may seem, the love we show almost always has a hidden benefit for us. God’s love is pure agape – His love is not driven by what He gets out of it. He simply loves because He is love.

With all this in mind, the way we love others is by letting God use us to show love to others. A simple gift, a small note of encouragement, or words of encouragement can change someone’s life when it’s led by the Holy Spirit. Listen for His leading, and then do the simple act that He is calling you. It is as simple as that.

The world desperately needs salvation, wisdom, hope, freedom, real peace, love, and much more! All this can be found in Jesus alone.

The next time you declare this statement, “Jesus Loves You,” let your faith be the fuel behind it, see how it brightens someone’s day, and introduce God’s amazing love to those God sends your way. 

Jesus Loves You!

Learn more about compassionate discipleship through Global Disciples Canada. We aim to multiply the disciples of Jesus Christ and spread His Good News by educating leaders in some of the most remote places in the world. Contact us and join us in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Discover the true meaning of repentance in prayer in the Christian faith. Find out how it can bring joy and freedom in your life.

Repentance is the key to connecting with God and finding a life of freedom. Repentance is about realizing that we do not have the strength within ourselves to live a holy life. That we will never be able to obtain that strength through our own means. And that we are all in need of Jesus Christ.

He DOES have that strength to help and He draws nears to us when we ask Him (Psalm 34:18).

You may wonder how we can start praying with an attitude of repentance.

Below is a brief outline that will hopefully help you approach prayer in a way that will change your life.

Ecclesiastes 5 tells us to approach God with few words and rather go before Him to listen than to speak. This is because we need to be aware that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

He is infinitely more loving, kinder, and trustworthy than we are.

Hearing what He has to say to us first allows us to receive instruction from the ultimate architect of creation. While God absolutely loves to hear our concerns, we are reminded that it is better to listen for His loving voice. Rather than beginning our prayers with a list of requests and demands, we listen for Him first

A preacher once wisely said that it is not so much each individual sin that we commit that needs to be listed in our prayer, but rather the much wider concept that we are sinful by nature.

In other words, rather than listing each sin committed throughout the last week, we can rather confess to God that our thoughts, actions, and emotions are naturally drawn towards the sinful and that we cry out for His help to be transformed in our thoughts and actions so that we can live more holy lives. Even the greatest missionary of all time struggled with sin (Romans 7:18-25) and cried out to God for help in living a pure life. 

When you think of repentance, you may imagine yourself whipping your back and beating yourself down about how sinful you are.

The good news is that repentance is much, much more joyful than that. Yes, our sin is horrific. Our tendency to do evil is to be despised. But the simple reason why repentance is more joyful than self-loathing is that your attention is on Christ’s perfection and forgiveness, rather than your own shortcomings.

The difference between the agony of loathing yourself and the joy of true repentance is that true repentance keeps your focus on God, not yourself. You are only a point of reference for seeing why God is worthy of our praise. You are not the focal point. Look to Him, and you will experience true joy and freedom!

The reason why focusing on Christ gives us a joyful perspective of repentance is because all of our sins, which come with a penalty of death, have ALREADY been paid for by the horrific death of the perfect, sinless messiah, Jesus Christ. His sacrifice paid for our sins (John 3:16).

The gift of Christ dying for our sins is a free gift. However, like any gift, it needs to be received. We are invited to accept the gift of Christ’s forgiveness, but until we receive it, it does not become part of our story. The key to accepting this gift is our own repentance. It is only by acknowledging our sin that we can see our need for a savior and embrace the gift of His salvation.

With a better understanding of what repentance is and how it applies to us, we can look at how we should pray. Jesus’ disciples asked him directly and he gave them a detailed prayer to use in Luke 11.

An important part of this prayer is the phrase “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”

In order for our repentance to be effective, we need to choose to forgive others that have wronged us. Knowing that everybody has sinned and we are all in need of salvation can help us to forgive others. Forgiving others is not an emotion. We may be struggling with anger, bitterness, or disgust at how someone else has treated us, and choosing to forgive them may not relieve those emotions, at least not immediately, but we still need to make the decision to forgive them.

Speak it. Declare it. Ignore your feelings for a moment and make the choice to forgive, so that you can live in freedom. You forgive so that you can live in freedom, regardless of whether or not the other person accepts the forgiveness offered to them.

When you pray, declare out loud for yourself that you realize you cannot earn God’s glory, you need God’s forgiveness through the death of His son Jesus Christ, and you accept Jesus into your heart. Invite Him to live in your heart forever, so that by His strength you can pursue a life of holiness.

Conclusion

Repentance is traditionally seen as an agonizing self-despising, but it is actually intended to be a joyful experience, where we see our own shortfalls and embrace Christ’s perfection to set us free from our own sin.

When you see repentance in that light, you can eagerly find more things in your life that you can confess to God as stopping you from obtaining His glory, and find joy in the truth that Christ has set you free!

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. 

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Read on to discover how to be a powerful ambassador for Jesus and learn how to spread the Gospel effectively!

Ambassadors have a very significant role. They represent the country in a foreign land. While a president may be the head of a nation, meeting with heads of other nations, an ambassador is the representative of that nation in a foreign country. 

The Bible calls us ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). This means that, while He intercedes before the Father for us (Romans 8:34), we represent Him, bringing the kingdom of God to those around us who do not know Him yet. 

When we become Christians, we take on the responsibility of sharing the good news with others. This should be our primary focus and personal joy. As followers of Christ, we ought to be consumed with a zeal for thinking up new ways to share the Gospel.

The central message of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ came to earth to rescue sinners. Our role is to help others find their way to Christ. We cannot lead people to make the right choice; we can only point them in the right direction and, with hearts filled with love for them, try and convince them why Christ is the answer to their deepest hunger and emptiness.

Jesus says that His burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). This means that we don’t need to exhaust ourselves to the point of burnout trying to find the right way to evangelize. Simply reaching out to others, telling them that God loves them and sacrificed everything for them, is a great start. The Bible and involvement in a Spirit-led church and community are also vital as people navigate the nuances of their faith.

Negative experiences with Christians are a significant factor in many people abandoning their faith. When discussing matters of faith, it’s best to do it with an open mind and a kind heart.

If you approach others with kindness and the desire to share your beliefs, you could find that they are more receptive. 

Sharing your beliefs openly and honestly in everyday situations is vital. There’s no need for a manual or blueprint for sharing the Gospel. The question, “Can I talk to you about Jesus?” can be an icebreaker.

Don’t assume anything about someone who avoids conversation with you. You can’t pressure someone to talk to you by raising your voice or trying to force them to.

Establishing credibility with others is essential before they open up to you meaningfully. Your patience will be rewarded.

Preaching to others is where some believers’ true colors start to show. They become “spiritual” and never question anything, worry about anything, or commit sins.

A person with such a high level of spirituality apparently cannot accept that they have a lot to learn about the perspectives of those who are not like themselves.

Sadly, not enough Christians today dare to tell it like it is. Some people are fearful that others will judge them negatively if they tell the truth.

Honesty is generally regarded as admirable. Christians gain more credibility when they stop seeing individuals as numbers or “sinners” and start treating them as whole beings.

As you grow in your own faith, take time to consider how you can share the exciting things you discover with others. A vast majority of Christians have not put enough thought into their faith. If you read the Bible, pray, and learn about Christianity, you’ll realize that you, too, have a lot to say about God and the Good News.

An evangelist’s message should constantly focus on God’s grace and love, which resulted in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Christians need to remember that evangelism is not a one-and-done job. Trust that God will rescue those you care about as you try to convince them that Jesus is the way.

It may be highly satisfying to serve as an ambassador for Jesus and share His Good News with people. Remember that you are a representative of Jesus Christ and His message. Sharing your faith with others, engaging in missionary activity, and living a life that exemplifies Jesus’ teachings are all effective ways to further the spread of the Gospel.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. 

We live in a time when many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and practical training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. 

Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Become a Global Disciples advocate and share inspiring stories of God moving around the world.

Together, we can advance the Kingdom of God! 

Did you know you can also help share the Good News? By becoming an advocate with Global Disciples you can play your part in Jesus’ Great Commission to least-reached people.

Advocates are simply people who speak or act on behalf of another person. An advocate for Global Disciples is someone who talks about us, shares our stories, and introduces our mission to people who aren’t yet connected to us.    

When you get excited about what God is doing through Global Disciples, don’t keep it to yourself. Take a few minutes to talk about it with a friend or pastor, a local business person, or someone in your circle of influence. Help them learn more and perhaps connect with one of our team.

You don’t have to do it alone. In several parts of Canada, advocates are working together to raise awareness and develop support for Global Disciples Canada. We can work with you, answering questions and providing resources, to build relationships and connections.

These are a few suggestions; look for ways to creatively make the most of opportunities as an advocate.

You’ll find tools you can use at globaldisciples.ca/join-the-misson/advocate or contact our team at info@globaldisciples.ca to talk about becoming a Global Disciples Advocate. 

Advocates are highly valued strategic partners, building connections between Global Disciples and people who share our passion for reaching the least-reached with the Good News of Jesus.

Don’t keep the Good News to yourself! Become an advocate—it’s an extraordinary way to influence others and invite them to participate in what God is doing in the world today!

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

As the new year begins, what will you be praying for? In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus provides us a pattern of prayer that we could all follow.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

As I pray, I begin by worshipping our Father God as Creator and Lord of the universe. Our all-powerful and all-knowing Father knows us completely yet still loves us. And welcomes each one as a son/daughter! I enjoy taking time to bask in that reality—in his perfect and unconditional love.

Then comes this line: Your kingdom come…  

Lord, may your kingdom come in my life, in my thoughts and in my attitudes—and my motivations. Father, I am so easily distracted and so quick to feel frustrated or impatient. Holy Spirit, I need you to help me keep my eyes on Jesus—to see the world as He does. I want to be more like you, Jesus! To love as you love, to be moved by your compassion, to serve as you served…

Lord, may your kingdom come in my relationship with my wife and our kids, and our grandchildren. I want to represent You to them, to have my words, my responses, my actions and interactions to be more like you—more like you in my character, in the tone of my voice, in how I spend my time…

And Lord, may your kingdom come in their lives! I long for each one—my son and our daughters, and their spouses, and all their children—to love you with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength! From generation to generation until you return, Jesus, may they be sold out and fully surrendered to you! I’m believing for that. I’m crying out for Your Glory…

And oh Lord, may your kingdom come in and through the ministry of Global Disciples. Father, thank you for every member of our team around the world. They each are amazing gifts to this ministry and in my life. You’ve put this team together in such a masterful way. You’ve brought just the right people at the right time, though not always as quickly as I had hoped. You have done us well Jesus, so well!

As I walk around my neighborhood, Lord, may your kingdom come here where you’ve planted us, where we live. I get so busy going here and there, that sometimes I feel like a real failure as a witness for you here, Jesus. I want everyone in this neighborhood to know you. Some do, but many don’t. Oh Holy Spirit, I need your strategies and your love for each one imparted in my heart. I want to be compelled by your love, not guilt driven—but convicted of the importance of my witness here.

I started with one phrase of a prayer burning on my heart, to see your kingdom come. There’s so much more I didn’t get to! I wonder if you didn’t expect that would happen, Jesus, when you gave us this sample prayer. Amen.

Where do you want to see God’s kingdom come in your life? In your family? Or in your community or church? In your business or labor or education? Or in your sphere of influence or the broader world? Then pray that, today and through the coming year.

And this year, as you pray “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). 

– Galen Burkholder, CEO/Founder of Global Disciples

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian missions organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!