As is often said, Christianity starts at home.
Of all the people that you come into contact with, your own children and spouse are those that you have the closest connection with and have the potential to have the greatest impact on.
Living with people who you call family gives you one of the best ministry opportunities to live out your authentic faith, showing them God’s love and care in a profound way.
Here are some ways to encourage your family to stay close to God.
1. Pray Together as a Family
God hears every prayer, even those prayers prayed silently in the depths of our hearts. He hears us when we walk and pray. He hears us when we pray to him in the middle of a busy crowd, or a business meeting. There is nowhere that we can go that God is not able to hear our prayers.
Having individual prayer time is crucial for maintaining a healthy prayer life. However, praying corporately with our family can also be a wonderful experience that builds deep, lasting memories for our children and other loved ones that can encourage them throughout their lives.
Praying together can be a great way to model our faith to our children. By praying together as a family, we can show our kids that faith is an important part of our lives and that it is something that we take seriously.
Praying together as a family can help to foster a sense of unity in a shared love for the Lord. This unity can also be nurtured through going as a family to church.
2. Go to Church Together
When it comes to corporate worship, there is no substitute for going to church together. Church provides a community of believers who support and encourage us in our faith journey. Additionally, the church allows us to hear God’s Word preached and taught and to share in communion.
There is something special about worshiping God together with other believers. It is an opportunity to lay our burdens down at the feet of Jesus (Matthew 11:28) and to receive his strength and peace. As we sing praises to God and hear his Word, our hearts are filled with hope and joy.
Going to church together is also a great way to grow closer to each other as a family. It can be a time to pray, learn, and serve together. When we make church a priority in our relationship, it can help to keep our relationship focused on God.
3. Spend Mealtimes Together as a Family
Mealtimes are an excellent opportunity to connect with God as a family. By spending mealtimes together, we can create an environment where we can talk about our day, share our joys and concerns, and pray together. This time spent together can help us to feel closer to God and to each other.
When we’re sharing a meal, we’re naturally more present with each other. We’re not distracted by work, technology, or other things that can often pull our attention away from the people we’re with. This can create a deeper connection with the people we’re sharing the meal with and help us be more present with God.
Sharing meals also allows us to slow down and enjoy the moment. This can help us to appreciate the food we’re eating, the company we’re with, and the blessings we have in our lives.
Consider setting an extra place at the table at every meal you enjoy with your family, just as a reminder that Jesus is with you at that meal too. This empty chair will not be for Jesus to occupy, but will rather simply be a constant visual reminder for you and your family that he is right there with you, in your hearts and, since you are eating together in his name, he is there amongst you (Matthew 18:20).
4. Read the Bible Together
One of the best ways to become closer to God is to read the Bible together as a family. By reading the Bible together, you and your family can learn about God’s love for us, His plans for our lives, and how to follow His will.
Reading the Bible together can also help to strengthen your family bonds. As you discuss what you have read and learned together, you will be able to understand each other’s perspectives better and build a deeper level of trust and communication.
If you are unsure where to start, many resources are available to help you. You can find Bible reading plans online, in Christian bookstores, or in the back of many Bibles. Start by picking a plan that fits your family’s schedule and interests, then stick to it. You may also consider using a devotional guide to help you discuss the Bible passage for that day.
5. Serve Other People Together
When we serve others, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and model our behavior after His. When we serve others, we also open our hearts to God and allow Him to work through us.
There are many ways to serve others as a family. You can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food bank. Or collect items for a local shelter. You can visit people in the hospital or nursing home. You can write letters to soldiers or veterans. Or you can participate in a local service project. You can get involved with the life of your neighbors. The possibilities are endless!
When you serve others together as a family, you will become closer to God and to each other. You will learn more about God’s love for all people and be inspired to live out your faith in your daily life.
Serving others as a family creates happy memories for all of you, as you can spend many times talking with each other about the amazing experiences you had as you were God’s hands and feet to those who need it most. This can help you feel closer to each other and closer to God
6. Organize Weekly Family Nights
Organizing a weekly family night can be a great way to become closer to God as a family. It can be a time for you to gather together and pray, read the Bible, or just spend time talking about your faith. It can also be a time to have some fun together and bond as a family.
To start, choose a day and time that works for everyone in the family. You may want to pick a day that everyone is typically free, such as a Friday or Saturday night. Then, choose an activity that everyone will enjoy. This could be simple: playing games together, watching a movie, or going out for ice cream.
7. Create New Traditions as a Family
If you’re looking for ways to bring your family closer together and become closer to God, consider creating new traditions as a family.
One tradition you might want to start is attending a weekly Bible study or prayer group together. This can help you learn more about your faith and grow closer to God as a family. You can also use this time to bond with your children and teach them about your beliefs.
Whatever traditions you decide to start, make sure they are something that your whole family can enjoy and that will help you grow closer to God.
Final Thoughts
While individual time with God is very important, meeting with God as a family is also essential. As family members, you can help each other remain focused on Christ.
Helping your family become closer to God is a wonderful experience. It can help improve communication and deepen your relationship with your loved ones. Additionally, it can provide opportunities for personal growth, spiritual enrichment, and compassionate discipleship.
By taking the time to pray together, read the Bible, and serve others together, you can help your family grow closer to God and experience all the benefits that come with it.
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!
Imagine with me. What would you think if someone announced that, your congregation would see 5,000 people come to faith in Christ…each year? For three consecutive years!!!
Maybe your church dreams and plans at that scale. But, I would guess that most of us wouldn’t quite know what to do with that vision!
It would be exciting, wouldn’t it?
To see that many people find new and eternal life in Jesus Christ. And that they were being discipled to be effective disciple-makers too.
Samuel lives in Ethiopia. He was trained by Global Disciples to equip and multiply disciples.
For three years now, he and his church network have been training and sending out disciple-makers and church planters.
Samuel Dreams Big
Samuel came to Christ as a teenager. He saw his whole family—including 7 brothers and 1 sister—put their faith in Jesus. Since age 19, he has served in the church.
He said, “We had a good ministry going. But it was not as strong as it is now with our Global Disciples training. In fact, in only 3 years, we have sent out 52 disciple-makers and church planters. In our network, almost all our leaders were trained by Global Disciples. And as a result, we’re reaching out to more.”
One strategy they use is to send teams from the discipleship training out to help and support the church planters in their new communities.
As part of their outreach, they join the church planter in sharing the Good News, discipling new believers, helping with baptism, and serving in any other activities to equip and build up that newly-planted fellowship. It’s a great way to encourage a church planter—and be about the business of multiplying disciples at the same time.
Big Dreams Become Reality
In fact, Samuel reported that in just three years, “About 16,070 people have been reached with the Gospel and come to know Jesus. We’ve started 8 new churches.” That’s over 5,000 people a year making decisions to follow Jesus Christ!
What God is doing in Ethiopia, He can do anywhere. And He uses wholehearted disciples of Jesus who share the Good News of the Savior. You can do it—and so can I!
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission 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 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.
1. Family Discipleship Is Part Of The Great Commission
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
2. Family Discipleship Is Important
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
3. Family Discipleship Is Interwoven in Daily Activities
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.
4. Family Discipleship Helps Children Distinguish Truth From Falsehood
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.
5. Family Discipleship Doesn’t Make You Responsible For The Salvation Of Your Children
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.
6. Family Discipleship Should Be A Team Effort
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
7. Family Discipleship Clings to the truth
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.
8. Family Discipleship Is Not A Means To Manipulate Your Household
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.
9. Family Discipleship Is Not The Path Of Least Resistance
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.
10. Family Discipleship Can Be Incredibly Rewarding
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.
What does it mean to be a disciple?
“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
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.
Steadfastness
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
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.
Self-Denial
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.
Willingness to Leave It All
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.
What It Takes to Become a Disciple
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!
Corrie ten Boom once said, “There is no pit so deep, that God’s love is not deeper still.”
People who don’t know Jesus, who have never had an opportunity to hear the Gospel and find the hope and life He offers…well, they often live in very deep, dark spiritual pits.
Yet they’re not beyond God’s reach, they are not beyond redemption.
Luc, a Global Disciples’ Discipleship Program Director from the Democratic of Congo shares what God did when their disciple-makers went on outreach into their communities.
“After winning many souls to Christ,” he wrote, “our church planters entered the jail. They met Mr S who was a big leader of a gang of robbers.”
According to Luc, these were no small-time petty thieves, but a gang notorious for violence and criminal activity.
Mr S was their chief—he was in jail because he’d been arrested for rape.
Two of his right-hand men had come to visit him that day. Then in came these newly-trained disciple-makers!
God gave the disciple-makers grace in the eyes of these notorious criminals, and the three men all heard the message of the Gospel that day.
Not only that, but each one of them received Jesus Christ as his Savior!
A Gang Leaders Story Of Redemption
Mr. S, the gang leader, testified about his life—his journey into crime, confessing his sins and all the terrible things he had done. It was a long story to tell, but he praised God for saving him, for reaching into his dark and sinful pit and pulling him out with the love and salvation of Jesus.
What a glorious story of redemption that took place in that jail that day!
Corrie ten Boom was right—God’s love is deeper than any pit we fall in or make for ourselves out of our sin and rebellion. His reach is long, and His arm is strong to save each person who calls on His name. And He calls us to share that message with anyone we meet, wherever we are today!
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission 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!
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:
Plant Yourself in the Word of God
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.
Put God’s Word into Practice to Grow 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.
It’s Not About the Size of Your Faith
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.
Trust in God in the Hardest of Times
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.
Grow and Strengthen Faith Through Service
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.
Faith is the fuel for perseverance
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.”
Conclusion
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!
Tripura was raised in a Hindu family in South Asia—along with his two brothers and a sister.
When he first heard the Gospel from a local pastor, Tripura put his faith in Jesus Christ. That Good News has changed his life!
His pastor connected Tripura to a local discipleship-mission training started with the help of Global Disciples.
Tripura said, “This training was very important for me to experience Jesus in my heart. And it was a wonderful privilege to share the Word of God with least-reached people.”
During outreach, Tripura was part of a team that went to share the Good News of Jesus in several villages where there was no Christian presence or knowledge of the Gospel. He was part of leading 4 people to faith in Christ and helping to baptize them.
Sharing New Life In His Village
In one village, Tripura and his team came up against a spiritual battle. He said, “We felt that an evil spirit was working there. The people worshiped idols and one girl was captive to a demonic spirit. The local witch and magician had tried to help her, but they failed.”
The pastor of the team told the girl’s family that he and Tripura and the others could pray for the girl—that in the name of Jesus, she could be set free! So, her father gave them permission to pray.
Tripura said that after praying, the girl was unconscious…and they were afraid! “But we put our faith in Jesus Christ. And after a few minutes, she woke up and asked for food. She was delivered. I thank God for that! She and her father accepted Christ—and two neighbors saw this and they also put their faith in Jesus!”
Sharing The Good News Leads To Life Change
Not only has his life changed, but Tripura is now helping others find new life and spiritual freedom in Jesus Christ. He is eager to continue sharing the Good News of Jesus.
Tripura said, “Please pray for me, that God may help me to be useful in His glorious Kingdom!”
Will you pray for Tripura, and the thousands like him who are taking the message of Jesus to those who are waiting to hear it for the first time?
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission 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!
With great excitement, Obed said, “God’s vision, and my vision too, is to see each and every person have the opportunity to choose and follow Jesus! It’s on my mind when I pray, when I sleep, when I’m awake. I always ask God to help me share with others.”
As Global Disciples, that’s our vision too.
In fact, Obed is one of the church leaders we equipped to develop and direct discipleship-mission training in his home country of Rwanda. He embraced the vision with enthusiasm.
Obed continued, “Since I started training disciple-makers, I’ve seen a great transformation.
Obed Embraces The Vision
In the first year, we trained 15 disciple-makers and 270 people came to faith in Christ during our outreach. In the second year, 14 were trained, and another 200 people came to Christ. This year, so far, we’ve seen 150 people come to Christ.”
Obed says, “It’s not the same as other trainings—it changes our lives!”
He talked about meeting a witch doctor who had 2 wives, and 6 children. But because of his witchcraft, five of his children had died, and then one wife left him. His only living son had gone mad, he was running around naked. While the boy’s mother refused to let Obed and his team talk to the witch doctor, but a neighbor introduced them.
Obed Shares The Good News
Obed said, “We told the witch doctor we had heard of his troubles, and we came with Good News. He had heard the Gospel but feared that if he turned to Jesus, the evil spirits would destroy him.” The witch doctor mentioned a shrine and said that if the Christians would burn it, and he wasn’t harmed, then he would put his faith in Jesus.
Obed said, “So we burned the shrine, God healed his son, and the man came to Christ. And as a result, many others also chose to follow Jesus!”
No wonder Obed is so passionate about sharing the Gospel and fulfilling this mission. He’s seeing lives transformed by Jesus Christ and disciples multiplied every day.
First posted on https://globaldisciples.org/get-to-know-us/about-us/blog/
Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission 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!
Discover the rich history and importance of Sabbath in Christianity, its role in rest, worship, and spiritual well-being.
The Value Of Sabbath
The Sabbath is a day in the week when believers take a break from their weekly obligations. They focus on God and worship Him together with other Christians.
It has a history that extends back to the creation of the world. In Genesis 2:2–3, God Himself rested after creating the world.
He wants His people to follow His example by working six days and resting on the seventh. This day is holy because it is a day that is set apart for God. It is to be used for His glory.
The Sabbath in Exodus
One book later in Exodus, we read that God commanded Moses to tell the Israelites to keep the Sabbath day holy. Scriptures say that God rested on that day after creating the heavens and the earth, specifically in Exodus 31:17. The word “refreshed” is used in the Bible to describe how God felt after His rest. When we rest from work and spend time with God instead, we can experience the same type of refreshment. He considers rest for us so important that He even included it in the ten commandments (Exodus 20).
When the Lord delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery, the Sabbath day became a sign of the covenant between God and His people, per Exodus 31:13. This day was set apart by God as a day of rest and sanctification for His people. Some national holidays, such as the yearly Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16:30-31, occurred on a Sabbath, meaning that rest and forgiveness went hand in hand!
The Sabbath and The New Testament
God considered rest crucial for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. He did not want His people to become so busy that they did not connect with Him and listen to His voice. He also, being the perfect leader that He is, set an example by resting on the seventh day of creation. Our God is a God Who not only gives us instruction for holy living but lives according to these standards Himself.
In the Old Testament, sin needed to be paid for with the death of a perfect animal. Working on the Sabbath was no exception, with the penalty of disobedience having serious consequences.
However, the explanation does not end there. It continues and ends with the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice in the New Testament. Once He died and rose again, the law was fulfilled. Paul wrote in Colossians 2:16–17:
“’…let no one judge you in food or drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”
The Sabbath as a day of Rest
His point? We don’t have to observe these laws as the Jews did. However, we must still give ourselves a day of rest since God commanded it. Hence, today, while the majority prefer the Sabbath on a Sunday, it is now any day of the week you choose, so long as you honor God’s command to rest.
While in the Old Testament God gave His people laws for how they must live, sacrificing an animal was a way to be forgiven for disobeying these laws. In the New Testament, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice. Because He is Immanuel (God with us), His death was a perfect atonement once and for all sins. Keeping the Sabbath is still a commandment, but Jesus fulfilled the law and we now live under grace.
Grace means God has given us more freedom to determine how we live out His laws. For example, one Old Testament law demanded that God’s people not eat pork. Today, we are free to eat pork but are still supposed to be careful that the pork is fresh, clean, and will not make us sick. Today, in our freedom, we should still be careful to look after our bodies by not allowing harmful microorganisms into our systems.
The Sabbath is still valuable
Likewise with the Sabbath. We no longer need to all agree on which day to rest and dedicate extra time to worship. However, we are still required to worship and take time to rest.
Life can very easily become so busy that our relationship with God is pushed to the side. While we are free today to take any day as the Sabbath, we are expected to actively pursue rest in God and corporate worship with others, for the spiritual well-being of ourselves and others we meet.
Too often, we see rest as an afterthought. We often may even feel guilty that we are being lazy by not filling each day with activities to do. However, it is very clear throughout the history of people’s relationship with God that He rests, requires us to rest, and uses rest as a way to keep our spiritual lives holy and reach out to others so that they, too, can discover His life-changing hope.
The Sabbath is valuable! Why don’t you give it a try and start observing a Sabbath day?
To learn more about the values of Christianity, join Global Disciples Canada today!
What Is Global Disciples?
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!
“There is no greater joy than seeing a person get saved by grace through faith in Christ,” Li said.
Li leads a discipleship-mission training program in Myanmar and they’re seeing fruitful mission outreach in some of the most remote villages.
Li reported on their outreach efforts, sharing the Gospel of Jesus person to person, and house to house in rural communities. He said, “The local people are receptive and in one village, about a hundred accepted Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.”
He also talked with great excitement about Wai!
Wai Follows The Vision
Wai is a young woman, well-educated, a mom with a toddler daughter, and one of the disciple-makers he trained. She had a good job all lined up in the city when some difficulties kept her from taking it.
A few days later, Li’s wife called Wai and invited her to participate in the discipleship training. Wai responded quickly—it was just what she knew God wanted her to do!
God had already put a vision in her heart to reach local people with the Gospel of Christ. So she packed up her small daughter and traveled to the training
Other Women Follow The Vision
As Wai took part in the training and outreach, it was clear that God had clearly given her this vision. Wai is passionate about making Christ-like disciples, and developing women leaders, and helping families thrive. She is actively serving as an indigenous missionary church planter.
In fact, as people came to faith in Christ and a new fellowship was started, Wai stayed to give leadership!
Thanks to Wai, Li, and the rest of the disciple-makers, hundreds of people in these remote villages have had the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus for the first time.
Li said it, “God is at work. We do our part, and God is doing His. Mission opportunities are everywhere. And Christ’s love compels us, so that we are committed to channel every opportunity into this mission work.”
Christ’s love compels us—let’s make the most of our opportunities 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!