“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”  — John 8:31–32 Jesus spoke these words while He was in the temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. He spoke them to […]

Christian discipleship is deceptively simple. When spiritually mature people convey their piety to others, discipleship is taking place. The good news is that discipleship doesn’t require scientific studies, tactical gurus, or expensive materials. But here is the bad news: if either ingredient is lacking—spiritual maturity or the communication of spiritual disciplines—discipleship cannot take place. In […]

God call parents to “train up” their children in the “instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Psalm 78:5–7 sets before us the reasons why we should perform this task: God “decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know […]

Turning the Reformed Church Outward: The Potential for Side-Door Growth For years, North American churches have grown through what might be termed front-door growth. Churches worked hard on their street appeal and redesigned worship services that were welcoming and exciting to the unchurched. This approach proved extraordinarily successful with a large demographic of people who […]