These weekly podcast episodes are the audio recordings for our Equip Sunday night courses at Rocky Creek in Greenville, SC.
The Book of Psalms, a collection of 150 religious songs, prayers, and poems found in the Old Testament, is often called the “Hymnal” or “Prayer Book” of the Bible. It reflects human emotions from despair to praise and serves as a guide for prayer and worship.
The security of salvation depends on whose work it ultimately is. We might fumble, but God remains faithful.
You must flourish as a disciple before you succeed as a minister. Certain relationships are vital for the long-term health of your ministry.
People think that worship is the music a church sings, but it is much more. The corporate gathering of God's people is essential to our spiritual formation.
When missions becomes focused on the doer and less about the sender, we have shifted from a biblical theology centered around the mission of God to a religious-based humanitarian agency that no longer represented the One whom we claim to be an ambassador for.
Christians understand the importance of discipleship, but few actively practice it. We need to move beyond ministry programs and prioritize personal disciple-making.
A local church is supposed to function as a faith family, assisting one another thoroughly. Without clear organization for how to do so, many needs will remain unmet.
Apprenticeship is necessary for a ministry to maximize its ability to accomplish God's agenda. While the process takes time and effort, it will ultimately multiply the work.
A church must have a clear process of its members receiving training and continuing ministry. If people can serve according to God's giftings, the church will be blessed.
Without a clear guide for a church's leadership, a congregation will continually face unnecessary issues hindering ministry. Discover Scripture's descriptive wisdom for a church's prescriptive plan.
Many Christians struggle when there are no clear expectations within a church's membership structure. By clarifying roles and responsibilities for both the member and the church at large, both can minister more effectively.
Acts 13:1-3 – As individual local churches seek to increase their membership, it becomes easy to overlook the larger context. We need intentional people mobilized for church planting and replanting to reach our city and beyond.
God has established the home and the church to play significant roles in the spiritual development of the next generations. Discover how to administer this better in both environments.
Many churches and Christians have the right ambitions for ministry but fail to develop the proper systems to achieve them. Discover scriptural concepts and practical tips to be the most effective and efficient version of yourself for the sake of God's Kingdom.
As we seek to follow Jesus within a local church, we must never surrender biblical objectives to manmade agendas. Discover how to lead a local church according to God's authority.
Mentoring will not happen by accident. You must be intentional in helping others follow you as you follow Jesus.
Generalized approaches can never adequately address distinct disciples. In order to see legitimate discipleship take place in your life and in the lives of those around you, we cannot depend upon widespread methods hoping to address the specific needs of everyone.
Without access to the Scriptures, a people group is significantly hindered from establishing healthy churches. We must prioritize getting all of the Bible into the hands of all people.
The most effective type of evangelism with people of other faiths is through the vehicle of established friendships. To share the good news, you need to establish a good relationship.
Knowing about world religions is helpful, but evangelism must take place if that information is to see transformation in the life of another. Consider these three biblical steps to evangelize someone of a different faith.
In Islam, the forgiveness of sins through Christ is not realized since Muhammed is their final prophet. They focus on their efforts, actions, and submission to Allah as their believed path to salvation.
Through a deeper understanding of this religion, notice the similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam.
The “religious” practices of cults may seem close to the truth with their similar terminology. However, anything that deviates and twists the truth is a lie.
These organizations base their claims on deceit and false teachings. When we know the gospel and how to interpret God's Word, we avoid making dangerous claims in the name of the Bible without capturing its message.
Due to the Old Testament, most Christians know more about Judaism than other religions. Judaism is a religion that believes in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob but denies Jesus as the Messiah.
The goal of Buddhism is to achieve enlightenment in order to address the problem of suffering. While the path may look different for every Buddhist, there are some common concepts that unite them.
Buddhism is a religion that dates back to one man searching for liberation. His discovery and teachings would lead many others on a path to enlightenment.
India's beliefs and gods were so varied that “Hinduism” was used to unite all the varying expressions of religion in that country. Discover the worldview of those in this religion, which comprises over 1 billion people worldwide.
A worldview is simply how someone views the world. Within that framework, even if it is never thoroughly clarified, a person interprets and reacts to everything in life.
Our world has thorough religious systems that significantly alter how people live and societies function. Learn what comprises a religion and how it should influence one's decisions.
This gospel is too great to keep to ourselves. That's why we want to include all our members in some aspect of God's worldwide mission.
As we help others in discipleship, some situations require additional guidance. That's why we are committed to providing Christ-centered counseling to help people face life's deep and difficult issues.
The great thing about following Jesus is it involves more than a momentary decision. He is still calling us to discipleship. It implies that we are still His students desiring to learn His ways continually.
As we age, we must prepare our end-of-life plans so that our loved ones are not unfairly clueless or unnecessarily burdened. God's Word gives us great insight regarding how we should make plans now for the inevitable to come.
To partake in adultery is to seek temporal satisfaction while neglecting long-term consequences. Discover what God's Word says about this sin and how to avoid it.
Technological devices are one of the most successful tools for endangering and distracting us. Determine your convictions before the culture standardizes your practices.
Everyone suffers from some level of anxiety in their lives. Discover what Scripture clarifies to address our feelings when we are overwhelmed.
It can be disheartening for parents who seek to raise their children in the ways of the Lord to see them turn from it. Learn these biblical principles to reach your children if they drift away.
Our families are consumed with pursuing achievements and losing each other in the process. Discover biblical principles necessary to further your family toward God's ideal.
Knowing that power corrupts on an individual level, we understand that political positions can wield an endangering level of corruption. As we process politics, we must keep them subservient to God's rule and reign over our lives.
Dissatisfaction leads to unnecessary purchases and increasing debt. Discover God's principles for decreasing debt and living in financial freedom.
The last book of the Bible prepares the Church for our final and eternal reality. The end is nearing, the victory is coming, and our Savior is returning.
As Christianity spread throughout the world after Jesus' ascension, the leaders attempted to keep the movement to Christ's example and intention. The mission advanced quickly through the establishment of churches and the spreading of letters.
Saul's conversion dramatically changed the missional focus of the early Church and Christianity as a whole. During that time, the gospel opened the door to both Jews and Gentiles, and the Jerusalem Council ensured it would stay that way.
The Holy Spirit empowered the disciples on Pentecost, but they required persecution to move them out of Jerusalem. God uses varied catalysts to send His people out on mission.
Without the empty tomb, the Christian faith is an empty religion devoid of any hope. Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave and commissioned us clearly to the world.
While Jesus' death seemed like a shocking defeat to his followers, the crucifixion of Christ was God's plan all along. By studying the context of the event, we can understand what Jesus truly accomplished.
Jesus' ministry centered around his association with two critical groups: sinners and self-righteous. To understand these complex dynamics reveals the nature of Jesus' approach.
When you look at this unique group of disciples that Jesus chose, there isn't anything special about them. Jesus invested three years into these men so they would be mature disciples.
Jesus' ministry only lasted three years, but the effect of it has completely changed history. In studying the critical components of his ministry, we can better ascertain the purpose for which he came.
We know little about his life between the birth of Jesus and the beginning of his ministry. The gospel authors reported very sparse details, but what we do know provides excellent insight into his preparation for the ministry.