Discipleship

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32261&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

How is your prayer life? Is prayer your first response for all thoughts and encounters in your life?

Have you ever thought through why you do not spend more time with God? What aspects of your time and commitment hold you back from prayer? Most of us do not have the kind of prayer life we should have; in my experience, most people give up because either they do not know how to pray or they do not understand the significance of prayer. Others may have prayer lives but they are not godly or effectual prayers; these tend to be the prayers with only the self-interests or personal agendas in mind. We may know about prayer, but...

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32258&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Whatever approach you use, never argue or condemn the other person's beliefs. Focus on God's love for the person, Jesus' death on the cross for our sins, His resurrection, and the person's need to make a commitment to follow Christ. Invite the person to actually pray with you and commit his or her life to Christ.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32256&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Have you ever wondered what we are being saved from?

This is not a pleasant, happy subject, but, nonetheless, it is extremely important for those whose call it is to help save the lost. (By the way, all Christians have this call!) We are saved, by Christ, from God's wrath and an eternity in Hell! But, what is Hell? "Hell" is a name that evokes both fear and contempt. It evokes fear from those who consider it the most heinous place conceivable and where they do not want to go. It raises contempt from those who consider it a figment of someone's distorted imagination, while others will argue that...

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32245&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

"The most effective evangelism tool ever developed!" Billy Graham

Many years ago I was on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ and we started this program on how to better reach our neighbors with prayer. Later on it was infolded into "Mission America," our Ministry Partner and the Association that Into Thy Word is a part of. So, it is natural we have for you a "How to Develop a Lighthouse! "

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=How-the-Fruit-of-the-Spirit-Works&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

We have to realize that the Fruit of the Spirit is a "must" endeavor--not a convenience or a mere attitude, nor is it just for children or something to be ignored. Rather, it is a principle hallmark that points to God's Holiness and effectual Christian living. It is not something we are to regulate to the youth departments of the church, thinking we have grown beyond it as adults. Rather, it is the most important thing a Christian and, especially a minister of the Word and church leader, is to be doing. It is who we are to be, growing and maturing as a lifelong journey of our spiritual formation our faith development and deployment.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32243&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

What is accountability? It is a check and balance system to protect us from harm from ourselves and others. We do this by being open to what we are thinking and doing so we can receive encouragement and reproof, when needed. Christian accountability is accounting for what we are up to. It is the realization that we are liable, responsible, and answerable for our actions in life to God, as well as to key Christians in our life. Thus, we need to hold to our beliefs and keep in line with what we believe so it does not distract us from God's path for us or discourage others from their path.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32242&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Small Group Curriculum Model

Small groups are designed to meet the deepest relational and learning needs of the congregation. Small groups can help provide the framework for people to be challenged to worship God with joy, passion, and conviction by learning who they are in Christ so they can develop the trusting faith in Jesus as Savior and LORD...

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32241&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them (Matt. 18:20)

Small Groups are the way to grow your church in Him! Your church is called to make Small Groups!

So what can you do? Start to think small! For God to do something big in your life and in your church, you need to start thinking small-Small Groups! Small Groups are important and essential. They are the primary and best means to learn and grow in our walk with Christ. All Christians who are serious about their faith should be in a Small Group.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=54543&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

Fruit of the Spirit Part II

The Fruit of the Spirit is the continual and indispensable application of God's work in us that spurs our growing, effectual, spiritual development. This, in turn, assembles the elements we need to further build and live out our faith so we can effectively and graciously relate to others around us.

http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=3844&view=post&articleid=32237&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0

In Acts the Bible tells us we need to be in relationships for our personal and spiritual growth. As Paul and the early Christians taught and received teaching "from house to house," we too must respond in our walk with Christ in each others homes (Acts 5:42; 20:20)!