Church Encourager
Our hope at Church Encourager is to provide practical support to help pastors, churches and leaders have greater confidence, enthusiasm and strength in their lives and walk with God.
We are excited to announce that we are launching the Church Encourager Initiative to enhance leadership effectiveness, improve team dynamics, and reduce burnout among faith leaders. Use the button below to find out more about this exciting opportunity.
For Pastors and CHurch Leaders
Pastors and church leaders often experience high levels of stress and burnout, with limited access to personalized coaching and development tools. Many struggle with team conflicts, leadership challenges, and personal discouragement, leading to ineffective ministry and, in some cases, early resignation. We are launching the Church Encourager Initiative to enhance leadership effectiveness, improve team dynamics, and reduce burnout among faith leaders.
For Churches
Utilizing a process we call Virtual Church Renewal we work with you through a series of steps to help pinpoint problems and offer solutions.
Books & Publications
Establishing a daily life of prayer and meditation on the Word of God are vital to the life and health of every believer. My devotional books help to incorporate proven Spiritual disciplines into your daily life.
Discipleship Training
Daily Psalt Intake
From the beginning, the church has used the Book fof Psalms (Psalter) as the center of its daily practice.
Discipleship Training
Daily Sage Intake
The Proverbs help to develop the way that we live our life “in Christ” in a fallen world on a broken planet.
Discipleship Training
Daily Strength Training
Have you prayed today? That is a question of four simple words that can help us to become a people of prayer.
Recent Church Encourager Posts
Kingdom Incarnate Part 11 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Incarnate Part 11 Discussion Guide
Summary
This sermon focuses on forgiveness and its importance in Christian life, using the story of the paralyzed man from Luke 5 and Mark 2. The pastor emphasizes how Jesus prioritized forgiving the man’s sins before healing his physical condition, demonstrating that spiritual healing is often more crucial than physical healing. The message explores how unforgiveness acts like a spiritual paralysis, preventing personal growth and affecting all aspects of life.
The sermon delves into what forgiveness is and isn’t, highlighting that while we’re not expected to forget wrongs done to us (only God can do that), we are called to release resentment and trust God to handle justice. The pastor also discusses the physical and mental health benefits of forgiveness, supported by medical research.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss forgiveness, open our hearts to Your wisdom and truth. Help us to be honest with ourselves about any unforgiveness we may be harboring, and grant us the courage to release it. Guide our discussion and help us learn from one another as we seek to better understand Your heart for forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s the kindest thing someone has done for you recently that made you feel grateful?
Key Verses
Luke 5:20
Matthew 6:14-15
Ephesians 4:31-32
Micah 7:18-19
Questions
What stood out to you most about Jesus forgiving the paralyzed man before healing him?
How do you typically respond when someone offends you? What’s your first reaction?
Why do you think it’s sometimes harder to forgive ourselves than to forgive others?
How has holding onto unforgiveness affected your life or relationships in the past?
What’s the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? Why is this distinction important?
How does knowing that God delights in showing mercy impact your view of forgiveness?
What are some practical steps we can take to prepare ourselves for future offenses?
How can we help others who are struggling with unforgiveness in their lives?
Life Application
This week, identify one person or situation where you’ve been holding onto unforgiveness. Spend time each day praying for that person and asking God to help you release any resentment. Take one practical step toward forgiveness, even if it’s simply writing a letter you never send expressing your feelings and your choice to forgive.
Key Takeaways
Unforgiveness is like spiritual paralysis that affects all areas of life
Forgiveness empowers and benefits the forgiver, leading to better mental and physical health
Only God can truly forget sins; we’re called to release resentment and trust His justice
Forgiveness isn’t pretending everything is fine or necessarily reconciling with the offender
People will inevitably hurt us, so we should prepare by extending grace in advance
Ending Prayer
Lord God, thank You for being the ultimate example of forgiveness. Help us to release any unforgiveness we’re holding onto and trust You with our pain. Give us the strength to forgive as You have forgiven us. Let Your healing power work in our hearts as we choose to walk in forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Kingdom Incarnate Part 10 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Incarnate Part 10 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focuses on the importance of Scripture in Jesus’ life and ministry, particularly examining how Jesus used the Bible to defeat temptation in Luke 4. The pastor discusses the historical significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls discovery in 1947, which provided evidence of the Bible’s accuracy and preservation over 2,000 years. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus relied on Scripture to combat the enemy’s three main temptation strategies: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to study Your Word, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to understand how Jesus used Scripture to overcome temptation. Help us to be receptive to Your teaching and guide us in applying these truths to our own lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What was your favorite book as a child and why?
Key Verses
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Luke 4:1-13
1 John 2:15-16
Genesis 3:1-6
Questions
How does Jesus’ use of Scripture during temptation demonstrate its importance in our daily lives?
What are some ways the enemy tries to prevent believers from reading the Bible?
How do you see the three temptation strategies (lust of flesh, eyes, and pride of life) manifesting in today’s world?
Why do you think Jesus, being the Son of God, still relied on Scripture to combat temptation?
What role does love play in overcoming temptation according to the sermon?
How can we better prepare ourselves to face temptation using God’s Word?
What is your ‘go-to’ Scripture verse and why is it meaningful to you?
How has regular Bible reading impacted your relationship with Jesus?
Life Application
This week, choose and memorize one ‘go-to’ Scripture verse that you can use when facing temptation. Make a commitment to read your Bible daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes, and notice how it affects your relationship with God.
Key Takeaways
Jesus loved and relied on Scripture throughout His ministry
The enemy uses three main strategies for temptation: lust of flesh, lust of eyes, and pride of life
The Dead Sea Scrolls provide historical evidence of the Bible’s preservation and accuracy
Regular Bible reading is essential for spiritual growth and overcoming temptation
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us the power of Your Word in overcoming temptation. Help us to follow Your example by treasuring Scripture and using it in our daily lives. Give us the discipline to read Your Word regularly and the wisdom to apply it when facing temptation. In Your name we pray, Amen.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
Church Encourager
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