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 Spark 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 Coming Part 6 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Coming Part 6 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focuses on the theme of living in exile, as illustrated through the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. It emphasizes the importance of engaging with the culture without being assimilated by it, maintaining one’s faith and identity as a child of God. The sermon draws parallels between Daniel’s story and the life of Jesus, highlighting the need for believers to remain steadfast in their faith despite cultural pressures and challenges. The message encourages believers to be ‘salt and light’ in the world, preserving their distinctiveness while positively impacting their surroundings.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us today. Help us to be attentive to Your voice and to learn from the example of Daniel. May we be inspired to live out our faith boldly, even in the face of challenges. Guide our discussion and let Your Spirit move among us, drawing us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition or dish?
Key Verses
- Daniel 6:19-23
- Matthew 5:13-16
- 1 Peter 5:8
- Jeremiah 29:4-7
Questions
- What stood out to you the most from the story of Daniel in the lion’s den?
- How can we engage with our culture without being assimilated by it?
- What does it mean to be ‘salt and light’ in today’s world?
- Have you ever experienced ‘pushback’ for your faith? How did you handle it?
- In what ways can we support each other in maintaining our faith in challenging environments?
- How does the story of Daniel foreshadow the life and mission of Jesus?
- What role does prayer play in your daily life, and how can it be a response to cultural pressures?
- How can we be good neighbors and positively impact our communities as followers of Christ?
Life Application
This week, identify one area in your life where you feel cultural pressure to conform. Commit to praying about it daily and seek ways to stand firm in your faith while engaging positively with those around you.
Key Takeaways
- Engage with culture without losing your identity in Christ.
- Prayer is a powerful response to life’s challenges.
- Being ‘salt and light’ means preserving and enhancing the world around us with God’s love.
- Expect pushback when living out your faith, but remain steadfast.
- Daniel’s story points to the greater story of Jesus, who is with us in all circumstances.
Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for the example of Daniel and the reminder that You are with us in every situation. Help us to be bold in our faith and to shine Your light in the world. As we go from here, may we carry Your love and truth into our communities, being good neighbors and faithful witnesses of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ 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.
Kingdom Coming Part 5 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Coming Part 5 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focuses on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from Daniel 3, highlighting their unwavering faith in God despite facing a fiery ordeal. The narrative emphasizes the pressure to conform to societal norms and the importance of remaining steadfast in one’s faith. The sermon also draws parallels between the biblical story and modern-day challenges, encouraging believers to trust God unconditionally, even when circumstances are difficult. The presence of a fourth figure in the furnace, identified as Jesus, underscores the message that believers are never alone in their trials.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, ready to receive Your wisdom and guidance. Help us to be receptive to Your message today and to understand the depth of Your love and presence in our lives. May we be inspired by the faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and may we learn to trust You more deeply. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is one thing you enjoy doing that helps you relax and unwind?
Key Verses
- Daniel 3:16-18
- 1 Peter 4:12
- Isaiah 43:2-3
Questions
- What stood out to you the most in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
- How do you handle pressure to conform to societal norms that conflict with your faith?
- What does it mean to have genuine faith in God, even when things don’t go as planned?
- Can you share a time when you experienced a ‘fiery ordeal’ and how you saw God at work in that situation?
- How does the presence of the fourth man in the furnace encourage you in your own trials?
- In what ways can we support each other in remaining steadfast in our faith?
- What are some practical steps we can take to deepen our trust in God?
- How can we be more compassionate towards others who are going through difficult times?
Life Application
This week, identify one area in your life where you feel pressured to conform. Pray for strength and wisdom to stand firm in your faith, and seek ways to demonstrate God’s love and truth in that situation.
Key Takeaways
- Faith in God should be unconditional, trusting Him even when outcomes are uncertain.
- Believers face pressure to conform, but are called to stand firm in their faith.
- God is present with us in our trials, as demonstrated by the fourth man in the furnace.
- Fiery ordeals can strengthen our faith and deepen our trust in God’s wisdom.
- Jesus is our constant companion, offering hope and deliverance in every situation.
Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for the reminder that we are never alone in our trials. Help us to trust You more deeply and to stand firm in our faith, regardless of the pressures we face. May we be a light to those around us, showing Your love and truth in all we do. 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.
Church Encourager
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