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 4 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Coming Part 4 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focuses on the concept of covenant in the Bible, particularly the new covenant introduced in Jeremiah 31. It emphasizes the importance of trusting God, who is always faithful, even when we are not. The sermon explores the tension between law and love, highlighting how the new covenant reconciles these through Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This empowerment allows believers to live rightly, not out of obligation, but because it is where true life is found. The sermon encourages believers to trust in God’s faithfulness and to live in the balance of law and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, ready to receive Your wisdom and guidance. Help us to understand the depth of Your love and the power of Your new covenant. May we be open to what You want to teach us today, and may Your Holy Spirit guide our discussion and transform our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is one thing you enjoy doing that helps you feel connected to God?
Key Verses
- Jeremiah 31:31-34
- Galatians 3:13-14
- Deuteronomy 7:9
- Deuteronomy 7:12-14
Questions
- What does the concept of a covenant mean to you personally?
- How do you see the balance of law and love in your own life?
- In what ways do you struggle with trusting God, and how can you overcome these struggles?
- How does the empowerment of the Holy Spirit change the way you live your life?
- Can you share a time when you felt God’s presence in a tangible way?
- What are some practical ways to keep ‘water in the pool’ of your relationship with God?
- How can we show empowered compassion to those around us?
- What does it mean to live in the tension between law and love, and how can we do it effectively?
Life Application
This week, focus on trusting God in a specific area of your life where you have struggled. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment to live in the balance of law and love.
Key Takeaways
- God is always faithful, even when we are not.
- The new covenant reconciles law and love through Jesus Christ.
- The Holy Spirit empowers us to live rightly and trust in God.
- Living in the tension between law and love requires a relationship with God.
- Empowered compassion and discernment are key aspects of a Spirit-filled life.
Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for the gift of Your new covenant and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Help us to live in the balance of law and love, trusting in Your faithfulness. May we be compassionate and discerning as we walk in Your ways. Guide us this week as we apply what we’ve learned today. 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 Coming Part 3 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Coming Part 3 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focused on the themes of trust and where we root our lives, using the analogy of two trees from Jeremiah 17:5-9. The cursed tree represents those who trust in human strength and turn away from God, leading to a barren life. In contrast, the blessed tree symbolizes those who trust in the Lord, resulting in a fruitful and resilient life. The sermon emphasized the importance of rooting our lives in God, as external circumstances do not determine our spiritual health, but rather where our trust is placed.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and minds, ready to receive Your wisdom and guidance. Help us to be receptive to Your word today and to understand where we need to place our trust. May Your Spirit move among us, opening our eyes to the areas in our lives where we need to root ourselves more deeply in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is your favorite type of tree and why?
Key Verses
- Jeremiah 17:5-9
- Psalm 19:7-14
- Genesis 2:9
- Genesis 3:6
Questions
- What stood out to you the most from today’s sermon?
- How do you interpret the analogy of the two trees in Jeremiah?
- Can you share a time when you felt like you were in a ‘wasteland’ spiritually?
- What are some things you find yourself trusting in more than God?
- How can we ensure our roots are planted by the ‘living water’?
- What does it mean to you to have a ‘deceptive heart’?
- How can we reorient our trust towards God in our daily lives?
- What practical steps can we take to deepen our relationship with God this week?
Life Application
This week, identify one area in your life where you have been relying on your own strength rather than trusting in God. Make a conscious effort to bring this area to God in prayer, asking Him to help you root your trust in Him.
Key Takeaways
- Trusting in human strength leads to a barren spiritual life.
- Rooting our lives in God results in resilience and fruitfulness.
- The heart is deceitful and can lead us away from God.
- External circumstances do not determine our spiritual health.
- Reorienting our trust towards God is essential for spiritual growth.
Ending Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the insights and truths shared today. Help us to apply what we’ve learned and to root our lives deeply in You. May we trust in Your strength and wisdom, and may our lives bear fruit that honors You. Guide us in the week ahead, and keep our hearts aligned with Your will. 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.
Church Encourager
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