Church Encourager
Our hope at Church Encourager is to provide practical support to help pastors, churches and lay leaders have greater confidence, enthusiasm and strength in their lives and walk with God. Use the button below to set up a free Zoom meeting with Church Encourager.
Hello! I’m Steve Lawes
Our desire at Church Encourager is pretty well summed up in our name. We want to encourage the church.
For Believers
We have a wide full range of Bible Studies, Spiritual Growth and Discipleship Tools.
For Churches
Utilizing a process we call “Virtual Church Consulting” we work with you through a series of steps to help pinpoint problems and offer solutions.
For Pastors
The weight of ministry can be overwhelming. You don’t have to carry it alone. There are times when pastors need to have someone come alongside them on their ministry journey.
My Qualifications and Certifications
Education
- AA General Studies (FKCC)
- BA Bible/Theology (Berean)
- MA Pastoral Ministries (ACTS)
- MDiv Ministry (JMBIS)
- PhD Pastoral Ministry (ACTS)
Experience
- Lead Pastor 30+ Years
- County & State Prison Chaplain
- Mission Team Leader 10 Years
- AVC Area Leader 10+ Years
- Bible Institute Founder (JMBIS)
Certifications
- Certified Church Consultant
- NCD America Coach
- Certified Church Revitalization
- Coaching for Clergy
- Chirstian DISC Facilitator
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 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.
Kingdom Coming Part 2 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Coming Part 2 Discussion Guide
Summary
In this sermon, the focus is on the journey through the Bible, specifically the section involving the prophets, with a particular emphasis on Ezekiel. The sermon highlights the themes of hope and restoration, as seen in Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, which symbolizes the revival and renewal that God promises to His people. The message underscores the importance of placing our hope in God rather than temporary things, and it points to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises through Jesus Christ and the future restoration of all things.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for gathering us here today. As we delve into Your Word, open our hearts and minds to receive the message You have for us. Help us to understand the hope and restoration You promise through Your prophets and through Jesus. May we be receptive to Your Spirit and grow in our faith and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is one thing you are hopeful for in the coming year?
Key Verses
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
- Romans 8:10-14
- Philippians 1:6
- Psalm 103:12
Questions
- What stood out to you the most from the sermon?
- How do you interpret the vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37?
- In what ways can we misplace our hope in temporary things today?
- How does the promise of restoration in Ezekiel relate to our lives now?
- What does it mean to have the Spirit of God living in us?
- How can we ensure our hope is grounded in God and not in worldly things?
- How does the message of hope in Ezekiel encourage you in your current circumstances?
- What practical steps can we take to live as ‘new creations’ in Christ?
Life Application
This week, identify one area in your life where you may have misplaced hope in temporary things. Pray and ask God to help you shift your hope to Him and His promises. Reflect on how this change in perspective can impact your daily life.
Key Takeaways
- The prophets’ messages often pointed to Jesus and the ultimate restoration of God’s people.
- Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones symbolizes hope and renewal through God’s Spirit.
- Placing hope in temporary things leads to despair; true hope is found in God.
- The Spirit of God brings life and empowers us to live as new creations.
- Our ultimate hope is in the future restoration and renewal promised in Revelation.
Ending Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the hope and life You offer us through Your Word and Spirit. As we leave this place, help us to carry this message of hope into our daily lives. May we be reminded of Your promises and live in anticipation of the restoration You have planned for us. Guide us to place our trust in You and to be a light to those around us. 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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