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 Podcast
Recent Church Encourager Posts
Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 7 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 7 Discussion Guide
Summary
In today’s sermon, we explored the theme of ‘Kingdom Foreshadowed,’ focusing on the importance of trust and rest in our relationship with God. We delved into the story of the Israelites’ journey from Egypt, highlighting their moments of celebration and restlessness. The sermon emphasized the significance of the Ten Words (Commandments) as a love document given to a rescued people, not as a set of rules for salvation. We also discussed the concept of Sabbath as a time for rest and reset, allowing us to trust God more deeply and love others more fully.
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 trust in Your goodness and find rest in Your presence. Guide our discussion and let Your Holy Spirit move among us, revealing Your truths and drawing us closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is one thing you enjoy doing to relax and unwind?
Key Verses
- Exodus 15:19-21
- Exodus 20:1-17
- Deuteronomy 15:1-2
- Matthew 11:28-30
- 2 Kings 6:1-7
Questions
- What stood out to you the most from today’s sermon?
- How do you understand the concept of ‘rest’ in your spiritual life?
- Why do you think trust is so crucial in our relationship with God?
- Can you share a time when you felt restless and how you overcame it?
- What are some modern-day ‘idols’ that people might turn to when they are restless?
- How can we incorporate the idea of Sabbath rest into our busy lives?
- What does it mean to you that God is a God who restores?
- How can we better love God and others by trusting and resting in Him?
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to set aside a specific time for Sabbath rest. Use this time to focus on God, enjoy His presence, and reflect on His goodness. Trust that He can handle all your concerns and allow yourself to truly rest in Him.
Key Takeaways
- Trusting God is essential for entering His rest.
- Sabbath is a time for rest and reset, reminding us of God’s provision and care.
- The Ten Words (Commandments) are a love document for a rescued people.
- Restlessness can lead to the creation of idols in our lives.
- God is a God who restores and desires freedom from indebtedness and slavery for His people.
Ending Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the truths revealed in today’s sermon. Help us to trust You more deeply and find rest in Your presence. As we go about our week, remind us of the importance of Sabbath and the joy of loving You and others. Restore what is broken in our lives and lead us into Your peace. 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 Foreshadowed Part 6 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 6 Discussion Guide
Summary
Today’s sermon focused on the concept of biblical rest and trust, as introduced through the story of Exodus and the Ten Commandments. The pastor emphasized that God is not interested in our productivity or ‘bricks,’ but in our relationship with Him and others. The sermon highlighted the importance of moving away from a culture of hurry and performance to one of trust and rest in God. The key message was that true rest and peace come from trusting in God’s provision and love, and this rest is essential for authentic relationships with God and others.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts and minds. We ask that You help us to be receptive to Your word and to understand the true meaning of rest and trust in You. Guide our discussion and let Your Holy Spirit move among us, revealing the areas in our lives where we need to let go and trust You more. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is your favorite way to relax and unwind after a busy day?
Key Verses
- Matthew 11:28-30
- Exodus 20:1-3
- Psalm 23:1-3
- Hebrews 4:9-11
Questions
- What does biblical rest mean to you?
- How does our culture of hurry and productivity affect your daily life?
- Why do you think God emphasized rest in the Ten Commandments?
- How can we balance work and rest in our modern lives?
- What are some practical ways to incorporate rest and trust in God into your daily routine?
- How does trusting God help you to experience true rest?
- Can you share a time when you felt God’s peace and rest in a stressful situation?
- What steps can you take this week to move away from a performance-driven mindset to one of trust and rest in God?
Life Application
This week, take at least ten minutes each day to disconnect from all distractions and spend time in quiet reflection and prayer. Focus on trusting God and finding rest in His presence. Reflect on areas in your life where you are still ‘stuck in Egypt’ and ask God to help you let go and trust Him more.
Key Takeaways
- God values our relationship with Him more than our productivity.
- Biblical rest is essential for authentic relationships with God and others.
- Our culture of hurry and performance can hinder our ability to trust and rest in God.
- True rest comes from trusting in God’s provision and love.
- God’s commandments are given to guide us in living a life of trust and rest in Him.
Ending Prayer
Lord, we thank You for the time we’ve spent together today. Help us to carry the lessons we’ve learned into our daily lives. Teach us to trust You more and to find true rest in Your presence. May we experience Your peace and share it with those around us. 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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