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 Covenant Part 7 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Covenant Part 7 Discussion Guide
1 Title
“Embracing the Blessing: The Story of Jacob and Esau”
2 Sermon Summary
In this sermon, we explore the complex and thought-provoking story of Jacob deceiving his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for his brother Esau. The sermon delves into the significance of blessings in the Bible, which are more than just well-wishes; they are powerful and shape lives. The narrative highlights the importance of being true to oneself and not pretending to be someone else to receive approval or blessings. It also touches on the grace of God, who uses imperfect people and works through their brokenness. The sermon concludes by emphasizing that Jesus took on our curse so that we could receive the blessing of being God’s favored children, encouraging us to receive this blessing and, in turn, be a blessing to others.
3 Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather today to delve into Your Word and the lessons from today’s sermon, we ask for open hearts and minds. May we be receptive to the teachings and the wisdom that You have for us. Help us to understand the true meaning of Your blessings and the grace that You so freely give. Guide our discussion, that it may be fruitful and draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
4 Ice Breaker
What is one small thing that you are grateful for today?
5 Key Verses
- Genesis 27:19 (NIV): “Jacob said to his father, ‘I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me. Please sit up and eat some of my game, so that you may give me your blessing.'”
- Hebrews 12:22-24 (NIV): “But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
6 Questions
- What does the story of Jacob and Esau teach us about the value of blessings in our lives?
- How can we ensure that we are seeking blessings in a way that is true to who we are, rather than pretending to be someone else?
- In what ways can we see God’s grace at work in the story of Jacob, despite his deceitful actions?
- How does the concept of Jesus taking on our curse to give us blessings resonate with you personally?
- What are some practical ways we can embrace and live out the blessing of being God’s favored children?
- How can we use our words and actions to bless others in our daily lives?
- Can you share a time when you felt truly blessed by someone’s words or actions?
- How can we, as a community, create a culture of blessing and encouragement?
7 Life Application
This week, let us each find an opportunity to bless someone with our words or actions. It could be a word of encouragement, a helping hand, or simply a listening ear. Let’s be intentional about recognizing the value in others and affirming their God-given purpose.
8 Ending Prayer
Dear Lord, as we conclude our time together, we thank You for the blessings You have poured into our lives. We pray that the lessons we’ve discussed today would take root in our hearts and bear fruit in our actions. Help us to be conduits of Your love and grace, extending Your blessings to those around us. May we leave this place empowered to live as Your favored children, sharing the joy of Your kingdom with the world. 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 Covenant Part 6 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Covenant Part 6 Discussion Guide
1 Title
Embracing Our Spiritual Birthright
2 Sermon Summary
In this sermon, we explore the conflict between Jacob and Esau, focusing on the concept of birthright and its implications for our spiritual inheritance. The sermon highlights how Esau, driven by immediate hunger, sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew, demonstrating the human tendency to trade long-term blessings for short-term satisfaction. The sermon also delves into the New Testament understanding of birthright, which shifts from a physical inheritance to a spiritual one through Jesus Christ. As believers, we are adopted into sonship, becoming co-heirs with Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
3 Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather today to reflect on Your Word, we ask for hearts open to the lessons of Jacob and Esau. Teach us to value the spiritual birthright You have given us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to resist the temptation to trade eternal treasures for fleeting pleasures. May our discussion be guided by Your Spirit, leading us to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the inheritance You have promised us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
4 Ice Breaker
If you could have any meal prepared for you right now, what would it be and why?
5 Key Verses
- Genesis 25:31-34 (NIV): “Jacob replied, ‘First sell me your birthright.’ ‘Look, I am about to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the birthright to me?’ But Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.”
- Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV): “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
6 Questions
- What does the story of Esau selling his birthright for a bowl of stew reveal about human nature?
- How can we avoid making decisions based on immediate desires at the expense of our spiritual inheritance?
- In what ways does the Holy Spirit act as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance?
- How does understanding our spiritual birthright as co-heirs with Christ change the way we live our daily lives?
- Can you share a time when you were tempted to trade something of eternal value for temporary satisfaction?
- How can we support each other in valuing and protecting our spiritual birthright?
- What does it mean to you to be adopted into sonship and to call God “Abba, Father”?
- How can we live out our identity as God’s children and heirs in practical ways this week?
7 Life Application
This week, let’s challenge ourselves to focus on the eternal rather than the temporary. Each day, take time to reflect on the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ and make one decision that aligns with eternal values over immediate gratification.
8 Ending Prayer
Lord God, as we close our time together, we thank You for the rich inheritance You have given us through Your Son. May we leave this place with a renewed commitment to cherish our spiritual birthright and to live as Your heirs. Help us to support one another in this journey, to encourage each other, and to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. In His precious 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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