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 Incarnate Part 6 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Incarnate Part 6 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focuses on the fourth sign in John’s Gospel – the feeding of the 5,000 – and connects it to Jesus as the Bread of Life. Pastor Steve explores how God used bread (manna) in the Old Testament to teach the Israelites to trust Him daily, and how Jesus later declares Himself as the true bread from heaven that provides eternal spiritual nourishment. The message emphasizes the importance of daily dependence on God and maintaining a consistent relationship with Him.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand what it means to depend on You daily. Help us recognize Jesus as the Bread of Life and teach us to trust You completely. Guide our discussion and reveal Your truth to each person here. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s your favorite type of bread and why?
Key Verses
John 6:35
Exodus 16:4
John 6:27
John 6:51
Questions
What does it mean to you that Jesus is the ‘Bread of Life’?
How does the story of manna in the wilderness demonstrate God’s desire for daily dependence?
Why do you think the Israelites tried to store up manna despite God’s instructions?
In what ways do we sometimes try to ‘store up’ our relationship with God instead of seeking Him daily?
How does the feeding of the 5,000 demonstrate both God’s abundance and His care for our physical needs?
What are some practical ways we can seek God daily in our busy lives?
How does knowing that Jesus satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst impact your approach to life?
What distractions or ‘food that spoils’ keep you from pursuing your relationship with God?
Life Application
This week, commit to spending dedicated time with God each day, even if it’s just 15 minutes. Keep a journal of how God speaks to you during these daily encounters and notice how this regular connection impacts your spiritual hunger and trust in Him.
Key Takeaways
Everything in Scripture points to Jesus as the source of life
Our relationship with God requires daily nurturing and cannot be stored up
True satisfaction comes only through Jesus, the Bread of Life
God is trustworthy and provides for both our physical and spiritual needs
We must actively choose to prioritize our relationship with God over temporary satisfaction
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Bread of Life. Help us to hunger for You more than anything else and to trust You completely with our daily needs. Give us the discipline to seek You daily and the wisdom to recognize Your provision in our lives. Transform our hearts to desire the eternal nourishment only You can provide. In Your 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 Incarnate Part 5 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Incarnate Part 5 Discussion Guide
Summary
The sermon focused on the story from John 5, where Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. The central question posed by Jesus, ‘Do you want to get well?’ serves as a profound inquiry into our willingness to step out of the familiar and into the life God has for us. The sermon emphasized the importance of choosing God’s way over our own, and the necessity of taking that first step of faith, trusting in Jesus’ guidance.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for gathering us here today. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive Your word and guidance. Help us to be receptive to the changes You want to make in our lives. May we be willing to step out in faith and trust in Your perfect plan for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ice Breaker
What is one thing you are looking forward to this week?
Key Verses
John 5:1-9
John 10:10
1 Peter 3:15
Questions
What does the question ‘Do you want to get well?’ mean to you personally?
Why do you think Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well?
What are some ‘familiar’ things in your life that might be holding you back from spiritual growth?
How can we discern between God’s way and our own way in daily decisions?
What are some excuses we often make that prevent us from following God’s guidance?
How can we support each other in taking steps of faith?
What role does community play in helping us ‘get well’ spiritually?
How can we present the message of Jesus with gentleness and respect to those around us?
Life Application
This week, identify one area in your life where you feel ‘stuck’ and take a step of faith towards change, trusting in God’s guidance.
Key Takeaways
Jesus pursues us and offers us the opportunity for healing and transformation.
The question ‘Do you want to get well?’ challenges us to examine our willingness to change.
Choosing God’s way over our own leads to true life and peace.
Excuses can keep us from experiencing the fullness of life God offers.
Faith requires action, often starting with a small step towards God’s direction.
Ending Prayer
Lord, thank You for the time we’ve spent together discussing Your word. Help us to carry the lessons we’ve learned into our daily lives. Give us the courage to take steps of faith and to trust in Your perfect plan. May we always seek Your guidance and choose Your way over our own. 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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