Author: ed@edearnest.com

Does the church really matter?

“I really love Jesus, but I hate the church.” Wait, what? What are some reasons someone could have that attitude/view?

1. Some people have a bad idea of what the church is.
2. In our modern day 21^st century American culture we tend to value individualism too highly.
3. Some people don’t realize that the church is Jesus’ idea.
4. The church is both universal & local. Both are important.

Highlights:

• The church is a people, not just an organization, building, or meeting space.
• “Church people are just a bunch of hypocrites.” Oh no…but we are so much more. *facepalm*
• Some people are church hurt. Very few people complain about grocery store hurt or movie theatre hurt.
• Be devoted to one another… (Rom.12:10), honor one another… (Rom. 12:10), live in harmony with one another… (Rom. 12:16), accept one another…(Rom. 15:7), serve one another… (Galatians 5:13), be kind and compassionate to one another… (Eph. 4:32), admonish one another… (Col.3:16), encourage one another… (1 Thess. 5:11; Heb. 3:13), spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24), offer hospitality to one another… (1 Peter 4:9), love one another… (1 Peter 1:22).

Resources to help you go farther:T

• What’s the difference between the local and universal church? (article)
• What should I look for in a church? (article)

What are some practical ways Christ-followers can show love to others?

1. Words of affirmation
2. Quality time
3. Receiving gifts
4. Acts of service
5. Physical touch

Highlights:

• He [Jesus] answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself.” -Luke 10:27
• The way the world will know what a follower of Jesus looks like is by the way they show love. (John 13:35)
• Everyone has a primary love language- the way they really feel loved.
• It is a challenge to find out what other’s love language is an speak that rather than just assuming other’s love language is like yours.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

The 5 Love Languages

7 tips to get the most out of your Bible reading:

1. Realize what the Bible is. The Bible isn’t a book…it’s a library.
2. Recognize why getting the Word into your heart is important.
3. Pray before, during, & after your reading time.
4. Use a translation that you can understand.
5. Find a time & place (for regular time of reading).
6. Plan.
7. Bookmark.

Highlights:

• The Bible isn’t really a book…it’s a library. You read a library differently than you read a book.
• The Bible is unique- assembled over 1,500+ years on 3 different continents by 40 different authors, written in three different languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, & Greek).
• Romans 10:17, “…faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” 
• The Word of God is how we get to know the character of God. The Bible is about Jesus.
• Bible apps like YouVersion can be helpful for listening to the Bible.
• Praying goes hand in hand with Bible reading. Taking notes is also helpful.
• If you do not have a regular time & place for Bible reading it probably won’t happen regularly.
• Having a Bible reading plan is important. Here are a few that are helpful.
• The best Bible study tool that I can recommend is… a bookmark. Use it- because reading books starting at the beginning and working your way through just makes sense. This is just as true for books of the Bible.

Resources mentioned in today’s podcast:

LifeWay Research: Americans Are Fond of the Bible, Don’t Actually Read It

Do You Know How We Got The Bible? Timothy Paul Jones on How We Got—and Why We Should Trust—God’s Word

YouVersion Bible App

The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict; The Uniqueness of the Bible

The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict; How We Got The Bible

How Do You Choose a Bible Translation by Tim Challies

The CSB Translation Philosophy: Optimal Equivalence

Link to several different downloadable/printable Bible reading plans/charts

You Can Read More of the Bible Than You Think (info graphic…very interesting!)

At least I started a thing. This is the launch of a weekly podcast called “10 Minutes On Purpose”. Why?

• More and more I find myself talking about being intentional with everything- especially walking with Jesus. I am a firm believer that disciples are grown…and that typically doesn’t happen on accident. Maybe this angle is on my heart because God knows I need this reminder as much as anyone. Likely.
• I wanted this weekly conversation starter to be short & accessible. Seems like 10 minutes could be worked in to time cooking a meal, part of a workout, a commute, or just while perusing the w w w.
• My prayer is that the topics will be helpful. I often talk with people who genuinely love Jesus and want to walk with him and help others do that to…but they just aren’t sure how.

So there you go. I have pondered on how to best encourage, equip, and teach folks about being a disciple of Jesus. This is just another tool in the box. Sola de Gloria (to God be the glory)!