“The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Considered a classic of Christian thought, is a great read in preparing for an OYC!

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

“By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.”

Taking another page from Mike Taliaferro’s “How We Got the Bible and Why You Can Trust it”…

1. 24,970 ancient manuscripts
2. Written shortly after the events
3. Thousands of eyewitnesses were still alive
4. Libraries of the different regions were in agreement
5. Quotes form the letters and journals of the time
6. The peculiar nature of Koine Greek

The above six points are what Taliaferro deems as keys in determining the reliability of the New Testament scriptures. Are you familiar with these?

This is a great and quick read, and very helpful for the preparing a disciple for missional work! If you are considering taking the One Year Challenge, we highly recommend picking this book up!

This week we look into “How We Got the Bible and Why You Can Trust It” by Mike Taliaferro, who is a part of our family of churches.

“So often I speak to believers who do not realize the depth of evidence that substantiates the Scriptures. Students, parents, and other Bible readers don’t realize how much positive evidence exists.”

The book is a quick and helpful read, especially for disciples who grew up around the bible, and may have missed building a belief on its authenticity upon a foundation other than “growing up with it”. A good supplement to quiet times and helpful in answering questions from non religious friends!

Be more equipped and prepared to give an answer!

You can find the book for a good deal here!

Last quote and sharing from the book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.

“Sometimes I feel like when I make decisions that are remotely biblical, people who call themselves Christians are the first to criticize and say I’m crazy, that I’m taking the Bible too literally, or that I’m not thinking about my family’s well-being. . . When people gladly sacrifice their time or comfort or home, it is obvious that they trust in the promises of God. Why is it that the story of someone who has actually done what Jesus commands resonates deeply with us, but we then assume we could never do anything so radical or intense? Or why do we call it radical when, to Jesus, it is simply the way it is? The way it should be?

You can get the book here

Continuing in Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love”

““I wonder, then, why the last thing Jesus told us was to go into the world, making disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that He commanded? You’ll notice that he didn’t add, ‘But, hey, if that’s too much to ask, tell them to just become Christians- you know, the people who get to go to heaven without having to commit to anything’.”

You can get the book here

This week we dive into the book “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan. An author who has been under the spotlight in modern evangelical culture, and been persistent in challenging the status quo of American Christianity.

““[Y]ou have to stop loving and pursuing Christ in order to sin. When you are pursuing love, running toward Christ, you do not have opportunity to wonder, ‘Am I doing this right?’ or ‘Did I serve enough this week?’ When you are running toward Christ, you are freed up to serve, love, and give thanks without guilt, worry or fear. As long as you are running, you’re safe.”

You can get the book here

From Thomas Brook’s classic, “Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices”

“…solemnly to consider, That the spiritual riches of the poorest saints infinitely transcend the temporal riches of all the wicked men in the world; their spiritual riches satisfy them; they can sit down satisfied with the riches of grace that are in Christ, without earthly honors or riches.“

You can buy the book here (extremely cheap!) and likely find it online in pdf form for free. WELL WORTH THE READ! Especially if you are considering taking the One Year Challenge. Satan will certainly oppose any who who would attempt great things for God in going on mission, it is our job to put on the armor that God has provided!

“in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 

2 Corinthians 2:11

This week we draw again from Thomas Brook’s classic, “Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices”

“in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 

2 Corinthians 2:11

“First, You must know that every man cannot be excellent, yet every man may be useful. An iron key may unlock the door with a golden treasure behind it; yes, iron can do some things that gold cannot.”

“remember this, that your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on and hold up, in ways of well-doing, and heaven shall make amends for all!”

You can buy the book here (extremely cheap!) and likely find it online in pdf form for free. WELL WORTH THE READ! Especially if you are considering taking the One Year Challenge. Satan will certainly oppose any who who would attempt great things for God in going on mission, it is our job to put on the armor that God has provided!

An oldie but a goodie! This book, written around 400 years ago, details the ways to defend oneself from the schemes Satan uses to tear Christians away from the foot of the cross. Drawing from the scripture quoted below, Thomas Brooks guides the believer through the remedies they may practically employ to protect themselves and their way of thinking.

“in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” 

2 Corinthians 2:11

“[I]t is not hasty reading–but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee’s touching of the flower, which gathers honey–but her abiding for a time upon the flower, which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most–but he who meditates most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian.”

You can buy the book here (extremely cheap!) and likely find it online in pdf form for free. WELL WORTH THE READ! Especially if you are considering taking the One Year Challenge. Satan will certainly oppose any who who would attempt great things for God in going on mission, it is our job to put on the armor that God has provided!

“Russian philosopher Vladimir Solovyov sarcastically summarized the ethical reasoning of secular humanism like this: ‘Man descended from apes, therefore we must love one another.’ The second clause does not follow from the first. If it was natural for the strong to eat the weak in the past, why aren’t people allowed to do it now? . . . Given the secular view of the universe, the conclusion of love or social justice is no more logical than the conclusion to hate or destroy. These two sets of beliefs—in a thoroughgoing scientific materialism and in a liberal humanism—simply do not fit with one another. Each set of beliefs is evidence against the other. Many would call this a deeply incoherent view of the world.”

Tim Keller (42–43)

We are not animals, not beasts. As Christ has love us, let us love others.

If you’re thinking of taking the One Year Challenge, you will likely encounter people from a different background and world view, but we share a father.