Today a few of us were at a local restaurant having breakfast and a young man came in all by himself and we asked him to join us at the table. His name was Elijah. As we began casual dialog, he said he had not been in church in a long time, and when asked…
Dying to Self – Living Fully in Christ I. Introduction: The Paradox at the Heart of Discipleship At the heart of Christian discipleship lies a profound paradox: true life begins with death. Not physical death, but death to self-rule, self-glory, and self-centered desire. The Apostle Paul captures this reality in the book to the Galatians…
Where Spiritual Growth Meets Emotional Maturity Introduction: The Hidden Power of Expectations Every person lives within a framework of expectations. Some expectations come from within — the standards we place on ourselves. Others are shaped by family, culture, relationships, past wounds, or spiritual environments. Over time, these expectations influence how we interpret success, failure, identity,…
Week 7 is a fitting culmination to the entire study. It gathers every thread—salvation, indwelling, discernment, fruit, and maturity—and shows how Biblical Spirituality is lived, not merely understood. Below is a fully expanded Week 7 with a pastoral tone, strong biblical grounding, and interaction points that help participants move from theology to daily practice. Week…
Wounded Pride Before God Self-pity in Scripture emerges as a form of wounded pride—a condition in which individuals become fixated on their own suffering and convinced they deserve better treatment. Unlike the outward arrogance of self-promotion, self-pity is an inward, subtler pride. It turns inward when expectations go unmet, when recognition does not come, or…
Week 6 is where the study turns constructive and pastoral. After clarifying what spirituality is not (mere effort, gifting, experience, or counterfeit power), Scripture now answers the question every believer eventually asks: “If I am truly spiritual, what should my life actually look like?” What follows is an expanded, teachable Week 6 that defines spiritual…
Week 5 is a necessary sobering turn in the study. After establishing what true biblical spirituality is (Spirit-indwelt life flowing from salvation), Scripture now warns us that not everything supernatural, impressive, or “spiritual” comes from the Holy Spirit. This week helps men grow in discernment without fear and clarity without cynicism. Week 5 — A…
Carrying the Promise Through the Wilderness Joseph’s Bones and Faith That Endures Purpose of the StudyToday we’re exploring a small but powerful detail in Scripture: the carrying of Joseph’s bones during the Exodus. What seems like a minor historical note becomes a living testimony of faith, obedience, and hope, even in seasons of struggle and…
The word Shekinah does not appear directly in the Bible, yet the reality it describes is found throughout Scripture. Shekinah comes from a Hebrew root meaning “to dwell” and is used to describe the manifest presence of God living among His people. In the Old Testament, God’s glory filled the tabernacle and the temple. In…
Have you heard people mention the name disciples? Or even categorized or labeled themselves as a disciple? In the Christian community it is quickly associated with the times of Jesus. Early New Testament Disciples The New Testament was originally written in Greek, and the word mathētēs (“disciple,” learner, apprentice) is used almost exclusively in the…
