Category: Leadership

Episode #11- Isaiah Study- Isaiah 53

On By Ben JenningsIn Leadership, PodcastLeave a comment
Enjoy this discussion of Isaiah 53 with Ben Jennings and Brian Berry as they look into the text for Session 11 of the Explore the Bible Study in Isaiah.

Every person can recognize Christ as Messiah by understanding 5 predictions about His first coming.

  • Prediction #1- He will be shunned. (v.1-3)
  • Prediction #2- He will be sacrificed. (v.4-6)
  • Prediction #3- He will be silent. (v.7-9)
  • Prediction #4- He will be satisfied. (v.10-12)
  • Prediction #5- He will be successful. (52:13-15)

Isaiah 52:13-53:12  Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.  (14)  As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:  (15)  So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.  (53:1)  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?  (2)  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.  (3)  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  (4)  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  (5)  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  (6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  (7)  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  (8)  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  (9)  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.  (10)  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.  (11)  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.  (12)  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

photo credit: kassissieh Duct Tape (60/365) via photopin (license)

Sticky church?

On By Ben JenningsIn Discipleshp, Evangelism, Leadership2 Comments

How do we know if people are sticking?

One of the first struggles many of us have in ministry is trying to figure out how to get people to stick.  How do we get people to get connected and stay connected to the church?  This is a question of assimilation. 

Assimilation is an important idea for any church.  According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of assimilation is “the process of becoming similar to something”, and “the absorption and integration of people, ideas, or culture into a wider society or culture.” 

In the context of our churches it refers to making people a part of the life of your church.  Assimilation refers to a process that happens with the people who attend your church.

To achieve the goal of fully assimilating people into the church, you have to be able to identify when it happens.  So, how do you know if someone is assimilating into your church?  Here are some questions that we can ask about those we are trying to assimilate to see where they are in the process.

  1. Worship Service– How often do they attend?  Is there a pattern?
  2. Sunday School/Groups– How often do they attend?  Is there a pattern?
  3. Relationships– Are they becoming friends with people in the church or group?  Do they spend time with people before, after, or outside of the services and programs?
  4. Participation– Do they participate during class or group time?  Are they engaged when they come?
  5. Service– Do they serve in a ministry of the church? 
  6. Invitation– Do they invite others to your group or church?
  7. Spiritual Growth– Do they exhibit life change resulting from the ministry they receive?  Have they made decisions regarding salvation, baptism, discipleship, serving and forsaking sin in their lives?

What are some of the ways you measure assimilation at your church that I may not have named?  What are some ways that you help to encourage new people in each of these categories?

Week 6: Day 1- Numbers 27:12-14

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, LeadershipLeave a comment

Numbers 27:12-14

12 And the Lord said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.

13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.

14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

Explanation:

God gave Moses instruction about how his life would end and what would be next for the children of Israel.  He told Moses that he would see the promised land from Mount Abarim, but that he would not enter.  Why?  Moses had rebelled against God in not sanctify God in the eyes of the people at the rock in the desert of Zin.  The wages of his sin was death.

Application:

  1. Death is the inevitable consequence of sin for everyone in this fallen world, other than those who will be raptured.  Moses faced death and did not enter the promised land.
  2. God demands more out of those who are leaders.  The way we lead, especially in regards to how we point others to God, is of utmost importance to the Lord.

Response:

Since it is so critical how I lead to the Lord, I must…

  • Pray more intensely today
  • Seek wise counsel
  • Seek God’s direction
  • Rest in the fact that God has a plan and will help me to accomplish what He wants me to do.