Category: Ministry

Check out this resource- E-sword Bible Software

On By Ben JenningsIn Ministry, Productivity, TechLeave a comment

Check out this video on a Bible Study Resource for Leaders- E-Sword

E-sword Bible Software is a free, highly powerful software solution for studying God’s Word across multiple devices. In this video, Ben and Trent discuss the many features of Esword and how it can help the sunday school teacher, discipleship leader, and Pastor to study and prepare lessons, sermons, and discipleship meetings. They also show features that help the user manage their own prayer life and bible memorization.

Download E-sword for free- https://www.e-sword.net/

Get resources for E-sword-

Week 2: Day 1- Numbers 14:5-9

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, Leadership, Ministry2 Comments

This Weeks Passage: Numbers 14:5-19

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

Numbers 14:5-9

Explanation:

In verses 5-6 Moses and Aaron went face down in response to the rebellion of the people. Joshua and Caleb, two of the twelve spies that entered in to the land, ripped their clothes off- a sign of passion and distress. Their message took four main thoughts.

First, they said that the children of Israel were blessed to have the opportunity of the good land that they had spied out. Second, they said God would give them the land. Third, they pleaded with the people not to rebel against God because of fear. Lastly, they pleaded with the people not to fear the people of the land, for they are “bread”, or God’s provision, for them in this new land.

Joshua and Caleb’s faith in God and desire to obey lead them to courageously and articulately stand up to this crowd of people. Ultimately this crowds decision lead to dire consequences, but Joshua and Caleb were brought through these consequences. God used them despite the decision of the majority.

Application:

Whether or not we can win the argument that God wants us to make is not a factor in standing up for what is right. The potential that others may not listen to us should not keep us from making that argument. Just because it is God’s will or desire doesn’t ensure that the people will buy in. Yet, if it is what God wants us to say, we should say it clearly and passionately.

  • We should passionately pursue discovering what God desires.
  • We should passionately obey what God desires.
  • We should passionately proclaim what God desires.

Response:

  1. What scares you or keeps you from standing up for what is right?
  2. Are you a Joshua and Caleb, or are you a scared spy?
  3. Are you passionately pursuing, obeying and proclaiming God’s desires for your life?
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Use the H.E.A.R. Journaling Method for Spiritual Growth

On By Ben JenningsIn Devotional, Discipleshp, Ministry1 Comment

I’m really excited to start a Monday through Friday devotional study through Numbers and Deuteronomy starting Monday, November 25th! Subscribe on my blog or like my facebook page and join me studying select passages through these two very practical books.

As I talked about in yesterday’s post, there are many incredible benefits to being in God’s Word using journaling as a method.

Today I want to tell you about a new journaling format for studying God’s Word called the H.E.A.R. Journaling Method. I’ve really enjoyed it. There are 5 components to this method that make it a great way to stay in God’s Word consistently in a way that helps you grow spiritually.

Component #1- You need a plan.

To stay in God’s Word daily you need a reading plan. There are many ways to systematically read through God’s Word.

  • Some people like to read through the Bible in a year. My church puts a reading plan like this in the bulletin each week.
  • Some people like to read a book at a time. On this blog I will be going verse by verse through the text I’ll be teaching each Sunday in our groups. We are on a 9 year plan to study through every book of the Bible.
  • Some people like to read through a topical plan. You can find reading plans that take you to passages that deal with specific topics you are interested in. I take people I’m discipling in groups through a 16 week plan to learn the fundamentals of the Christian life.

Component #2- Highlight.

The H.E.A.R. Journaling method is formatted based on this acronym. The H stands for highlight. This is where you’ll write out specific verses that you’ve read. Before you read pray and ask for God to speak to you through His Word. As you read through the text pay attention to what you’re reading. After you read decide on a verse or verses that you’ll want to include in your journal. You’ll highlight this verse in your journal by writing it out.

Component #3- Explain.

E stands for explain. Once you’ve chosen the verse to highlight and written in out, you’ll explain this verse in your own words. You definitely want to seek to understand the text in its context. Here are some questions to help you think through it:

  • Who is the original author and audience? What did the author mean by writing this? How would the original audience have understood what was written?
  • What are the key words in the scripture I highlighted?
  • How do the verses that come before and after affect the meaning of the text?

Component #4- Apply.

A stands for apply. Now that you have explained what the verses mean, you’ll want to think about how they apply. Here are some prompting questions to help you think of the application to your life.

  • What is true for me because of the meaning of the text?
  • What should the reader of this text do in response to this verse?
  • How does this apply to my life?

Component #5- Respond.

Now that you’ve read the scripture, highlighted it in your journal, explained it in its context, and thought through how it applies, it’s time to respond in your own life. What are you going to do today in response to what you’ve read, understood and applied? It’s time to be obedient to what God is teaching you through His Word. Give yourself homework, and put God’s Word to action.

One of the things I love about this method is that it expands with the experience and spiritual maturity with the person that is doing it. With the right reading plan a person who has known the Lord for a long time, and the person who is new in their relationship with Christ can both read and get something out of it.

The point is to read, understand, and ultimately to obey. God’s Word brings life as we are obedient to what it says.

What method have you used to get into God’s Word consistently? What has worked for you?