Life and Faith

Tag: Discipleship

  • Bible Reading In The New Year

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    Jon
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    For many years I had the goal of reading the Bible from cover-to-cover in a calendar year. I reckon I’ve completed that goal once in the last 15 years. My routine from January first was to start at Genesis 1:1 and make my way through at least 4 chapters per day. Yet, by late January…

  • By Faith – A Future Hope

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    Jon
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    Hebrews 11 is one of those chapters in the Bible that is packed with so much that it takes numerous readings to grasp its various teachings. It’s the chapter where the writer outlines all those significant biblical characters of the past, and describes briefly how they lived by faith, trusting and obeying God throughout their…

  • Published: Practicing Thankfulness

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    Jon
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    A couple of months ago I had a book review of Practicing Thankfulness: Cultivating a Thankful Heart In All Circumstances by Sam Crabtree published on The Gospel Coalition (AU) website. Ironically I read this while Melbourne was in its fourth lockdown, of which we’ve never really come out. So I will confess I wasn’t that…

  • Published: Asking The Why – What Is My Calling?

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    Jon
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    I’ve written regularly about calling, and how to think through it. Recently, I was interviewed by the YMI podcast “Asking The Why”. It was a fun conversation, and hopefully helpful too. Here’s how it’s described: “What career path should I go down? Which relationship should I enter in to? Where should I live? For many…

  • Is Mission Optional For Discipleship?

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    Jon
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    OK, let’s be clear from the outset. To be a disciple is to be a student of a teacher. To be a disciple of Jesus is to learn from Him. This learning and growing process is known as discipleship. I imagine for the majority of those who call themselves disciples of Jesus, discipleship involves some…

  • Day 13 – You Are A Follower

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    Jon
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    “Come, follow me…” (Matthew 4:19) A disciple is someone who follows another. When Jesus was hanging around earth in human form he collected 12 disciples. Each one he called to follow him, and as they travelled with him they got to know him more and more. This was typical of the day. Rabbi’s, Jewish teachers…

  • Recently Read: October 2017

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    Jon
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    I’ve ploughed through a few books recently. I was hoping to write more detailed reflections on them, but alas, I’ll have to do with these summaries for the moment. Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love In The Church As A Celibate Gay Christian by Wesley Hill This is an excellent book. It really outlines a clear and…

  • 5 Reasons To Meet With Older Saints

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    Jon
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    Often, as Youth Pastors, we can be so consumed with the tasks and programs in front of us that the only people we meet with during the week are those between 12 and 25 years of age. In between all those set times of involvement–Sunday services, youth group, small groups, and other meetings–we often have…

  • A DIY Discipleship Plan

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    Jon
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    We are in the fortunate position of living in a Christian resource-rich period of time. No other generation has had such access to the teaching of the Bible and other resources that come with it. Only a few years ago it was impossible to hear any sermon other than the one you heard while attending…

  • A Radically Ordinary Faith

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    Jon
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    There is much written about the radical nature of following Jesus. The call to come and follow Him. The call to take up your cross. The call to be a radical disciple. Whatever way you put it Christianity can be portrayed as some type of hyper-enthusiastic, always active, and amazingly awesome life. And then you…