Nothing shakes a growth group up like new members, but what if those new members are non-Christians? How should you lead in that situation? How do you manage the good things and the difficulties?
“You have your meaning, and I have mine.”
This Proverbs 31 woman is completely consistent with the growth in Christ-likeness that God predestined for all of us.
If we are people of God’s word, and if all Scripture is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that God’s people are equipped to do good work, then surely the leader is driven by biblical ideals and high expectations.
One of the ways you “honour Christ the Lord as holy” as a Christian is by “being prepared to make a defense [or a ‘reasoned statement’] to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15).
... to put The Curious Sign into the hands of not-yet Christians.
Taking the initiative and asking a fellow Christian who is further along in their walk to read with us can provide accountability, increased understanding, and growth in ways that reading and learning alone wouldn’t.
One of the marks of a Christian is practising hospitality. Whenever it’s mentioned in the New Testament, it is assumed as a staple part of the Christian life. However, lots of people don’t show hospitality to others.
I think we need to acknowledge that some Christmas traditions are just genuinely unhelpful. But what about less overt customs?