Scripture clearly calls us to care for others—to open our doors to those in need. So, would you consider that ministry or just genuine hospitality? Or both? Isn't that for people with spacious homes and plenty of time on their hands? Read on to learn what Tony Merida, pastor of Imago Dei Church, has to say about this: Opening your door means that there is something inside worth inviting someone in to see and experience. Opening your door means that you don’t desire to keep it all for yourself but that sharing with others is a … [Read more...]
Grace. What Does it Really Mean?
The Greek word for grace is charis, and there’s no question of its importance in biblical theology. Charis appears 116 times in the New Testament. There’s a lot about grace in Scripture because it’s the message of Jesus. Grace means favor. It means acceptance. It means giving. Grace is free in the sense that something done or given in grace is done so without expecting to receive anything in return. Grace isn’t dependent on the way it’s received, the moral goodness of the one receiving it, or even that person’s ability to rightly … [Read more...]
How Do We Teach College Students to Share the Gospel?
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, CSB) Recently when a number of college students were asked to share the gospel, they struggled to do so. These students are leaders of ministries, grounded in their faith, involved in church, and they love Jesus. Their inability to share the story of Jesus clearly and succinctly was astonishing. Some of the students shared about who Jesus was in their lives. Others talked about … [Read more...]
Don’t Forget to Ask! 7 Ways to Pray for Young Adults
“Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.” I John 5:14-15 There is a key word in this scripture from I John that I simply can’t stop thinking about. That word “confidence” just keeps jumping out at me and stirring in my heart. As young adult ministry leaders, we should (and often do) find the latest and best resources available for small groups and Bible study. We … [Read more...]
It’s All About New Life
If you've taken any type of Biology class, you’ve likely studied DNA. Generally, DNA is the blueprint for life: It stores the genetic code for all living organisms. Virtually every cell in your body contains the exact same DNA code — and no two people have the same code. Even the tiniest parts of your cells contain the hardwiring for your existence. Spiritually, we’re also programmed with a kind of DNA. Just as we inherited a physical generic blueprint from our ancestors, we’ve also inherited their sin. It permeates every part of … [Read more...]
It’s official. Spring Break is here!
It's March. For our Threads team, that means one thing—Beach Reach is in full swing! Beach Reach is a collegiate mission trip experience from March 7-20 where servant evangelism takes the form of free van rides and pancakes. Thousands visit Panama City during spring break and many are hurting and searching for meaning. College students provide simple acts of service that open the door to life-changing conversations about the hope and love of Jesus Christ. So, how can you be a part? We're glad you asked. 1. Pray. Thousands of … [Read more...]
Are You Distracted? (Part 2)
Editors note: This is part 2 of a series. Read Part 1 here. Are you distracted? I recently wrote an article in which I said, "If I could pick one word that I think best describes this generation it would be the word, distracted." So, how about you? Is your focus easily pulled from one thing to another? If so, you're not alone. And, distraction is more problematic than you may initially think. Distraction is doing a lot more than just keeping us from being able to hear God speak. Distraction is keeping us from effectively … [Read more...]
Share the Love
Loving your neighbor who bakes you cookies and leaves you sweet notes on your door is a breeze. But loving your neighbor who plays loud music all night and leaves his trash out so bugs show up — now that's a different story. Here are some practical ways to show your neighbors love, even the not-so-nice ones. 1. LOVE is spelled T.I.M.E. Make time to spend with those around you. Grab coffee, go on a walk with the girls, or block out time for a road trip. People know they are loved when you make time for them. 2. Think practically. … [Read more...]
Do Something
We live in a word-saturated world. We don't have to look far to find opinions; they find us. Glance through a blog, read a wall-post, scroll through your tweets, or flip through a textbook and you'll hear hundreds of voices clamoring to persuade you. Friends, professors, authors, coworkers, and the media argue controversial issues. Don't misunderstand; communication is great—we're wired for it. But something powerful happens when we replace talk with action, debating with doing, and speaking with serving. So, how do we do this? … [Read more...]
How to Set Goals That Make a Difference
New Year’s resolutions. Love them or hate them, they reappear every year. Laden with good intentions each January, many of us start on a litany of goals with a desire to change ourselves. We vow to work out, get out of debt, spend more time studying, and so forth. The thing about New Year’s resolutions — they’re often all about us. Culture tells us to focus on ourselves, but God tells us the opposite. He wants us to focus on Him and His agenda. The most significant changes can happen when we’re not focused on ourselves but on … [Read more...]
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