This powerful reflection can be read dramatically, preferably by a woman, as the story is that of a suffering woman. For added effect, a male voice can read Jesus’ voice (UPPER CASE) from off to one side. Look! I see a father begging for his daughter, a father in desperation, flinging himself down on a dusty, pebbled road, his knees scraped by stones. His tears seem to sting more than the fresh wounds. His heart seems to ache more than his reputation; after all, he is a dignified synagogue … [Read more...]

The prayer of faith shall heal the sick, the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:15 God is moving through ‘signs and wonders’ in many regions of the world. Believers who exercise the authority that Christ has delegated to them often see healing and deliverance open some hearts to the Gospel and shut others. Even experienced practitioners in healing ministries admit there is much they do not understand about God’s will. May the … [Read more...]

Rev 1: 9-18; 5: 11-13; 7: 9-17; 21: 1-6, 23-27; 22: 1-11. POY! SKIT GUIDELINES: In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words. Most POY! skits require no practice in advance. Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants. Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the … [Read more...]

Adapted from an article by Link Hudson Music has always been an important part of Hebrew and Christian worship God intended music to be a part of corporate worship and of private meditation during the week. Approximately AD 200, the church leader Tertullian wrote in his Apology, concerning their agape (love feast): “Each is asked to stand up and sing, as he can, a hymn to God, either one from the Holy Scriptures or one of his own composing.” Paul gave instructions about singing, Ephesians … [Read more...]

  POY! SKIT GUIDELINES: In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words. Most POY! skits require no practice in advance. Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants. Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along. It is not necessary to employ costumes … [Read more...]

  POY! SKIT GUIDELINES: In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words. Most POY! skits require no practice in advance. Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants. Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along. It is not necessary to employ costumes … [Read more...]

  POY! SKIT GUIDELINES: In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words. Most POY! skits require no practice in advance. Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants. Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along. It is not necessary to employ costumes … [Read more...]

  How to know what kind of music to select As a great grandfather, I am pained by the opposition of some fellow elders to contemporary worship music. Personally, I can hardly stand some of it either, and I love hymns of my generation; however, such nostalgia of a disappearing epoch has a fatal focus that has emptied thousands of churches in Europe and America. Many devout Christians now simply cannot tolerate the older style of music and the dogmatic attitudes that sometimes go with it. Some … [Read more...]

  This exercise can enable family or cell group members to help each other understand God's Word and put it into practice. Tell your group what to listen for, before reading a Bible passage. After reading, ask questions that encourage interactive discussion. This will enable exhorters to exhort, comforters to comfort, admonishers to correct, and prophets to speak a word from the Lord. Helpful questions to ask about a Bible passage: What is important about this for us? What does it … [Read more...]