Author: Chuck & Deb

Read Mt 4.13-16

…and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
(Matthew 4:13)

After being rejected in His home town of Nazareth, Jesus left and made His headquarters in Capernaum. This was not only a fulfillment of a major prophecy but it was a ministry strategy that He practiced. He would later instruct the 12 to do the same as they went into the cities with the gospel message. (Mt 10.11-14) When people received the message, He stayed. When they rejected Him, He pressed on to the next town. His basic strategy could be boiled down to a simple formula: Find those who will listen.

Witnessing tactics vary based on who you talk to but I learned one in 2003 that has increased my fruitfulness in helping people find Jesus. Instead of just zeroing in on one individual and jamming the gospel down their throat, find the hungry. Start by asking very simple questions. “Would you like to come to Bible study?” Would you like to come to church?” “Tell me about your spiritual journey.” Simple questions that can spark very natural conversations and lead you to those who are hungry. Those who are interested in talking about spiritual things will let you know. If they are not interested, press on. I’m not suggesting that we don’t develop evangelistic relationships with a neighbor or co-worker that we naturally spend time with. But I am suggesting that we work a little broader and be open to the hungry strangers that are all around us. Aggressively initiate discussions that will give you a read on the hunger level of a person. When you find someone who is hungry, focus on that person. To me, it’s like picking the low hanging fruit.

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Lk 4.16-31a

And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
(Luke 4:22)

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;
(Luke 4:28)

Jesus was teaching His hometown crowd in Nazareth and He had them eating out of His hand. Suddenly, He aims His message at their hearts. He cuts to the chase by describing how they will respond when He tells them the truth. He uses the example of Old Testament Gentiles being more receptive to God’s message than the Jews. The Prophet’s prediction is immediately fulfilled. The comparison pushes His audience over the edge and within minutes they go from admiration to rage.

Why did Jesus do that? Didn’t He know that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar? Maybe He wasn’t trying to catch flies! Jesus certainly knew what He was doing. He was always calculated in His teaching. This audience would have stayed in a superficial state of religion had Jesus not stirred things up. He wanted them to be real and expose their innermost attitudes. The truth (Jesus) always has that effect. The light blazes into the darkness of our hearts and there is nowhere to hide.

This is actually the toughest part of disciplemaking for me. I would rather be liked than to help a person see their error. How selfish. If the integrity bridge is out in a man’s heart, how will he avoid spiritual disaster unless I warn him? Disciplemakers do the loving thing by telling the truth. Sometimes it’s gently and other times it comes with blunt force trauma. Truth should always be told in love with the object to heal but the truth must be told none the less. The truth and people’s relationship with Jesus must always be more important than our reputations. Disciplemakers must be willing to go from hero to zero for the sake of the flock. FJ42

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Jn 4.46-54

When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
(John 4:47-48)

It seems like a pretty harsh response to a panicked request. The official was begging Jesus to keep his son alive and at first glance, Jesus appears to turn the plea into a theology class. “People do not believe without signs and wonders.” I don’t think Jesus was trying to be smug or condescending. I think He was simply stating this as a matter of fact. Because He does heal the man’s son and the man does believe and the scriptures do record this as Jesus’ second sign (vs 54).

It’s not necessarily bad for people to look for clues, evidence, data, or authentication. I think it’s wrong when we ignore the signs and wonders that have already been given. Case in point. I watched a fascinating documentary where Rick Larson uses the scriptures and an astronomy computer program to reveal evidence that the stars did point to the birth of Christ. It was convincing, compelling, and pegged out my faith meter. He basically authenticates the whole of scripture, the life of Christ, the creation of the universe, and the sovereignty of God by looking at astronomy (not astrology). Pretty powerful stuff.

The next morning I was up before the sun so I went out to look at the stars. Full of renewed faith and thankfulness, I marveled at the signs and wonders that have been churning in the sky since the beginning of time. The skies have been pointing to God and the Word of God predicted it. (Ps 97:6) It was right in front of my eyes and I missed it until Rick explained it to me. There is evidence of God all around us. Are we astute enough to point it out to young disciples? Do we know the scriptures well enough to recognize the signs? Are we helping those around us to see the majesty of God in His Word, creation, life, and circumstances? The signs and wonders are all around us we just need to open our eyes.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Rom 1:20)

FJ41

Rick Larson – www.bethlehemstar.net
Documentary DVD – The Star of Bethlehem

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Mt 4.17, Mk 1.14b-15, Lk 4.14b-15

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
(Mark 1:14-15)

When Jesus preached He included the component of repentance. Repentance means “to turn from sin.” Jesus sees this attitude and action as a necessary part of embracing the Kingdom of His Father. The Apostle Paul brings an even greater degree of understanding as he explains real repentance will lead us to salvation but simple remorse is not enough (2 Cor. 7:9-10).

Sometimes we are reluctant to include repentance as a part of the gospel because we are afraid it sounds like we are saying “good works” are being added. And since salvation is not by works (Eph 2.8-9, Titus 3.5), we feel like turning from ones sins in order receive salvation means that a person had to do something to “earn it.” I see two grave errors in this thinking.

The first is a failure to recognize Jesus as the absolute authority in the Doctrine of Salvation (Heb 12.2). If this is what He preached, then this is what I should be preaching. It was what the Apostles understood as an implied part of their preaching when they were sent out (Mk 6.12). Jesus’ example should be good enough.

The second is rooted in confusion about God’s grace and my responsibility. The Father is the one who brings repentance into my life (Act 11.18, Rom 2.4). God sovereignty leads us to turn from our sins, that is grace. But I have a responsibility to respond to His kindness and change my attitudes and actions. So in my freewill, I repent (Act 26.20). My actions demonstrate the sovereign will of the Father that brings me into this right relationship with Him (Jn 6.44).

Repentance is both a gift and a responsibility. It is present in every true believer and it is a key component of disciplemaking. Preach it! FJ40

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Jn 4.43-45

So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.
(John 4:45)

The Galileans were at the feast in Jerusalem at the same time Jesus taught and worked many miracles. Seeing Him in action helped bolster their faith in Him. And when He returned to Galilee they received Him with open arms.

Jesus was always in the business of showing people how to live life. He was in a constant demonstration mode. I’ve found that in modern American Christianity we tell people what to do rather than show them how to do it. Modeling shows the disciple not only that it can be done but how it is done. For Jesus, the whole of life was the classroom. Class was always in session. But there is a cost. The price tag on such a ministry is that you must live life with your students. More time equals more the influence. They get to see you living for Christ in all kinds of circumstances. I try to get around the guys I’m discipling at least four times a week (or even better, I move him into my spear bedroom). By spending so much time together you can’t help but have real life interrupt your canned lessons. Life lessons are lasting lessons. FJ39

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…

The trick to getting the old M60 machinegun to fire correctly was making sure the ammo was placed in the feed tray correctly. If you placed the belted ammo in just slightly off, you would turn your machinegun into a 21 pound sniper rifle (and not a very good one at that). A machinegun is designed to spit out a bunch of bullets not just one. You know, God kind of designed you like a machinegun. We put the Word of Christ in us and teachings and admonitions come spiting out. A properly loaded Christian just can’t help it; it’s what he or she was designed to do. But remember, spaying a lot of bullets doesn’t make a good gunner. Hitting the target makes a good gunner. Practice makes perfect. SP325

Application: Try this…write this verse on a 3×5 and begin to memorize it. Then ask a friend (Christian or non) to test you. You will be loading and firing in no time.

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands… (Isaiah 49:15,16)

Some of the most dreaded words heard in Ranger School. In the midst of struggling up the heavily forested mountain in the middle of the night, the words would be whispered up the line, Break in Contact! We have left a man behind. And since Rangers do not leave their own behind, that means you go all the way back and get them (no matter how hard it will be to recover the lost ground). And normally you would find your Ranger Buddy sweetly curled up next to a tree dreaming of sugar plums dancing in his head because he had drifted off to sleep during a halt (not a happy moment). As committed as a Ranger may be to his buddy, or a mother to her child, nothing compares to God’s commitment to His own children. SP324

Application: Knowing that Jesus is this committed to you, should move you to deep gratitude. Write down one way to express this gratitude to Christ for His commitment to you. (I will invite one of His children to dinner to encourage them.)

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read John 4.39-42

and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”
(John 4:42)

The Samaritan Woman had provided the initial data about Jesus and the people believed. But it is interesting that after hearing Jesus for themselves, they declare their independence. They no longer believe because of the testimony of the woman but it is Jesus’ own words that were most important to them. As a result, a stronger faith is forged and they announce “this One is indeed the Savior of the world.”

I was meeting with a young man for dinner and as I was getting to know him it became very evident that he had an extraordinary love for his father. Probing deeper, I wanted to turn this into a teaching opportunity. I said, “You have an unusually high admiration for your dad. What makes you love him so much?” Obviously proud that I had noticed he was bragging on his father he said, “well my dad and I spent a lot of time together. Occasionally he’d even take me out of school and we’d go fishing together. He made me a priority in his life.” This was my opportunity. I responded, “If I told you that I loved your dad as much as you do based on your story, would you believe me?” A bit thrown off by the question he replied, “No way!” “Of course not” I said, “because I haven’t been fishing with your dad.” I then proceeded to explain how to make the most of a daily devotional time with God.

You know most people are relating to the Father based on someone else’s fishing stories. They haven’t made the relationship personal by getting in the Word and praying on a regular basis to really own the relationship. Most of what they know about God has been related to them by another. In order to really own a personal relationship with the Father we need to spend consistent personal time with Him. Our job as disciplers is not to just tell others about our fishing trips with the Father, but to teach other how discover the joy of fishing with Dad for themselves. FJ38

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read John 4.27-42

“Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?”
(John 4:29)

It’s so easy it’s brilliant. The Woman at the Well becomes the Evangelist of the Town by giving a simple invitation. Anyone who had a religious bone in their body showed up that afternoon to see if this “Messiah” was in fact the one they had heard about. They probably came for all kinds of reasons but the bottom line is they came and heard the words of Jesus. (Jn 4.41) The result was many believed and made the profession of faith, “we believe.” (Jn 4.42) All the woman had to do is issue the invitation.

I was standing in line at a local restaurant waiting to order. I commented to man in front of me that we had this great worship service and he ought to check it out. I mentioned the time and place and that was the end of the conversation. Low and behold, he showed up the next Sunday with his family in tow. He has been attending the service for four years and both he and his wife have committed their lives to Christ. This is not an isolated story that I chose because it has the best ending. Actually, we see dozens of men and women come to Christ through a very aggressive lifestyle of simple invitations. We have printed up some business cards with the time and place of our chapel and Bible study and hand them out like candy. With all the folks in the ministry doing this we invite hundreds of people a week. And they come. I usually have 4-8 non-Christians in my Bible study every week. But it doesn’t stop there. Once they get to the Bible study or chapel service we sit in the back pin pointing the new folks and form a community net for new fish now swimming in the our pool. We invite them to a meal or some fun activity. We ask them about their spiritual journey. We begin to find out how we can love and serve them. We invite them to study the Bible with us and discover who Jesus is. As they are swimming in this environment of grace and truth, we consistently see people surrender their lives to Jesus. And it all started with a simple invitation. Want to learn how to do this simple method of evangelism? Come and see. FJ37

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com