Practical Theology / Discipleship

  • Encouraging Young and Old

    1 Timothy 5:1

    John Calvin says that today’s passage teaches us that pastors “must not only take into account their office, but must also see particularly what is due to the age of individuals.” Pastors especially must be sensitive to the age ...Read More

  • Exhorting Women Properly

    1 Timothy 5:2

    Sexual immorality is a sin that causes the church to be slandered, so men and women alike should take care never to get into a situation where the propriety of a relationship can be legitimately questioned. Let us do what ...Read More

  • Faithfulness Rewarded

    Joshua 14:6-15

    Caleb was willing to dare great things for God. As such, he was an invaluable example of faith for the people of Israel. Studying the lives of great men and women of faith can and does strengthen our trust in ...Read More

  • Proclaiming Christ

    Colossians 1:28-29

    God calls all of us to take part in the teaching ministry of the church, though not all of us have the same role. Some will be ordained teachers. Others will help their children memorize Scripture. Still others may support ...Read More

  • Pushing Through Plateaus

    What steps can you take to institute a personal program of spiritual growth?Read More

  • Rewards for Discipleship

    Matthew 19:27–30

    Any reward that God gives us is by His grace, for He is the one who prepares good works for us and enables us to do them (Eph. 2:8–10). Because it is all by His grace, we should ...Read More

  • Teachers

    James 3:1

    Has God called you to be a teacher in His church, whether it be as a professor, Sunday school instructor, or Bible study leader? If you are in the teaching ministry now, study and pray diligently so that you may ...Read More

  • The Cost of Discipleship

    Matthew 8:18–22

    John Chrysostom comments on today’s passage that Jesus would not have us “think lightly of the honor due to parents.” His words only signify “that nothing ought to be to us more urgent than the affairs of the kingdom ...Read More

  • The Key of the Gospel

    John 3:31–36

    Preachers open and close the door to the kingdom not by their own authority but by the authority of God’s Word. As they faithfully preach the gospel, they open up the way of salvation and call people to follow ...Read More

  • Timothy’s High Calling

    1 Timothy 4:11-12

    Besides the many difficulties of ministry that young pastors must learn to deal with, they have the extra hurdle of youth, which can unfairly render them suspect in the eyes of many congregants. We should treat young leaders with understanding ...Read More

  • Training in Faith

    1 Timothy 4:6-7a

    What do you talk about when you are with other believers? Catching them up on the current events of your life is important, but you can be sure that you are being a good servant of Jesus when you discuss ...Read More

  • Willing to Die

    Matthew 16:24–28

    We still wait for the visible, bodily presence of Christ, but that does not mean the kingdom is not present at all right now. Though its fullness has not yet been realized, the kingdom has come, and, indeed, it continues ...Read More

  • Worse than the First

    Matthew 12:43–45

    Modern commentators like James Boice have expressed grave concern for the present generation of Americans. Like those who lived during the time of Jesus, many people in the United States have experienced profound material blessings without turning from their sin ...Read More