Zach Zehnder's Blog, page 8
December 7, 2023
From Selfies to A.I.: A Decade of Word Trends To Help You Choose a Word For the Year In 2024
Collins Dictionary announced that its word of the year for 2023 is A.I.
A.I., the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, is defined in its dictionary as “the modeling of human mental functions by computer programs.” The word of the year is picked depending on its use in social media, how many times people search for its definition, and how often it shows up in sources. reported that A.I. was chosen because it “had accelerated at such a fast pace and become the dominant conversation of 2023…the use of the word has quadrupled over the past year.”
Are you using it at all? I sure am. Here are a few ways I used A.I. this year:
When I get stumped on a catchy title while writing, A.I. can give me a list of ten to start with, and I can work from there. When I struggle to come up with a meal plan for the week, I can type into ChatGPT the ingredients in my kitchen, and it gives me immediate help to plan my meals for the week. When I helped plan a girl’s weekend in Charleston, I typed in what was important for each person on the trip, and A.I. put an initial itinerary together.It isn’t too hard to see why it is the word for 2023.
But what about previous years? Take a look at some of the past words we’ve had:
I decided to have a little fun and plugged in all ten words to ChatGPT, an A.I. model. I asked it to make me a short story based on those ten words. Here’s what it came up with.
Amid the chaotic backdrop of the climate emergency , a new phenomenon emerged – the youthquake . Amid a lockdown , young activists harnessed the power of A.I. and social media to combat the permacrisis they inherited. They were no longer willing to accept the post-truth narratives that had perpetuated toxic inaction. Instead, they used their voices and emoji tears of joy to advocate for change. Their selfie campaigns went viral, urging people to ‘ vax ‘ the Earth by adopting sustainable practices and reducing their carbon footprint, and they replaced vape clouds with conversations about renewable energy and eco-conscious living. The youthquake represented a hopeful shift in the fight against the climate emergency , offering a glimpse of a more sustainable future.
The subtle message behind this funny little story is that A.I. and the next generation can save the day. If the original human functions can’t figure it out, can we put our faith in a model of it?
It reminds me of a people long ago.
Models Now vs. Models Then
The Israelites were in a predicament. They had been rescued from slavery in Egypt only to find themselves stuck at the bottom of the mountain. They had no land, food, shelter, or leader. Moses was up the stormy mountain, supposably getting information from God, but the people were losing hope. “Who knows if he was even still alive,” the Israelites said to each other. It had been weeks with no sign of him.
Feeling lost and abandoned, they looked back to try and find their footing. Under Aaron’s direction, they melted their gold and fashioned it into a calf. But why a cow?
And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” Exodus 32:4-5
The idol was a man-made mixture of the mighty God Yahweh and the pagan methods of worship that they had observed. The bull was an Egyptian symbol of strength and fertility. Some of the Israelites’ slaves had spent a lifetime in slavery, perfecting their skills as idol-makers. Here’s an opportunity to use our talents, they thought. We need something we can touch, see and worship.
Even though that makes more sense, I was still confused. How did thousands of people abandon God so quickly? They had just witnessed him parting the sea.
Because they didn’t think they were.
No one claimed to be abandoning God. All they said was that they were making a model. Aaron never said let’s forget about Yahweh. He maintained the name of Yahweh in connection with it. He was merging their belief in God with pagan secular practices to comfort themselves. It was a half-and-half deal, except that math comes to a big, fat zero.
Problems come when we begin calling on models for wisdom and confusing them with the real thing.
The Israelites were looking back to their days of slavery under the Egyptians to make sense of things. But looking back doesn’t give a vision or hope. All it does is provide a diagnosis. Collins Dictionary isn’t making any decisions for the future. They are reporting on the past. If we want hope, we must look forward.
Seven years ago, as the year drew to a close, I began looking forward and decided that instead of resolutions, I wanted to choose a word for the upcoming year. After some prayer and seeking God’s wisdom, I chose a word and a Bible verse as my theme for the year ahead. Then, I ordered a necklace, bracelet, or charm with the word or verse as a daily reminder. Here are a few examples of my words from past years:
2018: STRENGTH
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
2019: PEACE
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
2020: TRUST
I trust in you, O Lord. You are my God, my time is in your hands. Psalms 31:14
2021: DO NOT FEAR
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
2022: JOY
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
2023: REMAIN
I am the vine, and you are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit. John 15:5
Some of my past year's jewelry with the verse or word of the year. A word for the year sets an intention. I wanted that word to be foundational in my decisions, attitudes, and actions. It’s interesting how some of these lined up precisely what was happening that year. (Covid and trust? Not a coincidence!)
Setting the Tone
My 2024 word for the year is CALMNESS. The Hebrew for the adjective calm is pronounced “ragua” (רָגוּעַ). Here’s my verse; guess what book in the Bible it is from?
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
Oh, that’s right, you think. This is from when Jesus was in the boat, and he calmed the sea in the New Testament.
It sounds like it, but it isn’t from the New Testament. It’s found in Psalms. As David wrote Psalm 107:29-30 and the Isrealites heard it, they would have looked back to when God parted the Red Sea and the Isrealites escaped from the Egyptians.
There’s nothing wrong with looking back and defining God’s powerful moments. Like Collins Dictionary, the Israelites were putting words to events. But what if God’s people allowed those words not only to be about a past event but also a defining word for them in the future?
The disciples would not have been afraid of the storm.They would not have been shocked at the calm.They would have expected Jesus to do it.I want to be someone who expects miracles because I know what God’s Word says about my future. A.I. cannot ever be the total truth. It can only model what it’s been given. I’m not concerned about the impacts of A.I. because A.I. is a tool; it’s not God. You can program A.I. to do many things, but it will always be limited. As you look to 2024, join me in standing on God’s Word, the promise of hope and a future.
After all, you can’t program miracles!
Here’s a few helpful tips to help you select a word for the upcoming year:
Grab a piece of paper and make two columns. On one side, write down everything that went well over the past year. On the other side, write what you would like to change.Pray over your list. Listen to a worship song and spend some time meditating. Look ahead to next year. Where are some growth opportunities for you? What about some successes you want to keep pressing into?
Write down the scripture verses that God pressed upon your heart as you pray and meditate. Choose one to five words that describe how you want your year to feel . Nouns, verbs, anything works.
Review your scripture and five words together. Are any patterns jumping out at you? What do they all have in common? Narrow it down to one.
Decide how you are going to set reminders for yourself. This could be a necklace, a framed piece of art with the word incorporated displayed prominently in your home, a screen saver on your phone, PostIts strategically placed around your home, car, or work, a bookmark in your Bible, a post on social media sharing your word of the year, or a book about that word/topic. However you choose to do it, ensure you see it daily.
Feel free to write in the comments below what your word is for the upcoming year.
The post From Selfies to A.I.: A Decade of Word Trends To Help You Choose a Word For the Year In 2024 appeared first on Red Letter Living.
December 5, 2023
059: Pastor Zach Zehnder On Why Serving Will Cost You, How Jesus Served, And How to Make a Difference to One Person Everyday
Serving is not new, but it is part of our natural needs. Many people want to serve. They just need help. Pastor Zach Zehnder wrote the Serving Challenge for all those who want fulfillment, peace, and satisfaction in helping others. You will repeatedly reference this resource in your families, church, and as an individual.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. We create resources to challenge all people to be greater followers of Jesus. And today’s resource that we are highlighting is Serving Challenge. This challenge can be done as an individual, as a family, as a small group, and yes, even as a church. Pastors and church leaders, if you’d like a free copy, you can request one going to this website here. New Year and Lent 2024 is the perfect time to launch a 40-day challenge in your church. You can have a powerful 40-day experience that will move your people like never before to serve, grow your small groups by more than 40%, and you can have all your materials (sermons, small groups, kids materials, graphics, etc.) done for you for 6 weeks. You can find out more now at www.servingchallenge.com.
Picture of Football Field to guide Zach’s writing process
Blog 7 Tips to Write Your First Book
Red Letter Spiritual Gift Test
Key insights from the episode:
Don’t rush your controlling idea. – Zach Zehnder
People are never an interruption to Jesus. – Zach Zehnder
No one can do it all, but all of us can do one thing. – Zach Zehnder
You are able. You just don’t know how you are able. – Zach Zehnder
Compassion should always follow up with the word ‘and.’ – Zach Zehnder
Purpose and meaning are wrapped up in serving. – Zach Zehnder
Do one for one. – Zach Zehnder
Pastor Zach Zehnder’s Challenge: Intentionally lose so someone else can win.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here
The post 059: Pastor Zach Zehnder On Why Serving Will Cost You, How Jesus Served, And How to Make a Difference to One Person Everyday appeared first on Red Letter Living.
November 27, 2023
058: Caesar Kalinowski on Being An Everyday Disciple, How Introverts Can Disciple Others, and Why He Fed His Kids Red Beans and Rice for 42 Days
Caesar Kalinowski has traveled the world coaching others on discipleship. His approach is not to implement a new habit or activity but to simply begin discipleship in your everyday rhythms of life. Whether at the grill in his driveway or traveling the world, Kalinowski brings Jesus into everyday life.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. There’s a deal for everyone happening right now in our Red Friday deals. But hurry, the sale ends on 11/29. Check it out now: www.redletterchallenge.com/red-friday.
Plus, Advent starts in just a few days. Here on Giving Tuesday, we want to give a gift to you. Enjoy FREE Advent Devotional written this year for you by Allison Zehnder. Check it out here.
https://www.caesarkalinowski.com/
Key insights from the episode:
You’re not too busy to be a disciple. – Caesar Kalinowski
Discipleship can become a lifestyle. – Caesar Kalinowski
We badly need both extroverts and introverts in community. – Caesar Kalinowski
Is that hour and a half on Sunday morning what Jesus died for, or is there more? – Caesar Kalinowski
Not having community doesn’t mean you are introverted; you are inward-focused. – Caesar Kalinowski
Establish a predictable event in your life for discipleship. – Caesar Kalinowski
Being a church leader is not an excuse to live in a Christian bubble. – Caesar Kalinowski
Caesar Kalinowski’s Challenge: Pick one of your 21 meals this week and share it with neighbors.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here
The post 058: Caesar Kalinowski on Being An Everyday Disciple, How Introverts Can Disciple Others, and Why He Fed His Kids Red Beans and Rice for 42 Days appeared first on Red Letter Living.
November 22, 2023
How Do I Get Healing During the Christmas Season? – A FREE Advent Devotional
Did you know that Christmas really is one of the happiest times of the year?
In his article from the Washington Post, Christopher Ingraham shows that our nation’s Google searches for the words depression, anxiety, pain, stress and fatigue take a sharp dip on major holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s all are among the year’s least-miserable search days. Also on these holidays are the least health-related ER visits.
That surprised me. Isn’t that when people are mourning the loss of their loved ones? When closed businesses and shut-down offices leave workaholics to examine their empty lives? Weren’t we always told that the holidays are a hard time of year for people who struggle with mental health? Maybe things are not as bad as I thought.
Before we celebrate, let’s look at what happens around those days. Studies show that as a culture, we get what’s called a short-term euphoria around major holidays. While some feel lonely, stressed, or pressured by debt before the holiday, most postpone those guilt-ridden feelings and instead get caught up in the moment. It’s only a temporary delay before January hits. So maybe it’s not a win; it’s just a delay.
Rather than getting caught up in the euphoric frenzy, what if we enter the post-holiday time a little more even-keeled instead of spinning out of control on the outside while hurting on the inside? Given this data, December is an opportune time to help people avoid a euphoria that ends in a crash. Instead of getting pulled into hysteria, processing all that has happened over the past year is one way to survive Christmas and avoid burnout afterward.
But how do we do this?
Advent is a season that starts four weeks prior to Christmas. The word advent means “waiting” or “preparing.” Advent devotionals can be a game-changer. When we spend time remembering that Jesus is our peace, hope, joy, and love, it helps center us in a world that feels chaotic. Through reading, reflecting, and praying, we can be reminded that Jesus is here to bring healing to whatever our struggles might be.
Jesus offers healing to whatever it is that you might need. Everyone needs healing. But that healing looks different from person to person.
Spiritual healing: You may need soul healing. It’s toxic for our spirits to be bombarded every day. Constant information takes your time, energy, money, and mental space. Jesus’s message of hope quiets your minds and hearts. The hardest questions in life have already been accomplished by the finished work of Jesus.
“As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; ” Isaiah 66:13
Mental healing: Your mental state may be exhausted. What happened this year? A family fight? A failed business venture? Bills you cannot pay? Disappointments that can’t be shaken off? Jesus doesn’t want us to avoid those feelings, but bringing them to the manger and giving them to Him is a healthy way of dealing with them. When we see God coming to earth, it gives us assurance that He doesn’t shy away from our troubles, but welcomes them.
“Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things he does for me. He forgives all my sins. He heals me.” Psalm 103:2-3
Emotional healing: God gave us our emotions, but we don’t always use them as we should. We see from the Bible that there are no ‘good emotions’ or ‘bad emotions.’ Jesus experienced them all, and many were recorded in the Bible.
We tend to deal with these emotions in two ways: elevate them higher than they should be or ignore and deny them completely. Some people are subjected to their every little whim, and mood swings get the better of them. Other people downplay emotions. They are considered childish and ought to be stuffed down and ignored. People who talk about their feelings are sissies or weak.
Neither one of these are what God had in mind. Our emotions are there to serve us and help us experience life. Imagine going to the beach and not feeling a single thing! Or watching a great movie with no reaction. You wouldn’t want that. However, our emotions often take a beating and you may need some emotional healing.
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24
Physical healing: Perhaps you are struggling with a diagnosis, mysterious chronic pain, or unanswered questions. Our souls and bodies are so intricately connected. When we are mentally unhealthy, it can manifest through our physical bodies. The opposite is true too. If we are struggling physically, then that can affect our mental state.
“Lord, you know how I long for my health once more. You hear my every sigh.” Psalm 38:9
As great as this world is, it’s pretty weak when it comes to healing. In most self-help books, there are a whole lot fewer words about what actually to do than the description of the problem. But the best doctor doesn’t just know what’s wrong, but he/she knows how to heal the infection.
Jesus’s healing touch is the heart Band-Aid we all need.
Jesus knows exactly what we are going through AND has a solution.
Through whatever pain you may be experiencing, Jesus offers healing. It is incredible what He promises to those who love Him. He doesn’t just diagnose us, He has the remedy. When you read through our newest and FREE Advent devotional, you will learn that the people of the New Testament were just like you and me.
They followed Jesus because He was offering healing that they were so desperate to find. You will find some who experienced emotional pain, like Mary of Bethany, who witnessed Jesus’s crucifixion. You will find some who had spiritual pain, like John Mark, who gave up when things got hard on a mission trip. Others had mental pain, like Priscilla, who was homesick. Still others had physical pain, like Lazarus, who got very sick and died.
This Christmas, don’t cover up your pain. Don’t stuff down your grief. Don’t distract yourself into an entertainment-laced euphoric frenzy. Come as you are and receive the healing you need.
After Jesus heals your hurts, you will be able to go and heal the hurts and pains of others. We receive healing in order to give that healing away to others. God’s Kingdom is always exponential: that means that it is like a drop of water into a pool that ripples out to the very edges. This Christmas, it is my prayer that you don’t just have a low-misery Google-search holiday. I pray for a low-misery Google-search life. Jesus, not Google, gives life!
Challenge: Use The Healing Jesus Advent Devotional this December as you prepare your heart for the Savior to come.The post How Do I Get Healing During the Christmas Season? – A FREE Advent Devotional appeared first on Red Letter Living.
November 20, 2023
057: Chris Johnson on Planting a Church in a School, the Importance of Authentic Relationships, and How He Was Tricked Into Church Work.
Chris Johnson believes that the core of discipleship is authentic relationships. Whether podcast host, father, pastor, teacher, church planter, or husband, he is on a mission to bring Jesus to everyone he meets.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. There’s a deal for everyone happening right now in our Red Friday deals. Find how you can get the best deal of the coming year at www.redletterchallenge.com/red-friday.
Plus, grab a FREE Advent Devotional written this year for you by Allison Zehnder. Enjoy that free gift here
Holy Cross Lutheran Church Lake Mary, FL
Episode 51: Aaron and Hannah Barnett Red Letter Disciple Episode
Episode 28: Davey Blackburn Red Letter Disciple Episode
Episode 3: Rebekah Gregory Red Letter Disciple
Key insights from the episode:
Discipleship is messy. – Chris Johnson
‘This is not the way it will always be’ is the best hope you can give someone else. – Chris Johnson
God makes good things out of the worst things that you go through. – Chris Johnson
One of our core values is fun. – Chris Johnson
Discipleship, at its core, is authentic relationships. – Chris Johnson
We’ve got to fight against our own entertainment systems. – Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson’s Challenge: Take someone to lunch and listen to their story.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here
The post 057: Chris Johnson on Planting a Church in a School, the Importance of Authentic Relationships, and How He Was Tricked Into Church Work. appeared first on Red Letter Living.
November 13, 2023
056: Andre Steven Anderson on Why He Launched Barbecue Church, How BBQ Can Bring People to Jesus, and His Opinion on Traeger Pellet Smokers
Andre Steven Anderson wants to bring people together around the table and share Jesus. He has seen God move in the space of BBQing. In 2020, he started The Barbecue Church. Discipleship is not limited to the pastor, it is a walk of life for every believer.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. At its core, Red Letter Living creates resources to challenge all people to be greater disciples of Jesus. If you are a pastor, consider a 40-day challenge to start the New Year or Lenten season. These 40-day challenges will help your church grow their small groups, bring unity in divided times, and give a much-needed break to your staff by providing turnkey resources. Let’s partner up. Find out more at www.redletterchallenge.com/join. And news flash, our Red Friday deals go live next week. Join the Red Letter Community to be the first to know when the deals drop!
Barbecue Church Sermons YouTube
Key insights from the episode:
In discipleship, you have to run low and slow. – Andre Anderson
The Great Commission does not apply to just me, the pastor. – Andre Anderson
You Can Eat With Us, the Barbecue Church – Andre Anderson
If we are not feeding people biblically, spiritually, and literally, then what are we doing? – Andre Anderson
God freakin’ did it. – Andre Anderson
In discipleship, our job is to point people to Jesus. – Andre Anderson
Andre Anderson’s Challenge: Really pray and listen to God.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here
The post 056: Andre Steven Anderson on Why He Launched Barbecue Church, How BBQ Can Bring People to Jesus, and His Opinion on Traeger Pellet Smokers appeared first on Red Letter Living.
November 8, 2023
The Biggest Challenge that Pastors are Facing in 2023 and What to Do About It!
Consider this startling fact: According to a Pew Research Study, in the United States, 63% of people still identify as Christians. That number, based on what I hear from media reports, and experientially what I feel in this nation, seems very high. With 63% of people believing in Jesus we ought to have crazy influence in every sector! But we don’t.
Why is this? Because, according to a recent Barna study, only 25% are practicing Christians.
By the way, the bar for what it takes to be a practicing Christian, according to Barna, isn’t all that high. This is Barna’s definition of a Practicing Christian:
Those who attend a religious service at least once a monthThose who say their faith is very important in their lives Those who self-identify as a Christian.We’ve emphasized faith and God’s grace, but the crucial work of building disciples has been neglected. This disparity calls for introspection. The word ‘Savior’ appears 37 times in the Bible, whereas ‘LORD’ is mentioned over 7000 times, indicating a call not just for belief but for active following.
American churches have created many believers but very few followers.The need for discipleship has never been clearer, yet the path forward seems increasingly confusing.
The urgency of this situation is underscored by a study from Lifeway Research in 2022, revealing that the number one skill pastors felt they needed to develop was disciple making.
This collective realization signifies our acknowledgment that the current methods are ineffective. But this chart also shows me that while we recognize the need for a more clear disciple making strategy in our churches, many of us aren’t confident in our path forward.
Sam Gibson is a pastor in New York City that was preaching on revival. In this sermon, referencing Barna’s study and all the charts and trends moving in the wrong direction, he noted two things needed to stop what Barna said is otherwise an irreversible decline in our churches: a move of God and intentional discipleship.
We can’t make God move, but we can make room for God to move.
That’s what disciples do.
This is our moment to rise above accidental discipleship and lead with purpose. It’s an opportunity to shape the future of our churches, revive the Christian spirit, and redefine the perception of Christianity in our communities.
We stand at a critical juncture: either embrace intentional discipleship or witness irreversible decline in the church. But, again, how do we transform believers into followers of Jesus?
I’ve spent the last decade helping more than 1000 churches produce greater followers of Jesus, and now, I want to help you.
And I believe that you need this.
You, the pastors and leaders, are here because you refuse to accept mediocrity. You recognize the untapped potential within your congregations. You long for your church to embody the true essence of Christianity. The solution lies in intentional discipleship and a move of God. It demands wholehearted commitment, purposeful leadership, and deliberate actions.
And, friends, it’s not impossible.
That’s why I created The Disciple Making Playbook. The goal of this online course is to give you everything you need to develop a Jesus-centered disciple making playbook that everybody in your church can get excited about.
You can expect more than just theoretical knowledge. We will delve into practical strategies, engage in meaningful discussions, and provide actionable insights to guide you in your disciple-making journey.
So, let’s embark on this journey with hope, determination, and an unwavering faith. Together, we will create a disciple-making playbook that not only revitalizes our churches but also rekindles the fervor of genuine followership, setting the stage for a revival that will reshape the Western Church. Get ready to lead with intentionality, disciple with purpose, and experience the miraculous move of God in your congregation. Welcome to a new era of discipleship.
Buy Disciple Making Playbook now or Preview Session #1 in the courses section of your free account. Simply Login if you already have an account or create a new account today.
Let’s do this!
Buy Now 
Preview Session #1 The post The Biggest Challenge that Pastors are Facing in 2023 and What to Do About It! appeared first on Red Letter Living.
November 7, 2023
055: Gloria Umanah on the Suicide Epidemic in America, The Role of Christians in Mental Health, and How a Little Bit of Hope Can Change the World
The discussion on mental health is not new, but when you look at both suicide and suicide attempts, it is a problem the church needs to address. Gloria Umanah brings hope one word at a time, whether through her spoken word, The Hope Booth Initiative, or through bolstering the creativity of others.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. Pastors and church leaders, we create 40-day challenges that have helped more than 800 churches produce greater disciples. Not only this, but our resources grow small groups by more than 40%. If you are a pastor or church leader, not only can you find out more at this link, but you can also request a FREE 40-day challenge mailed to your door there.
As you plan for the end of this Fall or even the start of the New Year, we’d love to partner with you and we have some amazing deals with our ready-to-go church packs. But, first, get a FREE copy on us.
People who are suicidal do not want to take their lives, but they feel it’s their only option. – Gloria Umanah
The idea that because we have Jesus, we will not struggle does not line up with the reality of Scripture. – Gloria Umanah
Suicide, anxiety, loneliness, and isolation are no respecter of man. – Gloria Umanah
It’s one thing to hear you are not alone but another to see you are not alone. – Gloria Umanah
God just doesn’t just see you, but he stays. – Gloria Umanah
1.2 million people attempt suicide every year. – Gloria Umanah
The average homeless person goes 3-6 months without being looked in the eye. – Gloria Umanah
If we learn to use more preventative approaches, we don’t have to be so reactive. – Gloria Umanah
Gloria Umanah’s Challenge: Look up, look out, and see others today.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
Watch the entire season for free:We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here
The post 055: Gloria Umanah on the Suicide Epidemic in America, The Role of Christians in Mental Health, and How a Little Bit of Hope Can Change the World appeared first on Red Letter Living.
October 30, 2023
054: Vanessa Lane on the Benefits of Video Gaming, How Tech Can Foster Relationships, and The One Game She Won’t Let Her Kids Play
Vanessa Lane struggled with anxiety as a kid and into her teen years. After unsuccessfully trying to hide it, Lane found that video games positively impacted her mental health. As a mother and founder of BetterPlay Studios, Inc., Vanessa is committed to improving mental health through gaming.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwZE5...
Today’s episode is brought to you by Red Letter Living. We create resources that challenge all people to be greater followers of Jesus. Part of being a great disciple of Jesus is knowing how you are gifted AND putting that gift to work. So, how are you gifted?
Spend 15-20 minutes taking our brand-new FREE spiritual gift test at www.spiritualgifts.me. After taking the test, email us at hello@redletterchallenge.com and let us know what your top spiritual gift is and how you will put that gift into practice this week!
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Bucks Gaming wins 2022 NBA 2K League Championship
Key insights from the episode:
Not all tech is created equal. – Vanessa Lane
As Christians, when we make good art, work, and video games, that’s a reflection of God’s love for us. – Vanessa Lane
Video games are beautiful. – Vanessa Lane
Playing video games can be part of a healthy routine. – Vanessa Lane
The gaming industry is a 300 billion dollars industry. – Vanessa Lane
120 million monthly gamers worldwide. – Vanessa Lane
More people watched the League of Legends tournament in 2019 than the Superbowl. – Vanessa Lane
The video game industry is a major missed opportunity for Christians. – Vanessa Lane
Vanessa Lane’s Challenge: Try something different. If you don’t game, try a game. If you do a game, get out of your comfort zone.
Are you following Jesus?
Many want to be greater followers of Jesus but don’t know how. We extensively studied everything Jesus commanded of us and located five key targets to which Jesus invited His followers. The five targets are Being, Forgiving, Serving, Giving, and Going.
In partnership with LifeWay Research, we created a Red Letter Challenge Assessment that will measure you according to these five targets. And the best news of all: it’s free! You will get results back immediately and be presented with the next steps to help you become an even greater follower of Jesus.
You can take the FREE Red Letter Challenge Assessment here.
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The post 054: Vanessa Lane on the Benefits of Video Gaming, How Tech Can Foster Relationships, and The One Game She Won’t Let Her Kids Play appeared first on Red Letter Living.
How Did the Reformation Change How We Experience Jesus?
When things go awry, God finds a way to get them back in order. When Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church, he started a flame that changed much of history. The Reformation gets a lot of credit for ushering in change in our world.
These and other changes trace back to 1517 when Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the wall of the Augsburg Chapel and began making radical changes in the church.
People started reading the Bible and interpreting it for themselves. Church leaders no longer had unhealthy amounts of power. Many denominations that still exist today have their roots in the Reformation.And you thought October 31st was all about candy!!!
The Story that Art TellsThe arts are a great thermometer for us to examine the impact of the Reformation. Back then, people were mainly illiterate. Why did they need to read and write anyway? There were no books to read. The arts reflected what was happening in people’s hearts and homes before and during the Reformation.
Before things got shaken up, all artists worked for the church. The church, after all, had all the power and money. If you wanted to make a living, you had to work for the church. This was less about the beliefs of the artists and more about who held the purse strings. After all, only the church could afford the expensive commissions. So, most paintings would be of religious scenes. And the artwork was kept inside the church, along with God.
The priests also used the artwork as part of people’s penance. They used it to control people. It created an idealistic view of faith and God and showed the great chasm between the common everyday person and God. So, if you wanted to encounter God, the grand cathedrals were the place to be. (Just scrape off the mud before you come in!)
After the Reformation, God was no longer confined to grand religious buildings. When the church doors were finally opened, people began taking their faith into their work and home life. They still honored God, but their relationship with Him expanded beyond the church and into their own little worlds.
But what about the artists?
With the church powers shaken up, and a lot of their power gone, artists had to find new ways to make a living. Martin Luther was a big proponent of art. He championed it, showing the value of religious art in teaching stories of the Bible. Artists began painting nature, still life, and portraits. They used their gifts and abilities to express their faith through God’s creation. In a world that was still largely illiterate, the art found an important teaching role. As faith became more personal, so did the paintings. One example of this was how artists drew the Last Supper before and after the Reformation.
BEFORE: The Rectangular Table
Almost every depiction of the Last Supper before the Reformation looked the same way. A row of men sat on one side of a rectangular table (opposite from the viewer, and this was intentional. After all, they were VIPs!) The disciples usually had some halo or light, except for Judas. Jesus was always in the middle and separate from the other disciples. Sometimes, He had a different color halo. Sometimes, there was space between Him and those around Him. Other times, He was taller than the others. A famous example of this is Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous Last Supper.
As you look at it below, ask yourself the following questions:
What is everyone wearing?How are the table and place settings arranged?Who is present?What are the expressions and actions of those around him?How is Jesus postured?
AFTER: The Round Table
As we said, after the Reformation, faith got a lot more personal. And so did the art. Below you’ll see another painting of the Last Supper. But this one was done after the Reformation. What differences do you notice between Da Vinci’s painting and this one?
First, hierarchy is gone. The table’s round shape gives everyone an equal spot at the table. Notice how Jesus shares His bench with a child. Seating arrangements are not in a hierarchical row, with the most important in the middle. Everyone gathers in.
Second, women and children are present. Everyday items are present. There’s no need for a grand show or getting out the fine china and “dressing for dinner.” It’s a come-as-you-are experience. Those gathered around the table are dressed in a variety of ways and have a variety of expressions. You won’t find any halos here, not even on Jesus.
Lastly, this event is not just about the supper and those at the table. (Not to diminish the importance of that event, but to remove the distance.) Jesus isn’t only focused on what’s happening at the table. He’s got one hand at the table, but His second one is gesturing behind Him. He’s reaching for the lost outside of the inner circle. He’s going to the woman washing His feet. Jesus’s religion is not one of elitism. He cares deeply for people. He’s there with the believers, but He’s halfway facing the lost, those not there from the table.
This isn’t supposed to be a snapshot of what was actually happening on that Last Supper. Rather, it’s a depiction of an attitude about who Jesus was, a loving relational being, that was so different from the far-reaching, holier-than-thou depictions of previous centuries.
Us vs. Them
Like everyone sitting on one side of the table, the church can slip into an “us versus them” mentality. Christians stand safely on one side, posting Christian memes and checking in to church on Sundays. We can sit comfortably in our church chairs and greet others, but choose not to spend time with non-believers. We may give to the church, but not until it hurts. We’d rather not sacrifice our lifestyle.
Notice how the disciples sat off Jesus’s side. As a church body, we also keep Jesus at a distance. If He gets too close, He may start ordering us around or telling us what to do. Heaven forbid that happens. It’s comfortable to keep Jesus at our disposal but we still like having our space, too. We need our freedom. Don’t tell us what to work on or where we fall short.
Finally, like the neat and tiny table in the painting with no outside people or realism, our churches can seem too ordered. We don’t want realism. We have strict timing and don’t try to mix up our service orders.
We’ve looked outside the church doors. The real world brings poverty, addictions, broken relationships, bad parenting, and noise. So, without realizing it, we shut the door on those things. Let’s keep our churches clean, neat, and other-worldly.
But that’s never the table that Jesus invited us to.
Where Are You Sitting?
We are all invited to a “round table” relationship with Jesus. But that round table has flawed people at it. Children are noisy and make messes at Jesus’s table. People different from you sit at this table. They express their ideas, dress differently, and don’t always follow proper table manners. The people who serve you also sit at the table. They aren’t banished away to eat downstairs. Jesus invites all to the table.
Sitting at the round table requires humility. It requires you to serve to step outside your comfort zone. To talk to someone you would not normally associate with. To give up being always comfortable so that someone else can be helped. It’s an invitation to a community that is open and honest about our faults. Round table communities require us to spend our good times together and depend on each other in the bad.
He loves those in the church and those at the table, but He has an arm out to the lost. And He wants you to do the same. It will be messy, but it will be casual, crowded, inviting, and fun! And, most of all, it is worth it.
If I had to pick, I hope the final Passover meal Jesus shared with His disciples was more like the second painting. It’s casual, crowded, inviting, and messy. (It reminds me more of a rowdy family reunion than the famous Last Supper!) And that is exactly who Jesus was, is, and forever will be.
So, have fun trick or treating. I hope you can get as much candy as your heart desires. But, may you know, far better than any piece of candy you might receive, is the grace of Jesus offered to you through His Son Jesus Christ! All are welcome. Come sit around the table.
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