The Spirit of Familiarity

1. What is the spirit of familiarity?

2. How does the spirit of familiarity relate to Mark 6:1 – 6? (No less than 2 paragraphs)

3. Find an article on the spirit of familiarity and post a copy of the link in your post. Share what you learned from the article in no less than 3 paragraphs.

Each paragraph is to be at less seven sentences.

Due: No later than Thursday, August 31, 2016

Finding My Purpose

1. In three paragraphs, share what you took away from watching this video on "Finding Your Purpose".

2. What do you feel is your spiritual gift or purpose is?


Due no later than August 17, 2016.

John C Maxwell - How To Connect With People

Answer the following questions in detail. No less than two paragraphs each.

1. What are the three "Connecting Principles" that John mentions? Describe these principles in detail.

2. What is the definition John gave for the word "Connecting"?

3. How well do you feel you connect with others?

4. In ministry, how important is connecting with others?

Respond no later than Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Listen to the following message. In your comments give the five levels of leaderships that John talks about in his message. Please make sure you are thorough. No less than three paragraphs. Share your comments no later than Thursday, May 12, 2016.

Sharing The Gospel

Sharing The Gospel

By Kevin Burrows, Senior Pastor

Vision Worship Center, Inc. – Columbus, Ohio

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2, New International Version). These are the beautiful words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was concerned about the harvest of souls that had not heard the gospel. Jesus was eager to share the gospel message with them, but there was a shortage of workers. Jesus encouraged the seventy-two witness that he sent out two by two to pray to God the Father for more workers that will assist them in sharing the gospel.

            Christians Biblical motivation to share the gospel of Jesus Christ should be based on the scripture referenced above, and the words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of Matthew “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (28:19-20, New International Version). Jesus departed His disciples with these final instructions. They were being sent into the world under His authority; they were to preach the gospel; make disciples of men, and teach them to obey Christ.  

            This is still the great commission of every born again believer today. If Christians are going to be effective in the Kingdom of God they must place emphasis on evangelism. Evangelism is the vehicle used to plunder hell and populate the Kingdom of heaven. When sharing the gospel with others, Christians should follow the example of the Apostle Paul and keep the message simple and basic, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, New International Version). It’s important to note that having an extensive scholarly vocabulary doesn’t mean the message you share will be effective, but rather when the power of the Spirit of God accompanies the message, it is then you will notice that judgment and conviction is swift, but when the message is void of His Spirit judgment and conviction is delayed.

            It’s unfortunate, but not everyone will believe the gospel, however, that doesn’t give Christians the right to avoid their responsibility to share it. Some would rather be driven and lured by their own lustful desires, not to mention, the god of this age has blinded their mind so that they won’t comprehend the gospel, (“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. ⁴ The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”) - II Corinthians 4:3-4, New International Version.

             The love of God must compel every believer to share their faith and experience with God the Father to those that don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Are only motive for evangelizing should be to win souls to the Kingdom of God and nothing more, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us…” (II Corinthians 5:20, New International Version). .

            When we pursue others for Jesus, it’s important to make sure our motives are pure, “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill” (Philippians 1:16, New International Version). The person that is preaching the gospel out of goodwill is doing so out of pure love for Christ and His passion to save a dying world, whereas, others teach the gospel for selfish gain, building their own reputation such person will not receive the eternal reward anticipated.   

            Christians should remember that the angels of heaven celebrate significantly when a person accepts Jesus Christ into their heart, “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10, New International Version).  Shouldn't every Christian also rejoice? We should weep over every soul that’s lost. We should pray that God will send more workers to gather in the harvest of souls. Let us evangelize purely out of love for God and our efforts will be rewarded.