What Does "Gospel Centered" Mean?
It’s no secret that r3ally.org is a huge Jonathan Dodson fan. In this short article from Ed Stetzer’s blog JD describes what the phrase “gospel centered” means in the context of discipleship.
2 weeks ago
Gospel Centered Discipleship has quickly become one of our favorite sites here at r3ally.org. This great post has 20 questions to reflect on the gospel; a great discussion piece with your man or woman or an opportunity for some honest self-evaluation.
Truth Travels the Road of Relationships
Part 2: Stuck in a Rut
There is a road that truth can travel on: the road of relationships. When we build a relationship with someone we build a road that the truth of the gospel can traverse. Without the road, it is very difficult for us to share the gospel with someone. Last week we talked about the two ditches on each side of that road.
The ditch that most of us slide into is the ditch of building a good, smooth road, but never unleashing the gospel of Jesus Christ onto that road. So how can we avoid that trap? Here are a few principles:
1) Bring Jesus into the relationship early. That doesn’t mean that you have to challenge your new friend with a “decision opportunity” in the first 10 minutes of your relationship. What it does mean is that you mention the single most important thing in your life, your relationship with Jesus, casually and winsomely early on in the relationship. Your new friend might or might not say anything, but they will know that Jesus is part of who you are.
2) Turn the conversation to spiritual things. The easiest way to do that is with questions. A famous person dies. You ask “Do you ever think about what happens when you die?” Or maybe it’s as simple as bringing up your Community Group when they ask what you did last night. Sharing an insight from your quiet time might be a good way to spark some conversation. Remember, you don’t have to force it: just let the things you are already doing be part of the relationship.
3) Be prepared to give an answer. My friend calls it a gospel layup. “Why do you carry food to give the homeless?” “Why are you helping me rake my yard?” “What is your deal? You aren’t like everyone else?” These are opportunities for the gospel layup. Take a cue from Nehemiah: say a quick prayer and then answer honestly and boldly. Not about yourself, but about Jesus and what he has done for you that compels you to act the way you do.
Next week: It’s out there … now what?
by Michael Smith
Community Pastor
Fellowship Bible Church of NW Arkansas
mismith@fellowhsipnwa.org
REACH: Why it's difficult to share our faith
In Part 1 of a five part series over at Gospel Centered Discipleship, Jonathan Dodson writes that preachy Christians make it hard for the rest of us to share our faith.
What happened on Friday of Holy Week?
This week on his blog at The Gospel Coalition Justin Taylor is reconstructing the events of Holy Week from the gospels. We will be posting links to these each day this week. Consider challenging the person you are meeting with the engage these passages this week as we prepare to celebrate Sunday.
What happened on Thursday of Holy Week?
This week on his blog at The Gospel Coalition Justin Taylor is reconstructing the events of Holy Week from the gospels. We will be posting links to these each day this week. Consider challenging the person you are meeting with the engage these passages this week as we prepare to celebrate Sunday.
What happened on Wednesday of Holy Week?
This week on his blog at The Gospel Coalition Justin Taylor is reconstructing the events of Holy Week from the gospels. We will be posting links to these each day this week. Consider challenging the person you are meeting with the engage these passages this week as we prepare to celebrate Sunday.
This week on his blog at The Gospel Coalition Justin Taylor is reconstructing the events of Holy Week from the gospels. We will be posting links to these each day this week. Consider challenging the person you are meeting with the engage these passages this week as we prepare to celebrate Sunday.
Last week we featured a link to an excerpt from Jonathan Dodson’s new book, Gospel Centered Discipleship. In this second excerpt, published at theResurgence.com, Dodson writes about the performance trap of discipleship.
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