Seasonal - Holidays | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Making an Eternal Difference in the Workplace?

Posted on August 25, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

The United States celebrates working men and women on Labor Day. But, have you ever asked similar to King Solomon’s question in Ecclesiastes 1:3? — “What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” — Is there more to work than that paycheck? What if its something you don’t enjoy doing? People around you may not be the easiest to work with. Perhaps you’re unappreciated and underpaid with too many expectations. You’re on a treadmill, going through the same motions day after day with little reward. It may be difficult to even think about making an eternal difference in the workplace.

Perspective Needed to See your Job Like a Mission Field, Where You Work in Ways that Count for Eternity

Jesus said, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you” (Jn. 6:27). Now, Jesus wasn’t saying we should all quit our jobs and “do ministry” but rather to live for Him wherever we are and in whatever we do. It isn’t an either/or proposition. We can work for that which “endures to eternal life” in our jobs if we see the workplace as our ministry, as our mission field.

With the changing landscape of the workplace of many working remotely from home, it may be more challenging to know how to purposefully let our light shine digitally, by phone, with less people contact, or socially-distanced. Certainly, however, God is capable of giving us the wisdom we need for how to live for Him in whatever situation we might find ourselves. He promises wisdom to those who ask (James 1:5).

Power Needed to Make an Eternal Difference in the Workplace

How easy it can be to gripe and complain about our jobs or the people with whom we work. Sometimes the stress of a job, or a boss, seems unbearable. Maybe you find it difficult to put in an honest day’s work from home with all the distractions.

Both our actions and attitudes, along with our words, help determine the kind of impact we have in the workplace so it’s vital that we rise above. The Apostle Paul said, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation …” (Phil. 4:12) What was it that enabled him face hardships and persecution with grace? He continued with the answer. — “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13)

We need to take Jesus at His word when He says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn. 15:5)

We must acknowledge Him as the Source of all we need.
We must constantly draw our Sustenance from Him.

Take a few moments for an honest assessment of whether you look to the Lord as the Source and Sustenance of all you need to make an eternal difference in the workplace.

How do you begin your workday? … rushing around trying to get ready and out the door on time? … or, sitting at the feet of Jesus, even if for but a brief encounter (Lk. 10:38-42)?

How do you handle the stress and frustration of the day? … flustered, fretting, and fuming? … or, casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7)?

How do you react to inconsiderate co-workers, unreasonable customers, or exasperating bosses? … annoyed, gossiping, and vindictive … or, relying on the Holy Spirit to develop within you the Christ-like traits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23)?

With God’s help, it is possible to make an eternal difference!

For More Help: Labor Day and the Workplace Ministry Resources

Churches, Help Grandparents Leave a Positive Legacy

Posted on August 18, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

One of the best ways churches can do their part to help the next generation learn about God is to equip parents to bring up their children “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). But, let’s not end there. Let’s also equip grandparents in their role. Churches can help grandparents leave a positive legacy.

Churches Help Grandparents Leave a Positive Legacy on the Next Generation

Churches, Help Grandparents Leave a Positive Legacy by Strategically Planning to Equip and Encourage Them

When we consider the potential influence of grandparents on their grandchildren now and for their future, certainly as a church we should do what we can to help grandparents positively impact their grandchildren’s lives. Use the following questions to assess what you’re currently doing to equip grandparents in their role. Determine what more you can do to strategically plan for it to happen.

In what ways does your church intentionally build up, equip, and encourage grandparents to leave a positive legacy? (i.e., classes, special speakers, reading material, support groups, etc.)

What kind of structures have you put in place that provide opportunity for the younger generation to learn from grandparents? (i.e., giving opportunity for them to share in the worship service, pulling on their wisdom through teaching and mentoring of the younger generation, interviewing them, including their stories in newsletters or blogs, etc.)

How does you church honor grandparents in special ways throughout the year, not just on one special day? (i.e., verbal recognition, small gifts, praying for them, making a display to recognize them, a special luncheon, having grandchildren make a card or craft to give to them, asking grandchildren to testify to how God has used their grandparents in their lives, etc.)

Resources to Help Grandparents and Others Think About Their Legacy

The Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides includes a guide geared to Grandparent’s Day, one of fourteen holidays in the resource. Along with some biblical thoughts about grandparenting, it also includes some questions for reflection.

For more help, go to: Resources on Grandparenting

Grandparents, Leave a Positive Legacy

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

The United States sets aside the first Sunday after Labor Day to honor grandparents — Grandparent’s Day. I have very few memories of my own grandparents as they all passed on when I was very young but one thing I do remember is that they were people to be respected in a special way. And, though I didn’t directly benefit from their input into my life, I have been indirectly affected because of their influence on my parents . . . the legacy my grandparents passed on through my parents.

The Kind of Legacy Passed on Through Grandparenting

Scripture makes it clear that grandparents pass on a legacy that can have either a positive or negative effect for generations to come (Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:17). If you’re a grandparent, certainly you should want to be a blessing rather than a curse to your grandchildren. Certainly you should want them to honor you because of true appreciation and love for you, not because they’re told to be respectful.

Positive Legacy? – The legacy of grandparents can be for eternal good as seen in the example of Timothy whose mother and grandmother passed on their faith by rooting him in God’s Word (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-17).

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children … (Ps. 103:17)

Or, Negative Impact? – A grandparent’s legacy can also have a negative impact as the effects of an unbelieving or hardened heart and a life of sin can spill over in familial dysfunction for years to come.

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, … maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (Ex. 34:6-7)

Questions for Grandparents Who Want to Leave a Positive Legacy for Their Grandchildren

Take some time to ask the following questions. Pray about and reflect on what you can do for it to become more of a reality in your life.

Are you nurturing your own soul, growing in your walk with the Lord, so you have something of eternal worth to pass on? (Deut. 4:9; 2 Tim. 1:5; Ps. 145:4)

Are you willing to invest into the lives of the younger generation in strategic ways, especially if you must do grandparenting from a distance?

Are you truly present when with your grandchildren, there in the moment, attentive to them, rather than preoccupied or distracted by other things?

Are you a godly role model for your grandchildren, consistently letting the Lord’s light shine through you in all you do?

Are you passing on godly wisdom learned from your life experiences but particularly that which is in alignment with God’s Word?

Are you a prayer warrior for your grandchildren?

Are you someone your children and grandchildren are pleased to honor, not just because a special day is set aside to celebrate grandparents, but because they are truly blessed through you?

Use the Holiday Reflections discipleship guide on Grandparent’s Day to reflect on the kind of legacy we can leave. This resource includes guides for reflection on a total of fourteen different holidays. If you’re a grandparent, you might even consider using these guides as a tool to disciple older grandchildren during each of the holidays.

Holiday Resources for Making the Most of Opportunities

Posted on January 13, 2021 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Holiday Resources to Make the Most of Every Opportunity Shortly after launching the MinTools.com site in 1999, I decided to provide a few holiday resources links. Site statistics revealed a real interest in finding help over the holidays. What started as one page with holiday resources, turned into many. Go To: Ministry Resources for Holidays, Seasons, and Other Life Events

Since God’s Word does encourage us to “make the most of every opportunity” (Eph. 5:15-16; Col. 4:5), I knew this was a way to further equip believers in their ministries.

Ways Holidays are Used for Ministry

Typically we find ourselves planning special programs, activities, and events for the holidays with emphasis on:

outreach
family time
expressions of appreciation

They can also provide opportunities for sermons and teachings with targeted messages that people may be more receptive to because they’re already thinking about the topic due to the holiday. Check out this tool you can use: Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides

How to Make the Most of the Holidays for Ministry

When reading the Bible verses about making the most of every opportunity, let’s be sure to note how both of the key passages exhorting us to do so also reference our need for wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-16 begins, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise …” Colossians 4:5 says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”

Here are just four issues for which we need wisdom at holidays:

We must be discerning in the type of decorations and activities we use related to the holidays so as not to send mixed messages about Truth. Do they accurately represent God and His Word?

We must be sensitive of those in our midst who find particular holidays difficult or hurtful. How can we keep the good of all in mind by the way we celebrate, the words we say, and the emphasis we put in certain aspects of it?

We must consider the best way to use church communications not only to announce programs but also to engage people about how to keep God central during the holiday. How can we utilize various means to reach people, not just the big events?

We must guard against letting members think that bringing people to big holiday events excuse them from personally witnessing, giving benevolently, spiritually nurturing their own children, etc.. What can we do to equip people to make the most of opportunities in their own spheres of influence over the holiday seasons as well as year round?

Acknowledging the need to be wise during these times, we should consider training ministry workers to at least be aware of the above points. (Example of helping Bible teachers: Holidays & Seasonal Teacher Training Resources)

And, these points certainly suggest our need to pray about the way to make the best use of these holiday opportunities. God promises to give us the wisdom we need if we ask (James 1:5).

Celebrate the Lord

Posted on December 23, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

At Christmas we tend to think of Jesus as a meek and mild baby. Yet, the angel let the shepherds know that more than an ordinary baby was born that day. In addition to being a Savior, the Messiah, the angel identified Him as the Lord. As we consider the significance of Jesus being called Lord, what response can we have but to celebrate Him at Christmas and always.

We Celebrate Him as the Lord our God

The angel used one of the names used of God the Father. God Himself came down to earth. — “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means “God with us”).” (Matt. 1:23) This is the Child prophesied in Isaiah 9:6.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

We Celebrate the Lord as our Maker

As our Creator, He has the rights of ownership over us. We were made for Him, not the other way around.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. (Jn. 1:1-3)

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Col. 1:15-16)

We Celebrate Jesus as our Master

As Lord, Jesus possesses the authority. He is the Master, the One who determines how life should be lived. He is the One to whom we are accountable. And so, …

whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col. 3:17)

We Celebrate the Lord as the King

When announcing Jesus as the Lord, the angel let the shepherds know that the meek and mild baby born that day was also the long awaited King. Though initially a spiritual kingdom, there will come a day He will return and physically reign as the “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14; 19:16).

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isa. 9:6-7)

A Christmas Celebration that Lasts All Year Long

All of this translates into Someone to be respected and revered, trusted and obeyed, honored and exalted. That’s who the angel proclaimed to the shepherds –“a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Lk. 2:11).

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:8-11)

Let’s celebrate our Lord this Christmas and always! He is worthy to receive all “praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever” (Rev. 5:13).

Celebrate the Messiah

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

People in Jesus’ day thought the Messiah would deliver them from the oppressive rule of world powers, that He would come as their King. Though the Old Testament Scripture does point to two different events of the Messiah coming into this world, they didn’t acknowledge that God’s Anointed would first come as their suffering Savior. Consequently, we read,

Jesus asked His disciples, ‘Who do people say I am?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah.’ (Mk. 8:27-29)

Many people were confused about Jesus’ identity because He came in a way they didn’t expect. They overlooked the prophecies of the Messiah first coming as a humble servant who would sacrifice His life to spiritually deliver us from the penalty and power of sin.

Celebrate the Savior

The angel, however, made it clear to the shepherds that the babe in the manger was the Messiah.

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (Lk. 2:11)

Why it Matters that we Believe Jesus is the Messiah

When the angel told the shepherds the Messiah was born “in the town of David” (Bethlehem), it let them know where to find Him. But, it undoubtedly also served as a reference to the prophetic words of Micah 5:2, helping to cement in their minds that this was the promised Messiah.

To deny Jesus as the Messiah is to doubt the veracity of God Himself. We find many prophetic promises about this Christ, the name given in the New Testament for the Messiah, that were fulfilled in this Person who already came. Some related to His second coming are yet to be fulfilled. It’s too much of a coincidence for all these prophecies to be fulfilled in one person and yet not be the Messiah. Either we believe God or we don’t.

We can’t look at all these prophecies in this post so the following links, which take you to our affiliate sites, will provide resources to help with that.

Why We Celebrate the Messiah as Good News, a Cause for Great Joy

Before Jesus came people looked forward to the coming Messiah. He was a long awaited hope fulfilled. Today we look back and celebrate His coming.

As the Son of God, only Christ, the Messiah, qualified to take on our sin, to be our Savior. To know we have a blessed, eternal home in heaven because of Jesus should excite us. To be able to have a relationship with the Almighty God, the Holy One, because our sin is forgiven due to the Messiah’s coming truly is good news.

Further, as prophesied, the Messiah will come to earth again, abolishing death and defeating the devil who is the enemy of our souls once and for all. Of that time, we read in the book of Revelation:

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15)

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.” (Rev. 12:10)

How can we not celebrate, with great joy, what the Messiah has done and is yet to do!