Christian Walk with God | Christian Ministry Training Blog

Teaching About Prayer

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Perhaps you want to teach on praying but aren’t sure where to begin. Maybe you taught about it in the past but it didn’t seem to have much impact. Incorporate the following elements when teaching about prayer and see if it makes a difference. (Click on the links within the post for added input.)

Begin by Getting to the Real Essence of Praying

Though a spiritual discipline we “ought to” do, praying is so much more. Through prayer we connect with the Almighty God, an outgrowth of our relationship with Him. While we could list a number of good reasons to pray, communion with the Lord ranks at the top. Help people develop the right purposes for praying.

Instruct People on What the Bible Says about Prayer

When teaching about prayer, help people learn to pray in a way that reflects who God is because who God is affects how He answers prayer. God’s Word provides valuable instruction, not just about the importance of praying but also what’s important when we pray. Jesus Himself gave pointers on how to pray.

Start teaching about prayer when people are young. The Children Learn to Pray Curriculum by Ministry Tools Resource Center uses the Lord’s Prayer as a starting point. For Bible lessons on prayer for all ages, go to: Teaching about Praying

Remember the Power of Your Example in Teaching about Prayer

Teaching about Prayer Came as a Result of Seeing Jesus Pray — (Click image to enlarge in Pinterest & repin.)

Look at Jesus for an example of the power of one’s own prayer life. — “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘”Lord, teach us to pray …'” (Lk. 11:1-4) — Imagine your students, disciplees, or congregants coming to you and ASKING YOU to teach them to pray.

Teaching prayer by examples requires the following on our part …

Authenticity
Consistency
Availability

When praying becomes part of our church culture, people notice. We don’t just talk about praying. We pray.

When we pray like we truly believe, people notice. We don’t just go through the motions of praying. We actually believe God hears us and cares.

Learning to Cope in Times of Crisis

Posted on July 22, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

We will all inevitably face times of crisis, whether personal or as a nation. We find examples of how to cope in Scripture.

Learn How to Cope in Crisis from the Old Testament Prophet Habakkuk

Habakkuk provides an example of dealing with crisis that has a more global, or national, reach. He wrote of destruction, violence, strife, conflict, injustice, and more (Hab. 1:3-4).

From Habakkuk we learn how to …

(Click on the links for more on each of the above lessons.)

Habakkuk’s conclusion:

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.” (Hab. 3:17-19)

Learn about Coping in Times of Crisis from the Apostle Paul

Paul provides an example of dealing with crisis on the personal level. He sometimes experienced hunger, thirst, and want of other basics. He faced persecution, shipwreck, and other dangers. (2 Cor. 11:23-28; Phil. 4:12)

From Paul’s life we learn how to …

find purpose even in negative circumstances and wrongs done by others by keeping the focus on Christ.

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. … For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. … It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry … out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Phil. 1:12-26)

keep perspective by remembering that hardships and suffering provide opportunity to get to know the Lord better.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. … I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings … (Phil. 3:7-11)

be content no matter the circumstances by finding strength in the Lord.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil. 4:12-13)

Paul’s conclusion: “To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Phil. 4:20)

4 Biblical Truths about Freedom

Posted on June 24, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Freedom. True freedom. We can’t use personal experience to fully describe it. Free countries celebrate their independence, but not everyone, however, experiences physical freedom. To truly understand what freedom means, we must look beyond ourselves to a higher standard. God’s Word describes true freedom so take time to reflect on biblical truths and consider how it should affect you no matter what your physical situation might be.

What We Learn About Freedom in God’s Word

We find the following truths about freedom in Scripture. Click on the link(s) under each point for more about that truth.

True freedom goes beyond physical freedom.

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. (Rom. 6:22)

Everyone can be free in the way that matters the most.

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (Jn. 8:32)

Freedom Available to All

Jesus is the source of true freedom.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (Jn. 8:36)
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood … (Rev. 1:5)

The Source of True Freedom

Being free doesn’t mean we live however we want.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. (1 Pet. 2:16)

The Outworking of True Freedom

How These Biblical Truths Should Affect Us

Whether celebrating your country’s freedom or simply reflecting on what it means to be free, remember the above truths. When you do, you should find yourself …

contented in whatever your situation.

clinging to what matters most.

celebrating the One who died to make true freedom possible.

considering how to express that freedom in ways that align with God’s reason for setting us free.

Your Life: A Picture that Glorifies God?

Posted on June 3, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Look at your life. What kind of picture does it portray of the Christian life? Does the likeness in the picture of your life resemble Christ and the fullness of life in Christ? Is it a picture that glorifies God?

The Big Picture of a Life That Glorifies God

For our lives to truly glorify God, the whole of our lives needs to be about Him, for Him, and done through Him. Who we are on Monday at work needs to match who we are on Sunday at church. Who we are around our unsaved friends and family needs to resemble who we are around fellow believers in the Body of Christ.

… whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31)

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:11)

That takes authenticity, not merely speaking or acting the part. Life in Christ can’t be compartmentalized if we truly want our lives to be a picture that glorifies God. And, let’s remember that it isn’t just what we say but how we say it (Eph. 4:15). It isn’t just about what we do but how we do it (Col. 3:17). The big picture of our lives matters.

It begins with what’s in our hearts. — “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. … A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Lk. 6:43-45) — Take time to pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)

What Happens When Our Lives Glorify God

When we let our “light shine before others” they see our “good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). The way we live spurs others on to glorify Him as well.

Sure, we may still have critics and people who continue in their disbelief despite how good of a picture we portray. Let’s not get disheartened. First, glorifying God is about the effect of our lives on Him, not on ourselves. Second, just because people don’t respond as we wished in this lifetime, doesn’t mean it’s been in vain. In the end, all knees will bow in accountability to Him (Rom. 14:11-12). So, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Pet. 2:12)

Your Life: A Picture of the Fullness of Life in Christ?

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Jesus came that we “may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn. 10:10). Does the picture of our lives accurately exhibit the fullness of life in Christ? If people only had our lives to look at, would they view it as a life worth pursuing?

Begin by Understanding the Fullness of Life Jesus Came to Give Us

When we live in the fullness of life in Christ, our lives will be colored with a vibrancy that comes from realizing all we have in Him, how we have been blessed.

Our lives will be full of joy even in the midst of trials and hardship.

We will have power, peace, perspective, and purpose that keeps us going.

Life in Christ Jesus

We will be wrapped in the love and grace of God, having an intimate relationship with the Almighty.

What An Accurate Picture of the Life in Jesus Leads to

When we realize how much we’ve been blessed, we want to . . .

That enables others to get a taste of the goodness of God (Ps. 34:8), whetting their appetite for more. Similar to putting salt on food to enhance its flavor, an accurate representation of life in Christ can draw others toward Him (Matt. 5:13). We won’t be Salty Christians if our lives fail to accurately picture the fullness of life in Christ.

Your Life: A Picture of Christlikeness?

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Think about the picture of your life. What does it portray to the people who see it? Do people see a reflection of Christ — a picture of Christlikeness? Or, do they see someone conformed to the world, living in accordance with their old sin nature? God’s intent is that we be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:29). — “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” (1 Jn. 2:6)

Areas in Which We Reflect a Picture of Christlikeness

People will base their conclusions on not only whether we do what Jesus would do but also if we display Christ-like character and attitudes. We need to portray a consistent representation of Christ. — “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Heb. 10:23) If we don’t, we might confuse people about life in Christ. Our lives might turn people away from Christ rather than toward Him. They might conclude, “If that’s what Jesus is like, I don’t need Him.”

Let’s be a picture of Christlikeness in how we …

communicate

treat others

respond in suffering

Jesus’ Example in Suffering for Doing Good

react when mistreated or in conflict

Attitude Toward Those Who Do Us Wrong

serve / do ministry

The above links go to posts to help us be more Christ-like in those areas. To speak, act, and react like Jesus, we need His character developed within us. It is then that the picture of our lives will showcase Him (Eph. 3:10-11). Also see: God’s Heart for the Church: Christlikeness