21% UK Christians disagree that Jesus is only way to salvation

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21% UK Christians disagree that Jesus is only way to salvation

Comres conducted a poll for Ligonier Ministries, a discipleship organisation founded by the American theologian R.C. Sproul, to look into what self-professing Christians in the UK thought. 

They asked a series of in-depth questions about the Trinity, the authority of the Bible, the nature of Jesus and his role in salvation and whether people thought it was necessary to evangelise. 

Some of the responses revealed that many Christians had parted from doctrines previously considered Biblical truths. 

For example, 64% agreed either strongly or somewhat that God accepts the worship of those in other religions.

42% strongly disagreed with the statement “Even the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation”, with a further 20% disagreeing somewhat. 

Dr Stephen Nichols, Chief Academic officer at Ligonier Ministries and the President of Reformation Bible College in Florida, told Premier Christian Radio: “This is a pretty intense survey and it has pretty intense questions and so it’s a way of diving deep beneath the surface to really uncover what people believe about God, the Bible, Jesus, salvation and also some key ethical issues. 

“What we’re seeing here is the influence of the culture around us, the pluralism of our day, the ethic of simply tolerating religious views and we’re taking our cues from culture when we really need to be taking our cues from God’s word and from…

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When Does a Pastor Leave a Revitalization Effort? Six Questions to Ask

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Lack of progress in church revitalization can lead to frustration and a desire to leave. But before you do, you should ask yourself the six questions we cover today.

Today’s Listener Question:

FROM GRANT

Hi Thom and Jonathan. This is my second church revitalization pastorate. The first church was an incredibly hard situation, but also an incredible turnaround. It’s doing great. I came into a larger setting for this ministry with excitement to see it happen again. I have been here 4 years now. We have tackled all the major issues while at the same time being hit with challenges and setbacks no one saw coming. How long should a pastor stay when they are not seeing progress even though we are working hard? My fear is that I will now become the reason the church can’t turn around. During these 4 years I had to kill a number of beloved ministries because we couldn’t staff them and grow our needed ministries (kids min, Bible studies and outreach). Even after reflecting and praying about all the major change we have led through, they were all the right call and handled with great care. But they still hurt. I wonder if sometimes the guy who leads the hardest change doesn’t get to be the guy who sees the good results of that leadership.

Episode Highlights:

  • Pastors in revitalizations often have a stronger desire to leave than desire to stay.
  • Prayer is an issue of priority in a revitalization.
  • “If…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Thom Rainer.

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Tyndale English Bible could sell for £10,000 at auction

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Tyndale English Bible could sell for £10,000 at auction

The 1536 version entitled ‘The Newe Testamente Yet Once Agayne Corrected By William Tyndale’ will go up for auction at Chiswick Auctions in West London on 28th November as part of their Printed Books & Manuscripts auction and is estimated to go for £8,000-£10,000.

William Tyndale was a scholar, part of the Protestant Reformation and most famous for his translation of the complete Bible into English from the Hebrew and Greek. 

Before Tyndale, the Bible was primarily heard and read in Latin by scholars and clergy, meaning very few people could understand it, let alone read it at home on their own.

Because of his work, Tyndale was charged with heresy and burned to death.

Although 3,000 copies were made of the first translation, most of these were hunted down and destroyed as it was considered heretical to own one.

This version is only the fourth copy to be on sale since the 1970s.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

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PM promises to ‘look into’ case of Christian brothers facing deportation

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PM promises to ‘look into’ case of Christian brothers facing deportation

The boy’s plight was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday by Paul Sweeney, MP for Glasgow North East, who has urged the Home Office a number of times to allow the boys to stay in Scotland.

Mr Sweeney told Premier: “I raised the case of the two teenage brothers in my constituency – Somer and Areeb because I’ve been so moved by the family’s plight over the last few years where they’ve faced a total state of limbo by the Home Office in their asylum application.

 

“They’ve showed so much fortitude and humility in the face of the testing situation they’ve been faced by the Home Office’s indifference.”

Theresa May told the House of Commons she would ensure that the Home Office “looks again” at the Bakhsh family’s case.

 

The family – with the support of their community – have been fighting for over seven years to stay in the country they now call home.

Almost 90,000 have signed a petition asking the Home Office not to deport the family.

The petition was started by Rev Linda Pollock, the pastor of Possilpark Parish Church in Glasgow where the family worships.

Mr Sweeney told members of the House that the petition recently delivered to the Home Office had been met with “callous indifference”.

Church of Scotland

 

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted that the family were “being failed by this Tory Government”.

Mr Corbyn added: “I met…

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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.

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RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 28 October 2018 – Intentional Disciple-Making

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RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 28 October 2018 Lesson 9 – Intentional Disciple-Making

TOPIC: Intentional Disciple-Making

OPENING PRAYER: Father as I grow in you, help me to consciously make disciples for your kingdom. (Scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 28 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN)

MEMORY VERSE: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 28 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 3:10-15 (RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 28 October 2018)

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

LESSON INTRODUCTION: Discipleship process requires a teacher-student relationship. Hence, there is no discipleship where the convert is not taken through a definite process of intentional learning. The goal of discipleship is to produce an individual who has come to the realization of living on daily basis with Christ and experiencing consistent growth through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

TEXT REVIEW: 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-15 – “MASTER AND HIS STUDENT”.

(i) The following phrases point to the fact that a master-student relationship existed between Apostle Paul and Timothy:

“thou hast fully known my doctrine” (verse 10).”knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (verse 15) and “from whom hast thou learned them” (verse 15).
(ii) Apostle Paul must have spent quality time with Timothy before Timothy could master the nine (9) “faith courses” in three (3) different countries of Antioch, lconium and at Lystra. Verses 10-11
(iii) These courses were: doctrines, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience, persecutions and afflictions. Verses 10-11.
(iv) These scripture-based subjects, Apostle Paul declared, were able to make the learners, Timothy,wise and produce good workieffect. Verses 14-16.
(v) The Apostle delivered the final key note instruction to Timothy (in verse 14) when he said, “continue thou in the things which thou has learned and has been assured of …”
He stated that doing this, Timothy would become perfect and thoroughly furnished unto ALL good work. Verse 17.

The above illustration demonstrates DELIBERATE/CONSCIOUS EFFORT of a master to produce quality and approved student, in this case a disciple proven and tested.

LESSON OUTLINE 1: REASONS FOR INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP

(i) Intentional discipleship is a conscious, deliberate and purposeful effort of the teacher to reproduce himself/herself in the student
(ii) The Lord Jesus commended it. Matt. 28:18-20.
(iii) Intentional discipleship will ensure the continuity of the gospel. Acts 2:42.
(iv) It will enable the disciple to do a greater work in the ministry. John 14:12.
(v) It will eradicate the sacred/secular dichotomy in which the church-life and work-life of the disciples are different (being holy only in the church and becoming the opposite outside the church) 2Cor. 5:20.
(vi) It will help to raise new generations of kingdom believers and world-changers. 2 Tim. 1:5.

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Mention those activities of a teacher to produce a student like himself/herself.

LESSON OUTLINE 2: HOW TO DISCIPLE OTHERS

(i) The Lord Jesus recruited, reshaped and renewed his disciples to change the world through the gospel. The Lord also did the following:
(ii) Living an exemplary life. 1 Cor. 11:1; Titus 2:7; 1Tim. 4:12.
(iii) Spiritual parenting. 1 Tim. 1:2; 6:20; Gal. 4:19.
(iv) Giving of instruction. Matt. 28:20; 1 Tim. 1:1-19.
(v) Letting your disciples observe what you do. Luke 11:1 and committing them to do what you would have done. 2 Tim. 2:2.
(vi) Giving allowance for mistakes and correction. Matt. 16:22- 24; 2Tim. 4:2.
(vii) Giving room for progress report/feedback. Luke 10:17.
(viii) Making recommendation for subsequent endeavours. Matt. 17:19-21 and being able to recommend such individual to others. Romans 16:1-2; Phil. 4:3.

CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Teacher to discuss how to strengthen the teacher-students relationship

SUMMARY: Disciples are made not born.

CONCLUSION: You are not successful until your successor has succeeded. Intentional discipleship does not just prepare the disciples for heaven but makes them relevant on earth. Therefore, make conscious effort to disciple others for Christ.

EVALUATION: What benefits does intentional discipleship propose to achieve?

CLOSING PRAYER: Father, help all pastors, teachers and students to engage in intentional discipleship.

ASSIGNMENT: Identify and explain five (5) errors which could hinder intentional discipleship. 2 marks for each point.

Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here

NOTE:
Flatimes.com EMPLOYS EVERYONE TO PURCHASE THE HARD COPY TO SUPPORT RCCG EDUCATION (SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT). THE SOFT COPY (ONLINE) IS JUST TO HELP EASY ACCESS. GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU DO SO.

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 28 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

The post RCCG Sunday School TEACHER’s Manual 28 October 2018 – Intentional Disciple-Making appeared first on Flatimes.

Two migrant groups now headed for US border

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Two migrant groups now headed for US border

A caravan of approximately 7,200 Central American migrants is making its way toward the US border. They’re escaping Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, one of the most dangerous regions in the world. They are fleeing gang violence, political corruption, and crushing poverty.

Now a second caravan has formed in a Guatemalan city near the border with Honduras. They intend to follow in the footsteps of the larger group. As many as 2,500 Hondurans have gathered to form this second migratory wave.

Response to the caravans in the US has been sharply divided. Some are supporting the migrants and criticizing President Trump; others are taking the opposite position.

Whatever your view of these migrant waves and the issues they reflect, it’s worth noting that “immigration is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Every time I travel overseas, I return home with renewed gratitude for America. In light of my travels yesterday, however, I need to offer a cautionary word regarding our nation.

A scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Wednesday morning, our tour group visited Petra, one of the most astounding sites in the Middle East. The “Treasury” is the best-known part of the area, a massive carved structure that was made famous by the closing scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The area was developed by a people called the Nabataeans.

They came from ancient Arabia and settled on the border between Syria and Arabia, stretching from the Euphrates River to the Red Sea. At their height in the second century before Christ, they were the dominant kingdom in the region, ruling as far north as Damascus and Lebanon.

Petra, their capital, was truly remarkable. Here the Nabataeans carved a massive temple, built a theater with seating for six thousand people, and left hundreds of tombs carved into the rocky landscape. Their kingdom was both prosperous and secure.

But when the Romans arrived, the Nabataeans were assimilated into the Empire and…

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Students vote to ban Christian academy from campus

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Students vote to ban Christian academy from campus

A motion to stop the four-day Wilberforce Academy being held on campus received overwhelming support from members of the Junior Common Room (JCR) at Lady Margaret Hall.

The organiser, Christian Concern has publicly spoken out in favour of traditional marriage and Biblical-centred education, while publicly opposing abortion.

 

Its legal arm – the Christian Legal Centre – has been involved in several high-profile court battles including the case of Sarah Kuteh – a Christian nurse who offered to pray for patients and was dismissed by the NHS.

Eighty-one JCR members voted in favour of the ban, with eight voting against it and two abstaining.

Christian Concern was accused during a debate of posing a “real threat to the physical and mental safety of students” and proclaiming a message at odds with the university’s values.

Wilberforce Academy

 

Open to students and young professionals from various backgrounds – including politics, law and media – the Academy aims to “equip the next generation of Christian leaders in public life”.

Organisers say on the Wilberforce Academy’s website: “Our aim is that delegates will be prepared for servant-hearted, Christ-centred leadership in public life, having been equipped with a robust biblical framework that guides their thinking, prayers and activity in addressing the issues facing our society.”

A final decision…

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RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 28 October 2018, Lesson 9

CM Editor
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TOPIC: Intentional Disciple – Making [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 28 October 2018]

MEMORY VERSE: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” – 2 Timothy 2:2 (scroll down for RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 28 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN)

BIBLE PASSAGE: 2 Timothy 3:10-15 (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 28 October 2018)

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

INTRODUCTION: Discipleship process requires a teacher – student relationship. Hence, there is no discipleship where the convert is not taken through a definite process of intentional learning. The goal of discipleship is to produce an individual who has come to the realization of living on daily basis with Christ and experiencing consistent growth through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

OUTLINES:
1. REASONS FOR INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP.
2. HOW TO DISCIPLE OTHERS

REASONS FOR INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP:

Intentional discipleship is a command by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).It is also ensure the continuity of the gospel and to enable believers do greater works in the ministry (Act 2:42;John 14:12). Another goal is to produce ourselves in others (2 king 2:15). In addition, it should be aimed at eradicating the sacred/secular dichotomy in the society. In other words, the living experience of the one being made a disciple should not be divided between church-life and work-life (2 Corinthians 5:20). Invariably, intentional discipleship help to raise new generation of kingdom believers and world-changers (2 Timothy 1:5)

HOW TO DISCIPLE OTHERS

Jesus accomplished the purpose of intentional discipleship in the life’s of the early believers, He recruited, reshaped, renewed and launched them out to take the gospel to the then known world. Therefore, intentional disciple making should involve the following :

1. Living an exemplary life (1 Corinthians 11:1, Titus 2:7, 1 Timothy 4:12).

2. Spiritual parenting (1 Timothy 1:2,6:20, Galatians 4:19)

3. Giving of instruction (Matthew 28:20, 1 Timothy 1:18-19)

4. Letting your disciples observe what you do( Luke 11:1) and committing them to do what you would have done (2 Timothy 2:2).

5. Giving allowance for mistakes and corrections (Matthew 16:22-24, 2 Timothy 4:2).

6. Giving room for progress report/ feedback (Luke 10:17)

7. Making recommendations for subsequent endeavors (Matthew 17:19-21) and being able to recommend such individual to others (Romans 16:1-2, Philippians 4:3).

CONCLUSION: You are not successful until your successor has succeeded. Intentional discipleship does not just prepare people for Heaven but make them relevant on earth. Therefore, make conscious effort to disciple others for Christ.

QUESTIONS:
1. Mention 4 reasons for intentional discipleship.
2. Outline the process involved in intentional disciple-making.

For further Reading: 2 King 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:12, Ecclesiastes 9:11, Galatians 4:19. 2 Timothy 2:2.

Also Read: RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 21 October 2018, Lesson 8 

RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL 28 OCTOBER 2018 HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

The post RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 28 October 2018, Lesson 9 appeared first on Flatimes.

Pokémon Go-inspired app lets users find disciples and saints in the street

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Pokémon Go-inspired app lets users find disciples and saints in the street

Rather than pursuing Japanese monsters, players of Follow JC Go! Can seek out Biblical characters and recruit them to join their own ‘evangelisation team’ – if they correctly answer Bible-based questions.

The application was developed by the Catholic organisation Fundación Ramón Pané ahead of a visit by Pope Francis to Panama next year for World Youth Day – an international celebration marked every two to three years.

 

Executive director, Ricardo Grzona told the Catholic news website Crux: “You know, Francis is not a very technological person, but he was in awe.

“He understood the idea, what we were trying to do: combine technology with evangelization.”

The game, which is free to download for iPhone and Android device users, incorporates augmented reality and geolocation technology – allowing users to progress through the game as they walk about in real life.

 

Players can stop by a church or pray for the sick at a hospital as part of the game, which also allows them to collect ‘spirituality’, bread, water and denarii silver coins in public locations such as tourist attractions and shopping centres.

Follow JC Go! has initially been launched in Spanish. English and Italian versions are expected to follow in the coming weeks.

Launched in July 2016 by San Francisco-based software developers Nianti, Pokémon Go has been downloaded approximately 800 million times and…

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Teens Open Heavens 25 October 2018 – Why Did Jesus Die?

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Topic: Why Did Jesus Die? [Teens Open Heavens 25 October 2018]

Memorise: The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. John 1:29

Read: Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV)

Bible In One Year: Jeremiah 14-16, 1 Timothy 5

MESSAGE:

One very remarkable thing about Jesus Christ was that He had to die for sins He never committed. Why did He die? Hebrews 9:22 says except blood is shed, no sin will be forgiven. Blood stands for life. In other words, except something dies to replace the sinner, he will have to die for his own sins. Jesus Christ died in our place even though He was totally sinless.

In the process of that sacrificial death, He was scourged and beaten. He was shamed and mocked. This then means that Jesus Christ knows pain and understands what we feel when we go through pain, shame and public ridicule. And because He knows and understands, He will speedily answer when we call on Him in pain. It is also for this reason that Jesus is the perfect intercessor; He helps us plead our case with God the Father perfectly because He knows how we feel. Are you in pain? Is a particular situation causing you shame? Talk to Jesus Christ about it, He will understand how you feel and answer you speedily.

Action Point: Thank God for the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.

Also Read: Teen Open Heaven Daily Devotional by Pastor Adeboye

Hymn 10:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a Friend so faithful?
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer!

3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield You;
You wilt find a solace there.

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries.

The post Teens Open Heavens 25 October 2018 – Why Did Jesus Die? appeared first on Flatimes.

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