Feed My Sheep

Want to learn how to lead an adult Bible study? In this workshop session, I share... Words of hope for those feeling discouraged in ministry The importance of preparing the teacher How clean vessels make useful vessels Why God cares more about character than raw talent Thanks for listening. This is part 1 of 3 in a series I taught at the Ministry Connect Conference at Mt. Zion Church of Ontario on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Other sessions will be posted soon.

Few things are harder for a parent than watching their child suffer. We do everything we can to protect and comfort them, but what happens in Mark 9 is almost unimaginable. In this passage, we see... A great commotion as Jesus returns from the Transfiguration A young boy tormented by a demon in many ways The dangers of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and demons in our world today God's will to help your faith mature, like building your muscles The most important thing is not the size of your faith, but placing that faith in Jesus alone

James warns us not to be hearers only, but doers of the Word. In this lesson, we discover... Biblical patterns of confrontation and change The final step in the Love -> Know -> Speak -> Do process How to avoid turning your life into a messy California mudslide Bridging the gap from "then" to "now" Practical steps to finding relevant applications in any verse of the Bible Thanks for listening. This is part eleven in a 12-week biblical counseling class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands."

The Jews yearned for a Savior who would free them from Roman oppression. What they didn't expect was a Messiah who would suffer and die. In this lesson, we discuss... What kind of Messiah did the Jews expect? A watershed moment in the Gospel of Mark What Jesus meant by handing Peter the "keys to the kingdom" Jesus' surprising announcement of how the Son of Man would suffer The moment Peter acted on Satan's behalf and earned a sharp rebuke Thanks for listening. This lesson is part of a three month Series on Mark in our Sunday Morning Bible Study Community.

Faith means trusting God, even when you don't have all the details, and God's plan doesn't completely make sense. Last Sunday, I had the joy of preaching at Pillar Church in Twentynine Palms. In this study, we learn... What is faith? Why it's essential to trust in Jesus and no one else The danger of thinking good works get you into heaven Abraham and David as examples of faith The result of faith is righteousness and eternal life Thanks for listening! To view a complete list sermons and Bible teaching arranged by Bible passage and topic, please visit the Teaching Page on my blog.

This week we learn the importance of thinking biblically about our problems. Instead of using secular psychological terms, try to use biblical language whenever possible. This will help you make better biblical diagnoses and solutions. We also discuss four ways of data gathering to help us understand people's struggles. Week 8 of our "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands" counseling class. 

The story of Jesus feeding 5,000 is well-known, but no less amazing. In this lesson, we discuss... What makes this story unique in the gospels God's promise to supply all your needs Some encouraging testimonies of how God provided in hard times Why do the wicked seem to prosper, while many believers barely scrape by? How Jesus responds when the crowds press in A call to trust in the Lord, wait, and watch how he works "The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good things does he withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11).

Before you counsel someone, you need to make sure you know them. This lesson will help you go beyond skin-deep relationships by learning... Four types of questions to break the ice with any new person What scripture means that the heart is like "deep waters" How God models good question-asking in Scripture Tips on asking better questions A real-life case study Thanks for listening! This is week seven of our 11-week introduction to biblical counseling class.

God is rich in mercy, and offers to forgive whatever sin you've committed. Yet there's one sin Jesus says will never be forgiven. This passage has baffled Christians over the years, and we take a look at it together. In this lesson, we... Share a discussion on what Jesus means by "Son of Man" How Jesus' family reacted to his ministry Who is "Beelzebul"? What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Is it possible I have committed the unpardonable sin? Thanks for listening. This lesson was taught during our Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study. We are currently studying through the Gospel of Mark and invite you to join us Sundays at 9am.

Suffering is the gift no one wants, but that everyone needs. One of the main ways we grow in our faith and build loving relationships is through affliction. In this week's lesson we learn... How suffering helps us minister to others One of the ways we build loving relationships is by a shared experience in suffering How God redeems our suffering for his good purposes The kind of trials we face where comfort is needed What's the difference between a trial and temptation? An encouraging reminder that for the believer, all suffering is temporary! Thanks for listening. This is week six in an 11-week introduction to biblical counseling called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." To order a Study Guide please click here. 

In ancient times, lepers were social outcasts and a threat to public health. But on one occasion, a leper broke etiquette and walked straight toward Jesus. Even more surprising, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. Last Sunday, in our Bible Study Community, we looked at this remarkable story in Mark 1:35-45. In this passage, we learned... How Jesus balanced a busy ministry life with private devotion to his Father What was Jesus' top priority in ministry? A bit of background on leprosy A spiritual lesson how Jesus can cleanse each one of us The reason Jesus' warned, "say nothing to anyone!" Thanks for listening. This lesson is part of our weekly median adults Bible Study Community. Our class is aimed at those in their 30s-50s, but all are welcome to stop by the Fellowship Hall at 9am on Sundays at Immanuel Baptist.

Whether it's sharing the gospel, counseling a friend, or rebuking a loved one, before we can speak truth, we must establish a loving relationship. In this lesson, we discuss... How discipleship is like gardening What are the features of the "ideal growing environment"? Find out who Paul called "one of a kind, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare" The first step to a relationship with God The difference between justification and sanctification Thanks for listening. This is week five in an 11-week counseling training class called "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you found this talk helpful, please consider subscribing to the podcast.

Every relationship has some kind of introduction. Mark is a great place to start if you want to know more about Jesus. In this lesson, we learn... Why we all should study Mark's Gospel What makes Mark different from the other gospels What does it mean that Jesus is the "Christ"? How baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place in the life of a believer Thanks for listening. This is our opening study from our Sunday morning Bible Study Community on The Gospel of Mark. If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to join us Sundays at 9am in the IBC Fellowship Hall.

How can God use you to help others? In this study, we learn... How Jesus is the "Great Physician" What it means that he is "Wonderful Counselor" Our role as ambassadors of Christ Four aspects of all personal ministry: love > know > speak > do Thanks for listening. This is week four in our 11-week counseling series, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." Tonight's lesson was a bit shorter, as we spent most of our time in table group discussion, then watched the training video. For a closer look at the concepts of being ambassadors of Christ, see Lesson Four in the Study Guide.

Have you ever hit "rock bottom" before God got finally got your attention? The nation of Judah did. In this study, we learn... That it's OK to cry... and that many godly people have The dazzling symmetry and poetry of Lamentations How moments of shame can lead to repentance and renewal Where Jeremiah drew hope in the midst of affliction Thanks for listening. If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to our Immanuel Baptist median adults Bible study on Sundays at 9am in the Fellowship Hall.

Not a day goes by we don't experience some kind of conflict. What causes all these fights and quarrels? James 4 gives the answer. In this lesson, we learn... The heart is more than just the place for feelings and emotions Key passages that teach behavior stems from the heart How our "passions" war within our members to create conflict Some practical examples of how wants can morph into needs and expectations What do we do if someone else doesn't meet our needs? Should we sympathize with those who experience disappointment? The ongoing battle between the flesh and the spirit Thanks for listening. This is week three in our 11-week study on biblical counseling called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." Next week, we will focus in how Jesus is our wonderful counselor.

"Follow your heart," Cinderella sings. "Trust your feelings" Master Obi Wan says. In the real world, is this actually good advice? In our study of Jesus' sermon in Luke 6:43-46, we learn... The connection between behavior and the heart Examples of bad fruit vs. good fruit related to our speech Why behavioral modification is not enough Jesus' evaluation of the human heart How idols can pop up in the heart Some practical ways to detect what's going on in the heart Thanks for listening. This is week 2 in an 11-week biblical counseling intro called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you live in the Highland area, you're welcome to join us Wednesday Nights at 6pm.

For many years, Babylon had been the hammer in God's hands, smashing other nations and carrying out judgment for their wickedness. Now the time had come for Babylon itself to experience God's judgment. In this lesson, we learn... A quick overview of the final chapters of Jeremiah How Jeremiah connects to other events happening in the ancient world Who is the "nation from the north"? How to respond when wicked people get caught and punished Why Christians should thank God for his wrath What Babylon refers to in the Book of Revelation God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, and what this means for us today Thanks for listening. This lesson was taught at the median adults Bible Study Community at Immanuel Baptist Church. We meet Sunday mornings at 9am in the Fellowship Hall and are using Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" curriculum. We'd love to have you join us!

Have you ever asked God for direction, only to be unhappy with the answer he gave you? In this lesson I share... Our goal for this new Bible Study Community A quick fly-over of Jewish history How to figure out the quirky order of the Book of Jeremiah God's surprising advice to the nation of Israel Why we don't need to be afraid, even when the odds seem overwhelming The danger of asking God for advice, then doing the very opposite of what he says Thanks for listening! This is our first week in a brand new Sunday morning Bible Study Community using Lifeway's "Explore the Bible" material. I will try to continue recording these lessons each week and posting them for those who miss the class or want to follow along with us from a distance. Next week's lesson will be on Jeremiah 50.

Everyone needs help. In fact, we were created by God with an intrinsic need for guidance and accountability. We need someone to help us understand life, to know how to act, and to interpret our circumstances properly. This brand new class will teach us how to face everyday problems like anger, worry, grief, lust, abuse, and addiction as we pursue a vibrant relationship with Christ. In our first lesson, I share... My goal for this course A fly-over of what we'll cover in the next eleven weeks Why you can't properly handle your situations without outside help Lessons from Israel's "rebellion" How God can use you to help others Thanks for listening! This is week one in an 11-week series called, "Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands." If you live in the Highland area, we invite you to join us at IBC in person Wednesday nights at 6pm.