23 Ministry

23 Ministry is an eighteen-month program that seeks to raise up and equip shepherds for God’s church. 23 Ministry finds its roots in Psalm 23 and the relationship between the shepherd and sheep. Equipping takes place in three major ways, (1) biblical literacy and the study of the Good Shepherd, (2) the implementation of spiritual disciplines for spiritual maturity, and (3) practical shepherding experiences. The Good Shepherd calls those who love him to feed his sheep and shepherd the flock of God (John 21:17; 1 Peter 5:2).

Reflection - 2 Timothy Chapter 4

What did you learn about shepherding from 1 & 2 Timothy? The conduct of a shepherd is one thing that stands out to me…. Almost all of 1 Timothy 3…. Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons. Practice these things, immerse yourself in ...

Reflection - 2 Timothy Chapter 3

How did the Bible come to be? I have an excellent book that tackles this subject in way more detail than I could ever hope to capture here with only a week to prepare. The updated and expanded version of "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" by...

Manuscript - 2 Timothy 1:3-14

This August marks the tenth anniversary of my walk with Christ. And with each passing year, the more time that goes by, the more I feel drawn to share Christ with others. However, more often than not, I can't seem to get out of my own way. I sat...

Outline - 2 Timothy 1: 3-18

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere...

Outline - 1 Timothy Chapter 2

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ...

Reflection - The Gospel Comes With A House Key - Chapters 9-10 and Conclusion

The Gospel Comes with a House Key By Rosaria Butterfield - Chapters 9-10 and Conclusion Why is hope necessary in hospitality? Thinking of the necessity of hope in hospitality has me thinking of the unknown fruit of our hospitality. Similar...

Reflection - The Gospel Comes With A House Key - Chapters 5-8

The Gospel Comes with a House Key By Rosaria Butterfield - Chapters 5-8 What does "the daily witness of Christian neighboring" look like in your mind? My mind immediately jumps to when Jesus is questioned about the greatest commandment....

Reflection - The Gospel Comes With A House Key - Chapters 2-4

The Gospel Comes with a House Key By Rosaria Butterfield - Chapters 2-4 Why is hospitality vital to our witness? This goes back to last week and the scripture centered definition of hospitality. If I were to summarize my response, I would...

Reflection - The Gospel Comes With A House Key - Chapter 1

The Gospel Comes with a House Key By Rosaria Butterfield - Chapter 1 - Priceless: The Merit of Hospitality What is hospitality, (use scripture to support your answer)? I think hospitality comes down to treating others the way we want to...

Teaching - God Is Just!

What does "Just" mean? Merriam-Webster; having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason conforming to a standard of correctness acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good being what is merited...

Reflection - Romans 16

Read Romans 16:17-23. Why do you suppose this is Paul’s final instruction. He could have wrote anything as a final instruction, why do you think he chose to instruct them in this way? It seems to me that Paul's final instruction here in Romans 1...

Reflection - Romans 15

What example did Christ leave us? In a word… Sacrifice… "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'" (Ro...

Reflection - Romans 14

What is Paul saying in Romans 14:1-6 in simple language? When Paul speaks of "one who is weak in faith" in this passage, he speaks specifically of those who abstained from eating meat, either because of Jewish dietary laws or because it may...

Reflection - Romans 13

If authorities exist because they have been instituted from God, how should that affect our relationship to our authorities? God institutes our authorities, and they should be treated as such. We should live with a certain level of respect and...

Reflection - Romans 12

Verse 2 says "discern what is the will of God". What does it mean to discern? How does discernment play a role in shepherding? A quick google search for the word discernment returns a simple definition in a very general context; "The ability...

Reflection - Romans 9-11

What theological principle in Romans 9-11 encouraged you this week? 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that...

Reflection - Romans 5-8

What theological principle was encouraging to you this week in Romans 5-8? I found all of Romans 8 to be very encouraging this week, but if I had to pick just one part, I would have to point to verses 31-39 31 What then shall we say to...

Worship Poem

I don't deserve your mercy,I don't deserve your graceYet despite the controversy,You died in my place You passed over my sins,You remember them no moreAs far as the east is from the west,On eagles wings, I soar. All to show your righteousness,You...

Reflection - Romans 1-4

What theological principle did you find encouraging to you this week in Romans 1-4? Justified by grace, through faith. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption...

Field Exercise: Celebration

Set aside time this month to witness the glory of God and submit a one page paper on your reflections during that time. Sitting at Remembrance Lake waiting for the sun to rise, several Bible verses come to mind. The heavens declare the glory...

Reflection - A Martyr's Grace - Southeast Asia & Latin America

A Martyr's Grace By Marvin J Newell - Southeast Asia & Latin America: What story grabbed your heart and why? Arthur Francis Tylee's story stood out to me, not only in these sections but in the entire book. His sheer grit and determination...

Reflection - A Martyr's Grace - Africa

A Martyr's Grace By Marvin J Newell - Africa: Meditate on Ella Mary Shenck's words, "That which our lives cannot do, our deaths may do". What does this line provoke in you? What is stirred in you? What comes to your mind as you meditate on this...

Reflection - A Martyr's Grace - China

A Martyr's Grace By Marvin J Newell - China: Which story struck you or inspired you and why? John Cornelius Stam was an American missionary from New Jersey. He served for just a short time in China, where he was martyred in 1934. John's...

Reflection - A Martyr's Grace - The Middle East

A Martyr's Grace By Marvin J Newell - The Middle East: What is your motivation for shepherding? I've mentioned previously the moment in which I came to Christ. At the 2011 Gateway Family Retreat, five principals of Christianity were on display...

Reflection - Letters To The Church - Crucified, Unleashed, and Church Again

Letters To The Church By Francis Chan - Crucified, Unleashed, and Church Again: How do you need to die? Be specific. In this chapter, Francis Chan spoke about a "suffering of rejection." I think I am pretty open when it comes to letting...

Reflection - Letters To The Church - Servants & Good Shepherds

Letters To The Church By Francis Chan - Servants & Good Shepherds: What would radical service look like in the church? When I think of radical service in the church, I think of what we see in Acts 4: 34-35. The believers were all...

Reflection - Letters To The Church - The Order & The Gang

What commands does God ask of the church (use scripture references)? Matthew 18:15-17 - Discipline Matthew 22:36-40; John 13:34; 15:12 - Love God and love your neighbor. Matthew 28:16-20 - Make disciples. Acts 2:42-47 - Devotion...

Reflection - Letters To The Church - The Departure & Sacred

Letters To The Church By Francis Chan - The Departure & Sacred Reflection: When you close your eyes and picture the church what do you see? When I close my eyes and picture the church, that is the church we see in the Bible; I see a...

Reflection - Nine Marks of a Healthy Church - Marks 8 & 9

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church By Mark Dever - Marks 6 & 7 Reflection: When you look at the life of Jesus, what do you learn about discipleship? Everything we have on the life of Jesus points to discipleship. Even at age 12, he was found...

Reflection - Nine Marks of a Healthy Church - Marks 6 & 7

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church By Mark Dever - Marks 6 & 7 Reflection: What is biblical church membership? Mark Dever provides a list of the duties of church members and Christians in general that I think to paint a pretty good picture...

Reflection - Nine Marks of a Healthy Church - Marks 3, 4, & 5

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church By Mark Dever - Marks 3, 4, & 5 Reflection: How might you know when the ministries of a church are motivated by the gospel? Mark 3 talks a lot about what the gospel is not. However, towards the end of the...

Reflection - Nine Marks of a Healthy Church - Marks 1 & 2

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church By Mark Dever - Marks 1 & 2 Reflection: Before you begin reading, what would you say are important marks that signify a healthy church? Just off the top of my head, I came up with the following list. Discipleship...

Reflection - Acts 19:20-28:31

What happened in Ephesus, who is Artemis? (Acts 19:21-41) A silversmith named Demetrius incited a riot in Acts 19:23-41. He stirred up other tradesmen claiming that their livelihoods were in danger and that the goddess Artemis was also in danger....

Reflection - Acts 13-19:19

Summarize Paul's three missionary journeys. Paul and Barnabas set apart (Acts 13:2) Paul's 1st JourneyCyprus (Acts 13:4-12)Blinded Bar-Jesus the magician (Acts 13:11) The proconsul believed (Acts 13:12) Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:13-52)Spoke...

Reflection - Acts 8:4-12:25

What did you learn about Paul's conversion? He Fasted As I read the story of Paul's conversion this week, Acts 9:9 caught my eye and piqued my curiosity. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:9) ...

Reflection - Acts 1-8:3

What is the church? Several passages in this week's reading stand out when asking myself this question. Additionally, I believe these passages will be helpful when answering the following question as well. And they devoted themselves to the...

Reflection - Isaiah 56-66

Isaiah is a prophet who speaks the oracles of God to the people of God. What was God trying to communicate to his people through the book of Isaiah? My study Bible has a phrase in the outline for the book of Isaiah that I think sums up God's...

Reflection - Isaiah 40-55

Make a list of 10 promises that God makes in chapters 40 - 55. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8) He gives power to the faint, and...

Reflection - Isaiah 24-39

Chapters 24-27 reveal to us a picture of the whole world at the end of history. Write a summary over chapters 24-27 that could be included for either a children's book or high school textbook. Chapter 24 Behold, the Lord will judge the whole...

Reflection - Isaiah 1-23

If Judah and Jerusalem were in a courtroom and God was the judge, what charges would they be convicted of? Idolatry Oak trees were often associated with Idol worship. (Isaiah 1:29, Ezekiel 6:13) God expressly forbade eastern practices...

Reflection - The Gospel According to God 9 & 10

The Gospel According to God By John MacArthur - Chapter 9 & 10 Reflection: What did you learn about the significance of leadership through the kings of Israel? Reading through these chapters and seeing how the leadership if Judah went...

Reflection - The Gospel According to God 8

The Gospel According to God By John MacArthur - Chapter 8 Reflection: How would you define sin? To sin is to fail to bring, or to deny, God glory. What scripture would you use to support your definition of sin? God created us for...

Reflection - The Gospel According to God 7

The Gospel According to God By John MacArthur - Chapter 7 Reflection: When was a time when suffering produced glory in your life? This question has been somewhat difficult as I struggle to identify suffering that wasn't a result of my sin....

Summary - The Gospel According to God - Chapter 6

The Gospel According to God By John MacArthur - Chapter 6 Summary: In your own words, summarize chapter 6. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, ...

Reflection - The Gospel According to God 4-6

The Gospel According to God By John MacArthur - Chapter 4-6 Reflection: How did God speak to you in these three chapters? Chapter 4 I think my major takeaway from these three chapters comes out of chapter 4. I'm seeing Israel's rejection...

Isaiah 53 and the Life of Christ

Highlight the similarities between Isaiah 52:13-53 and the New Testament's account of Jesus's life. Seven hundred years before Jesus Christ walked the earth, God called his shot. Through the prophet Isaiah, He told us all about His suffering...

Reflection - The Gospel According to God 1-3

The Gospel According to God By John MacArthur - Chapter 1-3 Reflection: What did you learn in these three chapters? Chapter 1 In this chapter, John MacArthur lists out several references to Christ, both direct and indirect. I counted...

Teaching - The Gospel on John 15:1-17

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken...