Discipleship Notes | The Importance of Seeking Out Someone to Disciple You.
Discipleship is one of the most vital aspects of spiritual growth, yet it’s often overlooked in our individualistic culture. Many people assume that once they reach a certain level of maturity—or a certain age—they no longer need someone to walk with them spiritually. But Scripture paints a different picture. No matter how old we are, we never…
Discipleship Notes | Pursuing Excellence in Everything
In everything we do for God, excellence matters. The Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” This verse is a beautiful reminder that our service in ministry—whether on the platform or behind the scenes—is ultimately for Him. Excellence in ministry isn’t about trying to be perfect;…
The Bible | Practical Study Tips
The Bible is not merely a book to be read—it is the living Word of God, meant to shape our minds, hearts, and lives. R.C. Sproul often reminded Christians that “Everyone’s a theologian.” The real question is whether we will be faithful theologians, grounding our understanding in God’s Word. Below are some practical ways to study Scripture with diligence and…
Bible | Why Study It
For the Christian, the Bible is not just another book—it is our lifeline. It is God Himself speaking to us in words we can understand. Paul tells us, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy…
Missions | The Gospel
When we think of missions, it is tempting to emphasize either the proclamation of the gospel or the demonstration of the gospel in our lives. Yet Scripture reminds us that both are essential, woven together as the inseparable witness of Christ’s people. True missions requires both lips that proclaim and lives that reflect the good news of Jesus. Paul…
Missions | The Call and Cost of a Long-Term Missionary Life
The call to long-term missionary service is both a privilege and a weighty responsibility. It is not merely an adventurous pursuit or a career choice but a surrender to the words of Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19). David Platt often reminds us that following Jesus in mission is not…
Missions | Timothy: A Life Shaped for Mission
When we think about missions in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul is often the first name that comes to mind. But standing close beside him is Timothy, a young disciple whose life shows us how God raises up missionaries through mentorship, faithfulness, and a heart for the gospel. Timothy first appears in Acts 16:1…
Missions | My Story
My first time undergoing a Short-term Mission trip was a mix of emotions. I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and joy while at the same time being flooded by waves of dread and fear. This not only was my first ever true mission trip – I had been tasked with planning and implementing the…
Missions | Paul’s Story
Missions: Paul’s Story When we read the book of Acts, we see how God used the Apostle Paul in a powerful way to carry the good news of Jesus beyond Jerusalem and into the wider world. His missionary journeys remind us that the gospel is not meant to stay in one place—it is meant to…
Missions | Fueling the Mission: A Call to Give & Pray for Missionaries
In the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to “Go… and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Yet, not every believer will cross oceans or move into new cultures. Some are called to go; all are called to send. Author David Platt often reminds us that sending is not a lesser role in missions—it…
Missions | A Personal History & Hopeful Opportunity
Over the last 10 years of my life, I have had the blessed opportunities to lead/take part in more than 35 mission trips spanning across the globe. Every single one of those trips have had a significant impact on my life. Not only have they changed my perception of reality and the world outside of East Tennessee…
Missions | Short-term Missions = Longterm Impact
As followers of Christ, we are called to live with a global vision for the gospel. One of the most eye-opening and transformative ways to experience this is through short-term mission trips. These trips are not just about traveling—they’re about seeing the world through God’s eyes and returning with a changed heart. In his book Radical,…
Missions | An Introduction
Missions aren’t just something the church does—it’s part of who we are. From beginning to end, the Bible shows us that God is a God of mission. His desire is for all people, everywhere, to know Him, love Him, and worship Him. In Genesis 12:3 (ESV), God tells Abraham, “In you all the families of the earth shall…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Journaling
Journaling may not be the first thing that comes to mind when we think about spiritual disciplines, but it can be a powerful tool in our walk with Christ. Simply put, journaling is writing down our thoughts, prayers, questions, and reflections as we follow Jesus. And while it may seem like a small or optional…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Silence & Solitude
We live in such a fast-paced and noisy world today, so-much so that this week’s disciplines of silence and solitude can feel countercultural or even uncomfortable. Yet, they are essential practices for deepening our walk with Christ. Both Scripture and our weekly trusted Christian writers remind us that stepping away from noise and busyness to…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Evangelism
When we think about spiritual disciplines, we often think of things like prayer, reading the Bible, or worship. But one important discipline that is sometimes overlooked is evangelism—the act of sharing the good news of Jesus with others. Evangelism isn’t just for pastors, missionaries, or those with outgoing personalities. It’s something that every follower of Christ…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Stewardship
When many people hear the word stewardship, they often think only about money. But biblical stewardship is about so much more. It’s about how we handle everything God has given us—our time, our talents, our money, our relationships, even our influence. The Bible tells us plainly: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Serving
As followers of Jesus, we are called not just to believe in Him, but to follow His example—and one of the clearest ways we do that is through the discipline of serving. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Fasting
Fasting is a spiritual practice we see throughout Scripture, but it’s one that many believers today might not fully understand or regularly practice. In our fast-paced, comfort-filled culture, the idea of going without food—or anything else we rely on—can feel strange or even extreme. Yet fasting, when done for the right reasons, is a powerful…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Worship
Donald Whitney states in Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, worship is “focusing on and responding to God.” It is both an individual and corporate act that aligns the heart with God’s glory, reorients the soul, and deepens our relationship with Him. Dallas Willard, in The Spirit of the Disciplines, emphasizes that worship is a formative practice,…
The Spiritual Disciplines | Bible Intake
One of the clearest indicators of spiritual health is a consistent, growing appetite for God’s Word. In a world that bombards us with noise, opinions, and distractions, daily scripture intake isn’t just helpful—it’s vital. It’s the difference between a believer who survives and one who thrives. We must understand that spiritual growth doesn’t happen automatically.…
The Spiritual Disciplines | An Intro
Prior to my time serving at MBC, I was serving at a different church as the Director of Discipleship. In my time observing that role I began to truly understand the need for the believer to daily and intentionally deepen their walk with Christ. I learned that there is a path toward greater intimacy with…
Why do the Transcendentals Matter?
Today, we are witnessing a widespread cultural shift where the timeless realities of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness are being reimagined, distorted, and even weaponized by both secular ideologies and spiritual deception. As believers, it is essential that we anchor our understanding of these three transcendent realities in God’s Word, not in the ever-changing winds of public opinion…
The Transcendentals: Goodness
The Bible begins by affirming that all that God creates is good. “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31). This foundational truth establishes that goodness originates from God. He is not only good in His actions but in His essence. As the psalmist proclaims, “Oh, taste and see…
The Transcendentals: Truth
Truth is a foundational theme throughout the Bible. In Scripture, truth is not merely a moral ideal or an abstract principle—it is rooted in the very character of God and revealed most clearly in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God is called the “God of truth”. Psalm 31:5 says, “Into your hand I commit my spirit;…
The Transcendentals: Beauty p.2
In a world that often equates beauty with perfection, youth, or physical appearance, the Bible offers a profoundly unique perspective. Scripture not only acknowledges beauty but also defines it. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible really says about beauty: The Bible does not ignore physical beauty. In fact, many individuals in Scripture…
The Transcendentals: Beauty
Over the next few posts, I wanted to write about something called the Transcendentals. These are fundamental principles or attributes of reality due to the divine eternal attributes of God and how He as creator instills Himself into His creation. Those transcendentals consist of Beauty, Truth, and Goodness. Today I want to begin thinking about…
The Bookends of Discipleship
Two of my favorite sets of scripture in the entire Bible Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8 serve as two bookends in the conversation about a call to discipleship, framing the mission that Jesus gives to His followers. In Matthew 28:19-20, often referred to as the Great Commission, Jesus gives His disciples their primary purpose: “Go therefore and make disciples of…
The Throne Room
As I was driving towards Knoxville on Sunday, I found myself in a worshipful mood. I began listening to a myriad of different songs but two songs in specific took me to a place that I needed to be that morning. The first song was “Great I Am” by New Life Worship; a song that…
The Upper Rooms
When you think about the upper room you may be whisked to the “Cenacle” or the room within which the Last Supper took place (Matthew 26:1-29, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-20, & John 13:1-38). We find Jesus and his beloved friends enjoying a meal around a table. Jesus institutes the covenant and ordinance through communion and…
The Upper Rooms Blog 