In light of Jason’s post Saturday (which I found hilarious), here’s another model for small groups, from the Biblical Counseling Coalition Grace & Truth blog, trying to accomplish the opposite of what Jason’s tongue-in-cheek video portrays.

Biblical Counseling and Small Group Ministry (Part 1)

The blogger’s church actually revolves around small groups and is purposeful in counseling, shepherding, mentoring, and one-anothering through them. From what I’ve seen and experienced, our church’s small groups (and our ABF) are good at keeping that focus as well. It’s so much easier and more comfortable to be in a non-invasive never-get-deep environment, but ease and comfort never produced much worth having! Ya gotta be challenged if you wanna grow.

Last week I had the pleasure of stumbling across a blog called The Cripplegate, whose contributing team includes many guys Jason went to seminary with or whom I otherwise knew through TMS & GCC connections, all of whom were (and apparently still are) critical thinkers and eloquent writers who love the Lord and treasure His Word. Nate Busenitz’ post on the proper understanding of Philippians 4:13 last week was something I wanted to write about at some point, but seeing as there is nothing I could add to it, let me just direct you there. Browse around the site while you’re at it. Good stuff.

That’s the title of the book I’ve been reading by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson. The full title is Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus. I had been hearing so many positive reviews and recommendations that I used some amazon credit (earned through swagbucks) to finally purchase it and read it for myself. The main thrust of the book (so far – I’m only two chapters in) is teaching your kids not to think they are good in and of themselves and not training them to follow rules purely for the sake of external obedience, but to teach them how their righteousness is found only in Christ and only in and through (and to) Him is there any goodness, yet in Him is ALL goodness, pure and complete. It also hits on how God loves them perfectly, not because they have earned it but because of Christ’s work on the cross and how He views us in Him once we trust in Him for salvation/sanctification. I appreciate the examples of how to rephrase Bible lessons or praise or encouragement we give our children to avoid misleading them but instead teach them critical truths about themselves and the Lord. Has anyone else read this and have any thoughts?

Give Them Grace

Today I direct you to a post my friend guest-blogged today. She explains the whys and hows of teaching her daughter biblical repentance and forgiveness, particularly by modeling it. Good, solid explanation with great Scripture, quotes, and examples to learn from! Thx, V!!

I’m Sorry, Part 2

and there is a Part 1 to start with! I’m Sorry, Part 1

“The ultimate expression of friendship is to risk rejection and speak the truth in love.”  - Phil Tuttle (8/16/11 @Maranatha)

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself” (Galatians 6:1-3)