The Next Step Disciple

Dr. George Ross joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss if theology matters in being a Next Step Disciple.

Key Points: 
Theology is the study of God. Theology is the foundation of our worldview.
Anyone and everyone can be a theologian.
Theology is an anchor to our faith as we understand who God is.
Stability for a Christian is found in theology.
Learning to love theology comes through doing it in community.
When you read the Bible ask yourself… what do I learn about God’s character and nature?

Go Deeper: 

• Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul
• Everyday Theology by Mary Wiley
• The Bible Recap by Tara-Leigh Cobble
• Method of Christian Theology by Rhyne Putman
• F260 Bible Reading Plan
• Children’s Catechism of Lakeshore Church NOLA
• Learn more from George Ross at GeorgeRoss.net

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Pastor Kike Torres from Horizonte Querétaro in Mexico joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss how taking risks is a part of being a Next Step Disciple.

Key Points:

• Comfort and control are key reasons disciples are challenged to take risks.
• Feelings, circumstances, and desires lead to great loss when directing risk-taking.
• God’s calling is a part of knowing where, when, and how to take risks. Conviction leads to having trust in what God is leading us to.
• Taking risks spiritually allow us to take a front seat to the manifestation of God.
• Prioritize intimacy with the Lord. Our first priority is intimacy and not activity.
• God will provide all we need to do anything we do for God’s glory.

Go deeper with these books referenced in the Podcast:
Gospel Treason by Brad Bigney
Forgiving What You Can’t Forget by Lisa TerKeurst
Faith on the Edge

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Pastor Kirk Jones from Fellowship Church in Prairieville, LA joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss how to overcome dry faith seasons that Next Step Disciples face.

Key Points:

• Losses, transitions, and sin are all potential elements of a dry season.
• When you feel dry in your spirit, you need Him who feeds your spirit. Jesus is the living water.
• Paths that lead to water often don’t look like the path you want to go down. The Shepherd knows where the sheep need to go.
• When we feel dry, we often feel like we need something new. We are more likely to need something fresh. 
• Tell someone if you are in a dry season. Be willing to try spiritual disciplines in a fresh way. Continue to serve the Lord.

Go Deeper: 1 Peter 2, Ecclesiastes 3, John 4, Psalm 22, Psalm 121, Psalm 23, Romans 12:11
The Way of the Shepherd  by Dr. Kevin Leman & Bill Pentak
The Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23  by W. Phillip Keller

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Pastor Zelvis Applin from South Hills Church in Wimauma, Florida joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss the topic of joy in the lives of Next Step Disciples.

Key Points:

• There is a real sense of the loss of joy in the world but also within the church.
• The biggest thief of joy is selfishness. Giving into the flesh steals from the Spirit. Continuing in poor relationships takes joy and peace from us. Soundbites of media feed us with fighting, division, and brain overload.
• Joy comes from the Lord. Every person has the capacity because we can choose Christ.
• Our joy does not come from our situations. Joy has depth and substance to it that brings fullness within times of turbulence. Joy is produced through obedience and trust in the Lord.

Go Deeper: 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Romans 8, James 1:2, Philippians 4:5-7, John 16:33, Psalm 34:18

Necessary Ending by Henry Cloud 

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Pastor Jim Taber welcomes Pastor Mark Pritchard from Church at the Gates to discuss the topic of spiritual freedom as a Next Step Disciple. 

Key Points:

• The past holds us back in our spiritual freedom. 
• Spiritual freedom is not a place of no restrictions.
• Pursuing holiness leads to spiritual freedom.
• Satan is a liar.
• Pursuing Jesus should lead us to want more of Him.
• Experiencing Christ is found through confession and repentance. 
• Remember what Christ has done for you. Live like you are free because you are.
• Your performance does not drive your freedom in Christ.

Go Deeper: Galatians 5:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 5:20, Galatians 5:23

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How do I elevate summer? Pastor Jim Taber discusses with Gracepoint’s Associate Pastor Jim Truckle about how we can elevate our summer, be spiritually strong, and not experience a summer slump.

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In this BONUS episode, Pastor Jim Taber speaks with Christ’s Hope Director Glen Vantieghem in Kinshasa, Congo during Gracepoint’s recent mission trip. He shares that God loves the poor, the orphans and the vulnerable of the world and how Next Step Disciples can do the same.

Key Points:

• God’s righteousness exists in caring for the poor, widow, and the fatherless.
• Never be eating alone. Who is eating today because of you?
• Look after the one no one else is looking after. Who are you inviting that can’t repay you?
• Be different than the world and look after the orphans and widows of the world.
• There is a cost to those who serve and care for the poor. Life is only lived when it is given away.

What are practical steps to care for the poor and needy?

• Ask yourself: who is my orphan? 
• Find a person in need, widow, orphan, or vulnerable person you can serve in your community. Share your abundance with them. 
• Find a ministry to support that makes a difference in serving the poor. 
• Consider adoption.

Go Deeper: James 1:27, Job 29:11-16; 31:16-23, Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 14:27-29, Isaiah 1:12-13,17; 58:7, Ezekiel 16:49, Luke 3:9-11, Luke 14:12-14, Matthew 25:31-46, James 4:17, Proverbs 21:13; 31:8-9

For more information about Christ’s Hope, visit the ministry’s website HERE. 

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Art, Faith, & Creativity. How do these merge together as a follower of Jesus? Pastor Jim Taber discusses with fellow creative artist Cari Wilton about how creativity fits into the life of a Next Step Disciple.

Key Points:

• God created the world and created us in the imago dei. We all are creative but in our unique God gifted ways.
• Our goal of art and creativity is about worship and not to be applauded.
• Create from a place of honesty as you rest in God’s presence.
• Meditate on Scripture as you create.
• Identify creativity as a gift from God given back to God first as worship.
• Use creativity for the Kingdom.

Go Deeper: Genesis 1, Revelation 21 & 22, Isaiah 41:17-20

The Pause App for iPhone and Android

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How do I elevate Easter? Pastor Jim Taber discusses with Gracepoint’s Associate Pastor Jim Truckle about how we can elevate Easter above the distractions and busyness of a holiday weekend.

• Slow down. Fast from distractions. 
• Write down what God has done and share it with others in your life.
• Share the real message of Easter with someone outside your church circle.
• Seek forgiveness with God and with relationships in your life.
• Be aware of the tactics of our opponent. Be prepared for the distractions of the enemy. The victory of our faith was Jesus’s resurrection. The battle has already been won.
• Be intentional ahead of time so you don’t wander aimlessly this weekend.
• Find refreshment in the message of the gospel through quiet time with the Lord and in the community of faith.

Go Deeper: Deuteronomy 6:12, Psalm 103:2, 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, Romans 5:8, John 18-21, Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24.

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How do I seek wise counsel? Pastor Jim Taber asks Pastor Lane Harrison from LifePoint Church in Ozark, Missouri to share how Next Step Disciples can seek and provide wise counsel.

Key Points:
Why do people NOT seek godly wisdom/counsel?

1. They don’t want wise counsel; they want what they want. Seeking wise counsel requires a practice of self-denial.
2. They don’t know how. Seeking wise counsel requires a posture of humility to deny self-dependence.
3. They don’t know people who are wise that they trust. Seeking wisdom requires a network of relationships with people who are wise.

Why is wise counsel important?
Christians should be people who live constantly and continually seeking wise counsel to seek the transformation God produces by renewing our mind. Seeking wise counsel is not always about specific situations but is about creating a reservoir of wisdom for the future.

How do we know if a person is wise/godly counsel? What qualities should we be looking for?

1. Model a life of godliness in walking closely with Jesus
2. Mature enough to speak truth in love, not just tell you what you want to hear
3. Make you wise more more than just give you an answer. They empower, encourage, and equip you.

What if someone asks me for counsel? How can I be helpful in that role?
Listen and ask questions to discern what they are asking. Comfort, don’t dismiss. Seek what the person already knows. Be honest about what you don’t know. Stick with the person as you encourage them to the right place for help.

Go Deeper: Proverbs 1, 12, 15, 19, 26, 28; Exodus 18:17-21, Romans 12:2, Proverbs 13:20, Hebrews 13:7, Ephesians 4:15, Proverbs 27:5-6

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