Spiritual Life

Here are my top five personal reflections from the Forum. 1. Pastors and Leaders are Hungry to Learn about Making Disciples Last year we were told that if we had… Read More

No verse is in a vacuum, and it is important to always read a passage as part of the larger story. Why Have Americans Stopped Reading the Bible? By KATHLEEN COOKE | October… Read More

Grace is both an incredibly important and an incredibly difficult concept, explains John Barclay in Paul and the Gift. When boiled down to its purest form, or “perfected,” as Kenneth Burke… Read More

If you’re like me, you’re always looking for great discipleship resources. That’s why I wanted to share with you the website URLs for seventeen of the top disciple making organizations… Read More

The Boston Globe Spotlight team did a series on it that is getting a lot of attention.  Seems it may be a scandal even bigger that the clergy abuse issue…. Read More

OCTOBER 30, 2017 / STEVEKINNARD TEAMwork A Bible Talk for Athletes (and everyone else) Opening question: Name someone who has been a great teammate to you. Explain why. I think of a… Read More

If you’re like me, you are intrigued by tall towers and buildings. Whenever I visit a new city, I want to ascend to the highest point and look out. My… Read More

Last week, Nepal enacted a law to curb evangelism by criminalizing religious conversion, joining neighboring countries like India and Pakistan, where the region’s small-but-growing Christian minority faces government threats to… Read More

Class taught by Douglas during the continuing midweek series called ‘Sharpening the Sword’ at the North River Church of Christ on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. Watch the video here.

What do you think of when you hear the word “righteousness”? About a year ago I was challenged about my understanding of the nature of righteousness in the Bible and… Read More

Sermon by Douglas Jacoby on 10.1.17 at the North River Church of Christ, Marietta, GA

http://marriagematters.ws/daylight-from-a-deerstand/

This is Douglas’ second message from the series ‘Sharpening the Sword’ at the midweek service of the North River Church of Christ on 9/20/17. (Note from the AV team: the… Read More

Dave Lomas speaks on the sexual brokenness found in the Old Testament, which points to our own desperate need for God’s renewing grace in Genesis 38. Watch the video here.

I’m pleased to announce the release of a new FREE eBook from the Discipleship.org eBook series:Beyond Accountability by Nate Larkin. DOWNLOAD FREE NOW Beyond Accountability tells an important story about pornography and… Read More

Lesson given on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the North River Church of Christ, to bring Christians to maturity through examining the nature and implications of the gospel. Video is… Read More

Jon Bloom, in this fascinating article (posted at Desiring God), gives reasons that we don’t “follow” our hearts — which is backwards. We are supposed to lead our hearts. Intrigued? Click here for the article.

Jordan Peterson is a historical philosopher who speaks broadly on, among other things, postmodernism. He outlines how this philosophy has affected political policy and thinking in the Western world. Here are 3… Read More

By Francis Collins, Medical Researcher, on bigthink.com. Some scientists see religion as a threat to the scientific method that should be resisted. But faith “is really asking a different set… Read More

Watch the first and third classes Douglas offered at the North River Church of Christ in his new series The Evidence on March 2 and May 4. (Sorry, the second… Read More

In April, at the Unboxed Conference in Orlando, Florida, Guy Hammond, Executive Director of Strength in Weakness (SIW), spoke on the topic of “Crossing Denominational Lines” and our SIW volunteer,… Read More

You don’t want to be the LAST person to watch the 2017 Videos… Grab a cup of coffee, sit down, buckle up and enjoy! Click here for this year’s presentations.

An advocate and champion for movements of gospel-centered Missional Communities, Verge Network exists for church leaders, students, entrepreneurs, artists, urban innovators, business leaders, community development specialists, non-profit leaders, church planters… Read More

It was such a kick to the stomach. A nauseating, heart-pounding kick. I remember staring, confused, at the computer screen. What exactly was he looking at, anyway? Is that what… Read More

59 Percent of Millennials Raised in a Church Have Dropped Out—And They’re Trying to Tell Us Why Only 4 percent of the Millennial Generation are Bible-Based Believers. This means that… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 31, Concluding Challenges (17 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction Last time we… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 30, Purity & Transformation in Christian Theology (12 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’…. Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 29, Jesus’ Resurrection (7 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Scriptural study: Luke 24:1-6; 1… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 28, Eutychus (15 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introductory The miracle will take… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 27, Tabitha (Dorcas) (13 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introductory Today’s reanimation is well-known… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 26, Lazarus (15 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introductory For most people, this is… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 25, Jairus & Daughter (13 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction Review: There are three… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 24, The Widow of Nain & Son (13 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 23, The OT Saints of Matthew 27 (9 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 22, The Man Reanimated by Elisha’s Bones (6 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction The… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 21, The Wealthy Shunammites’ Child (16 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction CLEAN 21,… Read More

We now begin CLEAN sub-series Reanimation. To listen to CLEAN podcast 20, The Widow of Zarephath & Son (17 minutes), click on the arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 19, The House Swept Clean (7 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Context (A) Luke… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 18, The Slave Girl of Acts 16:16 (14 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 17, The Synagogue Demoniac (11 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Scriptural study: Mark 1:21-28 Jesus… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 16, Father & Son (14 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction Yesterday: mother/daughter;… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 15, Mother & Daughter (14 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction Some of those… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 14, The Gerasene Demoniac (14 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Scriptural study: Mark 5:1-18… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 13, Mary Magdalene (13 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction Demons are never explicitly… Read More

Here’s a guest podcast, The Leper, by Kevin Agot, who lives in the Washington DC area. I hope you enjoy it! To start the podcast (6 minutes), click on the… Read More

To listen to CLEAN podcast 12a, The Leper of Mark 1 (11 minutes), click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’…. Read More

To hear podcast 11, The 10 Lepers (10 minutes), click on the play arrow. Or, to download, right click here, and choose ‘save target as’ or ‘save link as’. Introduction… Read More

To listen to lesson 10 in the CLEAN series, The Four Samaritan Lepers (10 minutes), click on the play arrow. Or you can download the podcast by right clicking here and choosing ‘save… Read More

To listen to lesson 9 in the CLEAN series, The Leprosy of Uzziah (9 minutes), click on the play arrow. Or you can download the podcast by right clicking here and choosing… Read More

To listen to lesson 8 in the CLEAN series, The Leprosy of Gehazi (13 minutes), click on the play arrow. Or you can download the podcast by right clicking here and choosing… Read More

To listen to lesson 7 in the CLEAN series, The Leprosy of Naaman (14 minutes), click on the play arrow. Or you can download the podcast by right clicking here and choosing ‘save target… Read More

To listen to lesson 6 in the CLEAN series, The Leprosy of Miriam (17 minutes), click on the play arrow. Or you can download the podcast by right clicking here and… Read More

For CLEAN podcast 5, on Walking in the Light, click the play arrow. The podcast (14 minutes) can also be downloaded. To listen later, download by right clicking here, and ‘save target… Read More

For CLEAN podcast 4, on Purity in James, Peter, & John, click on the play arrow. The podcast (14 minutes) can also be downloaded. To download, right click here and… Read More

For CLEAN podcast 3, on Purity in Paul, click on the play arrow. The podcast (12 minutes) can also be downloaded. To download and listen later, right click here and choose… Read More

This is the second of 31 podcasts in the CLEAN series, Purity in Proverbs. To listen now, click on the arrow (8 minutes). To download and listen later, right click here and… Read More

The first of 31 podcasts, Purity in Psalms, launches the CLEAN series. The first section of our series (5 podcasts) focuses on Purity & Cleansing (in both testaments). To listen… Read More

This podcast (7 minutes) explains the purpose of the CLEAN series. To listen now, click on arrow. To download and listen later, right click here and ‘save target as’ or… Read More

Sunday sermon given at North River Church of Christ, Atlanta, GA, Nov 27, 2016

https://jointhebibleproject.com/about/ This is an animated audiovisual Bible. One episode typically summarizes a book of the Bible—in part or in whole—in 6-8 minutes. It’s very well done.

 Issue 69 • June 2016 Are There Health Benefits to Masturbation? [Video] Matt Fradd • Since the days of psychologists like Sigmund Freud and Alfred Kinsey, people picture the sexual impulse as… Read More

“I wanted to ask your opinion about an article I wrote on the ‘age of accountability.’ At age 12, Jesus is referred to as a ‘boy/child,’ and the (little) girl… Read More

Sermon done on Nehemiah 8, at North River Church of Christ, on February 14, 2016.

Are we changing the Bible to fit our culture or are we changing our culture to fit the Bible? http://www.faithit.com/9-sins-the-church-is-okay-with/

For CLEAN podcast 5, on Purity \, click on the play arrow. The podcast (12 minutes) can also be downloaded. Download here. for Challenge Thought q [Tomorrow: Purity in the… Read More

Here is an assortment of comments on the Paradigm Series, sent in from all over the world (Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Australia). We have edited some of them… Read More

After his death and resurrection, Jesus gave the charge, the “Great Commission,” to the eleven faithful apostles. Let’s take a look at this passage and see what conclusions we can… Read More

How should I respond when I am unjustly treated or wronged? When I know I am right or I see the situation as unfair, I plead my case for justice…. Read More

Click here to learn more or to order.

To listen to the podcast, “Why Christian Leaders Need to be Exceptionally Good Bible Students” (30 minutes), click on the link below. Click here to download. Scriptures referred to: James… Read More

http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/

In this seventh and final podcast in the series on the Spirit, we consider further areas in which the Spirit works. In particular, we consider what it means to the… Read More

To hear the sixth podcast (11 minutes), click on the link below. Scriptures mentioned include John 14 (the go-to chapter on the indwelling); Acts 13:1-4; Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18; Psalm… Read More

2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Acts 10:24; and other passages were referred to in the fifth podcast. To hear this podcast (15 minutes), click below. Click here to download.

Click below to listen to Holy Spirit lesson 4 (11 minutes). Scriptures referred to in this podcast include 1 Corinthians 14:23; John 16:23; Luke 1:15, John 10:41; and 1 Corinthians… Read More

Our third podcast (17 minutes) covers a number of scriptures, like Acts 19 (Sons of Sceva), 2 Thessalonians 2:9ff (the powerful delusion), Matthew 6 (“many words,” a possible reference to… Read More

In lesson 2, we examine scriptures in Colossians 2, Deuteronomy 13, and 1 Samuel 19. 1 Kings 13 contains another superb illustration of the danger of elevating anything above the… Read More

Listen to the introductory podcast in a series on the Spirit (17 minutes), in which I begin to share about my experience in the Charismatic Movement, and broach the subject… Read More

The purpose of this podcast is to foster a Christian leadership culture. This is an important study for anyone in leadership, or considering it. Please listen to this podcast (18… Read More

With the increase of iPhone holders, Facebook users, video-game players, Instagram posters, Snapchat senders, Spotify listeners, text-message writers, and hashtag creators, the word “friendship” has dwindled in the last 30… Read More

It Doesn’t Look Like Church to Me, Dr. Kent Smith Published on Oct 8, 2014 Dr. Kent Smith, Abilene Christian University’s Missionary Coordinator for North America, speaks at the 2014… Read More

Click for a most illuminating study.

I am reaching out to  a woman who has a gay brother. This man is in a committed relationship and is also a committed church member in a large denomination that… Read More

Melanie Cicerchia came to faith in Christ through campus ministry at the University of Florida in 1973. She married Paul Martel, and together they served in the full-time church work… Read More

Sunday sermon done at the North River Church of Christ in Marietta, GA on Sunday, November 23, 2014. Click to watch: Holidays or Holy Days?

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/lessons-from-dunning-kruger/#more-7303 Not sure how I found this and I’m not really a reader of psychology blogs, but I found this to be very interesting.  I’m not sending to you because… Read More

The previous lesson in this series (all recorded at the 2013 Florida Discipleship Conference) is on Judgment & Grace, and comes from Lamentations. Click here for lesson 1. Douglas speaks… Read More

In the previous lesson we examined 10 examples of biblical practices that may have cultural aspects. In other words, before we analyze form and function, the extent to which we… Read More

In the previous lesson we explored accommodation and discernment. Some aspects of the ambient culture are fine for believers to follow, while others are not. Yet an even greater sensitivity to… Read More

To listen to the first lesson in the Bible & Culture series (16 minutes), click below. (Note: for a different lesson on the Bible (Old Testament) and culture, please click… Read More

Your Ex Still Wants You The following podcast, the title of which is inspired by Lipscomb scholar John Mark Hicks’ recent work, examines the evolution of the “supper” from actual… Read More

Israel was called to demonstrate the true God to the world (Exodus 19:4-6; Isaiah 49:6; Malachi 1:11,14; etc). Her religion was radically different to all other ancient religions (such as… Read More

ESCAPE:  Lesson 4 of 4. Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. Here’s the provisional plan: The psychology… Read More

ESCAPE:  Lesson 3 of 4. Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. Here’s the provisional plan: The psychology… Read More

ESCAPE:  Lesson 2 of 4. Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. Here’s the provisional plan: The psychology… Read More

ESCAPE, Lesson 1 of 4: Douglas Jacoby and Steve Brand have joined forces to teach a series called ESCAPE. Steve Brand is a professional counselor and expert on addictive behaviors. The series explores addictive substances and behaviors and… Read More

The Pursuit of Holiness by Douglas Jacoby from 11-11-2012 Click here to download. Click here for a pdf of the notes.

  Seven confessions (John’s Gospel) 1:34   John the Baptist 1:49   Nathanael 4:42   Samaritans (4:29) 6:69   Peter 9:38   blind man 11:27 Martha [19:19 Pilate] ~ 11:50… Read More

Acts 13:2 – worshipping and fasting / insight, plans Acts 24:11 – Paul says he went up to worship (Jerusalem) see 26:7, Acts 27:23. 1 Cor 11 – Somberness? What’s… Read More

This lesson was recorded at the 2013 Florida Discipleship Conference, and is based on the book of Lamentations. To get the most out of the Grace & Ungrace series, listen… Read More

3rd century – church buildings (converted houses) 4th century Influx of O.T. culture (priesthood, church/state, and more) Influx of paganism (holidays, images…) Basilicas Role of Imperial support 5th century Relics Cult… Read More

Justin Martyr, First Apology 65-67 But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those… Read More

Pliny, Letter to Trajan, 10.96-97, c.110 AD It is my practice, my lord, to refer to you all matters concerning which I am in doubt. For who can better give… Read More

  1 Sam 15:25 — the appearance of worship (Saul) 2 Kings 10:19 — pretending to worship Ba’al (John 19:3) Isaiah 29:13 — hearts far from God Isaiah 44:15— the… Read More

  Position and Disposition Kneeling Sitting Lying Standing Raising hands (Christian art) Heart Expressiveness – 2 Sam 6; Luke 7, 17; feeling: two extremes Humility – 1 Kings 8; Psalm… Read More

7 Aspects of worship under the Old Covenant Pilgrimage: 3 annual visits (males) Animal sacrifices Singing, choirs, instruments Reading of scripture Priesthood Ritual, ornamentation, liturgy Limited access to YHWH 7… Read More

Summary Genesis 28:10-17 – Jacob’s vision of the stairway to heaven (see John 1:51). 1 Chron 16:29-30 – Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering… Read More

Introduction to the series: important questions Worshippers enjoy healthier, more dynamic lives than non-worshippers. Why is that? What (if anything) does the Old Testament have to offer Christians? What disqualifies… Read More

1. Joe Dallas, The Gay Gospel. Very easy to read. 2. Robert A. J. Gagnon, The Bible and Homosexual Practice. More in-depth. 3. Guy Hammond, Caring Beyond the Margins. Superb. For more:… Read More

Watch a lively debate between yours truly and Rabbi Shmuley. Click here to get your own copy of the DVD.

Christian Anti-intellectual and the Disciple’s Worldview, as understood by Jason Goble This is the third essay on the Disciple’s Worldview. Before your eyes glaze over at the title, ask yourself… Read More

June 2003 The other day a dear friend forwarded an e-mail to me with a negative article about the kingdom attached and someone’s comments on the article. I quickly responded… Read More

Interview with Douglas Jacoby about Spiritual living on Relate4ever Publishing as seen http://relate4ever.com/spiritualiving-interview-drdj

To listen to Staying Single (21 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and… Read More

To listen to Modesty (36 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you… Read More

To listen to Creative Quiet Times, Part 1, by Joey Harris (29 minutes)), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link… Read More

To listen to Creative Quiet Times, Part 2, by Joey Harris (17 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link… Read More

To listen to Creative Quiet Times, Part 3, by Joey Harris 18 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link… Read More

To listen to Under Fire: Lessons of Suffering from Mexico, by Arturo Elizarrarás (28 minutes) click on the link: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save… Read More

For the podcast on Why Doubt is Good (!) (16 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as”… Read More

To hear The Mission (14 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you… Read More

To hear Prayer & Fasting (40 minutes), click on the play button: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and… Read More

To hear The Five Laws of the Kingdom, by David Bercot (21 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save… Read More

To hear Evangelism in the Early Church II (30 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or… Read More

To hear Evangelism in the Early Church I (29 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or… Read More

Here you will find a podcast plus notes by Ron Clark, “Matthew and True Righteousness.” To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save… Read More

Here you will find a podcast plus notes by Ron Clark titled, “Jeremiah 16: The God of Second Chances.” To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link… Read More

To hear Decision-making & The Will of God (48 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or… Read More

Here are a podcast and notes on Take Up The Cross, by Ed Anton (31 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save… Read More

To hear Thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer (27 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save… Read More

To hear Holiness (42 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you… Read More

To hear Judging, Tolerance, & Exclusivism (21 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target… Read More

Following is a podcast by Joey Harris on the topic Reading Biblical Books. This will help you to be a better student of scripture. Length: 24 minutes. To listen, click on the… Read More

In a lengthy, but I believe worthwhile, article Bill Hull writes about getting “tired of discipleship because you don’t see it working.” –Roger http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2005/003/6.26.html Excerpt: “Through my “dark night of… Read More

ONCE UPON A TREE If you’re looking for an excellent devotional book, let me recommend Calvin Miller’s ONCE UPON A TREE (Howard: West Monroe, Loiusiana), 2002. I’ve also recently read… Read More

Our Teaching About John 15 For many years in our movement we have heard that the fruit Jesus describes in John 15 is the making of other disciples. Often we… Read More

Introduction In 1976 after I my “conversion experience “1 I began attending charismatic prayer meetings. I continued to go because there were lots of food nice girls and a high… Read More

Note: The following paper was a group effort. It does not claim to speak for a single church or even an association of congregations, but represents the opinion of a… Read More