May 2024

Establishing Authentic Relationships

 

I believe children’s Bible quizzing is one of the greatest discipleship tools we have for our children in the Church of the Nazarene. Quizzing can also be a great outreach program for your church. Let me share a story to show you what I mean.

Years ago, while on active duty as U.S. Army chaplain, I was the pastor of All-American Chapel at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. A young family by the name of Pawley, new to Ft. Bragg, began to worship with us. But after a few weeks, they found a local church in the area, and we did not see them again. This is very common in such a transient population like the military.

A few years later, I became the pastor of the Fayetteville Church of the Nazarene, just outside the gates of Ft. Bragg. One Sunday, a young soldier by the name of Stetson showed up at our church. He was raised in the Church of the Nazarene but left the church and had been living in rebellion for several years. But a soldier in his platoon was witnessing to him, and eventually Stetson decided to reconsider his faith in Christ. Since he was raised in the Church of the Nazarene, he decided to visit a Nazarene church rather than go to church with his friend. After a few meetings, he decided to rededicate his life to Christ, and eventually he became a faithful member of the church. In fact, after a few years, he was engaged to my daughter, Sophia, and was soon to become my son-in-law. What a wonderful transformation God is working in his life!

Stetson asked this soldier who had been witnessing to him to be the best man at his wedding. I was excited to meet this young man who had made such an impact on my son-in-law. It turns out that the soldier's name was Matt Pawley. Soon, we were reacquainted with that family we had met at All-American Chapel years ago! By now, my wife, Angie, was running our children's Bible quizzing program, and the Pawleys had four children who were eligible to participate. Angie immediately invited them to come to our church on Sunday evenings for children’s Bible quizzing. The children did very well over the next year, and the oldest even went to the regional quiz in Atlanta with the North Carolina District team and helped them win first place! In true military fashion, Matt Pawley soon had orders for Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Before they left, they told us they were going to find a Nazarene church so that the kids could stay involved with Bible quizzing. They were true to their word. Once they were settled at Ft. Campbell, they found a Nazarene church and the kids resumed their involvement in quizzing. In fact, we met them at the regional quiz in Atlanta, now as competitors. And a few months later, we met them again in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the World Quiz. It’s amazing how God brought this wonderful family into our lives and into the family of the Church of the Nazarene through children’s Bible quizzing!

If you do not have a Bible quizzing program for your children, I believe you’re missing out! More importantly, your children are missing out on a tremendous opportunity to hide God’s Word in their hearts (Psalm 119:11). I thank God for all those who are discipling our children through Bible quizzing, and I pray that God would raise up even more.  

Providing Intentional Mentoring and Equipping

One of Jesus’ methods of discipleship was through the personal Intentional Mentoring
and Equipping of a chosen group of individuals. Our core principles in the new Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) Bylaws call our attention to mentoring as a loving way to introduce non-believers to the full knowledge of Christ and to teach accountability to growing
Christians.

 

Teach Children to Make Good Choices

For teachers and parents, it is easier to tell children what to do than to guide them in making a choice. However, this approach creates teens and young adults who fail to make good choices, because they have always depended on others to make decisions for them. 

Remembering Nazarenes Who Are Suffering Because of Wars

On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, starting a full-scale war that Europe has not seen since 1946. For the past two years, the Ukrainian people have been living in a different reality, fighting to protect their country and the hundreds of thousands of residents losing their homes. Let’s continue to pray for Ukraine and Russia, that peace will be restored. 

Kids Reaching Kids Enables Vacation Bible School in Armenia 

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a key ministry in Armenia. It is an evangelistic tool to attract and invite new children. It is also a perfect way for disciplining them. Last year’s VBS theme was “Follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere.” Armenian children enjoy the VBS to the maximum, and it is one of the most expected activities of the year. 

Donna’s Story 

For someone who can’t see the price tag at a grocery store, you have been an
incredible example of Jesus to so many people, and you stand as a beacon of hope for those who feel like they can’t overcome the obstacles. Thanks for being an incredible mom and follower of Jesus! I love you mom. Happy Mother’s Day!” 

Reflections about Discipleship after Attending the Exponential Conference

A large gathering at a large church campus with large production value has the potential to leave some attendees with feelings of inadequacy. The temptation to begin the comparison game is real. Thoughts such as, "My worth is less than the pastors on staff at the large church," can clutter our minds. Yet, here is the good news. 

What are your upcoming plans for discipleship in your small groups?

If you are still looking for resources for your upcoming small group discipleship, check out Dan Boone’s A Journey of Grace small group series. 

Are You Ready for Your 2024 VBS?

This year’s VBS is titled River Rafting Adventure! Are you ready to lead your children on an exciting adventure? River Rafting Adventure is available for free download in both English and Spanish. 

NDI USA/Canada Leadership Conference (LC2024)
November 5-7, 2024

Nazarene Discipleship International will hold LC2024 at the Hyatt Regency hotel
downtown in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This strategic location in the central United States provides ease of travel from anywhere in the USA/Canada Region. The LC2024 conference begins on Tuesday evening, November 5, and continues through Thursday morning, November 7, 2024.

PALCON 2024 – One Heart

Are you planning to attend PALCON 2024?
Mount Vernon Nazarene University will host PALCON June 25-27, 2024.
Eastern Nazarene College will host PALCON July 17-19, 2024.
Point Loma Nazarene University will host PALCON July 22-24, 2024.
Hope to see you there! 

Nazarene Camping 

Camps for Nazarene children and youth are great places for our young people to
become Christlike disciples! The Nazarene Camping Association provides prayer support and networking among camp, retreat, and conference centers within the Church of the Nazarene. Check out this map of camps if you are looking for a camp for your church. You can also download further information.

The Discipleship Place Recently Released the Thessalonians Bible Study

You can now find the Thessalonians Bible study at DiscipleshipPlace.org. This resource is an in-depth study with rich insights that will give anyone a deeper understanding of Scripture. The original editors were Norman R. Oke and Ralph Earle. Thanks to the work of Dr. Daryll Stanton and Natasha Skyba, the Bible study has been revised.

Search for new Global NDI Director

The NDI team will miss Dr. Scott Rainey’s leadership as NDI director. We continue to pray that God will bless him as he pastors the Huntington First Church of the Nazarene in Indiana. 

 

Now, we are looking for a new global leader for NDI. In fact, as you are reading this, it is likely that our new global NDI director has already been selected! 

 

Keep an eye out for the announcement of our new director. 

Receiving Certificate of Lay Ministry for First Quarter of 2024

DiscipleshipPlace.org would like to congratulate the following individuals for being approved by their pastor and local church board to receive the certificate of lay ministry. Upon approval, they will complete the Lay Ministry Courses.

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