Ben Franklin’s Junto questions will improve your small group

Using Ben Franklin’s Junto style questions in a small group to encourage discussion and reflection on how we can honor God and live out our faith in practical ways

Franklin organized a group of friends to provide a structured form of mutual improvement. The group, initially composed of twelve members, called itself the Junto (from the Spanish word junta, or assembly). The members of the Junto were drawn from diverse occupations and backgrounds, but they all shared a spirit of inquiry and a desire to improve themselves, their community, Continue reading Ben Franklin’s Junto questions will improve your small group

Galatians 5:19-23 contrast the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the spirit

Contrast of the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:19-23

Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. But the fruit of Continue reading Galatians 5:19-23 contrast the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the spirit

7 common mistakes about the nativity

The typical nativity scene with angels and wise men on camels and baby Jesus in the manger contains seven common mistakes

We have all seen nativity scenes with angels and wise men on camels and baby Jesus in the manger. But there are many common mistakes and misconceptions in those nativity scenes. I don’t understand how or why these happened because the facts are even more exciting than fiction. The real story of Christmas: Unto us a child is born – Continue reading 7 common mistakes about the nativity

We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)

We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)

This verse does not mean we have to ignore our senses (touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste) or turn off the intelligence of our brains, to live as good Christians. It does not mean we have to blindly, stupidly, stagger through life based on “faith” of our leaders. But you might think so based on the number of cults that Continue reading We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)