The Latest News

Herein lies a great challenge: busy and distracted households often make bad family discipleship contexts. As Nelson and Jones note, “The problem is, many contemporary Christian parents do not see their households as training grounds for cosmic combat… Some have even assumed that their children’s spiritual preparation is something that occurs mostly or even completely within the confines of their local church.” 4 The many opportunities for recreation that surround our busy families in the Bay Area only exacerbate this frame of mind. For some households, home is simply a place to catch your breath and church is the place to dump off the kids. While most would agree with Stinson and Jones that parents are to be the primary faith trainers of their children, some either do not believe they have the time to do much about it or hope the church picks up the slack on Sundays alone.... Keep Reading

We must believe and reckon truths about the gospel that compel us to think rightly about our lives, our wants, our desires, our circumstances in light of the gospel, so that we might respond rightly in light of that same gospel. We therefore must continually renew our minds with what is right and true about all that we possess in the gospel. We must also continually be renewing our minds about specific truths of the gospel that help us moment by moment reject lust, covetousness, fear, worry, anger, etc. as we seek to put on purity, contentment, joy, peace and patience, etc.... Keep Reading

What we see happening in the world today is just that...people do not fear the Lord and do not believe those things about Him, but rather they believe that they have the ability to fix all the problems of the world. They are in essence making themselves out to be God.... Keep Reading

Perhaps the answer to what’s best is not necessarily what we now have nor what we’ll have later, but rather in the actual waiting itself. Because in the waiting, whether the outcome is what we want it to be or whether it’s not what we want it to be, we’re gradually coming to the place where we let go and trust… in Him, and that’s worth waiting for.... Keep Reading

Calling each other to commit to live together in a serious covenantal community is counter-cultural. By now it’s clear to most that we live in a time characterized by radical individualism. Individualism engenders an anti-authoritarian spirit. People are increasingly averse to accountability and commitment to institutions. It is important in such an environment to strengthen biblical community.... Keep Reading

Overall, I encourage you to remember that consistency in love is more important than skill, and that the gospel is more important than morals. The saving power of God’s grace comes through the gospel, and in this He will supply you with the words and opportunities to do so with your children. Seek His help in prayer and through His Word, and ask Him to instruct and guide you in teaching and instructing your children, in how to best love them and speak with them, and in planting seeds of faith in their hearts unto salvation through Jesus. Remember, God controls this. You are a channel of his saving grace. He is the Savior. We are here for you and love you. We’ll speak again soon.... Keep Reading

If you are not there and you realize that you have other foundations for truth, or some that creep in and try to replace the Bible, turn from that and plunge yourself into the amazing word of God! Maybe start by studying the “5 Solas” and see why they were so important to the Reformation and why they still are for us today! May God greatly encourage you as you plant yourself firmly on the truths of His word!... Keep Reading

Let’s stop looking elsewhere. Lift up your eyes and see. It’s time to take hold of the power tool, the gospel and, especially this time of holiday year, let it do its work through our mouths. It’s always Autumn and “… the fields are white for harvest.”... Keep Reading

he Discipleship Training Program (DTP) has been our foundation for formal spiritual formation since the inception of this congregation in 1995. It exists to advance the kingdom of God by mentoring men and women to live gospel-centered, Christ-exalting lives in our cultural context. It has been our conviction that this is best accomplished in the context of the local church. Discipleship within the local church best employs the internship model of training where learning takes place by precept, example, and real-life application.... Keep Reading

Reader, our hope and faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ makes all the difference in how we view the providences of our lives. Our faith and trust in a risen Savior give us hope that we can and will see life through a different lens; that we can and will set our affections upon our Savior, rather than a desire for the empty promises of this world. This world is passing away. Don’t believe the lie. The grass is a beautiful shade of green in the pasture of our Good Shepherd. Keep your eyes fixed upon Him as you persevere in the hope of eternity.... Keep Reading