New Christian Ed Archives - Page 3 of 3 - The Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership

What Christians Need to Understand About Shame

Brian Franks2022-07-12T13:24:48-06:00

By Caitlin Meadows Shame on you! is something we say to someone who behaves poorly. It’s our response to a person caught red handed and unapologetic. In effect, we’re telling them: “What you’ve done is wrong and you should feel guilt, regret, and humiliation.” In these types of situations, we want the offender to claim guilt so that he or she can take responsibility for whatever offense was committed. We want justice, which in many cases is an honest apology. However, the response is rarely acceptance and apology. Rather, the response is often to hide, lie, or justify whatever offense he or she committed. [...]

What Christians Need to Understand About ShameBrian Franks2022-07-12T13:24:48-06:00

Are We a Supportive Community

Brian Franks2022-07-12T13:12:49-06:00

By Brian Franks We’re meant for community. In the beginning, the perfect, self-existent, self-sufficient, all-powerful, living God chose to create. In this creation He laid the groundwork, and literally the ground itself, for His vision. He made the stars, flora, and fauna of every kind. Indeed, everything we see sprang to life at His command or hand. Then, He continued with two more creation acts: “let us make humanity in our image” (Genesis 1:26) and God set apart the Sabbath day and blessed it (Genesis 2:3). Both of these are deeply intentional acts of community. The Sabbath is not a day of sleep. [...]

Are We a Supportive CommunityBrian Franks2022-07-12T13:12:49-06:00

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 2

Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:46:03-06:00

By Israel Steinmetz Water baptism has been consistently practiced by the Church throughout the entire history of the Christian faith. It is practiced by the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians—whether Protestant, Roman Catholic, or Eastern Orthodox. However, the method, subject, formulas, agent, effect and meaning of baptism have been issues of debate throughout Christian history, particularly since the time of the Protestant Reformation. If one seeks to understand or explain what baptism means they find themselves perplexed by a host of other questions that influence—to varying degrees—their answer to the question. In this two-part series we will explore six primary [...]

Baptism Debates: Worthwhile Questions to Consider — Part 2Brian Franks2022-07-11T09:46:03-06:00

5 Misconceptions About Christian Education

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:36:51-06:00

By Brian Franks There are several misconceptions about Christian Education out there. Below are five of the most common ones. #1—CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IS JUST ABOUT MEMORIZING INFORMATION Some think Christian education is just about memorizing and repeating information about God and religion. However, this does not describe any good Christian education, whether in the local church or at a ministry training college. Good Christian education is not about stating information and students parroting it back for a grade. Rather, proper Christian Education is transformational. The goal is for the student to be transformed into a mature believer in God who understands their calling and gifts. The student should be able to [...]

5 Misconceptions About Christian EducationBrian Franks2022-07-12T12:36:51-06:00

What is the Gospel?

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:39:03-06:00

By Martin Cicero My church family and I have been talking about things these last few weeks that lead up to a very important question, “What is the gospel?” Before I answer that, we need to understand that many people answer the question with much excess baggage. In Section 3 of Steps to Sharing Your Faith, we read, Sometimes a theme in the Scriptures so captivates us that we are tempted to make it part of the essential message. It might be God’s love for the poor and oppressed, or His promise of prosperity to Israel, or His command to be stewards of the [...]

What is the Gospel?Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:39:03-06:00