Dave Crouse

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? Jesus said to follow him meant taking up our cross. The cross is death to self through identification with Christ. To stand for Christ will mean persecution especially as we are close to Christs return as the devil knows his time is short. Many are facing death for their faith and we may also if we are truly His disciple. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Fear of man brings a snare. To care more about what people think about us than God is to fail both people and God. God sends us as sheep among wolves so to be wise as serpants but harmless as doves is to be prayerful so God can give opportunities to share our faith to those who need it. It is to be remembered fisherman do not chase fish but attract so actions mean more than words where words may be rejected love attracts and opens doors so we can be effective in evangelism. Ministries that meet needs have more success than street preachers. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? A church that soft pedals the gospel and tries to make it acceptable to everyone cannot be used to convict of sin and bring souls to repentance which is necessary to be saved. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? To not hide my faith in Christ and to show love to those who would oppose the gospel and intercede for them rather than condemn as Christ does for me.

While it is important to have leaders chosen by God it is most important we follow Christ first and only Christ especially in theae times of deception. We need other believers who can encourage us and correct us. If we are Christs we love Christs Church as He does and if we follow Christ others will be encouraged by our example.

Q1. (Acts 17:1-10) Why do you think there was so much strong opposition to Paul's ministry in Thessalonica? Why do you think Paul keeps preaching the gospel, even though there is often a violent reaction against him? Does a violent reaction to our ministry necessarily mean we should stop? Satan always opposes God and does not want people who are lost to hear the gospel and be saved. The unbelieving Jews were angry because (a) They were jealous that Paul was gaining converts. ( They were losing affluential members who contributed to the prosperity of the Synagogue which they prospered by. Paul was chosen by the risen Lord to testify to the grace of God and preach the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was obedient to the Lords calling and would not be disuaded from his mission. If we are called by God we should be obedient to God regardless of opposition. Jesus calls us as Christians to follow Him and take up our cross. If we are serving Christ He will be with us and will give us victory over all opposition and bless the work and reward faithfulness.

Q1. (Acts 17:1-10) Why do you think there was so much strong opposition to Paul's ministry in Thessalonica? Why do you think Paul keeps preaching the gospel, even though there is often a violent reaction against him? Does a violent reaction to our ministry necessarily mean we should stop? Satan always opposes God and does not want people who are lost to hear the gospel and be saved. The unbelieving Jews were angry because (a) They were jealous that Paul was gaining converts. ( They were losing affluential members who contributed to the prosperity of the Synagogue which they prospered by. Paul was chosen by the risen Lord to testify to the grace of God and preach the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was obedient to the Lords calling and would not be disuaded from his mission. If we are called by God we should be obedient to God regardless of opposition. Jesus calls us as Christians to follow Him and take up our cross. If we are serving Christ He will be with us and will give us victory over all opposition and bless the work and reward faithfulness.