Why is the Kingdom of God like a pumpkin?

Submitted by Macka on Fri, 04/29/2022 - 22:35

(Inspired by Stan the man and Nat)

Pumpkins are a wholesome staple food in many parts of the world. They are so versatile as they can be used in everything from scones to stir fries or even dips but that is not what makes a pumpkin a hero of this story.  Did you know that the Kingdom of Heaven can be like a pumpkin?

What is 411 (or the 'Making Disciple Makers Map') ?

Submitted by Macka on Sun, 06/12/2022 - 23:32
The “4 1 1” or “Making Disciple Makers Map” exercise is one tool that is available to help new disciples grow in their identity and spread the good news to people they care about. It can help them break through either a ‘confidence problem’ or a ‘simple strategy’ for sharing the good news they have received with their friends and family. Not every disciple will need a tools like this. If properly modelled to them the only thing you may have to do is to stand back and not get in their way!

Icebreaker #10: Is There An Other Way To Use The Million Dollar Notes?

Submitted by Macka on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 10:50

Dave M. has a wonderful (free) question that he sometimes uses to break the ice when witnessing. If someone says to him “look I don’t know about this God stuff. I think that I’ll just live my life and have some fun. I’ll get right with God at the end before I die and go to heaven.”

Dave can ask them two questions to get them thinking about God right now. (You can use these questions with or without the Living Waters “Million Dollar/Pound Note” tract)

Is There a Better Way to Baptise Someone? (Article)

Submitted by Macka on Mon, 05/16/2022 - 09:37

Once someone has admitted their wrongs and wants to turn their life around with Jesus as their Lord and Saviour it is time to discuss their baptism. Once you have discussed the process and you are sure that they both understand it and agree to participating in the process it is time to practice it.

Chalking – What is it?

Submitted by Macka on Wed, 05/11/2022 - 14:30

Well we are not talking about what a builder does with a chalking gun around your bathroom sink. It is a way of seeding the mind of someone to start thinking about their eternal future without direct confrontation. You can put thought provoking phrases or questions around public spaces in chalk. We use chalk (or non-toxic crayon on the footpath if you want it to be more weather proof) so that it will not damage public property and if someone takes great offence to it they can wash it off. You can also mix it up in the same area so that people are not exposed to the same sign every day.

What can you ask someone if they do not believe in a God?

Submitted by Macka on Sun, 05/01/2022 - 16:33

Ever had someone state emphatically that they do not have any spiritual beliefs at all?

You could try just talking them around but many people today respond better to visual communication as well as just talking.

Youth today have an attention span of about 1 minute. Just look at their browsing habits.

Someone that has just tried to shut you down and end the conversation probably can only stand about another minute or so before they walk off. What can you do in a minute?

What do Apples have to do with the Kingdom of God?

Submitted by Macka on Sat, 04/30/2022 - 16:02

Ask “How many apples can you get out of just one apple?” and show them an apple.

Most people don’t really know or have a really poor go at a guess.

  • Then ask them “How many apples to you think was on the tree that this apple came from?”
  • Then prompt them for another go at the question. Most work out how many seeds they think are in the apple and guess that they could have that many trees.

After a reasonable time prompt them in this line of thought:

Flowers in the Desert

Submitted by Macka on Sat, 04/30/2022 - 15:58

I have spent a good chunk of my life around the desert. The first time I got posted out to these places I thought that nothing could ever live here nevertheless thrive. The gidgee tree and spinifex grass are the only things that will even try and grow in the driest places. Even they sometimes can’t get a hold.

I stayed long enough to see the first rains in an area for seven years and it was only a sprinkle overnight that didn’t even settle the dust. It lasted maybe 30 minutes. It was a very short lasting celebration!

Tsunami (tidal wave)

Submitted by Macka on Sat, 04/30/2022 - 15:37

A tsunami is caused by an earthquake. When an earthquake occurs under the sea, it sometimes produces a circular motion of water, perhaps 1 km in diameter. This impulse can travel up to 800 km per hour, speeding through the open water virtually unnoticed. When conditions are right, this disturbance in the water forms a very definite wave form which has incredible power behind it. As it enters shallow water, it forms a large wave which we know as the destructive tsunami.