Pastor James Blewett from Extraordinary Church in Brandon, Florida joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss how to have effective gospel conversations as a Next Step Disciple. Key Points: Fear is the number one reason people do not share their faith. Normalize everyday conversation to be gospel conversations. The church is a place to recharge to go back into the world. We share the gospel because Jesus changed our lives forever. The Holy Spirit speaks as you share. Be willing to lose the conveniences of a relationship. Look for opportunities to transition conversations. Begin with prayer. Go Deepe ..read more

Dr. George Ross joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss if theology matters in being a Next Step Disciple. Key Points:  Theology is the study of God. Theology is the foundation of our worldview. Anyone and everyone can be a theologian. Theology is an anchor to our faith as we understand who God is. Stability for a Christian is found in theology. Learning to love theology comes through doing it in community. When you read the Bible ask yourself… what do I learn about God’s character and nature? Go Deeper:  Knowing Scripture by R.C. Sproul Everyday Theology by Mary Wiley The Bible Recap by ..read more

Pastor Kike Torres from Horizonte Querétaro in Mexico joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss how taking risks is a part of being a Next Step Disciple. Key Points: Comfort and control are key reasons disciples are challenged to take risks. Feelings, circumstances, and desires lead to great loss when directing risk-taking. God’s calling is a part of knowing where, when, and how to take risks. Conviction leads to having trust in what God is leading us to. Taking risks spiritually allow us to take a front seat to the manifestation of God. Prioritize intimacy with the Lord. Our first priority is intima ..read more

Pastor Kirk Jones from Fellowship Church in Prairieville, LA joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss how to overcome dry faith seasons that Next Step Disciples face. Key Points: Losses, transitions, and sin are all potential elements of a dry season. When you feel dry in your spirit, you need Him who feeds your spirit. Jesus is the living water. Paths that lead to water often don’t look like the path you want to go down. The Shepherd knows where the sheep need to go. When we feel dry, we often feel like we need something new. We are more likely to need something fresh.  Tell someone if you are ..read more

Pastor Zelvis Applin from South Hills Church in Wimauma, Florida joins Pastor Jim Taber to discuss the topic of joy in the lives of Next Step Disciples. Key Points: There is a real sense of the loss of joy in the world but also within the church. The biggest thief of joy is selfishness. Giving into the flesh steals from the Spirit. Continuing in poor relationships takes joy and peace from us. Soundbites of media feed us with fighting, division, and brain overload. Joy comes from the Lord. Every person has the capacity because we can choose Christ. Our joy does not come from our situations. Jo ..read more

Pastor Jim Taber welcomes Pastor Mark Pritchard from Church at the Gates to discuss the topic of spiritual freedom as a Next Step Disciple.  Key Points: The past holds us back in our spiritual freedom.  Spiritual freedom is not a place of no restrictions. Pursuing holiness leads to spiritual freedom. Satan is a liar. Pursuing Jesus should lead us to want more of Him. Experiencing Christ is found through confession and repentance.  Remember what Christ has done for you. Live like you are free because you are. Your performance does not drive your freedom in Christ. Go Deeper: Ga ..read more

In this BONUS episode, Pastor Jim Taber speaks with Christ’s Hope Director Glen Vantieghem in Kinshasa, Congo during Gracepoint’s recent mission trip. He shares that God loves the poor, the orphans and the vulnerable of the world and how Next Step Disciples can do the same. Key Points: God’s righteousness exists in caring for the poor, widow, and the fatherless. Never be eating alone. Who is eating today because of you? Look after the one no one else is looking after. Who are you inviting that can’t repay you? Be different than the world and look after the orphans and widows of the world. The ..read more

How do I elevate Easter? Pastor Jim Taber discusses with Gracepoint’s Associate Pastor Jim Truckle about how we can elevate Easter above the distractions and busyness of a holiday weekend. Slow down. Fast from distractions.  Write down what God has done and share it with others in your life. Share the real message of Easter with someone outside your church circle. Seek forgiveness with God and with relationships in your life. Be aware of the tactics of our opponent. Be prepared for the distractions of the enemy. The victory of our faith was Jesus’s resurrection. The battle has already be ..read more

How do I seek wise counsel? Pastor Jim Taber asks Pastor Lane Harrison from LifePoint Church in Ozark, Missouri to share how Next Step Disciples can seek and provide wise counsel. Key Points: Why do people NOT seek godly wisdom/counsel? They don’t want wise counsel; they want what they want. Seeking wise counsel requires a practice of self-denial. They don’t know how. Seeking wise counsel requires a posture of humility to deny self-dependence. They don’t know people who are wise that they trust. Seeking wisdom requires a network of relationships with people who are wise. Why is wise counsel ..read more

How do I know if I’m walking by faith?  Pastor Jim Taber asks Pastor Dave Carroll from Impact Church in Duncan, South Carolina to share how Next Step Disciples can walk by faith. Key Points Faith is believing God CAN do something, not that He WILL do it. Sometimes God can do something but chooses not to.  Living by faith means we believe in His ability to work, not holding onto whether He will do it.  God has you as a part of His story. Are you engaging God’s bigger story with your life? It’s riskier to NOT walk by faith than to walk by faith. What is the next step for you to ..read more