Radically Happy

  • LEAD! C.8 Submission and Service

    In Which… The discipline of submitting ourselves to serve others, when done properly, brings us near the heart of Christ — and forces us to confront our pride and sloth. Memory Verse: “verse” — 2 Corinthians 4:1 (NKJV)

  • LEAD! C.7 Silence and Solitude

    To know God fully requires knowing ourselves. Silence and solitude reveal to us our true faces, so that we can in turn approach God face to face. Memory Verse: “Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to…

  • LEAD! C.6 Stewardship and Simplicity

    If we truly understood God’s claim of ownership over everything we have or desire, we would realize the best way to “possess” wealth is to use it in accordance with His commands. Memory Verse: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ” — Luke 12:34  (NKJV)

  • LEAD! C.5 Studying Scripture

    The Word of God is a lamp to our feet — but only if we know how to turn it on and where to shine it. Memory Verse: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of…

  • LEAD! C.4 Fervent Fasting

    Fasting denies our the body its most basic physical need so that God can supply our soul with its most fundamental spiritual needs. Memory Verse: “‘Now, therefore,’ says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not…

  • LEAD! C.3 Persistent Prayer

    Prayer is the process of aligning our thoughts, desires, and decisions with the Name of God, so that His Spirit can work through us to transform our lives, our relationships, and our world. Memory Verse:”Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What…

  • LEAD! C.2 Meditation and Memorization

    The purpose of the disciplines is to bring us into the presence of God, and nothing is more effective for that that deeply meditating upon and memorizing Scripture. In contrast to Eastern meditation, which is about emptying and detachment, Christian meditation is about drawing near to the Father and being…

  • LEAD! C.1 Desire and Discipline

    True discipline is neither rigid nor legalistic, but a formalization of our heart’s desire to appropriate the “name” of God — His person, purpose, and character. Discipline is the living skeleton which hosts the muscles of Faith, the marrow of Love, and the sinews of Hope. Memory Verse: “Therefore we…

  • LEAD! B.12 From Shame to Glory

    Ultimately, we will never fully live out these virtues here on earth. We can try to hide our shame through licentiousness or legalism. Or, we can embrace Christ’s work in destroying our shame on the cross. From there we can live the virtues for His glory, not our own –…

  • LEAD! B.11 From Gluttony to Self-Control

    Learning to control our appetites is essential for spiritual as well as physical health, as it teaches our flesh its proper place in God’s created order.

  • LEAD! B.10 From Lust to Purity

    Understanding why our desires are often at war with God, and how they must be cleansed and harnessed for His purposes — before they destroy us.

  • LEAD! B.9 From Sloth to Fruitfulness

    The dangers of laziness, and the rewards of perseverance.

  • LEAD! Part C: Skills for Service

    As mentioned earlier, the LEAD! Bible Study is a tripod, built on three legs: theological education character formation skill development We are over half-way through, so Part B will be ending soon — and Part C starts a week or two after that, so I need to get ready! Here…

  • LEAD! B.8 From Anger to Reconciliation

    Few things destroy the church more rapidly than anger and unforgiveness. To carry our cross means extending forgiveness to those who don’t deserve it, as Jesus did to us.

  • LEAD! B.7 From Envy to Submission

    Envy is wishing we were in the place of another, experiencing their rewards or privileges. The opposite is submitting to our circumstances and position, trusting in God’s ultimate sovereignty.

  • LEAD! B.6 From Greed to Generosity

    If we truly understood God’s claim of ownership over everything we have or desire, we would realize the best way to “possess” wealth is to use it in accordance with His commands.

  • LEAD! B.5 From Pride to Humility

    Pride is the deadliest of the deadly sins, and the one we tend to least recognize in ourselves. Embracing godly humility is a foundation for all the other virtues.

  • LEAD! B.4 From Folly to Love

    Folly is a cycle of self-punishment disguised as the pursuit of pleasure. The only way out is to receive God’s love, to the point where we love Him more than the false gods to which we’ve enslaved ourselves.

  • LEAD! B.3 From Mockery to Hope

    The mockers must have the pride crushed out of them through suffering, to realize the limits of their earthly wisdom. To endure, their souls need to hope in God’s goodness.

  • LEAD! B.2 From Simplicity to Faith

    The simple need faith to trust that wisdom is possible, even though it is unseen, and pursue it with their whole mind.