Church resources - How should you use them?

Church resources – How should you use them?

As Christians we are blessed with a number of resources that can help us grow in our Christian life. This fact inspired us to survey young Christians to evaluate opinions about accepted forms of church and biblical resources. Of the 185 participants the majority were: female (63%), <35 years old (72%), from the United States (70%), and evangelical (70%). See the full data at Different Forms of Church and Biblical Resources.

The survey showed that Christians viewed their local assembly as a valid form of the church (86%). However, many also considered broader community-based Christian relationships (61%) and online fellowship or Bible study (46%) to be legitimate manifestations of the church.

Regarding spiritual life, the local church was noted most often as benefitting expressions of the Christian growth in: prayer (86%), praise (90%), fellowship (90%), outreach (81%), and learning scripture (86%).

However, community Christian contacts apart from church also helped Christian growth (range of the 5 expressions noted above (41-51%). In addition, online interactions with individual Christians (31-43%), and organizations (26-33%), especially in learning the Bible (56%), were important in helping Christian growth. In contrast, local parachurch organizations were reported as meaningful by just 12-22%.

Within the local church itself, the resources that most helped participants' Christian life were: the lead pastor's sermons (79%), the worship service (70%), fellowship (59%), and Bible studies (58%). In contrast, the least important resources were identified as: accountability groups (22%), and non-teaching church-based service such as a helps ministry or assisting with childcare (21%).

Parachurch organizations assisted just over a third of participants, most typically with Bible study (38%) and fellowship (37%). Online resources also helped through streaming other church’s worship services (40%) or sermons (27% or their own pastor's worship services (35%) or sermons (34%) Internet-based Bible study groups (35%) and fellowship (30%) also were identified as beneficial.

How can we best use Christian resources?

Here are some hints: 

• Mindset - Realize that it is up to us ultimately to assure that we provide sufficient resources in our lives for Christian growth. No one can do this for us. 

• What to include? - We call these the five tools to maturity listed in Acts 2 verses 42 and 47 which describe the activities of the 1st church in Jerusalem. They are:

o praise 

o prayer 

o fellowship 

o Bible study 

o outreach 

These experiences need to be in your life in balance to assure proper Christian growth.  Further, no individual source such as a pastor’s sermon, as good as it may be, can supply all our needs. 

• Set a goal - consider carefully the resources available and be proactive in making sure that all the five tools for maturity are developed in your life. 

• Service mindset - while you greatly will benefit from the fruit of your planned experiences to enhance maturity in your Christian life, realize ultimately your goal is to give to others, the resources from which you now take, to other believers. Consider carefully how you can give back to them it actions and in speech.

Our survey demonstrates that young Christians are intent to take advantage of a variety of resources to assist their spiritual life, which most commonly derive from the local church. However, they also utilize online resources and other local individual and parachurch organizations to further their Christian life. 

Christians should plan carefully to include these resources in their Christian life in balance: praise, prayer, fellowship, outreach and Bible study to achieve a mature Christian life. 

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/ 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

What is discipleship?

What is discipleship?

Thank you for reading my blog. It is a privilege to create this blog and to have you visit. I hope you find the information encouraging. Teleios’ mission is to show the truth of the Bible through scientific research and produce practical tools for scriptural understanding and confidence.

We performed a survey asking participants about their Bible study and discipleship beliefs. We had 822 participants of whom 25% were <18 years of age and 55% between 18 and 30. Half resided outside the United States, 80% described themselves as evangelical and 85% as saved by grace. Please visit https://teleiosresearch.com/what-are-young-christians-bible-study-habits/ for the full findings. We discovered many interesting points about Bible study and discipleship.

What is discipleship? 

Our participants most commonly defined discipleship as seeking God ‘the best way they know how’ (62%). This is a fascinating finding. The general definition of a disciple is variable, but commonly means ‘a follower or student of a teacher, leader, or philosopher’. 

The Greek word in the Bible for disciple (mantetes, Μαθητής) is a learner or a pupil (Strongs dictionary). Christ’s 12 disciples were taught by Him and there are other examples are shown in the New Testament such as Paul and Timothy. 

Therefore, the word discipleship importantly suggests some measure of direction to the learner from a more authoritative source, not pure self-direction.  

More consistent with the definition, the second most common choice by our survey participants was ‘being taught by a more mature Christian’ (50%) or ‘being in a small group’ (40%). The latter structure can be effective if it is scripturally based. 

Mentoring is a modern term for a type of discipleship. Indeed, young Christians generally are helped by mentoring at some level because it is very difficult to determine efficiently the Christian life without some help to start you on your way.

Less frequent choices were ‘to have a prayer partner’ (40%) or ‘accountability partner’ (30%). These also could be effective if the partner is a more mature Christian who can provide life and biblical insight and guidance. However, if both partners are young it might be a ‘blind leading the blind’ scenario. 

Be careful. Your time is valuable! Seek resources that can help educate you most efficiently in scriptural knowledge so you can be the best servant of God that you can be as soon as possible, but also avoid life's mishaps which could have permanent and long-lasting results in career, family and marriage. 

Thank you for reading my blog. Please join us again next week as we discuss more interesting findings from Teleios!

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/ 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

Are there benefits to a Christian society?

Are there benefits to a Christian society?

Christianity underpins the foundation of Western society. Recent Teleios research has shown that individuals in societies embracing biblical values have better wellbeing than those in non-Christian nations and are characterized by other positive measures within the economic, legal, security, health, and educational realms that might serve as markers of personal happiness. Nonetheless, some deny the historical and current benefits of Christianity. 

Teleios conducted a survey regarding the benefits of Christian society on an Instagram account frequented by Christian adolescents and millennials. There were 565 responses. The majority of responders were: female (78%), < 35 years (67%), primarily from the United States (60%) or Europe (13%) and primarily evangelical (88%). See the full report at Benefits to a Christian society.

A slight plurality (46%) believed they were living in a Christian versus secular based society (45%). Respondents noted advantages to living in a Christian society, compared to any other type of society (41%) and compared specifically to a secular society (18%). Participants indicated the top 3 potential advantages of a Christian society were a stronger moral (82%) and ethical base (71%) as well as greater love among people (75%).

Within the advantages noted of a Christian society in relation to government, the top three responses were: recognizing the primary biblically mandated role of government to keep order in society (60%); maintain individual rights, especially freedom of religion and expression (56%); and reduce corruption (54%).

In contrast, the greatest potential disadvantage of a Christian society was seen as Christians becoming too complacent with power and forgetting the love of Christ (64%). Participants believed most often Christians could help maintain a balance between preserving freedom and avoiding religious despotism by assuring the church and individuals are teaching the word of God (60%).

This survey suggests that young Christians recognize generally the benefits of Christian society. However, they lack a more complete knowledge of the benefits of biblical principles within society. This provides on opportunity for Christian teachers and pastors to teach young people to understand our heritage and scripture’s formative role and impact upon it.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/ 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

Biblical knowledge of end times

Biblical knowledge of end times

Our view of the future is key to how we live our lives. If we have hope in a sure eternity, we anchor our souls to a solid belief which helps protect our minds now and when we one day face the prospect of dying. 

Just as importantly as facing death, even young people benefit from firm hope as they confront potential disappointments in life with family, work, marriage and health. This includes not only personal tragedies but also failing to meet expectations you once possessed for your life. 

Teleios recently conducted a survey regarding biblical knowledge of end times. There were 678 responses. The majority of responders were: female (67%), <35 years old (73%), from the United States (60%) and evangelical (74%). See full results here - End times: What young evangelicals believe? - Teleios, Inc. (teleiosresearch.com).

A plurality of respondents (38%) believed that prophetic literature in the Bible should be interpreted in a normal literal way; otherwise, how the original author intended it, whether a letter, poetry or symbols related to an actual event.

Regarding specific questions about the end times, when a response was provided, participants mostly answered in a biblically consistent way. For example, for the Rapture, the majority identified that it will occur at a time only known by God (78%), when believers will be taken to meet Christ (58%). For the Tribulation, 51% noted that it was a 7-year time period and 42% knew it will happen just before Christ's return to the earth. Respondents indicated clearly 'eternity' is a believer's lasting presence with God (71%).

For the Kingdom of Christ, 36% thought it is a time of peace and prosperity on the earth. However, 57% believed Christ’s Kingdom is heaven, which may not be the case as these locations are described differently in scripture (Daniel 7:27).

Nonetheless, the total percent of correct biblical answers were relatively low (30-55%) even though the percent of wrong answers were generally even lower (<30%). Those marking unsure' typically were between 10-20%.

Wellbeing scores were generally good (4.5; scale of 0-6 with 6 being best) and consistent with our past research. However, those who demonstrated a greater knowledge of eternity as represented in the book of Revelation reported on average better wellbeing (P=0.03).  Interestingly, this finding is consistent with Revelation 1:3 itself in that it promises those who read it persistently will be blessed (happy).

These findings indicate that when young evangelicals answer questions about biblical end times they typically are correct. However, the overall percent of those answering correctly was low. This shows a need for better education about Christ’s second coming from pastors and lay leaders to help fortify young evangelicals and their hope in salvation.

Unfortunately, teaching about end times is often avoided because of controversy surrounding several different types of end times interpretations including Calvinist versus pre-millennial theologies. However, this problem may be resolved by simply teaching scripture in a literal, normal fashion.

Importantly these data also demonstrated better wellbeing for those aware of end times scripture. 

Thank you for reading my blog. Return again soon as we continue discuss the amazing facts of the Bible and analyze the encouraging findings from Teleios’ research.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TeleiosVideos/ 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.