In this episode of Knowing God, we discuss the important topic of Biblical Love That Covers Sin.

We consider Peter’s command in 1 Peter 4:8 to “keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” We discuss what it means for love to cover sin, how Christians can overlook offenses and forgive one another, and why this kind of love is so essential for the health and unity of the local church.

Key Texts: 1 Peter 4: 7–9; Proverbs 10: 12; Matthew 18: 15–35; 1 Corinthians 13: 4–7; Ephesians 4: 31–32; Philippians 1: 9–11.

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In this episode of Knowing God, we discuss the important topic of Biblical Hospitality.

We consider what hospitality is, why Scripture commands Christians to practice it, and how hospitality is connected to brotherly love within the church. We also discuss common misconceptions, practical ways believers can show hospitality, and how a culture of hospitality strengthens the life and witness of the local church.

Key Texts: Romans 12: 9–13; Hebrews 13: 1–2; 1 Peter 4: 7–11; 1 Timothy 3: 1–7; Titus 1: 5–9, and may others!

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In this episode of Knowing God, we discuss Church of the Good Shepherd’s seventh core value: Missions, Evangelism, and Mercy Ministry.

We consider the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel through personal evangelism, public ministry, missions, and church planting. We also discuss the importance of evangelizing our children, partnering with like-minded churches, and engaging in works of mercy that meet practical needs and commend the grace of God to a broken world.

Key Texts: Matthew 5:13–16; 28:18–20; Mark 10:13–16; Luke 10:25–37; Romans 10:14–17; 15:17–21; 2 Corinthians 8:1–7; Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 6:4; Philippians 2:14–15; 4:14–20; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; Titus 2:14; 3:8, 14; James 1:27; 3 John 5–8.

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In this episode of Knowing God, we discuss Church of the Good Shepherd’s sixth core value: Christian Growth Through Discipleship.

We consider what it means to be a lifelong follower of Jesus and how the local church helps believers grow in grace, obedience, and Christlikeness. We also discuss the means God uses to mature His people, including the ministry of the Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.

Key Texts: Matthew 5–7; 28: 18–20; John 15:1–11; Ephesians 4: 1–16; Colossians 1: 28; 3: 1–17; 1 Thessalonians 4: 3–8; Titus 2: 1–5, 11–14.

In this episode of Knowing God, we discuss Church of the Good Shepherd’s fifth core value: Meaningful Membership.

We consider why Christians are called to commit themselves to a local church and live in loving, accountable, and devoted relationships with one another. We also discuss the importance of the New Testament’s “one another” commands, the responsibility of churches to shepherd their members, and the biblical purpose of church discipline.

Key Texts: Matthew 18: 15–20; Romans 12: 1–8; 1 Corinthians 5; 12: 12–28; Ephesians 4: 1–16; Hebrews 10:2 4–25.

This episode focuses on Church of the Good Shepherd’s fourth core value: “Biblically-Qualified Elders.” We discuss why elders are the God-ordained leaders of the local church, what the Bible requires of men who serve in this office, and how elders are called to teach, lead, care for the souls of God’s people, and protect the church from error. We also consider the importance of faithful shepherding, congregational affirmation, and the biblical pattern of a plurality of elders.

Key texts: Acts 6:4; 14:23; 20:28–31; Ephesians 4 :11–12; 1 Thessalonians 5 :12–13; 1 Timothy 3 :1–7; 4 :11–16; 5:17; 2 Timothy 2 :14–15, 24–25; Titus 1 :5–9; 2:7; Hebrews 13 :7, 17; 1 Peter 5 :1–4

Learn more about our core values here:
https://www.goodshepherdws.com/core-values

Visit our church website:
https://www.goodshepherdws.com/

This episode focuses on Church of the Good Shepherd’s third core value: “Confessionally Reformed and Baptist.” We discuss why the Bible alone is the church’s only infallible rule for faith and life, why creeds and confessions are useful summaries of biblical truth, and how they help preserve and pass down the faith from generation to generation. We also explain what it means for our church to be historic, Reformed, and Baptist, including our commitment to the Five Solas, the doctrines of grace, believers’ baptism, regenerate church membership, and congregational church government.

Key texts: Jeremiah 31: 31–34; John 17: 17; Acts 17: 11; Romans 1–9; Ephesians 1–2; 2 Timothy 1: 13; 3: 16–17; Jude 3

Learn more about our core values here:
https://www.goodshepherdws.com/core-values

Visit our church website:
https://www.goodshepherdws.com/

This episode focuses on Church of the Good Shepherd’s second core value: “Expositional Preaching.” We discuss why the public preaching of God’s Word is central to the life and mission of the church, how God uses the faithful proclamation of Scripture to awaken and nurture faith, and why preaching should explain the meaning of the biblical text and apply it to the lives of God’s people. Expositional preaching brings the whole counsel of God to the hearts and consciences of men and women in order to exalt God, call sinners to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and build up the church in holiness, Christ-likeness, and Christian service.

Key texts: Nehemiah 8:1–8; Psalm 19:7–11; Psalm 119; Isaiah 55:10–11; John 17:17; Romans 10:17; Ephesians 4:11–12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16–4:2; Hebrews 4:12–13; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23–25; 2:2; 4:11

Learn more about our core values here:
https://www.goodshepherdws.com/core-values

Visit our church website:
https://www.goodshepherdws.com/