Kingdom Roots with Scot McKnight

What does God want me to do? Ask any pastor and you will find that this is the most common question that pastors must field. The ironic thing is that God cares more about who we are than what we do. Scot shows how God has a specific way for followers of Jesus to embrace the world and live out His will. No matter what you do God has a way that you can embody the presence of Christ in the life you live.

Jesus has an uncanny way to disturb the comforted and comfort the disturbed. In this Parable Jesus seems to invite those listening to imagine a world where judgment is surprising. Longing for and attention to Jesus’ return is so important and Jesus drives that point powerfully home in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This parable is one of the most difficult to understand, but when we let Jesus imagine the world the implications of this parable would create it has significant consequences for the church today. Interested in Scot’s webinar on teaching the Church to read the Bible? Learn more and register at: http://goo.gl/Urjmwp

Epaphras – The Behind the Scenes Kingdom Worker – KR 66 One of the ways God built and is building the Kingdom is through the 'behind the scenes' workers that rarely get notoriety. Paul’s friend and co-worker Epaphras was one of those behind the scenes kind of guys. He did so much to move the Kingdom forward, but we know very little about him. In this sermon, Scot unpacks what we can understand about Epaphras and how we can better recognize the 'behind the scenes' workers. Interested in Scot’s webinar on teaching the Church to read the Bible? Learn more and register at: http://goo.gl/Urjmwp

Imagine a world where everyone was treated like a King. In Jesus’ typical style he invites those following him to live in a whole different world. That world is one where no one is below being treated like a King. This parable has Jesus identifying himself with the most vulnerable and showing his followers how important it is for them to help those in need. How are you treating the least of these, because it couldn’t be more important to Jesus?

The Parable of the Rich Fool - KR 64 Your life is not defined by what you possess, but what possesses you. Jesus says that it is impossible to serve both God and money and this parable drives this important truth. The rich fool was possessed by his possessions. Scot, Kevin, and Joe talk about how Jesus invites his kingdom to be marked by generosity and that there is no room to be greedy with what God provides. How are you using the abundance God has given you? Interested in helping where Kevin is the Principal at Mae Jemison Elementary School (3450 W. 177th St., Hazel Crest, IL 60429)? Contact Kevin through his email: kjohns@phsd144.net, call the school at(708)225-3636, or visit their website: https://www.phsd144.net/maejemison Want to attend the event Joe Mentioned? See more info here: http://goo.gl/LHEpYH

The Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds - KR 63 by Scot McKnight

10 Tips for Improving Your Writing (Part 2) - KR 62 by Scot McKnight

It’s incredible how God uses little scribbles on a page to bring about His work in the world. Scot gives ten excellent ways that you can improve on the challenging task of writing. Here are Scot’s 10 tips: 1)Write and write often. 2)Read good writers. 3)Revise, revise, and revise some more. 4)Know your audience. 5)Get good feedback. 6)Finish your writing day by starting the next day. Write first sentence or paragraph for the next day as the last thing you do for your day. 7)Shorter is better. 8)Be yourself! Find your voice and lean into it. 9)Write for the Church in accessible prose. 10)Read aloud what you’ve written. Want to learn more about and be mentored by Scot McKnight on your writing? Check out the Master’s of Arts in New Testament at Northern Seminary. Learn more at http://seminary.edu/mant or email Chaz at crobbins@seminary.edu

How does God view us? This may be the most important question that one can answer. Jesus tells a parable that not only challenges those who are listening, but it reveals the very character to God. The parable shows that God doesn’t judge how we often think he does, rather he always has the ability to get to the heart of the issue. God loves us as we are and not how we should be. This view of God’s mercy shows the true character of God. It sets the foundation to be able to understand and be transformed by God on a deeper level.

God went to great lengths to help his people understand their identity. The people of God have a rich story because of God’s faithfulness, but often it is a story that is tainted with God’s people not listening and obeying. This parable of Jesus provides a significant warning on not listening or acting upon God’s desire. God has given everyone the opportunity to continue His story through Jesus and this parable is a perfect example of it. Interested in Northern’s Master’s of Arts in New Testament with Dr. McKnight? Learn more at http://seminary.edu/mant or email Chaz at crobbins@seminary.edu

How is it that generosity can create frustration? In Jesus’ parable of the workers in the Vineyard he challenges his listeners to embrace the generosity and faithfulness of God. Jesus takes on the toxic attitude of envy that feeds the darkest parts of our hearts and casts a shadow over our eyes preventing us from the opportunity to see God at work. If followers of Jesus don’t rid themselves of the envy that can plague their heart all they will be left with is frustration from the extravagant generosity of God toward others. Interested in I Have a Bean coffee that Scot mentioned? Learn more at their website: https://www.ihaveabean.com.

Developing a Culture Generosity (Part 2) - KR 57 by Scot McKnight

The Church can never be all God wants it to be without the generosity of its people. Leadership naturally creates the culture of any organization. It is clear that the leaders of the early Church deeply cared for the poor because they fostered a culture of generosity within the church. Scot lays the foundation from the New Testament on why and how the church can develop a culture of generosity. Interested in Northern’s Master’s of Arts in New Testament with Dr. McKnight? Learn more at http://seminary.edu/mant or email Chaz at crobbins@seminary.edu

Throughout Scripture and church history, women have been central to the mission of God. But all too often women have lacked opportunities to minister fully. Many churches lack visible examples of women in ministry and leadership. This can and should be changed. Scot and Tara Beth continue their conversation about how women can be emboldened to do the ministry they are gifted to do. When women teach, preach, lead, evangelize, pastor, and disciple, the church's imagination expands to better reflect God's story and hope for the world. Interested in Tara Beth’s new book? Learn more about Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry here: https://www.ivpress.com/emboldened The best way to support “Kingdom Roots with Scot McKnight” is to write us an Apple Podcast review and subscribe to us on Apple Podcast (even if you listen another way). Hit the link and then press the blue “View in iTunes” button to write the review.

Why have women been silenced & not allowed to lead in the Church? Scot McKnight is a leading advocate for empowering women to be a part of every sphere of church leadership and work. Tara Beth Leach (Sr. Pastor of PazNaz) joins him to help tackle this conversation. This controversial topic always has the potential to be divisive and unproductive. In order for the Church to be all it can be we need to be more informed and thoughtful when it comes to the conversation about Women leading in the Church