Small Church Academy, 2023 State of the Bible Release & a Lifeway Study on Mark 3

Now in its second year, a program for pastors of small churches is looking to expand not only as an academic setting, but one that grows relationships and establishes a place of encouragement.

The Small Church Academy launched a year ago through the Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network (BSCLN) with three cohorts. Those cohorts – small groups of up to 10 members – increased to five in the spring. Eight are currently meeting.

Studies reveal that the majority of church in the U.S. have 75 or fewer people attending regularly.

There is no cost to be part of a cohort, which uses study materials in addition to the Bible. Members commit to meet in person or over Zoom for an hour every two weeks. The first 30 minutes center around the required reading for that session. A 20-minute discussion follows over issues faced in members’ ministries. The final 10 minutes are devoted to prayer.

Learn more at BSCLN.net.
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Bible users who worship God online are most likely to read the Bible at least weekly apart from church service, the American Bible Society (ABS) said in its latest 2023 State of the Bible release.

Among online worshipers, 74 percent read the Bible at least weekly, whether they worship solely online or online and in person. Of in-person-only worshippers, 32 percent read the Bible at least weekly, the ABS said.
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Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.
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A Lifeway study on Mark 3 notes that Jesus says a house cannot be plundered until the strong man is bound by a stronger man. This indicated that His deity and His miracles opposed the works of Satan, freeing people from the devil’s power. Jesus issued a warning that all sins can be forgiven except for blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This sin is seen in the continued dismissal of Jesus’ works or the attribution of those works to demonic sources.

Christians can trust that Jesus has authority over all things, including Satan. Jesus came to defeat the power of evil and rescue humanity from the enemy. Christ is our Savior, and as such, He reigns over all things. This is good news indeed.

You can read the full piece and learn more about our daily emails at Baptist Press.com.