Did the Father Abandon His Son on the Cross? Absolutely NOT!

Did the Father abandon His Son on the cross? Absolutely NOT! Although this has been a troublesome passage over the years…at least for some, including me! After looking at Matthew 27:46 (quoting Psalm 22:1a), the great Reformer Martin Luther was heard to mutter: “God forsaking God! Who can understand it?” How do we resolve difficult … Read more

Group Size & Effective Small Group Christian Ministry

Group size matters in Christian groups! Recent studies suggest the power of smaller groups to bond and change. The University of Oxford anthropologist Robert Dunbar discovered that the number of people the average person could have in her social group is around a hundred and fifty. Anything beyond 150 would be too complicated to handle … Read more

Jesus’ Strategy, All-In on Primal Groups

Why were primal groups Jesus’ strategy to make disciples who make more disciples? First, we have been designed by the original Primal Group, Father, Son and Spirit. Primal is something that is basic or fundamental. This Team-of-Three models all the essentials of any healthy primary relationship. God fashioned us in this image so we can … Read more

A Fresh Look at Jesus’ Twelve

Let’s take a fresh look at Jesus’ Twelve as Primal Groups. I was watching Monday Night Football with Travis Twyman, pastor at the Inland Vineyard, and his family in the Fall of 2015. Travis is a bright thinker who thinks from Scripture. In a few sentences, he mentioned how he was stirred to think about … Read more