Scripture Engagement

There are four basic stages to digital engagement: P roduction of materials P ublishing of those materials we've produced P romotion of the published materials P articipation of the audience We are often very good at producing material, and publishing it. But what about the next two Ps - Promotion and Participation? These need a little more work. Promotion It's good to promote our materials. Usually we put them out there on the web, YouTube, and on other types of social media, and hope for the best. How can we promote them? One way is to advertise. This means paying money, but perhaps not as much as you think! Facebook adverts are very effective, can be targeted to a predefined audience, and might even lead to some users re-posting your posts, or commenting on them! Google ads are also very effective, though more costly. Image by Photo Mix from Pixabay It's a good idea not to over-promote, as this can be counter-effective. You want to create posts t...

When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” Mrk 11:15-17 (NLT) What made Jesus so angry when he saw people selling pigeons and such like in the court of the Gentile nations? It was because this was the part of the temple set aside for all nations (other than Jews), and they were turning into a Jewish market-place, so making it impossible for those from the nations to pray. 'This notice indicates that Jesus expelled the merchants from the Court of the Gentiles in order to safeguard rights and privileges sanctioned by God. The use of the forecourt as an open market effectually prevented...

Are you doing dry January? Or vegan January? Or are you fasting? Perhaps your church or mission is organising a fast or encouraging supporters to fast at this time of year. It seems natural, after so much feasting, to begin fasting. Is this biblical? The only concern I have is that Jesus seems to teach that fasting should be done in secret: "When you fast, do not look sombre as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Mat 6:16-18 So, although fasting is a good thing, and I thoroughly encourage it, group fasting needs to be organised very carefully. Any encouragement to fast should be seen as optional, and private. It's better not to ask p...