Discipleship is an integral part of Christianity. Jesus showed the way to make more disciples and help the world become a better place. The best way to grow the reach is by forming an intentional community of people who want to imbibe the teaching and values of Christianity. But mentoring a discipleship group requires more than commitment and conviction. You have to teach and nurture the people in your community to transform them into more mature Christians. Here are some effective measures to mentor a discipleship group effectively.
Understand your strengths
As a mentor, you must understand your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Everything boils down to good preparation to play a leadership role. Know the type of leader you are naturally by digging deeper into your good and bad qualities. Focusing on yourself first is crucial because it is the only way you can guide others confidently. Search your heart through reflection and prayer, and God will show you the way ahead.
Choose apt content to educate
Choosing relevant content to educate your disciple group is an equally significant aspect of discipleship. It gets easy if you know the group well before beginning because you will be in a better place to decide the best passages to teach them. Even if you don’t know them well, make efforts to understand what would be most beneficial to them. Avoid picking random passages but ask yourself what will be right for the age and stage of the people in the group. Studying the Bible is the best option as all passages or studies can be fruitful.
Go the extra mile with training
Although you may be great at your work, mentoring people is a different ball game. Consider taking up a discipleship training program before leading a group. Formal training helps you dive into deep lessons, develop your skills, and share experiences. It also enables you to consolidate your strengths and address your weaknesses to become a better leader in the long run.
Facilitate rather than dominate
Even as you lead a group of learners, do not try to dominate them. Your role is that of a facilitator of God’s work, so be humble in your mission. Start by working on your body language and conversation. This way, people will be happier to listen and stick with your group as followers. Be authentic and warm, just like a friend rather than a leader. Involve the group members more by encouraging them to share thoughts and experiences.
Let disciples lead
After establishing your group, you must give the disciples an opportunity to lead. This way, followers are likely to hold their interest in discipleship because they have a more proactive role. Ensure you treat everyone as equals. Provide them with a fair chance to lead the group. Let them choose their topics and lead conversations. Be there to provide them with feedback or constructive criticism.
Mentoring a discipleship group should not be a major challenge. You can follow these measures, and do it the easy way.
Having flawless and glowing skin is a dream of every individual. You should note that due to the increase in the number of new products and endless internet advice to achieve that care, figuring out what works best is paramount. Dermatologists have analyzed the best Hera beauty tips to help in this pursuit, as listed below.
Hydrate Inside And Out
The importance of emphasizing this approach has unlimited benefits to an individual. Various practices recommended in achieving this are cleansing, moisturizing, and drinking the required volume of water each day. Incorporate hydrating formulas to make sure the skin has the required radiance. Never underestimate the importance of staying hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water each day. This approach helps maintain skin elasticity and improves the overall health of people.
Practice Healthy Eating
What is put in the body impacts the general outlook of the skin. A healthy diet ensures the best attributes, and a long-term healthy nature is established. Not having the right diet will impact your skin negatively. Incorporate all types of foodstuffs containing vitamins, including tomatoes, carrots, eggs, green vegetables, and legumes to give the body a rich source of nutrients when the need arises. Oral application of vitamin C and E proves essential in protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays as well as dark spots caused by too much exposure to the sun.
Wear Sunscreen Daily
Proper application of sunscreen cushions the impact UV rays have on the skin. The rays can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Consider a water-resistant type and apply every two hours after swimming or sweating for optimal results. A Moisturizer containing sunscreen proves beneficial to the skin. Reapply the cosmetics to achieve the best protection.
However, when doing outdoor activities, ensure sun-protective clothing is worn at all times. When possible, avoid direct exposure to the sun and if that proves impossible, always incorporate a hat to reduce the impact of sunrise. This integration facilitates a more practical approach to sun protection. Make this a habit, not only on those sunny days, but also when visiting the beach.
Cleanse Regularly
Washing the face at least twice each day is recommended by dermatologists who advise observing this approach as it forms the basis for healthy skin. Regular cleansing contributes to dirt removal and prevents pores from clogging, which may cause them to remain dull. Incorporate a gentle, budget-friendly piece of cloth for facial cleansing. Make a habit of routinely washing the make-up brushes once every week to facilitate in fighting infection and prevent clogging of pores.
However, if you have very dry skin, you should be mindful of the times you are cleansing. While regular cleansing can help people with normal to oily skin combinations, for individuals with dry skin, it is best that you skin to cleansers that are more suited for your skin type. Make sure to get dermatologically tested cleansers for dry skin types so that you do not run into any problems.
Get Plenty Of Sleep
The skin has the attribute of repairing itself by making new collagen when individuals sleep. The minimum recommended amount of healthy sleep is 5 hours. Sleeping the right amount of time ensures the skin remains younger for a long time and finds it easy when repairing itself. Aim for the optimum number of hours recommended and incorporate clean, silky pillowcases to curb wrinkles and prevent creasing.
When integrated with the above tips, getting enough sleep and washing the face regularly ensure healthy skin. The use of magical procedures and tons of expensive creams is avoided when the highlighted tips are followed. Such actions help establish flawless skin in the long run.
This week I ran into two cute girls on Spring Break reading this week’s book choice on the beach, The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I remembered how much I loved this book and I thought it was a great quick read for those who are traveling or even just looking for a new option or even a re-read to start at night at home.
From the author of Daisy Jones & The Six—an entrancing novel “that speaks to the Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor in us all” (Kirkus Reviews), in which a legendary film actress reflects on her relentless rise to the top and the risks she took, the loves she lost, and the long-held secrets the public could never imagine. – Amazon.com
For more information or to purchase this book, click HERE.
Our Blog Sponsor Susanne Carroll recently introduced me to Somnvie luxury linens and how to a get a good night’s sleep!!
The mission of Somnvie is to sleep better and live better. They offer a variety of unique products, made in the U.S., that will suit personal preferences and individual needs to get a better, more luxurious night’s sleep. Here is some of the company info below but to learn more, visit Susanne’s site HERE.
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When shopping online for bedding we are bombarded with a plethora of thread counts, fibers and fills. With Somnvie you are able to see, touch and feel the products at Susanne’s showroom or in the comfort of your own home. You can also use her link to view all Somnvie offers and she of course can help with any questions you may have. It’s really the easiest way to shop for bedding!
It’s so funny, I always receive requests for recipes for steak dinners. I guess there really is nothing like a good juicy steak from time to time. I received this Garlic Steak Foil Dinner recipe in my inbox and thought it was the perfect post for this week. There are many benefits to wrapping the steak and potatoes in tin foil (this is usually called campfire style!). The foil really seals in the moisture and the result is fluffy potatoes and an extra juicy steak. Give it a try!!! Bon Appetit!
adapted from Cooking Professional
Ingredients
• 2-2 1/2 pounds top sirloin steak, trimmed of fat and cut into two 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 pound baby yellow potatoes, quartered
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• salt, to taste• pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• fresh thyme or parsley, to taste, optional, for topping
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F or preheat the grill on high heat.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the steak, potatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, dried oregano, dried parsley, and dried thyme until well combined.
Step 3
Divide the steak and potato mixture between four 12×12-inch sheets of foil and wrap the foil around the mixture to form packets.
Step 4
Grill the foil packets until the steak and potatoes are cooked through, about 10 minutes per side. Alternatively, bake until cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
Step 5
Garnish with the fresh thyme or parsley and serve!
The beauty world is overflowing with advanced ingredients and fancy procedures which are expensive and can show signs of aftereffects. While on the contrary, botanical products are rich sources of vitamins, proteins, antioxidants, essential oils, hydrocolloids, and terpenoids, which provide nourishment to the skin. These products are safe and cost-effective alternatives to fabricated products.
Several remedies are available in natural and organic skincare routines for oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Here is a list of ingredients that will enhance the quality of the skin and will fit your needs:
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a plant fat that is a perfect skin soother and provides hydration to the skin. They have anti-inflammatory properties and suppress the inflammation caused by the UVB rays. Coconut oil helps moisturize the skin and fight skin issues like dryness or itchiness and skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema. It promotes wound healing as coconut oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. One can apply coconut oil to their skin every day and night in small amounts without any complexities.
Manuka honey
Manuka honey is called super honey because of its healing properties. Applying manuka honey will improve the appearance of the skin and will balance its pH level. You can use manuka honey as a cleanser as it helps slough away the dirt, dead cells, and debris from your skin. This ingredient has antibacterial properties and can be used to treat spots and pigmentation on the skin. The high concentration of sugars in manuka honey keeps the wound area moist and is substantial for emollients.
Green tea
Green tea is known for its therapeutic properties that provide numerous benefits to your skin. The polyphenols present in green tea have antioxidant properties and treat sun-damaged skin. Green tea can combat the signs of aging or dull skin and can make it appear more youthful. The anti-inflammatory properties of green tea reduce skin redness, skin irritation, and swelling. The antioxidants and antimicrobial properties of green tea make it an effective treatment for acne and related issues.
Shea butter
Shea butter is loaded with fatty acids, antioxidants, and antiaging properties. It is an effective option for skin hydration and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin. This natural ingredient is used for scar healing, and the fatty acid helps soften the scar tissues. For those who have an acne-prone skin type, the antibacterial properties prevent the acne outbreak and help keep it moisturized. Shea butter is used to treat skin-related issues like eczema, dryness, and itchiness.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is used as a home remedy for soothing itchy, dry or irritated skin. Ground oatmeal is also used for exfoliation to slough away the oil, dirt, and dead skin cells. This ingredient has anti-inflammation properties and bathing with oatmeal also relief skin conditions like eczema and rashes. It is an effective moisturizer and helps improve skin scaling and roughness.
Conclusion
Other natural and organic ingredients like soy and tea tree oil are exceedingly efficient for your skin health. If you’re planning to go all-natural and organic with your skincare routine, be sure to do your research. Always remember to read the labels, do a patch test and then apply something on your skin. Even a natural ingredient might not suit a few skin types.