Living a representative lifestyle can be summarized by three points of focus. As an ambassador, I will represent: 1. The message of the King. An ambassador is always asking, “What does my Lord want to communicate to this person in this situation? What truths should shape my response? What goals should motivate me?” 2. The methods of the King. Here

The sad fact is that many of us are simply not biblical in the way we use the Bible! Being biblical does not mean merely quoting words from within its pages. Being truly biblical means that my counsel reflects what the entire Bible is about. The Bible is a narrative, a story of redemption, and its chief character is Jesus Christ.

People need to look at their families, neighbors, friends, cities, jobs, history, and churches, and see the kingdom. They need imagination—the ability to see what is real but unseen. This is what Paul fixed his gaze on (2 Cor. 4). They need to look at a city and see the glorious company of the redeemed being gathered, amidst a brutal spiritual

2. Ask a combination of survey and focused questions. We need both kinds of questions, because each discloses a different kind of information. We do not want to assume that a problem in one area of a person’s life only exists in that area, so we ask survey questions. We want to trace problems to their roots in the heart, so we ask focused questions.

The first thing sin produces is rebellion. This is more than breaking a few rules; it is a fundamental flaw in my character. It is not something I learn; I was born with it.

Here Paul uses the metaphor of clothing—the thing that covers us, identifies us, and describes our function. Paul is reminding us that what we “wear” (that is, the character qualities we put on) to moments of ministry is as important as what we say. The list of character traits Paul gives is a summary of the character of Christ. Paul is saying, “If

Biblical personal ministry is rooted in the story of a war and a Savior King.

Confrontation does not force a person to deal with you, but places him before the Lord. The most important encounter in confrontation is not the person’s encounter with you, but with Christ. Rebuke does not force a person to face your judgment; it gives him an opportunity to do business with God. It is motivated by a desire for the person to

Here are two lists of questions you can use to sort out information about someone’s past history and present situation. These lists are not meant to be exhaustive, but “pump-primers” to give you a sense of the kinds of things to listen for and ask.