ENLARGE INFOGRAPHIC Pray Intentionally for OBCC Today Part 1: Speaking the Truth in Love In Week 5 of OBCC’s series, Caution: Handle With Care , the message turns to the difficult but necessary subject of loving confrontation. From Matthew 18 and the memory verse of Ephesians 4:15 , we are reminded that truth is not meant to wound carelessly, but to restore faithfully: “speaking the truth in love,” so that we may grow up into Christ. - MORE - ``` OPEN IT The key passage for this message is Matthew 18 , where Jesus teaches His disciples how to respond when sin, offense, or broken fellowship threatens the health of the community. Confrontation is not presented as punishment, revenge, or personal victory. It is a careful act of love aimed at restoration. The image uses the idea of a nailgun because words can either build or destroy. A tool in the wrong hands can wound. A tool used wisely can strengthen what is broken....

  ENLARGE INFOGRAPHIC Pray Intentionally for OBCC Today Part 2: The Prayer and the Take Away The second part of this OBCC prayer focus moves from the message theme into personal response: pray first, check your motives, speak gently, listen carefully, and pursue restoration. The message of Ephesians 4:15 is not merely that truth should be spoken, but that truth must be carried by love so that believers grow together into Christ. - MORE - ``` OPEN IT The prayer section of the infographic begins with a simple request: “Lord, help us handle relationships with care.” That prayer fits the full theme of the series, Caution: Handle With Care , because relationships are sacred places where words can either build up or tear down. In Matthew 18:15–17 , Jesus gives a path for confronting sin and restoring fellowship. The aim is never humiliation. The aim is restoration. This makes confrontation a spiritual responsibility, not a person...

  ENLARGE INFOGRAPHIC Pray Intentionally for OBCC Today Speaking the Truth in Love: A Biblical Guide to Restoration, Growth, and Christ-Centered Relationships Series: Caution: Handle With Care – Week 5: Confrontation: The Nailgun The message of Matthew 18 and Ephesians 4:15 challenges believers to view confrontation differently than the world does. Biblical confrontation is not about proving who is right, protecting personal pride, or winning an argument. It is about helping people move closer to Christ through truth, grace, humility, and restoration. - MORE - OPEN IT Jesus knew that relationships among believers would occasionally be strained by misunderstandings, offenses, sin, and conflict. That reality is why Matthew 18:15–17 provides a pathway for restoration rather than retaliation. Christ calls His followers to engage difficult situations prayerfully and personally rather than through avoi...

ENLARGE Intentional Grace God's Redemption Plan Key Verse “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV) Introduction Grace is not God's backup plan. Before creation itself, God established a redemption plan centered in Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals a consistent story—from Genesis to Revelation—of God's desire to redeem, restore, reconcile, and glorify His people. The Gospel is the story of God's intentional grace: planned by the Father, accomplished through the Son, and applied by the Holy Spirit. OPEN IT 1. What does it mean to you that salvation is a gift from God? Consider how receiving a gift differs from earning a reward. Parallel Verses Romans 6:23; Titus 3:5–7; James 1:17 2. Why is it difficult for many people to accept something they cannot earn? Human nature often prefers achievement over dependence. Parallel Verses Romans 10:3–...

CounterPoint ENLARGE Why Are All of Our Righteous Acts Considered Filthy Rags? Isaiah 64:6 Study Summary Theme: Human Righteousness vs. God's Righteousness “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags...” — Isaiah 64:6 OPEN IT 1. Have you ever worked hard to earn someone's approval, only to discover that your efforts were not enough? 2. Why do people often believe that being a “good person” should earn God's acceptance? 3. What is the difference between doing good works to earn salvation and doing good works because of salvation? EXPLORE IT 1. What did Isaiah mean when he described righteous acts as “filthy rags”? Isaiah was speaking of Israel's hypocrisy. The people outwardly practiced religion while inwardly rebelling against God. Their apparent righteousness was polluted by sin and self-reliance. Isaiah includes himself among the people ("we"), emphasizing the universal nature of human sinfulness. Parallel...

  Intentional Infographics (a.i.4.u.) Artificial Intelligence for You ENLARGE IMAGE Seeing, Understanding, and Remembering God's Truth The modern believer has access to more biblical resources than at any other time in history. Entire libraries of commentaries, Bible translations, maps, timelines, podcasts, videos, and study tools are available with a few keystrokes. Yet access to information does not automatically produce understanding. The challenge for many Christians today is not finding biblical content—it is organizing, understanding, remembering, and applying it. This is where Intentional Infographics (a.i.4.u. — Artificial Intelligence for You) can become a powerful ministry, study, and personal-growth tool. The infographic accompanying this article explores how artificial intelligence can assist believers in transforming biblical information into visual understanding. Rather than replacing Scripture study, AI can help organize, visualize, summarize, connect, and reinforce...

  BOOKS LIVE PODCASTS VIDEOS Bryce Crawford: The Next Charlie Kirk? A research report on Bryce Crawford’s digital ministry, public influence, content platforms, and Gen Z evangelism. Thesis Bryce Crawford represents a new Gen Z model of public Christian influence: less policy-first than Charlie Kirk, more evangelism-first, but increasingly operating in the same digital, campus, podcast, and live-event ecosystem that made Kirk influential. The comparison is useful only if carefully qualified. Kirk built a political youth-mobilization institution; Crawford is building a revivalist media ministry. The overlap is not primarily ideology but method: short-form virality, live audiences, campus culture, bold public speech, and a message aimed at young people searching for conviction, identity, and belonging. 1. Public Mission and Message Bryce Crawford Ministries describes its mission as doing whatever it takes to reach the lost an...