Goaded to Obedience

Resisting the Call

Have you ever fought against what you knew was right? Saul did. Before he became the most influential missionary in history, Saul (known later as Paul) was a relentless persecutor of the early church. He was committed to silencing the message of Jesus, convinced that his path was right. But God had other plans. On the road to Damascus, Saul was struck by a blinding light, stopped in his tracks, and confronted with the very truth he was trying to destroy. In that moment, everything changed. Sometimes, the hardest lessons come when we resist what God is calling us to do. Like Saul, we kick against the goads, pushing back against conviction, but in the end, it’s His love that draws us back to the path we were meant to walk.

When lives are changed by Jesus, entire communities are transformed and united with a purpose.

Obedience Through Faithful People

Saul’s encounter with Jesus was just the beginning. Blinded and helpless, he was led to Damascus where God sent Ananias, an ordinary believer, to pray for him. Can you imagine the fear Ananias must have felt? Saul’s reputation was well-known—he ravaged the church both violently and legally. But Ananias obeyed, trusting that God’s plan was bigger than Saul’s past. After a simple prayer, Saul’s sight was restored, and his heart transformed. God didn’t just change Saul; He used ordinary people to do it. Our obedience, even in small things, can have extraordinary impact when placed in God’s hands.

A New Mission and a Bold Witness

Saul’s conversion wasn’t just a personal miracle—it was a commissioning. He didn’t waste time; as soon as his sight was restored, he began preaching boldly that Jesus is the Son of God. The persecutor became the preacher. His radical transformation confused those who once knew him. How could someone so committed to destroying the church now be its most passionate advocate? But that is the beauty of grace: it redefines us. Saul’s story is a reminder that no one is too far gone, and that God’s mission is advanced by those who are bold enough to step out in faith.

Transformation Is Just the Beginning

Saul’s life change marked the beginning of a global movement. He would go on to write letters that still encourage and instruct believers today. His testimony shows us that when God grabs hold of a life, everything changes—not just for the person, but for the world around them. Maybe you’ve been resisting a call, kicking against the goads like Saul did. Maybe you’ve been afraid to step out like Ananias. But God still uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. Will you let Him use you?

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director

Growing Pains

Growth Is a Blessing—And a Challenge

Church growth sounds exciting—until it gets messy. As the early church rapidly multiplied, real problems began to surface. Needs were overlooked. People complained. Tensions rose. Sound familiar? Growth isn’t always glamorous, but it is essential to God’s mission. In Acts 6, the church isn’t just adding numbers—it’s multiplying disciples. But with that multiplication came the realities of limited resources, strained leadership, and human imperfection. The lesson? Growth is both a blessing and a burden, and we need spiritual maturity to walk through both.

Conflict Doesn’t Mean Failure

Spirit-led growth happens when everyone plays a part, serving together with unity, purpose, and a shared commitment to the mission of Jesus.

The early church faced complaints from the Greek-speaking believers who felt their widows were being neglected. This wasn’t just an administrative error—it exposed deeper cultural and relational tensions. But instead of ignoring the issue or spiritualizing it away, the apostles responded with wisdom. They acknowledged the problem and acted decisively by empowering others to help carry the load. Conflict didn’t signal failure; it was an opportunity to strengthen the community through trust and shared responsibility. The church didn’t splinter—it unified through healthy delegation.

Shared Leadership Fuels the Mission

The apostles didn’t try to do everything. They knew their calling was to preach and pray, not micromanage every detail. That’s not pride—it’s clarity. By raising up a new group of leaders to meet tangible needs, the apostles made space for the entire body to function. Seven men, culturally connected and spiritually qualified, were chosen to serve the people with care. This model of shared ministry wasn’t a detour from mission—it was a direct path to sustain it. The result? The Word of God continued to spread, and more lives were changed.

Prayer Keeps Us Grounded

One of the most powerful lessons in this passage is the centrality of prayer. The apostles protected time to pray because they knew their strength didn’t come from their systems, strategies, or skills—it came from God. Ministry without prayer quickly turns into burnout or pride. But when prayer is prioritized, it aligns hearts with heaven and empowers everything else we do. Whether you’re preaching, stacking chairs, leading a group, or checking in new families, you’re on the frontlines of a spiritual mission. Prayer is the fuel. Without it, we miss the point.

Church growth will always come with complexity. But when we respond with prayer, unity, and a willingness to share the load, we create space for God to do even more than we imagined. This week, consider where you might be called to serve—not just to help, but to advance the mission. Because the mission of multiplication is not just for pastors or staff—it’s for all of us. And God will continue to grow His church when we commit to doing our part, together.

— AARON DININNY

[Multiply] Executive Director

The Blueprint for a Thriving Faith Community

Devotion That Builds Strong Foundations

What holds your faith together when life gets shaky? For the early believers, it was a deep commitment to truth. They devoted themselves to the teachings that pointed them to Jesus—truths that laid the groundwork for a new kind of community. Scripture wasn’t a side dish; it was the main course. They didn’t casually glance at the Word but immersed themselves in it, guided by those who had walked with Jesus. Today, we carry that same opportunity through the living and active Word of God. When we build our lives on His truth, we construct something that lasts.

More Than Just Sundays

Just as the early church was shaped by collective devotion, this image captures the power of togetherness in building something greater than ourselves through community, faith, and generosity.

Biblical community was never meant to be a one-hour-a-week experience. The first believers met daily, shared meals in their homes, and prayed together regularly. Real life transformation happened not only in the temple, but around the dinner table. Communion, conversation, and prayer weren’t just rituals—they were lifelines. Whether it's a formal prayer meeting or laughing over pulled pork sandwiches, spiritual depth grows in shared spaces. We thrive when faith becomes a daily rhythm rather than a weekly routine.

Generosity That Changes Lives

One of the most radical traits of the early church was their generosity. No one held on tightly to what they had; they looked for ways to meet each other’s needs. It wasn’t enforced—it was chosen. The result? Lives were changed. From helping pastors overseas to covering unexpected expenses for a friend, generosity looked different for everyone but carried the same heart: giving with joy. This kind of giving builds trust, unity, and the kind of love that speaks louder than words.

God's Growth, Our Participation

The beauty of biblical community is that we don’t carry the weight of growth alone. As the believers remained faithful—learning, gathering, giving, and praying—God brought the increase. People were drawn in not by flashy programs, but by genuine love and unity. While we can sow and water, it is God who brings the growth. And still today, He invites us to be part of the story He’s writing—together, one life at a time.

— Louis fischer

Multiply Church Planting Resident