Synergy Resources

The Lord is not looking for superstars. He’s looking for faithful, Spirit-filled people who are willing to take His Word seriously and minister it to others.

If even a small group in a local church or on a college campus said, “I’m going to take Word ministry seriously wherever God has me,” that culture would shift! It would tilt toward deeper discipleship, spiritual growth, and Gospel movement.

Whether you’re a college student, parent, teacher, or someone faithfully serving in the workplace, this calling is for you. Ministry shaped by the Word is not reserved for pastors. It’s for all believers. And when we lean into it, we help others grow in godliness while being transformed ourselves.

You Are Able

Romans 15:14 says, “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” Colossians 3:16a urges believers to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.”

These were not written to church leaders only but to entire congregations. That means you are equipped. You are called. You are able. Whether you're seasoned in ministry or just beginning, God intends for His Word to dwell in you and flow through you into the lives of others.

Layers of Word Ministry

Word ministry takes many forms, and every believer can be involved:

Preaching

If God has called you to preach, steward it faithfully. Study the passage, understand the structure and meaning and proclaim it clearly with affections that reflect the tone of the text.

But even if you never preach a sermon, you are still called to receive the preached Word. Prepare your heart for worship. Pray for your pastors. Come with expectation that God will speak through His Word. Then think: How can I share what I’ve heard with someone else this week? That’s ministry.

Teaching

You may find yourself leading a Bible study, teaching a Sunday school class, discipling a younger believer, or serving in children’s ministry. You don’t need a seminary degree to be faithful. If you’ve been in the Word, you are called to teach it.
Study the text. Speak with clarity and conviction. And teach as someone who first receives — humble, repentant, and dependent on God’s truth.

Evangelism

Our job is to share. God does the saving. That should bring relief and renewed urgency. Whether you’re at the gym, the office, or in your neighborhood, don’t overlook simple moments of conversation. Share what you’ve been learning. Offer to pray for others. Speak of Christ.

The Gospel is still the power of God for salvation. And God is still saving people!

Discipleship

Discipleship is more than casual friendship. It involves teaching and modeling, built on trust and truth over time.

Sometimes in our churches or small groups, we confess sin and stop there, mistaking vulnerability for spiritual growth. But confession is just the beginning. The call is to help one another walk in holiness. That means asking hard questions, making growth plans, praying and fasting together, and encouraging consistency.

Counseling

Compassionately speak the truth in love to sinners and sufferers. Listen carefully, ask wise and loving questions, and guide people toward transformation, not just behavior change. Have open eyes to see need and respond in your local church.

Remember, behavior is the fruit. The heart is the root. If we only address the surface, we miss the deeper issues of worship and desire. Point people to Jesus and walk with them through the process of change and growth.

Hospitality and Fellowship

Whether you’re opening your home, lingering after church, or inviting someone for coffee, these moments matter. Ask intentional questions:

• What did God teach you through today’s sermon?
• How is your Bible reading going?
• Where have you seen God at work in your life recently?
• How can I pray for you this week?

Fellowship is more than connecting with people who share your interests. It’s not built on demographic similarities but on Gospel commonality — a bond that transcends even generations, cultures, income levels, gender, and life stages.

Who’s Your One?

If you found just one person each year to invest in, and they did the same, you’d impact dozens over a lifetime. Multiply that across a church or campus, and you’ll start to see a culture of Word ministry take root.

So who are you investing in? And who is investing in you?

Ministry shaped by the Word is not just about transferring information. It’s about transformation — ours and theirs!

Let’s be faithful with the opportunities God has placed before us. Let’s build up the body one conversation, one meal, and one open Bible at a time for the good of others and the glory of God.

Dr. Jeremy Kimble, Professor of Theology and Director of the Synergy Initiative at Cedarville University, is passionate about teaching college and graduate students the truth of God’s Word. He is committed to teaching in the classroom, mentoring students, and speaking in church, camp, and conference settings. He served in pastoral ministry for eight years and is currently an active member and minister at University Baptist Church. Dr. Kimble's academic interests include biblical and systematic theology, ecclesiology, preaching and teaching, and the mission of the Church.

Synergy is the combined power of a group working together that is greater than the power of individuals working separately. The Synergy Initiative aims to help students plan strategically to graduate from Cedarville, go together with others from this place, and invest their energies, talents, and efforts in planting, revitalizing, and multiplying churches. As Cedarville graduates join up with other church members who are equipped to do the work of ministry, the combined effect of their efforts will accomplish, by God’s grace, abundantly more than only a couple of pastors in a church doing all of the work on their own. Thus, the goal is to equip students to leave Cedarville University ready to help establish and strengthen local churches throughout the nation and around the world.