Engagement Project - Tour 9 Articles

Del Tackett’s Engagement Project reaches a pivotal moment in Tour 9, "The Band of Brothers," where the focus shifts to practical, communal engagement rooted in profound biblical truths. Part 1 builds on prior tours by emphasizing the believer’s intimate union with God and how this empowers authentic love within the body of Christ.

Tackett opens by reflecting on the story of Moses and the veil in Exodus and 2 Corinthians 3. Moses veiled his face to hide the fading glory after encountering God. In contrast, New Testament believers experience no such fading because the Spirit of the Lord abides with us forever, transforming us from glory to glory with unveiled faces. This permanent indwelling removes any barrier; we behold God’s glory directly and are changed by it.

This truth escalates as Tackett explores the fullness of the triune God living within us. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make their home in every believer (John 14:23). This isn’t a distant deity but the entire Godhead residing inwardly. Such reality isn’t for mere comfort—it’s for enablement. God dwells in us so we might do His will, empowered by His presence to live out the kingdom life in a broken world.

At the heart of this empowerment is Jesus' new command: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34). Tackett stresses this directive is specifically for believers within the church. It’s modeled on Christ’s sacrificial love for His disciples—laying down His life, washing their feet, and serving humbly. This love must be deep and authentic, not superficial politeness or casual friendship. It’s the kind that binds the body together as one.

To flesh this out, Tackett examines the "one another" commands scattered throughout the New Testament: bear one another’s burdens, forgive one another, confess sins to one another, encourage one another, and more. These reciprocal imperatives demonstrate how agape love operates practically—mutually edifying, correcting, and supporting in a community committed to growth in Christlikeness.

Recognizing the challenges of modern isolation, Tackett passionately urges participants to join a life group or small community dedicated to this kind of love. These groups aren’t optional Bible studies but intentional bands committed to one another, praying together, sharing life, and holding each other accountable to God’s will. In such settings, the indwelling Spirit manifests powerfully, fostering unity and strength.

The tour then addresses the often-misunderstood phrase "as yourself" in "love your neighbor as yourself." Many interpret this as license for self-fulfillment—follow your heart, chase your dreams unchecked. Tackett counters this cultural distortion, arguing it leads to following one’s own sinful script rather than God’s.

Using the biblical definition of agape—sacrificial, others-focused love applied even to self—Tackett explains true self-love requires self-denial. We must say "no" to fleshly desires that destroy and "yes" to choices promoting our God-designed shalom: peace, wholeness, and flourishing.

This self-love manifests in three key pursuits. First, physical and mental health. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit; stewarding them through exercise, rest, nutrition, and emotional care honors God and equips us for service.

Second, pursuing excellence in all we do. Whether vocation, hobbies, or ministry, we offer our best as worship (Colossians 3:23), reflecting God’s excellence and avoiding mediocrity born of laziness.

Third, pursuing deep relationships. Humans are made in the image of a relational Trinity; isolation contradicts our design. Investing in meaningful connections—with family, friends, and church—mirrors God’s nature and combats loneliness.

These pursuits aren’t selfish; they position us to love others effectively. A healthy, excellent, relationally rich believer overflows with capacity to serve the body and engage the world.

Part 1 thus establishes the internal foundation for engagement: God’s indwelling presence enabling deep love within a committed community. By loving ourselves biblically—denying self for shalom—we become equipped to form the "band of brothers" needed for kingdom advance. This sets the stage for overcoming obstacles and stepping into visionary action in Part 2.

back to top

In Tour 9 of Del Tackett’s Engagement Project, titled "The Band of Brothers, Part 1," participants explore the profound indwelling of the Holy Spirit and its implications for Christian community. Tackett begins by revisiting Moses and the veil, contrasting it with believers today: we need no veil because the Spirit of God permanently resides within us, never departing.

This leads to the astounding truth that the fullness of the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—dwells in every believer. This indwelling isn’t passive; it empowers us to fulfill God’s will in our lives.

Central to this tour is Jesus' command to "love one another" as He loved His disciples. This agape love is directed toward fellow believers and must be deep, sacrificial, and genuine—not superficial. Tackett illustrates this through the New Testament’s reciprocal commands, where believers bear one another’s burdens, forgive, encourage, and serve mutually.

He strongly urges participants to join or form life groups—small communities dedicated to practicing this love, holding each other accountable in pursuit of God’s purposes.

The discussion then turns to the second part of the Great Commandment: "love your neighbor as yourself." Tackett warns against twisting this into self-indulgence or following one’s own script. True self-love, defined by agape, involves denying selfish desires and pursuing what aligns with God’s design for our shalom—wholeness and peace.

This means actively saying "no" to harmful impulses while saying "yes" to disciplines that foster growth: pursuing physical and mental health through stewardship of our bodies and minds; striving for excellence in our work and callings as unto the Lord; and cultivating deep, meaningful relationships that reflect God’s relational nature.

Ultimately, Part 1 lays the foundation for a "band of brothers" (and sisters)—a united community empowered by God’s presence to love profoundly, starting with self-discipline and extending to others.

back to top