http://files.e2ma.net/31756/assets/docs/praying_and_fasting.pdf
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
SS Text and Thoughts for the Week - Are we Going to War ? - 2 Corinthians 10.3 - 5; Ephesians 6.10 - 17
War ......
It seems we are surrounded by it, Iraq, Afghanistan, threats in the Middle East, War on Terror, Drug Wars, Gang Wars.
Please watch this youtube video of a famous hymn being sung and as you watch it, turn up the volume and listen to the words as you read along with them.
Your thoughts? Pray for the Lesson this Sunday, our Worship Services, our Staff and Sunday School Teachers. Also, don't forget to pray for revival, and your role in "Pray Now Bartow".
See you Sunday
It seems we are surrounded by it, Iraq, Afghanistan, threats in the Middle East, War on Terror, Drug Wars, Gang Wars.
- What is the most difficult war you can think of?
- What is your favorite War movie, if you like them, some people do not, so what is your most memorable War movie if you don't have a favorite?
- Why was that movie memorable or why was it your favorite?
- As a Christian, do you consider yourself at war?
2 Corinthians 10.3 - 5; Ephesians 6.10 - 17
As you read the text think about some of these questions.- 2 Corinthians 10.4. What is a stronghold?
- Where is this war that Paul speaks of taking place?
- How do our weapons differ from the world? Can you think of a specific example?
- Ephesians 6.10 - 17. Is it possible to defeat our enemy without knowledge of these weapons?
- How are you doing these days in terms of your time alone in the Word with God?
- What are you reading? What is it meaning to you?
- Is the Word an offensive or defensive weapon?
Please watch this youtube video of a famous hymn being sung and as you watch it, turn up the volume and listen to the words as you read along with them.
Your thoughts? Pray for the Lesson this Sunday, our Worship Services, our Staff and Sunday School Teachers. Also, don't forget to pray for revival, and your role in "Pray Now Bartow".
See you Sunday
Saturday, February 20, 2010
SS Text for Sunday and Thoughts - What's on Your Mind? Scriptures: Colossians 3:1-14
Unit: Battle for the Mind
Lesson: What's on Your Mind?
Scriptures: Colossians 3:1-14
To really get the gist of this passage you must go back to Col. 2:20, where Paul asks his readers a pointed question: Why are you living like you belong to the world when, in Christ, you are dead to it? The sorts of regulations the Colossian Christians were following were "human commands and doctrines" that had no eternal value. Christians should not define themselves by what they don't do, but by the One to whom they belong. Our identity is in the resurrected Christ, not in the rules that govern our dead flesh.
"Fat Tuesday," the day before Lent begins was this week.
As you understand what prompted Paul to make his statement in Col. 3:1, read our lesson passage again. "So," it begins (in the HCSB), because our identity is in Christ, seek what is of Christ. If we want to engage in new ways of thinking we must remember what motivates new thought. Paul told the Roman church to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so they would know what God's will is (Ro. 12:2ff). That transformation is a passive occurrence; we don't do it ourselves. God is in the business of transformation, and He transforms us into Christ's likeness in His process of sanctification. What good thing in our flesh could possibly be transformative? What causes us to avoid the things of this world and turn to the things of God?
We see this truth reinforced in Col. 3:10: We are "being renewed," not renewing ourselves. Our obedient actions do not renew us, otherwise we could be sanctified by good works and would contradict the gospel. Rather, our obedience flows out of a love-response to the Renewer's work on our behalf. A person in your class may ask, "But how do I do all the things this passage is teaching? That's a lot to obey." They're right! It is a lot of work. Thank God that's not what saves us. Find comfort in the fact that Paul teaches, "Here (meaning in our renewal in knowledge according to the image of our Creator)" we are equal. There is no dividing line between one believer and another in terms of our status of redemption. We aren't made equal by our works. We don't have to worry about being less holy or Christ-like than the person sitting next to us in Church. Christ is our all and He is in all of us.
Lesson: What's on Your Mind?
Scriptures: Colossians 3:1-14
To really get the gist of this passage you must go back to Col. 2:20, where Paul asks his readers a pointed question: Why are you living like you belong to the world when, in Christ, you are dead to it? The sorts of regulations the Colossian Christians were following were "human commands and doctrines" that had no eternal value. Christians should not define themselves by what they don't do, but by the One to whom they belong. Our identity is in the resurrected Christ, not in the rules that govern our dead flesh.
"Fat Tuesday," the day before Lent begins was this week.
- Do you find it perplexing by the increased frequency at which evangelical Christians are practicing this Roman Catholic tradition?
- Are you or do you know anyone observing Lent?
- What is their or your reason for doing so?
- What value do they think it adds to your/their relationship with Christ?
As you understand what prompted Paul to make his statement in Col. 3:1, read our lesson passage again. "So," it begins (in the HCSB), because our identity is in Christ, seek what is of Christ. If we want to engage in new ways of thinking we must remember what motivates new thought. Paul told the Roman church to be transformed by the renewing of their minds so they would know what God's will is (Ro. 12:2ff). That transformation is a passive occurrence; we don't do it ourselves. God is in the business of transformation, and He transforms us into Christ's likeness in His process of sanctification. What good thing in our flesh could possibly be transformative? What causes us to avoid the things of this world and turn to the things of God?
We see this truth reinforced in Col. 3:10: We are "being renewed," not renewing ourselves. Our obedient actions do not renew us, otherwise we could be sanctified by good works and would contradict the gospel. Rather, our obedience flows out of a love-response to the Renewer's work on our behalf. A person in your class may ask, "But how do I do all the things this passage is teaching? That's a lot to obey." They're right! It is a lot of work. Thank God that's not what saves us. Find comfort in the fact that Paul teaches, "Here (meaning in our renewal in knowledge according to the image of our Creator)" we are equal. There is no dividing line between one believer and another in terms of our status of redemption. We aren't made equal by our works. We don't have to worry about being less holy or Christ-like than the person sitting next to us in Church. Christ is our all and He is in all of us.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday School Text and Lesson - Philippians 3.1 - 15; 4.8
Philippians 3.1 - 15; 4.8
How do we approach our daily walk? Do we consider where we where "just after after salvation" to where we are now in our walk?
What do we consider as gain in our life? - or is the better question - What do we consider a loss in our life?
Let's examine Paul for a moment.
Paul persecuted the Church. He had believers dragged from their homes, imprisoned, tortured, and in the case of Stephen stoned to death. Sometimes we try to measure our self-righteousness against another person's sins, thinking "At least I'm not that bad." What is the danger of this type of thinking?
Now lets switch people for a moment and briefly look at Moses......
The writer of Hebrews drew a picture of faith for us in the person of Moses. This patriarch's story correlates strongly to what Paul says about his righteousness being "loss" in the light of knowing Christ. In Hebrews 11:25-26 we learn that Moses "considered reproach for the sake of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward" (HCSB).
Now back to Paul.........
Paul looked forward to the reward his life of faith in Christ would bring him. Jesus, Himself, "for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne (Heb. 12:2b). In both cases we see men of faith laying down all earthly treasures and enduring suffering to be like Christ in their pursuit of eternal rewards. Consider this .....What is the reward for which you long in the heavenlies? Is there anything you would hesitate to give up or endure for the sake of the cross?
We tend to dwell on the immediate and measurable, such as spiritual growth, disciplines, service to the church, or time spent in Bible study and prayer. All these can be good things but they must have an end in mind. If all we're doing is checking off our good Christian deeds for the day, we miss the point. Do your practices conform you to Christ's image? Are they your straining toward the goal to win the prize God has promised you in your calling? A marathon runner builds confidence with every mile marker passed. But it's breaking the tape across the finish line that really matters.
Now to the text
Please pray for this lesson and the upcoming worship services both in the am and pm. See you Sunday.
How do we approach our daily walk? Do we consider where we where "just after after salvation" to where we are now in our walk?
What do we consider as gain in our life? - or is the better question - What do we consider a loss in our life?
Let's examine Paul for a moment.
Paul persecuted the Church. He had believers dragged from their homes, imprisoned, tortured, and in the case of Stephen stoned to death. Sometimes we try to measure our self-righteousness against another person's sins, thinking "At least I'm not that bad." What is the danger of this type of thinking?
Now lets switch people for a moment and briefly look at Moses......
The writer of Hebrews drew a picture of faith for us in the person of Moses. This patriarch's story correlates strongly to what Paul says about his righteousness being "loss" in the light of knowing Christ. In Hebrews 11:25-26 we learn that Moses "considered reproach for the sake of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward" (HCSB).
Now back to Paul.........
Paul looked forward to the reward his life of faith in Christ would bring him. Jesus, Himself, "for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne (Heb. 12:2b). In both cases we see men of faith laying down all earthly treasures and enduring suffering to be like Christ in their pursuit of eternal rewards. Consider this .....What is the reward for which you long in the heavenlies? Is there anything you would hesitate to give up or endure for the sake of the cross?
We tend to dwell on the immediate and measurable, such as spiritual growth, disciplines, service to the church, or time spent in Bible study and prayer. All these can be good things but they must have an end in mind. If all we're doing is checking off our good Christian deeds for the day, we miss the point. Do your practices conform you to Christ's image? Are they your straining toward the goal to win the prize God has promised you in your calling? A marathon runner builds confidence with every mile marker passed. But it's breaking the tape across the finish line that really matters.
Now to the text
Philippians 3.1 - 15; 4.8
- Verse 2. There is a word that is repeated three times in the Greek in this verse. If you read a NIV translation you will not see this. Take time to read another translation and see what Paul is saying. The New American Standard Version and New King James has it. What word is repeated three times? Ask yourself why?
- What is dog a metaphor for here?
- What does it mean, "We are the circumcision"?
- Why was circumcision so important to Paul's audience?
- What does "straining toward what is ahead" suggest?
- Philippians 4.8. Why is it important that we think about the right things?
Please pray for this lesson and the upcoming worship services both in the am and pm. See you Sunday.
Valentine's Day is this coming Sunday - See Announcement for the Class
Vivian and Robin will be providing breakfast items for Sunday School this week. Please don't eat a big breakfast, per the cooks. :)
See you Sunday !!!
See you Sunday !!!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Planned Parenthood Pushes Intensive Sex Ed for Kids
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,585108,00.html
Sent to you via Google Reader
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Church Clean-up Day - Feb 20th at 2pm (Men needed)
Men of the Class,
The Date and Time has been set. We will meet at the church on Feb 20th at 2pm. Please bring your truck and muscles. We will have a dumpster for the garbage and use our trucks to take items to various charities, ie Salvation Army, Various Shelters, etc....
More info to follow, but mark your calendar. There will be an announcement made in SS and Church this Sunday and the following. If you can help, please email me. ldaniel@hdins.com
The Date and Time has been set. We will meet at the church on Feb 20th at 2pm. Please bring your truck and muscles. We will have a dumpster for the garbage and use our trucks to take items to various charities, ie Salvation Army, Various Shelters, etc....
More info to follow, but mark your calendar. There will be an announcement made in SS and Church this Sunday and the following. If you can help, please email me. ldaniel@hdins.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Sunday School Thoughts and Text for this Week - Scriptures: Romans 8:5-8; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
Battle for the Mind
Lesson: Are You in the Right Mind?
Scriptures: Romans 8:5-8; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
Paul told the Roman church that the flesh is not able to subject itself to the Law of God. This was in direct opposition to the religion he had known all His life prior to his encounter with the living Christ on the road to Damascus. In fact Paul had prided himself for being a Pharisee (Phil. 3:5), a person dedicated to adhering to every law, and even beyond the Law to oral tradition. In the church today we must guard against a modern version of Pharisee-ism. Often we fall under the notion that we can obtain a greater grace, or deeper love from God, by engaging in more and more Bible study, prayer, and works of service. Of course these things are beneficial and worthwhile, but they cannot gain our approval by God. Our approval by God comes from only one source... Jesus Christ.
All that was necessary to justify us before the Father was accomplished by the Son.
"The god of this world" is, of course, Satan. But his being the god of the world does not imply his ownership or ruling authority over the earth. Paul uses the Greek word "aion," which means this age or epoch. He's referring to the fallen world system in which Satan and his demonic minions operate. Because fallen men are also subjected to this world, Satan has the ability to blind them from receiving the light of Christ. Note also that Paul does not say these people are blinded "so that" they do not believe. Unbelief leads to spiritual blindness. God does not wish that anyone would perish, but that all would come to knowledge of Him and repent of their sins. Knowledge of the truth of God is unfit for those who reject Him as Lord and Savior.
As believers we are infinitely blessed by the pure light Christ shines into our hearts, the light that reveals who He is through the testimony of His Word.
In 2 Cor. 2:12 Paul uses a different word for "world" - "kosmos." Now he speaks of the whole ungodly mass of humanity in rebellion toward Christ. We did not received that spirit, because it is hostile to God. The Spirit we received is Himself God. The Holy Spirit, the Helper as Jesus called Him in John 16, is as much fully God as is the Lord. To have the very Spirit of God dwelling in us means we have all the fullness of the glory of God to teach us the spiritual words He has spoken.
Pray for the lesson this week and lift up all the prayer needs that we discussed Sunday. Ask God for a deeper understanding of His word.... Let's go deeper together.
God Bless
Lesson: Are You in the Right Mind?
Scriptures: Romans 8:5-8; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
Paul told the Roman church that the flesh is not able to subject itself to the Law of God. This was in direct opposition to the religion he had known all His life prior to his encounter with the living Christ on the road to Damascus. In fact Paul had prided himself for being a Pharisee (Phil. 3:5), a person dedicated to adhering to every law, and even beyond the Law to oral tradition. In the church today we must guard against a modern version of Pharisee-ism. Often we fall under the notion that we can obtain a greater grace, or deeper love from God, by engaging in more and more Bible study, prayer, and works of service. Of course these things are beneficial and worthwhile, but they cannot gain our approval by God. Our approval by God comes from only one source... Jesus Christ.
All that was necessary to justify us before the Father was accomplished by the Son.
How do we view spiritual "disciplines"?
What motivates us to pray?
What motivates us to read the Bible?
What motivates us to serve one another in the church?
What motivates us to pray?
What motivates us to read the Bible?
What motivates us to serve one another in the church?
"The god of this world" is, of course, Satan. But his being the god of the world does not imply his ownership or ruling authority over the earth. Paul uses the Greek word "aion," which means this age or epoch. He's referring to the fallen world system in which Satan and his demonic minions operate. Because fallen men are also subjected to this world, Satan has the ability to blind them from receiving the light of Christ. Note also that Paul does not say these people are blinded "so that" they do not believe. Unbelief leads to spiritual blindness. God does not wish that anyone would perish, but that all would come to knowledge of Him and repent of their sins. Knowledge of the truth of God is unfit for those who reject Him as Lord and Savior.
As believers we are infinitely blessed by the pure light Christ shines into our hearts, the light that reveals who He is through the testimony of His Word.
In 2 Cor. 2:12 Paul uses a different word for "world" - "kosmos." Now he speaks of the whole ungodly mass of humanity in rebellion toward Christ. We did not received that spirit, because it is hostile to God. The Spirit we received is Himself God. The Holy Spirit, the Helper as Jesus called Him in John 16, is as much fully God as is the Lord. To have the very Spirit of God dwelling in us means we have all the fullness of the glory of God to teach us the spiritual words He has spoken.
Do you think Christians today comprehend who the Holy Spirit is?
Pray for the lesson this week and lift up all the prayer needs that we discussed Sunday. Ask God for a deeper understanding of His word.... Let's go deeper together.
God Bless
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