What goals do you envision for Crosswalk to accomplish during 2009? What are some of the evidences that we are maturing as individual Christians and as a class?
Click on the word "comments" below and post your thoughts.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Spiritual Gifts
December 31, 2008
During the lesson on December 28, we discussed a few of the spiritual gifts God gave to individual believers. Jan Hallisey passed out materials to help identify our individual gifts. This tool may be found online at:
During the lesson on December 28, we discussed a few of the spiritual gifts God gave to individual believers. Jan Hallisey passed out materials to help identify our individual gifts. This tool may be found online at:
and
If you have never inventoried your spiritual gifts, you should do so. And then practice. Go to work in Bethlehem in your area of strength.
God's Game Plan for the Church
December 28
God has a game plan for life; it includes the church, and we are members of the church.
The lesson based on Ephesians 4:7-16 included several points:
- Leaders are gifted to the church by God to equip members for service. The gifts as listed by Paul - apostles, prophets,evangelists, and pastor-teachers.
- Every church member is a minister
- The ministries of the church are developed to help every believer live as Jesus would live.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Life Transformation Group
December 14, 2008
What is a Life Transformation Group? (Idea from Josh Hunt)
A life transformation group is a simple but powerful concept. It is a group of two or three (when the group increases to four, it divides into two groups of two) that agrees to read approximately thirty chapters of scripture a week, and meet weekly for
- Confession of sin
- Accountability around scripture reading
- Prayer for the lost
The group can meet any time, anywhere--most commonly in a restaurant. The groups are not coed because coed groups tend to be distracting and prevent tough accountbility. There is not book or curriculum; members of the group just read and discuss the Bible. (Pretty far out, I know!) There is a pretty healthy intake of scripture--about thirty chapters a week. If everybody does not do the agreed on reading, they agree to read it again. There is no leader needed in the group.
What are the accountability questions?
Groups can adapt or substitute questions, but here are the suggested ten accountability questions:
- Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions?
- Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not your spouse this week?
- Have you lacked any integrity in your financial dealings this week, or coveted something that does not belong to you?
- Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships this past week?
- Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face?
- Have you given in to an addictive behavior this week? Explain.
- Have you continued to remain angry toward another?
- Have you secretly wished for another’s misfortune so that you might excel?
- Did you finish your Bible reading this week?
- Have you been honest in your answers?
Reasons Christians fail to Change
December 14, 2008
Many Christians fail to change after they accept Jesus as savior of their lives. We learned several reasons for this failure to change in today's lesson:
Many Christians fail to change after they accept Jesus as savior of their lives. We learned several reasons for this failure to change in today's lesson:
- Ignorance
- Isolation
- Myopia
- Sin
We also concluded that spiritual growth does not occur in a vacuum. Being in a small group does not guarantee growth, but the absence of a small group experience that is focused on the "Bible almost guarantees that spiritual growth will not occur,
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Changing From the Inside Out
December 1, 2008
God's purpose is for us to change so that the spirt of God, which resides in us, is apparent through our actions to the entire world. A secondary point in our discussion is that God's purpose for HIs church overrides the His purpose for an individual. You can find the lesson online.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Forgiveness
November 30, 2008
Today we completed the series on apology. We concluded that the elements of apology are necessary to maintaining good relationships within families was as with God. To restore fellowship we must repent and we must ask for forgiveness. The lesson on forgiveness can be downloaded if you missed it: http://www.sendspace.com/file/1ppag7.
Next Sunday we begin a series in Ephesians with comentary by Chip Ingram.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Repentence
November 23, 2008
Let’s say that I have sinned against God or against a friend. I have expressed regret. I am very sad for what I did and wish I had not done it. I take full responsibility. I don’t blame or justify. I just admit that I was wrong. I make restitution where I can. What else is there? View the lesson at
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
What love language do you speak?
Link to the following site to determine the love language you speak:http://www.afo.net/hftw-lovetest.asp
Making Restitution
November 19, 2009
Sometimes saying, "I'm sorry" or "It's my fault" isn't enough when we have hurt someone. We need to follow up with the question, "What can I do to make this up to you?" Last Sunday's lesson focused on the story of Zacchaeus to illustrate the third language of apology - restitution. For many people, an apology isn't complete there is an offer to make up for the wrong.
Sometimes saying, "I'm sorry" or "It's my fault" isn't enough when we have hurt someone. We need to follow up with the question, "What can I do to make this up to you?" Last Sunday's lesson focused on the story of Zacchaeus to illustrate the third language of apology - restitution. For many people, an apology isn't complete there is an offer to make up for the wrong.
If you were absent Sunday, you can download the lesson at http://www.sendspace.com/file/jeitxk
Monday, November 10, 2008
Christians and Their Government
November 10, 2008.
John Piper has a good article about Christians and government poasted on his his Desiring God blog/email. The article is particularly appropriate now with a new president and a new governor. Read it at his site: (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2008/3347_Let_Christians_Vote_As_Though_They_Were_Not_Voting/)
For those who don't want to read the whole article (I really recommend you do) I will give my own summary, though you will miss the richness of the scriptural refrences:
A Christian's priority is the kingdom of God, not the kingdoms of this world. Our primary concerns are the laws of God applied to the souls of men, not the laws of any country. Our eternal citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven, so it very much trumps any earthly kingdom citizenship we have. Our battles are not against flesh and blood, or people of this world, but against spiritual things.
John Piper has a good article about Christians and government poasted on his his Desiring God blog/email. The article is particularly appropriate now with a new president and a new governor. Read it at his site: (http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2008/3347_Let_Christians_Vote_As_Though_They_Were_Not_Voting/)
For those who don't want to read the whole article (I really recommend you do) I will give my own summary, though you will miss the richness of the scriptural refrences:
A Christian's priority is the kingdom of God, not the kingdoms of this world. Our primary concerns are the laws of God applied to the souls of men, not the laws of any country. Our eternal citizenship is in the kingdom of heaven, so it very much trumps any earthly kingdom citizenship we have. Our battles are not against flesh and blood, or people of this world, but against spiritual things.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Apology_1
November 9, 2008
We began a new lesson today on the languages of apology, and the Bible reference was the 51st Psalm, David's confession and request for forgiveness before God. You can view the lesson on line if you weren't in class. Key points:
We began a new lesson today on the languages of apology, and the Bible reference was the 51st Psalm, David's confession and request for forgiveness before God. You can view the lesson on line if you weren't in class. Key points:
- Expressing regret and assuming responsibility for our actions are two of the five languages of apology.
- Because we are sinners, we will do things to others that require an apology.
- Without apologies, anger builds and pushes us to demand justice.
- When we don't see justice, we often take matters into our own hands and seek revenge on those who have wronged us.
- When we apologize we take responsibility for our actions and express regret for our behavior.
- Apologiesy open the door to the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Next Sunday our focus will be on Zacchaeus and the third language of apology - restitution.
Bring a friend with you to class.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The Bible is our Guidebook
November 2, 2008
Today's lesson emphasized the importance of making the Bible the guidebook for our everyday living. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) was the key Bible reference..."All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and what is wrong in our lives. It straightensus out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in everyway, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. If you were absent, you may download the lesson - http://www.sendspace.com/file/85jmo7
Today's lesson emphasized the importance of making the Bible the guidebook for our everyday living. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT) was the key Bible reference..."All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and what is wrong in our lives. It straightensus out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in everyway, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. If you were absent, you may download the lesson - http://www.sendspace.com/file/85jmo7
Next Sunday we begin a short practical series on the Five Languages of Apology. Listen to the author's introduction by clicking on the video link to the left of this note.
New slide shos have been added - follow the links under "Pictures".
Monday, October 27, 2008
Prayer
October 26, 2008
The lesson today is on prayer. Off the top of your head, what kind of reaction do you have when you hear that we are doing a lesson on prayer?
a) I don't really need to hear this; I am doing fine,
b) How depressing, I can never get the prayer thing right,
c) Great! I love talking about prayer,
d) Other, please specify.
7. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
- What do we learn about God from this passage?
Any man who prays is bound to want to know to what kind of God he is praying. He wants to know in what kind of atmosphere his prayers will be heard. Is he praying to a grudging God out of whom every gift has to be squeezed and coerced? Is he praying to a mocking God whose gifts may well be double-edged? Is he praying to a God whose heart is so kind that he is more ready to give than we are to ask? --Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)
- Is this talking about three different activities, or the same activity three times?
There is no need to try to distinguish different kinds of activity between ask, seek, and knock. Jesus was probably using the three verbs to refer to the same activity of petitioning the Father. His use of three different verbs added emphasis to his message. This three-pronged approach, together with the fact that all three verbs are in the present tense, conveys a clear picture of persistence in prayer.--Holman New Testament Commentary - Is asking, seeking, and knocking something we are to do once and we are done, or is it something we are to do continually?
Although this is the charter of prayer, it lays certain obligations upon us. In Greek there are two kinds of imperative; there is the aorist imperative which issues one definite command. "Shut the door behind you," would be an aorist imperative. There is the present imperative which issues a command that a man should always do something or should go on doing something. "Always shut doors behind you," would be a present imperative. The imperatives here are present imperatives; therefore Jesus is saying, "Go on asking; go on seeking; go on knocking." He is telling us to persist in prayer; he is telling us never to be discouraged in prayer. Clearly therein lies the test of our sincerity. Do we really want a thing? Is a thing such that we can bring it repeatedly into the presence of God, for the biggest test of any desire is: Can I pray about it? --Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)
Luke 18.1 - 8.
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'
4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!'"
6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
Wrong attitudes; unhealthy lifestyle; testing our sincerity in order to build persistence; increase our faith and develop patience
Question for each of us, “Is prayaer a daily part of our lives?”
Day Two. The Real Enemy is Satan.
Someone read the scriptures in the margin on page 92. Listen for characteristics of Satan:
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. (4) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (5) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
- What do these two verses teach us about prayer?
We ae to destroy human argujents against God
Nurturewhatever is right and pure, etc
Someone read the verse printed in the margin on page 94, Ephesians 6:18
How do we get God’s power in our lives?
A lifestyle of prayer
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 (NIV)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)
- What do these verses teach us about prayer?
To "be clear-minded" suggests that believers pray intelligently or that they think about and evaluate their situations in life maturely and correctly as they begin to pray about them. In light of the context, perhaps Peter was cautioning them against giving way to eschatological frenzy and panic. To be "self-controlled" as one comes to prayer suggests that believers are to pray with a mind that is focused and alert. In other words, prayer should not be practiced nonchalantly or flippantly. Believers are to take prayer seriously.--Holman New Testament Commentary
Day Four. Pray without Ceasing
1 Thessalonians 5.17 is a familiar passage.
Pray continually; 1 Thessalonians
Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians
Never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians
and never stop praying. 1 Thessalonians
pray at all times, 1 Thessalonians
Pray constantly. 1 Thessalonians
Always keep on praying. 1 Thessalonians
pray all the time; 1 Thessalonians
- This raises a question. If you did this, what would become of your work?
The next staccato note follows: pray continually. This means never stop praying. Paul was a busy missionary, and he wrote about the Christian's duty to fulfill daily responsibilities, so this is not a command about speaking non-stop prayers. It refers, however, to the attitude of prayer, or reverence before God. The Christian's life of righteousness and his approach to relationships and responsibilities should be such that he maintains a constant attitude of being in God's presence. Such a person will pray often and about many things, including requests, praise, and thanksgiving. This command also means that we should never quit praying.--Holman New Testament Commentary. Continual prayer is not prayer that prevails without any interruption, but prayer that continues whenever possible. The adverb for continually (adialeipts, also in 1:3) was used in Greek of a hacking cough. Paul was speaking of maintaining continuous fellowship with God as much as possible in the midst of daily living in which concentration is frequently broken.--Bible Knowledge Commentary
- What practical steps might we take to remind ourselves to pray throughout the day?
One thing I have been doing a lot recently is listening to the Bible and praying about what I hear. I have the Bible on my IPOD and often listen as I drive or other such tasks.
Read Ephesians 6:10-17 on page 97
Mark 1.35.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark
- Why do you think Jesus prayed in the morning?
- What is the best time of day for you to pray?
- How would you say your prayer life is going these days?
- What keeps you from prayer?
Saturday, October 18, 2008
God Refines us by Fire
October 19, 2008
We are studying, “Living the Extraordinary Life” Do you know anybody who has lived an extraordinary life who has not suffered trials and tribulations?
This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are my people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God.'" Zechariah 13:9 (NIV)
- What do these two verses have in common?
- What do these verses teach us about God?
- What do they teach us about man?
Psalm 103:19
The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 (NIV)
- What do we learn about God from Psalm 103.19
- This theme is echoed in Zechariah 1.11.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
- Has anything happened in your life this year that made you question if Romans 8.28 was still true?
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalms 34:7 (NIV)
- How is God pictured in this Psalm?
- What one or two-word description would you use?
Conclusions:
- God uses life to refine us.
- If we did not believe that God is in control we could not accept his refining.
- God’s definition of success is for us to be more like him everyday.
- Think about what life might be like if the majority of people really believed that everything that happensis a result of God’s sovereign will.
We are Made Stronger Through Trials Romans 5.3 - 5; James 1.2 - 4
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:3-5 (NIV)
- James was written about AD 50 by the brother of Jesus when the church at Jerusalem was under extreme pressure from the Romans.
- What do these two passages have in common?
- We will likely live our whole lives learning to live out these verses. What progress have you made?
- Could anyone tell a story of how you were able to rejoice in one of the speed bumps of life? You learn to lift weights by starting with the light weights and working your way up. You learn to count it all joy by doing so in the speed bumps in life and working your way toward the more difficult things.
- Have you known people for whom the least little thing totally overturned their apple cart? Anyone have a story? What is wrong with being this way? Why does it benefit us all to grow so that this is not true of us?
- What are the benefits of troubles?
- How have troubles made you stronger? Be specific.
Adversity Exists in the Life of A christian Isaiah 55.8 - 9.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
- Just how much higher are God's thoughts than our thoughts? Can you think of a metaphor to communicate this?
Like us and an ant. - Do you ever find yourself thinking, "If only God would do what I want!" Anyone have a story? In light of how high his thoughts are above our thoughts, how much sense does this make?
- Even though we can’t understand it, God allows everything to happen that happens! Everything.
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept. 18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Gen 50:15-20 (NIV)
- Someone overview the story of Joseph for us. What has happened up to this point to make Joseph's brothers nervous?
- How does Joseph's story illustrate Romans 8.28?
- Let's look at the reasons Charles Stanley gives as to why God allows adversity from page 85ff. How has God used adversity to get your attention? Who has a story?
- How has adversity reminded you of God's great love for you?
- How has adversity brought you to a new level of self examination?
- How has adversity taught you to hate evil? Does anyone have a story?
- How has adversity caused you to reevaluate your priorities?
- How has adversity tested your works?
- To get my attention
- To remind me of His love for me
- For self examination
- To teach me to hate evil
- To cause me to reevaluate priorities
- To test my works
October 12 Knowing the Will of God
Knowing God's Will is Worth the Wait
Opening
In a sentence or two, how are you doing these days? What are you worried about? What are you excited about?
Psalm 37.4 - 7. (margin p.66)
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still[1] before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their lives, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
- Look for the commands in these five verses?
- What are the promises in these five verses?
- Are commands and promises often tied together in scripture? Can you think of other examples?
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
- What exactly does it mean to delight in God? [2]
- Is it easy or hard to delight in God? What causes you to delight in God?
I hope you feel as I do-that you absolutely love being a Christian and absolutely love following Christ. It is such a blessed life. It is so good to follow God. - Does it really mean He will give us everything our heart desires as we delight in Him? That seems to be what it is saying.
- What does it mean to commit our ways to the Lord?[3]
- What does it mean to be still before God? Can you give an example?
- What damage does anger do? Who has a story?
- Day two raises a question, “What are we to do when God doesn't seem to answer?”[4] Sometimes God delays His answer, and Charles Stanley says we should not deny that we have a problem, don't avoid the problem, don’t lie, don’t give in or give up and don’t move forward until you are sure God has given you the green light.
- Day three-bottom of page 70 “When you feel overwhelmed by your circumstances, prayer is the one way to change the direction of your mind and heart. It places focus on ‘God, who is the only source of hope and truth”
- Handling unmet needs begins with prayer. Then acknowledge your need and the burden you are carrying; claim God’s promise and seek God’s direction. Be willing to wait and thank God in advance for His provision.
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank him for his answers. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. (TLB)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (MSG)
Don't worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus. (Phillips NT)
- Why is it important to God that we not worry?
- Is it possible to live the John 10.10[5] abundant Christian life and be continually worrying?
- What are some steps we could take to cut our worrying in half?
- Does anyone have a story about a time when you experienced the peace that passes all understanding-about a time when you experienced incredible peace and it didn't make any sense for you to have that peace?
- Why is it wise to wait for God?
- To receive God’s clear timing.
- To allow God the proper time to prepare you for His answer.
- To strengthen your faith in Him.
- To allow God to sift through your motives to reveal you desires
- Is your proposed decision consistent with the Word of God?
- Is this a wise decision?
- Can I honestly ask ‘God to enable me to achieve this?
- Do I have a genuine peace about this?
- Does this fit who I am as a follower of Jesus?
- Does this fit God’s overall plan for my life?
- Will the decision honor God?
[1] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14.
[3] The exhortation to "commit" one's way to the Lord is not a simple abandonment. It involves a full commitment to "roll away" or to "cast" one's feelings of anger, resentment, and jealousy on the Lord. - Expositors Bible Commentary
[5] I am come that they may have life and have it to the full.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)