Joshua 24:15

This week, Jordan led us and we learned about Joshua 24:15. If you were unable to be there, Tabitha also saved the extra handouts and put them in the class attendance box..so you can grab one of them next week if you want!

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”

Favorite Verses: Joshua 24:15

Rolling Stones

October 28, 2012

Author: Unknown, includes eyewitness testimony of Joshua

When: Just after the exodus from Egypt in 1400 or 1220 BC

Theme: Story of conquest and fulfilled promise for the people of God: They were finally blessed as a great nation with a land of their own (Gen 12:1-3, 26:2-4, 28:13-15; etc.)

Key Passage: Joshua 24

vv. 1: What is the context for this passage?

vv. 2-13: What is the Lord saying? Why does he say this? (Timeline)

vv. 14-15: What is Joshua saying?

vv. 16-18: What is the people’s response?

vv. 19-20: Why does Joshua say that they are not able to serve God? What does Joshua mean when he says that God will not forgive them?

vv. 21-28: How does Joshua guide the people to serve God? What practical steps does he take for them?

vv. 29-33: How does the story turn out? See Judges 2:6-15

Application

-What can we learn from this story? What practical steps can we take in our marriages?

-Do we take time to remember what the Lord has done for us? How have you done this in your marriages? (Marriage timeline)

-Who do we serve? Who are the possible idols in our lives?

Homework: Complete a marriage timeline of what the Lord has done so far and pray over how you will implement a plan to serve the Lord in your house.

Just as a reminder (and I'll try to remember to post this again later in the week), but next Sunday there will be prayer in our classroom at 8:45AM! So be there if you can!

I hope you're all having a wonderful Monday! 

We will serve the Lord.

This Sunday we'll be studying Joshua 24:15...so if you would like to get a head start in studying that verse and its context, then feel free!

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (ESV)

Also, don't forget about our Operation Christmas Child box packing party THIS Sunday after class! For more details, check out the blog post about it.

See you all on Sunday!

Operation Christmas Child

Its so hard to believe, but its already time for Operation Christmas Child this year!

We are having a box packing party THIS Sunday, October 28, after ABF, with everyone grabbing lunch on their own and meeting at the Hippie House to pack boxes. If you need the address, please contact me or be at ABF this Sunday to find out :)

A group of us are also going shopping on Saturday, October 27, to get items to fill the boxes, so if you want to join us, let me know!

I know this is a little last minute, so if you are unable to get your money to me or Lauren Moore before we go shopping on Saturday, don't worry! You can definitely still participate by getting your own items for a box and bringing it with you to the packing party (make sure not to buy any toy guns/knives, chocolate, liquids, breakable items or aerosol cans).
Our ABF has decided to focus on the older children, ages 10-14. Please also remember that they ask for $7 to be donated with your box in order to cover shipping costs.

This is a great way to show a child the love of Christ in a very tangible way. We hope to see you all there this Sunday!

If you have any further questions, please write a comment on this blog or e-mail me.

 

video source: Samaritan's Purse

Spark notes version:

Who?: You

What?: Operation Christmas Child box packing party/Bring your own lunch

Where?: Hippie House- let me know if you need the address

When?: This Sunday (October 28) after ABF

Colossians 3:23

This week, Brad led us and we got to study Colossians 3:23. I hope that you'll take time to study it this week on your own!

Favorite verse: 

Colossians 3:23

Author: Paul, Timothy is also present (Colossians 1:1). Paul had never visited Colosse as far as we know. 

Audience: The Church at Colosse. The church had been founded by a man named Epaphras and other converts from Paul's first missionary journey, and had been influenced by some believers attempting to blend paganism and secular ideas with Christian doctrine. (Sound familiar??)

When: Around A.D. 60, during Paul's imprisonment in Rome. 

Theme: The sufficiency of Christ and His role as Head of the Church.

The first two chapters describe who Christ is and what he has done (Colossians 1:12-20). The second two chapters describe what Christians should do after they have been born again.

Leading up to chapter 3, Paul opposes the false teachers (ch 2:16-19)

Chapter 3:

Read vs 5-22 and list Paul's instructions to the believers in Colosse. 

(The end of verse 22 gives us a key insight into our focal verse for the day)

Just in case Paul forgot to cover something, he gives us vs. 23. "Do everything as working for the Lord, not for men." 

1. As working for the Lord: Christians should be very easy to recognize by their hard work and full devotion to any task they are assigned. We know that the Lord is sovereign, so anything we put our hands to should be done as if it were for the Lord Himself, since he ordained every step of our lives. We should serve faithfully and heartily, with humility and joy and thanksgiving in our hearts, not in an effort to earn favor from the Lord or salvation, but as an expression of gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord who has already saved us to a new life. (1 Corinthians 10:31) 

2. Not for men: we should not be doing things solely for the favor or approval of men. (Isaiah 2:22; Jeremiah 17:5-6)

Go back and look at chapter 3 vs. 1-4: what does Paul say we need to set our minds and hearts on? 

Vs 1-4 are crucial. We are not capable of doing any of these things on our own. How is any of this accomplished? By setting our hearts and minds not on earthly things, but on heavenly things and on Christ. 

We do it for an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Fix your eyes on the unseen! (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Discussion:

1. How can this heaven mindedness motivate us in our daily work and jobs (don't like your job, difficult boss, etc.)? 

2. Based on this passage, is there any corner or part of our lives or work that are unimportant to God?

3. How can this heaven mindedness help us in our marriages?

Announcements:

1. If you missed The Revolution this past weekend and want more information on what was covered feel free to ask me for the notes. It truly was an awesome, life changing weekend! 

2. Next Sunday we will have an Operation Christmas Child box-stuffing party after ABF at the Hippie House...I will post another blog this week with specific information, but just keep that in mind for next week!

3. Don't forget to be praying for our ABF class and leaders (Pastor John, Jordan, Brad, Care Group leaders, etc) throughout the week :)

The Revolution

Rolling Stone ladies-

Don't forget to sign up for The Revolution if you haven't done it already!! Its going to be a great weekend learning about the Biblical definitions of intimacy, purity, and sexuality. Its for women of all ages/stages of life so if you know someone else who would be blessed by this weekend, please invite them!

Schedule for the weekend:
Friday, October 19: Starts at 6:30 PM
We'll start the weekend with worship led by Quimi Alaniz and a message from the key speaker, Beth Cannon.

Saturday, October 20: Starts at 9:30 AM
There will be "season specific" groups to discuss intimacy with other women in your same stage of life (singles, newlyweds, married with small children, etc).
There will be lunch provided and then in the afternoon, there will be "specialty groups" to cover more specific topics such as sexual self-esteem, healing from past sexual sin, physical complications, etc.

Its going to be a great weekend, and only costs $20, so go here to register!

If you have any questions at all, e-mail Helen at houtlaw@fbcirving.org.

Jeremiah 29:11

This week in ABF, Jordan led our class and we learned about Jeremiah 29:11. Make sure you study this on your own if you weren't able to make it this week- its always so eye opening to see these verses in the proper context! 

Favorite Verses: Jeremiah 29:11

Rolling Stones

October 14, 2012

Author: Jeremiah, a Judean prophet (Jeremiah 1:1)

When: Prophesized during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah and into the exile (about 627-585 B.C.) (2 Kings 22-25)

Theme: Proclamation of the words of God including judgment and new covenant (Jer. 31:27-34)

Key Passage: Jeremiah 29:1-14

-Written to the exiles in Babylon (including Daniel) while Jeremiah was still in Judah (2 Kings 24:10-17); in a section of the book that confronts different groups of people including Judah’s kings, false prophets, Judah’s people, and false belief (Jer 21:1-29:32)

vv. 1-4

vv. 8-9

- What is Jeremiah warning the people of here? 

vv. 15-23

-What is God’s complaint with the exiles? (Side note: verse 22 burning by fire)

vv. 5-7

- Why is it important that the exiles continue to grow their families in Babylon?

- How could the exiles seek the welfare of the city? Why is the exile’s welfare dependant upon the welfare of the city? 

vv. 10-14

- What is God’s plan for the people? (Dan. 9:1-2)

-Welfare is the word “Shalom” in Hebrew (occurs 242 times in OT), See Gen. 15:15, Gen. 43:27, Ex. 18:7, Num. 6:22-26, Dan. 10:18-1

-Evil is the word “ra’” in Hebrew (occurs 690 times in OT), See Dan. 9:12-14

Application

-How is our situation similar or different to the exiles? Therefore, how can we apply these ideas to our lives today?

New Testament exiles: Hebrews 11:13-16, 1 Peter 1:1-2, 17-19

-What is our city? How is our welfare dependant upon the city?

-Have you ever had a fear of bringing children into this fallen world that is headed for the destruction described in Revelation? How do verses 5-7 challenge that view? How could this passage change the way we perceive family planning in the last days?

-Who do we listen to? (false prophets verses God)

-How do we depend on God for our future plans? Do we believe that God has shalom planned for us?

This Sunday in ABF

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to let you know that we will be studying Jeremiah 29:11 in ABF this week...so if you want to, you can study the context and meaning of that verse prior to class!

Go here to see the entire chapter and read it in context.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope"- Jeremiah 29:11

See you all there!

100 ideas

Our marriages can so often get stuck in a rut. With busy lives and not much down time, it can be easy to take our marriages for granted and keep doing the same things we've always done.

I found this blog that has 100 ideas "to make your marriage rock" (in her words)...go check them out if you want some new ideas for making things exciting again!

Make Your Marriage Rock!

I especially like number 43..to "dreamstorm" together. Its easy to forget to share your dreams for life, even with your spouse. Maybe you're afraid they will think you're silly or that your dreams are impossible- but what a great way to share your heart and each get on the same page!

Which one is YOUR favorite?

2 Timothy 1:7

This week in ABF, Brad led us in learning about 2 Timothy 1:7. His notes are below incase you weren't able to be there this past Sunday.

2 Timothy is a letter written by Paul to Timothy, a man he had seen grow in maturity and had discipled from the beginning of Timothy's conversion. 

This was the last days of Paul's life, and he knew it.  Paul had been placed in prison again.  Emperor Nero was in power, and he was bringing great persecution to Christians.  They were being tortured and even murdered in many cases.  He writes this letter from prison, and you can feel through the tone of this letter that he knew his time was short.  (2 Tim 4:6 - 9)

2 Timothy 1:1-6.
Paul gives Timothy encouragement in vs 3 through His prayer.  Even though they are separated physically, Paul prays for him often.  

Vs 4 reveals the depth of their relationship and the spirit of love between these two men.  What an incredible bond we can share in Christ with our brothers and sisters.  We should praise God for the blessing of being in community with others who love Jesus.  

Vs 5: Pass on the love and faith you have in God to your family. 

Vs 6: Fan into flame the gift of God. Don't let it be extinguished.  There is this idea of cultivating and maturing your giftings through faith in God.

Then we arrive at our focal verse, verse 7.  

1. First, God gave us a spirit.  The Holy Spirit lives inside of us!  The same spirit that we read about in the scriptures! 

•   Ezekiel 36:25-29 – “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.  I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
•   John 14:26 – “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
•   2 Corinthians 3:3 – “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
•   2 Corinthians 5:5 –"Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” 
•   Ephesians 1:13-14 – “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.”

    2. Not a spirit of fear or timidity.  Earthly fear is not from God.  You will fear whatever your master is. If your master is money and possessions, then you will fear money and possessions.  If your master is found in some idol in your life, you will fear that.  If your master is the Lord, then you will fear the Lord.  That is for another message.  This verse is saying that the SPIRIT that has been placed inside of us, given us by God, is NOT a spirit of fear or timidity.  

•       Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”
•       Isaiah 35:4– “Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
•       Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
•       Isaiah 41:13 – “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
•       Romans 8:15 – “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship…”

    3. The spirit given by God is one of power.  

•     Romans 8:11 – “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
•     Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
•     Acts 4:33 – “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.”
•    2 Corinthians 4:7-8 – “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
•     Ephesians 3:20-21 – “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
•     1 John 4:4, 4-5 – “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

Paul says in Philippians that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. You cannot overcome the power of the spirit in such a man.  You can torture, threaten to kill, or even take the life of such a man, but they will maintain strength and power throughout the entire process.  

There is a song that says this line over and over again that I will listen to occasionally to get really fired up, and it says this, “The same power, that conquered the grave lives in me! Lives in me!  Your love that rescued the earth lives in me!  Lives in me!” (You can listen to this song here)

4. The spirit given us by God is one of love.  What draws people to the Lord is unconditional, unexplainable, undeserved love. Theologically explaining things to someone else will not motivate them to repentance.  However, the Spirit of God placed inside of you allows you to extend the love of God to others.  This is what draws them to the Lord.  It is the kindness of God that leads men to repentance!  Not that fact that is he all-powerful, all-knowing, mighty, just, king, sovereign.   He is all those things but it is his loving-kindness that draws men to repentance.

•     Psalm 103:8 – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
•     Psalm 130:7 – “Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.”
•     Romans 8:35-39 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
•     1 John 4:7-12 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him…Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

5. The spirit given us by God is one of self-discipline

•     Ezekiel 36:27 – “And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
•     Romans 8:26 – “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
•     1 John 2:3-6 – “We know we have come to know him if we keep his commands.  Whoever says, I know him, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.  This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
•     1 John 4:24 – “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.  And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

I think we sometimes take for granted the freedoms we are given in this nation.  Do we face persecution?  Sure we do, but not like this. The churches at that time were facing great persecution. I want you to imagine that you are meeting in the church, quietly offering up your praises in whispers.  Stories are being shared among the members of things that are going on in other areas in the way of persecution.  Some have been embellished and exaggerated as they have been passed along.  People are scared, and they are turning to Timothy for answers, encouragement, and support.  And these are the words he offers.  “The Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Discussion:

1. Read the response of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego that we covered in one of Pastor John’s sermons a few weeks ago in Daniel 3:13-18.  How does their response to King Nebuchadnezzar compare with these words of Paul?  
2. Does the realization that the power of the Holy Spirit of the Living God is inside of you change your way of thinking?  How so?
3. How does this word impact your marriage?