What is Confession? It is the event of responding to the Gospel's message, then acknowledging our faith publicly. In so doing we are conforming our lives to His Way so our faith applies to our lives.
Is Christ Working in You? Confession is the obedience to commit ourselves to leading a life that is worthy to be called Christian, as our new life is in Christ.
This was the rallying cry of the Reformation. The main point that caused Luther and Calvin to challenge the Catholic Church and it’s teachings.
How to Grow in the Faith
Gratitude is an attitude of being thankful for what He has done for me! When we fully recognize that our greatest problem has been solved, our indebtedness of sin, we can feel and know... This is the essential attitude that helps us not be depressed, self debasing, feelings of pride or self destruction; this is the key to a joyful purposeful life.
How to Pray! PVI, A.C.T.S is an acronym or axiom that points us to the Lord’s Prayer and other Scripture, and gives us precepts so we can divide up our time and purpose to engage in prayer with a correct devotion and attitude. “ACTS” refers to the percepts of prayer—the categories of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
Do you feel connected to God when you pray? If not, have you considered your outlook on prayer? It seems that most Christians view prayer as a happening but not a habit, an occurrence but not an occupation, and rarely with fervency. And, if it is a habit, is it also a relationship? Prayer must be more because...
Growing with Discipleship
Obedience is also the willingness to cooperate with God and with others in their godly directions and plans.
Obedience must infuse everything; it is the capstone to our stones of faith and life in Christ.
It costs everything! However, the rewards are limitless as we are entrusted to a Savior who loves us more deeply and rewards us more completely than we could ever comprehend. He desires the best for us, He has a plan and purpose for us in the kingdom of God, and He wants us to spend eternity with Him.
The Cost of Discipleship Part 2
His call, above all else for us as Christians, of what God’s will is all about, and of what we are to be doing in our personal lives and in our churches is… Discipleship! Nothing else is more important, period.
Introduction: A Biblical Approach to Understanding and Applying that with which God has Called and Gifted You! This workshop can be used as small group lessons or a church wide training event.
Understanding God’s call to us with Spiritual Gifts Now that I am a Christian, I get presents?
Understanding the Importance of Spiritual Gifts! Spiritual Gifts are alive and well both in the Church and in the world. They are not from a bygone era or only for certain Denominations or individuals; they are for you and your church!
How to Determine your Spiritual Gift(s! This procedure is much more accurate and honest than just using an “inventory.” We have a tendency to read into these “tests” our desires, not those of the Lord’s leading.
Biblical definitions of Spiritual Gifts, as defined by the Bible, presented in no particular order. The definitions and supporting Scriptures do correspond to the characteristics of the Gifts as also expressed in most Evangelical and Reformed thinking.
Remember this important fact; the Prime Directive for Spiritual Gifts is for service to God's family! As you grow in the understanding and use of your Spiritual Gifts, you will realize that you are in a relationship of dependence upon Christ.
How to Mobilize the People in your church according to their Spiritual Gifts. This section is primarily for the Church leadership and the Mentor Groups.
Here is a tool to help the People in your church find out what there Spiritual Gifts are. This is an “inventory” format; it is not as accurate as our other assessment, but this makes a good tool to start out with.
Learning to Study the Word of God
Inductive Bible Study is a method for learning how to exegete the Bible for all its worth by our best efforts. We do this through learning the tools and skills to help us observe the text, dig out the meaning, and then apply it to our lives.
The Essentials of Inductive Bible Study. You can keep this guide “tucked” in your Bible for reference and guidance.
Here is the Bible Reading Chart for using the Inductive Bible Study method. Here you can write down and record all of your observations, what your have learned, your questions, and even make a commitment on what you will do with the information from God’s most precious Word!
Knowing More about God
Why are there so many disagreements in the Christian faith?
Is not the Holy Spirit giving all Christians the same truth? The Holy Spirit is giving the same truth; the problem is not Him; but us! I once believed that the many different beliefs in the Christian faith demonstrated that it was not true. After all, how could there be so many disagreements about something that was supposed to be true? I found over the years this is easily answered; the case is that we have more in common than not, but we tend to focus on the negative distinctions and not our unity. We are including some interesting quotes from some of history’s most famous people who had no axe to grind to prove the Bible!
Ultimate assurance! We have incredible assurance that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
This passage tells us with confidence, encouragement and assurance from a the human perspective of Paul who knows the magnitude from a God who loves and cares.
Is there Unrighteousness with God? Have you got mad when things have not gone your way, or perhaps blamed God for your mistakes saying, well you made me?
Growing in Maturity
Accountability is often associated with a place to be helped with some kind of problem or addiction such as drinking, drugs, smoking, pornography, or some other recovery issue. Yes, this is can be a principle venue; however, the emphasis should be our spiritual growth which infuses our thinking and behaviors and helps in overcoming addictions. It is not about just overcoming addictions; it is being overcome with Christ as Lord of our lives.
Developing a Good Attitude, Part I
Lesson 1: Attitude is the Prelude to Effective Relationships!
Developing a Good Attitude PII
Lesson II: The “Put Ons” and “Put Offs” of a Good Attitude
Developing a Good Attitude, Part III
Lesson III: Your attitude should be the same as Christ!
Developing a Good Attitude, Part IV
Lesson IV: The Most Important and Essential Attitude: Humility
This passage gives us comfort in suffering because Christ Himself suffered.
Peter sends his greetings and blessings with solemn humbleness and intimacy to the people in the faith.
Conforming to the Likeness of Christ
Christ has given to us all we need in order to grow. We have His Spirit, His Word, His Fruit, and our faith community.
Our Faithful Growth in Christ!
The authentic knowledge of Christ that is revealed to us is the foundation of our faith.
We are called to know Christ better and to practice moral excellence.
The main theme of Peter’s message is stated here, to pay attention to Christ, not to falsehoods.
Peter then shifts his focus to his coming departure from this life. He conveys to us that life is short and we must take the initiative to do what we can here and now with what Christ has given to us.
What God desires us to be and to do:
Building your Life on the Rock of the Word!
It is useless to call ourselves Christians unless we practice what He has taught us, which we are to believe and also teach.
The Call of Forgiveness
God desires that we seek forgiveness?
What Forgiveness Looks Like
Seeking the Proper Perspective on Life! Part I
God asks us to have an “eternal” perspective! The premise is to move us to more maturity by moving our mindset away from the false beliefs and ideas we have built up. What we tend to pursue, in our desires in life, is meaningless against the backdrop of seeking faith and the call that Christ gives us.
Seeking the Proper Perspective on Life! Part II
Our perspective is eternity. It is not to be just on money, wealth or power. When we see our life here on earth as a mere rehearsal, and how to learn and build to what is to come in eternity, we can be better prepared to face anything—even dire situations and death, because our eyes and attitude are in Him and not our circumstances!