That's right. We will be starting a series this Sunday talking about the big "E" word, Evangelism. A healthy discussion of evangelism begins with the "why" question. Why evangelism? The Bible provides answers, and as we pursue them we're going to start with developing a biblical understanding of God's awesome love for people. God's love is so different from human love that it can change a life. Human love can influence a life, but God's love can transform a heart, which will redirect a life. And the wild thing about God's transforming love is that He can do it with any life, no matter how bad it might be. You might consider someone out of God's reach. God doesn't and he might choose you to reach them. You never know! Let the journey begin!
This week please read Matthew 9: 35-38.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sunday, May 25
There will be no Epic Cafe this Sunday due to the Memorial Day weekend observance.
Join us June 1st as we begin a new study by Sharing Your Story and God's Story.
Join us June 1st as we begin a new study by Sharing Your Story and God's Story.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Sunday, May 18
Today we wrap up our study by reviewing our S.H.A.P.E. and look at the important ingredient of passion that can be useful in Serving Others In Love. The Biblical example is from the life of Paul which is found in the following passage:
I want you to know how glad I am that it's me sitting here in this jail and not you. There's a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world- the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church's part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God's way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.
This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generouly gives me.
I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Colossians 1:24-2:1 The Message
What do you love to do? (think of school, church friends, family, recreation, etc.)
If you knew you could do any type of ministry and it would be successful, what would you like to try?
In this scripture passage Paul seems crazy to consider suffering as a "sheer gift". Why was he able to have this attitude? What enabled Paul to endure in jail?
After reading this passage what do you think Paul was passionate about?
Are you as passionate about something as much as Paul was? Or does Paul's kind of passion seem like something you might never have?
Paul says that he's trying to do his best with the energy that God gave him. How are energy and passion alike? Different?
The apostle Paul was passionate about preaching and starting churches even when it meant being thrown in jail or killed. (He experienced both) While most of us do not experience this level of passion, we do deeply care about specific issues and we enjoy helping in areas where we feel a sense of passion.
Remember looking at your S.H.A.P.E.? What ministry might you want to get involved because of your particular spiritual gifts, heart, abilities and passion?
I want you to know how glad I am that it's me sitting here in this jail and not you. There's a lot of suffering to be entered into in this world- the kind of suffering Christ takes on. I welcome the chance to take my share in the church's part of that suffering. When I became a servant in this church, I experienced this suffering as a sheer gift, God's way of helping me serve you, laying out the whole truth.
This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it's out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God's glory. It's that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That's what I'm working so hard at day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy God so generouly gives me.
I want you to realize that I continue to work as hard as I know how for you, and also for the Christians over at Laodicea. Colossians 1:24-2:1 The Message
What do you love to do? (think of school, church friends, family, recreation, etc.)
If you knew you could do any type of ministry and it would be successful, what would you like to try?
In this scripture passage Paul seems crazy to consider suffering as a "sheer gift". Why was he able to have this attitude? What enabled Paul to endure in jail?
After reading this passage what do you think Paul was passionate about?
Are you as passionate about something as much as Paul was? Or does Paul's kind of passion seem like something you might never have?
Paul says that he's trying to do his best with the energy that God gave him. How are energy and passion alike? Different?
The apostle Paul was passionate about preaching and starting churches even when it meant being thrown in jail or killed. (He experienced both) While most of us do not experience this level of passion, we do deeply care about specific issues and we enjoy helping in areas where we feel a sense of passion.
Remember looking at your S.H.A.P.E.? What ministry might you want to get involved because of your particular spiritual gifts, heart, abilities and passion?
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sunday, May 11
Serving From Experience
In this session we're going to take a long look at the life of Peter, one of the 12 disciples. Peter was typically the most vocal one of the group, and he sometimes said things he probably regretted later. Yet God used some of his tough experiences to turn him into a great leader in the early church.
Read John 13:36-38
If you were Peter, how do you think you would have responded to Jesus?
Jesus was arrested a few hours after this conversation, and Peter ran away with the other disciples. Peter hid in a nearby courtyard while Jesus was being quesitioned. What do you imagine Peter must have been feeling?
Read John 18:12-19, 25-27
Why do you think Peter denied Jesus, even though Jesus had told Peter what was going to happen?
How do you think Peter felt the moment he heard the rooster begin to crow?
How can our failures be turned into something good?
Jesus was crucified the same day Peter denied him. We know that's not the end of the story. Jesus defeated death and rose from the dead. Before he went into heaven Jesus spent time with his disciples...read John 21:15-19
Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?
Who are the lambs and sheep that Jesus is referring to?
Do you think Peter felt disqualified to be used by Jesus? Why might Jesus have made the comparison between Peter's youth and old age?
The events in Peter's life reveal to us that God can use broken and imperfect lives to make a difference in the world. Peter was a big-mouthed, cocky fisherman who became a wise and gentle leader. We can assume that some of his painful and positive experiences shaped his life and molded him as a minister. The same can happen to you.
After you have dug into these scriptures you may want to discuss with the students the timeline Bob will be asking them to write down. How can these good and not so good life experiences help shape their life and witness for Christ?
In this session we're going to take a long look at the life of Peter, one of the 12 disciples. Peter was typically the most vocal one of the group, and he sometimes said things he probably regretted later. Yet God used some of his tough experiences to turn him into a great leader in the early church.
Read John 13:36-38
If you were Peter, how do you think you would have responded to Jesus?
Jesus was arrested a few hours after this conversation, and Peter ran away with the other disciples. Peter hid in a nearby courtyard while Jesus was being quesitioned. What do you imagine Peter must have been feeling?
Read John 18:12-19, 25-27
Why do you think Peter denied Jesus, even though Jesus had told Peter what was going to happen?
How do you think Peter felt the moment he heard the rooster begin to crow?
How can our failures be turned into something good?
Jesus was crucified the same day Peter denied him. We know that's not the end of the story. Jesus defeated death and rose from the dead. Before he went into heaven Jesus spent time with his disciples...read John 21:15-19
Why did Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?
Who are the lambs and sheep that Jesus is referring to?
Do you think Peter felt disqualified to be used by Jesus? Why might Jesus have made the comparison between Peter's youth and old age?
The events in Peter's life reveal to us that God can use broken and imperfect lives to make a difference in the world. Peter was a big-mouthed, cocky fisherman who became a wise and gentle leader. We can assume that some of his painful and positive experiences shaped his life and molded him as a minister. The same can happen to you.
After you have dug into these scriptures you may want to discuss with the students the timeline Bob will be asking them to write down. How can these good and not so good life experiences help shape their life and witness for Christ?
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