Next Steps: Relationship (John 15)

Transcription

1 These pages provide some Next Steps you may want to consider in the areas where you felt you needed to grow in from the Discipleship Survey. We are here to help you grow in your discipleship journey. Let us know how we can help you by contacting a staff member or the church office. Next Steps: Relationship (John 15) R Relationship: LOVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS. Nothing matters more, according to Jesus. Christian maturity must be characterized by genuine love for God and neighbor, expressed in daily acts of devotion, mercy, and kindness. Reflect Sermon Series Pastor Tim s Sermon on Relationships from the Reflect Sermon Series on June 1, 2014 can be found at these web addresses. Download the audio at Watch the video at Recommended Activities Begin by taking a look at your calendar. In order to build relationships with other believers it will require an investment of time. Take advantage of regularly scheduled activities at church to spend time with believers. Small Groups meet on Sunday mornings at 8:30 and 9:45 AM. Find a group and get in it. A good place to start would be to make it a priority to meet with another believer of the same sex this week to get to know them better. To begin thinking about others outside the church, ask some local government leaders, school principals, and business leaders what some of the greatest needs are in the community. Then pray about them and discuss with other believers what you can do to meet these needs. Frances Chan has a great video about believers coming together to serve others in San Francisco. It may help you think of ways that you can do something similar. Creating Community by Andy Stanley Recommended Small Group Studies You might want to study one of these with your group Relate: Knowing, Loving, and Forgiving the People in Your Life Growing Disciples: Fellowship with Believers by Mel Blackaby Authentic Relationships: Being Real in a Fictitious World Marriage Resources Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas You and Me Forever by Frances Chan (Search for the free download) Five Love Languages by Gary Smalley (Also available in children s and youth versions) His Needs Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Jr. Website: lesandleslie.com is a great website of marriage resources, articles and assessments.

2 Family Resources The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni YouVersion Bible App has some great devotionals under Bible Reading Plans that parents can use with their children. Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof

3 Next Steps: Evangelism (2 Timothy 2:2) E Evangelism: The mature believer lives a life that attracts others to Christ by words and deeds. One seeks to make disciples of all, with special concern for the next generation. Reflect Sermon Series Pastor Tim s Sermon on Evangelism from the Reflect Sermon Series on June 8, 2014 can be found at these web addresses. Download the audio at Watch the video at Recommended Activities Write out your own testimony or story of how you came to follow Jesus Christ. The three basic parts should include a short description of your life without Christ, how and why you put your faith in Jesus Christ, and the benefits of walking with Him since your decision. Show it to someone at church for input. Practice sharing your story with friends. Learn and review a simple presentation of the gospel on your way to work or class several times each week to be prepared if the opportunity to share presents itself. Review the How to Know God Personally outline. ( Carry an outline with you, get a pack of gospel tracts like: 3 Circles: Life Conversation Guide or download one of these apps for your smartphone which will help you share the gospel: Steps2Peace, Life On Mission or Share Your Faith. Pray for those you know who are not followers of Jesus Christ. For some biblical guidance on how to pray for those without Christ? Read this sermon on the Spiritual Discipline of Prayer. Share Jesus Without Fear The Apologetics Study Bible. Life On Mission Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels Recommended Small Group Studies Sent: Living the Missional Nature of the Church by Ed Stetzer. More to Life. Growing Disciples: Witness to the World. Growing Disciples: Minister to Others. Other Resources The Gospel Message is an Awana App for your phone to share the gospel with children. YouVersion Bible App has a Bible Reading Plan entitled Next Step for Kids which is useful in leading your children to faith in Christ. Andy Stanley s sermon series Go Fish is available on YouTube. The first link is:

4

5 Next Steps: Fruit of the Spirit (Galations 5:13-26) F Fruit of the Spirit: The Spirit within us produces a number of identifying qualities. They are all expressed in relationships with others. These qualities are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians ). Beyond these listed qualities, living for the Spirit shapes our moral character, making us less and less like those who live for themselves. Reflect Sermon Series The sermon for Fruit of the Spirit was not recorded. Recommended Activities Think of your friends and family members...among them, who do you trust the most? Who can you count on no matter what? Think of 2 or 3 people. Now that you have them in mind, list off the reasons why you have come to trust and count on them: Think of a time when you felt you should have had more faith but didn't feel like you had any. What happened that challenged your faith? Where did you find encouragement? Has this or another experience caused your faith to shrink a little...or a lot? Trusting God is similar in many ways with learning to trust others. It is built on experience...realizing someone says what they mean and does what they say they will do. Even if you have been disappointed or struggled in your faith in the past, are you willing to learn to trust God is Who He says He is...god does what He says He will do? Challenge yourself to list a dozen things you are thankful for each day this week. Trusting God is closely related to acknowledging and welcoming his activity in your life. Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as If He Doesn t Exist by Craig Groeschel Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan Love Does by Bob Goff The Blessed Life by Robert Morris The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn Recommended Small Group Studies Interrupted: An Adventure in Relearning the Essentials of Faith by Jen Hatmaker. James: Faith at Work Stand Against the Wind, a video study by Erwin McManus. Ignite: Refining and Purifying Your Faith, a video study by Ed Young Jr. Fresh: Reviving Stale Faith, a DVD led experience by Kerry Shook. Barbarian: A Call into Uncharted Faith Chase the Lion: Stepping Confidently into the Unknown by Mark Batterson.

6 Next Steps: Listening (Ephesians 4:1-16) L Listening: The mature believer listens to God in the word and in prayer. This listening is characterized by deep delight and instant obedience. Reflect Sermon Series Pastor Tim s Sermon on Evangelism from the Reflect Sermon Series on June 15, 2014 can be found at these web addresses. Download the audio at Watch the video at Recommended Activities Begin Reading the Bible - A Good Place to start reading the Bible is to use a devotional guide like Open Windows or Our Daily Bread to help you get started in reading your Bible each day. Our Daily Bread is also available as a smartphone app. Use the Jesus Story Book Bible to read to your children. (A great place to start if you are new to reading the Bible.) Prompt yourself to read the Bible daily with a reminder on your phone s calendar or download a Bible reading App such as YouVersion. Use an online Bible study tool such as MyStudyBible.com to read, highlight and add your own notes, look up words, and read commentary about each passage you study. Challenge yourself to read the whole Bible. Use a Bible reading plan or get a copy that is already formatted such as Reading God s Story: A Chronological Daily Bible. Do you ever feel that God is limited in where He can be? Do you sometimes feel outside of God's view? God knows all things, God is in all places. When you pray, you are calling out to Someone who is everywhere. Read these verses for comfort and encouragement. Jeremiah 23:23-24, Psalm 139:7-12 The names of God can be a powerful addition to your prayerlife. Download some flashcards from Mary Kassian's book, Knowing God by Name website. In her prayer recorded in Luke 1, Mary expressed humble recognition of the greatness of God and His grace and an awareness that God's unique calling on her life would result in all future generations calling her blessed. She viewed herself as both humbled and exalted. Take a moment to read that prayer in Luke 1:46-55 Watch this 5-minute video discussion of the Presence of God revealed throughout Scripture. Read the Bible for Life by George H. Guthrie The Drama of Scripture by Goheen and Bartholomew. Knowing God by J.I. Packer A Praying Life by Paul Miller Life of God by Richard Foster The Power of a Whisper by Bill Hybels Hear God by Dallas Willard One More Verse by John Dix Recommended Small Group Studies Growing Disciples: Live in the Word by Philip Nation.

7 Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby and Claude King Crave: An Exploration of the Human Spirit by Erwin McManus.

8 Next Steps: Edification (Romans 6:12-23) E Edification: The mature believer intentionally works to build up others in Christ, engaging spiritual gifts, maintaining unity, encouraging fellow Christians, and controlling the tongue. Reflect Sermon Series - The sermon for Fruit of the Spirit was not recorded. Recommended Activities Begin reading through the book of Psalms. Highlight places where the psalmist is being open and transparent with God and examples of belief in God and praise and thanks for God s activity. Find a Christian friend or two whom you can trust. Ask them to keep you accountable in being an authentic disciple of Christ. As you get started use some of the questions shared in this blog post. Consider forming a Life Transformation Group using this resource from CMA Resources and Neil Cole. Join a small group Bible study that encourages tough questions and doesn t assume everyone has overcome their spiritual struggles. Men should consider joining a Fire Team. Contact the church office for the Fire Team contact person. Take a spiritual gifts test to discover your spiritual gifts. Share with the pastor one of your spiritual gifts that you would like to use to serve your church. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The God Who Is There by Francis Schaeffer. Chazown by Craig Groeschel Recommended Small Group Studies My Identity in Christ by Gene Wilkes Compelled by Love by Ed Stetzer and Philip Nation. More to Life. Sent: Living the Missional Nature of the Church by Ed Stetzer. Other Resources View the Clean Slate Sermon Series by Tim Harris Watch the video at Watch the video at Watch the video at Watch the video at Watch the video at Download the audio at Download the audio at Download the audio at Download the audio at Download the audio at

9 View the sermon The Power of Words by Matt Betts on October 25, Download the audio at Watch the video at

10 Next Steps: Christ-likeness (Luke 9:23-27) C Christ-likeness: The mature believer imitates Christ in a life of self-denial, sacrifice, servanthood, and sanctity. Reflect Sermon Series Pastor Tim s Sermon on Evangelism from the Reflect Sermon Series on June 22, 2014 can be found at these web addresses. Download the audio at Watch the video at In His Steps by Sheldon Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren The Reflective Life by Ken Gire Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado Recommended Small Group Studies Holy Vocabulary: Rescuing the Language of Faith by Michael Kelley Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore Growing Disciples: Live in the Word by Philip Nation. Life in the Spirit by Robertson McQuilkin Other Resources Take advantage of the Parent Cue that is given to your children each week during small group ministry in helping them talk about what they are learning at church. There is also a Parent Cue app for your smart phone which provides even more ways to talk to your children at all ages about their faith.

11 Next Steps: Transformation (Ephesians 4:1-16) T Transformation: The mature believer seeks the gospel transformation of the world, beginning with self. It is a life of daily confession, turning from sin, and doing God's work in the world. Reflect Sermon Series Pastor Tim s Sermon on Evangelism from the Reflect Sermon Series on June 29, 2014 can be found at these web addresses. Download the audio at Watch the video at Recommended Activities Take time each day this week to pray and ask God to reveal to you areas in your life that you may be holding back your obedience. Ask... Where am I obedient? Where am I being stubborn? Where am I confused? How do I need to grow? Think of a time when obeying God seemed "too difficult"--how did you decide to obey (or not to obey)? What is God showing you? What is one thing you can do this week to be more obedient? Who is someone that you know well whom you see as regularly obedient to God? Step out and give them a call to see if you could meet for coffee and talk about how they have matured to that place. Does "obedience" sound more like a chore than a blessing to you? Watch this 5-minute video on the blessing of Obedience as Gene Getz teaches from Luke 11: Find a mentor who is willing to lead you through Call To Joy or participate in the Becoming A Disciplemaker a small group study to equip you to disciple a new believer one on one. I Really Want to Change So, Help Me God by James MacDonald Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary by J.D. Greear. Lord, Change My Attitude by James MacDonald Disciple by Elizabeth Elliott Insanity of God by Nik Ripkin Overwhelmed by Perry Noble Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado Recommended Small Group Studies Follow Me: Learning About Faith, Obedience, and Being Made Holy by Jason Hayes MasterLife Life in the Spirit by Robertson McQuilkin.

12 Covenant by KayArthur Seek Social Justice: Transforming Lives in Need by The Heritage Foundation Other Resources For those struggling with addiction to pornography. Check out the website: xxxchurch.com For help with all addictions check out the Celebrate Recovery ministry at Broadway United Methodist church and First Baptist Church of Bowling Green.