Focal Passages: Galatians 6:1-10 As we live out God’s will for our lives through embodying the fruit of the Holy Spirit, God’s purpose expresses itself in how we relate to others, especially those who belong to the household of faith. Restore and share burdens. It’s easy for us to point fingers, gossip and quietly revel in the moral failures of others. Southern Baptists are experts at this, unfortunately. We might
Focal Passage: Acts 15:7-9, 22-31 Entitlement is not a virtue most of us would consider a good thing. Entitlement can cause us to develop many other undesirable such as pride, jealously, envy and selfishness. It can also cause us to look at others with contempt and arrogance. The dictionary defines entitlement as “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment”. Entitlement is something most people would
Focal Passage: Galatians 5:16-26 What is God’s purpose for your life? Many Christians often worry over this question. The New Testament, however, is clear on God’s desire for the believer. Galatians 5:16-26 teaches that God calls Christ’s disciples to live a life in the Spirit and to turn away from walking in the desires of the Flesh. Walk by the Spirit and not the flesh. God’s purpose for believers
Focal Passage: Acts 14:11-23 Sometimes we may find ourselves in a position of miscommunication. This is especially true when we have different languages, cultures and social practices. Years ago, we ministered at a church that was close to a large university. The university would close a number of dormitories during long holidays to conserve energy and costs since most of the students would return home during this time. The international
Focal Passages: Acts 3:14-26 We have learned in the previous two lessons that humanity’s purpose has been tarnished to the degree that we cannot restore it ourselves. In this lesson we learn that only through the gospel of Jesus can that purpose be restored forever. Restoration comes through Jesus alone. Peter’s sermon in Acts 3 occurs after Peter and John encounter a beggar at the temple gate called
Focal Passage: Psalm 8:1-6, 14:1-7 God’s creative purpose for this world and humanity is greater than any fulfillment we can find ourselves. Because of the Fall, however, mankind has rejected God’s ideal and sought selfish ways to find meaning in life. As we studied last week, this only leads to frustration and despair. Only when we seek the Lord shall we find true and lasting purpose in our lives.
Focal Passage: Acts 13:42-52 In this study, we find that Paul and Barnabas have left Paphos and traveled to Perga in Pamphylia (modern-day Turkey). John Mark was the cousin of Barnabas and had accompanied them as a helper according to Luke in Acts 13:5. It was here that John Mark abandoned Paul and Barnabas and returned to Jerusalem. Luke gives no details as to why he left. We do not
Focal Passage: Acts 13:1-12 I have served in several churches during my 40-plus years of ministry, range from three to eight years to my longest ministry at one church of 14 years. I once was asked, “If you love a church and its congregation, and they love you, why leave and go somewhere else and start all over?” There are many reasons pastors would give, some of which would have
Focal Passages: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14 We begin a six-week study on living a life focused on God’s purpose for our lives. To live a life of true meaning, everyone must first understand the futility of life without faith in God. Every human searches for meaning and significance. The problem is that we search in every way other than the one leading to lasting fulfillment. This week’s lesson illustrates the meaninglessness of
Focal Passage: Acts 12:6-18 The study this week focuses on a topic that we talk about a lot but in many cases do very little of. We confess our belief in the power of prayer, but often times fail to apply that power to our lives as we should. Let me give you an example. All of us encounter problems in life. And, if we are believers, prayer is
Focal Passages: Galatians 6:1-10 As we live out God’s will for our lives through embodying the fruit of the Holy Spirit, God’s purpose expresses itself
Focal Passage: Acts 15:7-9, 22-31 Entitlement is not a virtue most of us would consider a good thing. Entitlement can cause us to develop many
Focal Passage: Galatians 5:16-26 What is God’s purpose for your life? Many Christians often worry over this question. The New Testament, however, is clear on
Focal Passage: Acts 14:11-23 Sometimes we may find ourselves in a position of miscommunication. This is especially true when we have different languages, cultures and
Focal Passages: Acts 3:14-26 We have learned in the previous two lessons that humanity’s purpose has been tarnished to the degree that we cannot restore
Focal Passage: Psalm 8:1-6, 14:1-7 God’s creative purpose for this world and humanity is greater than any fulfillment we can find ourselves. Because of the
Focal Passage: Acts 13:42-52 In this study, we find that Paul and Barnabas have left Paphos and traveled to Perga in Pamphylia (modern-day Turkey). John
Focal Passage: Acts 13:1-12 I have served in several churches during my 40-plus years of ministry, range from three to eight years to my longest
Focal Passages: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14 We begin a six-week study on living a life focused on God’s purpose for our lives. To live a life of
Focal Passage: Acts 12:6-18 The study this week focuses on a topic that we talk about a lot but in many cases do very little
