The Word of God ^{0}

Oh,
how full of light,
how full of life,
how full of love,
how full of sweetness,
how full of goodness,
how full of righteousness,
how full of holiness, etc.,
is every chapter, and every verse in every
chapter, yes, and every line in every verse!

I recently read the above statement about the Bible. I don’t know who said it, but it is obvious the author of that statement has immersed themselves in the text of Scripture. The thing about time in the Word of God is that there are times when we simple don’t want to read it. We’ve forgotten how wonderful it is to have the Word of God rolling around in our heads and dwelling in our hearts.

This year I am looking to immerse myself in Scripture. To read it, to memorize it, to meditate on it, to write about it, to teach it, etc. I encourage you to do the same. We live in an age when you can have access to the Word on paper, on phones, on ipods, tattooed to Zach Lutz’ back, computers and a ton of other ways. Find a way to make it a part of your daily life.

Here is a list of 10 reading plans, check them out, don’t make reading it in 365 days the goal, this is not about a checklist. Make your joy being found in Word of God as it reveals God to you the goal.

You can also use this printable list from a few years back.

By futuregrace Category: Uncategorized

Breakaway Tonight ^{0}

Tonight at Breakaway we’ll be looking at 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10, specifically as we consider the turning from idols seen in verses 9-10 (verses below).

We’ll also be eating some Chili donated by Matt Staples. We’ll add some fritos to make it a meal.

Afterwards we’ll play some Skatter ball in the gym.

Hope to see you there. 6:30 to 8:00. 6th grade through 12th grade.

By futuregrace Category: Uncategorized

Reminder: Iota Changes for 2011 ^{0}

This past semester we split Breakaway in two groups. 2nd through 6th grade renamed Iota and 7th through 12th grade. This split has gone very well, but it has also required more adult leaders to be able to affectively minister to the students of each group.
As we have thought and prayed about any changes that we could make to improve both Breakaway and Iota we’ve decided to change Iota from meeting every week to only once a month. Iota will now meet on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

This allows us to better structure the time for students which will lead to more intentional ministry to our covenant children. This also allows Laura and myself to be involved which we’ve missed this past semester. We anticipate this change will rejuvenate our current adult leaders and will give opportunity to high school students to serve their church. By only meeting once a month this provides more time for parents to spend with their elementary aged children whose schedules are increasingly busy.

The other change has to do with the age breakdown. Iota will now include 2nd through 5th grade. Breakaway will include 6th through 12th grade. Basically 6th graders are now included in Breakaway. Breakaway will continue to meet every Wednesday evening.

Iota for Remainder of year is Tuesday, January 25, February 22nd, March 22nd and April 26th from 6:30 to 8:00. In January and February we’ll meet in the south building.

Breakaway starts up again on January 5th and will meet every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 in the south building. The only change to Breakaway is the addition of 6th grade students.

By futuregrace Category: Uncategorized

Ubuntu Facial Hair ^{0}

Elder Ubuntu has hands down the best facial hair I have seen in a long long time.

By futuregrace Category: Uncategorized

Sunday School: James 1:19-27 ^{0}

Above is a picture of the board after Youth Sunday School. Elder Mike Preston was teaching on James 1:19-27

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:19–27 ESV)

The guide for working through the text today was a series of questions to help pull out not only what the text means, but how we actually apply this to our live. The questions are below.

1. What 3 characteristics in verse 19 does James commend to everyone for practice?

2. What makes each of these characteristics difficult?

3. What does our anger accomplish?

4. What image does James use in verse 21? What does it mean?

5. What cause us to so easily forget God’s Word?

6. What keeps us from putting God’s Word into practice?

7. What is the difference between “Religion that God our Father accepts” and being “religious?”

8. What is the primary point that James is making our verse this week?

Next week we will cover James 2:1-14. Open up your Bibles this week and read that text so you might come hungry to better understand it.

By futuregrace Category: Uncategorized