Five Appointments with God We Are SBC!
September 6 - 10, 2010
The University of Marshall, located in West Virginia, is famous for their simple cheer: “We are Marshall!” Other schools and organizations have adopted their own version of this cheer. Whether it is a cheer or a mission statement, it is very helpful for church to clearly know who they are and where they are going. Before we start another ministry year here at Silverdale Baptist Church, let me walk you through some important questions that are vital to our success.
- Pastor Barry
Read Proverbs 29:18. What happens when a company, team, or individual is void of clear direction? What happens if a church lacks clear direction? Have you been at a church that had a clear vision of where they were going? Describe the qualities of that church. If you have experienced a church without clear direction, describe their qualities.
Tuesday - Vision Applied!
The Vision (where we are going) for SBC is: “Building a Vibrant Church that Attracts the Unchurched”. Break down the meaning of the following words: building, vibrant, attracts, unchurched. When you have a guest/friend sitting next to you at church for the first time, you are putting the Vision of that church to a test. What kinds of antenna are on high alert when you have a friend with you? What are some areas that our church is excelling at our Vision? What are areas we need help?
Wednesday - Mission!
Read Matthew 28:19-20. Every church has a mission that comes directly from the Great Commission. Silverdale Baptist’s just happens to be three words long. Do you know what our mission statement is? (If you don’t know, look at our logo online and you will see the 3 words underneath our name.) If a Vision is where we are going, our Mission is what we are doing. How would you describe how we can accomplish our Mission?
Thursday - Now What?
If we know where we are going (Vision) and know what we are to be doing (Mission) the next question is, “How?” The answer we have landed on at SBC is: Connect, Grow, Serve. What does each of these three words mean in context to our church? How do they help us with our Vision? How do they help us with our Mission?
Friday - Healthy Church in Action!
Read Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35. From these passages, find examples of how we see our Vision and Mission in action in the early church? Where do you see the early church involved with Connect, Grow, and Serve? What are your thoughts concerning a church (or pastor’s) desire to grow so that they can reach more people? What would be your biblical response to this desire? Spend some time praying for God to bless our church as we begin another ministry year! Thank you!
Five Appointments with God
August 30 - September 3, 2010
Powerful Virtue!
Without a controlled environment, fruit will spoil…quickly. It is worth noting that self control is the last on the list of the Fruit of the Spirit. Without it, all of the Fruit will quickly spoil and go to waste. Self control is self explanatory. We must learn to control ourselves or control must be forced upon us. We see it with the consequences that result from DUI’s, detention, bad grades, anger, abuse, etc. Without self control we lose the freedom we have when we control ourselves.
- Pastor Barry
Read Galatians 5:16-26. In the list of the acts of the sinful nature, which ones is a result of a lack of self control? Why are most of them attached to a lack of self control? How is having the virtue of self control help the rest of the Fruit of the Spirit? How does a lack of self control spoil the rest of the Fruit? How would you grade yourself when it comes to having self control as a Fruit in your life?
Tuesday - Hostile Environment!
Read Matthew 26:57-68; 27:11-14. How does Jesus demonstrate self control in these two confrontations? When is he silent and when does he answer? How does ignoring false accusations and only responding to truth helpful? Why is this so painfully hard to do? Why do you think Jesus was silent when his accusers where hostile and ridiculing toward him? What can we learn from Jesus’ example? How do you normally respond when you are “attacked”?
Wednesday - Be Like Jesus!
Read Romans 12:9-21. With the example of Jesus in mind, how does this listing in Romans have a lot to do with having self control? Which are hard for you to obey? Why? How is showing self control toward those who would be classified as an “enemy” acting like Jesus?
Thursday - Add to Faith & Stir!
Read 2 Peter 1:3-11. Peter gives us a list of qualities that demonstrate the divine power in our lives. What are the promises given if we have “these” in our lives? What happens to us if we do not have “these” in our life? Why is self control in this list? Why must it be in this list?
Friday - Gotta Have Walls!
Read Proverbs 25. What Fruit of the Spirit can you find in this chapter? Read verse 28 again. In this culture, a city without walls made it vulnerable to attacks and easy prey for any enemy. How is this true when we do not have self control? In this culture, a city without walls was an embarrassment to those who lived in the city as well as to those in the surrounding area. How is this also true when we don’t have self control? What does self control look like in your life? What does it look like in your family?
Five Appointments with God
August 23 - 27, 2010
Gentleness
The Biblical definition of gentleness (Prautes) carries with it the idea of submission to God’s dealing with us and seeing them as good and therefore accepting them without disputing or resisting. Secondly, it is how we are to deal with those who require discipline or those who are in opposition with us.
Pastor Jake Jacobs
Pause for a moment and consider your life. How are you viewing your circumstances today? Are they outside God’s control or jurisdiction? Does the idea that God sends calamity and blessing trouble you? Is it easier to say God allows calamity? Whether sent or allowed we can be sure God is in them and they all have a purpose. God is more interested in your character than your comfort.
Tuesday - Romans 8:28
We are all familiar with Romans 8:28. “God causes ALL things…”. In light of Monday’s discussion could we let this phrase stand alone? If we add “to work together for good” it seems to be easier to accept. Let’s be clear God is not the originator of sin nor does he tempt us to sin. From Romans 8:29, we know that part of the good referred to in verse 28 is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. God will not waist even our poor choices. If your present circumstance is in part a result of sinful choices, confess that sin and than rest in God’s forgiveness and grace.
Wednesday - Galatians 6:1
“Gently restore” notes the purpose of the confrontation, restoration not condemnation. How are we considerate of others when discipline is needed? Philippians 4:5, Colossians 3:12-14: why are most of us the least gentle with our family members (children – spouse – parents)? I have also discovered the more legalistic we are in our theology the less gentle we are: the solution is found in walking by the Spirit.
Thursday - Galatians 6:22-23
These verses note that these are the “Fruit of the Spirit” i.e. given – developed and employed by the Spirit much like our faith. I Timothy 6:11 says to pursue “…righteousness, godliness, faith… and gentleness.” How do we pursue something that comes from God? May I suggest we do so by pursuing the Giver of every good gift.
Friday - II Timothy 2:25-26
These two verses are two of the most helpful verses in the Bible for me. First of all they talk about how we deal with people who are in opposition to us, the text says to “gently instruct.” I can do this because God is the one who grants repentance – it’s a gift from God. Wow! I cannot change ANYONE only God can change their thinking and break the strongholds in their life. Realizing that it’s a God thing (not yours or mine), should free us to “pray” that God’s will be done.
Five Appointments with God
August 16 - 20, 2010
Faith and Faithfulness
The words Faithfulness and Faithfully show up in love songs all the time. But Faithfulness is more than just romantic fidelity. It is the outward evidence of true faith in God and demonstrates the maturity of that faith. Let’s explore this more this week.
- Pastor Mike
Read Matthew 25:14-30. Where Jesus tells a story about stewardship and faithfulness. Which servants were faithful? Which servant was unfaithful? Does being faithful always mean “playing it safe”? Look at verse 30. What is the result of unfaithfulness for this servant? What was Jesus teaching in that verse?
Tuesday - It’s All About the Gospel!
Read Ephesians 2:4-10. What does this explanation of God’s work in salvation tell us about our role in salvation? Can we do anything to deserve salvation? What about after we are saved – do we have anything to boast about regarding our works? Who gets the credit for faithful service in our lives? Why is this important?
Wednesday - What Freedom is For
Read Galatians 5:13-14. What does this say about how to think about our freedom? What role does the Fruit of the Spirit play in our service to one another? How have you used your freedom to serve someone this week? What are your plans for next week?
Thursday - Faithfulness Provides Hope
Read Lamentations 3:21-24. What a great reminder of our example in faithfulness! Where does hope come from in this passage? What does this passage say about “self-talk”? Implied in this passage is God’s faithfulness to keep His promise of love and compassion. What promises have we made that we need God’s Spirit to enable us to keep?
Friday - Faith and Faithfulness
Compare Ephesians 2:8-10 with James 2:14-17. Is it possible to have faith that doesn’t result in good works? Is it possible to have good works without faith? What do you think of someone who tells you he believes something, but it has no effect on his actions? What do our actions say about our faith?
Five Appointments with God
August 9 - 13, 2010
Everyday Blindside!
The movie, The Blindside, has been a huge blockbuster success. The real true life story is not about football, poverty, or fame. It is the story the Tuohy family who chose to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit to a needy young man. This was normal for this family. Acts of kindness and goodness should be normal for every believer.
- Pastor Barry
Read Romans 2:2-4. What are the “riches of God’s kindness” to us? How do people show contempt for these riches? How does God’s kindness lead to repentance? Why should we be kind toward other people who cross our paths? What happens when Christians do not live this way and are rude toward others?
Tuesday - Light!
Read Ephesians 5:8-10. Why is goodness such a testimony of being in the light? What is the contrast to this? What deeds or acts of kindness and goodness have you done lately? If it has been a while since you’ve done them, why has it been so long? Why should it be so easy to be a good testimony in our world today? Would people describe you as a kind and good person? Why or why not?
Wednesday - Not Normal!
Read 2 Samuel 9:1-13. What does David attribute his kindness to in verse 3? Why would he say this? How is showing kindness an act of God’s kindness toward people? What did you learn about David in this passage? What was the normal thing for new kings to do to the family of the former king? Why should believers not be “normal” these days? How are you not “normal” as a believer?
Thursday - Risk!
Read 2 Samuel 16:1-4. The background of this chapter is one that finds King David on the run from a coup from his son Absalom. Instead of staying with David, what did Mephibosheth do? Why? Why is extending kindness and goodness a risk? When have you taken this risk and gotten burned? How did you respond? How does God respond when we take advantage of his kindness toward us? How then should we respond?
Friday - Reward!
Read Galatians 6:9-10. In the theme of following after the Spirit we hear the promise of verse 9. What is this promise? Why will God reward our acts of kindness and goodness? Why is it so easy to become weary in doing good? Do you have the eyes to see or the ears to hear the Holy Spirit telling you to do something good or to be kind toward someone? What kinds of opportunities have come your way recently? What did you do? Why or why not?
Five Appointments with God
August 2 - 6, 2010
Lord, Give Me Patience…Now!
It’s been said, “Patience is something you love in the driver behind you but hate in the one ahead of you!” I find that this Fruit of the Spirit is one of the most difficult in my life. How about you? It seems like my internal clock runs faster than most and at times faster than God’s. This leads to impatience and frustration. It also can cause difficulty to those closest to me. How do you measure up in your life with the Fruit of Patience? What comes out when you are impatient?
- Pastor Barry
Read Psalms 37:1-8. What sources of frustration are there in verse one? What are the different commands given in verses 3-7? Which command is the most difficult for you? Why? What does “delight” mean? If I would tell you that it means, “to be soft and pliable”, how would this impact the meaning of verse 4? Why is it so hard to wait patiently?
Tuesday - Endurance!
Read Psalm 40:1; Isaiah 40:31; Romans 15:4-6. How is patience tied with endurance? Why does God want us to have endurance as a part of our character? Have you ever waited for something for a long time? What? How long? How is patience glorifying to Christ Jesus? Why is patience a Fruit of the Spirit?
Wednesday - Living on!
Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. How did Paul demonstrate patience? How does your patience stack up against the Apostle Paul’s? Why? How many different forms of patience are in this lengthy list that he gives? Knowing yourself, how would you have handled what he went through? What is difficult in your life right now? What would a patient response look like in your current situation?
Thursday - Faith!
Read Colossians 3:12-13. Why is patience a beautiful garment for believers to wear? What does patience tell others of our walk with Christ? What does it communicate to those who do not yet know Christ? What would impatience communicate? How are patience and faith in God linked together?
Friday - Fruit!
Read John 15:1-8. Read this passage again and insert the word “patience” in place of the word “fruit”. How does this help magnify the need of God in our lives in order to have patience? Why is it difficult for us to manufacture patience on our own? Why must this be produced within us by the Holy Spirit? How long and strong is our manufactured patience compare with the Fruit of patience from the Holy Spirit? How do we obtain and maintain this fruit in our life?
