Class Lesson July 3, 2011

Hey Gang,

We begin a whole new series this week that's entitled Freedom: Make It Personal. This 5-week study theme looks at how we gain true freedom and how we are to live out that freedom. Now many churches will be focused on patriotism and God and country celebrations this weekend and we will applaud our freedom as Americans. But inwardly, many people wonder what it really means to be free on a personal level. We can look for freedom in different ways - political, religious, relational, financial - but still miss the mark on really feeling truly free. Only Christ offers us a permanent and lasting freedom, a freedom that touches every other aspect of our lives. We will discover over the next 5-weeks through each lesson that to be free in Christ is to be truly free!

Our first lesson in this series is about how to overcome ungodly, self-serving, enslaving, and ultimately destructive behavior that mimics freedom - we call it Personal Rights!

Really? That means I’m free to do whatever I want whenever I want with whomever I want, right?



Wrong. That’s not liberty; that’s self-indulgent slavery. There’s only one way to truly be free and enjoy the rights endowed to you by your Creator. Our lesson this week explains how this can be your “Independence Day.”  

I. WHY NOT SELF-INDULGE? – 2 PETER 2:10b-14

Bold, arrogant people! They do not tremble when they blaspheme the glorious ones; however, angels, who are greater in might and power, do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord. But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—speak blasphemies about things they don't understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed, suffering harm as the payment for unrighteousness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, delighting in their deceptions as they feast with you, having eyes full of adultery and always looking for sin, seducing unstable people, and with hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!

How does Peter describe self-indulgent people?

How might you treat the holy things of God flippantly? Are you aligned with anyone who does so? How carefully do you honor God with your speaking, spending, and behaving? Are you self-indulgent? 

What has happened in the past week to reveal the present state of your self-indulgence or self-giving?

II. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO? – 2 PETER 2:15-19

By abandoning the straight path, they have gone astray and have followed the path of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but received a rebuke for his transgression: a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet's madness. These people are springs without water, mists driven by a whirlwind. The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them. For uttering bombastic, empty words, they seduce, by fleshly desires and debauchery, people who have barely escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.

1 Corinthians 1:27

Instead, God has chosen the world's foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world's weak things to shame the strong.


What foolish things has God used to rebuke you? How well have you listened?

Whom would you consider to be vulnerable to self-indulgence as a promised path to freedom?

III. WHO WILL YOU BE INSTEAD? – PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21

Join in imitating me, brothers, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.



Where do we find examples of rejecting self-indulgence?




Who would benefit from following your example?

How can we offer that example in a humble rather than arrogant attitude?

 

I Want To Be Free From Being So All About Me

The first lesson in attaining true freedom in Christ is to understand and learn how to reject self-indulgence.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me practice self-denial instead of self-indulgence. Amen.

I hope everyone has a blessed week as we prepare for God's message on true freedom in Christ.  Happy 4th of July!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Class Lesson June 26, 2011

Hey Gang,

This month’s series has been on putting money and possessions in their proper place. It has been humbling, but also freeing to know that God owns and gives us everything we have. Everything we have whether it's money, clothes, cars, homes, jobs, relationships, family, even the very air we breath is simply on loan to us to take care of while we are here on earth. 

Could I be “a fool” in my preparation for my financial future - is my treasure here on earth or in heaven? Can I honestly say that God and not money is my master? 

Last week we read that people have the propensity to live for the next thing – the next weekend, the next vacation, the next purchase, and the next experience. They never seem to be satisfied – never content. We learned that ambition is a fine line we walk because our focus is on us and not on Him. Paul says, “In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content] – whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” The secret of contentment is to find our sufficiency in Christ, and not in material things.

This week we wrap up this series with the importance of GENEROSITY.

If you were to read all the verses in the Bible dealing with money, you would find that a vast number of them are about giving to the work of the Lord and helping people in need. Over and over, God tells us to be generous people.

The reason God gives us wealth is so we can be generous.

Many people don't understand the importance of generosity. They hold on tightly to what they own, unaware that selfishness often causes financial difficulties.


You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11).

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty (Proverbs 11:24).

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6).
 

Give of your time and talents.

Whether or not you have a lot of money or material possessions, be a generous person with your time, looking for ways to help your church, other ministries or people in need. Follow Christ’s example by showing a passionate concern for others. 

 
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness (Philippians 2:5-7). 

Be especially generous if you are well off.

Although everyone is called to be generous, you should be especially so if you are wealthy. Do not be embarrassed by your wealth, but remember it is not your money. Use it to bless others.
 

Command those who are rich ... to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Ask Yourself This - Is Giving The Purpose Of Living? Our lesson says that some people have learned that GIVING is the purpose of LIVING!

Why Be Generous?

I. SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY PAST ( GRACE ) – Luke 19:1-10

Jesus Visits Zacchaeus

1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, because today I must stay at your house." 6 So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, "He's gone to lodge with a sinful man!" 8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I'll pay back four times as much!" 9 "Today salvation has come to this house," Jesus told him, "because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."

Do you have a generous heart? Are you a generous person? Is there selfishness in your past?

II. SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY PRESENT ( LOVE ) – 1 JOHN 3:16-18

Love in Action

16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has this world's goods and sees his brother in need but shuts off his compassion from him—how can God's love reside in him? 18 Little children, we must not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth;

Do you really show generosity to poor and needy people today? How can we open our eyes to needs we see today?

III. SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY YET TO COME ( EXAMPLE ) – 2 CORINTHIANS 8:3-4
3 I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, 4 they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints,

Do you make generous donations to your church? Do you think God is pleased with your level of giving? When have you begged to help? Will people say you were generous after you’re gone?

Do you need to make any changes in how you approach giving?

Is My Purpose Of Living To Give?

Prepare yourselves this week for our final lesson on putting our possessions in perspective.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me be generous in my giving. Amen

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan 

Class Lesson June 19, 2011

Hey Gang,

What a series this has been - What do you really own? Where is your true treasure? and this week, How much is enough? 

I think this cartoon hits the nail on the head don’t you? Once a year we take some time to focus on the concept of thanksgiving. And yet, we have so much for which we should be thankful. Why is it that it’s so hard for us to think on the concept of thanksgiving more?

 
Why do we always feel like we need something more. More money, more gadgets, better furniture, a better house, a better car, more clothes, more shoes, more success. And what happens when we get more? We still aren’t satisfied, because there are new ads for new iPods, for new laptops, for new iPhones, for new cars, for new clothes and we have to have the newest and greatest. It’s impossible to satisfy that hunger for more, because our culture is not satisfied with what we have, but is geared to wanting more. It’s consumerism, and it’s the official religion of the industrialized world.

Our series has tried to get us to really think about this possession thing. We have been told throughout, that we should avoid greed and embrace the freedom that comes from using possessions the way God intended - how do we do that? Well, this week's lesson says that the answer is a hidden secret - it all centers around contentment. 

So, what does that mean?

Is it happiness?

Many people see “contentment” and “happiness” as one and the same. In many ways, they are, but it’s really a matter of focus. When you’re happy, it’s really a state of being, influenced by a number of factors, including contentment.

Contentment, on the other hand, is a matter of being satisfied with what you have. It focuses on what you have and don’t have instead of just being a state of being. It influences happiness. However, you can choose to be content, just as you can choose to be happy, and if you choose to be content, most of the time - you will be happy.

There are many ways to become happy — you can become happy by doing certain things (running, exercising, accomplishing a task), you can become happy because you are loved or in love, you can become happy because you just won a competition or a million dollars. Being content is another way to be happy, and it’s God's way.

Don't Worry Be Happy

Click Here

Is it simplicity?

Simplicity, of course, means many things to many people, but for me contentment is at the core of simplicity. It’s about being content with less, with a simpler life, rather than always wanting more, always acquiring more, and never being satisfied.

Simplicity means examining why you want more, and solving that issue at its core. At the core of wanting more is not being content with what you have. Once you’ve learned to be content, you don’t need more. You can stop acquiring, and start enjoying.

Now, I'm not saying that we will become immune to wants, but we can learned to catch ourselves and examine why we want something. And then try to tell  ourselves that we already have everything we could possibly want and need. And that contentment leads to simplicity.

Is it finances?

Really this is the same as simplicity, but I wanted to show it from a financial angle. The reason we get into financial trouble, oftentimes, is that we buy more than we can afford. And the root of that buying is buying things we want instead of only things we need, and the root of that is not being content with what we already have.

Finding contentment with the stuff you have and with a simpler life can lead to buying less, to buying things we need instead of want, and to only spending what we can afford.

Is it my job?

Should we be content with our jobs? Well, I won’t say that you should stick with a dead-end job and a boss that treats you like dirt. If you’re unhappy with your job, change it.  But change it with God's direction and guidance. Maybe you are in a job that pays you very well and  affords you plenty, but at the sacrifice of time with your family - is it worth it? 

Getting to Contentment

So if contentment is the answer, how do you get there? Well, our lesson this week says that first we must choose it, (1 Timothy 6:6-8) then we must push away the greed in our life, (1 Timothy 6:9-12) and finally, we must have faith in Christ for the answer (Philippians 4:10-20).

“God’s gifts put man’s best dreams to shame.” 

- Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Prayer

Lord, help me to find the contentment that comes when You are my sufficiency. Amen

This is a needed lesson for us all! Keep it in prayer this week as we prepare for more on God's perspective of our possessions.

In His Love,

David & Susan

Class Lesson June 12, 2011

Hey Gang,

We had a great start to this month’s series on the biblical perspective towards our possessions. Yes, we live in a materialistic culture, but it's convicting to know that so many people – even Christians – are more concerned with comfort, self-gratification, and wealth than they are with godly pursuits and passions. Christians are not immune to the allure and trap of the rich and famous. And when you are hooked, you'll come up with all kind of excuses and explanations to say that you are not a slave to money.  

Last week we were asked, What do you own? And it was humbling to realize that God owns and gives us everything we have. We learned that money is not what is evil, but the love of it is, so when we consider someone to be materialistic, we are talking about their attitude toward money and its importance. King David in his final prayer and public address gave us a great insight into the doctrine of stewardship. Everything we have is simply on loan to us to take care of while we are here on earth. God gives us everything we need to care for our family, to care for the needy, to serve God, to support the ministry and to pay our taxes. God will hold us accountable for how we manage the blessings He has given each of us in our time, talents and money.

This week we look at priorities and the real measure of wealth. Our lesson asks the question, Where is your treasure? Is there a line to cross before I fall victim to worshiping money as oppose to God? Am I a fool in my preparation for my financial future - is my treasure here on earth or in heaven? Can I be spiritual in regard to money matters and still be practical in financial security?  What is truly valuable and why?

Everyone treasures certain things in his or her life. Write down something you particularly treasure in the following areas:


1. A Material Possession: 


2. A Human Relationship:


3. An Activity:                     


4. A Spiritual Experience: 

I. COLLECT THE RIGHT TREASURE – MATTHEW 6:19-21

A Life of God-Worship

"Don't hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

When is wealth good? When is it bad? What is the difference between greed and preparation for the future?

II. SELECT THE RIGHT MASTER – MATTHEW 6:22-24

"Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have! "You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can't worship God and Money both.

What are ways we become enslaved to money? How gradually do possessions come to own us if we are not careful?

 

III. REJECT SINFUL WORRY – MATTHEW 6:25-34

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

What bit of advice about worry would you give your adult children? What have your adult children shown you about how to put worry aside for something more effective? What successes have you had with managing worry?

Have a blessed rest of the week as we continue in our biblical perspective of our possessions.

See you Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan  

Class Lesson June 5, 2011

Hey Gang,

 It Feels Good To Have Money

Click Here

This week we begin a new 4-week series on the biblical perspective of all your stuff, you know your material possessions. Now, here's what you're thinking, this is going to be one of those series that makes you feel guilty about what you have and what you give - well, maybe it will be, or maybe it won't be. But think about this - when God's Word does convict you, don't you think that it does so for a reason? It does for me! The truth of the matter is this - we do live in a materialistic culture where many people, even Christians, are more concerned with comfort, self-gratification, and wealth, than with godly pursuits and passions.  Now, we really don't want to admit to these things, so instead we think - I'm not GREEDY, and no, I don't just think of MYSELF, and WEALTHY, ha - not me, in fact I need more money, not less! After all, I have worked pretty hard for what I have and own - RIGHT... SURE THING!

Our series of lessons asks each of us 4 questions:

1. What do you own?
2. Where is your treasure?
3. How much is enough?
4. Why be generous?

Now, guess what, I'm going to struggle through this series too, so let's just do it together - okay?

Lesson #1

This week we are studying the doctrine of stewardship - the fact that all we have (time, talent, treasure) is entrusted to our stewardship by God.

Before we begin, stewardship is undoubtedly one of the subjects that people are often least enthusiastic to study. Yet, Jesus devoted roughly 25% of his words in the Gospels to our resources and our stewardship of them. This includes some 28 passages in the Gospels. And, in the Old and New Testaments combined there are over 800 verses on the subject on topics ranging from planning and budgeting, saving and investing, debt and tithing. Furthermore, money and wealth and possessions are the greatest idols in our culture and there is simply no way to be a disciple of Jesus who does not learn to worship God with our stewardship.

What is stewardship?

A steward is a person, who by God’s grace, belongs to God. And, because they belong to God they recognize that ultimately everything they are and have belongs to God and has been given to them as a gift. Therefore, they then seek to both enjoy the gifts God has given them as well as invest those gifts in others and the future by distributing them wisely. We have 3 categories that we must steward: our time, our talents and our treasure or wealth. The fact that God owns everything and we are to steward it faithfully also explains why when people fail to do so God charges them with robbing or stealing from Him (Malachi 3:8-10).

 

Defining what is meant by wealth is important. Everything we have, given to us by God, including our finances, jobs, houses, products of our land, businesses, automobiles and personal items is part of our wealth.

 What does the New Testament teach about wealth?

1. Well, it warns us against the desire to be rich (1 Tim 6:9, 18, 19; Hebrews 13:5-6). 
2. It gives some general guidelines for what the rich should do (1 Tim 6:17-19; Matt 6:19-21; Luke 12:32-34; Luke 14:13-14). 
3. And it explains why God has given us so much: Ephesians 4:28 says, “The thief no longer steals, but rather let him work, doing honest work with hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.” 

In other words, there are three levels of how to live with things: 1) steal to get, 2) work to get, or 3) work to get in order to give.

Too many Christians live on level two. Almost all the forces of our culture urge them to live on level two. But God pushes us to level three and critiques level two.

Who owns everything?

Essential to the doctrine of stewardship is that everything ultimately belongs to God. The great myths are that we own anything, that we deserve anything, that we can do anything good apart from God and that we are sovereign over our own lives. Nothing good that we have or do originates with us, it all comes from the hand of God as the Scriptures repeatedly and emphatically declare (Deuteronomy 8:17-18;Psalm 50:10; Haggai 2:8; James 1:16-18).


This week we hear from King David near the end of his life, he has two major concerns. One had to do with his successor. He wanted the people to receive Solomon as his heir to the throne, and his second concern was to prepare for the building of the temple. The final two chapters of 1 Chronicles contain David's last address and last public prayer.  I think what people have to say before they die are pretty important things to consider.

1 Chronicles 29:1-20

What This Lesson Is About - Recognizing God's ownership of everything we have.  Ask yourself this - In what ways do you acknowledge God as owner of all things?

Prepare your hearts this week, for God does test the heart, as we journey into the very mind of God and what He has to say to each one of us about our stewardship of His great gifts.

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan

Class Lesson May 29, 2011

Hey Gang,

This Sunday, May 29th we will not be having our regular Sunday school time. Instead, we will all gather at Heritage Park for our Freedom Weekend Aloft Worship! Church in its technical meaning "refers to the gathering of the faithful rather than to the building in which it takes place." So we are looking forward to gathering with you, our church, and any friends that you bring along with you.


Here are some details to help as you make plans to come.

• Heritage Park Amphitheater - 10:30am - Rain or Shine

• Gates open at 9:00am. Parking & Admission are FREE until 10:45am.

• Park in the large, grass lot at the Main Street Entrance to Heritage Park. Shuttles will be available, but it is a pleasant walk to the amphitheater.

• Bring a lawn chair.

• Sit with your family & friends. No childcare is provided.

• No outside food or drinks are allowed into the park.

• Bring CASH to purchase your tickets for food and drinks. Vendors only accept CASH.

• An offering will be collected during the worship time. Envelopes and checks will be handled as normal. Any cash and coins collected will go to disaster relief.

• Aaron Keyes Concert will begin at 1:00pm (Note change).

In two weeks we will resume our normal class period and begin a new 4-week series entitled “Put Possessions in Perspective.”

May 30th Memorial Day Weekend 2011, for some, is the perfect time for friends and family to honor loved ones who have served their country. Below is a beautiful tribute for your remembrance of those who have fallen in service to our country.

Happy Memorial Day

Click Here

Hope you have a blessed rest of the week!


In His Love,

David & Susan

Class Lesson May 22, 2011

Hey Gang,

This is our final lesson on our Leadership series. I am combining the last two lessons into one since we won't be having Sunday school class next week. This week we are looking at two names in the Bible that our series has identified as leaders we should learn by.

Have you ever thought of your name as a reflection of who you are?

In the ancient Near East your name was more than just words. Your name was your identity, in fact it was reflective of your character, your substance, the very fiber that made you, you. Your name told who you were.

Does Your Name Say Anything About You?

If you click below, there is an introduction to the video we will be watching on Sunday regarding your name and just who you are?

YOUR NAME

Click Here

 


Now, see if you can match the names below with the description of who they are to the right:

 What is your name?          Who are you?

We each have this unique path, a calling, a life that God has given us; and Jesus invites us to be our true selves and yet we get sidetracked, and we get distracted, we get hung up on how we’re different from her or we aren’t like him and we end up asking the wrong questions.

Do you have the sense of a unique path in your life?

If so, what is it?

Are there ways in which you tend to get distracted from "your path" because of what others do, say, or think?

You and I have pasts, families we come from, things we've done, mistakes we've made, and where we've been and what we've done has shaped us into who we are today. So we have to embrace our story, our history. You don't have to be proud of it, but you must claim it because it's yours.

What do you think it means for people to claim their own history?

Have you claimed yours?

Paul & Barnabas have done this very thing in our lesson this week - let's see. 

Names have incredible power. They represent who we are. Often God changed the names of His people to align with their destiny. He changed Abram (father of the exalted) to Abraham (father of multitudes). Jacob (deceiver) became Israel (God strives). Cephas (a reed) became Peter (the rock), Saul (asked) became Paul (little) and Joseph ( Jehovah increases ) became Barnabas (Son of Encouragement).


Let's see what we can learn from Paul and Barnabas' name about who they were.

I. BE UNWAVERINGLY FAITHFUL – 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1-5

The Faithful Manager

1 A person should consider us in this way: as servants of Christ and managers of God's mysteries. 2 In this regard, it is expected of managers that each one be found faithful. 3 It is of little importance that I should be evaluated by you or by a human court. In fact, I don't even evaluate myself. 4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord. 5 Therefore don't judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.


How does Paul want to be known by name?



Two problems the Corinthians faced and we face that keep us from pursuing God’s agenda:

1. __________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________

Why doesn’t Paul seem to care if other people evaluate him? How do you handle criticism?



II. REFUSE TO COMPROMISE – GALATIANS 1:6-10

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ, [and are turning] to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another [gospel], but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! 9 As we have said before, I now say again: if anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! 10 For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.


Why was Paul amazed?



What does Paul want you to refuse to compromise? 

What does it mean to be saved by grace?



From Paul we can learn two lessons:

1. Ultimately, the only _________________ that will matter will be God’s.

2. Don’t ________________ the true gospel.

III. TAKE A RISK INVESTING IN OTHERS – ACTS 9:26-27

Saul in Jerusalem

26 When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how, on the road, Saul had seen the Lord, and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.


Why was the risk for Barnabas in investing in Saul? Why were the disciples afraid of Saul?



What do you think Barnabas saw in Saul that led him to intercede?



How do we know if someone is worth the risks associated with their past?




IV. RECOGNIZE TRUE POTENTIAL – ACTS 15:36-41

Paul and Barnabas Part Company

36 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we have preached the message of the Lord, and see how they're doing." 37 Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 39 There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40 Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. 41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.


What is significant about Paul’s name change and role now in chapter 15?



What was the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas?



What do you think Paul’s position on John Mark was and how would you explain it? Was he right?



What do you think Barnabas’ position on John Mark was and how would you explain it? Was he right?





From Barnabas we can learn two lessons:

1. Investing in others calls for ___________ __________ for the sake of helping to accomplish God’s will in the lives of other people. Barnabas’ plea on behalf of Saul to the disciples is such an example.

2. People ___________________________________.



How would you describe Paul and Barnabas’ leadership styles?

I hope that everyone has had a blessed week and that you are in preparation for what God has to tell us on Sunday through two of his finest leaders in the Bible - Paul and Barnabas.

See you Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan