Meeting Up With God

Dennis McCallum

Psalms 86:1-17

Any relationship has two persons involved and involves interaction to some extent. Our relationship with God is one that we may be neglecting because we don't see him face to face, but it is by far the most intimate and complex one because He is our creator and we are made in His image. Some questions we can ask during our time spent talking and learning with God are: who are you talking to?; what is He like?; what has He done for you currently or in the past?; and what the answers mean for your life.

Foundations For A Legacy of Service

Jim Leffel

2 Timothy 1:1-7

As we reflect on living our lives for God, there are a few crucial elements that will help us to last the long-haul like the apostle Paul: 1) partnership; 2) restoring zeal; and 3) work of the Spirit. Paul reminds Timothy of their kindred bond serving God together and calls him to continue living zealously for the Lord, elements that will aid our spiritual lives as well.

Introduction

Gary DeLashmutt

Luke 18:10-14

Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount begins with his prescription for true happiness - the Beatitudes. He speaks with authority as God's King, and his teaching is that the key to happiness is first coming into a relationship with God and then adopting certain attitudes in line with knowing God personally. Our happiness as people is not dependent on our circumstances but rather on our cultivation of these attitudes.

The Spiritual Use of Money

Dennis McCallum

1 Timothy 5:1-25

Paul engages in the practical needs of the church, specifically in the financial ways that the church can help widows. This example helps us today to understand how we as Christians can help the poor, which is important to God's own heart. Teaching refers to Robert Lupton's book Toxic Charity, supplying facts for some of the ineffectiveness of the church's financial attempts to help the poor. Overall, how the church uses its money and resources are a critical and important witness to the world.

How to Lead When You Are Young

Scott Risley

1 Timothy 4:11-16

God isn't into the seniority system. He's looking to rescue people and He will work through everyone who is willing, even if they are young. Paul talks to Timothy on the importance of what he does and how it relates to his leadership as a young man. We look at the importance of church commitment and look at the downsides if we lack in this area.

Reaching Jr. High Students

Brian Runk

Brad DuFault

Mark 10:13-16

Brian Runk and Brad DuFault deliver a workshop focused on the importance of reaching junior high students for Christ. Many of the people we see being used by God in the Bible are young, and Jesus taught that children and youth should not be disregarded. Brian and Brad explain the format and strategies of their church's youth programs - including group and individual Bible studies. \r\n

Corporate Evangelism

Dennis McCallum

Acts 14:1

There are many different strategies to evangelism, one that is proven successful is corporate evangelism. Corporate evangelism is warranted biblically and exposes people to the love of Christ through His church. Helpful elements to corporate evangelism include prayer meetings, large meetings, small meetings, and group investment outside of meetings. The more equipped the church can become to work together the more successful it will be to share the love of Christ.

Effective Teams: Lessons from the Life of Paul

Mike Sullivan

Romans 16:1-13

Through exploring Paul's comments about his own ministry team, we can discover valuable principles for how to make our own teams effective for the Lord. What made Paul's team was effective was that they were faithful, they grew while serving, gave second chances, served and fought together, prayed for one another, and challenged each other. Perhaps above all, they loved each other, a deeply valuable team trait.

Philoxenia

Craig McElvain

Ephesians 2:12-14

Craig McElvain speaks on the topic of "Philoxenia", or "love towards outsiders". The church should have an outward focus, showing and sharing love to those the world rejects and devalues.