Living Stones

Dennis McCallum

Ephesians 4:16

Since Jesus is who we can base everything on as our cornerstone, when you choose to accept Christ, we become part of his spiritual family and are built together. By giving believers the Holy Spirit, God designed for believers to come together and to have purpose. If we decide to abandon our post, the whole community of God suffers. When the community of God comes together, it is able to declare the excellencies of God.

The Church's Greatest Challenge

Jim Leffel

Acts 5:1-11

The church faces it's first major internal threat - hypocrisy. Motivated by a desire for recognition, the believers are tempted to exchange authenticity for a fake and self-serving spirituality. God is deeply offended by hypocrisy in the church because it: 1) is a misrepresentation of who He is; 2) poisons true spiritual community; and 3) results in spiritual compromise. Rather than trying to put on a good front, we should strive to be real and show truth in our actions and not just our words. \r\n\r\n

Awesome Community (Part 1)

Jim Leffel

Acts 2:41-47

The early church is formed with it's foundation as the Holy Spirit, binding the Christians together as a family in Christ. As the Christ-followers drew near to God they also drew near to each other, experiencing "koinonia", or fellowship. There is a distinction here between going TO church and being IN fellowship. In fellowship we experience intimate community, characterized by warmth, acceptance, reliance, trust, generosity, and gratitude. As we consider what God has done in our own lives through fellowship, we can be thankful and press on to continue to serve others in order to deepen that community.

Jesus' Prayer for Unity

Jim Leffel

John 17:1-23

Before Jesus leaves his disciples, he prays for them that they might understand what is involved in real spiritual unity. By comprehending the role of God's truth and His Holy Spirit, we are better able to understand what distinguishes God's and the world's definitions of unity from each other. It is on this foundation that we can begin to build unity between one another, striving to initiate, communicate, and depend on one another as God intended.

3 Priorities That Please God and Fulfill You

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Paul writes to the Thessalonians on ways in which they can live to please God. Three priorities that please God include: 1) getting immersed in Christian community; 2) cultivating quietness before God and giving attention to family; and 3) being financially self-supportive. When Christians are plugged into communities with a healthy investment on Christ-centered relationships, have regular times spent with God and family, and learn to prioritize God's relational priorities while working hard in the workplace, it leads to a fulfilling life that glorifies God.

Faithfulness in Multiplication Ministry

Gary DeLashmutt

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

Faithfulness in multiplication ministry is accomplished through four means: 1) regular strengthening by God's Word; 2) peer friendships; 3) appreciating your ministry role as a privilege of God's grace; 4) build a biblically-informed focus on your eternal destination. These four things need prioritized or they will not happen. Multiplication is difficult work that takes a long time. Cultivating these will ensure faithfulness to God's call in our lives.\r\n

Intro to the Xenos Home Group Model

Phil Franck

Hebrews 10:24-25

This workshop includes a brief overview of the number and structure of home groups in Xenos, the history of how Xenos came to be, and how these home groups plant new groups. When a plant happens, new leaders must be considered through biblical criteria and raised up. There are several main areas that are crucial for leaders within the groups to focus on and emphasize, which include both evangelism and discipleship. We can promote both of these focuses in our home groups in numerous ways as we equip ourselves with some practical suggestions.

Hospitality - How to Make Your Home a Welcoming Place

Patrice McCormac

Hebrews 10:24-25

The words entertainment and hospitality are often used interchangeably, but they are quite different from each other. Entertaining seeks to impress and places things before people, causing us to worry about making sure the house is clean and well-decorated. Hospitality puts people before things and is a demonstration of sacrificial love, that we welcome friends and strangers into our home and give generously to them. As we look at the true definition of hospitality, analyze what really makes people feel welcome into a home, and make a plan to get started, we can move toward answering God's call in this area of our lives.

Multiplication - Effective Method or Biblical Principle?

Jim Leffel

Acts 2:46

The biblical principle that we see throughout scripture is church growth through organic reproduction. This model is not only successful all over the world but it is the most sustainable. Multiplication through home church planting leads to quality growth because it is reflected in personal discipleship. Jesus said: go and make disciples.