Walking in the Light

Gary DeLashmutt

1 John 1:5-2:2

God is light and as such, having fellowship with Him requires walking in the light. As Christians, we must appreciate that God is righteous and His instructions have moral authority in our lives. Living in fellowship with God requires an appreciation for His righteousness, along with learning to humbly and honestly cooperate with Him as we encounter sin in our lives. As we respond to God's correction in our lives, we can enjoy deepened fellowship with God and others.

Difficult Conversations

Jim Leffel

Colossians 1:28

As Christians we are called to be in close fellowship with one another. This inevitably leads to situations that call for difficult conversations. Paul calls us to admonish each other as members of the body of Christ. What is admonishment? Who is responsible to admonish? What is at stake in this area? Practical steps to take regarding admonishment are discussed.\r\n

Making the Transition, Traditional to Home Group-Centered Ministry

Gilbert Lennox

Colossians 1:28

Transitions from traditional to group-centered ministry are gradual and intentional. Looking at a church who has attempted this kind of environment several times, consider the steps that a church needs to take in order to create a revolution like this. Some of the steps include support, vision, leadership training, and fighting disappointment.

A Flexible Framework for Personal Discipleship

Gary DeLashmutt

Colossians 1:28

Discipleship is a personal, ethical, and strategic relationship where mature members help to lead less mature members to maturity and continue in multiplication of groups. Discipleship focuses on developing four areas: study, counsel, coaching, and prayer. Alternately, shepherding is a more general relationship that can help someone become a worker for God, eventually leading to discipleship if that person does grow spiritually. Both focus on the continual development of Christians.

Praying for your Home Group

Joel Comiskey

Colossians 1:28

Successful home groups are the result of diligence, which shows itself through prayer, evangelism, and community. Explore the different forms that diligence can take in several church examples and the ways that it will consistently be the same.

The Measure of True Spirituality

Jim Leffel

John 15:11-12

Love is a basic human need. We all seek to be accepted, valued, and cared for. Where do we seek it? The Bible says God is love; in fact, that is the central message of the Bible. Why not share in God's love? God says experiencing love is based on giving. Find out what giving love looks like in a spiritual dimension, a moral dimension, and an emotional dimension.\r\n

What is the Church?

Jim Leffel

1 Corinthians 12:18

What is the church? There are many different answers to this question, but what does the Bible say? Jesus says the church is the body of believers, i.e., people who believe in God. The Bible says God created the church to be intensely relational and interdependent, and God has a place for you in it! Find out how you can be a part of the church that God created. A testimony by Julie is included.\r\n

Transformation

Jim Leffel

1 Corinthians 5:9-10

God calls His followers to be different than than the rest of the world. What does this look like? Paul says the first step is to worship God with our whole lives, then let Him change us from the inside out. God wants to change our minds and the way we think. This will result in changes in the way we act. However, he warns us that we have to make a choice: either we can live for the world system or we can live for God.\r\n

The Heart of Christian Community

Jim Leffel

Matthew 22:37-38

What does it mean to worship God? Is it a worship service or service of worship? There are radically differing answers to this question. What does the Bible say about it? Paul explains we should present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices. This is the way we should worship God. Find out what this looks like and how we can take steps toward this in our own lives.\r\n