Lesson For Sunday, December 28

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Text: James 4:13-17
Lesson: How to face your Future

People today are obsessed with the future. We try to predict it. We try to plan for it. We try to control it. Sometimes we try to manipulate it. Many Christians are more concerned with what the future holds than how they should live in the present.

What should the Christians viewpoint toward the future be?
How am I to relate toward what happens?
What should be my reaction to that?
What are some of the mistakes commonly made about facing the future?

Also read Luke 12:16-21

Lesson for Sunday, Decemeber 21, 2008

Series: Christmas 2008
Lesson: Don't be a GRINCH

A grinch is someone or something that STEALS JOY. We will be looking at 3 different grinches (religious grinch; idelism grinch; image grinch) and how they can steal our joy. We will also be looking at the grinch through the eyes of Christ. I hope to see all of you there this Sunday!!! I am praying for you and I love you!

If you want to study ahead read the following passages: Matthew 23:15-33; I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Lesson for Sunday, December 14, 2008

The next few weeks we are taking a break from the book of James to talk about Christmas.

This Sunday I will be bringing a message entitled: "What God Wanted In a Father".
I would encourage you to read Matthew 1.

Here are some thoughts and questions for this week:

• Why did God choose Joseph to be the "earthly" father of God's son?
• What are some of Joseph's characteristics that we could learn from?
• How would you have responded if you were engaged and this happened to you? (would you be angry? would you believe her? what would you do?)
  
• Joseph was kind of like a step father when you think about it. What did God intend for us to learn from that?

Lesson For Sunday, Decemeber 7, 2008

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Text: James 4:11-12
Lesson: Quit Playing God

Why do we judge people?
Should we judge people?

I hope you will be here this Sunday! I promise this lesson will make you think!

God bless you! I am praying for you ....Grace and Peace! Jake

Lesson for Sunday, November 30 2008

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Text: James 4:1-10
Lesson: Keys to Conflict Resolution

I don't know about you but I see conflict everywhere I look. People who do not get along with other people. This can take place at work at home and some times even in a church community. This week we will be looking at the following passage and the following questions:

James 4
1From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

What is the root of all conflict?
What should my response to conflict be?
How can I avoid it?
What do I do once I have given in to it?

Lesson for Sunday, November 23 2008

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Text: James 3:13-18
Lesson: Heavenly Wisdom vs. Earthly Intellect

Who do you listen to?
Where do you go when you need answers?
How can I tell if that leader or if that teacher has others best interests, or, their own best interests? What is the difference between spiritual and carnal advice?
Why is seeing the difference so important?
How can I tell if someone is trying to manipulate me and use religion to control me?

I hope you will be here this Sunday. This is a very important subject! I have seen person after person get disappointed or abused spiritually by leadership in religious settings. We are going to talk this thing through so we can all avoid those who are in this thing for themselves!

I love you...grace and Peace, Jake

Lesson for Sunday, November 16

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Text: James 3:1-12
Lesson: Taming the Tongue

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) 29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

STATS:
• You have 30 conversations a day
• Spend 1/5 of your life talking
• 1 yr your conversation would fill an 800 page book…66 xs
• Men speak an average of 20,000 words a day
• Women speak an average of 30,000 words a day

The words that we say are so powerful...The book of James compares them to a small rudder controlling a large ship or a small jockey controlling a large horse by a small bit. The tongue displays where I am headed,it can destroy what I have and who I am. It speaks what is in ones heart. Those words affect those around us. They can destroy or build. They bring change ,or, they can bring pain. They can show love or display hate. They can uplift or tear down. one question: WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

What a convicting subject!!! I hope you will be here this Sunday!!!

Lesson For Sunday, November 9 2008

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Text: James 2
Lesson: Real Faith

Faith is a word that is thrown around in the Christian community like a football on a elementary playground. It is used and abused. It is taught on, and talked about. Phrases such as: "I am a person of Faith" ect.... are use all of the time. People all over say that the have it. So, what is it? How do you get it? How do I know if I have it? Where does it come from?

I hope you will read ahead this Week!!! God bless you and I am praying for you!

Read James 2:14-26; Romans 4:2; Matthew 7:21; Titus 3:5; 1 John 3:14,17; Philippians 1:20; John 1:22;

Lesson for Sunday, November 2 2008

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Lesson: The Danger of Self Deception
Text: James 1:19-27

James 1:19-27 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

What does spirituality come from?
What responsibility do I have to the Word, if I want my relationship to be right to God and man?
In verse 21 what does "engrafted" mean?
What is more important: Hearing the Word or Doing?
What does this statement in our passage mean? he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass


Other verses to look at for Sunday:
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Proverbs 17:27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.

Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, When a sinner trusts Christ is once and for all washed clean.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Temptation

The past two weeks we have been talking about the subject of temptation. We have been studying James 1:13-17, and we will probably finish this lesson this week, due to the fact that I know none of us struggle with it...:)

These past lessons we talked about the stages of it: The Look, The Lust, The Lure, The Conception, The Birth, The Growth, and the Death. If you remember we then started looking at the keys for dealing with it: Listen to the Holy Spirit; Quote Scripture; Pray; -----and that is where we left off.

a couple of questions for you this week:
- what scripture are you currently memorizing or claiming?
- what are some other things we can do to deal with temptation?
- what if I have already fallen and gave in today? what do I do now? do ignore it? do i hide it?

these are all answers we will study this Week. Remember: If you are struggling, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! God wants to help you work through WHATEVER it is! God bless you and Grace and Peace!

Lesson for Sunday, Ocotber 5

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Lesson 2: Turning Trial into Triumph - True Wisdom
Text: James 1:2-12

This Sunday we are going to be looking at "how to have victory in every situation". So often we are good at going through the routine: Church, Class, ect.....We are good at putting on our tie and smile on Sunday morning, saying the right words and doing the right motions. What we are going to continue talking about and working through this Sunday is how can I go through trials, and maintain composure and stability. I hope you will read ahead and be ready for all of us to learn from each other!

I love you and am praying for you! REMEMBER SUNDAY IS FRIEND DAY

Lesson for Sunday, Septmber 28

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian Part 1
Lesson: The Christians Response to Trials
Text: James 1:1-6

When trials come in my life, where are they coming from?
What should my response to them be?
What can I learn from them?
What can I do in order to make it through them?

In this series we will walk through the book of James. Who was James? What was he writing about and who was he writing to?

I hope you will be there this Sunday! I love you and am praying for you!

New Two week Series

Series: Building Better Relationships Part 1 of 2
Lesson: How to enjoy ANY Relationship
Text: 1 Peter 3:8-11

We had a great day this past Sunday! I would like to thank all of you for being there!

This week we are going to look at enjoying relationships. Why we put such an emphasis on relationship and relationships.

How can I get along with others better?
How can I communicate with my husband, wife, kids, boss, co-workers, church friends, neighbors, ect....(especially when they get on my nerves!)

Next week we will look at restoring those broken relationships. I hope to see all of you Sunday. I am praying for you and I love you! -grace and peace Jake

Lesson For Sunday, September 7

Last week in the Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Text: Matthew 7:24-29
Lesson: Foundations
NEW TWO WEEK SERIES STARTING SEPTEMBER 14 - BUILDING BETTER RELATIONSHIPS.
2 LESSONS:
#1 HOW TO MAKE ANY RELATIONSHIP BETTER
#2 HOW TO RESTORE AND RECONCILE A WRECKED RELATIONSHIP


THIS WEEK: MATTHEW 7
24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

(v24) Therefore - Why is this there for?
What 2 kinds of people are mentioned here?
What 2 different formulas are mentioned here?
What was the result of the two different formulas?
Which one are you?
Will you make it through the storm?

Lesson for Sunday, August 31

Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Text: Matthew 7:15-23
Title: Wolves

False Prophets. Who are they? How do I know? What should my response to them be?

This Sunday we are going to be studying this next passage which talks about false prophets. I hope you will be here. This should be a ripper of a lesson and hopefully help all of us understand if those we listen to, those we follow, those we watch on television, those we read are they shepherds or wolves?

Lesson For Sunday, August 24

Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Text: Matthew 7:7-11
Lesson - Asking and Receiving

A month or two ago we did a in depth study about prayer. Getting alone with God. Getting to Know who He is and what He is all about. Developing consistent communication with Him. This Sunday we are going to take a little different approach to it. We are going to talk about the role if any of corporate prayer:

- Does corporate prayer have a place? If it does what is it? If it does not, why not?
- what, when, and how have you seen specific prayers answered in your life?
- do miracles still happen? If they do how? If they don't, why not?
-Does God always answer our prayers?
-Does God always hear my prayers? Does He really listen?
-Is prayer really that important?

I hope to see you all Sunday. Also, don't forget about our Home Study this Saturday at 5!

Accepting Each other

What should we do with debatable items? How do we maintain unity in a Church , Class, or Community with differing opinions about different things?

In John 17 Jesus prays that the Church will be one!(vs 9,20) He asks that His church is Unified! Many times (i think 10) in the book of Acts it says they were of one accord, which means there was unity they were unified! The Question that pops in my head is, Why is this sooooooooo hard for people to practice this! Why do so many divide, debate and split over issues that in light of eternity don't really matter! Now do not misunderstand me, I am not talking about things like, salvation, the virgin birth ect... What I have found is people (within a local church) very rarely divide over these type issues but more over those things that one is passionate about those personal preferences or personal standards.

Something we need to understand is, that ALL CHRISTIANS ARE NOT THE SAME!!! I love how our Pastor puts it: "Christ never demanded UNIFORMITY but he did demand UNITY!" Uniformity means to put on a uniform. Unity is living in harmony in spite of Uniforms that are not exactly, perfectly the same.

I want to encourage you today to understand that it is ok if others are different than you are! I want to encourage you today to LOVE those that are different than you! Accept those that are different that you! CHRIST DID! He accepts, Loves, us.

Passages for reading with this: Matthew 7:1-6; John 17:9,20; Romans 14:1-13;

Lesson for Sunday, August 3

Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Lesson: How to handle those that are Different than you
Text: Matthew 7:1-6

Judging and being Judged?

This week I believe we will be talking about one of the subjects that if we can get a grip on would be life changing! How to treat those that believe different, and those that live different. We usually have two different groups of people: those that eat the meat offered to idols and those that don't. What does God say about those two groups. How should we interact and treat those who live differently than we do?

Read Romans 14 as well....See you Sunday!

Lesson for Sunday, July 20

well. I got a great report from this past Sunday letting me know how great of a job Bro. Steve did.

This coming Sunday I will be back in town and will speaking on the subject of WORRY.

Is it a sin?
Why do I do it?
Should I do it?
Do I have a problem with it?
What is the antidote for it?

Most of us will struggle at some point with this subject. I have found that many are in fact ADDICTED to it! I hope you will be there and be ready as we learn from each other and from the word! Grace and Peace...Jake

Scripture for this week: Matt 6:25-30; Psalm 23:1; Phil 4:19; Phil. 4:6,7; I Peter 5:7; Matt 6:34;

Lesson for Sunday, July 6

We are continuing the lesson from last week. Examining our vision. What does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven? What is my focus? What can I do to be a more effective witness? Why and how should I share my faith? Why is it so hard sometimes to share my faith?

We will look at Hell for a sec.....
what is it?
what should my response to it be?
who is there?

I hope to see you all there!!!

Happy fourth of July!

Lesson for Sunday, June 29

Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Lesson: Can you See?
Text: Matt 6:22-24

This past week we talked about two types of treasure. Earthly and Heavenly. This Sunday we will be discussing the subject of examining your eyesight. How you see things determines how you respond to them.

How is your vision?
What are you focused on?
How do you see what is around you?
Is your eyesight clear?

Passages for Study: Prov 29:18; II Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 3:13; John 4:34,35; Matthew 9:37-38 ; Luke 10:2; John 9:4 ; Matthew 6:19-20

Lesson for Sunday, June 22

Series: "The Hard Sayings of Christ"
Lesson: "Treasure"
Text: Matthew 6:19-21

what is treasure?
what is the difference between earthly treasure and heavenly treasure?

What is your life all about? What are you goals? What are you desires? What are you living for?

passages for study: Ps. 62:10; Pr 11:4; 23:5; Ecc 5:10; Zep 1:18; I Tim 6:10; Heb 13:5; I John 2:15,16; Luke 12:33; I Tim 6:17; I Peter 1:4; 5:4

Lesson for Sunday, Jun 15

welllllllllllllllllll...I hope everyone is having a stellar week! Despite the hot weather, the storms, and the gas prices GOD IS GOOD!!!!

This Sunday we are going to do a couple of things. First we are going to take a moment to give testimonies about some of our fathers. So, if your dad has been a blessing to you, be ready to share a story, or a way that God has used him in your life!

We will be finishing last weeks lesson on fasting. We will be looking at the purpose of fasting. I am praying for you all! grace and peace - Jake

Lesson for Sunday June 8

Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Lesson: Fasting
Text: Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew 6:16-18 (KJV) 16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

What is fasting?
Why should a follower of Christ Fast?
Is Fasting relevant for today?
What is the proper way to fast?
How often should one fast?
Is fasting a command?
What is the outcome of fasting?

Scriptures to study:

Matt 9:14,15
Psalm 69:10
NEH 1:4
Dan 9:3
Act 10:30-32
Isaiah 58
Zech 7:4-10

Lesson for Sunday, June 1

If you are just joining us we have been studying through the book of Matthew chapters 5-8. We started discussing the subject of prayer 3 weeks ago and it has blossomed into a great study and a great personal challenge.

Previous Points from the past couple of weeks:
I. Our Prayers should be to a PERSON
A. Who? (v9)
1. Father - implies a relationship
2. Our - implies community (Phil 2:4)

B. Where? (v9)

C. How? (v9)
1. Hallowed
2. Name

D. What? (v10)
1. Thy Kingdom come
2. Thy Will be done

II. Our Prayers should include PETITIONS

A. Our Physical Needs

B. Our Spiritual Needs
1. forgiveness of self
2. forgiveness of others

THIS COMING WEEK:

III. Our Prayers should include PRAISE

Praise.
What does it mean to give Praise?
What should we give Praise about and for?
Why is Praise so important?
How do you personally give Praise?

our praying can be defined by and Acrostic we will talk about Sunday:

A - adoration
C - confession
T - thanksgiving
S - supplication

have you taken time to pray today?

Lesson For Sunday, May25

This week we will be continuing our study from last week!!! I am looking forward to seeing you all this week. I have a special prayer request from yasm:

not sure how much you guys heard about the earthquake that happened on Monday, but China is definitely hurting. Right now over 30,000 people are confirmed dead, but the number will be much, much higher once the debris is cleared and the missing are found.

Here is a link to some pics from this week in Sichuan, the province at the epicenter (some are graphic, just a warning) http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20080513_1.htm

Although Beijing is far away, there were still tremors and many high-rise buildings were evacuated as a precaution. I am ok, and things are going as well as can be expected, it has been hard on my students who are from that area, some have still not been able to get in contact with friends in their hometowns. Even though they are hurting, they have shown their support my donating blood, money, and clothing for the victims and organzing fundraisers on campus.

I am writing to ask that YASM remember China this Sunday. There are several specific requests that many groups in China are lifting up as recovery begins.

Requests:

1) that rescue efforts will continue and more survivors be found. 5 days later, they were still finding survivors.

2) that rescue workers will continue to have strength as they work constantly to sift through debris for signs of life.

3) for the cities of Sichuan (Suh-schwan) and Chengdu (Chung Do), the remaining people have been moved into temporary shelters and people are getting worn down from the ordeal.

4) for the children left without parents- there are now hundreds of orphans that are hurting and trying to recover from losing everything.

5) for the parents left without a child- because of China's one-child policy, thousands of parents are left w/o children. whole schools were destroyed- many of this year's graduating classes in that province were wiped out, because all children were in school when disaster hit.

6) that our family members in these cities will be a light to those around them and that those in despair can find the hope that lives in us.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and support.

A friend of Yasm in China

Lesson for Sunday, May 18

Well!!! I would like to thank Bro. Steve for teaching for me this past Sunday! I hear he did a great job!

This coming Sunday we will be studying Matthew 6:9-13. We will be studying the subject of Prayer.

Questions to Ponder:

• What is Prayer?
• How should I pray?
• Who should I pray to? (Jesus, God. Holy Spirit ect....)
• When should I pray?
• What should my posture be when I pray?
• How and when should I pray publicly or should I at all?
• What are things I should and should not prayer for?

I hope you will read ahead, and let God lead you and us through this subject....PRAYER

This Sunday

Study ahead for This Sunday, May 4

Series: The Hard Sayings of Christ
Lesson: Love Requests More than the Law Requires
Text: Matthew 5:21-48

Jesus in this passage once again rips on the rules, rituals, and regulations of the "Religious". I hope you will join us this week as we continue this series! Please read ahead.

Here is a review from this past Sunday:

Characteristics of a Religious Person:
1. They depend on a label
2. They rely on rules and regulations
3. They think they have a special standing with God
4. They claimed a special knowledge
5. They maintain a high moral standard
6. They have a condescending attitude towards others
7. They don't always practice what they preach

How to lose you religion

1. Have faith in God and not yourself
2. Trust in a relationship not a religion

I hope and pray you have a great week I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Our next home Bible study will be May 17 at 5pm.

Grace and Peace, Jake
2.

Study ahead for this coming Sunday

Our Text for this coming Sunday will be Matthew 5:17-20. The Lesson will be titled ""Loosing your Religion".

Is your "Christian" life a religious life?
Should it be a life BASED on rules and regulations?
What did Jesus say about pure religion?
What role do and should personal standards play in the Christians Life?

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW FOR US?

Other passages to read: I Timothy 1:8; Romans 2:17-29; Philippians 3:4-9

I hope you will read ahead!!!! See you on Sunday!!!

First Home Study!!!!!

The first Cx3 at home study was amazing! God blessed us with a great turn out. Thank you all for making it a successful evening! We are blessed that God has brought us all together!

Home Bible Study this Saturday!!!!!

This Past week in Cx3

Welllllllllllllll. It has been an exiting week this past week!!! God has been so good to us. I would like to congradulate Wes and Rachel, they were married yesterday!!!! Praise the Lord. Also this past Wednesday evening, Sean and Stephanie accepted Christ as their Savior!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! Is awesome to see God at work in our midst!!!

This past month of classes have been off the hook! Thank all of you for coming and for your faithfulness. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us. He is so good.

Off the Ground!

We kicked off our first gathering this past Sunday! God blessed us with an awesome attendance and a great time of fellowship. If you missed out we hope you will join us this next Sunday. We are currently in a series entitled "The Hard Sayings of Christ". We will be looking at the poor in spirit this week. If you want to read ahead hit up Matthew 5. Peace and we hope to see you Sunday!

CX3 is an Adult class for All Adults