Lesson for Sunday, Febuary 1, 2009

Series: "What Happens in Corinth stays in Corinth"
Lesson 1: Sin City

This week we are starting a new journey through the book of 1 Corinthians. I hope you will be here as we look at this letter to the church at Corinth. This week we will look at the history, the culture, and the geography of this city. To understand the Bible we must understand who was writing, who was being written to and the condition of who was being written to. I hope you will be here as we dive into this book over the next few months.

READ AHEAD: Acts 16:11-24; Acts 17; Acts 18; I Corinthians 1:1-3

Questions:

• why was Corinth such a significant city?
• who populated it?
• what current city or cities would it be like?
• where was it located and why is that important?
• what was the moral condition of the city?
• what was the main religion or worship that was practiced in the city?
• what did it mean to be a "Corinthian girl"?
• how do you think Paul felt coming into this city?
• is it possible to have a church in a place like this?
  

Lesson for Sunday, January 25, 2009

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Text: James 5:13-20
Lesson: Praying, Problems, and there Place in My life

This Sunday will be our last Sunday in the book of James. One week from Sunday we will be starting a new journey through the book of 1 Corinthians.

This week once again James hits a subject, that may seem a little shallow but in reality is very deep. PRAYER. Most people I talk to know what prayer is and should be, but many of them still cannot maintain a consistent prayer life.

When should I pray?
Does God still heal physically? If yes, how? If no, why not?
Who can pray?
How can I pray more effectively?

Passages we will be looking at:
John 4:12, 13
Psalm 18:6
1 Corinthians 11:28-32
John 11:4
John 9:2-3
1 Peter 4:19
Hebrews 13:8
Matthew 5:23-24
Psalms 66:18
Proverbs 28:9
Isaiah 59:2
James 1:6

Lesson for Sunday, January 18

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Lesson: Developing Patience
Text: James 5:7-12

Welllllll. This past Sunday we had a great week looking at the subjects of finances. This week James switches gears and talks about patience.

How can I develop it?
When am I to wait?
Why am I to wait?
How am I to wait?

This is one of those subjects we can all be working on! Have you ever been frustrated sitting at a red light or in traffic? Have you ever over reacted to something?

yah? Me too. See you Sunday! I also want to encourage you to invite some one to class this week. God bless you! and I am praying for you.

- Bro. Jake

Lesson For Sunday, January 11, 2009

Series: Marks of a Mature Christian
Lesson: Being Wise with your Wealth
Text: James 5:1-6

What does the Bible teach should be the Christians response to wealth?
Is it wrong to be wealthy?
Does God want everyone to be wealthy?
What should be the Christians attitude towards saving?
How should a Christian go about getting it?
What should a Christian do with it?

This week we will take a Biblical look at our finances. How much should I save? How much should I give ect.... I hope you will continue to be faithful this month as we finish the Book of James. God bless you and I am praying for you this week.

Start today

wellllll...2009 is upon us. The first day of a new year. I want to encourage all of you to start fresh today. Maybe last year you had committed to reading the Word and praying on the daily basis and did not make it. Well start today. Take it one day at a time. I am not a big fan of new years resolutions but I am a big fan of having goals and making and keeping commitments. So many "followers of Christ" that I know, are really good at the Sunday stuff...the exterior...the religious aspects of Christianity like going to church, pretending like your praying before you eat ect...I want to encourage each one of you to today to dive head first into a deep relationship with the Lord. The best way to do this is to walk with him. Talk to him. Meditate on His word. Have you spent time with him today? do you have the joy of your salvation right now at this moment? I hope you will not superficially live this life. But you will humbly realize that we are nothing without Him, and can do nothing without Him.

If nothing else this year remember: It's not about me. It's all about HIM. Commit this year not to pleasing some person or some Pastor but to pleasing God. I do this not by my separation from something (rules and regulations) but by my separating to something (the Lord Jesus Christ).

May this year our lives be full of Christ's peace, love, and forgiveness. May we enter each day with the fruit of the spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.