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Bible 2.0 Training

June 11, 2011
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The production of the famous Strong’s Concordance required the effort of more than 100 scholars. Alexander Cruden prepared his concordance in a single year—beginning daily at 7am and working until 1am. (Cruden ended up in asylum not long after, I might add!) Robert Young taught himself ancient languages and the skill of printing so he could translate the Bible and publish study aids.

I suspect that if any of these men meet a modern computer programmer in heaven, it might not be pretty when they find out what took them years takes us seconds today. I won’t tell them, if you won’t!

On Friday night, June 24th, we’re going to have a special training class for using electronic Bible study tools. If you’ve got a laptop, bring it. This will be a hands-on session to learn how to use some free tools that can really help you get to know God’s word better. If you don’t have a laptop, we will try to pair you with someone who does so you can get some practice time, too.

Because space is limited and we want to make sure this time is as helpful as possible, if you plan on attending, we need you to fill out a registration sheet and give it to Matthew ASAP. That sheet will allow you to list any specific questions you may have to make sure we cover them in our class time.

I think it’s really exciting to live in the times that we do. We have so many tools and so many opportunities, and the all-powerful God we adore has never once lost his power to change lives. I hope that this opportunity will help you know His will better. See you then!

Pray for our Campers!

June 2, 2011
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Be thinking kind and air-conditioned thoughts for our campers this week. Nine of our young people—David & Leighann, Destiny, Kaiya, and Syvanna, Myka, and Bridgett, Zach, and Drake are heading out to the untamed wilderness of Hickman county for a week of church camp. Kathy and I will also be there – doing our best not to die of heat stroke.

Camp is a special time. It’s a week of fun, games, Bible study, swimming, crafts, fellowship, sweat, and bugs. Some of those things I like better than others, but I wouldn’t trade the camp experience for anything.

The theme for camp this week is service. Jesus was a servant, and his service served as an example for you and me. Service isn’t always big or flashy. It’s not always going to another continent to do mission work or even lining up at the soup kitchen. Sometimes it is as simple as going out of your way to say hello to a visitor, to call someone who hasn’t been here in a while, or just to say an extra prayer for someone.

I look forward to watching the results of a week of study about service. I believe our young people will learn lessons they will share with us through their actions throughout the rest of the year. So say an extra prayer for a safe and productive week—and be thinking about how you will serve Jesus this week.

New Summer Quarter in Sunday School

May 28, 2011
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It’s that time again – the last Sunday of our Spring Sunday School Quarter. I hope you’ll make plans to be a part of our new Sunday School quarter starting next week.

Here’s what to expect:

Sunday Auditorium: Stan Whitfield will be teaching a class on a New Testament text. The adults are going to study the same material as the young people who are preparing for Bible Bowl…and with any luck, we find out what that material is today!

Sunday Media Room: James Hinkle will be teaching a special class for our parents (or grandparents) downstairs. He’ll be using “Boundaries with Kids” by Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend as a study guide for this class. If you’re a parent, you won’t want to miss it.

Bible Bowl begins in earnest for our young people on the first Sunday of July—though it’s never too early to start studying. If you’re interested in checking out this great event, mark Saturday, September 10th on your calendar. We generally travel down together Friday evening, and we’d love for you to come encourage the young people and test yourself. If you have any questions, see Butch or me.

Summer time is a great opportunity to spend a little more time in God’s Word. Resolve to be like David, who said, “I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word!” (Psalm 119:15-16)

If you’re reading this…

May 22, 2011
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If you’re reading this, the world didn’t end yesterday.

I suppose that statement is probably pretty obvious, but it is worth noting. There’s a group that has sponsored several billboards nationwide (even in Nashville) and print ads in popular magazines like Readers Digest. These ads have the tagline, “We can Know” – and they go on to explain that the rapture will happen on May 21 (yesterday) and that the world will be destroyed on October 21.

Don’t let groups like this worry you. Jesus himself had the same scriptures to read that they do, and he said pretty clearly that he didn’t know the day or the hour, according to Mark 13:32.

What we do know is that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them…” (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). We do know that we should always be ready. Paul said, “keep awake and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:6). We should always be prepared to meet God.
For those of us who are covered in the blood of Jesus, that day—whenever it may be—brings us nothing to fear or dread.

So, if you’re reading this—don’t worry. We’ll have one more person to add to the list of folks who claimed more knowledge than Jesus. If you’d like to see a list of these prophecies, check out http://bible.ca/pre-date-setters.htm. But more importantly than that list—make sure that you know that your name is in the Lamb’s book of life! God’s patience is meant to bring you an opportunity for salvation.

I hope you have a good week, and rest your confidence and trust in the power of Jesus!

Hang in There!

May 12, 2011
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Imagine a city, besieged. The enemy has totally surrounded the city. Nothing gets in or out. Within the walls of the city, supplies begin to run low. Morale is lower. Citizens are fearful and despondent.

Imagine what would happen if a spy broke into that city one night with good news, to explain that the leaders of the enemy surrounding them had been defeated, that surrender was eminent, if they could only last a few more days.

Can you imagine the difference that would make in the lives of the citizens of that city? Depression gives way to joy. Despair gives way to hope.

In many ways, this story is the story of Christian life. We are surrounded by forces of evil. It often seems like wrong is destined to win the day, but things are not as they seem. Jesus brings us the good news that he has destroyed death and taken away the sting of the grave. So even though for a moment we are surrounded by the enemy, his power is meaningless and our hope is sure. All we have to do is hang in there for a few more days…

Jesus said, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10). “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope!” (Hebrews 3:6) So hang in there!

New resources available…

April 27, 2011
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We just wrapped up our Teacher Training Seminar and Spiritual Growth Workshop. Thanks to everyone who helped make these two events a great success. If you missed them, you didn’t completely miss out…

You can watch the Teacher Training Seminar online — and you can listen to all of the lessons of the Spiritual growth workshop online. Will you share these links with a friend?

Have You Ever Wept Over the Word?

April 11, 2011
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This is a beautiful video of the Kimyal people–receiving for the first time the Bible in their language. It reminds me of the joy and tears shed by Josiah and his people when the word was rediscovered. May their passion break our stony hearts!

Teachable Moments

April 7, 2011
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Teachable moments happen all of the time. They are those times when people can learn lessons that stick. Many teens have learned to use seatbelts after witnessing the mangled mess left after a serious car wreck. We all get better at flossing after we see the dentist’s x-rays, don’t we?

Life is the classroom where Christianity is taught. Jesus took advantage of his surroundings. When he healed a Centurion’s servant, he taught about how a true servant in the kingdom lives (Matthew 8:11-12). When the disciples were terrified at sea by a storm, he taught about the needless nature of fear (Mt. 8:26). He healed a paralyzed man, and used it to teach about his authority to forgive sins (Mt. 9:5-6). The Pharisees asked him for a sign, and Jesus elaborated on Jonah and Solomon’s signs (Mt. 12:39-45). There are plenty of other examples we could look at.

Each week we remember the death of Jesus. Simple bread and grape juice suddenly becomes a reminder of a broken and bloody body that was sacrificed for you and for me. It’s a moment that teaches us each week the depth of the Father’s love. It’s a time when we gather together around the same table at the same time. It teaches us about unity. It’s a time when no one has more or needs more than anyone else. The ground is level at the foot of the cross—and we’re reminded each time we partake.

Sometimes children watch us partake of the Lord’s Supper and don’t quite understand what’s going on. They want to know why the “grown-ups” get “snacks” and they don’t. Take an opportunity to begin to teach them, so that as they grow, they’ll understand the beauty of a relationship with Jesus.

Here’s a challenge for your week: keep a daily journal of teachable moments. At the end of the day, write down a chance that you saw (or one that you saw only in hindsight) to see and teach the good news of Jesus. You’ll be surprised just how many there are!

Spiritual Growth Workshop!

April 6, 2011
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We’ve got a special treat coming up on Easter weekend, April 22-24th. We are hosting our first-ever “Spiritual Growth Workshop.” Never been to one? That’s okay–we haven’t either! Our goal is pretty simple: we want to grow spiritually. So here’s the plan:

Friday, April 22
Good Friday)

6pm in our Fellowship Hall

For all of you who work until 5, especially those of you who commute to Nashville, we know it’s tough to get to an evening activity and have time to grab a bite to eat. We’ll be serving a simple dinner beginning at 6pm, and everyone is invited. We’ll have a few things for the kids to do, since they eat fast.

7pm in the Auditorium

Our first session is called “Igniting the Spark of Spiritual Growth.” We’ll sing for a few minutes to focus our minds and let our stomachs settle, and then we’ll begin this class-style session on getting the fire of spiritual growth lit. Sometimes the first step is the most difficult.

Saturday, April 23rd

During the Day

Spiritual growth isn’t just talk. It is action. So during the day on Saturday, we’ve lined up a few service projects and opportunities for you to walk the talk. We’ll have more details about these on Friday night.

7pm in the Auditorium

Our second class-style session is “Tending the Fire of Spiritual Passion.” We have to keep the fire kindled, or we risk burning out. How do we maintain passion? Why would we even want to? This will be the focus of our study on Saturday night.

Easter Sunday, April 24th: “Friends and Family Day”

Easter Sunday will be a “Friends and Family Day.” Invite your friends who only come a few times a year, and invite your family, near or far away. This will be a great day to recharge our spiritual batteries from the power that rolled the stone from the tomb of Jesus.

9am Sunday School

Sunday School classes are available for all ages. The adult class in the auditorium will discuss “Overcoming the Past” — a lesson from the life of the Old Testament hero, Joseph.

10-11:30am Worship

We are planning on an extended period of worship on this special Sunday morning. Our theme is “Refueling, Refilling, and Reviving.” This lesson will be the closing charge of our spiritual growth workshop.

3pm Easter Egg Hunt at Montgomery Bell Park

We’re planning a special Easter Egg Hunt at Montgomery Bell Park’s Woodhaven Shelter. Kids of all ages are invited!

4pm Family Picnic at Montgomery Bell Park

Bring your family and your friends for a great picnic at the park. We’ll enjoy beautiful spring weather — but if Tennessee’s weather should throw us a curveball, we’ll move the activities to our fellowship hall.

This is going to be a great weekend for all of us. Everyone needs spiritual growth, and we hope this weekend will foster true growth and revival in our community. If you have any questions, email us or contact the church office at (615) 441-3984.

Why would Jesus ask a question?

April 1, 2011
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Most Bible students are aware that Jesus frequently asked questions. It’s easy for us to lose sight of just how significant it is that Jesus would ask a question. He’s certainly not asking to get information for his own purposes—he knows he could ask his Father anything! So when Jesus asks a question, we should pay careful attention to what he’s doing.

Roy Zuck wrote a book called Teaching as Jesus Taught and identified fifteen reasons that Jesus asked questions. Here is his list for your consideration:

1. To cause someone to recall facts
2. To promote conversation
3. To point out something that isn’t true
4. To get agreement
5. To push for an expression of faith
6. To prod for an opinion
7. To prove faith and commitment
8. To promote reflection and thinking
9. To persuade critics of error
10. To pull people up
11. To pour out emotions
12. To reveal motives
13. To prick the conscience
14. To pinpoint a topic
15. To press for the application of the truth

As we study the questions of Jesus, watch to see why Jesus asks what he does. Watch your heart to see how it needs to respond to the most important questions ever asked!

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