The New Worship & Loving People

Gary DeLashmutt

Hebrews 13:1-3

The new worship involves loving people with our lives. There are three distinct groups that people fall into, and how we can love each of them varies. The first group, other followers of Christ, are people we should love as family. These are people we should be deeply invested in. The second group, strangers, are people we should show hospitality to and not neglect. These are people we should be seeking out and moving towards. The last group, those in prison or who are ill-treated, are people we should allow God to open our hearts to love. These are people we should have a burden for.

Responding to Jesus' Gift

Gary DeLashmutt

Hebrews 10:19-25

Shifting from theological argument to practical application, the author gives suggestions on how to respond to Jesus' gift of salvation. He says that his audience should: 1) cultivate relational closeness with God, 2) keep sharing their faith with others, and 3) keep inciting one another to live out God's love. He warns against auto-pilot and stagnant faith without active love and service.

Joy and Spiritual Unity

Jim Leffel

Philippians 2:1-3

Under great stress you learn more about who you really are. Suffering brings out critical weaknesses and also reveals your true priorities. Unity is essential in the midst of suffering. As Christians, we have a corporate identity in Christ and each other, through the Holy Spirit. Paul explains to the Philippians what spiritual unity looks like in every day life.

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