Discipleship

Jess Lowery

Luke 10:1-18

If we prescribe to God's command to make disciples, we will see lives transformed and growth in the church through multiplication. Entering into a personal discipleship relationship with someone takes commitment to investment, prayer, friendship building, casting visions, and understanding our role and God's role.

Incorporating New Christians into Community

John Cleary

John 17:17

Incorporating new Christians into community is important but not necessarily easy. First, our own growth in the gospel is essential, because it ensures that people are settling into a growing community. We also need to emphasize our relationship with new believers instead of focusing more on the meeting. This often means we must bring the community to the person we are hoping to incorporate. Along the way, we must recognize Satan's attempts to thwart our efforts and fight to ensure the believer is exposed to the Word and growing in their own personal learning about God. Finally, we must keep in mind that we are only assisting God in his moves to incorporate believers into the body of Christ. \r\n

Ruth: Friendship and Dating God's Way

Ryan Lowery

Ruth 1-3

The book of Ruth tells the story of 3 widows--Naomi and her 2 daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah. While Naomi sees her situation practically, but without God in the picture, Ruth approaches it with trust in God. Ruth and Boaz offer important lessons for men and women on godly dating, protecting others, and trusting in God's provision.

Succeeding in Sex & Marriage

Scott Risley

Matthew 19:3-8

Contrary to what many people might think, God really want you to have a successful marriage and a great sex life! For single people, try to view singleness as a gift from God. Don't take matters into your own hands while you are looking for a God-centered marriage partner. For folks already married, center your family around God and learn to be a love-giver. For everyone else, relationships are best when done God's way. So, start a relationship with Him!

Sex

Scott Risley

Matthew 19:1-12

When the Pharisees challenged Jesus about the rules for divorce, Jesus confronted them with God's design for sex and marriage. Instead of asking what conditions will allow them to get out of their marriages, they should be asking why is their marriage failing. When each spouse is centered on a relationship with God, each is free to give sacrificially to the other instead of needing to take from the other. As each draws nearer to God, they draw nearer to each other.

Leading Our Kids to Love God

Joe Botti

2 Timothy 3:14-15

In our culture today, kids are leaving their Christian lives behind in huge numbers as they grow up into adulthood. And it is certainly no easy task to help our children develop a love for the Lord! This workshop first discusses our role in this area and the correlation between our relationship and influence with our kids. Our own modeling of sincere faith and time spent relationally investing in our children are imperative. Next, the class addresses the need to withstand cultural pressures and provides some age specific ideas for how to engage our kids spiritually and relationally. \r\n

Reaching Internationals in Our Cities

Rich Mendola

2 Timothy 3:14-15

Reaching internationals around us is not only a call from God but also strategic for expanding God's kingdom. God calls us to love and be hospitable to strangers, going out of our comfort zone to offer friendship and assist with practical needs. Investing in internationals in our own cities is a wise investment because they can go back to their countries to share God's message with others, saving thousands of dollars for what a missionary would cost. Even internationals that decide to stay in our cities have a large influence with people in their home countries too. This presentation ends with some practical ways we can get involved with and help internationals in our cities.

Incorporating New Christians into Community

John Cleary

Colossians 2:6-7

New Christians need to be incorporated, not into a meeting once or twice a week, but into a rich and thriving community. We have a large role in this task, not just to bring people into the community but also to grow in our own understanding and appreciation of the Gospel. We also must fight to make this incorporation personal and out of love, sacrificing our schedules and comfort zones to go out and serve them. We should be encouraging their own personal growth, in service, and especially in the Word. And finally, we should help them recognize the obstacles that oppose their incorporation into the Body of Christ.

Lessons from the book of Job

Lee Campbell

James 1:19-20

Three of Job's friends heard of Job's suffering and went to him to offer love and support. They entered into Job's suffering and counted the cost to be there for him and bear his burdens. As they tried to sympathize with Job they had some successes and some failures. We can learn some practical lessons from their story on what to do when someone in our life suffers great loss.