Don't Give Up

Chris Hearty
2 Timothy 1:1-7

Paul encourages Timothy to rekindle the spiritual gift he received from God. Perhaps fear was causing Timothy to shrink back from the mission God had entrusted to him. Paul, confident in Timothy's faith, reminds him he did not receive a spirit of fear but of power, love and sound mind. The sufferings of Paul and Timothy should encourage us as we see how they did not let fear stop them from accomplishing all God had for them to do.

Paul's Last Words

Dennis McCallum
2 Timothy 1:1-7

As the time that Paul has left on this earth comes to a close, his final words to Timothy focus on encouraging him to keep fanning the flames of the spiritual gift God has given him. He reminds him that God has not given him a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and sound mind. In that spirit, he has the power to love others and have confidence in God in all circumstances.

What Is Important in the End?

James Rochford
1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter warns that the end of all things is near. The unbelieving world lives without hope because they think this world is all there is. Death results in a terrifying oblivion. But believers can live a fruitful, meaningful life her and now because we know that there is a reward waiting for us when we die to this world. We can invest in that which is most important, God and other people, while we are here on earth because we know the glories awaiting us in heaven. We know that what we do here on earth has profound effect for eternity.

Friendship and the End of the World

Scott Risley
1 Peter 4:7-11

Peter teaches that since the end of all things is near, we should draw near to God in prayer. As the end nears, we will need our relationships to endure the suffering that will follow. We should draw near to others in fervent love, serving, being hospitable and using our spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ.

Christ-Centered Community

Conrad Hilario
1 Peter 4:7-11

Knowing that our time on earth is limited, Peter calls on believers to be in close, Christ-centered community with one another. By having a fervent love and exercising our spiritual gifts for one another in Christian community we demonstrate to a watching world that is drowning in loneliness and alienation the grace and glory of our God.

Body Building

Dennis McCallum
1 Peter 4:8-11

Peter encourages every believer to use the spiritual gifts God has given them for the building up of the Body of Christ. Every believer has been given at least one special gift. All are gifted differently so don't compare yourself to another. Using our gifting to the best of our ability enhances community and is intensely pleasurable without negative side affects. Our gifting is also a stewardship so that the greater the gifting, the greater the expectation to use the gifting well.

Keys to Victorious Suffering

Gary DeLashmutt
Colossians 1:24-2:1

Paul shares with the Colossians how he rejoices in his suffering not to gain their pity but to alleviate their distress. He gives them three keys to victorious suffering. First, we can endure suffering because God has revealed to us where history is headed. Second, we know we each have a unique role to play in God's plan. Third, we have access to God's power.

The Practice of Neighboring

Jay Pathak
Colossians 1:24-2:1

The practice of neighboring is engaging your neighborhood in a meaningful way by building genuine relationships right out your front door. In our culture we have under-valued the power of hospitality with our neighbors. We can reclaim the ability to influence our neighbors for Christ by moving from acquaintances to relationships by sharing meals, remembering people's names and opening up our homes to the people living in our neighborhoods.

United for a Purpose

Kate Mizelle
1 Timothy 1:5

Do we recognize that the biblical call to evangelism is not just an individual call, but a corporate call? To fully embrace what God intended, we must understand the unique witness that the body has to a lost world and why our best experience of community comes from when we are focused together on those outside of it. In this workshop we will also brainstorm some practical ideas on how to utilize community in evangelism.