Weekly Challenge -Grace

During Life Group, we focused on Ephesians 2: 4-7.  This is a passage that ties together the reasoning and argument of Paul when he started the letter to Ephesus.  We are adopted and get the full inheritance.  We were worshiping the god of this world, but now worship the one true God.  We have been saved, raised up, and seated next to Jesus. 
Why?   To demonstrate His mercy, love, grace, and kindness to us and to everyone in the future. 

Grace is what separates Christianity from other religions.  The notion of God's love being free and with not strings attached, goes against our human instinct.  The Buddhist 8-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of Karma, the Jewish covenant, and the Muslim code of law, offers a way to earn approval.  Only Christianity says done instead of do.

My challenge for the week is to spend time researching the key differences between the religions.  Compare Christianity to Islam, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Scientology, etc.

Be intentional.
Travis

Weekly Challenge -Ephesians 2:1-3

Big thanks to Madison Lyle for teaching this lesson. 
His summary was that the unbelievers nature is to sin.  So as a new creation in Jesus Christ, we are no longer a slave to sin.
The challenge is to give grace and understanding to future Christians and win them over with our love. 
Who can you affect by your relationship with God and others?

Be intentional.
Travis

Weekly Challenge: Isaac

We had to cover a lot of ground in Genesis on Saturday.  Started in chapter 11 with Terah having a son (Abam) and ended in chapter 35 with Isaac dying at 180 years old. It is a fascinating part of history when God makes promises and has a relationship with his creation.  No matter how many times we take timing and matters into our own hands (Sarai telling Abram to have a child with Hagar), God keeps his promise.  No matter how many times we get scared and lie or act deceitful (Abraham lying about Sarah being his sister and not his wife), God still protects his plans and promises.
However, our sin does affect generations.  Isaac lied about his wife to Abimelech.  Jacob and Rebekah deceived Isaac.  Laban deceived Jacob.  Jacob's boys lied about their brother Joseph.  And we do the same.
We understand that all these family members had a choice.  They were not forced to follow a pattern of sin through their heritage.  But our actions, good and bad, help shape our future generations.  

Challenge:
Have your parents shaped or influenced your life?
How are you shaping and influencing the lives of your children?
What one sin from your parents would you like help in eliminating from your life?
What are some virtues that are currently a part of your life that you need to pass on to your children, grandchildren, and others in your life?

Weekly Challenge: Abraham

That was a great life group on Saturday.  We had fun using a Kahoot to learn about Abraham and we had great discussions on faith and trust.
I liked the definition which stated "faith is not believing in spite of evidence; faith is obeying in spite of consequence".
Abraham obeying in spite of consequence of losing his promised son.
Daniel and friends obeying in spite of consequence of losing their lives to Nebuchadnezzar.
Mary obeying in spite of consequence of losing her husband and family.  She said "I am the Lords servant.  May it be to me as you have said".

Abraham was not perfect in his faith.  He was commanded to leave his family yet he took his dad, his wife, and his nephew Lot.  He did not trust God's timeline and took matters into his own control and slept with Hagar to have a son.  He lied about his wife.  He failed occasionally as we all do.  But the general trend of his life was marked by faithful obedience.

Here is the weekly challenge:
1.  Read the Faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11.
2. Ask God how you can obey in spite of the consequence. Then talk it over with your family during dinner.

Be intentional.
Travis

Life Group weekly challenge: Lucifer

Our new series started with a study of Adam and Eve.  On Saturday we studied Lucifer. 

As a continuation of what Jamie started last week, we know that spiritual warfare is real.  It can be easy to state and sometimes even comforting to believe.  But we still have a difficult time when talking about Satan.  Why??  Maybe Verbal Kint is correct when in The Usual Suspects he says the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing a world that he doesn’t exist.   Or maybe our culture has created a pitchfork carrying character similar to a Santa Claus. 

So we took time in Life Group to go through the bible and list the names used to describe or talk about Lucifer.  Here is a partial list:

Accuser, adversary, lion, Beelzebul, ruler of demons, Belial, Leviathan, twisted serpent, devil, father of lies, dragon, serpent, satan, evil spirit, ruler of this world, prince of the power of the air, tempter, god of this world, Lucifer, angel of light, the enemy, Angel of the abyss, Abaddon, Apollyon

Then we made a list of the attributes or characteristics of Satan:

Was the anointed cherub, is limited spatially, and not omnipresent.

He is a liar, an oppressor, and an imitator.

He came to kill, steal, and destroy.

He will tempt, he plans, he schemes, he fights, he loses.

My challenge for you this week involves watching this clip of Bishop Ron Archer testimony.

Then I want you to stand with your family outside of your house and tell Satan that he is not welcome in your home.  Tell him that in the power of the name of Jesus, that you forbid him to work in your home.  Then pray a blessing on your house and family.

Be intentional this week.

Travis 

Weekly Challenge: Philippians 4:1-17

Life Group,
After Paul told us to stand firm, be unified, pursue Christ, grow through the journey, and imitate Paul's example, he tells us to:

• Rejoice in the Lord
• Share your patience and gentleness with everyone
• Do not be anxious about anything
• Accept the peace of God as you pray about everything.

Jesus spoke about anxiety in Matthew 6 where he stated the most common causes of anxiety: physical attributes, clothing, food and drink, and the future.  Our list we made during Life Group probably could be lumped in those categories. 

But when we learn to trust God, to worry about nothing, to get along with others.....  The result is inexplicable peace. 

My challenge to you this week is to make a list of what makes you anxious.  What are you worrying about?  Then spend time with God every day rejoicing in the Lord.  And give it all to Him.

Be intentional.
Travis

Weekly Challenge -Philippians 3:15-21

Life Group,
Paul told the early Christians (and us) to:
1. Continue maturing (pursue God the Son)
2. Watch Paul, imitate Paul, and follow the example of other growing believers
3. Avoid the practices of the enemies of the cross
4. Live as citizens of Heaven

Can people listen to you talk and know that you are a citizen of Heaven? 
Can they observe your actions and recognize that "you are not from around here"?
Reminds me of the clip we discussed in LG...  How Ya Doin'.  Everyone in the bar knew that guy was not from around here!

Challenge: Identify who is watching you (your children, spouse, other family members, co-workers, younger believers, etc.) and adjust your living so you they can imitate you.

Be intentional this week.
Travis