Weekly Challenge

Thanks to everyone for being comfortable trying something new last night.  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.  In Colossians 3:15-17 and Ephesians 5:18-21 Paul instructs believers to speak to each other, teach, and exhort each other through songs (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs).

THE CHALLENGE:
Look for opportunities this week to teach, exhort, or encourage someone with a psalm, hymn, or spiritual song.

One of our class members who wasn't able to attend last night shared that her favorite hymn is "Come Thou Fount."  Here are three different versions, I hope one of them will speak to you in some way.

 

Sufjan Stevens - Come Thou Fount

 

 

 

The Worship Room

 

 

 

 

David Crowder*Band

 

In Him,

Aaron

Weekly Challenge

Colossians 3:12-14

In this passage we learned that the way we bring glory to Christ is to unite by clothing ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love.  But it seems we can't just go out and say we are going to practice these things.  Two of the commentaries we discussed stated:

“To try to practice the virtues of 3:12-13 apart from love is legalism” 
and
"All the virtues, and especially the practice of love, must be generated by the renewing and transforming work of Christ within us.  Love that is self-generated cannot last and will not accomplish its purposes."

The Challenge:
Let's spend time in prayer this week asking God to change our heart so His virtues come naturally to us.  Ask Him to help us realize He has already made us is this way and give us the courage to walk in a manner worthy of His calling.

In Him,
Aaron

 

 

Weekly Challenge

Wow, what a great testimony we heard from the Bella's on Saturday; and what a great response from the class!  If you joined the prayer team I challenge you to make that prayer a daily commitment, and do it together as a family as much as you can.  What a great privilege to be a part of "provoking Israel to jealousy" (see Romans 11) until we become "one man."

 

If you missed class you can learn more about Israel Prayer Mission and join the team at Israel Prayer Mission.

 

The Challenge:

Don't forget, we are continuing our challenge from last week.  Reflect and meditate on the aspects of Jesus' (Yeshua's) glory that we discussed in class on 4/6.  Come ready to share what impact that has on your day to day life. 

Listening to the Bella's story has increased the level of significance of those things for me.  I can't wait to share that and hear from everyone else as well.

In Him,

Aaron

Weekly Challenge



The Glory of Christ:

Once again, thanks to all for the wonderful discussion in class last night.  Our God is indescribably big.  The fullness of His holiness and glory is incomprehensible.  What a blessing that He reveals so much of Himself to us.  And what a blessing it is to be a part of a group that can discuss and share with each other so we can come to know Him at a new and deeper level.

The Challenge:
Choose one of the aspects of Christ's glory that most inspires you (see the picture below for our notes from class).  Over the next 2 weeks meditate on that aspect of Him.  Spend time thanking Him for it and ask the Holy Spirit what significance it has on your life.  As an aid you can look up the Scriptures we read in class, search for others on your own, talk to your spouse and children, etc.  Come to class on 4/20 ready to share what you have learned.

Listen to "Holy, Holy, Holy"

click to enlarge

In Him,
Aaron

April Family Devotional

We are picking back up with our "Family Mealtime Devotionals."  There are seven quick devotionals to use at the dinner table with your family for discussions about faith and trust during the month of April. You can do them in whatever order you like, but some of them will need some planning beforehand. http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/spiritual_growth_for_kids/family_mealtime_devotionals/faith_and_trust.aspx

Crystal (: