Weekly Challenge: 10 Commandments

During our discussion about the 10 commandments, I found it interesting that we so naturally started trying to define what certain commandments really meant.  What is the Sabbath?  What does it mean to honor it?  What constitutes work? That's exactly what the Pharisees did, but they ended up taking it to an extreme and turning God's laws into frivolous non-Spirit-led living.  Nevertheless, we all agreed that the commandments and Christ's law of love are vitally important in our relationship with God and others.

The Challenge:
Spend time reflecting on the 10 Commandments as well as what Christ referred to as the 2 greatest commandments.  Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your heart and ask Him to reveal what areas of your life need to change in order to obey God more fully.

In Him,
Aaron

Weekly Challenge: Wisdom from Jethro

After "Coach" Aaron finished berating the class members last night we entered in to some great discussion on Exodus 18:1-27.  We discovered several valuable leadership characteristics in both Jethro and Moses.  We discussed the necessity for leaders to delegate responsibilities rather than attempting to do it all themselves.  Jesus Himself has delegated authority to His disciples and that delegation continues today; God the Father has delegated work to His children and that delegation also continues today.  We also talked about how being in tune with these things requires prayer and obedience.


The Challenge:
During your quiet times this week, prayerfully ask yourself the following questions:
1) Are there areas in my life where I am trying to do it all?  Do I need to delegate responsibilities?  Do I simply need to ask for help?
2) What responsibilities have been delegated to me?  Am I giving them the effort they deserve?
3) Am I using my spiritual gifts and unique abilities to build up the Body of Christ in the most efficient way?
4) What is my next step in each of the areas above?

In Him,
Aaron

Weekly Challenge

So we often think that the OT is well old, not relevant, outdated and just so before Christ.  I know a little sarcasm there but, in reality that is a lie.  What we learned and discussed from Exodus this past Saturday was what "True Worship" is and how easily distracted we are when we can be while trying to praise our Father.  We have Godly things (to-do lists, jobs, kids, etc.) that we somehow figure out how to make them barriers that keep us from participating in that true worship.  The people of Israel broke out into song as a nation praising our Father because of what he saved them from.  It was spontaneous, it was intimate, it was magnificent, jubilant and unified.  It didn't have anything to do with what they had done but, because God removed their barriers to allow them to see how wonderful He is.  What an awesome example of how our God is faithful and how much He loves us!!

My challenge to you as this week winds down is to take some time to acknowledge our Heavenly Father with some "True Worship".  Clear your mind, your calendar, time slot, whatever it takes and worship Him for what He has done for you.  Ask him to remove the barriers so you can give yourself completely over to him to worship.  Thanks to all of you for allowing me to lead the discussion.  

 

William Schale