Christian Teamwork

In 1st Corinthians 12 Paul tells us that we are all part of one body in Christ.  No matter where we came from or what we did before we bacame Christians we are now one in the body of Christ.  This is true in two ways.  First in totality of all Christians being bound together.  Then in our individual church communities being bound together.

As we come together and begin to work with people from different backgrounds, we see that we are not all created the same.  Some of us are hard chargeers and always out in front of the croud saying follow me.  Some are quiet and reserved and willing to work as long as we are not seen.  But the dinamics do9n’t stop there.  Those who lead are good at many different things and those who work behind the scenes are good at equally as many things.  It is from this fact that we get people that feel left out or those of us who lead believing that everyone should be able to do exactly what we do.

So how do we overcome these conflicts of gifts and talents?

First,we need to realize that we don’t all have the same gifts. Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 12:1-11 that we all have different gifts and they will be used in many different ways.  If you are an athlete you should not assume everyone else is.  If you can isng you should not think everyone need to be in the choir.  When we realize that everyone is given differet talents and gifts we will begin to work together better.

Second, we have to understand that we are all created different. God has not made each of us the same.  In verses 12-13 Paul tells us that we have all come from different backgrounds and nationalities.  this means we will all heve different value systems.  Newer Christians should be treated with greater respect because they do not know many times what they are saying or doing is not acceptable to the group.  Coach them in a setting away from the group not on the spot.

Finally, don’t complain and give up. Verses 14-26 deal with those who are complaining and giving up on the project.   First we see those that are not getting enough attention and decide they want to quit.  We are all in this together and not everyone will get the same amount of praise.  Second we see people who are ridiculing others.  This is not what we need in Christian settings.  When you or someone on your team decides he or she is more important remind that person that we should rejoice with those who are honored and suffer with those in need.  The body must stick together to accomplish gods task.

Verse 27 to the end lets us know that there is a hierarchy in the church and the leaders are to be respected.  When a leader falls they should not lead, but until that time it is not the Christians part to complain only work for the Glory of God.

New Believer Class Part 3

Final Installment of this class I should have a download page up by the end of the week so you can get both the Leader Guide and the Participant Book both.  It takes about two hours to teach the class because you are taking people through the bible that have never looked up scripture before.  Be patient it is worth the effort.

III. Bible Study and Scripture Memorization

What is the Bible? It is made up of 66 books written by 40 different authors over 1500 years on two continents. 2^nd Timothy 3:14-17 says that it is, _____________________

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So why do we study the Bible? Romans 15:4 say

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And Romans 12:1-2 says

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Finally look at Psalm 19:7-11. What does it have to say about the scriptures?

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Through prayer and the study of the scriptures we grow in our understanding and relationship with Christ. We mature in our Christian walk and while we may not understand everything we read at first over time our minds are changed and renewed. Along with scripture reading, comes scripture memorization.

What does Psalm 119:11 say about memorizing scripture?

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In Joshua 1:8 God told Joshua to Meditate day and night on the law and to never let it Leave his mouth so that he will do everything in it. A New Testament example of this mentality toward the scripture is found in Acts 17:10-11. The Bereans Examined the scripture every day.

I memorize scripture by finding a verse that really applies to where I am in my life when I read it. I am always careful to use the verse in context and not to over stretch it meaning. I write the scripture on a 3×5 index card and carry it with me. I read it often and begin to memorize parts of it starting with the book and verse number then the verse itself. I try to stay in the few chapters around where the verse is for a couple of days and really get the meaning of the verse in my head.

Our time spent with God is valuable. You would not try to make a new friend by ignoring the person you want to be friends with. Start your memorization with Romans 12:1-2 this will be your foundation to build your time with Christ on.

If you change your mind you will change your habits. If you change your habits you will change your life.

New Believer Class Part 2

Sorry it has been so long since I posted the last section.  I have not had Internet service for over a week.

Here is part two of the New Believer’s Class dealing with prayer.

II. Prayer

Prayer is not a wish. Effective prayer can be learned but it may not come naturally to a new believer. Prayer is how we communicate with God, and build our relationship with Jesus Christ. In his book The Spirit of the Disciplines Richard Foster says, “To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives.”

Why Do We Pray

We are expected to pray.

Read Matthew 6, how many time does Jesus say when you pray?____________

In 1^st Thessalonians 5:17, what how does Paul tell us to pray?

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Our relationship with Christ determines effectiveness.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Tells us what about our prayer life

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If we are hiding sin Psalm 66:18 says what? ____________________________________

If we are not receiving answers what does James 4:3 tell us is wrong

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In His book Celebration of Discipline Richard Foster talks of Adoniram Judson and how he withdrew for prayer seven times per day, first at dawn, then nine, twelve, three, six, nine, and midnight. And of John Hyde missionary to India, who prayed so much he was nicknamed, “Praying Hyde.”

These were not extraordinary men, they were just Christians living out a life of prayer.

Tenaciousness is part of a prayer life. Read the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-7. How does Jesus say we are to pray for our needs?

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No is still an answer. We want so much to get our way even in prayer. We need to realize that God knows what is best for each and every one of us. He knows more than we will ever know.

Read 2^nd Corinthians 12:7-10, how did Paul respond to his no?

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Read Matthew 26:39, who did Jesus say should get there way? ­­­_____________

New Believer Class

I am releasing this in segments on the blog first.  I plan on having it up as a download before the end of the month.  Feel free to share and share alike. This is a work in progress.  If you make changes or add to it, please send me your update and I will credit you and link back to your site on the page if I use the update.

What is a Christian?

A Christian is someone who follows the teachings of Christ.  Romans 10:8ff says:

“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”(NIV)

Why do a Class on Being a Christian?

18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”(NIV)

I wish I had a class like this when I gave my life to Jesus.  It could have saved me years of development in my Christian walk.

So what did Christ teach?

Christ taught mainly this, 30”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  (Mark 12:30-31, Matthew 22:37-38, Luke 10:27-28)

But Christ modeled so much more.  Prayer, Bible Study, Worship, Scripture Memorization, Fasting, Service…

In this class you will be given the basics for:
1) Prayer
2) Bible Study
3) Scripture Memorization

I.  Your salvation is not based on ________________.

Read 1 John 5:11-12 What does it say about eternal life?

Who gives it?_____________________________________________________

Who has it?_______________________________________________________

Why did John write 1 John look at 5:13_________________________________

He also wrote the book of John it says 30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

The Life of a Christian is not easy read John 16:33.  Jesus does not promise ease he promises eternal life.  When you feel like you are falling away or doubting, go back to God’s word and reaffirm what you believe even when you feel as if you don’t.

Read John 3:16-17, Acts 16:31, and Romans 10:9.  What do all these verses say about salvation? _________________________________________________________

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Commit these verses to memory, and return to them often.  They will stand as a platform for the rest of your journey in Christ.

But always remember it is not you that is doing the saving.  Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 and Ephesians 2:8-10

We can not boast because we can not save ourselves.  We must put our trust in Christ and him alone for our salvation.

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Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi

Lex orandi, lex credendi, lex vivendi is an axiom of ancient Christianity, meaning, the rule of worship is the rule of belief is the rule of life. That is, the way we are oriented in worship (whatever it might be that we focus on most devotedly) orients the way we believe and the way we live.(1) I don’t know latin but I do know a good thing when I see it.

We are told through the Old Testament that the Israelites always went back to the idols of the cultures around them.  As American Christians we sometimes are no different.  We are emerged in a culture that tells us to beautify the gospel, don’t mention sin, don’t remind people how far they are from God.  We need to be aware of where we are in our walk with Christ.  As for me I get off track.  I love politics I get caught up in the conservative vs liberal debates.  I actually agree with both sides on some issues, but that is a different blog.  We can so easily get lost and focus our worship on a cult of personality, or the t.v., or a new car that we just have to get because ours is three years old.

We can worship; worship, no joke if you have been in church over ten years you have probably seen your churches worship service change.  Both sides of that argument are worshiping something other than God when they go into those sanctuaries.

My point is this.  What ever you focus your worship on is what is going to set the way you see yourself, others, and the church.  Are you studying your bible daily, are you praying and memorizing scripture, or are you putting junk into your mind?  This week turn off the t.v., turn off the computer and fill your mind with a little more scripture.  Get some 3×5 index cards and start memorizing it as well.

(1) Jill Carattini, A Slice of Infinity daily email Newsletter January 23, 2009.  Jill Carattini is managing editor of A Slice of Infinity at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta, Georgia.