September/October 2022
FIRST BAPTIST ARLINGTON a 9-week study guide for our Fall sermon series based on 1 Corinthians... designed to help you better appreciate, understand, and engage the Word of God
From the Pastor… Dr. Dennis Wiles “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 After Romans, 1 Corinthians is Paul’s longest surviving letter. It’s full of insights, ethical applications of the Christian faith, and explanations of key doctrines (e.g., salvation, eschatology, resurrection). It also was a private letter addressing a local church at a particular point in time with location-specific issues that might be hard for 21st century interpreters to comprehend (e.g., eating meat offered to idols). From a seasonal perspective, Fall is an opportune time to encourage people to re-engage, re-establish rhythms, re-connect, and RE-Dedicate. From a theological perspective, 1 Corinthians offers an opportunity to frame some important conversations in the context of a 1st-century church facing the challenges imposed by its setting in the pluralistic reality of Corinth. I appreciate Dr. David Garland’s extensive summary at the outset of his commentary on 1 Corinthians. He proposes there are two primary influences that contextualize the relationship the church in Corinth had with the broader community: Social Relationships and Religious Influences. According to Dr. Garland, the primary issue with the Corinthian church was what he calls “misinterpretation of the Christian faith.” “The Corinthians appear to be getting on quite well in their community… In Corinth, no counter-cultural impact, so central to the preaching of the cross is evident. Their faith appears not to have created any significant social and moral realignment of their lives. They face little or no social ostracism, and the lack of external pressure contributes to their internal dissension… The problem was not that the church was in Corinth but that too much of Corinth was in the church… They did not view this world as decisively evil and consequently were ready to make compromises with it.” To better understand the situation in Corinth, it may be helpful to read Romans 1:18-32. Paul was in Corinth when he wrote the letter to the Romans. Dr. Garland suggests that this text in Romans 1 provides a glimpse into the Corinthian social and religious milieu. Corinth was known to have a plethora of gods and goddesses. Immorality was rampant throughout the city. Paul offers a summary of the level of corruption he encountered in Corinth in this powerful opening section of Romans. At the heart of the Corinthian church’s struggle was the proliferation of pagan practices and beliefs that would prove hard to shake. Paul loves this church too much to leave it to its syncretistic tendencies. Corinth was too strategic of a city. Paul knew this church was a significant beachhead for the Christian mission. The amount of written material dedicated to this one church, plus the numerous visits Paul paid to Corinth, serve as clues to its importance in his mind. This study of 1 Corinthians may prove to be timely for us. While our church is not characterized by syncretistic tendencies, the broader Christian movement in America has some elements of cultural accommodation to the point of heresy. Further, our current cultural and societal atmosphere may connect us to the church in Corinth in meaningful ways. Carl Trueman has produced an extensive scholarly explanation of how quickly and decisively the West has been shaped by a re-definition of the “self” in the modern era (see his magnum opus, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self). In a more condensed tract, Strange New World, he provides this summary of contemporary Western society: “For many people, the Western world in which we now live has a profoundly confusing, and often disturbing, quality to it. Things once regarded as obvious and unassailable virtues have in recent years been subject to vigorous criticism and even in some cases come to be seen by many as more akin to vices… Welcome to this strange new world. You may not like it. But it is where you live, and therefore it is important that you try to understand it.” We will spend the Fall studying what it means to be a church in this era. We will hear the voice of the Apostle Paul and seek to apply what we hear to our own context. I’m not sure how Paul would address the church in the West today, but I know he would have challenged us to figure out how to live Christianly in the face of a cultural landscape that changes rapidly and often so on a whim.
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Corinth Corinth essentially had 2 lives in antiquity. Originally, it flourished as a Greek city-state. However, after getting crosswise with the Roman Empire, Corinth was destroyed around 146 BC. Almost a hundred years later, it was rebuilt as a Roman colony by Julius Caesar. Corinth’s strategic military and commercial location was simply too good to leave undeveloped. It’s two harbors lay in a straight line between Italy and Asia. The 5-mile stone road that connected them served as a natural link between East and West. And the rapid influx of cultures from both directions created an incredibly diverse society. The active commerce and quick growth attracted a wide array of religious expressions. It also produced the kind of immorality one would expect in a busy seaside town. By the time Paul arrived, around AD 50, Corinth was a wealthy, pagan, cosmopolitan, very Hellenized, Roman city.
Click to read more about ancient Corinth.
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RE-Dedicate Curt Grice “Rededicate” means choosing to commit yourself anew. It involves an active decision to give your time, energy, money, and effort to something once again… after a season when you invested those resources elsewhere. The Fall semester is a natural time to rededicate ourselves. For many of us, the end of Summer and the start of a new school year requires a conscious reordering of our schedules and priorities. It’s the perfect time for us to re-commit, re-engage, and re-connect to the people of God and the Word of God. Our hope and prayer over these 2 months is that we will individually and collectively rededicate ourselves to glorifying God by following The Jesus Way.
1 Corinthians Our text for this series is 1 Corinthians. It's a letter written by Paul from Ephesus around A.D. 55 (Acts 18-19). He was responding to an earlier letter from the church in Corinth as well as “reports from Chloe’s household.” In this personal reply, Paul rebukes, appeals, and exhorts the church that he had founded a short time earlier. The believers in Corinth were spiritually gifted, relationally divided, and emotionally immature. The church was made up mostly of Gentiles who loved “wisdom” and “knowledge.” They had come to Christ out of a pagan background. Based on Paul’s correspondence, it appears that they tended to be proud, arrogant, and dysfunctional. There was division in the church including a vocal faction that rejected Paul’s authority. Perhaps the fundamental source of their problem was that this church did not understand the essence of the Gospel or the nature of servant leadership. In that sense, Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 is as much about how to build a church as how to build a life. The reason many passages in this letter (as well as other biblical texts) are difficult for us to understand is because they weren’t written specifically for us. As followers of Jesus in our present time and place, we must be content with not knowing some things. In Scripture, God has given us all we need, though perhaps not all we want. Some questions will remain unanswered for now. As such, when it comes to 1 Corinthians, we must avoid proof-texting and confirmation bias. We must not confuse Paul’s New Testament “sin lists” (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) with secondary “matters of indifference” (adiaphora). We need to learn to ask, “Is there a clear principle that transcends historical particularity here? Or is this a specific application for that occasion?” We must always seek to distinguish between cultural relativity and comparable reality.
DAILY READINGs
SCRIPTURE
Click the passage to read online. September 5: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 September 6: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 September 7: 1 Corinthians 3 September 8: 1 Corinthians 4:1-13 September 9: 1 Corinthians 4:14-5:13 September 10: Re-Flection
WEEK 1
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I Corinthians 1:18-25 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand a sign and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
The Roman Sack of Corinth in 146 BC (Thomas Allom, 1870)
September 4, 2022 Re-Dedicate: Our Message Matters! We live in a loud culture. Our ears are bombarded 24/7 from a cacophony of voices. Everybody is an “expert” in our wiki, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and cable news saturated society. Christians often join in the fray and engage the broader society with either loud voices of protest, arrogant messages of the privileged, or an “Eeyore-like” moan of self-pity. In today’s text, we will be reminded of the true message of Christianity. This message is what distinguishes us among all other messages.
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Outline of 1 Corinthians ·Introduction (1:1-9) ·Divisions in the Church (1:10-4:21) – responding to reports ·Immoral Church Member (5:1-13) ·Lawsuits (6:1-11) ·Sexual Immorality (6:12-20) ·Marriage (7:1-24) – responding to the letter… “Now about” ·Virgins (7:25-40) “Now about” ·Appropriate Worship (8-14) Food Sacrificed to Idols (8:1-11:1) “Now about” Covering a Woman’s Head in Church (11:2-16) Abuse at the Lord’s Supper (11:17-34) Spiritual Gifts (12-14) “Now about” ·Bodily Resurrection of Believers (15:1-58) ·The Collection (16:1-11) “Now about” ·Return of Apollos (16:12) “Now about” ·Conclusion, Exhortations, and Greetings (16:13-24)
St. Paul staying in the house of Aquila and his wife Priscilla. The family are making tents and Paul is writing. Engraving by J. Sadeler after Joos van Winghe.
Paul in Corinth Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth teaching, preaching, and establishing the church there. Paul met Aguila and Priscila in Corinth and worked with them making tents until Silas and Timothy arrived. Initially, Paul tried to reason with the Jews at the synagogue each Sabbath. Eventually, he gave up and focused his ministry on the Gentiles. When Paul left Corinth around AD 52, he passed through Ephesus before returning to Antioch (Acts 18:1-22). As we noted in our Spring “RE-Concile” series, Paul likely wrote at least 4 letters to the believers in Corinth, as follows: ·a first letter (referred to in 1 Corinthians 5:9) ·1 Corinthians ·a second “severe” letter (referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:3-4) ·2 Corinthians Paul wrote 1 Corinthians near the end of his 3-year stay in Ephesus. In this very personal letter, he tried to address the problems he was aware of within the church. He talks about immaturity, instability, jealousy, marriage, lawsuits, and spiritual gifts. As with any diverse group – and especially given the assorted backgrounds of the Corinthian Christians – there was a broad spectrum of life experiences and strong opinions represented within this congregation. And while there were clearly divisions within that body of believers, the biggest rift seems to have been between certain anti-Paul church members and the Apostle himself. Based on Paul’s response, the crux of the disagreement had to do with his authority and his message. Paul had gotten wind of the problems based on a letter that was delivered and a report that was given to him. Paul sought to aggressively address the situation in Corinth. It was a difficult and painful process, summarized in 2 Corinthians 2:4… “I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.” By the grace of God, it seems to have worked. Over time, it appears that divisions were healed, truth was embraced, order was restored, and heresy was rejected. Confession, repentance, humility, and forgiveness led to restoration and reconciliation.
Click to read more about Aquila & Priscilla.
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King Solomon dedicating the Temple in Jerusalem
September 11, 2022 Re-Dedicate: Sexual Purity 1st century Corinth was a Roman city characterized by rampant immorality. To “Corinthianize” someone meant to corrupt their morals. It was a pluralistic urban community replete with all manner of temples, idolatry, sexual promiscuity, social distinctions, and imperial cults. Paul’s call for sexual purity is rooted in his understanding of the holistic nature of redemption. God’s redemptive work actually includes our bodies. Sexual immorality is not to be tolerated within the Body of Christ. This message was counter-cultural to 1st century Corinth, and it is certainly counter-cultural to contemporary American society. Nevertheless, it is a necessary and timely message for us day!
WEEK 2
I Corinthians 6:9-11, 18-20 Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but the one who sins sexually sins against their own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
September 12: 1 Corinthians 6 September 13: 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 September 14: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 September 15: 1 Corinthians 8 September 16: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 September 17: Re-Flection
NOTE: Due to the nature of the Pastor's sermon on September 11th, we are hosting a special Fall Children's Event at 11:00am in the Children's Building promoting our Psalm 1 Kids and Bible Quest kick-off (J.A.M.). This alternative program is available for all Elementary-age families that morning.
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I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Emergence of Christianity The first Christians were all Jews in thought, practice, experience, and perspective. Their belief that Jesus of Nazareth was the Promised Messiah inaugurated the New Covenant. The coming of the Holy Spirit established the Church as the presence of Christ in the world. While the Apostles were alive, they could speak authoritatively about following Jesus. As the eyewitnesses died off, it became necessary to document the life and teaching of the Lord. Jewish and Roman persecution during the first 3 centuries helped distinguish Christianity from all other faiths. Followers of Jesus began to separate from Judaism and identify as the new “people of God.” The Christian Church developed its own organizational structure and style of leadership. The sacraments of baptism and communion became central to Christian identity and membership. The early “bishops” were devoted followers of Jesus who were willing to die for their faith… and many did. The better the bishop, the more likely he would be martyred. Their instructions were very influential in the early Church. Ignatius (AD 35-108), the bishop of Antioch, was arrested and taken to Rome to be fed to the lions in the Coliseum. On the way to his death, he wrote letters to the churches stating that “it is utterly absurd to profess Jesus and practice Judaism.” Though the Christian faith started as a narrative, a growing collection of writings soon emerged. The Gospels and letters from Paul and the other Apostles began to circulate. Eventually, these writings started replacing the Old Testament books in worship. At the same time, Christian Apologists rose up to defend against false teaching and establish an orthodox systematic theology. Justin Martyr (AD 100-165), born in Samaria, wrote “First Apology” to express the core of Christian philosophy and defend against charges of atheism and hostility to the Roman Empire. He applied the Greek concept of “logos” to Jesus as the divine incarnation of Truth. Irenaeus (AD 140-200) was the bishop of Lyon. He wrote “Against Heresies” to combat Gnosticism and the belief that “secret knowledge” was the means to salvation. He promoted “regula fidei” (the rule of faith) as the authority and standard of Christianity. Tertullian (AD 150-225), from Carthage in North Africa, wrote “Apology” and “Against Marcion” to similarly defend Christianity against false charges (Who did you blame before the Christians showed up?) and false doctrine (What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?). Over a period of 300 years, Christianity morphed from a small, persecuted Jewish faction to the official religion of the Roman Empire. Since so much of the population was uneducated and illiterate, creeds were developed by the Church for teaching and instruction. These were memorized and recited, helping to unite the growing number of Christians scattered throughout the world. The Apostles Creed (2nd century) and Nicene Creed (4th century) were core declarations that helped prevent heresy and promote truth. In its oldest form, the Apostles’ Creed goes back to around AD 140. Here is a modern English translation of that early statement of the Christian faith.
Re-Dedicate Yourself to the Word of God The Bible “We believe the Bible is the Word of God. The human authors of the Bible were uniquely inspired by the Spirit of God. His guidance led them to record His truth. The Bible is authoritative for every believer, and it provides the counsel of God for everyday life.” FBCA Core Beliefs and Values
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During this 2-month Fall series, we encourage you to recommit yourself to reading and studying the Bible. This RE-Dedicate booklet is intended to help you appreciate, understand, apply, and teach the Scriptures. The Bible is the Word of God. It has historical particularity and eternal relevance. God chose through his Spirit to inspire the human authors to write about everything from creation and end times to appropriate behavior in a variety of situations. For any number of reasons, the Bible is far and away “the bestselling book of all time.” Throughout history, there have been countless opinions and perspectives on the Christian Scriptures. However, when we approach the Word of God, the most important consideration is what it says about itself. SCRIPTURE “Understand this first: No part of the Holy Writings was ever made up by any man. No part of the Holy Writings came long ago because of what man wanted to write. But holy men who belonged to God spoke what the Holy Spirit told them.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” Psalm 119:9-16 God has clearly described for us the nature and effectiveness of his Word. It is life-giving and life-changing! Here are insights about the Bible from some who have engaged it. TESTIMONY “Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.” Charles Spurgeon “The Word of God I think of as a straight edge, which shows up our own crookedness. We can’t really tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the straight edge of Scripture.” Elisabeth Elliot “Reading and understanding the Bible involves lots and lots of interpretation. Not just in light of the world and culture around us, but in reference to other parts of the Bible.” John Piper “Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.” Helen Keller “The Bible is the book of my life. It's the book I live with, the book I live by, the book I want to die by.” N.T. Wright “The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” A.W. Tozer “We go from Malachi to Matthew in one page of our Scriptures, but that one piece of paper that separates the Old Testament from the New Testament represents 400 years of history — 400 years where there wasn't a prophet, 400 years where God's voice wasn't heard. And that silence was broken with the cry of a baby on Christmas night.” Louie Giglio “Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand.” Mark Twain “I want to know one thing, the way to heaven: how to land safe on that happy shore. God himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end he came from heaven. He has written it down in a book! Oh, give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be: A man of one book.” John Wesley
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September 19: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 September 20: 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 September 21: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:16 September 22: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 September 23: 1 Corinthians 12 September 24: Re-Flection
September 18, 2022 Re-Dedicate: Your Church Needs You! Why does it matter that believers belong to and invest in a church? What is so important about belonging to a church family? Why is our involvement important? Paul was addressing some broken relationships in the church at Corinth. Divisions that were a natural part of Roman society had become a part of the church itself. As we hear Paul’s counsel to the Corinthian church, we will also detect a core conviction of this great Apostle. The church is God’s instrument on earth today and His children are to be a part of its witness, ministry, and mission.
WEEK 3
I Corinthians 3:5-9 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
WEEK 4
1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 “I have the right to do anything,” you say — but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything” — but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience. I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God — even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
IMPORTANT DATES
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September 26: 1 Corinthians 13 September 27: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 September 28: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 September 29: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 September 30: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 October 1: Re-Flection
September 25, 2022 Re-Dedicate: The Sacramental Life God’s redemptive work in our lives is holistic in nature. Everything about us has been affected by God’s gracious act of salvation. We are being transformed! In Corinth, the Christians had to learn to live as followers of Jesus in a radically pluralistic and idolatrous society. Their Christian faith was even tested when choosing meat for dinner! Today, we will explore the challenges we face as contemporary believers who are seeking to live as followers of Jesus in the midst of our challenging culture.
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Creating the Canon Canon means “measuring rod.” The “canonization” of Scripture (resulting in the Bible we take for granted today) was a process that took place over several centuries. After Constantine’s endorsement of Christianity in AD 312, the Church began in earnest to try and formalize the books that should accompany the Old Testament. But who was qualified to make such an important decision? Periodically, a Roman (or Byzantine) Emperor would summon Church leaders to an ecumenical council. Typically, 200-300 bishops would travel from across the Empire to meet for several weeks and discuss theological issues. Constantine convened the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325. Among other things, they discussed the nature of Christ and developed the Nicene Creed. As one might expect, there were many disagreements and competing opinions at these gatherings. A variety of heresies and controversies not only undermined the witness of the Church, but the emperor’s ability to rule his kingdom. At the First Council of Nicaea, Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria, successfully debated Arius’ heretical claim that the Son was created by the Father, making him subordinate. It was within this volatile and vibrant context that crucial issues about the Christian faith were decided. Leaders kept meeting, debating, and narrowing their differences. When it came to establishing an official collection of sacred Christian writings, several crucial standards were employed. The first consideration for inclusion was “Apostolic Authority.” In other words, is the material in question written by one of the Disciples, or a disciple of a Disciple? This special group of authors is responsible for most of the books contained in the New Testament. The second criterion was “General Acceptance.” Is the material in question accepted by most churches who use it in their corporate worship services? That was especially true of the churches in Antioch, Carthage, Ephesus, Jerusalem, and Rome. Some sacred writings (e.g., The Didache: The Teaching of the 12 Apostles) were widely circulated and used in teaching, but not in worship. The third test was “Doctrinal Consistency.” Is the material in question in harmony with current mutually accepted authoritative writings? There were other “gospels” (e.g., The Gospel of Thomas) that didn’t stack up on this point. Legitimate concern over widespread heresy created a healthy caution. The final consideration was “Regula Fidei”… the rule of faith. Does the material in question sound right? Does it have “the ring of truth”? Has the Holy Spirit confirmed it in the hearts and minds of trusted Church leaders? This step is further confirmation of consistency with other accepted works and wide usage in worship among the churches.
Click to read more about the creation of the canon.
In AD 367, Athanasius, in his Passover letter, presented a list of 46 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books saying, “These are the sources of salvation, for the thirsty may drink deeply of the words to be found here. In these alone is the doctrine of piety recorded. Let no one add to them or take anything away from them.” Thirty years later, those same 27 New Testament books were confirmed by the Council of Carthage in AD 397. The Bible was divided into chapters by Stephen Langton around 1228. The first translation of the Bible into English was started by John Wycliffe and completed by John Purvey in 1388. The Old Testament was divided into verses by Rabbi Nathan in 1448. The New Testament was divided into verses by Robert Stephanus in 1551. As with most things Protestant, Martin Luther has significantly influenced our thinking. In 1534, when Luther translated the Bible into German, he grouped 7 “deuterocanonical works” into the Apocrypha declaring, “These books are not held equal to the Sacred Scriptures and yet are useful and good for reading.” For most Protestants, Luther’s declaration has remained in effect. The first American edition of the Bible was published sometime around 1752.
St. Augustine of Hippo arguing with Donatists... perhaps at the Council of Carthage in AD 397.
Bible Study The Bible consists of history, narrative, prophecy, poetry, wisdom, letters, and apocalyptic literature. It is inspired by God and is a revelation of God. Amazingly, it is trustworthy and reliable, even though it was written by dozens of authors in multiple countries over a period of about 1,500 years. The 39 Old Testament books were written primarily in ancient Hebrew. Aramaic is a more modern version of Hebrew. By Jesus’ time it had become somewhat common among Jews. The 27 New Testament books were written primarily in Greek (with 21 Aramaic words). In these pages, we span the fullness of human history… literally from beginning to end. The Creator has miraculously provided this sacred text for us, so it warrants our full attention. As thoughtful students, we need to discover what the biblical text meant to the original writers (exegesis) and what it means for us today (hermeneutics)… truth then and now. We must let Scripture interpret Scripture… following consistency and progression. We must use the clearer passages to help us understand the more confusing passages. And we must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us.
It was (Christ) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service; so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13
WEEK 5
I Corinthians 12: 1-13, 27-31 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
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Exegesis Exegesis is the careful, systematic study of Scripture to discover the original, intended meaning. It is an attempt to hear the Word as the original listeners would have heard it. Of course, to do this accurately and well, one would need to be knowledgeable about ancient languages, cultures, governments, and geographies. And since much of the original content was developed orally, then written, then copied multiple times over centuries, it is especially important to ask the right questions and consult the right sources. The way we approach daily life would have been impossible to imagine 2,000 years ago. In much the same way, the historical and cultural context of the biblical authors is naturally foreign to us. When studying Scripture, it’s important to seek to understand (as best we can) the perspective of those who were originally sharing and hearing the message. What is the occasion and purpose of the writing? What significant events were taking place in that location at that time? What type of literature is it? What was the author trying to say? What was the point of the text? What was the most logical and probable interpretation and understanding by the original audience? There are many good Bible dictionaries, commentaries, and encyclopedias available to help us understand what was being said and heard “then and there.” One popular resource is Eerdman’s Handbook to the Bible. Though somewhat dated, it offers a wealth of charts, maps, diagrams, and illustrations to help contextualize each of the 66 books of the Bible.
October 3: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 October 4: 1 Corinthians 16 October 5: 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 October 6: 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 October 7: 1 Corinthians 3 October 8: Re-Flection
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Hermeneutics Hermeneutics is an attempt to discern the contemporary relevance of these ancient texts. To do this accurately and well, we must consider the entirety of Scripture and allow the easier to understand parts help us understand the more difficult to understand parts. We must also resist the urge to twist Scripture to support our personal prejudices and preconceived assumptions. Again, there are many good commentaries and resources available to help us understand more clearly what God is saying to us “here and now.” And isn’t that what prompts most people to read the Bible in the first place? One foundational principle, helpful safeguard, and excellent starting point is to remember that Scripture must interpret Scripture. The Bible cannot contradict itself. We must never let our limited knowledge, understanding, or perspective distort the Word of God to our own ends. That’s how cults and heresies are born. In Paul’s letters to Corinth, we're given a front row seat to the drama playing out among followers of Jesus in that particular place and time. The Apostle pulls no punches as he addresses the honest questions and serious concerns related to the health and welfare of the Church there. The challenge comes when we ask, “What is cultural, temporary, and relevant only to them? What is timeless, transcendent, and applies equally to us?” This challenge is illustrated by the inconsistency with which we employ the various teachings of the New Testament. What may seem obvious to one group of believers is much less clear to another. If we’re honest, we all tend to read things into some texts while safely avoiding others. Yet, if our goal is to know and do God’s will, then certainly we can claim Jesus’ promise in John 16 that “the Spirit of Truth will guide us into all truth.”
October 2, 2022 Re-Dedicate: Your Gifts are Needed God has established and chosen the Church as His instrument on earth. What a privilege to be a part of His plan and purpose! As members of the Body of Christ, we have been uniquely gifted by God to play a part in the accomplishment of His redemptive and restorative work in His world. Each of us must invest our giftedness through the life of a local church in order for God’s plan to be most effective and complete.
Developing a Biblical Worldview The purpose of studying God’s Word is not simply information, but actual transformation! We aren’t just pursuing knowledge and insight. We’re seeking to know God better and become more like Jesus. We’re asking the Spirit of God to take the Word of God and apply it powerfully to our daily lives. This involves developing a godly perspective and a biblical worldview. The German word “weltanschauung” refers to a comprehensive view of the universe. It’s the “lens” through which a person makes sense of the world around them. For someone who has spent time thinking deeply about “life,” it would include philosophic, moral, and religious conclusions and convictions. A person’s “weltanshauung” (worldview) should answer life’s biggest questions. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? It also speaks to where a person looks for “truth.” Are you trusting “reason” (materialistic) or “revelation” (transcendent) to guide you? What informs the process by which you make sense of your surroundings and circumstances? In his latest American Worldview Inventory, George Barna reports that while 51% of respondents claim a biblical worldview, further questioning reveals that only 6% actually possess a biblical worldview. It turns out there are serious inconsistencies between what they believe and what the Bible teaches. And two-thirds (68%) of those who consider themselves to be Christians claim to have a biblical worldview, yet additional research indicates only 9% truly do. In this survey, about half (46%) of the respondents say it’s important (very, somewhat, or not too) for their religious faith to influence every dimension of their life. Among that group, a small majority claim to be effective at integrating their faith into the areas of family, religious life, and personal relationships. Less than a third of them are integrating their faith into politics, business, entertainment, and news choices. Barna concludes that most of us develop a worldview by default. He says worldview is more caught than taught in the U.S. "Our studies show that Americans are neither deep nor sophisticated thinkers. Most people seem more interested in living a life of comfort and convenience than one of logical consistency and wisdom. Our children will continue to suffer the consequences of following in the unfortunate footsteps of their parents and elders. People who are willing to fight for a more reasonable way of thinking and acting can make a difference, but it will be slow progress."
October 9, 2022 Re-Dedicate: Love is the Answer! The church in Corinth faced many struggles, both internal and external. Skirmishes within the church created a volatile situation where relationships were damaged, and members were jockeying for spiritual superiority. Paul’s answer for this brokenness within the church family was... love! This page in our Bible is an admonition and a call to live a certain way as followers of Jesus. It's not just a beautiful treatise on love. It's an ardent call to love!
Application We must approach Scripture humbly, with a teachable attitude, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must be serious students, willing to invest the time and energy necessary to gain knowledge and understanding. We must also seek to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2). That should result in other changes as we apply God’s truth to our daily lives. Ask God to help you follow the instruction of James 1:22… “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!” After faithful reading and thoughtful study – using the methods and resources mentioned previously – it may well be that the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to impress something particular on your heart and mind. At that point, you should seek to discern clearly and obey sincerely the Lord’s loving guidance. A simple to remember (though not necessarily easy to apply) guide is the acrostic, SPACE. Is there a: ·Sin to confess ·Promise to claim ·Attitude to change ·Command to obey ·Example to follow “Application” can manifest itself in any number of ways. Research has consistently shown that of all activities, regular Bible study has the highest correlation to spiritual maturity. Studies show that those who devote themselves to God’s Word are more generous, prayerful, engaged in ministry, and active in worship and sharing their faith. One very recent survey concluded that Americans who regularly read the Bible are the group most likely to demonstrate “neighborliness.” Colossians 3 describes what can happen as we study, meditate, and apply the Word of God to our lives. We find ourselves setting our hearts and minds on things above. We begin “putting to death” the sinful, earthly things lurking inside us. We start to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. The peace of Christ and an attitude of gratitude begin to take hold of us.
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WEEK 6
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October 10: 1 Corinthians 4:1-13 October 11: 1 Corinthians 4:14-5:13 October 12: 1 Corinthians 6 October 13: 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 October 14: 1 Corinthians 7:2-40 October 15: Re-Flection
1 Corinthians 13:1-7, 12-13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Translations For those whose primary language is 21st century American English (presumably most people reading this), there are multiple hurdles to clear when doing serious Bible study. Most of us must depend on competent scholars to translate the Hebrew and Greek texts into words and thoughts we can understand. We are blessed to have a vast array of translations, commentaries, and other resources to choose from. Of course, no original biblical manuscripts still exist. What we do have are thousands of copies produced by hand over many years. Not surprisingly, this tedious process created both intended and unintended variations in the text. Thankfully, dedicated textual critics have poured over the available manuscripts to determine which variants are errors and what was likely the original text. That’s why most study Bibles offer notes that say things like, “Some manuscripts do not have…” Once the best text is determined, the work of translation begins. When it comes to translating Scripture, the scholar must bridge the chasm of time, culture, thought, slang, and history. In this regard, the three primary approaches are literal, dynamic equivalent, and free. A literal translation attempts to keep as close to the original language as possible. It can feel stiff and hard to understand, but it offers the nearest word for word interpretation of the text. This approach maintains the historic distance for the reader. Examples: King James Version, New American Standard Bible The dynamic equivalent attempts to replace the original language with modern words and phrases. This approach includes changing the sentence structure to make it more understandable, while still retaining some historic distance. Examples: New International Version, New Living Translation A free translation, sometimes called a paraphrase, deals more broadly with the ideas being expressed, rather than the exact words of the text. It attempts to close the historic distance as much as possible and emphasizes readability and understanding. Examples: The Living Bible, The Message
Our Bible Study Organization At FBCA, we have organized our church around a structure of Bible study groups. These groups are age-graded from preschool through our oldest adults. For the most part, we have placed people together in similar life circumstances. These departments and classes help our church members share life together week by week. At the heart of each group is the study of God’s Word. Studying the Bible is the responsibility of every believer. However, there are gifted people in our church entrusted with the task of teaching the Bible to others. Obviously, this is a serious and significant undertaking. In fact, James reminds us that those who teach will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). That’s because teachers have influence. We’re grateful for the Bible teachers who serve at our church. These individuals are a tremendous resource for our congregation. We encourage everyone to get involved in one of our Sunday morning Bible studies. You can find a list of the options for Adults at www.fbca.org/adults. Groups are also available on Sunday morning at 9:45 for Preschool, Children, Youth, College, Internationals, and people with Special Needs.
Our Mission Glorifying God by following The Jesus Way Core Characteristics Christ-centered Biblically based Spirit-filled Evangelistic/Missional Worshipful
Our church's mission is to “glorify God by following The Jesus Way.” We have each been created in God’s image with the opportunity (and responsibility) to give him the glory and honor he deserves. We do that best by following the Person and Way of Jesus. Jesus is the way God has come to us. Jesus is the way we come to God. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Once we confess that “Jesus is Lord,” we begin the journey with him. When we declare our allegiance to King Jesus… pledging our life and loyalty to him… we become citizens of his kingdom. We pray that “his kingdom would come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Together, as followers of Jesus, we become “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). Living in God’s kingdom includes being part of a family of faith… the church. We were created to live together in community. We need each other in order to live fully as “the Body of Christ.” And the only way such a diverse group can live in harmony is under the control of the Holy Spirit. We must “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit thought the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). Our Bible study groups are part of our church’s strategy “to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13).
October 16, 2022 Re-Dedicate: Worshiping God Together! The worship of God must never be taken lightly by the church. In Corinth, the worship life was negatively affected by the broader challenges they were dealing with. Paul reminded them of the importance of gathering together as the Body of Christ to worship God. Believers need to worship God together. Communal worship is impossible to experience alone! The presence of God in the midst of His people at worship is a reality that con only be experienced in the corporate gathering.
Remey Terrell
Brian Sepulveda
Minister of Activities & Traditionals Care brian.sepulveda@fbca.org
Lori Allen
Want to find a Bible Study class? Interested in serving? We're here to help.
Interim Young Adult Minister remey.terrell@fbca.org
Angela Hicks
1 Corinthians 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
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Associate Pastor of Spiritual Formation curt.grice@fbca.org
Spiritual Formation Ministry Assistant lori.allen@fbca.org
MEET YOUR ADULT MINISTRY STAFF
October 17: 1 Corinthians 8 October 18: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 October 19: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 October 20: 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 October 21: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 October 22: Re-Flection
Kurt Krodle
Minister To Adults brad.echols@fbca.org
Brad Echols
Youth Minister & Median Families Team Lead kurt.krodle@fbca.org
WEEK 7
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Young Families Team Assistant angela.hicks@fbca.org
Curt Grice
Finding Your Place in The Big Story The most important thing in life is to know and love God. It's a relationship that affects every part of your life and will last for eternity! The way you come to know God is through Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Word of God promises that "anyone who is in Christ Jesus is a new creation. The old is passing away and all things are becoming new." In order to experience this new life, you must pledge your loyalty and allegiance to King Jesus. You must become a citizen of his kingdom... part of his family... the new covenant people of God. Becoming a follower of Jesus involves personal awareness, genuine faith, and total reorientation. Admit that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. All of us have sinned and fall short of God's glory and plan for our lives. Believe that Jesus died for you and offers complete forgiveness and eternal life with him. God showed his great love for us by sending Jesus to defeat sin and death on our behalf... while we were lost in sin. Commit your life completely to Jesus... your past, present, and future. Experience his majesty and goodness. Let his Spirit control your everyday life. "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. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9,13
October 24: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 October 25: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 October 26: 1 Corinthians 12 October 27: 1 Corinthians 13 October 28: 1 Corinthians 14:1-25 October 29: Re-Flection
1 Corinthians 15:3-8 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Things to keep in mind Clarify expectations. Emphasize confidentiality. Get to know each other. Have fun together. Take turns talking. Pray with and for each other. Curriculum/Resource Options First Baptist Church Arlington ·Daily Bible readings (www.fbca.org/dailyreading) ·Pastor’s Sermon series Baptist Family ·BaptistWay Press (www.baptistwaypress.org) ·BGCT Baptist distinctives (www.baptistdistinctives.org) RightNow Media ·Free subscription (www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/ Invite/fbcarlington) Resource Library (1st floor Chapel hallway) Curriculum Closet (2nd floor by appointment)
WEEK 8
Recommended Reading Click a title to order on Amazon. How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: A Guide to Understanding the Bible, 4th Edition, Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. How to Read the Bible Book by Book, Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. NOTE: you can find a variety of YouTube videos of Gordon Fee teaching on 1 Corinthians and how to read the Bible. Telling God’s Story: The Biblical Narrative from Beginning to End, Preben Vang and Terry G. Carter. Making Connections: Finding Your Place in God’s Story, Terry G. Carter and Preben Vang.
Leading an Adult Small Group Taking responsibility for leading others can (and should) be a bit intimidating. That’s OK. Courage isn’t the absence of fear… it’s acting despite your fears. Trust God to work through you for his glory. Here are some things to consider as you think about your role as a leader. Leading a small group isn’t about your confidence and ability. It’s about God and what he wants to accomplish through you. Acknowledging your weakness is the best way for God to be glorified. Prepare well. Work hard. Trust God! Getting the group to connect starts with your honesty. As you choose to open up and be real, the rest of the group will feel the freedom to do the same. Don’t pretend. Share your story. Admit your struggles. Don’t be afraid of silence. If you’re asking real questions and you want real answers, give people an opportunity to think before they respond. Maybe you need to restate the question. If silence makes you nervous, get in the habit of counting to 10 (or 20) in your mind before saying anything. God can work in silence. You don’t have to know all the answers. That’s part of being honest. When you’re not sure, ask: “What do you think?” It can lead to great discussion. If no one knows the answer, and it’s worth pursuing, agree to research the issue and talk about it the next time you meet. This is shared learning. Don’t be afraid of disagreement. It’s OK for people to have differing opinions. While we have “zero tolerance” for personal attacks or physical violence, sincere disagreement is acceptable. It’s not up to you to convince anyone. It’s up to you to make sure your group is a safe place to learn and grow together.
October 23, 2022 Re-Dedicate: The Big Story What is the Good News? How do we summarize the core message of the Gospel? New Testament scholars point to today’s text as the earliest summary of The Big Story. Paul connects the life of Jesus to the Old Testament. He references the fulfillment of prophecy in the life of Jesus. This message will offer a holistic perspective on God's worldwide redemption plan across the ages.
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WEEK 9
October 31: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 November 1: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 November 2: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 November 3: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 November 4: 1 Corinthians 16 November 5: Re-Flection
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
Teaching Tips For those with the gift of teaching who have been given responsibility for preparing and sharing a regular Bible study lesson, here are some suggestions to follow. 1. Pray. Always begin by yielding yourself to God. Ask for his guidance. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth so that you can share it with others. 2. Take the time to prepare. Ideally, start the process at least a week ahead to give the Holy Spirit plenty of room to work. 3. Read the Bible first. Examine the focal passage several times. Read it in multiple translations. Bible Gateway [www.biblegateway.com] is a great resource for this step. Read the whole chapter and the chapters on either side for proper context (exegesis). 4. Read commentaries second. Allow respected Bible scholars to offer their insight and understanding of the text. We have a selection of commentaries available in our Resource Library on the 1st floor Chapel hallway. 5. Settle on the central truth. What is the main point of the Scripture? What is the key “take away” for this group (hermeneutic)? Consider your audience. What are they struggling with? What do they need to know? 6. Use other resources. Look for other material to help with motivation, explanation, illustration, and application. Consider using news stories and current events, movies, music, literature, and personal experience. 7. Be aware of who is talking. How much should you talk? How much should you listen? If you ask a question and no one answers, count to 10 in your head. Re-phrase the question. Count to 10 again. Learn to be comfortable with silence. 8. Be aware of the time. Consider making “time notes” in the margin of your lesson. Think twice before “chasing rabbits.” It can lead to great discussion. It can also be a waste of time. If a question or topic is too far off track, it’s OK to “table it” until later out of respect for the others in the group. 9. Vary the curriculum. While the Bible is always our primary text, there are many ways to approach your study. Our church-wide daily readings (based on the Pastor’s sermons) are a great place to start. BaptistWay Press book studies and RightNow Media video series are other good options. 10. Vary the experience. Consider adjusting the seating arrangement from time to time. Break into small groups. Combine into one large group. Keep things interesting by occasionally using discussion, stories, games, activities, lecture, videos, and taking the opposite position. Keep these key commitments in mind as you pray, plan, prepare and lead.
PSALM 1 “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Psalm 1:3 We use the imagery of Psalm 1 to help illustrate what spiritual growth looks like. We want to be Psalm 1 people who live together as a Psalm 1 church. There are 3 parts to the Psalm 1 Tree: IDENTITY (purpose)… deep roots “Who am I?” The key to a healthy tree is a good root system. Your “deep roots” come from knowing who you are in Christ. Your identity is based on your relationship with Jesus. Your understanding of who you are must be informed by the Word of God. GROWTH (transformation)… strong trunk “What is God doing to me?” In order for a tree to reach its full potential – supporting the weight of fruitful branches – it has to have a strong trunk. Spiritual formation is a life-long process of learning and discovery. Your worldview must be shaped by the Word of God. IMPACT (influence)… fruitful branches “What is God doing through me?” Ultimately, our lives should impact the world around us. God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. Followers of Jesus have been gifted to serve. You are called to be “salt” and “light” in your community. Your life must be oriented around the Word of God and your relationship with God.
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1 Corinthians 15:50-58 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed — in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
October 30, 2022 Re-Dedicate: Victory! 1 Corinthians 15 is a true masterpiece! In these verses, Paul shared his most extensive defense of the resurrection of Jesus and the future resurrection of the People of God. God is at work in His world, and He is guiding history toward His desired end. The culmination of all things remains on the horizon. But the day is coming when God’s victorious note will be sounded for all of creation to hear. Our victory in Jesus is secure!
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FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH ARLINGTON 301 S. Center Street, Suite 500 | Arlington, Texas 76010 www.fbca.org | www.facebook.com/fbcarlington