Lunch Out

We will be eating lunch out as a group this Sunday (Sep. 29th).  We are going to go to Jason's Deli right after church.

Hope everyone can make it!

Lesson 5: An Audience of One - August 29, 2010

Jesus calls for us to live for an audience of one. All we do should be to please God and not the people around us.  The scripture for the lesson is Matthew 6:1-18.  Some questions to think about are after the scripture below.

Giving to the Needy

1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 "This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ' 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

 

Things to think about.

1.  What are some areas or situations in which believers tend to perform for others rather than for God?

2.  There are consequences if we live our lives for people rather than for God.  What might they be?

3.  If our motivation is to please God rather than people,  what rewards (in the scripture above) do you think Jesus is talking about?

4.  Can you think of a time that you had such a meaningful personal encounter with God that it made you want to do everything for him?

5.  What are ways that we could open ourselves to having this type of very meaningful encounter with God?

6.  What is your motivation for doing what you do?  What would you do or do differently if only God was watching?

Continue each week to read Matthew chapters 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount). I look forward to seeing you Sunday........  Mike

Upcoming Events

August 29th Lunch after church and Sept. 25  Tailgate Party at the Maxey's.

We will decide where we will go for lunch in Sunday School this week.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Prayer Request - August 15th

1.  Abbi - Pray for Michael and Karyn Brown in their pursuit to adopt a child from Nepal.  See this blog for more details - http://www.newbrownchild.blogspot.com/

2.  Chris Weldon and his wife are home safely from China with their new child.  Pray for this transition period to go smoothly.

3.  Clay - Pray for his mom to have a safe and enjoyable trip (on a cruise to Hawaii).

4.  Happy birthday to Bill (August 15th).  Also, pray for Bill & Nancy's friend Diane who is dealing with cancer.  The doctors do not think there are any more treatments to try.  Pray for the family as they deal with this difficult time.

5.  Kimberly Dobbs - Pray for safety for her husband, Jeremy, who is stationed overseas.

6.  Continue to pray for those that are searching for jobs in the class.

Praer Requests - August 8th

1) Janet and Lane's baby is due soon!
2) Emily and Joe concerning big decisions they need to make concerning their future, as well as, family visiting.
3) Praise that Jessica and Tyler got their car fixed and that they can now find a new one.
4) Pray for those traveling.
5) As always let's pray for our class and reaching out to new members. It was great to have Kimberly visit with us this morning. She is due in Oct./Nov.  Her husband is away with the Air Force.
6) Pray for those who serve our country and their families.
7)  Joel and Abbi to feel better.
8) Joel has two big tests this week.

Immediate Prayer Request

Update:

“Beryl is out of surgery. Doctor was able to get a liter of accumulated blood and fluid out. She will stay on respirator in ICU until tomorrow and then will see how she is.”

Please continue to pray for Beryl and her family.

Please pray for Beryl Richards (Bro. Bill’s assistant) – she is going back into surgery as I send this to remove fluid from her lungs. She is very weak and her daughter is very concerned. I will send updates as we hear. She may have to be put back into ICU after surgery. 

Debra

Lesson 2

Developing A Heart Of Faith

The Fulfillment of the Law  (Matthew 5:17-20)

    ¹⁷"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

This week we will discuss Righteousness and the standard for entering Heaven. Please think about these questions.
1.  How would you feel about God if he set an unreachable prerequisite for entering Heaven>
2.  What did Jesus mean in the scripture when he said the "Law or the Prophets?"  How did he fulfill them?
3.  Is it possible for us to have righteousness greater than the religious superstars of Jesus day?
4.  Do we ever get focused on religious teachings and doctrines rather than following Jesus and loving others?
5.  When God looks at our church and at us, does he see hearts that are hard or hearts that are tender toward God and others?

Try to read Matthew chapters 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount) again this week.

Have a great week.
Mike