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At Home with One Another

Series: How to Become a Better Church Series: How to Become a Better Church Lesson 6: At Home with One Another Let’s think a little more about how to live as a family. Proverbs 10:18-21 (ESV) 18  The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. 19  When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. 20  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. 21  The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. Questions How important is it that we talk to one another with respect and honor? What happens in a family when family members lie to one another? When they speak to one another with a lack of respect? Why would the church be any different from a biological family? What is the best way to keep our relationships in good shape? Is it easy or hard? Comments There is hardly any way we can m
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Live Like a Family

Series: How to Become a Better Church Series: How to Become a Better Church Lesson 5: Live like a Family Pastor Dave recently preached a sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to reread the entire three chapters. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays out priorities for the disciples in their life together and in their relation to other people. We will focus, for this lesson, on the family lifestyle that we as a church should foster among ourselves. Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV) 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Questions Priorities. Much in life is about priorities. What do these two verses say about priorities? We might be tempted to think that worship (an important part of our relationship with God) would be more i
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The Way to Unity

Series: How to Become a Better Church Series: How to Become a Better Church Lesson 4: The Way to Unity We’ve been talking a lot about love, which is supposed to be our distinguishing feature as followers of Christ. Now let’s zero in on the idea of unity. Being one. Our passage for this lesson is from the prayer Jesus prayed for himself, for his disciples, and for us, just before he went to his death on our behalf. It would be a good idea to read the entire prayer, but are going to focus on the part where Jesus prays for his followers in the future (us). There are lots and lots of places in the Bible that emphasize unity in the church. Many of them are in Paul’s letters, where he talks about us as a building with its various parts, or a body with its parts working together. But I want us to focus on what Jesus wants out of us as a church. John 17:20-26 (ESV) 20 “I do not ask for these [the disciples] only, but also for those who will believe in me through
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Inside and Outside

Series: How to Become a Better Church Series: How to Become a Better Church Lesson 3: Inside and Outside In the last lesson we focused on the nature of love. In other words, what does it mean to love someone. We learned it is far deeper than the emotions made trivial in pop music. It involves doing good for and to others. Now let’s get specific about love within the church. How we treat one another is important. In fact, we really kind of need each other. Galatians 6:7-10 (ESV) 1 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Questions Does it s
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Note from the leader

I've been hearing from several folks outside of the comment stream here on the page that they like the format of the study and they enjoy reading and thinking about the scripture, but that they are not likely to leave comments. I suppose there could be lots of folks in that bucket. I will forge ahead with this same format until people stop caring about it and stop showing up. Thanks.
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The Nature of Love

Series: How to Become a Better Church Series: How to Become a Better Church Lesson 2: The Nature of Love In the last lesson we focused on the foundational role of love in Jewish and Christian piety and practice. In this lesson we will deepen our understanding of the importance of love in the life of a Christian. In particular, we will look at some words of Paul to the church at Ephesus and some words of Jesus himself to his disciples in preparation for his leaving them. Some of the deepest and most moving theology (meaning: information about God ) in the New Testament comes in the prayers Paul prays for his churches. As a background to our first section of scripture, the Ephesians have been worried about Paul, who is in prison. Paul shifts the focus back to the church and describes the way he prays for them. Ephesians 3:14-21 (ESV) 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that accordi
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Love your Neighbor, even in Church

Series: How to Become a Better Church Series: How to Become a Better Church Lesson 1: Love your Neighbor, even in Church Let's start with the basics. If we were only allowed one fundamental Christian instruction, it would be to love God. But we aren't limited to one, so let's add the second most important instruction: love others, too. Some theologians call this the Jesus Creed. Love God and Love Others. Before this lesson is over you will understand calling it the Jesus Creed. In the upcoming installments of this Bible study, we will be looking at some specific ways we can love God and love one another. But as I said, let's start with the basics. Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (ESV): The Shema, a foundational document for Israel and for Christians. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall
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