brent harris
Loving others – all others – is of supreme importance to the Lord. This love is the root of holiness. Paul’s prayer for us to increase in this love is right in line with God’s plan to sanctify us. As this love is poured into our lives not only are we transformed but our world is as well.
Why do you
think Paul would pray that our love would increase for “one another” and for
“all”?
How will the
answer to Paul’s prayer change us & impact our world?
mark mccabe
The Bible clearly states that all of us will be confronted with trials in this lifetime. But God also promises that we will overcome those trials as we walk with Him. How is it that some are discouraged or even devastated and others seem to triumph in the face of adversity? Our study will help us recognize trials, equip us to confront them and grow closer to God in the process!
What trial(s) are you currently experiencing in your life?
How is the work of Christ good news to that situation?
david von
Objective: we would know the power of God’s word effectually at work within us
We place our trust in so many different things, some good, some bad. But there is only 1 thing that has the power to rescue you, transform you, and free you. The very word of God. Paul repeatedly speaks the gospel to the Thessalonians. He speaks the gospel to the head (exhorting), heart (encouraging), and hands (charging), so that his disciples grow up and mature and become a trophy of grace. When the gospel does the work, no one gets to take credit other than Jesus, but we get to boast and rejoice in his work through us.
How is the word of God currently working in your life?
What things other than the word of God do you place your trust in to rescue, transform, and free you?
david von
Paul acted with great boldness in proclaiming the gospel because he had been “approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.” He knew his new identity and his new mission, and he refused to back down despite persecution and suffering. He has no desire to please man, flatter his hearers, or gain monetarily from his preaching. We believe our call is the same as Paul’s. With confidence we are to clearly proclaim the gospel and willingly share our very own lives. We are to be gentle “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” and courageous like a good father “exhorting, encouraging, and challenging”, calling people into the kingdom and glory.
What is your heart and passion for this community of Christ followers we call emmaus?
What is your mission, who are you discipling, how is that going?
david von
We live in a culture and time where almost everyone believes they are a Christian. But even a cursory look would demonstrate that many are living under a false presumption of what it means to truly be Christian. Although many people attend church, try and live good lives, and even agree with sound doctrine we are not Christian until we have experienced the power of the gospel in our lives. While the gospel consists of assertions and affirmations it is so much more. Irreligious people don’t believe the affirmations of the gospel, religious people believe the affirmations of the gospel but a Christian is something altogether different. A Christian is someone to whom the gospel has become a power in their lives.
What is the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Have you experienced the power of this gospel in your life?
