The 1:6 material should be in your email inbox by now.
One thing I would really like to start pushing more is the memory verse each week. This verse can be found on the half sheet cards I give you to hand out. I think it would benefit the entire church if we could begin to memorize verses. This is ONE VERSE every TWO WEEKS. We should be able to do that! If nothing else . . . read over it SEVERAL times during the evening.
I am going to make a sheet for every person in your group with all the material on it. They will be in your mailboxes by Sunday morning.
More to come.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
An "Extra" for 1:6 Groups
Part of my devotions each day is from the Purpose Driven Church Daily Devotional. Today's devotional might go well with this weeks 1:6 group - which I will email to you this afternoon; it is being typed this morning.
“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:2b NLT)
The ability to understand is a sign of patience. (Proverbs 14:29) The Bible teaches, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV) God’s wisdom teaches us that love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4), and that impatience is not love.
When facing a challenge to our patience, it helps to remember God is not asking us to give more patience to others than the patience he gives to us. The apostle Paul uses his own life as an example of this, saying God showed him mercy, despite his many sins, so that “Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience.” (1Timothy1:16 NIV)
We need patience with one another because God created each of us with different shapes, assigning each of us a different mission in life. We all have different backgrounds, and we’re each at a different place in our journey with Jesus. Practicing patience keeps our view on the things above, allowing us to see how God works even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is in patience we often learn that diversity is a strength, instead of a weakness.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with – even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 MSG)
What does this mean?
· Work at being consistently patient – Anybody can be patient when it’s convenient, but it’s much harder to remain patient when the day is slipping away or when you’re faced with the same mistake for the third time in one week. Patience often comes at significant cost; it requires you set aside your agenda and yield your rights in order to “welcome each other with open arms.”
· Learn to listen – Listening means more than just hearing someone talk; it means carefully considering what the other person is saying and actively trying to understand his or her point of view. The Bible says, “Listen before you answer. If you don’t, you are being stupid and insulting.” (Proverbs 18:13 TEV) That’s pretty clear! It means we shouldn’t evaluate what someone has done or said until we’ve heard the full story. God gave us two ears and one mouth, perhaps to tell us we should listen twice as much as we talk. Ha!
· Ask yourself these questions:
§ What makes me impatient?
§ What does my impatience say about my priorities?
§ How can I better understand the people who bring out my impatience?
§ Have I taken time to listen to their full stories?
§ In what ways do people have to be patient with me?
§ Do I give the same amount of grace to others as I expect them to give me?
§ “Love is patient.” (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV) – that means love puts up with a lot for a long time.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Pastor Jon Walker is a writer for www.GraceCreates.com.
Making Allowance For Each Other’s Faults - by Jon Walker
“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” (Ephesians 4:2b NLT)
The more we understand, the more patient we become. When we see the hurt beneath the anger, or the reason behind the behavior, we’re more likely to “make allowance for each other’s faults.”
The ability to understand is a sign of patience. (Proverbs 14:29) The Bible teaches, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV) God’s wisdom teaches us that love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4), and that impatience is not love.
When facing a challenge to our patience, it helps to remember God is not asking us to give more patience to others than the patience he gives to us. The apostle Paul uses his own life as an example of this, saying God showed him mercy, despite his many sins, so that “Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience.” (1Timothy1:16 NIV)
We need patience with one another because God created each of us with different shapes, assigning each of us a different mission in life. We all have different backgrounds, and we’re each at a different place in our journey with Jesus. Practicing patience keeps our view on the things above, allowing us to see how God works even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is in patience we often learn that diversity is a strength, instead of a weakness.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with – even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently.” (Romans 14:1 MSG)
What does this mean?
· Work at being consistently patient – Anybody can be patient when it’s convenient, but it’s much harder to remain patient when the day is slipping away or when you’re faced with the same mistake for the third time in one week. Patience often comes at significant cost; it requires you set aside your agenda and yield your rights in order to “welcome each other with open arms.”
· Learn to listen – Listening means more than just hearing someone talk; it means carefully considering what the other person is saying and actively trying to understand his or her point of view. The Bible says, “Listen before you answer. If you don’t, you are being stupid and insulting.” (Proverbs 18:13 TEV) That’s pretty clear! It means we shouldn’t evaluate what someone has done or said until we’ve heard the full story. God gave us two ears and one mouth, perhaps to tell us we should listen twice as much as we talk. Ha!
· Ask yourself these questions:
§ What makes me impatient?
§ What does my impatience say about my priorities?
§ How can I better understand the people who bring out my impatience?
§ Have I taken time to listen to their full stories?
§ In what ways do people have to be patient with me?
§ Do I give the same amount of grace to others as I expect them to give me?
§ “Love is patient.” (1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV) – that means love puts up with a lot for a long time.
The next time your patience reaches its limit, remember how patient and understanding Jesus is with you.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Pastor Jon Walker is a writer for www.GraceCreates.com.
Friday, February 15, 2008
February 17 1:6 Group Questions
Questions for 1:6 Groups - February 17
1. Name some things, i.e. events, objects, emotions, etc. that are much better shared with others.
2. Who was your best friend in grade school and why?
3. Share a time when you felt lonely.
There is also a question or so in the discussion questions for this week.
I put a full sheet flyer in your mailboxes about some of the Winter Events at the church. Remind everyone about the Ladies Retreat, April 25 - 27 and that we are planning a GOTO Event with Mark Cable on April 13.
1. Name some things, i.e. events, objects, emotions, etc. that are much better shared with others.
2. Who was your best friend in grade school and why?
3. Share a time when you felt lonely.
There is also a question or so in the discussion questions for this week.
I put a full sheet flyer in your mailboxes about some of the Winter Events at the church. Remind everyone about the Ladies Retreat, April 25 - 27 and that we are planning a GOTO Event with Mark Cable on April 13.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Crowd breakers and Announcements for Sunday
Here are a few questions for "Crowdbreakers" for Sunday night.
1. Take turns giving your short responses to these questions:
Name a food you love . . .
Name a TV show you love . . .
Name a sports team(s) you love. . .
Name an experience you loved . . .
Name a person you love . . .
Name one person you know loves you . . .
2. What is your first memory of experiencing God's love?
3. Do you believe in "Love at first sight"
4. Give an example of the word "love" being used frivolously.
5. Give an example of someone you know who sacrificed things because of the love they had for another.
Announcements:
We need some help on Friday night, Feb. 1 to help with parking for Uncle Phil's Diner Dinner Theater from 5:30 - 6:45 PM. There is another event at the church and we want to make sure people know where to park. If anyone could help, please talk to Joel. Speaking of Uncle Phil's. . . Tickets for Saturday night are almost sold out and Friday only has a few tickets left(as of Thursday evening). Encourage people to get their tickets soon.
The Conestogans from Lancaster Bible College will present a concert at the church on Sunday, February 24 at 7 PM.
We are planning a "Family Night" on Leap Day, Friday, February 29 in the Family Life Center. I don't have a lot of details yet.
Next 1:6 group night will be February 3. That is Super Bowl Night. You might want to make plans to have a party and invite others who aren't in your group. Or, we are planning to have small groups meet at the Family Life Center that evening.
1. Take turns giving your short responses to these questions:
Name a food you love . . .
Name a TV show you love . . .
Name a sports team(s) you love. . .
Name an experience you loved . . .
Name a person you love . . .
Name one person you know loves you . . .
2. What is your first memory of experiencing God's love?
3. Do you believe in "Love at first sight"
4. Give an example of the word "love" being used frivolously.
5. Give an example of someone you know who sacrificed things because of the love they had for another.
Announcements:
We need some help on Friday night, Feb. 1 to help with parking for Uncle Phil's Diner Dinner Theater from 5:30 - 6:45 PM. There is another event at the church and we want to make sure people know where to park. If anyone could help, please talk to Joel. Speaking of Uncle Phil's. . . Tickets for Saturday night are almost sold out and Friday only has a few tickets left(as of Thursday evening). Encourage people to get their tickets soon.
The Conestogans from Lancaster Bible College will present a concert at the church on Sunday, February 24 at 7 PM.
We are planning a "Family Night" on Leap Day, Friday, February 29 in the Family Life Center. I don't have a lot of details yet.
Next 1:6 group night will be February 3. That is Super Bowl Night. You might want to make plans to have a party and invite others who aren't in your group. Or, we are planning to have small groups meet at the Family Life Center that evening.
Monday, January 7, 2008
1:6 Leader's Meeting - This Saturday.
Just a reminder about the 1:6 leaders meeting this Saturday, January 12, 8 AM at Cruisers. Also, remember that wifes are encouraged to attend if possible.
Please come with ideas, praises, and questions.
Please come with ideas, praises, and questions.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
1:6 Leaders Meeting and Other Stuff
I would like to get together with everyone on Saturday, January 12 at 8 AM at Cruisers. I will make breakfast. Let me know if that will or won't work for you. If it doesn't work for too many people, we will get together on Sunday, January 13 at 8:45 AM, but I would much rather do get together on the 12th.
If any of you have filled out SHAPE forms, please get them to Pastor Paul or me.
As of now, 1:6 groups will begin again on Sunday, January 20 and meet Feb. 3 and 17, March 7 and 16 and April 6 and 25.
I REALLY wanted to started two new groups. We have discussed this at Team meeting with no definate plans. I am little frustrated that I haven't been able to make it happen yet. I would like to have your opinions. We will talk about this when we meet.
Thanks for ministering in this capacity.
If any of you have filled out SHAPE forms, please get them to Pastor Paul or me.
As of now, 1:6 groups will begin again on Sunday, January 20 and meet Feb. 3 and 17, March 7 and 16 and April 6 and 25.
I REALLY wanted to started two new groups. We have discussed this at Team meeting with no definate plans. I am little frustrated that I haven't been able to make it happen yet. I would like to have your opinions. We will talk about this when we meet.
Thanks for ministering in this capacity.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Weekly Blog Announcements
This Week
I am not sure what is going to happen this weekend? It is your call about having or not having small groups due to the weather. If you do cancel and have not finished lesson #5, please try to get your group together to finish that.
Speaking of finishing, it would be good to have the S.H.A.P.E. forms as soon as possible. You could put them in my mailbox. You can be telling everyone that we are planning to have a "Ministry Fair" (for lack of a better term for now) on Sunday, January 6. We will be going over job discriptions of committees and ministries in the church. Everyone is encouraged to attend so that we can get people involved.
This Spring
We are looking to begin the Spring 1:6 series January 20 and using every 1st and 3rd Sunday for 1:6. I am still hoping that we can start a few (at least two) new groups studying different subjects. One would be for young or curious believers and one would be more in depth. That was one of the reason I wanted to get together last week. (We still need to do that as well.) For now, know that we have picked material and are in the process of tweaking it for our use.
Here is what we are planning for the super bowl, February 3. That's a normal 1:6 night, so we are encouraging groups to either have a Super Bowl party with their group and or another group or so. Or, like before, this could be a night that you don't have 1:6. It is up to your group.
Other Announcements
We are planning to have a New Years Eve, Eve Fellowship on December 3o. We are looking for people who have skits, can sing, read, etc.
We are planning another Dinner Theater for February 1, 2, and 3 in the Family Life Center. We need two older men who would be interested in playing an ex-football coach and a policeman. Tickets will be $8.00, $6.00 for senior citizens (60 and older) and will be available December 23 and 30 to the church and January 3 to the public. Remember, this is an outreach and we NEED people to bring their unchurched friends. It is a very non-threatening way to introduce people to RMC.
I am not sure what is going to happen this weekend? It is your call about having or not having small groups due to the weather. If you do cancel and have not finished lesson #5, please try to get your group together to finish that.
Speaking of finishing, it would be good to have the S.H.A.P.E. forms as soon as possible. You could put them in my mailbox. You can be telling everyone that we are planning to have a "Ministry Fair" (for lack of a better term for now) on Sunday, January 6. We will be going over job discriptions of committees and ministries in the church. Everyone is encouraged to attend so that we can get people involved.
This Spring
We are looking to begin the Spring 1:6 series January 20 and using every 1st and 3rd Sunday for 1:6. I am still hoping that we can start a few (at least two) new groups studying different subjects. One would be for young or curious believers and one would be more in depth. That was one of the reason I wanted to get together last week. (We still need to do that as well.) For now, know that we have picked material and are in the process of tweaking it for our use.
Here is what we are planning for the super bowl, February 3. That's a normal 1:6 night, so we are encouraging groups to either have a Super Bowl party with their group and or another group or so. Or, like before, this could be a night that you don't have 1:6. It is up to your group.
Other Announcements
We are planning to have a New Years Eve, Eve Fellowship on December 3o. We are looking for people who have skits, can sing, read, etc.
We are planning another Dinner Theater for February 1, 2, and 3 in the Family Life Center. We need two older men who would be interested in playing an ex-football coach and a policeman. Tickets will be $8.00, $6.00 for senior citizens (60 and older) and will be available December 23 and 30 to the church and January 3 to the public. Remember, this is an outreach and we NEED people to bring their unchurched friends. It is a very non-threatening way to introduce people to RMC.
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