Chapel Series - IDENTITY PART II

“Life is not just about feeling good, but about doing good.” axis.org

Part 1 – Identity: 11 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the today’s video - First Things First

• During the video, you will be asked to respond to these questions, “What makes a good life?“ and “What is God doing in culture“?

Part 2 – Sharing: 22 minutes

• Have three different individuals read the following verses aloud and briefly explain the meaning of the verse.

  • James 3:13, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.“

  • James 1:15, “Desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.“

  • 1 Peter 2:11, “Brothers and sisters, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires which wage war against your soul.“

• Group Leader, read the quote by True Faced by Bill Trall, Bruce McNicol, and John Lynch. Then, use the following questions to dig deeper and to lead into your prayer time.

  • "The wonderful dreams God has for us often remain unclear because unresolved sin issues block our view. In our immaturity we may even think that our dreams for ourselves are more significant than what God planned for us."

• Discussion questions for each person to answer:

  • Describe one of your life’s dreams.

  • What sacrifices are you willing to make to realize that dream?

  • How can “our dreams“ differ from “God’s dreams“ for us?

  • How can your sins (or sinfulness) block you from realizing God’s dream for you?

Part 3 – Prayer: 10 minutes

• Use your remaining time to pray for each other.

• Group Leader, please post takeaways, thoughts, and questions as a comment below. Thank you!

Devotions - REMEMBERING YOUR SINS

I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,“ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. PSALM 32:5

Thorn, Joe. Note to Self (Foreword by Sam Storms) (p. 45). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Reflections:

1. Awareness Check Up: How free are you really? Are you free from the performance-guilt-pride cycle? It is a trap. You are in that trap unless you are set free by Jesus. Have you traded your freedom for the idea or concept of freedom? In other words, are you pretending to be free all the while, trapped by self-punishment and guilt?

2. The truth: Apply God’s Word to your self-awareness. The truth is that you are only freed by Jesus… no human guilt or self-loathing or righteousness or genuine effort can save you. Take a moment to rehearse the applicable Gospel truths right now.

3. Listen to the music: God graciously brought the song, “Humility” by Andrew Blooms, into my life. Simply put, we go nowhere with God without humility. Go online and search the lyrics and make them into a prayerful conversation with God. Discover the treasure in the phrase “Your lilies spinning so free, oh they’re happy to be“. To listen to the song click here. Enjoy your time with Jesus.

Please write a brief encouraging comment below. Doing so creates community and dialog with the Emmanuel Family and Friends. Thank you. Pastor John

Chapel Series - IDENTITY

"Our pretending may be fueled by a sincere desired to make God look good by having our act together. He has no need for such help, but we think it is our duty, nonetheless."

True Faced by Bill Trall, Bruce McNicol, and John Lynch  

Part 1 – Identity – God’s Plan: 12 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the first video - Identity Part 1

• During the video, you will be asked to respond to these questions, “What makes you, you?“ and “What does it mean to be normal?“

Part 2 – Identity – Safe Retreat: 11 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the second video - Identity Part 2

• During the video, you will be asked to respond to this question, “What does it mean to be true to yourself“?

Part 3 – Sharing (make time for each person to respond): 7 minutes

• People use "masks" to hide or be accepted.  Name as many "masks" as you can in 60 seconds.

• Read 1 Corinthians 4:3. Paul says, “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.“ (NIV84)

  • Who is Paul’s judge then?

  • Who does Paul seek to please with his life?

  • Who is easier to please? God? Peers? Parents? Teachers?

Part 4 – Prayer: 10 minutes

• Use your remaining time to pray for each other.

• Group Leader, please post takeaways, thoughts, and questions as a comment below. Thanks.

Devotions - Thanksgiving

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. PSALM 100:4–5

Thorn, Joe. Note to Self (Foreword by Sam Storms) (p. 43). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Reflections:

1. How does Joe’s following definition of thankfulness contrast with typical everyday “thankfulness“ (being polite or sending an obligatory thank note for example)?  “Thankfulness is the joyful and humble response of a heart that has been transformed by grace.“

2. Disappointments are great opportunities for faith. Most of us struggle with thankfulness when we are disappointed. Specifically, what role does “recalling the gospel“ play in creating a grateful heart?

3. Let us put this into play right now by praying. Bow your head and thank the Lord for aspects of the gospel that impact you. So often we thank the lord for our house or car or cat, which is fine, but God’s greatest gift to us is Jesus. For example, thank him for personally dying for you, for forgiving your sins, for loving you when you are unlovable, for chasing you down when you wander from him… you get the idea. Enjoy!

Please write a brief encouraging comment below. Doing so create community and dialog with the Emmanuel Family and Friends. Thank you. Pastor John

Chapel Series - The Bible Week 3

Part 1 – How should we read the Bible? 10 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the first video - Bible Part 4

• Be prepared, the following discussion questions are within the video:

  • Is the Bible written to you?

  • Which is biblically correct? Turn your swords into plows or turn your plows into swords?

Part 2 – Sharing (make time for each person to respond). 20 minutes

• Discuss the four C’s referenced in the video.

• Context

  Can anyone share a bible passage that is written “for you“ verses “to you“? If so, read the verse or paraphrase the verse by memory.

• Complete Story

  A popular phrase goes like this, “there are three sides to every story“. In a politically polarized America, would it not be refreshing for a third perspective? How does this apply to understanding a difficult bible verse?

• Community

  Can one or two of you share a brief story of when a friend, parent, or pastor helped you better understand a bible verse, section of the bible, or theological construct?

• Christ

  You will not understand the bible without knowing Jesus. How does the quote at the top of this blog relate to Jesus being at the center of the bible?

Part 3 – Prayer. 10 minutes

• Use your remaining time to pray for each other.

• Group Leader, please post takeaways, thoughts, and questions as a comment below. Thanks.

Devotions - SING

Read the Bible Verses and watch the short video as Pastor John delves into Chapter Four from “Note to Self” by Joe Thorn

Permission granted for use by Author Joe Thorn.

Thorn, Joe. Note to Self (Foreword by Sam Storms) (p. 41). Crossway.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. PSALM 30:4 NAS

Reflections:

I totally agree with Joe Thorn concerning the song in our hearts. Most often, we fail to have a song on our hearts because we have failed to realize gospel that day. It is a daily need… to come to a place of faith in Christ Jesus. You can sing and not really worship. You can worship without singing.

1. What is your “singing frequency rate”? Are you singing less because COVID-19 has interfered with your church worship services?

2. What makes you to feel inhibited when you are singing/worshiping? Other’s level of passion? Music volume? Lighting? Embarrassment?

3. What are some ways you can worship without singing?

4. Determine one way you can nurture a song in your heart today. Share your ideas!

Please write a brief encouraging comment below. Thank you. Pastor John

Chapel Series - The Bible Week 2

“There is a vast difference between knowing about God and personally knowing God. Everyone knows about God, which is why you are without excuse if you reject Him, but only a fraction personally knows Him. The Bible is the foundational truth that teaches the history of the universe, the origin of sin, the reason for death, morality, and so on. Apart from God’s Word, mankind would never learn the all-important message of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Answers in Genesis

Part 1 – What Is The Bible? 10 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the first video - Bible Part 2

• You will be asked to discuss this question midway through, “What is the world’s biggest problem?”

Part 2 – Has the Bible Changed? 10 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the first video - Bible Part 3

Part 3 – Sharing (make time for each person to respond). 10 minutes

• Describe something about the Bible that you have found to be reliable and/or practical.

Part 4 – Prayer. 10 minutes

• Use your remaining time to pray for each other.

• Group Leader, please post takeaways, thoughts, and questions as a comment below. Thanks.

Devotions - FEAR

Read the Bible Verses and watch the short video as Pastor John delves into Chapter Three from “Note to Self” by Joe Thorn

Permission granted for use by Author Joe Thorn.

Thorn, Joe. Note to Self (Foreword by Sam Storms) (p. 39). Crossway.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! PSALM 111:10 NAS

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. MATTHEW 10:28 NAS

Reflections:

What causes you to fear God in the wrong way? In other words, to think that God is out to get you or that he will bring upon punishment for your behavior?

1. What causes you to tremble before the Lord? What puts you in a place of awe, wonder, or worshipful humility?

2. What is something you can do today that puts you on the right path to worship God in word, deed, or song?

3. What are three “gifts from God” that could or have become idols for you?

Please write a brief encouraging comment below. Thank you. Pastor John

Chapel Series - The Bible Part 1

The Bible is the world’s most controversial book. People put his or her faith in Christ by reading it and others spend their lives vehemently opposing it. Today, we kick off a three-week Chapel Series simply titled “The Bible.” Chapel time is divided into four parts – devote approximately 10 minutes to each.

Part 1 – What Is The Bible? 10 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the first video - Bible Part 1

• You will be asked to discuss this question midway through, “What is the world’s biggest problem?”

Part 2 – How Did We Get It? 10 minutes

• Click on this link to watch the first video - Bible Part 2

Part 3 – Share. 10 minutes

• Each person is to read a favorite Bible verse and briefly state why it is favored.

Part 4 – Prayer. 10 minutes

• Use your remaining time to pray for each other.

• Group Leader posts takeaways, thoughts, and questions as a comment below. Thanks.

DEVOTIONS - REJOICE

Read Psalm 100 NAS

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100 inspires me to live a life grateful and full of praise. Yet, if I am honest, there are days and weeks where I struggle to do so. The reason I struggle is because I am not perfect, I am fatally flawed with self. So, when hard days present, my temptation is to be frustrated and determined rather than filled with praise and thanksgiving.

I have two choices in those moments. I can continue down the self-empowered path of self-correction or, I can turn to Jesus. Obviously, simply turning to Jesus is the right choice. Psalm 100 is not a model for church services. Rather, its truth for daily living.

What you believe is not a religious game, or a man made crutch upon which you lean for a little assistance. Rather it is the divinely revealed truth that makes you who you are and gives you cause to rejoice. Thorn, Joe. Note to Self (Foreword by Sam Storms) (p. 38). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Reflections:

• What is one of your favorite worship songs? Why do you like it? How does it inspire you to worship? What biblical truth do you find in it?

• Write down ten things for which you can praise the Lord.

• Take a few minutes right now to worship Jesus.

  • Humble yourself by at least bowing your head, if you cannot kneel.

  • Lift up praise to God.

  • Sing a song to the Lord.

  • Share with the Lord what is on your heart.

Please write a brief encouraging comment below. Thank you. Pastor John

Permission granted for use by Author Joe Thorn.

Student Engagement - Poverty

We scheduled four “student engagements” for the year. We will briefly kick them off (socially distanced) in the Gym and then break into Small Groups. Our first one will be led by Think Tank with a focus on poverty. Included in the following agenda links and discussion questions. 

Thursday, September 10, 9:32-10:17 AM: 

Focus: As a Christian, why should I care about poverty? What is poverty and what does it feel like?

Opening Remarks/ Key Points to Set the Stage: Jeremy Hudson (5-10 min)

• What is the nature of God?

• Following Christ means caring about what he cares about

• What is poverty?

• As a follower of Christ what am I called to do about it?  

• Themes: Charity, Justice, Friendship

Activity/ Simulation: Andrea Carter (5-10 min)

• Visualization exercise:  Using images we will try to understand our own stories and discover what we tell ourselves about poverty.

• Instructions for Spent in small groups.

Small Group Engagement: Leaders and Members safely assemble in designated spaces

• Click here to open the breakout PDF document. Go through the exercise, answer the discussion questions, and complete the survey. Permission granted by Think Thank post in its entirety.

• Leaders: Remember to post comments at the bottom of the page.

Friday, September 11: 2:15-3:10 PM

Focus: Everyone has a story. How is Christ writing my story and what does he call me to do about poverty?

Opening Remarks/ Key Points to Set the Stage: Andrea (10-15 min)

• Review from yesterday survey questions and answer

• Student share (3-4 students)

Personal Testimony: Andrea & Mike (20 min)

• Introduction to Change Leader Alliance: Mike Carter testimony

• Story of lived experience in poverty & God’s redemptive plan

• Explore themes of charity, justice, friendship

Small Group Breakouts: (20 min)

• Click here to open the breakout PDF document. Take turns reading the story and then answer the discussion questions at the end. Permission granted by Think Thank post in its entirety.

• Leaders: Remember to post comments at the bottom of the page.

3:10 Dismissal - Have a great weekend!

Devotions - LOVE

Read 1 JOHN 3:11–18 NAS

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Read Chapter One from Note to Self by Joe Thorn.

We all learned enough scripture to know that we are to selflessly love others and to passionately love God. There are days when we feel like we did very well at both and there are weeks when we totally fail the love standard.

The gospel not only saves us for all eternity, but it also daily empowers us to love. One of the reasons our failure rate is so high is because we fail to rehearse or preach the gospel to ourselves.

But for love to continue and grow, and for you to love the unlovable, it is important that you meditate on the gospel. Get this—you only know what love really is by looking to your Savior. And we learn it from him continually, not just once. You must daily go to the cross and see your Savior’s love for the unlovable (that means you). You must learn, relearn, and remember your Savior’s love and sacrifice for the wicked, the rebellious, the black-hearted—for people like you. Thorn, Joe. Note to Self (pp. 35-36). Crossway. Kindle Edition.

Reflections:

• Remembering that Christ laid down is life for you changes everything. Take a moment now to speak truth to yourself. 1) You need Jesus. 2) You have no eternal hope apart from Christ. 3) On your own, you are powerless to sin and temptation. 4) Jesus forgives you, loves you, and never leaves you.

• Think back ... remember a real-life moment or situation when you experienced Christ's love. More than abstract comprehension or routine knowledge, recall a time when the Lord broke through with his love and wowed you.

• Lift up in prayer praise and thanksgiving for how Jesus has loved you.

Please write a brief encouraging comment below. Thank you. Pastor John

Permission granted for use by Author Joe Thorn.