* Today's Issue: Is war right or wrong? Passage: Matthew 5:38-39
* Pacifist side: Matthew 5:40-42-- Does this refer to a global entity like a country or an individual not seeking personal vengeance?
* Enemies (Matthew 5:43-48) How should we treat our enemies? Love them, hate them, kill them?
* These are some scriptures to meditate on and pray about. The point of this series is to educate everyone on what the scriptures say and let each individual decide what their position is. The discussion on war will continue next week.
War continued- January 10, 2010
Passages: Romans 13:1-4 and Luke 22: 36-38
*Manifest Destiny- Does America have the God-given right to protect those that can't defend themselves?
*Although we must submit to government's authority, submitting to the authority of the worldwide church comes first.
*Denominational opinion- Baptists & Methodists believe we should engage in war only in cases of tyranny and genocide. Catholics believe we should engage in war as self defense only.
*Early Christians were not in the Roman army. Only after Just War Doctrine was drafted did it become more acceptable to fight.
*Old Testament thoughts: God used war to destroy nations, including women and children. What is our response to non-believers about this? Also, David was praised for his skill in battle but Jesus taught about love and not seeking personal vengeance. In fact, the Jews didn't accept Jesus because they were expecting a military leader. (Do we not accept some things because they don't fit in our box?)
*The second coming will be very violent.- Rev 19:11-21
*Is there a clear-cut answer? No.
*Next week we will begin talking about capital punishment, abortion and denominational beliefs.
2. Abortion- January 17 and 24, 2010
*Micah shared several verses about the sanctity of life: Genesis 1:27, Deuteronomy 30:19, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 2:12 and Matthew 7:12. The Greek term for baby mentioned in Luke 1:39 (John the Baptist leaping in Elizabeth's womb) and Luke 2 (Jesus born in a manger) is the same word.
*Jay presented the devil's advocate perspective for life beginning at birth with the following scriptures: Genesis 2:7, Job 34:14-15, Ecclesiastes 6:3-5 and Matthew 26:24.
*How can we present the truth to a non-believer? (documents from Nicole)
*Next week we will talk for a few minutes about capital punishment and then lead in to denominations. Several class members volunteered to research and present general beliefs and history of the Lutheran, Methodist and Baptist denominations next week.
3. Denominations- January 31, February 7 and February 14
Church of Christ
*Every belief has to be stated in the Bible, otherwise they are silent.
*Elders are highest in church, they are over everyone else; each church governs itself.
*Differences: believe in baptism by immersion, do not believe in infant baptism, the Lord's Supper is served each week without fail, music is acapella only, believe that if you know about something in God's Word you will be held responsible
Baptist
*Freewill- mainly rural areas; do not agree with once saved, always saved; one you turn your back on God, you can't come back (Hebrews 6:4-6); believe in freewill about everything
*Missionary- salvation: you must believe in Jesus in your heart, don't like repeat-after-me prayers, do not agree with the Roman Road, conversion experience is needed; these churches have more freedom as individual churches; election- God elected some to go to Heaven, others not; do not have to be baptized but you should
*Southern Baptist- believe in Roman Road (must actively repent); if you grow up in church you can be a Christian; other religions will not go to Heaven; predestination- God knows what choices we will make; church is held Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night; the Lord's Supper is symbolic; baptism is not required for salvation; evangelism is important; education should be done in a Christian environment; must pay 10% tithe; individual churches are responsible for caring for less fortunate
Lutheran
*Started by Martin Luther; split from Catholism because he believed in grace alone, faith alone, scripture alone.
*2 sacraments- Baptism & Communion, they believe God is physically present during both, believe in baptizing babies, Communion is Jesus' true body and blood, is closed to only Lutherans or those who have made prior arrangements
*Salvation is by God's act alone; humans don't have freewill in spiritual matters; they are predestined by God
Penecostals
*Salvation- You must believe in the gospel, repent of sins, be baptized in water in Jesus' name (Acts 2:38) and receive the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues; speaking in tongues is meant for all people, until a person is born of the spirit by speaking in tongues, he cannot be called a son of God; speaking in tongues is the first evidence of the Holy Spirit followed by fruit of the Spirit
*Clothing-- immodesty can arouse improper thoughts in wearer and looker; dresses should be over the knee, sleeves to elbow, no slacks on women- reveal the contours of upper leg, no swimming in mixed company, no makeup- highlights sex appeal
*Worship- They pray together aloud (Acts 4:24), lift their hands (Psalm 134:2), clap and shout (Psalm 47:1), dance (Psalm 150:4) and anoint with oil for healing (James 5:14).
4. The Occult- February 14 and 21
*Jesus performed 35 miracles and 5 involved demon posession. Matthew 8:28-34, Matthew 17:14-21, Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 1:23-27; Matthew 12:22
*Scripture about sorcery and witchcraft: Acts 19:11-20 and Deuteronomy 18:9-14.
*Homework for 2/14: Research what movies and TV shows are out now and look for themes in witchcraft and sorcery.
5. Clinging to the Cross- February 28
*Lesson based on Cross-eyed Life.
*Fix your eyes on the cross and never get beyond it. What do we think about in worship? It shouldn't be about us. We are nothing without the cross.
*When we cling to the cross, we can stand the pain of self-denial. To whom much is given, much is expected. Focus on the cross and realizing our unworthiness goes hand-in-hand. Long-time churchgoers start to think we're good or that we've done something to earn our salvation.
*What are we doing for the least of these?
*The disciples never counted the cost. As we grow closer to God, those things (material things) mean less.
*Be ready and expectant for whatever God has in store for you.
6. The Meaning of Easter- March 21 & 28
*Why do we believe Jesus was resurrected? Three options-- Jesus was either a lunatic, liar or savior? Jesus was on earth for 40 days after his resurrection.
*Passages: Matthew 27:31-35, Mark 15:20-39, Luke 24:13-53 (We should always insert ourselves into what we read in scripture. These men knew the Old Testament but couldn't comprehend what was happening.), John 20:19-25 (appreciate Thomas' brutal honesty), Acts 1:4-11 (We are still called to take His Word to the ends of the earth.)
*Only 1 out of 4 people know what Easter is about. How important is Easter in our lives?
*Facts about the resurrection: Jesus was wrapped in approx. 100 lbs of gummy wet spices, the boulder in front of the tomb weighed 2 tons, and a Roman seal was placed over its entrance to signify that it was government property.
*Arguments against a resurrected Christ:
1. The disciples stole His body- Response: If that was true, then the disciples were willing to die for a lie. Many of them had torturous deaths and never changed their story, even until they died.
2. The authorities moved Jesus' body- Response: If they moved it, why didn't they show it after the third day to prove their case that Jesus was dead.
3. The women went to the wrong tomb- Response: The tomb belonged to Joseph of Arimethia. He would known exactly which tomb Jesus was buried in and would have told everyone if they were looking in the wrong tomb.
4. Swoon theory (Jesus didn't really die on the cross and when he was buried in the damp tomb, it revived Him.)- Response: That's just ridiculous.
*Josh McDowell's lecture on trying to disprove Christ- read part I
*Purpose of this lesson is to renew our passion or open our eyes to the Easter season. Sometimes we focus more on Easter baskets and family plans than on the real meaning of Easter. Without the resurrection, Jesus would have just been a good man and a prophet like other religions say He was.
*Scripture passages: Mark 11:12-18, Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 22:15-22- Jesus acted with full authority in the last week of His life.
7. The JOY of Money- April 11 and 17
*Document Andrew is teaching from.
*You have to agree as a couple that you want to get back to basics.
*Love of money is the root of all evil, not money itself. Money is a tool that we are to use wisely.
*The JOY of Money- Jesus, others, myself
*Most Americans spend more time planning their vacations than planning for their financial futures.
*Scripturally, we should be tithing 10% of our gross income.
*Homework for 4/11- Fill out the Personal Information section of the packet, end with preparing a sample monthly budget
8. Identity- May 16
*Our families play a huge part in how our identities are formed.
*What if something happened to our spouse or kids? How would that affect my relationship with God? We need to cling to him, not our blessings.
*Mark 6:3- Jesus came from a big family.; Luke 2:48-52- Jesus established who He was; Matthew 7:21-29- We need to be about God's will.
*What is our identity in Christ in our marriages, our job, life in general, etc?
*Identity is in the will of our Father. How do we get there? Together, bible studies, etc.
*What is our identity in? Do I need to get rid of something that is holding me back?
*Matthew 6:6- We know what it's like to be a [insert last name], but sometimes we lose sight of what it's like to be a son/daughter of God.
*Matthew 6:11-12- If I am in God's will and relationship with Him, He will take care of me. "Stuff" and titles can't compare to that.
*Matthew 6:30-34- God knows what we need. Seek Him first.
*Matthew 7:11-12- The golden rule sums up the law. Are we getting involved enough. Ask others to tell you what they need.
*Matthew 6:13- Jesus gives what we need to survive and protects us from the devil.
*Final thought-- "In Christ Alone"... our identity.
9. Sexuality- May 23
*I Cor 7:1-2 and 7:8-9
*Do Christians struggle more with sexual issues with non-Christians? Yes, Christians know right from wrong.
*What should we teach our kids on sex? Abstinence vs. protection.
*87% of couples have arguments because of _____. 73% of divorces last year had something to do with _____. ANSWER: FACEBOOK
*Galatians 6:1-2- Hold each other accountable gentry. Be gentle in holding them accountable.
*Practical ways to prevent sexual sin in our lives-- throw away sexual magazines (Cosmo, Victoria Secret, etc), know the consequences of your action, turn away from sin immediately, give your spouse your email and Facebook passwords, don't spend time alone with the opposite sex, blind copy your spouse on emails to the opposite sex, communicate your needs to your spouse instead of discussing them with someone else, create a combined Facebook account.
10. Knowing God's Will- May 30
*Scripture: I John 2:15-17, I Corinthians 6:12, Romans 12:2- How do we know God's will?
*Split up into groups and talk about scriptures: Ezekiel 36:26-27, Matthew 7:7, Matthew 22:37, Deuteronomy 4:29
*Everyone has great experiences with God, but that's not what it's all about. It's the in-between times with God.
*Think of God as you would your spouse. You think of your spouse often- how things will affect them, how you can please them, how they would feel about something, etc.
*What are we here at church/sunday school today? Because it's our routine, because we like seeing our friends or because we want to learn about/seek/worship God. Same question with why do we read our Bible or why do we pray.
11. Pride- June 13
*Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:4
*What are good forms of pride? being a good spouse, proud of other people, sharing your faith, a job well done, etc.
*What are bad forms of pride? being self-centered, pushing other people away
*Split up into groups and discuss scriptures
*Humility is not ignoring your strengths, but being honest about your weaknesses.
12. Luke 15- June 20
*Parables of lost sheep and lost coin- Involves something being lost and then found. Lessons: All of us are important and we should care about the lost.
*Parable about the prodigal son- Questions to ask ourselves:
