What is God doing with me? (2 Thess 1:5-10)
1. Believers are God’s instruments
a. Give testimony
b. Be a witness of God’s power
c. Be holy
2. Obey (2 Thess 1:8)
Better to seek God’s chastening through prayer/reading His Word

What is God doing in me? (2 Thess 1:11-12)
1. Be worthy (Reaffirming message above)
2. Personal holiness
3. Faith – stretch goals for yourself or no growth

Bottom Line: Application to being a fully devoted follower of Christ, connecting to ministry.

How do we relate to each other in ways that strengthen our church?

See page 80 of the quarterly and read what it says.

We need to do the following:

Respect Church Leaders (1 Thess 5:12-13)

Recognize/Esteem highly those who labor among us

1. They Lead

2. They Admonish (2 Tim 3:16)

This week’s homework: Please write a note to one or all of the following leaders:

Pastor Mark for his leadership

Jim Barker for worship/singles ministry

Matt Moore as Minister of Discipleship

Chris Williams as Youth Minister

Other church staff. Consider including wives in your thank you notes.

This is a way you can “Connect with Believers” on our 2009 Discipleship Plan.

Connection Groups (Our Group Needs an Outreach Coordinator)

Preschool

Extended Teaching Care

Vacation Bible School (many helpers needed)

Mission Kids/Team Kids

Mothers of Preschoolers and MOPPET ministry (watching MOPS kids)

Royal Ambassadors and Girls in Action

Youth – Disciple Now and Camps

Mission Trips

Aerobics

Baptism Helper

Greeter

Usher

Pew Restocking

Decision Counselor

Choir

Tech/Lights/Audio-Visual

Men’s Ministry/Women’s Ministry

Deployed Spouse

Homeschool

First Place

Intercessory Prayer

Buildings and Grounds

Stewardship

Deacons

Discipling/Mentoring

Homebound/Nursing Home

Hospitality (Special Events)

Teaching Crosswalk

Legacy Outfitters

The child of God is instructed to…

1. Seek the things “above”…not on earth

If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died [to the things of this world] and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4

2. Abide in the Lord, separated from sin & worldliness

And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. 1 John 2:28

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:2,3

The grace of God… instructs us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; Titus 2:12,13

3. Be patient & strong

You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

4. Preach the Word with a shepherd’s heart

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:1,2

Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:2,4

5. Fellowship with believers regularly

Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

6. Observe the Lord’s Supper with the Rapture in mind

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

7. Increase in love* for fellow believers & all men

And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12,13

* Agape Love = seeks another’s highest good

8. Refrain from judging the motives of men’s hearts

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. 1 Corinthians 4:5

9. Win Souls

Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. Jude 21-23

10. Comfort the bereaved

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus…For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first… Therefore, comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14,16,18

Your Actions:

Reveal Who You Are:

1.  Our actions reveal us (vs. 7)

We see comparison/contrast of Light and Dark; Darkness and Daylight; Sober Living and Drunkeness

2.  Believers belong in the Daylight

Fully devoted followers of Christ have distinguishing characteristics:

Sober, Temperate, self-controlled, put on armor of faith andlove, Put on helmut of hope. These actions result in Peace, Personal Holiness, Living for Heaven, Running from Sin, Situational Awareness, Associating with like-minded people.

We discussed going through hard times, and how God uses them in our lives. We may not always know why we are going through them, but we do know God is faithful, and we do know we are to praise and glorify Him in all situations.  Isaiah 55:8.

We then discussed our Discipleship Assessment 2009 and what we are doing.  (See separate post of Discipleship Assessment).

January 11, 2009 Connection Group Outline

(Thanks to Ed for teaching and Dana for taking notes)

GOT HOPE?   

1 Thes. 4:13-18

1.  Informed Understanding (v13)

2. Basis of Hope (vs 14)

1 Cor 15:20-22
God will bring them with him

3.  Jesus’ Guarantee (vs 15-17)

4.  Comfort in Hope (vs 18)

One day Jesus Christ is coming again & that day will be like no other….
ARE YOU READY FOR THAT DAY?

Target at least one task per focus area.  These can be things that are already ongoing in your life.  T2C will discuss these tasks and insights over the course of the calendar year.

Focus                                                                 Task/Scripture Basis

The FBC Cove Mission: Develop FDFC by:
Connecting People  to God	Eg – Participate in First Light – 2 Tim 3:16
Connecting People  to Believers
Connecting People  to Ministry
Connecting People  to the World

“Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ”

from Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull

Conformed to Christ’s Image

TRANSFORMED: mind, (believe what Christ believed) character, (live as Christ lived) relationships, (love as Christ loved) habits, (train as Christ trained) service, (minister as Christ ministered) and influence (lead as Christ led).

Stages of Discipleship

1.  Come and See — John 1:35-4;46

2.  Come and Follow me — Matt 4:19; Mark 1:16-18

3.  Come and Be with me — Mark 3:13-14

4.  Remain in me — John 15:5,7

From Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas — Types of Worship styles:

Naturalist, Sensate, Traditionalist, Ascetic, Activist, Caregiver, Enthusiast, Contemplative, Intellectual

Also see Lifeway’s Biblical Learning Model as a great example of how the discipleship process works (scroll to the second page to see it).

Another great reference for us as we seek to become more FDFC is the FBC Cove Statement of Faith, found at the FBC Website.

Finally, Pastor Mark has challenged us to read First Light as a church body, and we will be supporting that as a Connection Group.  See the links to First Light at this blog, or within this paragraph.  Share what you think with Pastor Mark and here if you like.

We are all in this process together.  Let’s all be Fully Devoted Followers of Christ!

Life Goal:  Follow God’s Will

What fills your sail?

Principle to Follow:

1.  Walk to Please God:  1 Thess 4:1-2;

2.  Based on commands (see p. 48 of quarterly)  Lack of Obedience vs Lack of Knowledge

Purity to Practice: 1 Thess 4:3-8

1.  God’s will for us is sanctification, which is a process of becoming more holy following our justification.

2.  Process

a.  Listen to the Holy Spirit or study God’s Word

b.  Seek wise counsel from fellow Christians

c.  Courageously obey

Love to Exhibit: 1 Thess. 4:9-10a

Phileo love for our brothers

Lifestyle to Have

Homework:  2009 Discipleship Assessment (see Titus 2 Crew blog entry)

Announcement (Luke 1:26-33)

By Gabriel – (28)

How does God normally announce what he intends? Scripture Rom 15:4.

Question (Luke 1:34-37)

Why me, why now, I am OK (34)

What task is He calling you to?

Repair relationship, issue invitation, practice Christian ethics at work

Acceptance (Luke 1:38)

Faith-based answer (38)

Examples of Noah, Abram, what’s in your wallet? Can you say same?

Confirmation (Luke 1:39-45)

By another believer (41)

Blessing of belief (45)

Have you ever confirmed or supported another believer in difficult times?

Can you testify of your own obedience of belief?

Celebration (Luke 1:46-56)               

Commune with saints (50-51)

Acknowledge His power (52-54)

How strong are you in your ability to recount His goodness and provision?

Winter 2008-2009 Adult Learner Guide

Unit 1:  Remember Where You Were (1 Thess 1:1-3:13)

Dec. 7  When You Started Out (1 Thess 1:1-10)

Recognize God’s Work (1 Thess 1:1-4)

· In the Christian (vs. 4)

• Faith Working           
  
• Love Laboring
• Hope Enduring

· The Disciple – Defining Virtues (1 Cor 13:13 – Faith Hope and Love Abstract-Concrete)

Trinity Examples

Faith – Working Disciples Step Out and Work!

James 2:18

Genesis 12:1-4 (Abraham)

Luke 5:4-5 Peter

Love – Laboring Disciples Obey!

John 14:21 – Obedience

John 15:13 – Sacrifice

Hope – Enduring Disciples Endure!

Romans 8:22-25

Ephesians 1:3-10

1 Peter 1:3-9