Over the next few weeks we are going to be going through Paul’s letter to the Philippians. As you probably know Philippians is a very personal letter, it almost has the tone of an encouraging chat between two friends. Nevertheless this letter does have a point, there are reasons why Paul wrote this letter (itsContinue reading “Themes in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: Koinonia”
Tag Archives: community
Some Thoughts on Ephesians Five and the Christian Community
In chapter 4 Paul says to the Ephesians: “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God…” But Paul goes on to sayContinue reading “Some Thoughts on Ephesians Five and the Christian Community”
How is a Missional Community Different from a Bible Study?
The following is an article from Matt Carter. Its found in the Verge 2013 Booklet: _________________________________ HOW IS A MISSIONAL COMMUNITY DIFFERENT FROM A BIBLE STUDY? – Matt Carter FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS TO MISSIONAL COMMUNITIES Before, we had what was called community groups. The idea behind community groups was that they were these little smallContinue reading “How is a Missional Community Different from a Bible Study?”
Some Thoughts on Ephesians Four and the Christian Community
This week we turn to Ephesians chapter 4. Surprise surprise(!) one of Paul’s central themes in this passage is unity. In chapter 2 Paul began to write about how God has made both Jews and Gentiles one by tearing down the dividing wall of hostility. He did this by abolishing the law of commandments, thusContinue reading “Some Thoughts on Ephesians Four and the Christian Community”
Some Thoughts on Ephesians Three and the Christian Community
Just as he did in Chapter 2, in Chapter 3 Paul continues to elaborate on the Jew-Gentile relationship that exists within the Church. The Gentiles were once without hope and without God, and the Jews were trapped under a Law they could not fulfill. These two groups were once divided, but in Christ God hasContinue reading “Some Thoughts on Ephesians Three and the Christian Community”
Edwards, Sin, and Latino Theology
So I am thinking about writing a paper for the Evangelical Philosophical Society…. Here is what I have so far for an abstract. Comments and thoughts are greatly appreciated! Jonathan Edwards: America’s Theologian? A Latino Evaluation of Jonathan Edward’s Hamartiology Robert Jenson has famously argued that Jonathan Edwards is “America’s theologian” because he meets theContinue reading “Edwards, Sin, and Latino Theology”
The Challenge of Acts 2:42-47 (pt. 1)
The Challenge So this week I was given the task of preaching on Acts 2:42-47, what the NIV calls “The Fellowship of the Believers.” Normally being given this text to preach is every preacher’s dream. Its so easy! You just preach about community and how to do church! To a certain extent I can resonateContinue reading “The Challenge of Acts 2:42-47 (pt. 1)”
The Essence of Coaching (pt. 3): Cultivating A Passion for Developing Leaders
The Essence of Coaching – Cultivating a Passion for Developing Leaders “Faithful leaders will make disciples, but great leaders focus on making other leaders.” -Tom Wood Here is a simple truth, if leaders are going to grow they NEED someone to coach them. Some leaders will not have a coach so they will turn toContinue reading “The Essence of Coaching (pt. 3): Cultivating A Passion for Developing Leaders”
The Essence of Coaching (pt. 2): Cultivating Community
The Essence of Coaching – Cultivating Community So last time we looked at some steps we could take to help cultivate a culture of transformation among our leaders and their Life Groups. Today we will take a look at what it would look like to cultivate a love for community in them. One of myContinue reading “The Essence of Coaching (pt. 2): Cultivating Community”
Simple Smallgroups (pt. 6): Pattern 2 – Changing
Back to more Simple Smallgroups! Last time we finished the “Connecting” pattern. Today we start up our new pattern “Changing.” Changing is just the word Bill Search uses for spiritual growth/sanctification. So lets take a look at what this pattern is and how Lifegroups can help us change. ____________________________________________________ Pattern 2: Changing So over theContinue reading “Simple Smallgroups (pt. 6): Pattern 2 – Changing”