Irresistible Invitation ~ The Heart of the Matter from Day One's Scripture; Day Two & Three Scripture

Day One's Scripture - Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Day One's Heart of the Matter:

• What do you feel when you reflect on the first few lines of Genesis?  How does this feeling color your perception of God?
• How could a deeper understanding of the creation story affect your relationship with God?  Does this story challenge any of your previous assumptions?
• Have you experienced moments of incadescent amazement?  If so, how have those experiences informed your understanding of God?

Day Two's Scripture - Genesis 1:31 - God saw all theat he had made, and it was very good.
Day Two's Heart of the Matter:

• Have you been aware of God's presence in a time of darkness and suffering?  Describe your personal experience.
• Have there been times of hardship in your life that, looking back, you are able to recognize as forming your character for the better?  Are you aware of a purpose in those times of struggle?
• Have you given or received a show of love like the one described in the story of Manuel Garcia?  If so, how did that experience affect you?

Day Three's Scripture - John 10:10 - I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Day Three's Heart of the Matter:

• Think about your habits, good and bad.  How have they shaped your life as a whole?
• Have you chosen to "start to become" a new person?  Why or why not?
• What does it mean to you to choose to be in relationship with God?  Do you make it a habit to seek God's company each day?

"Irresistible Invitation" Church-Wide Series Begins!

The ENTIRE Church  will embark on a new 6-week Sunday School study, Irresistible Invitation, that will also correlate with the message delivered during the Sunday worship services. The first message was delivered on Sunday, October 9th and the 40 day daily Bible readings begin today.

Today's scripture is Genesis 1:1 . . . In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Next Sunday we begin the first class lesson. The books are available through the church for $5.00. They are also available on Kindle at a slightly higher price.

New Study Series Begins July 17th!

Beginning July 17th, we will start a series of studies based on Max Lucado’s book Outlive Your Life, http://www.maxlucado.com/outliveyourlife/.  "What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth.  It’s not enough to do well. We want to do good. We want our lives to matter. So, let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.", says Max Lacado.  Whose life will YOU change? 

Sunday, June 26, 2011 - Thore Family Reception

Reception in honor of Pastor Chris Thore and his family - during the Sunday school hour (9:45-10:45) on June 26th - no Anchors in Christ Sunday School class that day!  If you are interested, you may provide a love offering gift for their family on your own.

Anchors in Christ Regular Class to Resume on May 8th

The Anchors in Christ Class will resume meeting in its regular classroom on Sunday, May 8th (Mother's Day!).  Mark and Jan Portis will conclude the series they have been teaching to the combined classes on Sunday, May 1st with a lesson on Apologizing.  Please join the Portises on May 1st and then be ready to kick off a new series on May 8th!

Lenten Series with Mark & Jan Portis

The Anchors in Christ Class will join with the Spiritual Growth Class in A201 for a six week study during Lent as a follow up on Bishop Goodpastor's sermon on loving your enemy.  Mark and Jan Portis will lead this series for the two groups using "Love as a Way of Life" by Gary Chapman!  The Anchors in Christ class will then continue with the Experiencing God series after Easter.

Experiencing God ~ Lesson Notes February 6, 2011

From “Experiencing God” Session 4:  Love and God’s Invitation

1)     Know God

a.    Know God more intimately as He reveals Himself to us through our experiences with Him.

b.    Who is God to us, i.e. Advocate, Comforter, Hope, Judge, Redeemer,….other?

2)    Worship God

a.    To worship is to reverence and honor God, to acknowledge Him as worthy of your praise.

b.    Ways to worship God are blessing His name, rejoicing in His name, calling on His name, declaring His name,….others?

3)    Love God

a.    If we love Him, we will obey Him.

b.    If we have an obedience problem, we have a love problem!

4)    God invites us to join Him

a.    When we see the Father at work around us, that is our invitation to adjust our life to Him and join Him in that work.

b.    God must take the initiative to open our spiritual eyes so that we can see what He is doing.

c.    We must have our intimate and personal relationship with God in order for us to have our eyes opened!