Veritas — Previous Series

Enough said?

 

 

 

 

 

When it comes to world missions, there are only three kinds of Christians: zealous goers, zealous senders, and disobedient. We will be using John Piper's Let the Nations Be Glad! to explore the biblical foundation for missions and to ignite a passion for the unreached. If you would like to purchase the book and/or study guide ($5 each), please let Josh know.

 

 

 

 

We know the gospel is to be shared, and we each feel some responsibilty to do so. So what's missing? For some of us, we develop great relationships...but never quite get around to talking about matters of faith, much less Jesus. For others, talking about Jesus and telling people they need him comes naturally...though getting to know them and actually caring about them doesn't. If the idea of "personal evangelism" evokes images of a public relations agent or product pitchman, then maybe it's time to return to the biblical concept of the ambassador.

 

 

 

 

Did you know that April is National Financial Literacy Month? It seems that everyone is concerned about how you spend your money, but none more so than God. Join us as we spend a few weeks looking at financial stewardship from a biblical perspective. We will start with what the Bible says about money, debt, and wealth and then get to some practical advice for how to handle "your" money, including debt reduction and living with a budget.

 

  

 

 

What—or who—is the church? And what exactly is the church supposed to be doing? Join us as we study Luke's sequel to his Gospel of Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles, and see for yourself what the early church was all about and how the Spirit's work then informs us today.

 

 

 

 

Of all the gospel writers, Luke offers a unique perspective on Jesus and his teaching, especially as it relates to those who find themselves overlooked or on the margins. Join us as we walk through Luke's account of the life of Jesus. Come prepared by reading each passage below before the date on which we will discuss it. To get even more, read the passage several times during the week, preferably in more than one translation (e.g., ESV, HCSB, NASB, NIV).

 

 

 

Are you ready for Christmas?
Not with decorations or even gifts. Are you spiritually ready? Let's remove the clutter that's built up around Christmas and connect anew with the story that changed the world and can change you...forever!

 

Join us as we walk through Luke's account of the life of Jesus, beginning in December with the story of his birth. Come prepared by reading each passage below before the date on which we will discuss it. To get even more, read the passage several times during the week, preferably in more than one translation (e.g., ESV, HCSB, NASB, NIV).

 

[12.02] Luke 1:1-38

[12.09] Luke 1:39-80

[12.16] Luke 2:1-40

 

 

 

 

Maybe it's time for you to REnew by exploring the spiritual disciplines of Bible study (read), meditation (reflect), memorization (recite), prayer (respond), fasting (refrain), and giving (return).

 

Read [10.21]

Bible Study: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 | Deuteronomy 6:4-7 | Ezra 7:10 | James 1:22

Don't let your eyes just move across the words in your Bible, verse after verse, as you dutifully "spend time in God's Word." Read and study the Bible with focus and determination to actually understand. Determine what the author is saying and what he means (interpretation); then move to what you should do in your life as a result (application). If you want to get serious about studying God's Word, a great resource is How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth.

 

Reflect [10.28]

Meditation: Joshua 1:8 | Psalm 1:1-3 | Psalm 77:12 | Psalm 119:15-20, 97

When asked why he meditates, Dietrich Bonhoeffer replied, "Because I am a Christian." Beyond simply studying the Bible, spend time reflecting on and thinking about what you've read. Unlike Eastern meditation, which seeks to empty the mind and be detached from the world, this is a call to fill your mind with God's Word and become more attached to Him.

 

Recite [10.28]

Memorization: Psalm 119:9-13 | Matthew 4:1-11 | 1 Peter 3:15

In less than four minutes, this video shares the value of memorizing scripture. In addition, Seeds is a series of five CDs that combine powerful verses with great music (by the way, the link takes you straight to a song, so watch your volume).  And if you'd rather read a book, try His Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture for a Closer Walk with God.

 

Respond [11.04]

Prayer: Luke 11:1-13 | Matthew 6:5-13; 7:7-11 | 1 John 3:21-22; 5:14-15 | Romans 8:26-27

As God speaks to us through our study of the Bible, and we gain insight and deeper appreciation through meditation, we respond through prayer. Prayer is not about you changing God, but Him changing you. For an invaluable survey of prayer in the New Testament, use this Outline of Observations complied by Stand to Reason, which also put together some great resources on prayer.

 

Refrain [11.11]

Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14-15 | Acts 14:23 | Matthew 4:1-2 | Ezra 10:6 | Esther 4:12-16

John Wesley said, "Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it." Fasting (abstaining from food and/or water for a predetermined period of time) is a humbling act of denial meant to strengthen your dependence on and satisfaction in God and is often associated with mourning for sinfulness, repentance, and preparation to do God's will.

 

Return [11.18]

Giving: 2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:6-8 | 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Join us for Thanks + Giving Dinner on the 18th. Same time. Same place. Special focus.

 

 

Life is filled with decisions, and God's Word provides guidance. All young adults are invited to take part in this study as we explore God's will for you.

 

If you would like to review what we covered, download a copy of Josh's notes. You may also want to read Principles for Decision Making, which is a short introduction to biblical principles for decision making. For a more in-depth treatment, try Decision Making and the Will of God, or for a quicker read, you can't beat Just Do Something.