"Be careful how you build", Class 1 - "Relationship with God", Thames Valley churches of Christ

Class One

 

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.” (1 Corinthians 3:10 NIV11)

 

Theme scripture for 2019 as a church:

“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22 NIV11)

God dwelling with us - such a privilege.

 

Building the church well comes down to us personally - giving the right priority to our devotional lives.

 

Goal: all go home with something useful to help us in our relationship with God in 2019.

 

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31–32 NIV11)

• God is committed to us
• He has not limits to his commitment to us
• He desires a close personal connection with us
• A two-way relationship 

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”” (Matthew 4:4 NIV11)

• We connect with God through the scriptures
• We gain strength from God’s word

““Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”” (Luke 6:46–49 NIV11)

• We can be that well built house as a church
• Needs good foundations, however.
• Effort expended in making foundations strong is never wasted
• Building high means digging deep
• A church that glorifies God needs members who devote themselves to God
• Cannot cut corners here

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4 NIV11)

• Good fruit, that lasts depends on us being connected to Jesus
• We cannot bear fruit by ourselves, we need Jesus
• We are only as strong as our relationship with God
• Two-way connection enjoyed by ourselves and Jesus

““Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”” (Matthew 18:19–20 NIV11)

• A wonderful promise
• When we gather we can trust God to hear our prayers
• Praying together, sharing our insights helps us to grow stronger togethe

Questions:

• “What could make your prayer-life that bit more special in 2019?"
• "If you prayed with someone else how could that help your prayer life?"
• “What could make your Bible study that bit more special in 2019?"

Ideas:

• Soaking in scripture - reading the same passage every day for a while. See different things each times.
• Have some special scriptures to help in challenging situations. Speak them out loud at the time of need to access to the presence and power of God.
• Using our imagination when reading the stories in the Bible can help us to put ourselves in the situation and learn from it
• Studying the same Bible book or passage as a group
• Remember what has helped you in the past, and repeat
• Writing prayers out. Keep them and go back to see how God has answered them.
• Praying 'impossible' prayers
• Praying together as couples
• Praying together as a family in the morning
• Structuring prayers - using the Lord’s prayer as an example.
• Pray for certain things on certain days of the week.
• Be honest in prayer
• Have a conversational relationship with God throughout the day. Be aware of his constant presence.
• Go out into nature at the weekends when there is a bit more time

Goal: take something away that is useful for our relationship with God. God needs to be at the centre of our lives. What is the big lesson for you? In the areas of Bible study and/or prayer?

 

(Coming up: Class 2: Building strong relationships in church; Class 3: Building strong relationships outside church)

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

 

Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: tvcochrist@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

 

God bless,

 

Malcolm

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, High Wycombe, Oxford, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Mark Abril, Rachel Abril, Churches of Christ, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley church of Christ, faith, love, discipling