January 5 Study Helps and Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Well, we are finally beginning our new Connect Group year. I am very excited about all God has in store for us. While the rolls are not complete you can check to see who is already committed to your group by going to your login page on our website.

Please keep in mind, these are not completed. We are still working to add individuals to each roll. You will receive a more complete roll at the Leadership Breakfast and Briefing Saturday morning along with other very important Connect Group information. Please be sure to let us know if you are attending by completing the form at this link:

Leadership Breakfast & Briefing - RSVP

If you have other leaders who need to attend, you may add their names as well.

BIBLE STUDY HELPS

As I prepared the teaching helps I thought about how important it was for Jesus to leave so the Holy Spirit could come. When He came, believers everywhere were given the blessing of having God with them. As Jesus was God with us, so the Spirit is God with us! As Jesus poured His life into His disciples in His last days here, He paved the way for Holy Spirit to pour His life into all believers, everywhere.

Yet, knowing this, we forget so quickly that Holy Spirit is there to be our Counselor. -- The Greek noun Paraclete [PAR uh kleet] literally meaning someone who is “called alongside” to render help.  I have organized this week's study of John to help us communicate the importance of the Holy Spirit always being with us, standing beside us, rendering help as we live our Christian lives.

The outline of John 15:26-16:15 has been tweaked to reflect this approach: The Holy Spirit is there, standing alongside of you . . . 

• When your testimony meets hostility.
• When sorrow fills your heart.
• When you share Christ with others.
• When more understanding is needed.

I suggest you review the following resources to help you prepare to respond to questions regarding the doctrine of the Holy Spirit:

• Explore the Bible Commentary for additional information. 
• Baptist Faith and Message information regarding the Trinity and the Holy Spirit: http://www.sbc.org/bfm/bfm2000.asp#ii 

I have also recommended some video clips and prepared a few PowerPoint slides as options:

• Video Clip Link: We Were Soldiers. Use to introduce John 15:26.
• Click to download PowerPoint slides

I hope this study will encourage and remind you as it did me that, as Jesus said, "I will not leave you as orphans" (John 14:18).

Download January 5 Teaching Helps: Depending on the Holy Spirit

Download Directions: Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

Leadership Breakfast & Briefing - RSVP

Adult Connect Group Leadership Breakfast & Briefing

Saturday, January 4, 8:30-10:30am

All adult teachers/co-teachers and First Impressions leaders

Please complete the form below so we can plan for you on January 4:

December: Countdown to New Opportunities to Reach New People

Sunday, December 8

• Leader materials ready for teachers to pick up in the workroom. Please leave study guides in workroom until after December 22.
• "White Christmas" celebration. 
• Prayer gathering at 9:10 a.m. in room 222.

Sunday, December 15

• NBC Worship Ministries presents, "Go Tell it on the Rooftops."
• Connect Group class listings will be available to the entire church.
• Church will receive Connect Group information via email and the web-site. Opportunities to sign-up for a Connect Group will be available.

Wednesday, December 18: Christmas Fellowship Meal

Sunday, December 22

• Morning: Commit to Connect Service. Everyone will be asked to indicate which class they plan to attend.
• Prayer gathering at 9:10 a.m. in room 222.
• Evening: Lord's Supper Service.

Tuesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (5pm)

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 29

• Continue to Connect. On Sunday and during the week, follow-up will begin with members of NBC who have not yet committed to a Connect Group.
• Life classes announced.
• Prayer gathering at 9:10 a.m. in room 222.

Saturday, January 4, 8:30-10:30am

Adult Connect Group Leadership Breakfast & Briefing

All adult teachers/co-teachers and First Impressions leaders

Sunday, January 5

• LAUNCH NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH NEW PEOPLE!
• Continue contacting those not yet connected.
• Prayer gathering at 9:10 a.m. in room 222.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Pray . . .

• For Church Members: That God will renew a fresh vision and burning passion to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ including making a commitment to be a part of starting new Connect Group classes and our new worship time.
• For Connect Group Leaders: That God will continue to bring forth new leaders to help us reach a goal of adding at least 10-12 more adult Connect Groups. We are close! Pray also for each other; that God will help us be the leaders we need to be during this time of transition.
• For Church Staff: That we will remain faithful to the task God has placed before us. That we will be able to see to fruition the work that we believe God wants to do through the Northside family.

December 1: Living Selflessly

Dates to Remember as 

We Move Forward

• December 1 - Our final Engage study tonight and Wednesday night, December 4. Both begin at 6pm.
• December 1: Connect Group Fellowship Breakfast (Provided by Church) and White Christmas emphasis during worship. Encourage everyone in your group to fill a bag with food goods and to bring it back to the church on December 8th.
• December 8: "White Christmas" celebration. Prayer gathering at 9:10 a.m. begins.
• December 15: NBC Worship Ministries presents, Go Tell it on the Rooftops.
• December 18: Christmas Fellowship Meal.
• December 22: Commit to Connect Service (am); Lord's Supper Service (pm).
• December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (5pm)
• January 4: Adult Connect Group Leadership Breakfast and Briefing (8:30-10:30 am)
• January 5: LAUNCH NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH NEW PEOPLE!

Pray . . .

• For Church Members: That God will renew a fresh vision and burning passion to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ including making a commitment to be a part of starting new Connect Group classes and our new worship time.
• For Connect Group Leaders: That God will continue to bring forth new leaders to help us reach a goal of adding at least 10-12 more adult Connect Groups. We are close! Pray also for each other; that God will help us be the leaders we need to be during this time of transition.
• For Church Staff: That we will remain faithful to the task God has placed before us. That we will be able to see to fruition the work that we believe God wants to do through the Northside family.

Bible Study Session Helps: 

There are several downloads this week for December 1 since curriculum is not available. I have provided the teacher commentary and the teaching plans. Let me know if you have any questions.

Download Teaching Suggestions for December 1: Living Selflessly

LifeWay Teaching Materials for December 1:

• ETB Teacher Commentary for December 1
• ETB Teacher Plan for December 1

Download Directions: Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

November 24: Dealing with Death?

Announcements

Curriculum Special Instructions:
As you may recall, we recently discussed how we would distribute the curriculum for the new quarter since we are only teaching the first lesson before the classes change. We had to order curriculum based on our January class structure and not our current structure. In order to cut down on confusion, costs, and so we can get the curriculum in the right classes, here is what we are going to do. It is a little different from what we discussed. For that I apologize.

• I will send to you, electronically, the study material for the December 1 lesson. I will include commentary and teaching plans.
• All curriculum resources will be available beginning December 8th in the workroom based on the new class structure. At that time, you may pick up all the teaching resources you will need to begin preparing for January.
• Consider taking time in December to deliver study guides to individuals who might be prospects for your new group. You may pick up guides from your box in the workroom at any time.
• Saturday, January 4 -- Briefing Meeting: I am planning for you to attend that morning. We will meet to cover room arrangements, give out final rolls, provide a brief training on new processes for guests, and give you time to begin contacting individuals on your roll. All remaining curriculum will be available for you to take to members and prospects for your class after the meeting and throughout the following weeks.

Dates to Remember as We Move Forward

• November 24, and Dec. 1 -- Engage studies continue on Sunday nights and Wednesday's of these weeks. Both begin at 6pm.
• This Sunday -- The Hammils will be visiting with us during worship. This is a very special Northside family who willingly left a life of comfort to focus on missions in Asia.
• December 1: Connect Group Fellowship Breakfast (Provided by Church) and White Christmas emphasis during worship.
• December 8: "White Christmas" celebration.
• December 15: Go Tell it on the Rooftops.
• December 18: Christmas Fellowship Meal.
• December 22: Commit to Connect Service (am); Lord's Supper Service (pm).
• December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (5pm)
• January 4: Adult Connect Group Leadership Breakfast and Briefing (8:30-10:30 am)
• January 5: LAUNCH NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH NEW PEOPLE!

Pray . . .

• For Church Members: That God will renew a fresh vision and burning passion to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ including making a commitment to help be a part of starting new Connect Group classes and our new worship time.
• For Connect Group Leaders: That God will continue to bring forth new leaders to help us reach a goal of adding at least 10-12 more adult Connect Groups. We are close! Pray also for each other; that God will help us be the leaders we need to be during this time of transition.
• For Church Staff: That we will remain faithful to the task God has placed before us. That we will be able to see to fruition the work that we believe God wants to do through the Northside family.

Thanks so much for the part you are playing as you lead others!

Bible Study Session Helps: 
Due to the focus of the text this week, be sensitive to those in your group who might be dealing with the loss of a loved one. Consider how they might respond, the comfort they might need, or the questions they might ask regarding eternal life. This session also provides a perfect opportunity for you to invite those who might be struggling with their relationship with Christ to remain afterwards and talk with you.

I have included two approaches to this session. The first approach incorporates a video. The link is provided in the document. The second approach is discussion based.

November 24 Teaching Options

Download Directions: Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions. Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

November 17: Feeling Insecure?

Announcements

I am excited about what God is doing as we look toward January. There are so many testimonies of how God is leading us to focus outward to the world God has placed before us. Below are some updates, dates, and reminders.

• November 17, 24, and Dec. 1 -- Engage studies continue on Sunday night and on Wednesday's of these weeks as well. Both begin at 6pm.
• November 17: Church Survey.  We have enough surveys to help us proceed. We won't be asking for the survey this Sunday.
• November 24: The Hammils will be visiting with us during worship. This is a very special Northside family who willingly left a life of comfort to focus on missions in Asia.
• December 1: Connect Group Fellowship Breakfast and White Christmas emphasis during worship.

Pray that God will continue to bring forth leaders to help us reach a goal of adding at least 10-12 more adult Connect Groups. People are stepping up already. We need you to continue to encourage people to follow God when making their decisions about our new direction. Remember, if nothing changes, then nothing will change. It takes all of us stepping up to lead in order for people to follow.

Thanks so much for the part you are playing in leading others!

Bible Study Session Helps: 

This week’s study provides a rich description of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. There is so much we could talk about as we move through the passages; yet I realize our time is limited. Please be aware that there will be some in your group who struggle with their security in Christ or who don’t know Christ at all. Leave enough time for discussion throughout this session to help adults process the rich meaning of these passages.

I have attempted to provide discussion points for each passage, but there will be a need for brief lectures at certain points, in order to expedite your time. I have also suggested two video clips as optional learning tools. One video can be accessed via You Tube. I have provided a link to the other video below.

Below is the downloadable Word document for this weeks teaching helps. Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

November 17 Teaching Options

Download Directions: Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.

November 3: Doubting Jesus' Power?

I have provided a very different teaching plan this week. I felt the biblical text and the focus on the message of Jesus warranted a different approach. I also tweaked the target in order to bring more focus to the content. Here is the adjusted target:

This session will help adults identify doubt's people have about Jesus' power and how they can learn to affirm Jesus' power in their own lives.

My plan calls for a handout. I have placed a copy in your Connect Group box. Feel free to make copies for use with your class.

Please remember the focus of John as we prepare our study each week. He is introducing us to Christ and His mission. All events pointed to the climax at the cross where Jesus reveals Himself as the Savior. Jesus reveals Himself and His purpose, in the book of John, to the world through His acts of healing and teaching. It is through these acts that Jesus reveals the sinfulness of all men and the futility of man's attempts to gain favor with God on his own.

Announcements:

Special Ongoing Rooftop Studies: ENGAGE

Over the next four weeks group studies will take place that will help you learn how to engage your community for Christ. We invite you to take part in these studies, which will take place at 6:00 p.m. during the Life hour on Sunday nights and at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights. We pray that the studies will enable you to have faith conversations with your neighbor, friends, family, and co-workers. Below is the schedule:

Sunday Sessions: November 10, 17, 24, and December 1

 

* Students Engaging Students - Nick Mobley College Students - Jason Polk

* Young Adults - Cory Scoles

* Adults in their 30's - Michael Norton 

* Adults in their 40's - David Bramble 

* Boomers - John McClendon

* Senior Adults - Adam Creel

 

Wednesday Sessions: November 6, 13, 20, December 4 Led by Ken Polk 

Church Survey for January Schedule

Beginning this Sunday, the church will be asked to indicate which hour they might be attending Connect Group and worship. Please encourage your group to prayerfully consider how they might best serve the Lord with their choices. This is not a commitment card but a survey. They are not locked in to a schedule by taking this survey.

Thank You!

I hope you all know how thankful I am to serve with such a dedicated group of leaders. I am constantly amazed at the quality of your skills and the passion of your heart. I pray God will continue to bless you as we move forward. Keep praying for the additional teachers and groups we want to begin in January. -- John

Bible Study Session Helps: 

Below is the downloadable Word document for this weeks teaching helps. Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

November 10 Teaching Helps

Download Directions:Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

November 3 Wondering About Judgment

The theme of judgment and the text for this week provides a lot of challenges. I have tried to provide focus and clarification with the teaching helps. I encourage you to look over the helps as you prepare to teach.

Announcements:

The Rooftop Weekend with Dennis Pethers: This could be a life-changing weekend for our church and for your group. It would be a travesty if your group missed because they were uninformed. Please pray, ask your group to pray, and encourage everyone to be involved in all the events of the weekend.

Saturday, Nov 2nd, 8:30 am -- Men's Breakfast with Dennis Dennis will be speaking to our men during our morning men's breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. All men, from the youngest to the oldest, are encouraged to attend. You don't have to register or pay for breakfast. You just need to show up!

Sunday, Nov 3rd, 9:30 am -- Dennis will be Speaking in Worship Dennis will speak to our church and present a clear gospel message. If you have friends or loved ones who need to hear the message of the gospel, I encourage you to bring them to worship and your Connect Group.

Sunday, Nov 3rd, 6:00 pm -- The Rooftop Encounter You don't want to miss this special time as we "look out over our rooftops" together. We have been working hard to provide an experience that will help you see what God is doing in Murfreesboro. Dennis will lead us to begin a process of discovering and learning how we can engage with the people God has brought to our mission field. Don't forget ----- This is time change Sunday! Bible Study Session Helps:Below is the downloadable Word document for this weeks teaching helps.Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content. November 3 Teaching Helps Download Directions:Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.

October 27: Asking Questions About Jesus?

Announcements:

Opening the Word to Our World in a Whole New Way
I hope you are praying about which hour you should be teaching as we move toward January. I will be contacting you soon to discuss your questions and to find out which direction you are leaning. Please remember these three things:

(1) Please pray about the direction God would lead you personally. Is He leading you to teach in a different hour or a different age-group of adults?

(2) We need teachers and adults to move to Sunday night in order for this to be successful. That means adults and leaders who don't have to make a change in hours should still pray about becoming a missionary to our additional service. Don't just default to the same hour without first praying.

(3) Lead your group to catch the vision of what this might do for our church as we seek to focus outward. Encourage them and give them permission to leave your class to help be a part of something new.

The Rooftop Encounter Continues with Dennis Pethers

November 3, Morning and Evening Services

Take advantage of this opportunity to encourage your group and guests to be in attendance for Sunday morning and Sunday night worship and for your Connect Group time.

Bible Study Session Helps:

Below is the downloadable Word document for this weeks teaching helps.
Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

October 27 Teaching Helps

Download Directions:
Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.
 

October 20: The Power to Meet Needs

Announcements:

Important Information For Our January Changes

• Pray for our church as we begin to roll out more information about the changes beginning this Sunday.
• Connect Group teacher meetings will be on Sunday, October 20. I would like to meet with the 11:00 Connect Group teachers at 8:30 am and the 8:00 am Connect Group teachers at 11:00 am. Both meetings will take place in room 205. We will discuss the timeline, goals, and transitions for January.

The Rooftop Encounter Continues with Dennis Pethers

November 3, Morning and Evening Services

Take advantage of this opportunity to encourage your group and guests to be in attendance for Sunday morning and Sunday night worship and for your Connect Group time.

Bible Study Session Helps:

I have tweaked this weeks goal again. Our goal is to help adults understand that, when we provide food for hungry people, we often have and should use the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO REMEMBER:

As we teach, keep in mind the main theological focus is on Jesus –As the Son of God, His mission, purpose, and work. The study looks at the personal application in terms of feeding hungry people, but the main focus was on the work of Christ. Let’s keep a balanced theological approach as we learn how Jesus used the physical hunger of people to reveal His work and ways.

Below is the downloadable Word document for this weeks teaching helps.
Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

October 20 Teaching Helps

Download Directions:
Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.
 

October 13: The Power to Heal

Announcements:

Important Information For Our January Changes

• You will be receiving a snail mail letter from me this week with additional information regarding our January changes.
• I would like to meet with all Connect Group teachers individually and as a group over the next few weeks. Tammy will contact you regarding a time for us to meet one-on-one.
• Connect Group teacher meetings will be on Sunday, October 20. I would like to meet with the 11:00 Connect Group teachers at 8:30 am and the 8:00 am Connect Group teachers at 11:00 am. Both meetings will take place in room 205. We will discuss the timeline, goals, and transitions for January.
• If you desire one of the available staff members to meet with your group regarding changes be sure to let us know.

Dennis Pethers and the Rooftop Encounter 

November 3, Morning and Evening Services

Take advantage of this opportunity to encourage your group and guests to be in attendance for Sunday morning and Sunday night worships and your Connect Group time.

Bible Study Session Helps:

This series again reminds me of all that God desires to do as we look out over our rooftops at the opportunities God has placed before us as a church. Pray God will continue to use our study of John to soften our hearts and burden our souls for the salvation of those in our community.

About this weeks study: Changes in the target.
I have tweaked the TARGET, teaching point headings, and the Scripture passage references we are studying for each section in hopes of helping us remain focused on the main target of these passages. I feel we need to be careful with the target of the study this week so as not to take away from what the passage is primarily focused on – the Deity of Christ and His work. The content pushes strongly toward what we are to do to minister to people with physical needs, which is applicable, but it is not the primary focus of these passages. I have attempted to provide helps that will teach to both.

Below is the downloadable Word document for this weeks teaching helps.
Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

October 13 Teaching Helps

Download Directions:
Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.
 

 

October 6: The Power to Save

Announcements:

Invite a Pastor to talk with Your Group About our New Opportunities in January

We desire to help you explain our new opportunities for reaching new people that we are moving toward in January 2014.  If you want a staff member to talk with your group and answer questions we will be glad to schedule a time. You will have a card attached to your roll sheet this Sunday you can use to sign up for a date. David, Nick, and I are the available staff members who can come to your group. You may indicate which staff member you want to come as well.

Dennis Pethers and the Rooftop Encounter

November 3, Morning and Evening Services

Begin praying now for how God will use the continuation of Dennis' ministry with us as we learn to look out over our "rooftop" at the world God has brought to Murfreesboro! Take advantage of this opportunity to encourage your group and guests to be in attendance for Sunday morning and Sunday night. 

If you want to brush up on Dennis' message to the church you can listen to his sermon to us from May 19 of this year: http://www.northside-baptist.net/audio/sermons/2013_05_19_NorthsideBaptistChurch.mp3

I would love to see our Connect Groups full on Sunday morning, November 3

Bible Study Session:
Keep focusing your group on the work of Jesus in the lives of the people He encountered.

I can't emphasize enough how important this series of studies are as we move toward the visit by Dennis Pethers and our new opportunities to reach new people in a whole new way.

Here is a video by Dennis Pethers that you might want to consider sharing over the coming weeks during your Connect Group study: http://youtu.be/oAwVOnldS9I

Below is the downloadable Word document for this weeks teaching helps.
Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.
 
October 6 Teaching Helps

Download Directions:
Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.
 

September 29: The Power to Give Life

Personal Note:
Several events this week have been used by God to remind me of how valuable your ministry is to this church and the Kingdom. I have heard of teachers who have been "johnny-on-the-spot"  in responding to the ministry needs of their group. I know many of you are working tirelessly to lead and teach your group how to minister to the needs of one another. I am so grateful to lead such a great group of Bible study leaders. We are truly blessed as a church!

I am so glad we are "Learning Together: To Love God and Love People."

Announcements:

Our Meeting Last Tuesday Night.

Many of you were able to make it. If you weren't I will get with you soon to explain the details of where we are headed as a church. Please pray about how you will be involved in leading our adult Connect Groups to "Open the Living Word to Our World" in new ways with new opportunities so we can reach new people.  If you have questions or suggestions please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Remember to pray for our Fall Festival, Sunday, October 27, 2:00-5:00 pm.

Bible Study Session:
This weeks study is so timely. The entire quarter of study leading up to January corresponds so well with our mission as a church. We have such an opportunity to prepare our groups for where we are going while reinforcing who we are as a church that seeks to open, not only the written word, but the Living Word to our World.

With that said, I have added a lot of ways to help you communicate this in the study this week. Please take note of those teaching points and prayerfully consider incorporating them into your teaching plan.

Below is the downloadable Word document. 

Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

 

September 29 Teaching Helps

Download Directions:
Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

September 22: Salvation is Offered

Announcements

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:  Transform Event Canceled

Due to low participation by other churches LifeWay has decided to cancel this event. 

The bad news, we won't get to go. The good news, you get to spend time with family! Thanks to all of you who were interested in going. We will work to plan something else that will help stretch your teaching and leadership skills.

Fall Festival Connect Group Ministry Opportunities

Sunday, October 27, 2:00-5:00pm

Thanks for the great response to this. I know several classes are still discussing how to help. Be sure to let me or Cory know as soon as possible.

BIBLE STUDY SESSION
Below is the downloadable Word document. Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

 

September 22 Teaching Helps

Download Directions:
Click the above link. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

September 15: Authority Acknowledged

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Fall Festival Connect Group Ministry Opportunities

Sunday, October 27, 2:00-5:00pm

Don't forget to help us reach out to our neighbors. If you haven't let Cory know what type of booth you would like to sponsor please do so soon. I hope we will see every Connect Group involved in this very important ministry.

BIBLE STUDY SESSION
The delivery of teaching suggestions has changed. I am providing a downloadable Word document you can us. Hopefully this will expedite your preparation time. Feel free to copy, paste, delete, or edit any of the content.

September 15 Bible Study Helps
September 15 PowerPoint Slide


Download Directions:
Click on one of the above links. When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

As always, thanks so much for your ministry.

John

September 8: Jesus Identified

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fall Festival Connect Group Ministry Opportunities

Sunday, October 27, 2:00-5:00pm

A great opportunity to help us reach out to our neighbors. I would love to see every Connect Group help sponsor a booth. Check out the packet in your box this Sunday for more information.

Don't forget to let us know if you plan to attend.

Saturday, September 28

LifeWay, Downtown Nashville

Meet at NBC at 7am to carpool.

Conference ends at 2:45pm.

BIBLE STUDY SESSION
Important announcement. I have changed the way I will be delivering the teaching helps to you. A link to a Word file that you can download will now be provided with your weekly update of announcements and other helps. Hopefully this will help expedite our preparation time. Let me know what you think. Click the titles below to download.

September 8 Bible Study Helps
September 8 PowerPoint

When the file opens choose "Download" located in the upper right corner of the window:


Enjoy!

September 1: God Revealed

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Saturday, September 28 

Location Change: LifeWay Building, Downtown Nashville

This is our last training event for 2012 and it's FREE! We do need to know if you are going to attend so we can purchase a space for you. Please let us know whether you are or are not able to attend by returning the registration card you will find in your box this Sunday.



Take Note:

• Be sure to provide all participants, including guests, with a study guide. Emphasize the benefits of using it during the week to continue their study of John.
• Fall Festival is coming - Sunday, October 27. Mark your calendar and begin praying about how your group can help us as we reach out to our neighbors through this very important ministry.

BIBLE STUDY SESSION
Target: Focus on what adults should leave knowing, understanding and doing.

Your goal this week is to help adults specify ways to express gratitude for who Jesus is.

Suggested Resources:

• Personal Study Guides - Make sure all guests receive a Personal Study Guide or the Discovery Study Guide.
• If using the ETB packet, use posters as visuals to supplement the introduction: Map: Land of Jesus’ Ministry (Pack Item 1); Poster: John’s Gospel (Pack Item 2)
• MyStudyBible.com: Overview of John in HCSB Study Bible - http://msb.to/&x5sd668 
• Research on the meaning of "Word":  http://msb.to/&5EpGWS1 and QuickSource, page 9.
• Before the session: Send the following via text, email, or social media to your group: 
• "Why was Jesus called the Word? Let's begin the conversation this Sunday as we learn together how to love God and others. Check out more information about the gospel of John by following this link: http://msb.to/&x5sd668
• Write the following on the marker board: "Word"
• Activity Handout. I will have a copy of the attached handout in your box if you choose to go the direction of the suggested plan below. See attachment: https://www.dropbox.com/s/v60p36tepeqbjr4/John%201%20God%20Revealed%20Group%20Discussion.docx

LOOK UP: "Soft methods" to draw attention to the study as adults are arriving, visiting, and gathering.

• As adults enter, ask them to begin gathering with others and sharing with them any history they know about why their parents gave them the name they have.
• Once most adults enter, ask them to discuss any nicknames, if appropriate, they had growing up and to explain why they had those names.
• Ask for several to share.

Explain: 
Today we begin a new six month study of the Gospel of John. Sometime between A.D. 85-95, God directed John to write the Gospel of John. John was one of Jesus' most beloved apostles. He walked closely with Christ during the 3 years of His earthly ministry. John wrote the gospel while living in Ephesus, a Greek city and culture, but he grew up in a Jewish background and culture in the areas of Galilee and Judea. As he sought to tell the story of Jesus, he was faced with the problem of how best to talk about the Lord in a meaningful way for both Jews and Greeks so that they might embrace Christ as God's Son. God gave him the words to say that introduced both groups to Jesus Christ.

It is through this gospel that God reveals Himself to us through His Son. He teaches us that Jesus Christ is the Word of God, is God, and is the One who reveals God. John will guide us to understand Jesus' Deity, faith (noun and verb form appears more times in John's Gospel than in the other three Gospels combined), eternal life, and the twin themes of truth and light.

LOOK IN: Ideas for Unpacking the Text
Read John 1:1. Call attention to the marker board and the name, "Word". 

Explain: 
John’s Gospel is different in its approach from the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The prologue (John 1:1-18) of John focuses on the Deity of Christ and encourages us to show our appreciation for who Jesus is. John begins the gospel by giving a very unique name to Jesus: "Word" or logos. Remember there were two audiences: Jews and Greeks.

• Jews: Understand the concept of "logos" because of how it was used in the Old Testament. Creation came into being and is preserved by the word of God. "And God said" appears throughout Genesis 1. Through his words God makes Himself known - Hosea 1:2. His word also provides redemption - Isaiah 55:11.
• Greeks: Interpreted "word" as referring to ultimate intelligence and the controlling reason of the universe -- organizing principle of logic or reason ordering the universe. They believed in dualism. They believed that the gods were detached from the world. They were impersonal and not compassionate. 

John uses these two perspectives to bring about a new understanding, one that identifies Jesus Christ as the Word. He was not one of many Words, nor did He come to speak words on behalf of God. He was not referring to universal principle but an all-knowing, ever-present, all-powerful personality - God invaded planet earth in a unique way. The "Word" reveals a God who is passionately involved with His creation, not serenely detached. 

The "Word" permeates his entire explanation in John 1 and sets the stage for all He is going teach his audience about the Person of Christ.

Activity:
Divide the class into three work groups or use the following to guide a large group discussion of the text. Assign one of the following assignments to each group. Give the groups 15 minutes to read the Scripture and answer the questions. Encourage them to use their study guides and cross reference verses. Use the information provided below to supplement their reports.

Group One: HOW IS THE "WORD" GOD? (John 1:1-8)
Read John 1:1-8 and answer the following:

• What beginning is John referring to in verse 1? (before creation)
• How does verses 2-3 explain that Jesus was not a created being? (He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him. Apart from Him, not one thing was created.)
• Read Genesis 1:26. If God created everything yet "apart from Him (the Word) not one thing was created," what does this mean about God and Jesus? Explain how significant the word "Us" is in Genesis 1:26 as it relates to John's description of Jesus. (Jesus and God are one. They were both present at creation. Jesus didn't show up later after God created everything, etc.)
• How does the "Word" give life? (John used a Greek term for life (zoe, pronounced: ZOH ee) to refer to both physical and spiritual life. John took advantage of both usages throughout his Gospel. The theme of eternal life is one of the most important themes in John, paralleling the significance in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke on the theme of the Kingdom of God (Heaven). The term life occurs twice in this verse and more than 40 times throughout John’s Gospel. The reader is alerted to keep both the physical and the spiritual usages of the term life in mind when reading John’s Gospel. When John wrote in 1:4 that life was in Jesus, he meant physical life, tying the statement to the previous verse on creation. He also meant spiritual life, as the rest of John’s Gospel will spell out for us. The spiritual sense of life seems to be in view in the statement that life was the light of all humanity.)
• Why can't darkness overcome light? (When John spoke of the light shining in the darkness, he used the present tense, meaning the light “continually shines.” Jesus the Light is shining as brightly today as when John wrote in the first century. The term darkness portrays that in His incarnation, Jesus came into a sin-cursed world. Although darkness always tries, it cannot overcome the light. Spiritual darkness can’t comprehend the light; neither can it extinguish it.)
• How is the "Word" different from John the Baptist. (John briefly interrupted his presentation of Jesus to introduce John the Baptist. All the New Testament Gospels introduce Jesus’ ministry with a reference to the work and ministry of John the Baptist. By referring to John the Baptist as a man sent from God, the Gospel writer sought to show him due respect and to clarify his role as a witness to Jesus the Light. He was not God nor was he a god. He was a messenger. If Jesus was just a man who became God, then John the Baptist could have become God, too. John uses this contrast to emphasize that Jesus was fully divine --Deity wasn't something He became; He came because He was Deity.)

Group Two: HOW IS THE WORD LIGHT? (John 1:9-14)
Read John 1:9-14 and answer the following:

• What was the purpose of this true light coming into the realm of people? (The true light, Jesus, provides light to everyone (see 1:4). In this context, to give light refers to giving spiritual enlightenment. Jesus is uniquely qualified to open our eyes to the reality of God. Our minds are empowered through Him to see spiritual things, notably our sin and God’s love.) 
• How do these verses refute any notion that all will go to Heaven -- the doctrine of universal salvation? (The reference to everyone indicates the scope of God’s love, but sadly not to the scope of people’s acceptance of Jesus. God loves all people and sends Jesus to enlighten everyone, but not everyone believes in Jesus. Many people reject Him. For this reason, no doctrine of universal salvation can be found here. Everyone doesn't go to Heaven just because Jesus came.)
• How do verses 11 and 12 illustrate that Salvation was not just for the Jews but for all who believe? (To avoid the impression that everyone rejected Jesus, John quickly focused on those who accepted Him. The actions of receiving Jesus and believing in Jesus are virtually synonymous. To receive Jesus is to believe in His name and to welcome His revelation. By using a present tense participle, John referred to believing in Jesus as a continuing reality. Those who truly receive Jesus go on believing in His name.)
• Based on these verses, how would you describe what believing in Jesus means? (In John’s understanding, the concept of name was synonymous with character and being. To know someone’s name was to know who they were, what they stood for, and where they were from. To believe in Jesus’ name means to totally “buy into” what Jesus revealed in His ministry. True believers make a lifelong surrender to live according to God’s Word and under the direction of His Spirit. Such a relationship results in Jesus giving us the authority, or power, to be children of God. Only God can give us the right to be His children.)
• How does verse 13 refute the idea that there are many roads to God? (It is not a result of biological action. Being born as a child of Christian parents doesn’t automatically make the child a believer. Nor is salvation a matter of fulfilling natural human desires. Finally, salvation is not a matter of the human will. Only God can give salvation.)
• John wrote this 60-70 years after Jesus' resurrection. He was one of three apostles in Jesus' inner circle. Imagine being John as he penned verse 14. What images and feelings might surface as you wrote these words? How does this verse explain the "Word" as "Light"? (The impact of John’s statement in common language might be something like this: “the Word became a living, breathing Person, and He moved in next door to us.” The Living Word came near enough to view.) 

Group Three: HOW WAS/IS THE WORD REVEALED? (John 1:16-18)
After briefly mentioning John the Baptist’s witness to Jesus (1:15), John again focused on Jesus. Read John 1:16-18 and answer the following:

• How does grace reveal the "Word"? 
• Describe how we receive "grace after grace" because of the "Word." All Christians have received abundant grace. The Greek construction probably refers to a repeated pouring out of gracious acts one after the other, like the unending line of waves sweeping the seashore. These repeated acts of grace come because Jesus is full of grace.)
• What image would you use to illustrate how Christ gives grace to those who seek Him? (DSG, p15)
• Why did John now identify the "Word" as Jesus Christ? (He contrasts what the written word provides and reveals -- our sinfulness because we can't live by the law -- and what Jesus offers -- grace and truth. John sought to show respect for Moses as the one who delivered God’s law to His people, but the law was incomplete without the grace and truth that came through Jesus, the Agent of the new and better covenant - see Heb. 7:22.)
• Had Jesus not come and if we were still living under the Old Testament law, what would we know about God? How did Jesus' coming help us understand God more fully? (As God’s unique Son—being Deity Himself—Jesus alone reveals God the Father to us. Because the Son is in the closest relationship with the Father—being equal with God —Jesus is perfectly suited and immanently qualified to reveal (literally to “exegete, explain”) the Father to the world. Jesus is unique in so many ways, not the least of which is the fact He alone reveals God to us.

LOOK OUT: Hitting the Target and Applying it to Daily Living

Explain: 
For the apostle, the "Word" was a living Being and the Source of life, not a principle as the Jew and Greek might have thought. The "Word" was a person and not a personification. The "Word" was nothing less than God. The "Word" concept conveys the truth that Jesus existed before the creation events; He was "with God." (DSG, p95-96) The "Word" served as the Agent of creation. God, the ultimate Source of creation, created the world through His agent, the "Word," Jesus Christ.  Jesus was not a created being, He created beings! That "Word" became flesh. Without surrendering His essential divinity, the "Word" became a person and took up residence among humanity. God Himself was present in the flesh.

The Word, who always was, who always was equal with God, even God Himself, came into being as flesh. He became what He had never been. God became Jesus of Nazareth! He is fully human, yet fully divine. He reconciles humanity and God in His Person, providing redemption for a lost world. (DSG, pp95-96)

Use any or all of the following questions to conclude the study:

• Why would/should God reveal Himself to you? What does you answer reveal about how you feel about yourself and Christ? (DSG, p15)
• How can you express your appreciation for Jesus in your relationships with other people? (DSG, p15)
• What are ways you can carry on Jesus' task of revealing the Father to this world? (DSG, p16)
• How would you explain Jesus as God to someone?