- New Connect Group Beginning - June 22. Pray for Bitsy Rawlings as she begins a new ladies' class on Sunday night at 6:30. Bitsy has a passion for reaching ladies who have experienced a life-changing circumstance or are simply searching for a group of ladies who will pray for and encourage them in their spiritual growth.
- Don't forget Midweek on Mission Opportunities. Encourage your group to get involved. Check out the the opportunities at the following link: Midweek on Missions.
Hold Thursday Evening, August 21 On Your Calendar
EQUIPPING U Connect Group Training
More Details Coming Soon!
BIBLE STUDY HELPS
We live in a culture
that loves to blame others, to offer excuses, or to accuse God of
cruelty when we are confronted with the reality of personal sin. Explore
the Bible: When You Want to Blame Others, pursues a great discussion on
this very issue this week. As I studied these passages I was reminded
and convicted of the fact that I can't blame anyone for my own sin;
therefore, I must unequivocally take full responsibility for any and all
personal sin. I can't come to God with a "but" or "because" clause
attached to my confession of sin.
As
Christians we know that repentance means that we turn away from
something (sin) toward someone (Christ and Christ alone). But do we
really believe that true repentance cannot take place without taking
full and absolute responsibility for personal sin? Or, have we been
conditioned by our society to feel as if there is always someone or
something else we can at least partially blame for our sin choices, thus
somehow exonerating ourselves of sole responsibility for our own sin?
That will be the question posed and discussed as we continue our study
of Ezekiel.
I have provided a completely different approach this week including the TARGET and
teaching plan flow. I first focused on the excuses, then on God's
message about excuses, judgment, and forgiveness. This study provides a
great opportunity to offer those who don't know Christ the opportunity
to consider a commitment to Him.
Let's celebrate the fact that, when we change direction (repent) God changes us!
TARGET
Your goal is to help adults identify places in which they aren’t taking personal responsibility for sin and to respond to God, through repentance, understanding that forgiveness is available from Him.
LOOK IN
Excuses
Excuse #1: It was my parent's fault (Ezekiel 18:1-4)
Excuse #2: It's not fair; You are a cruel God (Ezekiel 18:25-27)
God's Promise
Ezekiel 18:21-23
LOOK OUT
God's Loving Appeal
Ezekiel 18:30-32
