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2011-2012 Message Series
What If We Actually Did Everything Jesus Commanded Us?
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Life for many of us today is fragmented, frantic, and confused. A thousand voices shout to us that it will get better by buying this product, tuning in to this channel, adopting this strategy or that solution. Even within the church we are deluged by advertisements, special events, and programs. Was it always like this? Is there a simpler, saner, healthier approach to life? Does anyone know this way?
Long ago, a band of very ordinary people were attracted to Jesus because embodied a way of living that was clearly better than the way they had. Jesus called this Way “the kingdom of heaven.” To those who followed, he taught a set of instructions for walking into it. He commissioned them to invite others into this life and to teach them everything he had commanded.
In the years ahead, thousands of people were drawn to Christ’s Way. Those who followed it saw lives and cultures dramatically transformed. And then the Way became obscured. It got layered over by add-ons, side-bars, and centuries of distortions and distractions. Christianity became about being slightly nicer, superficially holier, more correct than others.
Still, however, the ancient Way is there to be found. The truth of Jesus still transforms. The path into the kingdom of God is not easy; but it is so simple that even children can walk it. The commandments that Jesus gave his followers are the stepping stones into this Life. During 2011-12, we are going to learn or rediscover them together. Come, walk this Way.
OUTLINE OF TOPICS COVERED:
THE WAY OF LIFE
Click here for Sept/Oct FAITH AT HOME STUDY GUIDES for The Way of Life
Click here for Nov FAITH AT HOME STUDY GUIDES for The Way of Life
Click here for Jan FAITH AT HOME STUDY GUIDES for The Way of Grace
Click here for Feb FAITH AT HOME STUDY GUIDES for The Way of Love
Click here for Mar FAITH AT HOME STUDY GUIDE for The Way of Love
Click here for Apr STEPS AT HOME STUDY GUIDES
Click here for May STEPS AT HOME STUDY GUIDES
Sep 11........ EVERYTHING CHANGED: Obey everything I have commanded
STUDY GUIDE
Sep 18........ THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: Be born again
STUDY GUIDE
Sep 25........ TURN HERE: Repent
STUDY GUIDE
Oct 02........ YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED: Come to me
STUDY GUIDE
Oct 09........ WHEELBARROWS IN THE WIND: Believe in me
STUDY GUIDE
Oct 15/16.... YODA’S GIFT: Listen to me
STUDY GUIDE
Oct 22/23.... THE SOURCE: Remain in me
STUDY GUIDE
Oct 29/30.... THE BIGGEST LOSER: Take up your cross and follow me
STUDY GUIDE
THE WAY OF FAITH
Nov 05/06... DARING FAITH: Have radical faith in God
STUDY GUIDE
Nov 12/13... PASSIONATE PRAYER: Pray and don’t lose heart
STUDY GUIDE
Nov 19/20... GOD IS MY ACCOUNTANT: Pursue heavenly treasure
STUDY GUIDE
Nov 24....... NO WORRIES: Trust God’s provision
NO GUIDE FOR HOLIDAY
Dec 31/Jan 1 I’LL BE BACK: Be ready for my return
NO GUIDE FOR HOLIDAY
THE WAY OF GRACE
Jan 07/08.... LIVING LAVISHLY: Be very merciful and forgiving
STUDY GUIDE
Jan 14/15.... PEACEMAKERS: Work hard at reconciliation
STUDY GUIDE
Jan 28/29.... UNNECESSARY ENEMIES: Look for allies not enemies
NO GUIDE FOR GUEST SPEAKER
THE WAY OF LOVE
Jan 21/22.... Jesus Believes It Is Possible
STUDY GUIDE
Feb 04/05.... Love God with all your heart
STUDY GUIDE
Feb 11/12.... Love God with all your soul
STUDY GUIDE
Feb 18/19.... Love God with all your mind
STUDY GUIDE
Feb 25/26.... Love God with all your strength
STUDY GUIDE
Mar 03/04.... YOU AND I: Love your neighbor as yourself
STUDY GUIDE
Mar 10/11.... TILL DEATH DO US PART: Love your spouse
STUDY GUIDE
Mar 17/18.... THE GREAT OMISSION: Love the least
STUDY GUIDE
Mar 24/25.... I WISH YOU HADN’T SAID THAT: Love your enemies
STUDY GUIDE
Mar 31/Apr 1 PALM SUNDAY PAGEANT
NO GUIDE FOR SPECIAL SERVICE
Apr 05........ THE FINAL SACRAMENT: Love others as God loves you
Apr 06........ NEVER FORGET: Remember me
Apr 07/08.... EASTER
NO GUIDE FOR HOLIDAY
THE WAY OF JOY
Apr 14/15.... 1-OUT-OF-10: Praise God
STUDY GUIDE
Apr 21/22.... FULLY DEVOTED: Worship God in spirit and truth
STUDY GUIDE
Apr 28/29.... IT’S WORTH IT: Strive for the kingdom
STUDY GUIDE
May 05/06... INTO ALL THE WORLD: Preach the good news
NO STUDY GUIDE - GUEST SPEAKER
May 12/13... WHO’S WATCHING THE KIDS: Cherish children
STUDY GUIDE
THE WAY OF TRUTH
May 19/20... TRUE: Practice simple integrity
May 26/27... THIS IS SACRED: Be careful about what you give away
Jun 02/03.... KEEPING IT REAL: Be an authentic disciple
Jun 09/10.... PAPARAZZI PEOPLE: Live to please God not others
Jun 16/17.... TRIGGERS: Get rid of what causes you to sin
THE WAY OF INFLUENCE
Jun 23/24.... THE USEFUL LIFE: Be a blessing out there
Jun 30/Jul 1... CHRIST & CAESAR: Give God and government their due
Jul 07/08..... HUMBLING UP: Be a servant
Jul 14/15..... EVERYONE & EVERYWHERE: Go and make disciples of all nation