6-21-2015
"Being Steadfast in days of Distraction"
1 Peter 2

BEING STEADFAST IN DAYS OF DISTRACTION 1 PETER 2 I.  Living God’s Ways in Difficult ________…1 Peter A.  God’s Ways- Holiness:  To be __________ in Days of Distraction… B.  What are days of distraction? C.  Why are distractions bad? II.  GOD’S GOAL FOR BELIEVERS: A.  a ___________ house made of “living stones”/ A Royal Priesthood:   B.  The spiritual house will be a living, God-honoring, holy union of thousands of ________ stones- all joined together. III.  DISTRACTIONS LISTED IN 1 PETER A.  The rock that makes men ______________ (vss 4-10) B.  Sinful desires that war against your soul (v. 11-12)  C.  The distractions include: “RULERS AND _____________” IV.  HOW DO WE REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR FAITH IN DAYS OF DISTRACTION? A.  _______ in the “_________ cornerstone”  B.  Learn to say no to yourself (____________)  C.  Cooperate and submit to authorities  D.  Be willing to __________- like Christ did  V.  DO YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH DISTRACTIONS?            A.  God desires that believers will __________ their resolute faith in Christ even in very difficult times-  B.  For it is _______________  if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God…if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is _______________  before God.  To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example…(2. 19-21)

6-7-2015
"Being Holy in Days of Wickedness"
1 Peter 1. 13 - 2. 3

BEING HOLY IN DAYS OF WICKEDNESS 1 PETER 1. 13-2.3 I.  WE EXPECT _______ FROM OTHERS, AND AVERAGE FROM OURSELVES! II.  PETER WRITES TO ______________:  THEREFORE A.  Because of having been Chosen by God & having Living ______thru Jesus, there should be a change in your behavior. B.  The Goal= CHANGE OF __________, CHANGE OF DIRECTION FOR LIFE III.  _______/ REVERENCE/RESPECT  A.  Not only fear, but reverence (respect)- B.  more than fear, also a _________  to please and to honor.   IV.  SINCERE and DEEP _________ A.  Real Christians – will have the same kind of sincere & deep love that Jesus did.  B.  We may not be as good at it, and we will fail at times, but many times we will _____   ____    ______.   V.  GET _____ OF: Malice, Deceit, Hypocrisy, Envy,  Slander VI.  GO AFTER- GOD’S _______ & SPIRITUAL GROWTH  A.  Crave pure spiritual milk B.  _______  ______ in your salvation * Improve- “grow up” * Get better.   VII.  THEREFORE- A.   If you know you’re chosen by God, and have that “living hope” within you- B.  Then ___________ should be your desire.

5-31-2015
"Being Positive in Days of Discouragement"
1 Peter 1. 1-12

BEING POSITIVE IN DAYS OF DISCOURAGEMENT 1 PETER 1. 1-12  (Living God’s Ways In Difficult Days) I.  ____________ DAYS: A.  Are these days more difficult than days of past?   B.  Living ______  ways in difficult days isn’t easy to do… C.  1 Peter written to “aliens” or strangers                                      i.  Displaced people (Diaspora)                                      ii.  God uses ________ things (broken people) D.  1 Peter Chapter 1- encourages us to be _______ in our times of discouragement                                      i.  How can we be positive ?  Why should we be              hopeful?                                      ii.  This passage gives several keys II.  WHY BE POSITIVE IN DAYS OF DISCOURAGEMENT? A.  You have been _________ - “elect” B.  ________ & peace are available in abundance III.  HOW TO BE POSITIVE IN DAYS OF  DISCOURAGEMENT A.  Praise God for living _______ (vss. 3-5)                                      i.  Wonderful expectation- something to look              forward to (living hope)                                      ii.  Matchless inheritance- can never be lost,              stolen, destroyed B.  Rejoice in your ________ (vss. 6-9)                                      i.  V-6 uses words rejoice…suffer…trials… in same sentence                                      ii.  Some things to remember about your trials 1.  They are temporary – “This too shall ______” 2.  Often they are for our own good                                      iii.  The trials & suffering have a positive result 1.  Your faith is being proved as __________ 2.  Your faith will result in  praise, glory, and honor to God 3.  You are showing your _____ for Christ- even though you have never seen Him  C.  LOOK FORWARD TO A BETTER [___________] DAY (vss. 10-12)                                      i.  The prophets of old looked forward to what God was going to do                                      ii.  They came to learn that they prophesied for another time & generation                                      iii.  We still have prophecies that are awaiting fulfillment-                                      iv.  A _________ DAY is coming!

5-24-2015
"Parenting 101(b) - The Whats and Hows of Training Children"
Proverbs 22.6 

Parenting 101(b)- The What’s and How’s of Training Children—Prov. 22. 6 I.  The __________ of Children A.  Children are _____ valued in some cultures B.  Children are VALUABLE TO GOD II.  Parenting- a __________ Job A.  “Isn’t for ___________” B.  Doesn’t always turn out ideal  C.  Important that you ______  ______  ____ III.  The What of Parenting-  ________ to Pass On? A.  Information- spiritual information & everyday information: B.  ______________ C.  Values: IV.  How to Train Up a Child? Prov. 22. 6 A.  Start _______ B.  Use the rod/discipline  C.  ______________ D.  Develop Your Support System- E.  There are some wonderful ____________ F.  Prayer V.  Don’t Give Up

5-15-2015
Guest Speaker - Mr. Scott Butler
"God's Unanswered Prayers?"
Matthew 7. 7-12

5-10-2015
"Parenting 101 - The Many Responsibilities of Being a Parent"
Deuteronomy 4. 9-10

Parenting 101- The Many Responsibilities of Being a Parent Deuteronomy 4. 9-10 (The roles of parents as they lead their children to be Christ-honoring) I.  TEACH (Deut. 4. 9-10) A.  __________ things need to be taught B.  Christian and Spiritual ________ must be taught II.  _________/NURTURE (Proverbs 22.6, Ephesians 6.4) A.  Values are often passed on by nurturing:  Things like :  · Honor, reverence, submission to higher authority  · How to love and show respect, the importance of worshiping  B.  Training involves regular ________ and activity together C.  Training/nurturing our children involves repetition.   D.  ___________- required to train & nurture- your children will watch you. III.  _____________ FOR (1 Timothy 5.8; Luke 10.40) A.  Parents provide for their children in lots of ways: financially, _____________ B.  Sometimes since this seems the most outward and most obvious this can become that which always gets highest priority IV.  DISCIPLINE  (Hebrews 12. 7-11; Proverbs 13.24) A.  Discipline involves some _________ and some pain on part of parent(s) B.  There may be times you will need to _______ about how to discipline C.  Times when you will need to consult w/ another person  or resource  D.  Discipline- one of parents’ toughest jobs.  V.  LOVE  (Luke 15. 20-22) A.  It is the parent’s job to love their children – no _________ what! B.  Sometimes you need to love them enough to provide boundaries, and to teach them how to set their own. C.  Sometimes you will need to love them enough to teach them to be __________, or to “see it through” D.  Love ___________ VI.  _________ FOR A.  You cannot do all of these things yourself B.  You need _______________ guidance C.  Your children will be tempted and tested and harassed D.  God __________ prayers

5/3/2015
"Who's the Boss?  Who Wants to Be?"
Ephesians 5. 21- 6.4

Who’s the Boss?  Who Wants to Be? Ephesians 5. 21 – 6. 4 I.  Ephesians 5. 21 – 6. 4 A.  The main point- ____________  for a greater purpose  B.  Paul’s point is not who’s the boss, or who isn’t the boss…but rather _____ are we headed as a family, and how can we help each other get there?  II.  Our Secular World Does Not Have the Same _____ as Those Who Follow Christ. A.  Several scripture passages reveal different goals 1.  Ecclesiastes 9: 9-      2.  I Peter 3. 1-8; “in the same ______ ” B.  In 1 Peter & Ephesians- the goal is not power- THE POINT IS _________!  C.  All of these things become more difficult when members of the family are not ______________. III.  Paul’s Admonition Is about ______________ Christ A.  The Question for you and your family is WHAT IS YOUR GOAL?  Power, Enjoyment, Things...or honoring Christ?   B.  And the family that is determined to honor Him, and move ever closer to Him will be a solid family. C.  This passage should encourage ____________  to step up and be the leader God has called you to be D.  Wives- submission doesn’t mean that you keep quiet when there’s a big mistake looming ahead E.  On the other hand, one of the things men need most from their wives is ________. “…and the wife must respect her husband.” (v. 33b)  F.  This Christ oriented goal: also applies to parents & their children- not just to husbands and wives. IV.  What are the__________ of Mutual Submission Out of Reverence For Christ?  A.  Mutual Submission contributes to a __________ family   B.  They will be more willing to step up and lead in those areas where they should. C.  Unified Family going in same direction creates a __________ foundation D.  Prayers answered­ – 1 Peter E.  People may be won to faith in Christ without a word F.  Other qualities : honor, appreciation, aluves- right and wrong, the importance of giving &  _______________ .