Memorize Romans 12:10-11.  Choose to zealously, fervently, devotedly, honor your TCC family one of the following contexts: Give a young mom time to run errands by herself by taking care of her children. Ask Pastors Kevin or Lanier who a lonely teen is who needs some special attention. Drive a cancer patient to her treatments. Cut limbs, clean out the gutters, or fix something for one of TCC’s elderly or widows. Call Michelle (Noah’s Landing) or Laura (PromiseLand) and sign up to help with the children’s ministry. Ask Pastor Doug who you can visit in the hospital or at home. Call George and ask which service teams most need help.  Join one. When you hear of a husband who travels extensively, call his wife and tell her that you’re bringing dinner. Pray each day for God to bless a … Read entire article »

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11 What does v. 7 say is near.  What does that mean?  Why should that mobilize you to action? What personal qualities should you have as a result (v. 7b)?  What should you do as a result (v. 7c)? Do you? What words do v. 8a use to show the importance of love?  According to v. 8b, what does love do? Who at TCC has sinned against you?  Write down three ways you can “love them deeply”. Do them. According to v. 9a, what are we to offer?  With what attitude are we to offer it (v. 9b)?  Why do you think it says that? Do it. V. 10 says that we are to use the gifts God has given us, and then v. 11 divides God’s gifts into two broad categories.What are they?  Which category … Read entire article »

Read Romans 12:10-11 Whom does v. 11b say that we serve? Of what do v. 10-11a say that  our service to the Lord consists?   Who are the beneficiaries of our service to God? Explain how “devotion”, “honor”, “zeal” and “fervor” directed toward believers actually is service to God? How does Colossians 3:22-24 reveal this same truth?  (Note: “Employees” are the 21st century equivalent of “slaves” in v. 22.) Do you find it easier to serve your boss or your church family?  Why? How can you witness to Christ by serving your boss this week? How can you zealously, fervently, devotedly, honor your church family at TCC this week?   … Read entire article »

Read 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 Do you ever feel inadequate or incompetent to serve your church family (for example, helping at AWANA or youth group)? Why do you think we feel inadequate or incompetent to serve others?  Have you ever said, “Oh, I couldn’t do that!”? When we do feel inadequate or incompetent, upon whom does it indicate we are relying? How much competence did Paul claim as coming from himself? Who makes us competent to serve others?  How competent does he make us? What service opportunity could you trust God and accept this week? … Read entire article »

Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17. Do you ever feel like Paul (v. 13)? According to v. 14, how did God’s grace compare to Paul’s sinfulness? According to v. 12, what response did Paul have to God’s mercy?  What response did God have to Paul’s faithfulness? If somebody said, “I’m about to tell you something you can trust; what I’m about to say should be fully accepted.”, what sort of message would you expect him then to deliver to you?  What message did Paul deliver in v. 15b? How do you think that relates to Paul’s faithful service (v. 12)? Do you ever feel like Paul’s sentiments about himself in v. 13-16 describe you as well? According to v. 17, what was Paul’s response to God’s patience and mercy? Take a moment to worship your King. … Read entire article »

How would you respond asked to fill in this blank: “Jesus is ______.”  Would you say, “the Son of God”? “the bread of life”?  “the light of the world”?  “the true vine”?  “the Alpha and the Omega”?  I’d be inclined to say, “a servant” (see Mark 10:45).  Jesus did not come to be served or to grab the spotlight.  The world is full of people pursuing prestige and power; authority figures are everywhere.  In Jesus’ day there were Caesars and Herods imposing their political will and the Pharisees and Saduccees using religion as a lever to control others.  But true servants, who gave of themselves without concern for who gets the glory, always are hard to find. Serving doesn’t come naturally.  Living an unselfish life is a whole lot easier to … Read entire article »

In Matthew 12:33, Jesus said:  “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit.” As we become more sanctified, what fruit will we see replacing our thorns? Galatians 5:22-23   Ephesians 4:25-32 and 5:8-10   2 Peter 1:5-8   What godly beliefs and behaviors—in contrast to your previous “thorns”—flow from a “fruitful” heart? What mus you now “put on” (Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3:12-17)? … Read entire article »

As we grow in our sanctification, our heart will care more about God’s kingdom than our own. What does the sanctified heart care about? 2 Corinthians 5:9   1 Corinthians 10:31   2 Corinthians 5:15   What would a heart be attached to if it truly believed what the Bible teaches about God’s love, forgiveness, mercy, and power? What godly “wants” and “needs” will contrast with the “thorn-tree heart”? Do you truly want a Christ-centered heart? … Read entire article »

  The gospel gives us confidence in our positional sanctification, power for our progressive sanctification, and hope for our ultimate sanctification! What gospel truths are important in helping us grow more Christlike? Consider these, and add others that are important to you: Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15-16   Philippians 1:6 and 4:13   1 Peter 2:21-25   2 Corinthians 5:15   1  John 2:1   What truths about God’s character and his salvation/redemption relate to the “heat” and “thorns” of your life? How do God’s power, wisdom, love, and grace relate? When did Christ experience similar “heat”?  How did he respond?  Can he sympathize with you? How should these truths lead to “repentance” and “reconciliation”? … Read entire article »

  God wants to sanctify us at a heart level, not just in our external behavior. What do these verses teach about the heart and its natural tendencies? 1 Samuel 16:7   Jeremiah 17:9   Proverbs 4:23   James 1:14-15   Think now about a difficult situation in your life (“heat”) to whcih you responded in a fleshly, ungodly way (“thorns”). … Read entire article »