Leading Our Kids to Love God

Joe Botti

2 Timothy 3:14-15

In our culture today, kids are leaving their Christian lives behind in huge numbers as they grow up into adulthood. And it is certainly no easy task to help our children develop a love for the Lord! This workshop first discusses our role in this area and the correlation between our relationship and influence with our kids. Our own modeling of sincere faith and time spent relationally investing in our children are imperative. Next, the class addresses the need to withstand cultural pressures and provides some age specific ideas for how to engage our kids spiritually and relationally. \r\n

Reaching Internationals in Our Cities

Rich Mendola

2 Timothy 3:14-15

Reaching internationals around us is not only a call from God but also strategic for expanding God's kingdom. God calls us to love and be hospitable to strangers, going out of our comfort zone to offer friendship and assist with practical needs. Investing in internationals in our own cities is a wise investment because they can go back to their countries to share God's message with others, saving thousands of dollars for what a missionary would cost. Even internationals that decide to stay in our cities have a large influence with people in their home countries too. This presentation ends with some practical ways we can get involved with and help internationals in our cities.

Incorporating New Christians into Community

John Cleary

Colossians 2:6-7

New Christians need to be incorporated, not into a meeting once or twice a week, but into a rich and thriving community. We have a large role in this task, not just to bring people into the community but also to grow in our own understanding and appreciation of the Gospel. We also must fight to make this incorporation personal and out of love, sacrificing our schedules and comfort zones to go out and serve them. We should be encouraging their own personal growth, in service, and especially in the Word. And finally, we should help them recognize the obstacles that oppose their incorporation into the Body of Christ.

Lessons from the book of Job

Lee Campbell

James 1:19-20

Three of Job's friends heard of Job's suffering and went to him to offer love and support. They entered into Job's suffering and counted the cost to be there for him and bear his burdens. As they tried to sympathize with Job they had some successes and some failures. We can learn some practical lessons from their story on what to do when someone in our life suffers great loss.

Incorporating New Christians into Community

John Cleary

James 1:19-20

There are several areas we must prioritize in under to incorporate new Christians into community. First, we must prioritize our own growth in the Gospel, ensuring that people are coming into a growing community. We must also ensure we are emphasizing our relationship with the person over the meeting. Often, we need to bring the community to the person, instead of expecting the person to come to the community. We must understand Satan's attempts to harm, and tackle the barriers to believers getting involved in fellowship, while also ensuring they are exposed to the Word, increasing their own personal learning. Finally, we must remember that we are assisting God in incorporating his people, and He has already designed them to uniquely fit into the body of Christ. \r\n

Personal Freedom and the Law of Love

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 2:16-17

Paul has detailed multiple places in scripture what it looks like to live out your freedom in Christ under grace. The driving principle is the law of love. To figure out His will for your life in gray areas it is important to depend on His guidance and sacrificial love.

Forgiveness

Dennis McCallum

Galatians 6:1

Forgiveness is at the center of God's Will and brings wisdom in conflict. Once forgiveness in conflict is extended, people can move towards reconciliation. Being able to reproof if necessary, negotiate, and continue to leave room for God's transforming work is central to the Christian life.

Resolving Conflict

Scott Risley

Romans 13

Part of Biblical love relationships is resolving conflict in an God-honoring way. While we may naturally be tempted to flee conflict, be overly aggressive, or pursue legal action, a Biblical response to conflict is one of humility that doesn't avoid, but rather seeks to restore the relationship in a way that honors God and is loving toward the other person.

Love One Another

Scott Risley

Romans 13:8

Paul exhorts the church to love one another. The Bible's definition of love is a giving of oneself in every area for the good of another; it is forgiving, sacrificial and emotional. There are different levels of relationships--casual, close and intimate--and in each kind we should consider how to initiate Biblical love.