Daily Discipleship Guide for 28-JAN-2010

Romans 8:28-30:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

Write verse 28 in your own words.

How would you explain verse 28 to someone?

Read verses 29-30 once again. How would you define the term “predestined”? (Seek commentary help.)

Read these verses from different versions. Call me (MG) if you get stuck.

Are we not all predestined – predetermined – to be part of God’s family?

Do we have a choice to reject our adoption?

According to Paul, what does God do in verses 29-30?

Who did God fore know?

What we were to be predestined to do?

What does it mean to be called?

What does it mean to be justified?

What does it mean to be glorified?

Please close with the following prayer: Renew your church, Lord, your people in this land. Save us from cheap words and self-deception in your service. In the power of your Spirit, transform us and shape us by your cross. Amen.

Commercial Free Confinement/PRISON MINISTRY NEEDS HELP

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Timothy Dempsey <tdempsey@reconx.org>
Date: Wed, Jan 27, 2010 at 10:31 PM
Subject: Commercial Free Confinement
To: aflynn@signalcrestumc.org


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Chattanooga Endeavors Inc.

 
Dear Annette  

Some prisoners' only contact with the outside world -- to keep them from sinking completely into the convict culture -- is what's on the small screen.

Twenty-three and one!  That's what prisoners say when they're serving time in high security blocks...meaning they're left to a cell for 23 hours a day with one hour out for recreation.  They have no institutional assignments.  Their movement is closely controlled.  Their interaction with  other inmates is seriously limited.  And their visitations (if they have visitors) is badly restricted.  They have nothing if not idle time.
 
Every once in a while Warden Ricky Bell at Riverbend Maximum Security Prison in Nashville relaxes package restrictions, allowing Chaplain Jerry Welborn to purchase television sets for model prisoners whose friends and families are too poor to help.  For many prisoners, the small screen is a lifeline, keeping their minds active and helping to softening the landing in society after long periods of incarceration. 
 
Ronnie Rogers, for one, credits mainstream media for keeping him plugged-in and minimizing the shock of returning home after 43 years behind bars.  (More on Ronnie Rogers.)
 
Please join me in helpping Chaplain Welborn purchase televisions sets for 30 model prisoners by making a designated gift to Chattanooga Endeavors.  Each set costs $150 and must be purchased by the Department of Corrections from their vendor.  Time is limited so please donate today.  Every penny raised will go directly to Chaplain Welborn for this very worthwhile project.
 
 
To make an online donation, please Click Here!
Thank you very much for your support of our mission at Chattanooga Endeavors and for seriously considering this special request.

Timothy Dempsey
Chattanooga Endeavors, Inc.

Chattanooga Electric Bikes

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(423) 266-1888 | Chattanooga Endeavors, Inc. | POB 3351 | Chattanooga | TN | 37404

Children's Health Kits for Haiti

The Signal Crest children will continue collecting Health Kits for Haiti this Sunday January 31st.
Infants, toddlers and 2 year olds: $1.00 to go toward purchase of toothpaste*
3-year-old class (Ms. Julia)-* 1 hand towel (15"x25" up to 17"x27"- no kitchen towels)*
4-year-old class (Ms. Julie)-* 1 washcloth*
Kindergarten-* 1 comb- large and sturdy, not pocket size*
1st grade-* 1 nail file or fingernail clippers- no emery boards or toenail clippers*
2nd/3rd grade-* 1 bath size bar of soap (3oz and up)*
4th grade-* 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child size brushes)*
5th grade-* 12 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

Scripture for 26-JAN-2010: Romans 8:18-25

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

What were the sufferings of the present time for Paul? (You may need commentary help here.) Hint: Paul was stoned – beaten within an inch of life – shipwrecked.

What is the glory ahead to be revealed? (See verses 19-21.)

What do verses 22-23 mean to you?

How does Paul describe hope?

What was Paul hoping for?

How would you describe the Kingdom of Heaven?

How does that firm hope in Heaven help us live life in the present?

Please close by writing a prayer of thanks for Heaven.

Daily Discipleship Guide for 25-JAN-2010

Monday, January 25

*This week we will be focusing primarily on Romans 8.

Read Romans 8:1-11 below. Paul is talking about life in the spirit:

Life Through the Spirit

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man,

4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Questions:

  1. Who is there no condemnation for?
  2. What has set us free? Explain.
  3. What did God do for us?
  4. What do people who live according to the Spirit do?
  5. What do verses 6-8 mean to you?
  6. What does Paul say in verses 9-11?
  7. How do verses 9-11 help you face the challenges of life?

Please close by reading or singing the first verse of the hymn, “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!

Scripture for 24-JAN-2010: Romans 8:12-17

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Volunteers Needed for Homeless Gala Event 02-04-10

The 2010 Annual Gala for Homeless Families is a cooperative effort between local churches, businesses, government, and social service agencies to provide an event that will extend compassion homeless families in Chattanooga and create awareness of the tremendous number of families in our community that are in need of our love and support.

This year's event is Thursday February 4th from 6:30 - 8:30 at First Centenary United Methodist Church.
The following volunteers are needed:
Adult child care workers for children birth to 3 years
Adults and youth (13 and older) for general supervision for children ages 4 - 12
Adults and youth (13 and older) to supervise and staff children's activity areas
People to help with registration, set up, clean up, and general help

If you can help on February 4, 2010 from 5:30 until about 9 pm, please contact Rev. Annette Flynn at 886-2330 or aflynn@signalcrestumc.org.

Please forward this request to anyone that you think might be willing to help out!

Thank you,

Annette Flynn