December 2007 Inductive Bible Study
Sundays Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 23
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Fellowship
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Inductive Bible study discussion
Starbucks north Montebello- 800 W. Beverly Blvd. 90640
Bring:
1) Your own Bible (we’re using the NIV, but others like NKJV, NASB, and Amplified may enliven the discussion).
2) Money to cover your own beverage, and a good tip for the barristas. (Since The Orchard is not receiving an offering yet, you could consider this money for your own beverage as a part of your tithe or offering, to cover the expense of using the facility we are meeting in on Sunday- in this case, Starbucks. But please note this is not a lunch or dinner. During the Bible study time, drinks only please, while we feed on the Word of God without distraction).
We are gathering as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We will read a Bible passage, and discuss what it says, what it means, and how it applies in our own lives today, as Christians who want to live for Jesus.
We are not looking for perfect people, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” However, we assume that you already know the answers to the following questions: Should I go to church on Sunday? Did God create the universe out of nothing? Is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God? Is the Bible without error? Is Jesus the only person in all history who lived a sinless life? Should I obey the teachings of the Bible by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me?
The answer to all the above questions is YES. If you disagree, God still cares about you, and we care about you too! That is why we held a weekly Bible study for seekers in our home, from September 2005 until August 2007, without ever receiving an offering. If you are struggling with these questions, but you are seriously seeking Jesus, please e-mail us! We would be happy to talk with you, and perhaps meet you, at another time. Also, we can recommend numerous books, and other media.
The Great Commission is not just to “get decisions for Christ”, although He is the only way to be saved. The Great Commission is to “make disciples” in the context of relationships.
Note:
We continue to meet every week for Prayer & Praise.
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. Fellowship
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Inductive Bible study discussion
Starbucks north Montebello- 800 W. Beverly Blvd. 90640
Bring:
1) Your own Bible (we’re using the NIV, but others like NKJV, NASB, and Amplified may enliven the discussion).
2) Money to cover your own beverage, and a good tip for the barristas. (Since The Orchard is not receiving an offering yet, you could consider this money for your own beverage as a part of your tithe or offering, to cover the expense of using the facility we are meeting in on Sunday- in this case, Starbucks. But please note this is not a lunch or dinner. During the Bible study time, drinks only please, while we feed on the Word of God without distraction).
We are gathering as a fellowship of believers in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We will read a Bible passage, and discuss what it says, what it means, and how it applies in our own lives today, as Christians who want to live for Jesus.
We are not looking for perfect people, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” However, we assume that you already know the answers to the following questions: Should I go to church on Sunday? Did God create the universe out of nothing? Is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God? Is the Bible without error? Is Jesus the only person in all history who lived a sinless life? Should I obey the teachings of the Bible by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me?
The answer to all the above questions is YES. If you disagree, God still cares about you, and we care about you too! That is why we held a weekly Bible study for seekers in our home, from September 2005 until August 2007, without ever receiving an offering. If you are struggling with these questions, but you are seriously seeking Jesus, please e-mail us! We would be happy to talk with you, and perhaps meet you, at another time. Also, we can recommend numerous books, and other media.
The Great Commission is not just to “get decisions for Christ”, although He is the only way to be saved. The Great Commission is to “make disciples” in the context of relationships.
Note:
We continue to meet every week for Prayer & Praise.
posted by The Orchard Christian Church @ 10:28 PM
9 Comments:
Good to see a church with a blog. Keep it up.
Thank you for leaving your comment on my blog! It was encouraging to see what you are doing with your church. Do you have a website?
You are right about building/planting an orchard takes time- and in that time we are to seek God's leading and will for where He'd have us begin...
I know what you mean about hearts growing cold (Matt.24:12). False teaching and hypocritical lifestyles do massive harm to God's work, and cause a hardening of the hearts of people when the see that. Experience and emotions alone are not authoritative, but simply affirm God's work in our hearts, and they are definitely tools to help us understand the significance of what we see in ourselves next to God's holiness. I do not know anyone who did not have an encounter with God's holiness and feel deep dread for their fallen sin nature. True repentance brings with it emotion, but also a life that reflects a desire to serve and glorify God.
Unfortunately there is a rising of people who seek experience rather than God. It is a nation who want signs and wonders but not God. They then begin to have a form of godliness but deny it's power and then people who see the hypocritical lives begin to get bitter about God's truth. James 3:13-18 talks about Wisdom not consisting of the words we use, but living them out for the glory of God. "(13)Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." It is so easy to become proud about the Theology that is available to us today, through the previous works of great teachers (Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon). God calls us to live that wisdom in lifestyles that are humble and seek to show God's mercy through our interactions with people.
Anyways love your blog, and perhaps I'll meet you one day! God bless!
Hi Joanna,
Thanks for your post! You are very welcome to stop by and check us out at Starbucks. Our blog is our website. Your writing is very deep, so I will look forward to reading it again to digest it more fully. Your writing kind of takes me back to my seminary years.
I have experienced being a member of 3 different mega-churches that all fit the following profile:
1) About 5,000 members
2) Conservative Evangelical
3) Functionally “Cessationist”
4) Overwhelmingly Caucasian
5) Governed by a large board of elders who were not able to, or did not, teach
6) Attracted many seminary-trained people (2 had a seminary extension located on the church campus)
7) I never had a conversation with the (“senior”) pastor
Perhaps you can relate to this experience?
Well it's a good thing Lakewood Church is in Texas. However, Saddleback church is only a couple hours drive from where I am.
:-)
What seminary do you go to? What was your degree? M.Div? What is your vocation or are you a full time pastor?
If you get the chance you can hop over to a group blog I'm apart of: Talia truthandloveinaction.blogspot.com
I got my M.A. at Dallas, including a year of Greek, so when I am preaching in the New Testament, I use it on a weekly basis. My full-time "day job" is in marketing generators that produce electricity for emergency/backup power. The Inductive Bible study on Sunday afternoons is in 2 Kings, and it is discussion, not preaching. I'll check out the "TALIA" group blog.
I am honored by your comment on my blog. I have heard about Jack Deere's books more than once recently, but haven't had the chance to get my hands on one. On a note of interest, my uncle graduated from Dallas Theological in 'o5. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
thanks for your comment on mine, too. i know plenty of dts grads, but i guess they're on the other side of the san gabriel valley, not montebello.
i'm not really worried about leaving the biola bubble; i look forward to entering the real world again. but i have one more semester to go.
Thank you for looking at my blog. Like you said, love Jesus not just ministry and that is so true, but helping out in ministry is serving Christ and Teen ministers at our church is a big growing( in Christ) experience. Keeping serving and loving christ.
Thanks to all of you for your comments- I've posted more comments on all your blogs months ago- hope you're doing well.
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