Advent Resource

Tomorrow, Sunday (11/27/11) we began the season of Advent (which is celebrated by the Church during the four weeks prior to Christmas).

The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus which means "arrival" or "coming". During this time, the Church focuses on waiting on the Lord and preparing ones' hearts for Christ as we remember those who waited for Jesus' arrival 2000+ years ago.

As they've done for several years, All Saints Church in North Carolina has produced a devotional resource for the advent season.

Here is a link to an overview of Advent: http://www.allsaints-chd.org/connect/news/advent-is-coming-a-short-message-from-rector-steve-breedlove/

And here is the link to Week 1 of the Advent resource: http://www.allsaints-chd.org/site-images/AD2011week1.pdf

I've found these devotionals helpful during this time for preparing our hearts. I appreciate the commitment that All Saints Church has made to create these resources.

Blessings during this season,
Dave+

Truth and Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life

This week I finished reading a book by J.I. Packer called Truth & Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life.

Dr. Packer's books have played an important role in my life. Reading his book Knowing God during my college years was an important introduction to God's character and attributes and very helpful for my spiritual growth.

Then, when I was 24, I read his book called A Quest for Godliness - a great book that provides a wonderfully detailed description on the theology of the Puritans. In more recent years I read his books Keep in Step with the Spirit (a book on the Holy Spirit) and God's Words: Studies of Key Bible Themes.

Over the years I've found it helpful to re-read these books, reminding me again and again of God's faithful through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Recently, I heard Rev. Ligon Duncan recommend Dr. Packer's Truth & Power at a workshop hosted by the Gospel Coalition. The context for his recommendation was for pastors to clearly understand the role of preaching and teaching in the local church. Interestingly, not only does Dr. Packer cover this topic in detail in the book, but also covers a number of other helpful issues as well.

I'll plan on posting a summary of the book's chapters in future posts.

-d.

Alan Jacobs on Reading in an Age of Distraction

I've mentioned before that I am a big fan of the audio series called the Mars Hills Audio Journal, a bi-monthly resource hosted by Ken Myers.

One of my favorite contributors to the journal is Alan Jacobs, professor of English at Wheaton College.

He recently delivered a lecture on the "pleasures of reading in an age of distraction." Here's the link: http://vimeo.com/25156793

Enjoy,
-d.

Ministry Resources - Handouts for Seven Steps Groups

In my last several posts, I've explained that I uploaded the resources that I've written to our website. Here's the link to these free ministry resources: http://www.cincyanglican.org/library.html

The third resource listed on the site is a file for handouts for a group called "Seven Steps to Growth and Healing." Here's a link just to that document: http://www.cincyanglican.org/Seven_Steps_SG.pdf

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been able to lead three or so groups through the "Seven Steps" materials, while my friend Gary Spears has also led two or three groups through the material as well. The results were very positive as people learned more about important Biblical truths, including the person of Jesus Christ, His work and the importance of His work in their lives.

Why use the handouts?
While planning to lead my first group that went through these concepts, I had initially planned to simply distribute the Seven Steps booklet. Here's a link to the booklet: http://www.cincyanglican.org/Seven_Steps.pdf

As I was thinking about the format and my plan to distribute the entire booklet at once, I soon realized that we would not have time to read through an entire chapter of the booklet during each week's group. In addition, I really wanted people to focus on each week's topic without jumping ahead.

Thus, I put together the handouts. They contain the Scripture passages, major concepts and discussion questions for each chapter in the booklet, but avoid the stories and some additional materials that I'd included in the booklet.

A few notes on logistics....
When leading this material in a group setting, I found it helpful to meet over seven consecutive weeks.

As I noted above, I have also found it helpful to wait to distribute the entire Seven Steps booklet until the final week - as people are likely to skip topics if they have the booklet with them in their small group. Instead, I provide copies of the handouts for participants to use - but only distribute one week at a time.

At the end of the seven weeks I distribute the entire booklet for participants to read on their own for further spiritual growth.

Some final thoughts about the Seven Steps...
My prayer is that you will find the Seven Steps booklet not only a helpful resource for those in your group, but also for you personally. Each time I review these I find areas where I need to grow deeper in my understanding of God and His purposes.

-DS

Ministry Resources - Seven Steps of Growth and Healing

In my last post I mentioned that I have uploaded all of my resources to our website. Here is the link to these free ministry resources: http://www.cincyanglican.org/library.html

The second resource listed on the site is a booklet that I wrote in May, 2007 called "Seven Steps to Growth and Healing: A Guide to Recovery and Wholeness." Here's a link just to that booklet: http://www.cincyanglican.org/Seven_Steps.pdf


The Seven Steps booklet is designed for either individual or small group study.

Over the years, I've wondered if I should change the title because of the questions I've received from some people when they've seen the title. Some, when they see the word "healing" immediately assume that I have written something about physical healing (which I haven't). Others, when they see the words "seven steps" assume that I've written some demanding kind of self-help book that doesn't rely on God's grace....I haven't tried to do that either.

Origins of the booklet
To understand what is in the booklet, let me first explain its origin.

The writing came about after having helped out with several recovery oriented groups at the Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati, OH. My wife, Sue, is an assistant director in the ministry, and over the years she's asked me to fill in from time to time.

As I was interacting with the group members, the thought struck me to put into writing the recommendations that I was giving to people to encourage their relationship with God.

As I began to write the booklet, I was stuck with the thought that each of the seven Biblical truths that I identified have a corresponding lie or myth that many people believe. These "lies" are so commonplace that as I began to talk to people about them in small groups, it was evident that people were struggling with one or more of them on a very frequent basis.


What's in the "Seven Steps" booklet?

After a brief introduction, Chapter 1 encourages readers to "look for God's presence in your life", noting that the Bible explains that God is actively involved in our lives as our creator and sustainer and is very interested in each of us.

Chapter 2 of the booklet examines the myth of "I can do this on my own" and encourages readers to accept God's offer of salvation for the forgiveness of sins by trusting in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Contrasting the myth "I'll never change", Chapter 3 of the booklet explores the mystery of new life in Christ, looking at the blessings of knowing God, bearing "the fruit" of being connected with Him, being free from the bonds of sin, being incorporated into the body of Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Next, Chapter 4 encourages an exploration of the broken places in our lives (such as our fears, feelings, our actions and our history) by asking God to help us recognize these areas...instead of denying that we have no problems.

Chapter 5 encourages readers (or group members) to turn these broken areas over to God. In so doing, we seek His truth and healing touch, acknowledging that He is faithful and good.

After seeking God's provision with our difficulties, Chapter 6 encourages readers (or group members) to "respond to God's direction". These responses, as explained in Scripture, are specific actions that God desires (based on our circumstances) such as confession/repentance, forgiveness, waiting, trusting, renewing our mind and taking other steps toward health.

Finally, Chapter 7 looks at "giving away what you have learned"...in contrast to the myth that "nobody is interested" or could benefit from what you have learned.

After writing the booklet in 2007, I had a chance to lead several groups through this material....the results were very positive, as people explored truths about Christianity, learned more about the person and work of Christ and His leading in their lives.

My friend Gary Spears also led a few groups with this material and saw some positive results...in my next post I'll share a few things about what we learned and give a few tips for leading groups through the "Seven Steps".

-d.

Ministry Resources - Life's Ups and Downs

In my last post, I noted that I had recently uploaded all of my Christian resources to our website. Here's the link: http://www.cincyanglican.org/library.html

The first resource listed is a Bible Study I wrote during the summer of 2010, called "Life's Ups and Downs: Charting God's Truth for Your Life."

Here's the link to just that document: http://www.cincyanglican.org/Lifes_Ups_and_Downs.pdf

The study uses a number of charts and graphs to help understand the Christian faith and a Christian's "life in Christ". The content comes from thoughts and reflections from some seminary classes I was taking at the time.

Here's a chapter outline:

Part One
Ch. 1 - Life's Circumstances
Ch. 2 - Life as we want it to be

Part Two
Ch. 3 - The Lord of Life
Ch. 4 - Our Authority in Life
Ch. 5 - An Eternally Living God
Ch. 6 - A Living God in Three Persons
Ch. 7 - Life as it deserves to be
Ch. 8 - The Life and Work of Christ

Part Three
Ch. 9 - Life in Christ
Ch. 10 - Life in the Kingdom
Ch. 11 - A Life of Rest
Ch. 12 - A Life of Becoming

You may notice that all of the chapters have the word "life" in the title....that wasn't by mistake. Jesus' favorite word to describe salvation was "life." (Read John 10:10, 14:6 and 17:3 to see some examples).

Whether you are new to Christianity or a seasoned believer, I hope you find some encouragement in this resource.

-d.

Ministry Resources

This week I uploaded the Christian resources that I've written to our website.

I'll plan on doing a few additional blog posts on each of the resources to explain them in more detail, but in general there are materials on:

- the essentials of the Christian faith
- Christian leadership
- prayer

...and a few other topics.


Here's the link: http://www.cincyanglican.org/library.html

Hope you find something helpful!

-d.