6 Benefits of Sunday School for Big People

In July of this year, while I was on vacation, one of our elders taught the morning message regarding "Why ABF's?" First of all what is an ABF? ABF is an acronym that stands for Adult Bible Fellowship – which in its simplest terms is Sunday School for Big People. As Rich Smith shared his heart about the way to connect with people he made it clear that there are many ways for us to do this but one of the most convenient ones for families is the Sunday morning Adult Bible Fellowship classes. Some of our other small group possibilities are: XII:X groups (based on Romans 12:10 – be devoted to one another), G-force ( a men's discipleship group that meets every Thursday morning at the church), Golden Gracers ( a Wednesday morning group of people age 50 or more) and ministry groups that serve together in our church.

As I listened to this message I was struck by the clear benefits of why you should be a part of this opportunity. Here are those six benefits:

1. They provide a critical structure for teaching God's Word in a deeper manner. The teaching that we get on Sunday from 10:30 to noon is not sufficient to promote our spiritual growth. We need the interactive environment of learning together.
   
2. They can gear a Bible teaching to a specific group. In this smaller group setting of similar stage of life, gender, like interests, etc. you can be more specific in the teaching and practical application for that group.
   
3. They help train new leaders in our church. Rich shared that he had served in many ways in our church but was scared when asked to teach an ABF. When he did it caused him to grow even more spiritually since he had to study deeper in order to accurately teach.
   
4. This is the "Next Step" in connecting to people. In this smaller group environment we have a chance to know people more intimately than we can in a worship service setting and to learn more about the Word of God because it is a safer environment to open up and ask questions.
   
5. It is convenient – you are already committed to be out for the morning to come to church and you only have to come one hour early. We are all busy – work, school and extra-curricular things. But this is a way to grow deeper in a setting that you are already committed to planning into your schedule. Additionally, while you are learning, so are your children (if you have them) and this is critical in today's world. Our kids need to learn the Bible safely and accurately from teachers we love and trust.
   
6. They give us opportunity to care for each other like we should. You get to know people and spend time with them and understand their needs then take the time to care for them. Write a note, give them a call, make a meal when they are in need, visit them in the hospital or at home. It is easier to volunteer to meet the needs of people that you know.
   

This was a great message and it gave us several ways for us to get involved in an ABF and make them successful. Would you consider making that extra step of commitment this week to join an ABF? If you have missed that Sunday or forgot what Rich taught – can I encourage you to go to our website and listen to it again? www.ogbc.net or http://www.sermon.net/rss/ogbc (the date was 7.25.2010)

Count Your Blessings…

I read through my journal this morning. This one that I am on goes back to October 2009. It documents some of my thoughts about a decision that our church leadership team made that deeply wounded our church family. (a bad call that we are still recovering from) It has a series of prayers written out to God that reminded me of how our confidence should come from God and not from our own strength or skill. ( an AH HA moment for our leaders as we recognized how God had worked) As I read through all of my thoughts during that time and even some of my prayers and thoughts early this year and throughout the summer – I was reminded how inadequate I am but how blessed I am. (But I have learned to trust Him more and more)

I have so much to be thankful for – my inadequacies are not of chief concern! I have been blessed with a great family that loves each other. I have been blessed with extended family that is generous and kind and loving and we enjoy getting together! I have been blessed with countless friends and church family that constantly lift me up in prayer and seek to encourage me and my family.

I have been blessed with health (more or less) throughout my family. I have seen God provide our physical needs at just the right time in amazing ways. Of course I am inadequate! We all are! God designs us to be dependent upon Him and if we never recognize our faults, shortcomings or needs than we will never be humble enough to understand how to depend upon Him. I am learning continually about how truly blessed I am to be allowed to speak to the God of the universe and to realize that He enjoys my humble ramblings to Him.

I am blessed to be included as His child and there is never a better place to be.

Loosen Up

This short little four part series help us see the need to a broken heart before God. Step one towards "If It Ain't Broken Than Fix It" was the willingness to destroy our self-will. Step two was to stop being self-reliant, self-confidant and independent. This last step is one that only God can perform for us but we have to be willing to ask.

Scripture is full of illustrations about seed planting. Even Jesus used the illustration of the planting of the seed of the gospel and how it would respond based on the place it landed when sown. In fact, that is a critical part of reaping what you sow…paying attention to the soil in which something is planted. More so, we need to pay attention to the condition of the soil in which something is planted! The principle of reaping what you sow is nothing new:

Galatians 6:7-9 tells us "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. {8} The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. {9} Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

According to this verse – what we sow is exactly what we will reap. Seed choice is critical when it comes to wanting to reap a great harvest of good fruit! We have to sow the proper seeds. Hosea prophesied to Israel about something similar:

In Hosea 10:12-13 we see this principle: "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you. {13} But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,"

When you want a good harvest that represents Godly traits and character – you must sow into your life seeds that will produce that as a harvest. Careful seed choice is important. But I want to tell you something equally as important – sow into soil that is prepared to receive what is sown! You can see this instruction by Hosea when he says "break up your unplowed ground".

Isn't it true that if the ground or soil is hard then the seed will fall there and never sprout roots that dig deep and grow. The seed will fail. Principle Three for "If It Ain't Broken Than Fix It" is to ask God to till up the soil of your heart. We need to ask God to give us an attitude (the softened soil of our heart) that will welcome the seed truths of righteousness, holiness, love, grace, mercy, truth and other Godly character traits that produce the right kinds of fruit. It is my pray and commitment to ask God to continually plow through my heart and break up the clods of hardened earth that are there. I want Him to remove the pockets of pride, self-will and self- confidence that exist and break through so that when new and fresh seed from the Word of God is planted in my heart it takes root, grows and produces fruit in my life that will honor God.

If It Ain't Broken – then Fix It. Get broken before God and live broken before God.

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

James 4:10 "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."