Forming A Grateful Soul
We are called to form a grateful soul by consciously taking time to notice and give thanks to God for His many blessings and trusting Him to work for our good in all circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Good Portion
We can be distracted by many things, even good things, but fellowship with the Lord should always be our top priority.
Luke 10:38-42
Disciples, Followers, Apprentices of the Master
Jesus is calling a community of disciples/followers/apprentices to learn from His teachings, be transformed to have His character, and imitate His practices and life rhythms.
Mark 1:16–20
Moral Decay In the Last Days
We live in the last days, which are terrible times marked by moral decay and deception, but the Gospel and Spirit provide power to deliver us from the dominance of sin and error.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Fighting the Good Fight for the Faith – Part 2
To fight the good fight for the faith we must confront error clearly without being quarrelsome or argumentative, but always speaking and acting in a manner that works for the restoration of those trapped in error.
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Fighting the Good Fight for the Faith – Part 1
To protect a local church from false teaching, leaders must work hard to teach the truth, focusing on the great doctrines of God’s Word and avoiding useless controversies, and back up their teaching with the power of a godly life.
2 Timothy 2:14-26
Grounded
Christians are called to be grounded in a Christ-centered identity as they experience the ups and downs of life.
1 Peter 2:9-10
Guarding the Heart
The key to godly character and a life blessed by God is carefully guarding our hearts because the state of the heart determines actions and character.
Proverbs 4:20-27
Controlled In An Age of Rage
The wise person learns to control their words and actions to promote understanding and peace rather strife and anger.
Proverbs 29:11
Growing Generous
As those who are cared for and blessed by God, we should develop a heart that is generous towards others in thought and action, willing to help in whatever way we can.
Proverbs 11:24-26
Watching Your Words
Words have powerful consequences for individuals and the whole community, so the wise person controls their tongue.
Proverbs 12:18
The True King
David displays the character of a true leader, and is a great pointer to Jesus, the True King.
2 Samuel 15-20 (2 Samuel 15:19-30)
David’s Great Sin
Deceived by the privileges of power David fell into an ever-deepening and increasingly destructive spiral of sin.
2 Samuel 11
King At Last!
David is an example of the patient endurance of faith that is required to receive God’s promises and fulfill our calling.
2 Samuel 2:1-5:5 (2 Samuel 5:1-5)
A Lament Worthy of A King
David’s response to Saul’s death is an example of how we should trust God and respond to others.
2 Samuel 1 (2 Samuel 1:17-27)
Lust
Lust is a disordered love that excessively craves my own sexual pleasure, desiring it more than true intimacy with God or others.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
Gluttony
Gluttony is a disordered love that excessively craves food and drink, attempting to fill spiritual hunger with material fare.
John 6:26-29
Greed
Greed is a disordered love that excessively craves created goods and possessions, desiring them more than the Creator Himself.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Sloth
Sloth is a disordered love that that does not desire God, His works, or the vocations He has given me, but finds them boring, refusing the effort to love and serve God and others.
Proverbs 26:13-15
Wrath
Wrath is a disordered love that desires justice to be enacted in my time, manner, and degree rather than in God’s.
James 1:19-20
Envy
Envy is a disordered love that is dissatisfied with the lack or perceived insufficient measure of gifts and vocations given by God, and which resents another person for the presence or greater measure of those same gifts.
Proverbs 14:30
Pride
Pride is a disordered love that seeks to exalt myself above God and His will for my life, refusing to accept my God-given limitations.
Proverbs 16:18
The Seven Root Vices
In our struggle against sin, it is important that we learn to cut the root vices that feed sin, and to practice habits that encourage virtues that feed godly character.
Proverbs 5:21-23
Shaping A Contented Soul
We are called to shape our souls by putting away greed, embracing contentment, and finding our deepest joy and satisfaction in God.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Christian Moral Formation
Christian moral formation is the lifelong process of putting off sins, putting on Christlike virtues and being renewed so our thoughts and desires are like Christ.
Ephesians 4:20-24