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6. Conclusion
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Complete this lesson by sharing these final thoughts
Now that you have completed this course, identify the action items you want to make personally and together as a board.
Anything else? Share it here:
Proposed Changes | Author | Created Date |
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1. Commit to regularly attending Bible study. 2. Commit to personal daily devotions. 3. Commit to personally visiting members in my assigned zone of responsibility. 4. Preparing one or more devotions that I can use in my home visits. 5. (If not the chairperson) Commit to preparing any reports for my board and sending them to the chairperson at the time requested. 6. (If the chairperson) Commit to requesting reports well ahead of meetings, preparing, and sending in advance the agenda, minutes, and all reports to those responsible for attending the meeting. 3. Commit to praying for our pastor(s) in his(their) presence during board meetings. 4. Commit to reviewing all reports between meetings so that our time together can be better spent discussing and making decisions. 5. Commit to organizing our board so that every member is visited regularly every year. 7. Commit to regular performance reviews for our pastor(s), prioritizing listing things that he does well, identifying one or two areas for improvement, and together developing a continuing education plan supported by the congregation. undefined undefined PLUS: | evreese94@gmail.com | 04/16/2024 |
Romans 8:22-23: "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies."
This past week, I pulled something in my back (which seems to be happening more and more frequently). I wouldn’t dare call myself 'old,' but in just the last couple of years, I have noticed that it seems easier to injure myself, and it takes longer to heal. It’s often my tendency to dwell on my physical pain, which translates to a lot of groaning and complaining.
As I reflect on my own experiences of physical discomfort, I'm reminded of Romans chapter eight, where Paul writes, 'the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.' (Romans 8:22-23).
Just as my own body groans with the strain of injury, so too does all of creation groan together under the weight of sin and brokenness. We see this groaning in societal injustices, conflicts, and wars around the world. We feel it in illness, disease, and all kinds of physical ailments. In the midst of our groaning, there is hope. Paul doesn’t describe our groaning as one on the way to the grave but as a mother in labor. As Christians, our groaning is not pain on the way to death, but pain on the way to life. It is a pain that anticipates and 'waits eagerly' for redemption.
As we continue to await the second return of our Redeemer, we cling to His spoken promises of forgiveness, salvation, and resurrection, and in doing so, we hope in the adoption and redemption that is already ours.
Heavenly father, we thank you for your care and provision for us, for all of the ways that you care for us that we don't even realize. We thank you for the reminder that all of our pain and suffering in this life is on its way to redemption. Help us to eagerly wait for your return, in Jesus' name we pray, amen. | evreese94@gmail.com | 04/16/2024 |
1. Commit to regularly attending Bible study. 2. Commit to personal daily devotions. 3. Commit to personally visiting members in my assigned zone of responsibility. 4. Preparing one or more devotions that I can use in my home visits. 5. (If not the chairperson) Commit to preparing any reports for my board and sending them to the chairperson at the time requested. 6. (If the chairperson) Commit to requesting reports well ahead of meetings, preparing, and sending in advance the agenda, minutes, and all reports to those responsible for attending the meeting. 1. Commit at least 30 minutes per meeting for studying the Word together as a board. 2. Commit at least 15 minutes per meeting for prayer together as a board. Each board person will pray for someone in his/her zone. 3. Commit to praying for our pastor(s) in his(their) presence during board meetings. 5. Commit to organizing our board so that every member is visited regularly every year. undefined undefined PLUS: | pastorjgraber@gmail.com | 04/16/2024 |
Scripture Reading: Romoans 9:6-13
Prayer: Lord, open our hearts to receive your Word. We welcome your Spirit to apply the truth of your Scripture to our daily lives. We praise your Holy name, Amen.
Brief Meditation: Discussion Questions
1. List some privileges of being a son or daughter. Do children who are adopted into a family receive the same privileges as children born naturally? Explain.
2. Read Romans 6:6-9. What did Paul mean when he said, "Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel"? To what people group is he referring? Who are "the children of the promise" -- those of natural birth or those of spiritual birth?
3. Was Jacob's twin sons' purpose found in natural heredity from their earthly father or in spiritual calling from their heavenly Father (Rom. 9:10-13)? What about you: Did you choose God or did He choose you (John 15:16)? What difference does this make in your faith walk with Christ? Explain. | pastorjgraber@gmail.com | 04/16/2024 |
2.Commit to personal daily devotions.
3.Commit to personally visiting members in my assigned zone of responsibility.
4.Preparing one or more devotions that I can use in my home visits.
5.(If not the chairperson) Commit to preparing any reports for my board and sending them to the chairperson at the time requested.
6.(If the chairperson) Commit to requesting reports well ahead of meetings, preparing, and sending in advance the agenda, minutes, and all reports to those responsible for attending the meeting.
3.Commit to praying for our pastor(s) in his(their) presence during board meetings.
4.Commit to reviewing all reports between meetings so that our time together can be better spent discussing and making decisions.
5.Commit to organizing our board so that every member is visited regularly every year.
7.Commit to regular performance reviews for our pastor(s), prioritizing listing things that he does well, identifying one or two areas for improvement, and together developing a continuing education plan supported by the congregation.
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PLUS:
April 16, 2024 at 9:51:49 PM
April 16, 2024 at 9:49:31 PM
2.Commit to personal daily devotions.
3.Commit to personally visiting members in my assigned zone of responsibility.
4.Preparing one or more devotions that I can use in my home visits.
5.(If not the chairperson) Commit to preparing any reports for my board and sending them to the chairperson at the time requested.
6.(If the chairperson) Commit to requesting reports well ahead of meetings, preparing, and sending in advance the agenda, minutes, and all reports to those responsible for attending the meeting.
1.Commit at least 30 minutes per meeting for studying the Word together as a board.
2.Commit at least 15 minutes per meeting for prayer together as a board. Each board person will pray for someone in his/her zone.
3.Commit to praying for our pastor(s) in his(their) presence during board meetings.
5.Commit to organizing our board so that every member is visited regularly every year.
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PLUS:
April 16, 2024 at 8:08:14 PM
April 16, 2024 at 8:05:55 PM
April 16, 2024 at 7:29:40 PM
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April 16, 2024 at 7:22:42 PM
April 16, 2024 at 7:11:21 PM
April 16, 2024 at 7:09:40 PM
April 16, 2024 at 5:17:21 PM
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April 16, 2024 at 5:14:30 PM
April 16, 2024 at 5:13:38 PM
April 9, 2024 at 8:27:40 PM
April 9, 2024 at 8:25:41 PM
April 9, 2024 at 8:25:13 PM
April 9, 2024 at 8:23:56 PM
April 9, 2024 at 8:22:49 PM
Progress