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Balancing Your Finances

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We tend to polarize financial convictions, but the Bible provides surprising wisdom to obtain balance. If we learn God’s financial perspective, we will benefit from obeying biblical practices. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. -Prov. 8:10-11 Better is …

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Stress: The Anxious Disposition

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If left unchecked, stress has a way of hindering the essential parts of your life. God’s Word provides powerful yet practical ways to address mounting pressure. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be …

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Transitions: The Unsure Direction

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We all experience moments of transition with decisions we make or situations beyond our control. How do you determine your path when you are unsure of God’s direction? Ephesians 5:15-17 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what …

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Divorce: The Deceitful Escape

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While divorce may seem like a desirable path for some couples, it is never a simple escape from trouble. Before going down this path, there are many things that must be considered. How Bad Is It? How committed are you in order to make things work? How committed is your spouse to that end? What are the 1-3 things that …

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Consequences: The Unfortunate Reality

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After making a bad decision, we are often left with the unfortunate reality of consequences. How should we go forward when we are dealing with effects from previous decisions? Why Am I Going Through This Situation? Is God trying to teach me a lesson? Is Satan trying to take me down? Are enemies trying to frustrate me? Are my consequences …

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Implementing Discipleship

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Even though you haven’t implemented the entire Distinctive Discipleship process yet, hopefully, you are already beginning to see some growth. In this last session, you will put all the pieces together and initiate your plan. While you have experienced progress, now it is time to define your distinctive strategy which you will use for the months to come. CONSIDER While we all …

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Establishing Dependence

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Paul described discipleship in a complex way when he wrote, “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within us” (Col. 1:29). God’s work and our efforts are both expected for our growth. In the last session, we studied the need for discipline as we toil for progress, but any successful improvement is due to …

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Clarifying Development

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In what ways do you need development? It all depends upon what you have been given and where you have been placed. As particularly gifted and positioned disciples, we each should pursue the needed maturity to do what God has called us to accomplish. CONSIDER There’s a difference in working on something because you are supposed to learn it versus …

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Confronting Disobedience

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There is a sin or a few sins that easily entangle you. While we all can struggle with every possible sin imaginable, there are certain sins with which we regularly drift. In Session 3 of Distinctive Discipleship, we are going to narrow down a list of sins to the 1-3 areas which are critical for you to address right now. CONSIDER …

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How to Work as Worship

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While jobs can bring stress, weariness, and drama, it can also provide Kingdom opportunities. Learn how to reinstate your work as a platform for worship and mission. Relearn Work isn’t a consequence of sin – frustration with work is (Gen. 3:17-19). God is a Creator, and He desires us to cultivate that Creation for good things. We should pray that …

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How to Protect Your Home from Technology

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While technology has incredible benefits, it also brings dangerous possibilities. Learn how you can protect yourself and your family from unwise technological usage. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything (1 Cor. 6:12). Incredible Benefits Relationship Strengthener– Technology allows us to …

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How to Find Your Spiritual Gifts

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Every Christian has been endowed by the Spirit with gifts to edify the church. Learn how you can discover and deploy the spiritual gifts which you have been given. A spiritual gift is given by the Holy Spirit in order to serve the church. No one gift is better than the others. Your best type of service will always be …

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How to Have an Effective Group

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A Gospel Group connects disciples together who are committed to growing in the gospel and going with the gospel. Psalm 1 Acts 17:10-12 If we aren’t careful, certain practices or allowances can take place to run the dynamics of a group. Here are 6 group killers: Subjective Content If the Bible isn’t your textbook, you might find temporary encouragement but …

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Return

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After the Israelites spent decades in exile, they finally were able to return home. Due to comfort and convenience, some Israelites never returned. A remnant came back to the land to reestablish the nation and await the Messiah. Life In Exile Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther conclude the historical section of the Old Testament, and they highlight Israel’s return to their …

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Exile

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After the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah, the nation continued to spiral out of control.  As sin increased, God sent prophets to warn the nations about impending punishment.  Their disregard led to their exile. 16 – Exile The Purpose of the Prophets Prophecy does not simply mean foretelling the future. The primary job was to speak for God to …

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Division

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After the prominence experienced during David and Solomon’s reign, the kingdom was divided and gradually descended into a shadow of what the nation was intended to be.  Led by many ungodly leaders, the nation drifted further from God’s instructions. Division Handout OVERVIEW The division phase of the Old Testament focuses on when Israel endured a civil war of sorts and divided …

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Kingdom

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After the people got what they desired in King Saul, God appointed another king to lead his people.  As David took the throne, the kingdom of Israel was established. THE FALL OF KING SAUL After David defeats Goliath, Israel begins to praise David more than King Saul (1 Sam. 18:7). King Saul tries to kill David, but David will not seek …

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Rejection

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Since the people got stuck in a cycle of sin during the time of the judges, it showed the need for a stable leader.  Instead of relying on God or a godly leader, the people rejected the model of a king they needed. The Rejection of Yahweh Judges 21:25 sets the stage: “In those days there was no king in …

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Cycle

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After Joshua settled the people into the Promised Land, the people failed to finish the task of removing idolatry from the area.  The people got stuck in a cycle of sin which God would alleviate through the hands of judges. OVERVIEW OF JUDGES In between Joshua’s leadership and the establishment of King Saul, Israel was led by a line of judges. …

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Canaan

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After wandering through the wilderness for 40 years, Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land.  As they move into the land, they are to remove any trace of idolatry from within Canaan or within their hearts. JOSHUA OUTLINE Entering the Land (1:1-5:15) Taking the Land (6:1-12:24) Dividing the Land (13:1-21:45) Occupying the Land (22:1-24:33) ENTERING THE LAND Joshua is charged …

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Wanderings

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After the Israelites’ receive the commandments, they begin their trek to reach the Promised Land. Due to their disobedience, they suffer through the wilderness wanderings for forty years. THE REASON FOR THE WANDERINGS The Israelites wandered 40 years in the wilderness before ever reaching the Promised Land. Part of their delay was due to worshiping other gods or idols. One …

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Commandments

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After God rescued the Israelites from bondage, He provided instructions for them to live by.  The commandments were God’s instructions for His people to live a wise and obedient life. Facts Pertaining to the Law The Old Testament contains 613 commandments. All are found in 4 of the 39 books: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The purpose of the Law was …

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Exodus

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After the Israelites are placed into Egypt, they are enslaved and suffer a great injustice. Through the Exodus, God sets the Israelites free. The Reason for the Exodus All of Israel moved into the security of Egypt, the most powerful nation in the world (Ex. 1:1-7). Generations later, a new Pharaoh is in leadership who does not know Joseph or …

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Placement

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God covenanted with Abraham to bring about a great nation.  As this family grew, God revealed a great plan with an intentional placement of Joseph into the land of Egypt. Jacob’s Transformation Abraham fathers Isaac, and Isaac fathers Jacob and Esau (Gen. 25:21-28). God tells Isaac’s wife, Rebekah that “two nations are in your womb…the older shall serve the younger” …

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Covenant

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God’s covenant with Abraham is pivotal not only for an Old Testament understanding but for a global redemptive plan.  Through Abraham’s faith, God’s plan for salvation is further revealed. The Call of Abram Yahweh calls Abram to leave his home for another country (Gen. 12:1). God promises to make a great nation from him (Gen. 12:2). He was blessed in …

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Flood

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After Adam and Eve’s eviction out of Eden, sin continued to run rampant while corrupting God’s good Creation. Through the flood, God made a statement very clearly in that He doesn’t play around with sin. Cain and Abel The first children of Creation reveal how sin is severely corrupting Mankind. The problem was not in the type of offering but …

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Fall

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After God’s good Creation, Mankind rebelled against their Creator.  With the first sin, history was forever altered and the plan for redemption began.   The Role of Satan Scripture gives insight into Satan’s fall in Isaiah 14:12-14 & Ezekiel 28:12-18. Satan is a fallen angel who desired to take God’s place. Satan comes in the form of a serpent which …

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Creation

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Untouched yet by Mankind, Creation was perfect in the beginning.  God displayed His goodness and purpose in what He created and how He created it. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). The Creator of Creation The names of God used in Scripture usually signify something unique is transpiring. El is the Hebrew name for …

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The Story of the Bible

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To understand the Old Testament fully, you need to understand it within the context of the entire Bible.  Here is a summary of the story of the Bible. Old Testament Sections Creation – God created the world out of nothing. Fall – Mankind rebelled against God. Flood – God punished sin. Covenant – God made a covenant with Abraham’s family. …

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Old Testament Overview

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The Old Testament is a foundational pillar of the Christian faith.  Unfortunately, it is often avoided due to its complex nature, extensive lists, and historical distance.  As believers, we are called to embrace the entirety of God’s Word for our sanctification. God’s Word teaches us regarding the importance of knowing the entire counsel of God: Joshua 1:8 Psalm 119:160 Acts …

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The Justice of God

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Anselm of Canterbury was an Italian monk who was born in the 11th century.  His work in theology and philosophy greatly assisted the Church.  He once posed an important question to God: “How dost Thou spare the wicked if Thou art just, supremely just?” His question and the biblical answer is important to our personal theology as we wrestle with …

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The Omniscience of God

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How much does God know?  Is God’s understanding increasing as the centuries progress?  The attribute regarding God’s capacity for knowledge is foundationally important to how we approach Him. Incorrect Perception: The Undergraduate God As students begin their college careers, many are still unsure regarding their desired outcome.  Beginning with general electives, they begin to sort through new information and slowly …

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The Grace of God

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The grace of God is foundational for our salvation and our sanctification.  Without the grace of God, we have no basis for a relationship with Him. Incorrect Perception: The Chutes and Ladders God Chutes and Ladders is a game that seeks to defeat your opponents by being the first to reach the top square of the board.  You move higher …

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The Omnipresence of God

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The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere at the same time.  While such an infinite concept is difficult for finite minds to comprehend, is it true?  How does that change our perception of God? Incorrect Perception: The Overbooked God Have you ever tried to get an appointment with that really busy person?  You keep trying to get on …

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The Holiness of God

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Studying the attributes of God, it is critical to address the issue of God’s holiness.  What does the holiness of God really mean? Incorrect Perception: The Grade-on-a-Curve God After every test taken within the halls of academia, there is at least one student praying that the teacher will grade on a curve.  Due to a lack of preparation or a …

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The Wisdom of God

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Studying the attributes of God, it is critical to address the issue of God’s wisdom.  Can God be trusted to make the right decisions? Incorrect Perception: The Pollster God A pollster is someone who organizes, conducts, and analyzes opinion polls.  Due to their research, they are able to take a cross-section of society, ask some pertinent questions, and provide the …

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The Faithfulness of God

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Studying the attributes of God, it is critical to address the issue of God’s faithfulness.  Can God be trusted to do what he says he will do? Incorrect Perception: The Unreliable God The unreliable god is walking around with some significant baggage left by numerous people in our lives.  Each of us knows what it feels like to be forgotten …

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The Transcendence of God

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Attributes of God are the foundational beliefs about who God is and what He is like that comes from Scripture.  You can’t worship a God fully if you only know Him partially.

One critical attribute to study is the transcendence of God.

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The Independence of God

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Attributes of God are the foundational beliefs about who God is and what He is like that comes from Scripture.  You can’t worship a God fully if you only know Him partially.

One critical attribute to study is the independence of God.

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The Immanence of God

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Studying the attributes of God is an important endeavor for the Christian disciple.  A. W. Tozer was a brilliant theologian and pastor of the twentieth century. In his book, The Knowledge of the Holy, he presented a thesis statement that signifies the importance of addressing the issue of theology. He wrote:

What comes to your mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.

If your concept of God is incorrect, your devotion will be misguided.  We must adhere to a biblical theology that embraces correct doctrine on the identity and activity of God.  Attributes of God are the foundational beliefs about who God is and what he is like that comes from Scripture.  You can’t worship a God fully if you only know Him partially.

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