Digging into the Essentials of the Bible, or the doctrines (foundational beliefs) that make up our faith as Christians isn’t easy, but it is worth our time. We’ve seen that it helps prepare us for the job God has called us to (as we share the gospel and make disciples) and gives us deep roots, or a firm foundation, for our faith. We see this in our theme verses:
Colossians 2:6-7a | And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught…
So far, we’ve looked at the following Essentials:
Essential #1 - The Bible is Inspired (authored by God), Inerrant (free from errors), Infallible (will not fail/is trustworthy), and Authoritative (our ultimate guide).
Essential #2 - God is the perfect, loving Creator who is three-in-one: Father, Son, and Spirit. He is all powerful, all knowing, and all present.
As we looked at God last week, we saw that although there is one God, He has three distinct persons or parts - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This week, we’ll explore the role of God the Son, who is Jesus. As we do, consider some of the following questions:
How is Jesus different than God the Father? How is He the same?
Are Jesus and God equal? Does God have authority over Jesus?
What was Jesus doing before He was born as a human?
Can someone believe in God and not believe in Jesus?
What role does Jesus play in salvation? Is there any route to Heaven that doesn’t include Jesus as Lord?
Because Jesus lived a human life, what can you learn from His example?
Stick with us all week as we investigate the answers to these questions and better understand:
Essential #3- Jesus is fully God and was fully man. Although tempted in every way, He chose not to sin and willingly laid down His own life to be the sacrifice for our sin. His example should be our benchmark for godly living.
Parenting - Biblical Essentials - God: The Son
January 24, 2021 • Brian & Kristy Motte
Kids - Biblical Essentials - Church
March 14, 2021 • Kristy Motte & Ashley Law
Colossians 2:6-7a | And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught… Over the last few months, we’ve explored how to grow deep roots as followers of Christ. Last week, we examined salvation, made possible when we put our faith in Jesus, who’s blood covers us, making us right in God’s sight. God’s followers must build their lives on Him as they grow in truth, but they aren’t meant to do that alone. The early church in Acts demonstrates God’s design for his followers- the Body of Christ— also known as His Church. This week we’ll see that the church isn’t a building or a set of pastors. We’ll grow in our final essential- Essential #10 - The Church is the body of Christ and consists of all of God’s followers. God’s church has been entrusted with meeting together to grow, love one another, encourage and support each other, serve together, and to proclaim Christ to others. Each individual follower of God plays a critical role in the body of Christ. Remaining unified and active in and through a local church body allows the believer to fulfill their role as the church.
Teen Talk - Biblical Essentials - Church
March 17, 2021 • Michael Fitzgerald
Colossians 2:6-7a | And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught… Over the last few months, we’ve explored how to grow deep roots as followers of Christ. Last week, we examined salvation, made possible when we put our faith in Jesus, who’s blood covers us, making us right in God’s sight. God’s followers must build their lives on Him as they grow in truth, but they aren’t meant to do that alone. The early church in Acts demonstrates God’s design for his followers- the Body of Christ— also known as His Church. This week we’ll see that the church isn’t a building or a set of pastors. We’ll grow in our final essential- Essential #10 - The Church is the body of Christ and consists of all of God’s followers. God’s church has been entrusted with meeting together to grow, love one another, encourage and support each other, serve together, and to proclaim Christ to others. Each individual follower of God plays a critical role in the body of Christ. Remaining unified and active in and through a local church body allows the believer to fulfill their role as the church. Discussion 1.It is important that God’s followers meet with each other as part of a church body. Why is getting together with other believers important? 2. The Bible tells us to love another with genuine affection (Romans 12:10). Do you find it hard to love other followers of God? Are you currently bitter, angry, gossiping, or speaking badly of any other believers? If so what do you need to do according to Ephesians 4:31-32? 3. As a group read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Which part of the body of Christ is more important? Is there any person in the body of Christ more or less important than another person? Why or why not? 4. What gifts, talents and abilities has God given you? 5. We should use our gifts to serve God and others. How are you serving God/others by serving the body of Christ (the church)? How are you serving God/others as the body of Christ (outside of the church)?
Parenting - Biblical Essentials - Church
March 14, 2021 • Brian & Kristy Motte
Colossians 2:6-7a | And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught… Over the last few months, we’ve explored how to grow deep roots as followers of Christ. Last week, we examined salvation, made possible when we put our faith in Jesus, who’s blood covers us, making us right in God’s sight. God’s followers must build their lives on Him as they grow in truth, but they aren’t meant to do that alone. The early church in Acts demonstrates God’s design for his followers- the Body of Christ— also known as His Church. This week we’ll see that the church isn’t a building or a set of pastors. We’ll grow in our final essential- Essential #10 - The Church is the body of Christ and consists of all of God’s followers. God’s church has been entrusted with meeting together to grow, love one another, encourage and support each other, serve together, and to proclaim Christ to others. Each individual follower of God plays a critical role in the body of Christ. Remaining unified and active in and through a local church body allows the believer to fulfill their role as the church.