A few years ago, a pastor at Covenant Life Church (Chris Silard) proposed twenty questions to help his church care for one another. I have found them helpful in spiritual conversations, and I hope you will too. Print them out and stick them in your Bible or on your desk. Obviously, you wouldn’t strap someone down and burn through the whole list, but one or two of them in our conversations can help us make our way towards more meaningful and helpful relationships.
Twenty Questions to Help Me Care for Others
1. What has God been doing in your life recently?
2. How are you doing in spending consistent time with God?
3. What is the most meaningful thing that has happened to you since we last talked?
4. Can I share these observations of God’s grace in your life?
5. What observations do you have about my role in my marriage or parenting?
6. What has God been teaching you about? What are you studying?
7. What are you doing to attack sin?
8. How can I pray for you?
9. Any fears you have? Any other areas of temptation?
10. Are you discouraged about anything?
11. In what area do you find that your spiritual life or pursuit of growth is difficult?
12. What do you feel is going well in your spiritual life?
13. How is your area of serving in the church going? Is there something else you would like
to do to serve the church?
14. What are the desires and passions of your heart for the future?
15. (For a spouse) How is our fellowship with others? How could your fellowship with other
women, mine with other men, or ours with our children be better?
16. How can I help you grow, spiritually; practically; or relationally?
17. What is the most important decision facing you in the near future?
18. What is the biggest challenge in your life right now?
19. Have you read anything recently that has helped you spiritually?
20. What excites you about God’s work in our church right now?
You can download a PDF here.
So many folks have asked about easily getting Concord sermons onto their mp3 players, we’ve finally gotten a full blown podcast off the ground. Miss a sermon? Want to review Sunday’s message? The podcast features the entire current series, Down.
Podcasts are a “hands free” way of keeping current sermons on your computer, Zune*, iPod, or other mp3 device. When a new sermon is uploaded, your computer will automatically download it and have it ready for you.
To get the new podcast, enter the podcast url – http://www.concord-baptist.org/POD.asp?21115_5813 – into your podcast software. Or, search for “Concord Baptist Church” in the iTunes podcast directory. More specific directions are on our website. Subscribe today!
Our desire is to serve you – what other ways could we help you in your faith with technology? Put your thoughts in the comment area.
*ok, I am biased. I love my Zune. The Rectors and the Whites have my back on this.
I noticed him staring into the water along the shoreline. He was a strong-looking man, no doubt enjoying a week on the beach with his family. Only, in this moment, the furrow on his brow indicated concern. My own eyes traced the path of his gaze, trying to determine what it was he saw. Was it a shark? A child in trouble in the surf? Before I could determine the danger for myself, the man got out of his beach chair, strode resolutely into the water, and withdrew a large jellyfish with his bare hands. (more…)
Maybe we haven’t prayed this prayer, but we ought to consider it. Francis Chan turns up the heat in this two-minute devotional thought. Watch the clip, and then carefully consider the validity of those objections that rise in your heart.
(HT: Josh Harris)
Our regular men’s groups continue to prove to be fruitful, encouraging and challenging. In light of the fact that life is war, yesterday and this morning we talked about how to battle temptation. Both meetings this week were filled with insight, laughter, sober contemplation, and genuine care for one another. Here a just a few of the helpful things shared as we discussed how we battle temptation:
- Remember the past consequences of giving in to sin, as well as remember the faithfulness of God to forgive us of past failures in the Gospel.
- Redirect or refocus on energy. It is often best escape temptation by putting our mind towards something else (and hopefully something productive)
- Undress the sin. Strip away all the false promises and veneer and see sin as it really is.
- Fight the promises of sin with the promises of Scripture (2Cor 10:4-5)
- Claim the reality that we have divine power to demolish strongholds (2Cor 10:4) in the Gospel. We do not have to capitulate to a culture of addictions.
- Flee.
- Pray. A lot.
These are just some of things we shared in our meetings this week. All of the meetings are open to men of all ages. Come and join us next week. Noon at Zaxby’s on East Brainerd Road. Or come Mon Aug 17 at Qdoba on Market St or Tues Aug 18 at 6:30am at Cracker Barrel on Shallowford.
