Twin Oaks Christian Church

www.twinoakschristian.com

FOUNDATIONS
Developing crucial fundamentals for a growing relationship with Jesus

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Six Weeks of Growth

1. Start with the end in mind 2. Teach a man to fish 3. How to read the Bible 4. Key practices of growing Christians 5. Whats my thing? 6. Stand! Fight! Run! Key verse
The Wise and the Foolish Builders 24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:24-27 Augustine Christ is not valued at all, unless He is valued above all. D.L Moody No one can sum up all God is able to accomplish through one solitary life, wholly yielded, adjusted, and obedient to Him.

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Week 1 - Starting With the End In Mind

The goal is not to be happy to have a better life to get Gods help self improvement

Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created _by____ ___him______and __for___ ____him_____ John 15:8 Acts 17:29-31 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Matthew 12:36-37 2 Corinthians 5:10 Hebrews 9:27 Matthew 25:31-46

A Common Tension in Scripture We are not saved by our good deeds For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8 (see also Romans 3:21-31) Good deeds are required By this gospel you are saved, __IF___ you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:2 (see also Colossians 1:22-23; James 2:14-26)

Luke 9:23; Luke 14:27; Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his _suffering________________, becoming like him in his __Death___________, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10

What is a cross? A cross is anything that causes suffering because of your obedience to Christ 2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:8 A cross is your will Matthew 26:39 A cross is the painful process of struggling against sin Hebrews 4:12-11

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Week 2 Teach a Man to Fish
Fact: Growing Christ-followers Fact: Mature Christ-followers Read Know the Bible the Bible

1.
4 Hear,

Reading and meditation has always been taught by

God

himself

O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 2. You cant trust preachers Preachers often preach what preaches Preachers dont always have pure motives The Bible can easily be manipulated 3. What Happens when we read the Bible? Knowledge transforms Colossians 1:9 We are made clean through the Word John 15:1-4 The Bible reveals our depths Hebrews 4:12-13 4. You are equipped to help others
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

You cant get that in _Church____ !

The Bible is too hard to understand Im not qualified The Bible is boring

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So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them. Luke 8:18 (NLT)

What it means to listen Listening requires ___humility____ Listening is dependent on predetermined _____obedience_____ 2 Approaches Mediate

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18

Study Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Psalm 119:34

Getting Started 1. Find the right Bible Recommended Bible Versions: New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT) 2. Start in the right Places Recommended Books in the Bible: Mark, Romans, Philippians, James, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Genesis, 1 & 2 Samuel 3. Commit Time, place, plan Tools www.biblegateway.com www.biblestudytools.com www.youversion.com

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Week 3 How to Read the Bible
Why do we obey some commands in Scripture but ignore others? Why is the Old Testament so different from the new? What am I supposed to glean from those crazy Old Testament stories? Can some Scripture be figurative? Is there some scripture that isnt relevant anymore? Which parts?

Context in Scripture
Context is important because, you wouldnt read Shakespeare the way you read and Encyclopedia scripture doesnt make sense outside of a specific historical context

5 Basic Genres

What the New Testament says about The Law Colossians 2:14 Ephesians 2:15 Romans 7:1-6 Galatians 5:1-3 Hebrews 8:13 So what do we do with The Law? 1. The law is ongoing proof that we cannot be made right with God by works 2. Behind every __law____ there is a ____principle____________and behind the purpose is a __purpose____________ (Examples: Exodus 29:13, Leviticus 19:9-10) What about the rest of The Old Testament? The OT should be understood as under a ___dead_____________ covenant.

Wisdom books are principles that are generally true, not ___promises_____________ or ___commands____ Examples Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it

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Poetry is simply __listening____ in on other peoples, Worship Prayers Expression of faith (both positive and negative) to God

Examples
Psalm 38:5 My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. Lamentations 1:21 People have heard my groaning, but there is no one to comfort me. All my enemies have heard of my distress; they rejoice at what you have done. May you bring the day you have announced so they may become like me. Song of Solomon 2:17 Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills

Narratives are true stories of Gods __interaction___ with people. What do we do with the Narratives, like 1 Samuel 18:24-30? Dont get lost in the details, just understand the context Look for how God acts Look for how people act Look for what pleases God and what does not

The majority of Prophecy in the Bible has already been __fulfilled___ either in the prophets context or in Jesus Example Daniels prophecy that Belshazzars kingdom would be taken over by the Medes and the Persians (Dan. 5:25-30)

Straight forward teachings and commands for New Testament living Why dont we obey all of the New Testament? 1. Holy Kiss (Romans 16:16) 2. Head coverings (1 Corinthians 11:11-16) 3. Church discipline (1 Corinthians 5) 4. No Women in authority (1 Timothy 2:12) Cultural___ command A command that is based upon the way a Biblical principle would be fulfilled in a specific culture. _Absolute__ command A command that is the same, regardless of what culture you are from

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Week 4 Key Practices of Growing Christians

Praying is not. sentences that and in Amen a magic lamp Praying is. the whole of your faith and trust in God expressed in Words. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard
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your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Talking to God without _______________ is not Prayer Talking to God without _______________ is not prayer is the whole of your life in relationship with God.

Beyond the Laundry List

A_doration____
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. Psalm 34:1

C_onfession___________
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

T_hanksgiving______________
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

S_upplication______
I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

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Find Community
Now you are the body of Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:27 Our Culture and Community Americans are among the loneliest people in the world. George Gallup We have ____acquaintances _______ with many, but meaningful _relationships__with none. The last thing we want to do at the end of the day is have one more conversation, make one more decision or fulfill one more request. - Andy Stanley The results of neglecting community Fear of intimacy Poor _healthy___ Gods Plan for Community God desires us to live in community with others The Lord God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. Genesis 2:17 The point of church is community All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Acts 2:44-46 Christ is counting on community My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent m John 17:20-21 Selfishness Arrogance

Community at Twin Oaks

1. 2. 3.

Mailbox Relationships Living Room Relationships Kitchen Table Relationship

Sunday Morning Special Events Small Groups

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1 Timothy 6:6-10 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief. Matthew 6:24 24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Its hard to love it when your ____giving ___it away
Matthew 19:21-26 Mark 4:19 James 5:1-6 Luke 8:14

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.[a] 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now about the collection for Gods people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

1. 2.

Predetermine an amount based on your _heart___ and your income ___ Set this money aside in ___advance_____

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Week 5 What is your thing?

We were created to join God on mission Gods mission: To seek _ and _save__ the lost_ (Luke 19:10) Gods plan: The local __________________ (Matthew 28:16-20) Our Culture says Indulge yourself Fulfill your desires

Satisfy your appetites Pursue pleasure

Jesus says If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. Mark 9:35 John 13 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. Do you understand what I have done for you? he asked them. 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one anothers feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. Philippians 2:3-11

The Gamble: Will this really bring me fulfillment? Is it worth my time? Significant truth of the Gospel:_Sacrifice not _Self indulgence___ gives fulfillment Challenge: Serve everyone and everything, before yourself for six months and see what happens

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1 Corinthians 12:12-31 There are no ____unimportant_____________parts If one part of the body suffers, it all suffers You have a special part to play I have a particular set of skills

How to find your skill 1. Conviction Acts 20:22 What drives me? 2. People What am I good at? 3. Practice 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power,of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 "Do something that scares you every day." - Eleanor Roosevelt

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Week 6 Stand! Fight! Run!

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-20 Jesus didnt promise to eliminate burden he simply guaranteed his burden was easier o Burden of guilt vs. the burden for the lost condemnation vs. the burden of obedience sins repercussions vs. burden of integrity selfishness vs. burden of sacrifice ignorance vs. burden of knowledge . no purpose vs. burden for the poor We are guaranteed potential shipwrecks of our faith 1. Opposition (John 15:18) 2. Distraction (Matthew 13:22) 3. Testing (James 1:3) 4. Temptation (James 1:14) 5. Hardships (John 16:33) To top it all off Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. Revelation 3:11-12

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10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing 2 Timothy 4:6-8

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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