Good morning 5K Team!

I hope this finds you well as spring is quickly moving toward summer.

I wanted to update the team of several things and also seek your input on a couple of matters.

First, since we have some new folks on the team, let me bring everyone up to speed on our ongoing/annual funding. Below is a list of those needs:

Lifeway StudentLife – we scholarship families with multiple children attending, chaperones, students in need, and we pay for transportation.
Approximately $6000

Boys State/Girls State – we send two to three, depending on the need, each year.
Approximately $700-1000

$1000 Annual Scholarship to a student At Williston-Elko High School who attends Aiken Technical College (this was Will’s high school and college)

$1000 Annual Scholarship for a Lifeway student pursuing ministry.

This is a list of some of the other things we’ve funded over the time the 5K has existed:
•Given a financial gift to a student in our community raising money for a mission trip to California $500
•Given scholarships to the YCHS football program for players to attend Fellowship of Christian Athletes summer camp $2370
•Provided meals for the football team and the band $1000-1500/yr
•Paid the cost for a special needs class to take a fieldtrip $300
•Given gifts to schools for special projects (money to help with a Sensory Pathway at Harold C. Johnson Elementary) $800
•Adoption Aid $8000-10,000
•Many more…

As the 5K becomes more popular and more people become aware of our resources, we will receive more requests for help. We will hold a meeting in late summer to kick-off our 2024 5K and at that meeting we will set a percentage budget so that we can continue helping in our ongoing areas and take on as many standalone needs at possible.

The money we receive through the 5K is meant to be used to impact children and students and we want to steward that money well. Likewise, it’s not our goal to maintain large accounts, but to be generous with what’s been generously given to us.

With that being said, we do have a couple of great opportunities before us and our current balance in the account is $14,852.94.

First, we currently have our on-going project of scholarships/transportation for camp that we need to fund. This is our most expensive cost because of transportation. We are still trying to secure vans (they are hard to find these days). This usually cost a total of about $6000.00.

Secondly, we have received a letter from Coach Boyd that they are planning to take the football team to FCA Camp again this year(this is the first camp offered since COVID). In the previous year they attended, thirty-four students and coaches received Christ.  This is a great endeavor. The need is $179 per student and $110 per coach, the total cost for 75 players and 10 coaches is $13,850.00.

Four years ago, we gave an initial gift of $1500 and then we covered their shortage of $870.

I would like to suggest we gift them no less than our last initial gift of $1500, but we could consider increasing that. I do know that only two churches have contributed to this need at a total of $1500. While the players are trying to raise money for this, this is a huge project, on top of having to fund the team’s equipment and travel. I am also going to present to our elders putting this before the church to give our church family the opportunity to sponsor a player or coach.

Secondly, Mandy Mull contacted me about a special needs class at York Intermediate School that is building a butterfly garden for which they received a grant from “Make York County Beautiful.” Part of the garden plan included a bench, but the grant stated that it cannot be used for the bench. The cost of the bench is $265 plus tax, but it is currently on sale for $176.99 plus tax.

I would like to suggest that we purchase the bench for the project.

Please respond to the group text with your recommendations.

Thanks,
Mark

A brief note from Pastor Mark
You want to know what God is doing? Let me tell you!

When you're not engaged in every area of our church, it may be difficult to see all that God is doing. So let share with you just some of what God is doing - and HOW YOU CAN GET IN ON IT!

• In the last 10 months we have seen 9 baptized with 2 more being baptized in June. (adults/students/children)
• We have finished an 8 month study on apologetics (how to defend your faith) by answering the most common questions people use to challenge our belief in God, Jesus, and the Bible AND we trained our congregation in how they can share their experience with Jesus (B.L.E.S.S. practices)
• We've raised $7000+ for a camera system that will be installed to ensure the safety of our children, AND ABOUT A DOZEN OF YOU BECAME SERVANT LEADERS, serving in KidzLife.
• We added 3 of you as new servant leaders in StudentLife.
• We have seen more than a dozen new, young families begin attending regularly over the last 10 months (In spite of COVID)
• We stepped up our game in communicating with you and our community with a new website and our first mobile app. We have also enhanced our presentation of Lifeway at Home and have at least 75 families joining from around the world every week.
• We honored our first responders, during the time we were not able to meet due to COVID, with gift cards.
• We "Egged the Homes" of more than 50 children for Easter.
• We added musicians and vocalists to our worship team, as well as 2 new servant leaders to our A/V team.
• We restarted the monthly Men's Gathering and established a monthly Women's Gathering. WHICH, LAST NIGHT, HAD 42 LADIES THAT ATTENDED.
• We helped our local veterans establish an online presence so that Memorial Day and Veteran Day ceremonies could be presented online for families and veterans who could not attend the ceremonies.
• We began an overhaul of our future multi-purpose area for church wide gathering, meals, student ministry, showers, and a possible overflow area.
• We raised more than $15,000 through the Will Frederick Memorial 5K. These monies will help our students, and other children and students in our community, attend summer camp, Boys State, Girls State, and a host of other events.

I could keep going but I think you see what I mean! DOES ANY OF THIS EXCITE YOU? IT SHOULD, BECAUSE GOD IS TRULY AT WORK THROUGH YOU!

As we approach the summer months, we could use your help to finish up a few endeavors and prepare for what God has in store for us next (AND BELIEVE ME, IT'S BIG!)

First, we need to open an additional small group in KidzLife. To accomplish that, we need 2 Lead Teachers and 2 assistants.

Second, we need immediate help to finish the multi-purpose area. It can be in the evenings or on a weekend, but we have some floor work to do, followed by laying the new floor. As I said earlier, we had 42 ladies at the Ladies Gathering last night and they could have used the space. Also, our students need this space for their weekly gatherings. When this space is completed, we will work to establish a one day a week after school program for our community.

Finally, we need to collect the last $1245 for the security cameras. (For those of you unaware, the heating and cooling systems in our facility are antiquated, some of them are over 30 years old. At this time, 3 of the 9 units do not work at all. We are working on a plan to do any roof repair that needs to be done and to replace all 9 units so that we can move our attention away from our facility for a while and focus primarily on outreach into our community. Any extra money for cameras that we receive will be applied to this project.)

Where would you like to jump in and help? Message me, Pastor Mark, directly and I will connect you each person leading the work in these areas.

We have established in past weeks that Jesus came to establish something new. He has a new command and a new movement. This was troubling to the Jewish leaders and even to His own disciples at times. The new that Jesus was bringing to us was hard for people during His time. He was changing sacred from meaning a temple, rituals, and rules to Jesus saying sacred is a place in the hearts of people. An example of that, as we saw last week, was Matthew the tax collector. Jesus invited him to be one of His followers and ate with him at his home with his tax collecting friends. People like Matthew the tax collector, were outcast and traitors, and Jesus made it a point that, that was who He was here for. These are the people I've come for, these are the people who need me. Now while Jesus' message and actions were disturbing and disruptive to some, we will see in this weeks message of Ninety-One, that there is others that were intrigued by what Jesus had to say. In the Gospel of John, John said, there is a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus, who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus was a teacher of the law and was part of an elite group of men who ruled Israel in all religious and civil matters. Nicodemus knew there is something unique about Jesus. He had questions. he wanted to see Jesus. A meeting was set up, and Mark shares with us the details of that meeting and how that meeting might have not gone the way Nicodemus might have envisioned. 

Ninety-One week 7 video - https://subspla.sh/hz7bvwd

1. In this passage, we see that Nicodemus wants to check out Jesus. What do we know about Nicodemus from this passage? Why did he want to visit Jesus?
2. What does the fact that he was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews tells us specifically about Nicodemus? Was he a religious man? Did he know Old Testament Scripture? Did he obey the Law?
3. What does Nicodemus already know about Jesus? What had Jesus been doing that made Nicodemus curious?
4. What is Jesus’ message to Nicodemus in verse 3? Does Jesus address a question that Nicodemus has asked, or does he already know what Nicodemus needs to hear?
5. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus about himself in verses 13-15? What does Jesus mean when he talks about “being lifted up”?
6. Read Numbers 21:4-9. What is going on in this Old Testament story? What parallel does Jesus make by using this story? Do you think that Nicodemus understood what Jesus was telling him? Why or why not?
7. Is it possible to see the Kingdom of God without being born again? Read John 3:3, 5 & 7. What is the requirement for “seeing” and “entering” the kingdom of God? a. What must all “good” people do in order to enter the kingdom? b. What must all “religious” people do in order to enter the kingdom? c. What must all “bad” people do in order to enter the kingdom? d. All people must be born again! This is the message of the New Testament. Read Romans 6:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:14-16; Matthew 16:24.
8. Is Jesus’ message to Nicodemus relevant to you and your life? Have you been born again? 

Jesus said, under my new covenant , the sacred has shifted from buildings created to represent God, to people created in the image of God. In the new covenant, relationships, not rules and rituals, take priority, because God has made mankind, in His image, for a relationship.  But when you love the law more than the law giver, you miss the relationship that you were created for. And we said, unfortunately, love for the law, instead of the lawgiver, didn't end with Judaism, but has crossed over generational lines and permeates the church. And for some of you, the reason you gave up on church, the reason you turned away from Jesus is because you were part of or you attend a church that, much like the religious leaders of Jesus' day, elevated the rules. In fact, they weaponized the rules, and because you didn't always keep the rules, or something happened in your family where they didn't follow the rules, they shunned you. Turned their back on you, and pushed you away, not just from the church, but ultimately from a relationship with God. It is not being suggested that rules don't matter, but do you know who's rules we're more likely to prioritize and follow? The rules of those we are in relationship with. Relationships lead to rule following. When it's just rules, we don't understand the why behind the rules. We don't see the purpose for the rules, but when you're in a relationship with someone you know loves you and cares for you, and has your best interest in mind, and they set a rule or a guardrail, you see it's for your benefit. So rules matters, God's do's and don'ts matter, but you'll never be inclined to follow the do's and don'ts if you don't have a relationship. That same principles apply to parenting. Parents! Rules without relationship leads to rebellion.  But for centuries religious people have put the religious rules over relationships and driven people away. Jesus knew the damage that rules over relationship does. Jesus would constantly rail against those who elevated the rules over the relationship. But He didn't just object to those who practiced it, He modeled what it looked like to prioritize relationships.  This week Mark shares with us a couple of examples where the religious leaders believe Jesus is breaking the rules. He is actually building relationships, forgiving sin and healing the sick. So how is that breaking the rules? Check out week 6 of Ninety -One

Video -  https://subspla.sh/gsy99v7

1. Why did the Pharisees and other religious leaders get so upset when Jesus said to the man on the mat "your sins are forgiven?"
2. How did Jesus prove in this story of the man on the mat, that He is able to forgive sin?
3. The Pharisees and other religious leaders and even Jesus' own disciple couldn't believe or understand why He would hang out with lowlife's or people who were considered lower than a sinner. Do you have moments where you choose popularity, appearance, avoid criticism, instead of trying to gain a relationship with someone to share the Good News?    

There was always tension when Jesus interacted with the religious leaders. He always challenged their interpretation and their implementation of the laws that God gave Moses. Jesus wanted to make it clear and said, "Don't think I came here to abolish the Law or the Prophets (Old Testament) but to fulfill them."  Jesus came to complete them, finish them. And what do you do with a book when you finish it, you close it. What Jesus was saying is I came to finish the old way, the old covenant that you have lived under all these years, and invite you to abandon that mindset and that approach and embrace a new way of life. And even though it was disturbing and challenging, and definitely different, the people listened to Jesus. Jesus was teaching to them like one who had authority, and that was a problem for the religious leaders and teachers of the law. Who gave Him that authority? And did He actually have the authority to claim what He claimed? Mark shares with us on how some of those encounters unfolded. Mark shares with us about Legalism and gives us details where some Christians always prioritize their view of Christianity over people.  You will also see Jesus make a prediction. A prediction that if you are not a follower of Jesus, it should give you a base on why to follow Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus, but you have a period of doubt in your mind,  this prediction should give you all the certainty. Take a look at week 5 of Ninety-One, View Over You. 

Video - https://subspla.sh/yr6wv8d

1. What is it called when you prioritize a view over a person?
2. When you look at your view of Christianity, do you put rules, rituals, sacred sites, objects, spaces, geography over people?  
3. Discuss about the destruction of the Temple. By this happening, what was ended do to the Temple coming down?  Mark 13:1-4, Luke 21
4. If there is no sacred holy ground or sacred place for God to dwell, where did the sacred shift to with the arrival of Jesus? Take a look at 1 Corinthians 6:19 

We all know that change can be difficult thing to embrace. It can be difficult to adjust to new habits or schedules, it can be challenging to accept new relationships and a new place.  Change is just hard. And for some of you, what we will see and hear in week 4 of Ninety-One is going to be very different than how you were raised to believe or what you've been taught to believe about Jesus and the Bible. You're going to have to decide if you will change and embrace this new understanding. For others, the reason you gave up on Jesus or walked away from church is because you knew that there had to be more. You knew it was more than a bunch of do's and don'ts. You didn't necessarily know what it was, but you got tired of self-righteous people and the legalism imposed upon you. So you gave up. In this video you are going to have the opportunity to reconsider and rediscover. For you, it will mean a significant change in your life, a change where you re-engage Jesus. This video could be controversial where you will see the difference in an old way and a new way, an old understanding and a new understanding. It gives us a clear framework of how to see the Bible and Jesus. And the reason it's so important, is that you need to know what you believe about the Bible and Jesus.

Ninety-One - Week 4 video ( https://subspla.sh/dghnsd4 )

1. Jesus made it a point of revealing that He had come to do something completely different, completely new. What was Jesus here to change?
2. If someone came in to change everything about your life or up the level on how you live your life, how would you feel about that?  
3. Jesus' ministry last 3 years. His teachings that we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount was taught over and over and over again. Why do you think this is? ( Matthew 5-7 )
4. Here are worlds views and then what Jesus shares for His Kingdom.

	KINGDOM OF THE WORLD	KINGDOM OF JESUS
v. 3	Blessed are the self-confident, for they can accomplish anything.	Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
v. 4	Blessed are the excited, for they’re doing awesome!	Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
v. 5	Blessed are those who do what they have to do to win, for they’re unstoppable.	Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
v. 6	Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for success, for they will get it.	Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
v. 7	Blessed are those who get even, for nobody can push them around.	Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
v. 8	Blessed are those who look good, for they will impress others.	Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
v. 9	Blessed are those who stir up the action, for they get lots of attention.	Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
v. 10	Blessed are the safe, for they will be comfortable.	Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Jesus challenges us on our worldly views of thinking. He raises the bar for us as He did with the religious leaders of that time. This wasn't about do or don'ts, it was about honoring God! Are there areas in your life where you struggle to accept Jesus' teachings for His Kingdom?
5. Jesus came to end one covenant, the Old Testament with one nation, to establish the New Covenant with all nations. He didn't come to abolish the Old Testament, but to fulfill it. He came to raise the bar, raise our level of responsibility to others. He created a new world order. What was that order that Jesus created?   

There is an idea or notion that you have to get your life together to follow Jesus. In fact, some of you grew up believing that following Jesus means you've got your life together, you're crossing all your T's, dotting your I's. You don't make a lot of mistakes. And that's one of the big reasons why people resist following Jesus. They don't believe their good enough, their life isn't together enough, they think, how can I follow Jesus. But when we read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the four writings that tell about Jesus, it becomes very clear that Jesus didn't come for perfect people. Jesus didn't come for people who had it altogether. Jesus didn't come for sinless people. There is something that you need to know. Something that gives you hope and a start to possibly following Jesus. Being a sinner doesn't disqualify you from following Jesus, being a sinner is a prerequisite for following Jesus.  Read that again!  Being a sinner doesn't disqualify you from following Jesus, being a sinner is a prerequisite for following Jesus. So, if your mindset about following Jesus has been, but you don't know what I've done, you don't know where I've been, you don't know what I think about. Being a sinner, having a past, having baggage, being imperfect, being a hot mess, doesn't keep you from following Jesus, it's required to follow Jesus. Even doubts and being uncertain doesn't eliminate you from following Jesus. We will see when we watch week 3 of Ninety-One that even Jesus' closes followers had doubts. They even on the night before Jesus died on the cross, stopped believing and unfollowed. The good news for all of us is, even with our doubts, even with uncertainty, even with our questions, we can still begin to follow Jesus. Lets watch and listen and Mark shares with us that we are not the only ones who go through times of doubt or uncertainty and that being a sinner is our invitation to follow Jesus.

Ninety-One - Week 3 video - ( https://subspla.sh/d37x52w )

1. Read Matthew 4:18-22.  If you are going to make a big purchase, like a car or house, would you research and ask questions about it? Is Matthews account of calling the first disciples feel like they did their research? Do you think it's important to take in all the accounts of the writings of the Gospels to see the big picture?
2. Luke 5:1- Why do you think the people were so eager to hear Jesus speak?
3. Was Simon ready and willing to follow Jesus when He asked Simon to go fishing?
4. In verses 8, why do you think Simone Peter acted the way he did?
5. Jesus said to them, From now on you will be catching people. What was all the information and actions of Jesus that would make a man decide to drop their nets and follow Him? 

Temptation. This is something that we all struggle with. All of us face something that we wish we could overcome. And that thing about temptation that makes it so difficult for you and I to resist is that temptation always plays to something that you have a great fondness of, YOURSELF. That's because temptation is nothing more than an invitation to do something or indulge in something that satisfies the one that matters most to you - YOU
So when you're tempted by something that benefits you or satisfies you, what's the likelihood that you will naturally say no? Like 0%, right? So all temptation is an invitation to embrace yourself. It's all about self-interest and selfishness.
Jesus tells us something so profound about living your life focused on yourself. Jesus said, "if you live a self-centered life," life all about YOU, "in the end you don't just hurt yourself, you lose yourself." And one of the things that we see in the life of Jesus is the example of how to live our lives differently. How to live our lives unlike anyone else before him, and unlike most people since. Check out week 2 of Ninety-One as Mark shares with us on how Jesus came to show us how to live life in a completely new and completely different way then the world had ever know.
Week 2 of Ninety-One ( https://subspla.sh/5wxc7xn )

1. What is temptation? How would you describe it simply to a child or someone who isn’t a Christian?
2. How is temptation a struggle for us all?
3. Do you ever find yourself being tempted in the same way over and over again? Why do you think this is the case?
4. Reading verses Matthew 4:3-9 again, identify the three key ways in which the devil tempted Jesus. What is at the heart of each of these temptations?
5. The third temptation the devil offers Jesus, kingdoms, power, wealth, influence. Jesus turns this down. For most people in this world, they would jump at this opportunity, but Jesus was ushering in a new model. Upside down and completely different from the old model.
Can you compare and contrast the new model vs the old model? 

In this new series Ninety-One we are going to journey through the life of Jesus. For the next 91 days we will we are going to see Jesus and who He encountered. We are going to listen to His teachings and conversations through the eyes and ears of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. If we believe that these gospel writers give us a reliable account of the life of Jesus, then what they observed and wrote should answer all of our questions.

In week 1 of Ninety-One, Mark shares with us the introduction of Jesus. He shares how John the Baptist shouted in the wilderness to clear the way for the Lords coming. We see through John's account ( not to get confused with John the Baptist, but John the gospel writer)  that John the Baptist came as a witness to testify about the light ( Jesus), so that many would believe through him. He (John the Baptist) was not the light but he came to testify about the light (Jesus). The true light that gives light to everyone that was coming into this world.

Week 1 video - ( https://subspla.sh/g799bgr )

1. Read Luke 3:1. Why does Luke start out by naming all of these leaders?
2. What do we know about who John the Baptist is?
3. What was John the Baptist mission?
4. When John the Baptist was testifying about the coming Messiah, he was calling people to repent and be baptized. What are some ways that you can use your actions, as well as your words, to testify about Jesus?
5. Jesus came into the world under the old covenant, to usher in a new covenant and cancel out the old. The first covenant was between God and a Nation. What was the second covenant, the new covenant that Jesus established?
6. Jesus came to establish 3 new things. What are those things? ( check out the video at 1:08:00 mark)


 

In our series The Problem with God, Miracles, and this series More Than A Season, we have been looking at why we as Christian's believe what we believe. There is so much information out there that backs up what we read in the Bible. Mark in week 1 of More Than A Season goes over many of these details. If you missed it please check out week 1 of More Than a Season here ( https://subspla.sh/wmjgc7j )

This week after all the investigation and research of looking into why we believe what we believe we have this addition question now to ask ourselves. What should we do with what we believe? If you believe that truth exists, and that God exists, and that miracles are possible, and that the New Testament is reliable and gives us a reliable account of the life of Jesus, what should you do with that? More importantly, if you believe all of that, have you made the decision to trust Jesus with your life? If so, what should you do with that experience?

Mark talks about all of this and more in week 2 of More Than A Season - Gotta Tell Somebody.
( https://subspla.sh/95f99by )

1. What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you?
2. If you could be known for one thing, what would it be?
3. If you could broadcast one message to everyone in the world and it was guaranteed they would hear it, what would it be? Why?
4. Do you know your story and how you became a follower of Christ?
5. Are there opportunities for you to share your story but you hesitate to share? What holds you back?
6. If you are honest with yourself, do you realize the magnitude of what Jesus did for you?
7. If you have questions on how to share your faith or about your faith, send an email to ihavequestions@golifeway.com 

Christmas is getting close and there are probably many things that we want to put on our wish list. But for some people it might be difficult or just impossible to write something down. Maybe because the thing you want more than anything else isn't something that you can buy in a store. What you really want is something more important than a new watch or a pair of shoes. You want something like a job, or you want your family to get along, or you want someone to get well, you want this pandemic to be over. One of the reasons you can't bring yourself to write it down or ask someone for it, because you're not sure if it's even possible. Your not sure someone can actually give you the answer to your request. And some of us are saying that, if just maybe, just maybe if we can get to Christmas, maybe everything will be better. You believe that because we see Christmas as a season of hope and possibilities. But there is more to it. It's more than a season.  More Than A Season - Week 1 - All You NEED For Christmas https://subspla.sh/wmjgc7j

1. What is a favorite Christmas memory from when you were little?
2. As we got older, why did Christmas become more complicated and seem to loss some of its meaning?
3. If Christmas isn't about us telling someone what we want, then what is Christmas about?
4. Why is Christmas more than a season?
5.Mark share with us great information on how we can be certain that what we read in the Bible about Jesus is true. Is there someone in your life that you think can benefit from this video if you share it with them or watch with them?  

We live in a culture and climate where enough is never enough. You see something you want, you work hard, and hopefully you save for it, and then you buy it. Only to realize after you've bought it that there's a bigger better model, with more options and features and space, and it goes faster, and it will allow you to stay longer. Our satisfaction has short-term memory issues. Our contentment is conditional. Our contentment is always dependent on the availability of more and better. And if you are a follower of Jesus, and even if you're not a follower of Jesus but you're a person who ask God for things, we tend to treat God the same way. In week 3 of Miracles ( https://subspla.sh/x9b4xrz ) Mark is going to show us miracles in the Bible that for a group of people, enough was never enough.

1. How would you feel if you were an Israelite and Moses had you leave Elim?
2. Read Exodus 16:1-8. How were the Israelites acting? What were they saying?
3. What does God’s plan seem to be?
4. Were the Israelites grateful for this? What was their response?
5. What was the point of the Sabbath? Why was it so hard for the Israelites to adhere to?
6. What are you saying to God when enough is never enough?
7. What are you saying to God when you will not obey His words?
8. Can you see any resemblance to us & the Israelites? In what ways?
9. In what ways can going through trials of testing from God strengthen our faith?

In week 1 of Miracles we discovered that miracles are unexplained, supernatural events that suspends natural law, by which God confirms a message and/or a messenger. And the miracle that God does, He does for Himself. God is about revealing Himself and His glory, and while mankind benefits from the miracles, God does the miracle for Himself. God also doesn't just do the miracle to do something for you, but when God does a miracle it's to do something in you. That's what we see in the miracles in the Bible. Miracles producing faith and belief and trust and encouragement. The miracle that you are praying for has already been done. and I don't mean that the healing has already happened or that your relationship has already been restored or that provision has already been made, but through the miracles recorded in the Bible, God has already done the miracle He needed to do, to do the work in you that needs to be done.

This week in week 2 of Miracles ( https://subspla.sh/d5czxv6 ) Mark leads us through many of the miracles that happen when Moses leads God people out of Egypt.

1. Most of us have a routine or some sort of schedule that we follow daily. Tell about a time this week when your regular flow of activity was disrupted. How did you react?
2. What are places in your life that you think God may be asking you to step out and do something, but you are scared?
3. What did God’s escape plan require of Moses and the Israelites?
4. How did this experience change the relationship between God and Israel?
5. How was God glorified through Pharaoh and his army?
6. What seems to be God’s purpose in this plan?

Don't fear the thing that makes you afraid, fear God and believe in Him.

In this new series we will  talk about Miracles. We all have a vision of what miracles are and we all feel that God has given, changed, or fixed something in our life that we called a miracle from God. In this first week of Miracles, Mark walks us through the Bible and explains to us what miracles are. What God uses miracles for and the difference between  God's providential will or a miracle. Take a look at  week 1 of Miracles at ( https://subspla.sh/pzgj95j )

1. Was there a time where you thought God graced you with a miracle in your life?
2. What are some miracles that take place in the Bible?
3. What is the definition of a miracle?
4. What is the difference between a miracle and God's providential will?
5. Why does God use miracles?

This week in part 4 of The Problem with God (https://subspla.sh/ggbs5qd) we talk about Moral Law. In the Merriam-Webster dictionary moral law is defined as: a rule or group of rules conceived as universal and unchanging and as having the sanction of God's will, of conscience, of man's moral nature, or of natural justice as revealed to human reason. As we look into Moral Law we need to understand that if there is a law in place, then someone had to give that law to be put in place. Then if there is a Moral Law. Therefore, there is a Moral Law Giver. Mark gives great message with great examples on Moral law and where these laws came from in this last week of The Problem with God.

1. Why is it important to be a moral person?
2. Explain the difference between an objective morality and moral relativism.
3. Jesus gave us a command to be able to follow the moral laws. It's easy to remember but it elevates the standards on which we live. John 13:34 says "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are are also to love one another."

What are examples of Jesus love in the Bible?  

Then He continues in verse John 13:35: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

If you have questions about any part of this series, please don't let them go unanswered. Direct your questions at ihavequestions@golifeway.com  

In week 3 of The Problem with God (https://subspla.sh/qmcbq2s), Mark starts us off into a conversation about the beginning of the Universe. Everything has a beginning. The Law of Causality says that something can't happen without a cause. Therefore, the universe has a beginning. Mark shares with us how some of the greatest minds prove and show how our universe began from a finite amount of energy that exploded out (the Big Bang) to make our universe. Also in this week we see how we are in this Goldilocks zone where if things were not Just Right, we could not exist in this universe. Examples of this is the Oxygen Constant, The Atmospheric Transparency Constant, the Moon-Earth Gravitation Interaction Constant, The Carbon Constant, plus more. If these constants where not Just Right we wouldn't have life as we know it.

1. As a child, what was your understanding of the creation story? 
2. As you got older did you doubt the creation story due to outside sources? Friends, college professors, books that suggest something different happened?
3. Where is you understanding of the creation story now? Is there enough evidence in this message that shows that God created the universe? Can you put together a defense that you are confident in if a conversation about the beginning comes up?  If not, please don't leave with unanswered questions. We have a email to direct any questions you have at ihavequestions@golifeway.com  

You are God's prized creation. If God concerned himself to create this creation so precisely and in a way  that sustains and continues, how GREAT is his concern for His prize creation? Would not the creator want the very best for His prize creation? He has made everything just right so that life exists and He has sent Jesus to make everything just right for those who will acknowledge their sin and receive His forgiveness.  

The problem with God is that science and God do not go along with each other. Right? Humans have been making discoveries on how the universe was created through scientific formulas and observations for a long time now. Doesn't that conclude that God did not create the heavens and the earth like the Bible teaches us. Well in week 2 of The Problem with God, Mark talks about how science and God do go together. It is one of our characteristics as humans to look and discover things. We are curious beings and God made us that way so we can search for Him.  And through science we can discover how God did it! If you missed The Problem With God - Week 2 check it out here at https://subspla.sh/dgqb6qs

1. What would you say to someone who asked why you personally believe God exists?  

2. What do you think might be some pitfalls for only having “blind faith”? How might having reason with faith make Christianity more appealing to non-believers?  

3. In your own words, what is the Cosmological Argument and why is it important in  defending the Christian belief that God exists?

4. What part of the cosmological argument is most compelling to you?

5. Read the following Bible passages and explain how science supports the biblical claims. Genesis  1:1–2, Psalms 33:66, John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Colossians 1:16, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 1:2,  Hebrews 11:3, Jude 1:25  

This week Alvin continued another great message on circumstances. He talked about Paul who even though he was in jail and about to be put to death he continues his allegiance and work for Christ. Alvin directed us to 2 Timothy where Paul writes this letter to Timothy whom he was mentoring and had served with. He is writing him this one last letter of encouragement to spur him on, to challenge him to Be Ready for what lies ahead. Video for Circumstances - week 3 - Be Ready -  https://subspla.sh/wjnk6fn


True or False - You endure all the hardships of getting ready for vacation (save money, packing, checking your car, make sure the house is secured, pets are taken care of, and so on) because once you are on vacation it is worth it.

Do you feel like you are ready to go out and share the Gospels in most circumstances?
 
Can you identify areas in you life where you think you should share Jesus?

What stops you from sharing Jesus or asking someone to go to church?

It has been said, this will not be easy but in the end it will be rewarding. 2 Timothy 4:5 -  As for you, always be sober minded, ENDURE SUFFERING, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

When we face hard circumstances, our tendency is to run from pain and avoid the uncomfortable because we know that it's going to make a mess of our lives. As the church, we have decided that our Christian walk should be a comfortable and convenient walk, rather than one that is filled with serving and sacrifice. Our circumstances definitely can bring challenge to our lives but when that happens our tendency should be to look to Jesus as the one who is able to help us and walk with us.  Circumstances - Week 2 video - https://subspla.sh/bfgrynz

Have you ever felt great debt to someone for something they did for you or for your family?
Something like a great sacrifice or act of kindness.

As part of the church Paul said, as a Christian, we should live our lives in such a way that is worthy. In a way that shows your appreciation of the sacrifice that Jesus made for you on your behalf. In appreciation and thankfulness, your life actions show an attitude of humility, gentleness, and patience.

For most of our lives circumstances cause us to focus on our self and how our lives are being messed up by the circumstance.

So when this happens, we should question how:

How does our response affect God?
How will this reflect on Him?
How does God want me to handle this problem or this blessing?
How can I most please and honor God in this?
 

Alvin didn't plan on being on stage this week, but sometimes there are circumstances that come along that change what and how we do things. Check out this weeks message on Circumstances - https://subspla.sh/7vryxv4    What about the circumstances in your life that you are dealing with? Circumstances that are there because it's life. Like marital issues? Financial Issues? Parenting Issues? Job, spiritual, and health issues? COVID became a big circumstance in everyone's life.

So, with all these issues, how are these circumstances affecting your relationship with God?

Like Moses and the burning bush, what other uncomfortable circumstances come to mind in the Bible?  

Is there someone in your circles that need your encouragement? For you to come along and carry their cross? 

Can you handle the truth! This message is a great start to our new series, The Problem with God.  In today’s world there is so many people leaving the church or not even give church a chance. They reject God. They don’t understand the Bible. They become influenced by people who they let have authority over them like friends, family, college professors, creative artist, even people online who are right at their figure tips. People leaving the church decide what they like as truth over what is actually truth. What the absolute truth is. Since this is an apologetic series which is a reasoned argument in justifying Christianity, are you prepared to share the truth? Do you know truth? Do you know how to explain truth? We have to prepare to bring people to Christ. Bring people back to the church. To share the truth. Start here with week 1 of The Problem with God https://subspla.sh/r4wxh4y.

What’s wrong with this statement: "There is no such thing as absolute truth.”

Can you hold to absolute truth and still be non-judgmental?

Are the areas of Jesus’ truth that you have eliminated as absolute truth?

As a missionary for Jesus, are you prepared to defend what you believe?

If you have questions on this series email those questions to ihavequestions@golifeway.com

This week Mark talks about Nebuchadnezzar and how his self-centered pride and his desire to follow his own rules made him feel like a god. But God had a way to show Nebuchadnezzar that He is our sovereign God and Nebuchadnezzar is only in that place of authority because it was granted to him. Watch or listen to week 6 of #MYLIFEMYRULES at https://subspla.sh/sjs95cs.

Take a couple of minutes to identify the leadership roles in your life.

Are you giving God ultimate authority in your leadership roles?

Does pride of your accomplishments sometimes set in?

God took steps to humble Nebuchadnezzar during his leadership. What steps has God taken to
humble you?

God has granted you this stewardship of leading people in this world. In your leadership role you have a great opportunity to be the image of Christ to the ones you lead. Are you being the image of Christ?

As a leader, are you mentoring someone so they can lead the next generation?

Back about 11 years ago I decided to investigate God, Jesus, and the Bible. I would always say I believe in Jesus but I didn’t realize there was much more to it then that. Back then I would have even said I was saved and going to heaven. So, during my search, I read the Bible and attended church here at Lifeway. I really got to discover what it means to be a follower of Jesus. A true follower. My eyes opened up and I want others to see what I saw. To see how great our Lord is and what He has to offer us. How He can give us peace in a world of chaos, especially during times like now. But every time I would research and discover new things, other questions would pop up. Which is great! It kept me and it will keep you on pursuing God. Never stop pursuing Him. This week in week 5 of #MYLIFEMYRULES we look at a most significant question that we will ever ask ourselves. How do I get to heaven? https://subspla.sh/2nk48qt

1. Most people believe in heaven or a place after this life. Jesus talks about heaven where we can live forever that is untainted. A place where love, joy, peace is unmanipulated? Does heaven seem too good to be real?
2. Jesus gave us a formula to get to eternal life and heaven. The question is, if you don’t believe the words of Jesus, who or what are you going to believe?
3. What is it that we can do to gain access to heaven? Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:10 & 23
4. Who is it that we can trust and follow to gain access to heaven? John 14:6, Acts 2:36
 
Answer to Q4 + Answer to Q3 = Heaven

5. What should our response be after gaining this information on how to access heaven? Acts 2:37-38
If you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior please head over to the Lifeway Church next steps page on the website. We would love to be able to help guide you on your next steps. http://www.golifeway.com/next-steps

For the past 3 weeks we have been taking about following rules, but in reality, we want to make the rules and be the ruler.  There is one place where God has given you the permission to be the ruler. You have been given permission to rule your will. Mark talks about this and how to make the right choice in week 4 of #MYLIFEMYRULES -  https://youtu.be/l05eH1TeDvM
 
When you choose to exercise your will, is God apart of that process?

Are you truly seeking God’s kingdom first and His righteousness? Or does getting and gaining to get ahead in this world consume you?

What steps have you taken to make sure you are making the right choices? Are you training?

Do you have people in your life, that also follow Jesus, that you trust and are honest with you on the decisions you make?

Alvin lead us this past Sunday in a message called Rule Breaker. You missed it? No worries, check it out here at this YouTube link - https://youtu.be/Dxfjs3O6n6k  We all break the rules. We might tend to go over the speed limit at times. Using our cell phones while driving. Here is a funny one. Depending on the circumstances, like volume and number of people, singing popular songs in public might constitute copyright infringement. Back in the 90’s the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) asked the Girl Scouts to pay royalties for teaching campers the Macarena. Crazy! Right?  God, He has handed down laws to protect our freedoms, but over time those laws where added on to. Traditions and rituals where put in place, all in order to not break the laws. It became more important to live out the law then to hear what the word of God actually had to say. But God, sent His Son Jesus to show us what God is after. Jesus came to show us Gods true heart. Jesus is worried about the condition of our hearts, not how well we follow traditions and rituals. Jesus was called a rule breaker because of this. Jesus wanted to show us that it was our hearts that God was after. Not a person who just goes through the motions to abide by the laws. When we truly love God, we will deeply respect Gods laws and abide by them.
 
Are there man-made traditions or rituals in our lives that we elevate above what God says?
What are things in our culture that we have elevated to worship over God?
What are some of Gods rules that we cloudy up in order to justify our choices?
What are some examples of why the religious leader thought Jesus was considered a rule breaker?