Pastor’s Class Notes:
Ownership
Read: Leviticus 25:23; Haggai 2:1-9; Isaiah 32:1-8; Psalm 37, 50:7-15; John 1:1-5
Is all creation God’s?
What can God do with it? (Genesis 6:5-8)
If the earth and all that is within it belongs to God, then what should be our reaction and response to the creation?
Tithe
Read: Genesis14:17-24; Lev. 27:30-34; Numbers 18:21-28
(See also: Deut. 12:6-17, 14:22-28, 26:12; Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 23:23)
What is a Tithe?
Why was it important?
Why is it still important?
Is it Law?
How would you describe the practice of Tithe today?
Generosity
Read: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Luke 6:37-38
(See also: Philemon 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:15-17; Is 32:8)
Why is generosity so important?
How is generosity related to wealth? (2 Cor 8:1-15; Luke 21:1-4)
What happens when a person becomes generous?
What happens when it spreads to community? and beyond?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Week of October 18th
Weekly Bible Readings
Sunday: Romans 12:1-8
Luke 10:25-37
Monday: Acts 3:1-10
Tuesday: John 2:1-12 (13:1-15)
Wednesday: John 16:4b-15
1 Timothy 4:14
Thursday: Ephesians 4:1-16
2 Timothy 1:6
Friday: 1 Peter 4:10-11
Hebrews 2:1-4
Saturday: Luke 8:16-18
Pastor’s Class Notes:
Read: Luke 10:25-37
Discussion Questions:
What do you find interesting about his passage?
What was context of the discussion that led Jesus to tell the story?
What do you think a religious law expert was after from Jesus?
Note: An expert in religious law is often referred to as a “scribe” in the New Testament. They are not priests, and can be from a variety of Jewish backgrounds. (i.e. Pharisee, Zealots, Sadducee, Sicarii, etc.) These scribes are not only teachers of the law but are focused on how to understand, interpret, and apply the law to their people.
He could have been testing Jesus, but he could also have been seeking truth.
What impact does Jesus’ interpretation have on the laws of Moses?
See: Leviticus 19:18; 21:10-12
So, who is our neighbor? And what changes to our behavior should we make to hold to Jesus’ call to love the neighbor as yourself?
Read: Romans 12:1-8
What are the Spiritual Gifts?
How are they to be used?
What are your Spiritual Gifts? (If you don’t know, consider CORE 3 Class.)
See Ephesians 4:1-16 & 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
What benefits do the Spiritual Gifts offer the Church?
How do the gifts work together?
Identify what the “weaker” or “less honorable” gifts might be? (1 Cor 12:22-26)
How do they fit into the “body of Christ?”
What happens when the “body” doesn’t work together?
These two ideas, Doing good deeds and Spiritual Gifts, were tied together into one key idea in Pastor Chris’ message. What was that idea?
What is your role in the life of the Church?
What are you called to do? Desire to do? Love to do?
If you are not doing it, why not?
If you are doing it, how’s it going?
Be a LEGO, built together into the Kingdom of God.
Sunday: Romans 12:1-8
Luke 10:25-37
Monday: Acts 3:1-10
Tuesday: John 2:1-12 (13:1-15)
Wednesday: John 16:4b-15
1 Timothy 4:14
Thursday: Ephesians 4:1-16
2 Timothy 1:6
Friday: 1 Peter 4:10-11
Hebrews 2:1-4
Saturday: Luke 8:16-18
Pastor’s Class Notes:
Read: Luke 10:25-37
Discussion Questions:
What do you find interesting about his passage?
What was context of the discussion that led Jesus to tell the story?
What do you think a religious law expert was after from Jesus?
Note: An expert in religious law is often referred to as a “scribe” in the New Testament. They are not priests, and can be from a variety of Jewish backgrounds. (i.e. Pharisee, Zealots, Sadducee, Sicarii, etc.) These scribes are not only teachers of the law but are focused on how to understand, interpret, and apply the law to their people.
He could have been testing Jesus, but he could also have been seeking truth.
What impact does Jesus’ interpretation have on the laws of Moses?
See: Leviticus 19:18; 21:10-12
So, who is our neighbor? And what changes to our behavior should we make to hold to Jesus’ call to love the neighbor as yourself?
Read: Romans 12:1-8
What are the Spiritual Gifts?
How are they to be used?
What are your Spiritual Gifts? (If you don’t know, consider CORE 3 Class.)
See Ephesians 4:1-16 & 1 Corinthians 12:1-31
What benefits do the Spiritual Gifts offer the Church?
How do the gifts work together?
Identify what the “weaker” or “less honorable” gifts might be? (1 Cor 12:22-26)
How do they fit into the “body of Christ?”
What happens when the “body” doesn’t work together?
These two ideas, Doing good deeds and Spiritual Gifts, were tied together into one key idea in Pastor Chris’ message. What was that idea?
What is your role in the life of the Church?
What are you called to do? Desire to do? Love to do?
If you are not doing it, why not?
If you are doing it, how’s it going?
Be a LEGO, built together into the Kingdom of God.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Week of October 11th
Bible Readings:
Sunday Matthew 17:1-9
Monday Hebrews 10:19-25
Tuesday Colossians 1:15-21
Wednesday Ephesians 3:10-12
Thursday Luke 12:1-12
Friday Romans 13:13-14
Saturday Acts 3:19-20
Sunday Matthew 17:1-9
Monday Hebrews 10:19-25
Tuesday Colossians 1:15-21
Wednesday Ephesians 3:10-12
Thursday Luke 12:1-12
Friday Romans 13:13-14
Saturday Acts 3:19-20
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Inside #1 - Commune (Week of October 4th)
Pastor’s Class Notes:
How do you commune with God?
What are the steps? What is your perfect environment?
How often do you pray?
What do you pray?
How could you pray better? (If you knew ...)
Read Matthew 6:5-13
Jesus’ prayer teaching has some key aspects that are based on the negative prayer practices of the Pharisees. (whom Jesus called hypocrites. Why?)
Identify those positive prayer practices.
What is the most powerful part of the Lord’s Prayer for you?
How often do you use it in your prayers?
Create a prayer outline using the Lord’s Prayer as a guide:
What is it Jesus is trying to teach us?
Read Luke 11:1-13
What is different about this version of the Lord’s Prayer?
Jesus concludes this prayer with a parable about perseverance.
Is your practice to pray with such fervor? What happens when you do?
If we have experienced an answer to such prayers, what keeps us from praying like this all the time?
Verses 9-13 - What is an appropriate request?
What can we pray for? should we pray for?
What about Holy Communion? How often would you like to receive it?
Is it a part of your Communing practice with God?
What other practices do you use?
These are called Spiritual Disciplines. What are others you might use to connect with God?
Great References: “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster; “Soul Feast” by Marjorie Thompson
How do you commune with God?
What are the steps? What is your perfect environment?
How often do you pray?
What do you pray?
How could you pray better? (If you knew ...)
Read Matthew 6:5-13
Jesus’ prayer teaching has some key aspects that are based on the negative prayer practices of the Pharisees. (whom Jesus called hypocrites. Why?)
Identify those positive prayer practices.
What is the most powerful part of the Lord’s Prayer for you?
How often do you use it in your prayers?
Create a prayer outline using the Lord’s Prayer as a guide:
What is it Jesus is trying to teach us?
Read Luke 11:1-13
What is different about this version of the Lord’s Prayer?
Jesus concludes this prayer with a parable about perseverance.
Is your practice to pray with such fervor? What happens when you do?
If we have experienced an answer to such prayers, what keeps us from praying like this all the time?
Verses 9-13 - What is an appropriate request?
What can we pray for? should we pray for?
What about Holy Communion? How often would you like to receive it?
Is it a part of your Communing practice with God?
What other practices do you use?
These are called Spiritual Disciplines. What are others you might use to connect with God?
Great References: “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster; “Soul Feast” by Marjorie Thompson
Monday, October 05, 2009
Week of October 4th
Daily Readings
Sunday Matthew 6:5-13
Monday Matthew 14:22-23
Tuesday Matthew 21:22-23
Wednesday Luke 11:1-13
Thursday Luke 18:1-8
Friday Philippians 4:6-7
Saturday 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Sunday Matthew 6:5-13
Monday Matthew 14:22-23
Tuesday Matthew 21:22-23
Wednesday Luke 11:1-13
Thursday Luke 18:1-8
Friday Philippians 4:6-7
Saturday 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
I'm An Outside Person (or How Can God Accept Me?)
Week of September 27
I'm An Outside Person (or How Can God Accept Me?)
Some people are outside because they know their lives are less than perfect. They cannot forgive themselves nor can they reconcile the things that has happened to them so they feel alienated from God because they feel God cannot love them. The truth is, that's exactly why God wants them, to lead them to wholeness; to bring them in from the outside where it can be lonely and cold.
Daily Readings
Sunday: John 8:1-11 & Col. 2:1-10 (esp. 6-7)
Monday: Romans 4:1-5; 3:21-28
Tuesday: Romans 15:7 & Acts 10:35
Wednesday: John 3:16-21 & 5:24
Thursday: John 14:21
Friday: 2 Cor 6:1-2
Saturday: James 1:21
Have you ever feared God? Do you now?
Why do you think people ask this question, “How Can God Accept Me?”
What is it about their lives (maybe from personal experience) that separates them so much from God?
What must we do to acquire God’s acceptance?
Must we reach a certain standard of holiness? of perfection? or of sinlessness?
Where is the dividing line: where one is in and another out?
Matthew 25:31-46. Who is a sheep? Who is a goat? Who makes the final designation?
It’s NOT the Church!
Read John 8:1-11
Does God Condemn Sin? Who does God accept?
How has the Church categorized sin? What’s okay, what’s not? (Ex 20:1-17)
What does that mean for us? Read Romans 4:1-5
Read Romans 3:27-28 & Acts 10:35
For Believers: Read 2 Cor. 6:1 & Colossians 2:6
No one is righteous and all deserve punishment.
God has already accepted us and is working towards our acceptance of God in return!
I'm An Outside Person (or How Can God Accept Me?)
Some people are outside because they know their lives are less than perfect. They cannot forgive themselves nor can they reconcile the things that has happened to them so they feel alienated from God because they feel God cannot love them. The truth is, that's exactly why God wants them, to lead them to wholeness; to bring them in from the outside where it can be lonely and cold.
Daily Readings
Sunday: John 8:1-11 & Col. 2:1-10 (esp. 6-7)
Monday: Romans 4:1-5; 3:21-28
Tuesday: Romans 15:7 & Acts 10:35
Wednesday: John 3:16-21 & 5:24
Thursday: John 14:21
Friday: 2 Cor 6:1-2
Saturday: James 1:21
Have you ever feared God? Do you now?
Why do you think people ask this question, “How Can God Accept Me?”
What is it about their lives (maybe from personal experience) that separates them so much from God?
What must we do to acquire God’s acceptance?
Must we reach a certain standard of holiness? of perfection? or of sinlessness?
Where is the dividing line: where one is in and another out?
Matthew 25:31-46. Who is a sheep? Who is a goat? Who makes the final designation?
It’s NOT the Church!
Read John 8:1-11
Does God Condemn Sin? Who does God accept?
How has the Church categorized sin? What’s okay, what’s not? (Ex 20:1-17)
What does that mean for us? Read Romans 4:1-5
Read Romans 3:27-28 & Acts 10:35
For Believers: Read 2 Cor. 6:1 & Colossians 2:6
No one is righteous and all deserve punishment.
God has already accepted us and is working towards our acceptance of God in return!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Outside: Why Does the Church Want Me?
It is true that many people feel like outsiders to Church. Some have been alienated by a congregation or an individual, turned off by a message or theology, or simply found it irrelevant to life or lifestyle.
Sound familiar? Is it true of your family, your friends, you?
This September at COFS Pastor Chris Nunley will address 3 critical life-questions most people have that the Church can answer.
No one has to be left...Outside.

It’s Safer Outside (or Why Does the Church Want Me?)
The Week of September 20, 2009
One of the reasons people stay Outside the church is because they are afraid. It's not that it is safer outside, but it just doesn't seem safe inside. It's as if we are wanting something, money, time, energy, etc. The church might be seen like a vulture, just waiting for prey. But that's not the Church at all (or not how it's supposed to be.) We want them so that we can know them and they us and all of us know God more completely. We need each other!
Questions to Ponder:
Why do people not go to Church?
What are people are afraid of?
How has the church left people outside? (So that it appears safer there?)
What do people say about Church in general? About COFS?
What has the church done (or is now doing) that makes people feel unwelcome?
We’ve talked about Radical Hospitality, but the real question is, “Why?”
*Matthew 20:20-28 (Mk 10:35-45)
*John 13:1-17
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 9:9-13
*Romans 15:1-9a
Acts 1:1-11
Matthew 25:31-46
*Hebrews 13:1-3
Genesis 18:1-8
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Read these passages * and ask:
What does this passage say to the church today?
What implications does this have if we took it seriously?
How do we go about making changes to COFS? to the Kingdom?
How do we go about making changes to our attitudes as Christians?
How do we get out of the me/them thinking.
Sound familiar? Is it true of your family, your friends, you?
This September at COFS Pastor Chris Nunley will address 3 critical life-questions most people have that the Church can answer.
No one has to be left...Outside.

It’s Safer Outside (or Why Does the Church Want Me?)
The Week of September 20, 2009
One of the reasons people stay Outside the church is because they are afraid. It's not that it is safer outside, but it just doesn't seem safe inside. It's as if we are wanting something, money, time, energy, etc. The church might be seen like a vulture, just waiting for prey. But that's not the Church at all (or not how it's supposed to be.) We want them so that we can know them and they us and all of us know God more completely. We need each other!
Questions to Ponder:
Why do people not go to Church?
What are people are afraid of?
How has the church left people outside? (So that it appears safer there?)
What do people say about Church in general? About COFS?
What has the church done (or is now doing) that makes people feel unwelcome?
We’ve talked about Radical Hospitality, but the real question is, “Why?”
*Matthew 20:20-28 (Mk 10:35-45)
*John 13:1-17
Matthew 28:19-20
Matthew 9:9-13
*Romans 15:1-9a
Acts 1:1-11
Matthew 25:31-46
*Hebrews 13:1-3
Genesis 18:1-8
1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Read these passages * and ask:
What does this passage say to the church today?
What implications does this have if we took it seriously?
How do we go about making changes to COFS? to the Kingdom?
How do we go about making changes to our attitudes as Christians?
How do we get out of the me/them thinking.
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