Maximum Faith by George Barna

I heard a teleconference recently by George Barna that blew me away. It's an hour long, although the last 15-20 minutes is discussions, so you can skip that. George Barna is the author of a new book called, Maximum Faith. One of the big reasons that I loved the message of this book is that I'm on this journey with God and no one seems to GET IT. This book, Maximum Faith, is based on research that George Barna did between 2005-2010. The books website says, "...renowned researcher George Barna spent six years studying how Americans become Christians and how their lives are transformed by God. His studies revealed that the road to transformation is a ten-stop journey. Shockingly few American Christians ever get past the midway point of the journey – and thus lose out on the depth and beauty of the genuine and fulfilling relationship that God desires to have with us." In fact his study revealed that only 6% ever get to stop 6 and only 2% ever get past stop 7. That is sad beyond anything I have ever heard in my life. 

But this made the world of sense to me, no one gets my journey because so few people are trying to do this journey. That is the biggest tragedy of our planet. In a world where over 2.1 billion people say they are Christians, only 2% are making progress on this Christian journey? That is heart-breaking.

George Barna is known for doing Christian research, he has also written over 40 books and his life's mission is to get Christian churches in America excited, revolutionized, you could say to get them going, to transform them.

This book is not one I have read, in fact all I know about it is what the author himself has said and written about the research and findings of the research that he conducted. Here is my summary of what these two sources "straight from the author's mouth" said about it.

About the research

"Most Christians mirror cultural goals, desiring happiness, comfort, security, belonging, and popularity. Surprisingly few are focused on completely cooperating with God to experience the kind of whole-life transformation described in the Bible and made possible only through a partnership with God. The lack of understanding of the goals of a truly Christian life prevents people from making the extraordinary life transition that are possible." 

According to Barna…most people who consider themselves to be Christian, regardless of their level of spiritual maturity, are entangled in more of a circular journey than a consistently progressive route… the journey orchestrated by God … has discernible destination points along the way…

"…Transformation is like a tug of war, where an individual has periods of sustained progress followed by periods of dramatic retreat to levels of lesser maturity and capability. How a person handles each period of regression determines their transformational potential." 

While God-driven transformation is more common among people who are engaged in church life than among those who are not, neither the length of time involved with churches nor the amount of hours devoted to church-oriented activities bears much of a correlation to transformational progress.

The transformation journey has ten stops en route to wholeness and freedom. Most Americans, according to the research, never get beyond stop three (awareness and concern about sin and its effects, but not cooperating with Christ to alleviate that problem). Among those who become "born again Christians," most never move past stop five (i.e., having invited Christ to be their savior and then engaging in a lot of religious activity). In other words, a majority of the American public never reaches the second half of the stops on the journey to wholeness. Barna also determined that most church programs are designed to help people get to stop five of the journey but not to move farther down the road to Christ-likeness. 

The single most challenging stop is what Barna identified as "stop 7, which is that of brokenness." Driven by social mores, few adults who believe they are Christian are willing to abandon worldly objectives in favor of seeking godliness. 

Emphasizing that "you get what you measure" – that is, you evaluate yourself in areas that you believe are important and generally ignore the rest – Barna asserted that neither churches nor individuals usually have measurement criteria for spiritual development that reflect the outcomes promoted by Jesus. Citing "tangible fruit" as a more desirable outcome than the factors often measured – such as attendance, giving, program completion, or even Bible knowledge – he suggested that Christians and communities of faith reconsider how they determine "success" and "maturity" in light of what the research has shown to be the characteristics of those who have reached the latter stops on the journey and exhibit more substantial evidence of holistic life transformation. 

Transformation

Our destination is: Christ-likeness, wholeness, holiness, transformation (Jesus died to enable our lives to be completely transformed).

Transformation looks like: Living completely for Jesus, giving Jesus full control of everything in our lives, intimately and intently loving both God and other people, demonstrating that kind of love, that depth of love by pursuing only his will. Mark 12:30-31, Galatians 6:15, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 5, Galatians 5 and John (he didn't specify where in John, but alluded to John 13:35, other places in John such as John 14:6--7, John 14, 15 and 16 are also speaking about growth and transformation).

How Christians get confused: Christians confuse Christianity with religion, participation in events with faith integration, salvation with transformation, presence at events with connection with God, physical comfort with divine reward, emotional happiness with spiritual joy, religious knowledge with faith maturity, holiness with perfection, business with significance.

And the 10 stops are:

stop 1) When we are born - ignorant of sin (only 1% die without moving on from this stop).

stop 2) Aware of sin - an intellectual awareness (56% of America remain at stop 2).

stop 3) Know what sin means and become concerned that sin might potentially affect your life, keep you from having all the things you desire or could achieve - reflect on and consider what should they do about sin that could be affecting their life.

Most people in America never move past stop 3.

stop 4) Become aware that sin is harmful to their health, so they ask Jesus Christ to forgive them for their sins and they get what is often termed "born again" (33% of America).

stop 5) What almost immediately happens after stop 4, is they move to stop 5 where they become immersed in a lot of religious activity. They attend a lot more church events and engage in a lot more personal, spiritual activities (reading the Bible, praying, volunteering, small groups, Sunday school classes etc.).

Very few people get past stop 5. Often stop 6 happens after 15-30 years at stop 5.

stop 6) Holy discontent - an inner irritation with their faith, an inner frustration of, "Is this all?", "Did Jesus die for this mundane and unfulfilling life I am leading?", "Have I become the person that God made me to be?" This is the Holy Spirit. People can go anywhere from stop 6 (forwards or backwards).

stop 7) Brokenness - which is where they finally better understand their sin and how it is continuing to keep them apart from God. People have to be broken from sin, self and society to such an extent that they move from independence to absolute dependence on God. We come to the end of ourselves to fully give it up to God. We allow God to fully break us. Full brokenness puts four things under God's control - Mark 12:30-34 (heart, mind, strength or behaviour and soul or spirituality).

Only 2% get past stop 7.

stop 8) Surrender and submission to God - we give up total control to God of heart, mind, behaviour and spirituality. It's not until that point that true depth and growth can occur. Our life is no longer about us at that point, it's only about fully trusting God, depending on him, being completely obedient to him, recognizing we are here to serve him and his ends.

stop 9) We then are able to experience a profound love to and from God. It's what the Bible describes as that extraordinary peace with God, because he is always in your consciousness 24/7. You are always moving forward with him.

stop10) Last stop is being able to fully and totally love other people (God is love, so this made so much sense to me - God loves the unlovables so much, so of course this would be the last stop - to love like he loves). Extreme unusual love for people. Because people are not lovable, it's got to be God loving them through us.

What an exceptional journey and it makes so much sense to me. It is the journey, it is my journey, it is the journey of friends I know who are also walking it.

Critical insights:

These critical insights that George then spoke about are the truely sad parts.

• Most Americans, including most Christians, including those who are "born again" really have no idea what transformation means or what it takes.
• If you want a real eye-opener, ask a sample of people from your church, Bible study, cell group etc just out of the blue, "What is a transformed life, what does it look like, how do you get there?" Ask them for details. 
• What the research has shown is that startlingly few people persevere to get beyond the first piece of the journey.
• The dramatic implications for churches and culture and the world, that so few Christians master love.
• Another thing that comes out of the research is that a huge number of Christians enter churches without allowing brokenness to occur. This means very little difference in life between Christians and non-Christians, very little fruit that comes out of their lives. In our culture brokenness and dependence is seen as something worthless and undesirable. 
• Add to that, most Christians enter into Christianity as a transaction; church offers free salvation. Christians must confess sins and ask forgiveness, without any obligation to change anything, except attend church more. It's a good deal that people like. They get a secure afterlife, with no demand to demonstrate change, the Christian understanding is: God loves them so much, he's offering almost universal, no investment salvation. If they later see the fine print that they need to be broken by the filth of their sins in the presence of this pure, holy, loving God - they are stunned, they are perplexed. Most Christians either go on ignorant of this fact or ignoring it. Remember only 5% pursue brokenness and only 2% follow it through to the next stop. What the research revealed was that a great number after encountering the need for brokenness either go back to churchiness or reject everything and go back to stop 3.
• Another thing discovered by the research was that a very limited number of people reach stop 7 by discovering who they are and what God had to do for them. The majority have a tougher road on this journey, and many people turn around and settle for a less challenging stop as described. Research showed that God uses events and crisis' to get people to stop 7. Six crisis in particular occur very regularly and are used by God namely; ugly acrimonious divorce, going to prison, personal bankruptcy, contracting a debilitating illness or debilitating injury, experiencing the painful death or debilitating crippling of someone who you're very close to, a disaster that results in the loss of all your possessions. Also the research showed that most people had to experience two or more of these crisis' before they hand over control of their lives to God.

Action points for your life:

George Barna suggests the following actions to take in your own life (this teleconference was addressing church pastors, leaders, etc, so it focuses on what a person can do to help others).

1. Examine where you are on the map (the 10 stops)? Is there a better itinery for you to follow? You can't give anyone what you don't have. What matters in this life is not what you accomplish, but who you become - how God is evident in your life.
2. What can you do to inform people that you influence about what you're learnt about this journey?
3. Avoid the trap of short cutting holy discontent. Work with the Holy Spirit.
4. Help people reach the "lonely" stops (holy discontent, brokenness, submission etc.), where they will be faced with the Holy Spirit and decisions. Meditating, fasting, solitude. (Help yourself reach the "lonely" stops by making a choice - do you want to move forward, or don't you?)
5. The success should be reaching stops on the journey, bearing fruit because you are being transformed.
6. Transformation takes years. 

What this new book means to me:

This book is proof of what I have been thinking more and more recently; Christians don't know God, Christians don't choose to know God. Christians love the idea about the Bible for example, they love reading about the Bible, they love talking about the Bible - but how often do they read the actual Bible? Mostly these days we read other books about the Bible, instead of reading the actual Bible. 

The best thing though that I can personally advise you to do, is to make a conscious choice whether you want to stay at stop 3, 4, 5 or 6, OR if you want to progress up into stop 7 and upwards? It's your call, I challenge you to make that decision, today!

The Bin

This is the bin. You have the option to use it or not. The idea is to throw into the bin stuff that is standing between you and your healing.

Change

Tonight we are going to do an ice-breaker for a change (for everyone reading this you can try it with some friends). Everyone puts up both their hands (like hands up - you're under arrest). Then go round the circle and everytime it is your turn you must say something you have never done, for example, "I have never ever in all my life - been married." Now if any person in the circle is married or has been married they must put down one finger. Go round the circle and the one in the end with the most fingers left up is the winner.

You'll soon discover doing this that everyone has done many things and many of these things represents changes - getting married, moving to a new town, traveling, taking a risk etc - good changes and bad changes.

Think about a few more such as:

What is the most difficult choice you have had to make in your life up to this point?

What has been the most important goal in your life up to this point?

What do you look forward to most about growing old?

What is the most risky thing you'd like to try doing?

Let's take a look at Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Change is to be expected. In fact the whole Bible is full of change. Our Christian lives are sure to be full of change.

So how are we supposed to handle changes in life? Paul gives us some guidance in Philippians 4:4-13 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

It isn't easy but I love these verses because they teach us not that everything will be fine all the time, but that in everything we must be thankful and look for the best always being thankful because we know that "we can do everything through God who gives us strength."

I do believe this is possible to truely live. We're also told that Jesus really does understand how changes can be difficult, because he has had to go through what the world is like already. Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

The God of the Universe understands because he has gone through having to live on this planet. He gets it and he cares and wants to help us through it.

These next verses are difficult one's because they teach us that we really need to patiently accept the circumstances that God gives us.

1 Corinthians 7:17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Sometimes we are in a place or situation because God put us there - for our own good or for someone elses good. Sometimes we need to stay where God put us until He chooses to put us somewhere else. Of course only the Holy Spirit can help us know when this is the case - but if we consider God in everything we do and each decision we make - I believe that God moves us where He wants us when we allow Him to direct our lives. And if He isn't opening a door for you to leave then maybe He is wanting you to simply remain where you are.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

It comes down to trusting God no matter what He puts in our path or where He takes us, trusting that He knows what He is doing and has reasons for everything.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

In your own time take a look at Psalms 91 and Proverbs 3:5-12 - take these with you as your surety - we can trust Him, He knows what is best.

Psalms 91 (Nothing will happen to you that is not in God's will) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling— even the LORD, who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

Proverbs 3:5-12 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Vanity

We all know that this world is a vain world we live in. Does anyone disagree? The Bible actually describes it beautifully.

Romans 1:17 - 32 For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, “The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.” God’s anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known. God punishes them, because what can be known about God is plain to them, for God himself made it plain. Ever since God created the world, his invisible qualities, both his eternal power and his divine nature, have been clearly seen; they are perceived in the things that God has made. So those people have no excuse at all! They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness. They say they are wise, but they are fools; instead of worshiping the immortal God, they worship images made to look like mortals or birds or animals or reptiles. And so God has given those people over to do the filthy things their hearts desire, and they do shameful things with each other. They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever! Amen. Because they do this, God has given them over to shameful passions. Even the women pervert the natural use of their sex by unnatural acts. In the same way the men give up natural sexual relations with women and burn with passion for each other. Men do shameful things with each other, and as a result they bring upon themselves the punishment they deserve for their wrongdoing. Because those people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about God, he has given them over to corrupted minds, so that they do the things that they should not do. They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and vice; they are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, and malice. They gossip and speak evil of one another; they are hateful to God, insolent, proud, and boastful; they think of more ways to do evil; they disobey their parents; they have no conscience; they do not keep their promises, and they show no kindness or pity for others. They know that God’s law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things, but they even approve of others who do them.

So what is vanity?

In many religions, including Christianity, vanity is considered a form of self-idolatry, in which one rejects God for the sake of one’s own image. Some people might say that the magazine, Vanity, showcases the various vanities of people — their obsessions over beauty, appearance, clothing, having the best job, making the most money, knowing the “right people”.

The Christian answer lies in what God asks us to consider important – must we consider our beauty, appearance, clothing, having the best job, making the most money, knowing the “right people” to be important according to the Bible?

When Jesus told the parable of the seed sown on different ground in his own words he said: Mark 4:18 - 20 And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.Think of Matthew 6:33, “Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things that you need.” Take note though of no promise of what we think we need, but rather what we really need.

And Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are.Then even stronger: 1 John 2:15 - 17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions–is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

And Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.So why do people, Christians have these obsessions over beauty, appearance, clothing, having the best job, making the most money, knowing the “right people” and other vanities? A whole bunch of answers could come out of this – to find acceptance, to fit in, because it seems normal, it’s all a person knows, it’s what gives a person value, it’s how we value ourselves, etc, etc.

Remember we are all vain, it’s a human problem.

But perhaps vanity becomes an issue because we place value on the obsession and we don’t know our value in God.

I found this very cool and free thing online, read this verse:

Matthew 16:26 What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

 

Now read it, Matthew 16:26 What will it benefit Lynda if she gains the whole world yet loses her life? Or what will Lynda give in exchange for her life?

Take a look at this and then put your own name in by clicking here.

John 1:12 Lynda is God’s daughter.

But Lynda received Him, and to Lynda He gave the right to become God’s daughter, because Lynda believes in His name.

John 15:5 Lynda is a part of the true vine, and a channel of Christ’s life.

I am the vine. Lynda is a branch. If Lynda remains in Me, and I in her, she will bear much fruit, for apart from Me, Lynda can do nothing.

John 15:15 Lynda is a friend of Christ.

No longer do I call Lynda a servant, for a servant doesn’t know what her lord does. But I have called Lynda a friend, for everything that I heard from My Father, I have made known to Lynda.

Rom. 8:17 Lynda is a joint heir with Christ, she shares Christ’s inheritance with Him.

And if a daughter, then an heir; an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ; if indeed Lynda suffers with Him, that Lynda may also be glorified with Him.

I Cor. 3:9 Lynda is God’s co-worker.

For Lynda is one of God’s fellow workers. Lynda is God’s field, God’s building.

Etc etc etc…try it yourself with your own name clicking here now - it’s free. Read all the verses in fact print them out for yorself so you can always have a copy of your personal identity in Christ with you.

So to end…you don’t have to put your value in anything or achievement or ability or obsession or appearance because YOU have an identity that is valuable and unique and excellent in God.

Why Have Bible Study?

Why do you think any person should meet with other people for Bible study?

If you ask people you will get lots of different answers and all right the answers are right. You all came up with the following: “Bible study is important to grow, to bond, to support one another, to understand each other, to understand the Bible and to fellowship with each other.”

For the body does not consist of one limb or organ but of many. If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body? If the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I do not belong to the body, would it be therefore not [a part] of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where [would be the sense of] hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where [would be the sense of] smell? But as it is, God has placed and arranged the limbs and organs in the body, each [particular one] of them, just as He wished and saw fit and with the best adaptation. But if [the whole] were all a single organ, where would the body be? And now there are [certainly] many limbs and organs, but a single body. And the eye is not able to say to the hand, I have no need of you, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. But instead, there is [absolute] necessity for the parts of the body that are considered the more weak. And those [parts] of the body which we consider rather ignoble are [the very parts] which we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts and those unsuitable for exposure are treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum), Which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted (mingled, harmonized, and subtly proportioned the parts of) the whole body, giving the greater honor and richer endowment to the inferior parts which lack [apparent importance], So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it. Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function]. 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

So we are all in this together. We all have different roles in the body, but we are all important parts of the body, with important functions.

You all chose one of the following:

Acceptance and love ___________ _________

Building you up ________ ____________

Help ____________________

Advice ____________________

Encouragement _____ _______________

Rebuke _____ _______________

Friendliness and cheerfulness ____________________

Personal testimony ____________________

Forgiveness _____ _______________

Holding you accountable ____________________

Changes in your life ____________________

You can think of even more reasons than the one’s listed here, excellent - go for it…

Why Have Bible Study?

Rick Warren once said, “The entire Bible is the story of God building a family.”

A Bible study isn’t only for studying the Bible, it isn’t only for what you can learn or not learn…a Bible study is a small group who belong to the family of believers and need to build that family.

Paul, Timothy’s spiritual father, taught him this truth - we are ALL sinners on an equal playing field with each other and God is trying to build us ALL into His family:

As part of God’s family what can we each bring to a small group Bible study?

Over 81 times, the phrase “one another” or “each other” is used in the New Testament. If you want to know how you can help your family of God, follow the “one anothers” of the Bible. . .

Someone needs your acceptance and love

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

Isn’t this a beautiful verse? I tell you why I think it’s so beautiful. . . because I need it. I’m an imperfect person, and if you are looking for a perfect person, I’ll let you down! If you’re looking for a perfect church, you’re never going to find it.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. Romans 14:13

Guess what? We’re all imperfect people. We need to learn to accept that. Judging each other’s imperfections isn’t going to HELP anything. We will always have our differences. Someone will always rub you the wrong way. And at one time or another, we all do the wrong things. This verse points this out.

Someone once said, “Love us like we are, and help us walk the road toward being what we need to be.”

As the serenity prayer says, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” The prayer goes on to say, “Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.”

In this world having patience and love for differences and mistakes is part of living in this world.

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must [forgive]. Above all, [put on] love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Colossians 3:12-15

For you have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16

Someone needs you to build them up

Everyone wants to be understood. We have never lived each other’s life, but we want very badly for someone to understand our unique journey and encourage us on our journey.

Many places in the Bible talk about building each other up:

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:1-5

All of us need to be built up, encouraged and strengthened sometimes.

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ… each person will have to carry his own load. Galatians 6:1 and Galatians 6:5

Galatians 6 talks about two kinds of burdens in a persons life. It sounds like a contradiction, but there is no contradiction here because two different words are used in Galatians 6:2 and 6:5. The word in 6:2 is used for a more heavy crushing load, whereas the word for burden in 6:5 is used for a light load.

We are each to help with the crushing loads on others.

Someone needs your help

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

When we serve one another, we put their interests before our own. Jesus showed us how when he washed the feet of the disciples.

Alone, there are many things we cannot do. Together, there is nothing we cannot make it through. That’s the way the family of believers really works well – by no one standing alone. Reaching out to each other in ways that serve them.

Perhaps someone’s problem is something you have faced before and you can share what you learned. Perhaps they need help during the week. Perhaps you can pray for them and then keep praying for them and encouraging them throughout the week.

Someone needs your advice

We’ve all heard that two heads are better than one. Some people have been given the gift of perceiving or wisdom and have a special ability to give wise, sound, Bible-based advice.

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another. Colossians 3:16

Notice that the Bible tells us how to develop this ability to give good advice: “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you” …you need to know the Word before you can share it in advice.

Someone needs your encouragement

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8One of the problems in the world today is that there isn’t really anyone to talk to about problems – that’s why psychologists have jobs. People pay people to listen to their struggles. Greg Slayton, the CEO of ClickAction.com says, “The sense of isolation is a curse. It is the curse of 10,000 acquaintances. You find no one to talk to when things go really bad.”

Life gets busy. Life is hard. But if you have a Bible study group - a family of believers, they can help and give encouragement when we feel as if we can’t make it in our Christian journey!

Hebrews 10:24-25, which says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

This is a true saying, and everyone should believe it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–and I was the worst of them all. But that is why God had mercy on me, so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

It’s entirely possible that someone needs to hear you remind them that we are on our way to heaven, and we can’t stop now. There probably is someone being tempted that you need to encourage to keep on. There is most likely someone that is discouraged that you need to lift up.

Someone needs your rebuke

It is not an easy thing to do this. . . but sometimes, someone needs to hear in a loving, caring fashion that they need to turn from an area of sin in their lives or an action that is hurting others.

Telling the truth is a little bit like applying antiseptic to a cut. The Bible says, “The truth will set you free.” But sometimes, it has to sting a little bit first.

So put away all falsehood and ‘tell your neighbor the truth’ because we belong to each other. Ephesians 4:25

But too often, we’re scared to tell the truth. We think love means pretending that problems aren’t there, and never confronting. Like so many other times in the Bible, there are two truths that are in tension. “Accept one another” and “Tell the truth”…here’s the solution. If we truly are going to love and accept one another, there are times where we’ll have to say something to someone because we love them so much we can’t stand by and watch them hurt themselves.

This principle of rebuke is not just for something you don’t like. It’s for something harmful to the other person. If they are sinning in an area, they may need to hear PRIVATELY that you’re concerned (or even better with Reinette so she can help). Deliver the truth in a loving way – and though it may sting at first, it will be the right thing to do.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galations 5:22-6:10

Someone needs your friendliness and cheerfulness

Greet each other in Christian love. 1 Corinthians 16:20

Someone you talk to may have had a rotten week. They may need to know someone cares. Someone needs to know that you are glad they’re here. Friendliness could mean the difference between a person becoming a Christ-follower or not!Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father. Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:19-21

Someone needs to hear your personal testimony

Remind yourself of what God has done for you in the past and then share it when the chance comes or when the Holy Spirit asks you too.

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised … we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Hebrews 10: 32, 35-39

(To Israel) You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Isaiah 43:10-12

(To the apostles) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

It is like a ripple in a pond. We have an influence. What we tell people or ask people or show people has an influence. I believe that Bible studies are not lead by one person. Every single person in a Bible study has an experience to share that influences every other person in a Bible study. God doesn’t want us to be something ultra remarkable – He wants us to be a witness to what He has done for us and how He has touched us. Often all that means is to tell people what Christ means to you and share your own experience.

Someone needs your forgiveness

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21

If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. Matthew 18:15

Forgiveness is the testing ground of love. What if someone’s blown it? What if they’ve let us down?

If you’re like me, then there are times where you don’t need justice. You need mercy.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

Someone needs you to hold them accountable

Keep each other accountable in your spiritual growth. If you knew there were others keeping up with what’s going on in your life you would be more conscientious about how you live as a believer.

One of the primary reasons that Alcoholics Anonymous is so successful in helping people is because it utilises the small group approach. Bill Wilson, one of the founders of AA, and his friends found out that when they met regularly to talk about their weaknesses, downfalls, and near-downfalls, that it gave them a sense of strength to overcome their temptation to drink. And this idea originally came from…the Bible!

See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:12-13

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Every person in a Bible study is a sinful person, some might be growing, some might be in a dip, some might be on a high, some might be struggling – but every single one is sinful. Meeting together as Christians to study God’s word together creates a place to grow, and share, and witness and learn for every single person. But more than that it creates a circle of people who want God in and satan out. And this stand once a week of wanting God in and satan out is a powerful commitment to trying to remain on the right path.

Someone needs to see your life change as the Holy Spirit changes you

The whole world needs to see your changed life, not just your Bible study group.

Our journey as the Holy Spirit changes us is a huge witness to the world because the world wants to see men and women who are set free from anxiety, from insecurity, from sexual immorality and impurity, from idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, and envy; drunkenness, etc. and who have peace, who have joy, who have love now. All the things that Galatians 5 talks about.

But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

humility, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

“Shine…make them wonder what you’ve got.”

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

A love that can’t be stopped. A love that will not stop encouraging, lifting, forgiving…

By this all men will know that you are my disciples (or family), if you love one another. John 13:35

Who Makes The Rules?

We are stuck here on earth, so WHO makes the rules and are there rules, WHY follow any rules and of course WHAT are the rules if there are any?