Pastor's Connect Blog
Pastor’s Connect Blog
“I Will”
“I Will Move from “I Am” to “I Will” (chapter 1)
April 29, 2018
This post is meant to help direct your Connect study … These are some of the pastor’s thoughts and insights … ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to speak to you and through you ….
Attitude determines activity and emotions: described different attitudes you have witnessed in the church and how those attitudes were acted out. Some examples: (1) The church exists to serve me; a country club attitude that demands the church meet personal preferences which leads to church conflict. (2) I am the standard (holier than thou); an attitude that leads to spiritual arrogance driving away those who understand their need. (3) This is my church; an attitude that leads to ownership and leads to a select few, self-appointed leaders of the church. (4) Legalism; an attitude that drives one service out of fear and leads to spiritual burnout and diminished quality.
DISCUSS THE FOUR RIGHT ATTITUDES:
1. I am a Unifying Church Member – absent unity the church the church is like two men in a boat paddling different directions going in circles
Have someone read Ephesians 4:1-3 and discuss the requirements for unity …
· “humility” we exalt others above ourselves.
· “gentleness” we respond to others with kindness whether they are good or bad, right or wrong.
· “patience” patiently endure the faults and failures of others in the same way you would them to overlook your shortcomings
· “acceptance” We love unconditionally as Christ loved us.
Consider 1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us lone one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
2. I am a Sacrificial Church Member – willing to give myself for the ministry of Christ through His church.
Discuss: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
How did Jesus show a sacrificial attitude?
Consider … true joy results from personal sacrifice (not legalism). Happy, joyful church members are those who have learned the art of serving the Savior by serving others.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2
3. I Am a Prayerful Church Member – praying with people and for people is encouraging and empowering
“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
How can we make prayer central to who we are and what we do?
4. I Am a Joyful Church Member- joy breeds joy!!!
“Our attitudes are the foundations of our actions. If I am joyous, I will tend to be an encouraging person. If I am angry, I will tend to be a critical person” (page 22, para 1).
Would you consider yourself a grumbler or an encourager? Why?
Give a personal testimony of someone who exemplified a grumbler/complainer and a joyful encourager (NO NAMES PLEASE).
Our relationship with God and the privilege of serving God should overflow our hearts with the emotion of joy.
Discuss the reason for the redefinition of an active church member (page 23, para 2) and answer questions 2 & 4 on page 24, Points to Ponder.