Weekly Update 1/3/2023
What a gift to begin 2023 considering Christ––and the birth of peace––from Isaiah 9. If you missed Chris's clear exposition of that inexhaustible text, you can catch up here: https://subspla.sh/rwppjbq
A few months back, when the elders were discussing what should follow Ecclesiastes (I mean, what could?) it was suggested that a New Testament wisdom book might work nicely. We also thought through what might pair well with the section of Romans we're currently in. So, this coming Sunday we'll begin a series through the book of James, an eminently practical book full of memorable imagery. I'll overview the book this weekend, hopefully reminding us of what the Lord said through James and why it matters.
If you're looking for resources on the book of James, I'd commend Curtis Vaughan (Founders Study Guide), Doug Moo (Pillar Commentary/a bit more technical), David Gibson's, "Radically Whole," (Yes, same guy that wrote, Living Life Backward), and your fellow church member Sylvia Dickson's co–authored work with Tom Nettles entitled A Commentary on James. There are more, and I'm not all the way through any of those, but I've enjoyed them thus far. I'm eagerly anticipating looking together into the mirror of God's Word over the next number of weeks, and doing so with humility so that we might receive that Word which is able to save your souls (James 1:21).
I mentioned on Sunday that I'd thought about the book Practicing Affirmation over a hundred times since 2014 when we last studied it. Sunday afternoon I thought, "Was that one of those preacher exaggerations?" I actually think I lowballed it. In preparing to teach chapter 1 tomorrow night, I re–read it last week and thought, "This book has counsel for relationships, for work, for parenting, for church–life, etc. that is unlike any other book I've read on encouragement/affirmation." We sold out of copies on Sunday (which is excellent!), but more are on the way.
The teenagers will join the adult study tomorrow night, as next Tuesday (10th) David Johnson will begin serving at South Woods as our Discipleship Minister to Students and Families. It's been a joy to have the Johnsons worshipping with us over the holidays. And it's been a joy to see you all welcome them as you have. I'm grateful they'll soon be among us in a more official way, focusing on students and families as they join our mission to make disciples that joyfully serve Christ together. Please continue to pray for David and April as they settle in (they landed right as the snow/ice did). And pray for David as he jumps right in next Wednesday (11th), teaching the teenagers about how to read, study, and enjoy the Bible, a great topic for the beginning of the year. We're thrilled!
Tomorrow night: One and Only Q, Wisdom Wednesdays, Practicing Affirmation, and choir practice. See many of you then!
Matt
A few months back, when the elders were discussing what should follow Ecclesiastes (I mean, what could?) it was suggested that a New Testament wisdom book might work nicely. We also thought through what might pair well with the section of Romans we're currently in. So, this coming Sunday we'll begin a series through the book of James, an eminently practical book full of memorable imagery. I'll overview the book this weekend, hopefully reminding us of what the Lord said through James and why it matters.
If you're looking for resources on the book of James, I'd commend Curtis Vaughan (Founders Study Guide), Doug Moo (Pillar Commentary/a bit more technical), David Gibson's, "Radically Whole," (Yes, same guy that wrote, Living Life Backward), and your fellow church member Sylvia Dickson's co–authored work with Tom Nettles entitled A Commentary on James. There are more, and I'm not all the way through any of those, but I've enjoyed them thus far. I'm eagerly anticipating looking together into the mirror of God's Word over the next number of weeks, and doing so with humility so that we might receive that Word which is able to save your souls (James 1:21).
I mentioned on Sunday that I'd thought about the book Practicing Affirmation over a hundred times since 2014 when we last studied it. Sunday afternoon I thought, "Was that one of those preacher exaggerations?" I actually think I lowballed it. In preparing to teach chapter 1 tomorrow night, I re–read it last week and thought, "This book has counsel for relationships, for work, for parenting, for church–life, etc. that is unlike any other book I've read on encouragement/affirmation." We sold out of copies on Sunday (which is excellent!), but more are on the way.
The teenagers will join the adult study tomorrow night, as next Tuesday (10th) David Johnson will begin serving at South Woods as our Discipleship Minister to Students and Families. It's been a joy to have the Johnsons worshipping with us over the holidays. And it's been a joy to see you all welcome them as you have. I'm grateful they'll soon be among us in a more official way, focusing on students and families as they join our mission to make disciples that joyfully serve Christ together. Please continue to pray for David and April as they settle in (they landed right as the snow/ice did). And pray for David as he jumps right in next Wednesday (11th), teaching the teenagers about how to read, study, and enjoy the Bible, a great topic for the beginning of the year. We're thrilled!
Tomorrow night: One and Only Q, Wisdom Wednesdays, Practicing Affirmation, and choir practice. See many of you then!
Matt
Posted in Weekly Updates