Peak Week: Theme and Resources

Camp Lu-Jo KISMIF
Peak Week-2007
June 10-16, 2007



Week’s Theme: Got Heart???? Resource Book: I Samuel


Sunday:
Theme: Heart Matters
Memory Verse:
I Samuel 2:26—And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with men.

Examples of Concepts to Explore:
Heart
Growth
Relationships
Priorities
The End of the Matter
Pride vs Humility
Motivation

Quiet Time: Heart Matters
Define: The heart as defined by God’s Word
Explore: The importance of our heart (The Heart Matters)
The things that affect the heart (Heart Matters)
The outcome of an affected heart
Application: How does my understanding and adoption of what I have learned affect me now and forever?

Evening Assembly: Matters of the Heart
Review: The concepts taught during the day to this point
Explore: Any “hanging chads”
Application: Reinforce the principle of the Heart as the seat of the Soul.

Flagpole Devotional: The Story:
Review: The concepts taught during the day
Explore: Any concepts still not clear
Application: Capstone of the Day’s concepts, exploration and applications

Late Nite: Heart Attack
Review: The definitions and concepts of the biblical heart, its importance and impact
The heart as the “seat” of our emotions
Explore: The definition and the positive and negative concepts of the word “attack”
The impact of attacks on our hearts
How we allow attacks on our hearts
Who we allow to attack our hearts (positive and negative)
The consequences of attacks on our hearts (positive and negative)
Application: Who or what and how do I allow heart attacks and what do I do about it?
How can I guard my heart?
The remainder of the Week: Love—the Guardian of my Heart; Ten Ways to Tell If I Am in Love

Notes:




























Monday:
Theme: Humble Hearing
Main Characters: Hannah, Samuel and Eli
Scripture Reference: I Samuel 1-3
Memory Verse: I Samuel 1:13—Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli
thought she was drunk.

Examples of Concepts to Explore:
Commitment—to God’s laws
Trust—Praying to God, Believing he would hear Hannah’s prayer. Request-1:15, Answer-1:17, 20
Faithful 3:35, 1:20
Determination 1:3-5
Happiness 2:21
Grief 1:8
Prayer 1:13
Concerned 4:13

Quiet Time: Humble Hearing
Define: Humility, Hear
Explore: The difference of hearing and listening
The effect of humility on understanding what is heard
Application: How will the state of my heart affect my understanding

Flagpole Devotional: The Humble Heart Hearer
Define: The Humble Heart
Hearing
Listening
Explore: One’s heart is always in a state of flux
One’s understanding is influenced by one’s heart
Application: Which is more important: My being or my doing (heart or actions)

Class: Hearing the Humble
Story: Hannah, Samuel and Eli
Exploration: Establish the state of each character’s heart
Understand the heart is the lens through which we perceive the world (Paradigm)
What is understood is predicated by the lens (heart) (What is our heart “bent”on?)
Our actions are the mirror of the heart
Application: How do I live my life: with a purposed heart or a heartless purpose (focused or drifting)


Morning Assembly: Can You Hear Me Now?
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: The lack of understanding is a disability (inability) of the heart
The need for remedial heart medicine to bring the heart to greater understanding
The freedom of an understanding heart
Application: When I understand I hear and when I hear I understand (Listen) and act in an appropriate (heart) manner

Let’s Talk: Listen to My Heart
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: Listening is hearing understood
Actions based on hearing may be different than actions based on listening (ie. Eli vs. God)
Heart health is dependent on the feeding of proper understanding
Application: A healthy heart (soul) is listening and acting accordingly (congruence)

Evening Assembly: Heart Muscle-Understanding
Review: The Day to this point
Explore: Hearing->Listening->Understanding->Doing->Hearing
The “exerciser” of the heart is understanding
A heart without action is dead
Application: There is no such thing as a “good heart” without “good actions”
Heart and actions display the intent of each other

Flagpole Devotional: The Story
Review: The concepts taught during the day
Explore: Any concepts still not clear
Application: Capstone of the Day’s concepts, exploration and applications

Late Nite: Relationship101: Ten Ways to Tell If I Am in Love
Review: The previous evening’s concepts
Explore: 1. Do I think of him/her constantly? 2. Do you long to be with him/her?
Application: Apply concepts to the most important relationship possible—the Eternal one with God, the father, the son and the Spirit

Notes:










Tuesday:
Theme: Encounters, Excell(ence), Errors
Main Characters: Samuel, Saul, Jonathan and David
Scripture Reference: I Samuel 9-16
Other Resources: Facing Your Giants, Ch. 2
Purpose Driven Life, First Few Chapters
Memory Verse: I Samuel 16:7—But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Examples of Concepts to Explore:
Trust 14:7
Deception
Envy
Jealousy
Obedience or lack of 13:11-14, 15:7-9 Consequences
Changed 10:9
Serve 12:20
Faithful 12:24
Own Heart 13:14
Commitment 14:7
Appearance 16:7 Excellent Resource!—Facing Your Giants, Ch 2

Quiet Time: Encounters with His Excellency
Define: Excel, Excellence, Encounter, Error
Explore: Encounters with others are purposed
Coincidence is not part of God’s heart health plan
The result of encounters is either excellent or in error
Application: The determination of the result of my encounters is dependent on my heart
Chance meetings are meetings with a person named Chance

Flagpole Devotional: Encountering Excellent Errors
Define: Error
Excellence
Encounter
Explore: The human idea of encounters as being either excellent or in error (failure)
The divine idea of all encounters being God-given
Application: Encounters may appear to be in error, but in fact are always excellent




Class: Excelling in Encounter Errors
Story: Saul anointed king by Samuel and David is introduced to Jonathan
Exploration: All encounters are intended
Life is not a “chance”—it is God-directed if we seek His guidance
God guides “God-hearts”
One can run, but one cannot hide from the God of Excellence
An encounter deemed in error is always an encounter of excellence when viewed with a “God-heart”
Application: How one views encounters is indicative of who rules one’s heart

Morning Assembly: Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: The first kind of encounter is friendly or suspicious
The second kind of encounter is judging
The third kind of encounter is always intentional never happenstance
Application: Every encounter is purposed, how do I respond, how does my heart respond, Am I listening
I have a choice as how to act and react when the encounters are less than desired—Examples

Let’s Talk: I Traveled Down A Lonely Road
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: The fact that I will find what I am looking for
What am I feeding my heart? (Physical Food vs Spiritual Food—Prayer, Companionship)
My heart is the dictator of my search
God is the ruler of encounters
How I react to encounters is indicative of my search and therefore my heart
Application: Who rules my heart, rules my reactions, rules my life

Evening Assembly: Heart Muscle-Encounters
Review: The Day to this point
Explore: Encounters->Heart Reaction->Excellence or Error->Ruler of One’s Life->Encounters
The “emotion” of the heart is Encounter
The intention of God’s heart is to encounter Him in those we encounter all the time
Application: Regardless of the encounter God is “The Boss”, how do I act

Flagpole Devotional: The Story
Review: The concepts taught during the day
Explore: Any concepts still not clear
Application: Capstone of the Day’s concepts, exploration and applications


Late Nite: Relationship101: Ten Ways to Tell If I Am in Love
Review: The previous evenings concepts
Explore: 2. Do you want to please him/her?
3. Do you want to give him/her gifts?
4. Do you want to please his/her people?
Application: Apply concepts to the most important relationship possible—the Eternal one with God, the father, the son and the Spirit

Notes:

































Wednesday:
Theme: Adventure, Application
Main Character: David and Goliath
Scripture Reference: I Samuel 16-17
Other Resources: Facing Your Giants, Ch 1
Memory Verse: I Samuel 17:32, 37—each David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you."

Examples of Concepts to Explore:
Appearance 16:7
Wicked 17:28
Lose 17:32
Faith 17:45-47
Deliverance 17:45-47
Giants 18:5-16
Reliance 17:45
Self Esteem 17:26-32
Courage 17:38-45

Quiet Time: Adventures in Application
Define: Adventure
Application
Explore: The adventure of life God gives
The adventure of applying God in all of life
Application: The value of a God-life vs. life

Flagpole Devotional: Applied Adventurer
Define: Adventurer
Apply
Explore: To apply is to stick to something
An adventurer has purpose, not a wanderer
Application: The heart of an adventurer is to apply discovery to life

Class: Adventure: Life Applied
Story: Saul, David and Goliath
Exploration: Adventure is the definition of life with God
Adventure excludes any hint of dull or boring
God’s adventure begins with one’s heart
Adventure is inevitable when one possesses Gods-heart (Faith in Action)
Application: To seek the reward of real life is to seek Gods-heart and experience the adventure life now and forever

Morning Assembly: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: The background story of the “Lost Ark” in I Samuel
The dismal life of God’s people when they lost their focus(heart); the Ark and asked for a King
The difference in life situation between adventure with God and Adventure without God
Application: To raid for God is the adventure he intends for us to live as we continually seek Him and are rewarded by Him

Let’s Talk: He’s Got The Whole World in His Hand
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: The trust required for God’s adventure is the ultimate “action of believing”-faith
Trust involves step by step “followship” not event by event “followship”
Continually preparing for God’s future without imposing one’s idea of the future is an adventure of trust
Application: To place oneself in God’s hands is not a passive existence, but an adventure in which to revel
How do you place yourself in God’s hands?

Evening Assembly: Heart Muscle-Adventure
Review: The Day to this point
Explore: Thoughts->Dreams->Heart Application->Adventure->Thoughts
Dreams of the young are the life of God’s future if they are of a “God-heart”
The ability to transform dreams (aspirations) of a human nature to the reality of a “God-life” is the heart adventure
The wilder the heart, the more exciting the dreams, the greater the potential for destruction and/or the
great “God-adventure”
Application: God’s adventure applied to the heart of a God follower is the ultimate adventure, forever…..

Flagpole Devotional: The Story
Review: The concepts taught during the day
Explore: Any concepts still not clear
Application: Capstone of the Day’s concepts, exploration and applications

Late Nite: Relationship101: Ten Ways to Tell If I Am in Love
Review: The previous evenings concepts
Explore: 6. Do you have confidence in him/her?
7. Are you concerned about you appearance and conduct?
Application: Apply concepts to the most important relationship possible—the Eternal one with God, the father, the son and the Spirit

Notes:





Thursday:
Theme: Relationships, Reality, Respect
Main Characters: David and Saul
Scripture Reference: I Samuel 13, 14, 18-20, 23
Other Resources: Facing Your Giants, Ch 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9
Memory Verse: I Samuel 24:5, 6—Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his(Saul's) robe. He said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD."

Examples of Concepts to Explore:
Honor 24:10, 26:15-25
Respect 18:24-30—Respect for Saul’s authority
Selflessness 24:1-7
Leadership 30:23-25—Saul lack of leadership vs. David’s “God-blessed” leadership
Humility 18:20-29
Confrontation 19:4-5, 20:32-33
Reconciliation 24-25 Saul sought to appease David and be reconciled with him. David forgave him
Appeasement 24:12-21 and yet Saul did not keep his word, thus the promise was broken.
Forgiveness Matthew 6:14-15
Courage 18:10-16

Quiet Time: Respecting Real Relationships
Define: Relationship(s)
Real(ity)
Respect
Explore: Life is relationships-good and bad
Real relationships are essential to a full God-life
Respect for oneself and others is the beginning and end of all successful relationships
Application: Respect of the heart is the cornerstone of all real relationships

Flagpole Devotional: The Reality of Respecting Relationships
Define: Respect
Relationship
Reality
Explore: Respect may begin with the heart or unreal action, but to be sustained a relationship it must land in a God-heart
Respect in its purest, God-heart form can be unilateral
Respect that culminates in a sustained relationship must be multilateral from all hearts involved
Application: To respect as God respects results in honor for the giver and receiver, a real (eternal) relationship





Class: Respect: The Reality of Real Relationships
Story: David and Saul
Exploration: The components of unsuccessful relationships
The proper (Godly) response to attacks on one’s heart relationships: Respect
Respect is a God-heart quality and manipulation is of Satan
The respecting humble heart is always victorious…ultimately
Spite and respect are mutually exclusive—they cannot coexist
Application: Reconciliation, Appeasement and Forgiveness: Complimentary Attributes or Manipulative Maneuvers
Respect is the expression of a God-heart in all real relations, regardless of events

Morning Assembly: The Notebook
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: Real God-heart respect is recognized; sometimes honored and sometimes despised
The response to a God-heart respect is indicative of the real heart of an individual
The decision to respect or give up has eternal consequences
Application: To remain present in relationships always allows for input, to be absent negates any input
We can possibly affect the outcome if we are in the midst of the relationship, we cannot if we choose to leave

Let’s Talk: We Are Family
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: The reality is that relationships are confrontational at times
Choices in relationships are either selfish or selfless, respectful or disrespectful, honorable or dishonorable
All relationships can be good or better by bilateral (multilateral) respect, honor and selflessness
Application: To give oneself unconditionally is the ultimate in respect

Evening Assembly: Heart Muscle-Respect
Review: The Day to this point
Explore: Relationship->Respect->Honor->Greater relationship->Greater respect->Greater honor
Relationship->Spite->Dishonor->Diminished relationship->Diminished respect->Diminished honor
Honor is the ultimate badge of a selfless heart
Application: Relationships based on heart respect honors despite any outward appearance

Flagpole Devotional: The Story
Review: The concepts taught during the day
Explore: Any concepts still not clear
Application: Capstone of the Day’s concepts, exploration and applications


Late Nite: Relationship101: Ten Ways to Tell If I Am in Love
Review: The previous evenings concepts
Explore: 8. Do you feel free to discuss matters with Him/Her?
9. Do your present plans take Him/Her into consideration?
10. Do your future plans take Him/Her into consideration?
Application: Apply concepts to the most important relationship possible—the Eternal one with God, the father, the son and the Spirit

Notes:

































Friday:
Theme: Trust, Time
Main Characters: David and Jonathan
Scripture Reference: I Samuel 14, 19-23
Other Resources: Facing Your Giants, Ch 3
Memory Verse: I Samuel 18:3—And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

Examples of Concepts to Explore:
Friendship 18:1—Jonathan loved David as himself (Matthew 10:27)
Honor 19:1-5—Jonathan honored his relationship with David
Covenant 18:1-4, 20:42
Love 20:1-4, 20:17
Righteous(ness) 20:4-17
Selflessness 20:4
Subordination 19:6-7
Giving 18:4
Priorities Proverbs 18:24—Relationships are most important, David was top priority with Jonathan
Courage 19:1-5—Jonathan defended David to his father, the king

Quiet Time: Time to Trust
Define: Trust
Time
Explore: Trusting hearts result from respect and honor
Time commitment is necessary to develop trust
Investment in “time trusting” results in exponential returns
Application: The currency of relationships is trust and the banker is time

Flagpole Devotional: Trusting Time
Define: Trust(ing)
Time(less)
Explore: The development of a God-heart, relationships and trust are functions of “heart-time”
Time develops a patient heart; a patient heart is to be highly trusted. An impatient heart is suspect at best
Application: The trusting heart is timeless, eternal

Class: Heart Trust
Story: David and Jonathan
Exploration: The essentials of successful relationships: Time and Trust
The proper (Godly) nurturing required for successful heart relationships
Nurturing develops sacrificial love (Agape)
Sacrifice is the ultimate test of trust
Application: One’s happiness and success is dependent on successful relationships

Morning Assembly: Titanic
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: Blind trust is deadly
Trust is quickly lost
Trust is long in gaining
Application: To trust is to give without reservation

Let’s Talk: Cats In the Cradle
Review: The pertinent concepts to this point
Explore: Timeless nature of trust cycles (positive and negative)
Quality and quantity of time are key to establishing or negating trust
Application: A relationship worth having is worth the time to build and maintain trust

Evening Assembly: Heart Muscle-Trust
Review: The Day to this point
Explore: Trust->Time->Trust->Love->Trust->Time
Trust->\/Time->\/Trust->\/Love->\/Trust
The test of the “God-heart” is the enduring or failing trust in relationships
Application: To love is to trust, to trust is to love

Flagpole Devotional: The Story
Review: The concepts taught during the day
Explore: Any concepts still not clear
Application: Capstone of the Day’s concepts, exploration and applications

Late Nite: Relationship101: Ten Ways to Tell If I Am in Love
Review: The week’s concepts
Explore: The importance of continually renewing one’s commitment in all relationship
Application: The step-by-step total experiencing of God’s existence and sustenance is dependent on our reliance




Saturday:
Theme: Giant Killers Graduation
Flagpole Devotional: Heart of a Fighter

Samuel 3

Samuel’s family line is that of Levite stock (1 Chron. 6:26-28). This is an important detail, I think, as it pertains to the vestments (Samuel wore an ephod) worn by the boy Samuel ministering before the Lord with Eli.

Also, his name is interesting. Samuel means, “heard of God.” Or I guess you could say, God hears. Now, in chapter 3, where we read of Samuel calls, in our English Bibles, particularly the NIV, the word “call” occurs over again. It is most frequently attributed to the LORD God in his “calling of Samuel.” Would “heard of God,” hear the God that was calling out to him?
Do we hear God? Do we recognize the voice of God in world of tension, strife, war, school shootings, and a sex charged culture? Can we decipher the still small voice of the Lovely One?
I hope we can. Today, of all days we need to not only hear the still small voice, but we also need to be Christ’s hands, feet, heart and of course voice to a hurting community in Virginia. Our prayers need to be with the students and families of Virginia tech.

As we pray for healing for others, let us not forget the people in places who don’t have a voice of their own, in places like the Sudan, (Darfur), and the millions of slaves worldwide. As we listen to the calling one, will we also speak up for the those who can’t?

Some early thoughts on Samuel

I am in chapter 11 of 1 Samuel, and up this point the nation of Israel is torn by poor leaders, war, idolatry and experiencing a lack of the Word of the Lord. It is a desperate situation we enter into as beging our reading of Samuel. But, despite the obstacles that stand in the way of the survival of the nation, God is alive. He is active, and is moving amongst his people, and still actively pursuing a covental relationship with his people. God's love is constant, his promises are sure and has not forsaken his people.

Samuel, the wonder boy. Born to Hannah, a childless women, provoked often by the other wife of her husband, Elkanah. Hannah, prays and makes a promise. I love how God moves through Samuel. Where there was no hope of children, Hannah has a son, honors her vow and has more children. What a God!

Samuel, is called in most unusal way. An observation here that has struck me for sometime about his call in chapter 3. He is sleeping in the tabernacle of the Lord, where the ark of God was. I haven't checked, but wasn't the Tabernacle set up like the Temple was later one, with the ark resting in an inner area, (the holy of holies?) If this is the case, Samuel, who is not the chief priest was near the ark of God. A place that was reserved for special religious men (high priest, one time a year, etc.). I can't help but draw the comparison to the words of Jesus, about entering the kingdom of heaven like a little child. Little chidlren have sense of wonder, they are trusting, loyal, enthusastic, curious, loving, and pure of heart. All the admirable qualities we should possess. Does the story of Samuel's call say something special about the special relationship between God and his children? Just thinking out loud!

Gearing up for Peak Week

I am not sure, but I think our book for Camp this year is Samuel. Where are we going with Samuel. Just a thought here, I was thinking about Facing the Giants and all. Potentially this theme could be applicable, we could talk about differnt obstacles we all face? Just some early thoughts!

Understanding our needs

Here are some interesting thoughts from Brad Braxton about understanding our needs:

With the appropriate emphasis on God, responsible preaching [and teaching] seeks to address the needs and questions of listeners. But a degree of theological sophistication is required. Some pastors occasionally poll their congregants, inquiring about sermon topics that might interest and assist their congregants. This approach is enterly appropriate and demonstrates respect for the congregation. Nevertheless, the gospel reminds us that we often miscalculate our needs. Recognizing our tendency for miscalculation, Thomas Frank insists, 'I don't really understand what most of my "needs" are anyway--that's part of why I continue to listen to Jesus.'

Thus the assessment of individual and congregational needs must be in conversation with the gospel. Paul Scott Wilson thinks that such a conversation will distinguish the "expressed need" from the "actual need." The expressed need is 'the need the congregation identifies for itself, in its own words.' The actual need is 'the need of the congregation as discerned scripturally and theologically.' When making such distinctions preachers [and teachers] should avoid a patronizing attitude. Often parishioners are excellent spiritual diagnosticians, and their expressed need reflects their actual need.

Brad R. Braxton, Preaching Paul (Nashville: Abingdon, 2004): 40.

Two kinds of people

The latest edition of Group Magazine has a relevant article by Steve Merritt. I'd like to quote from sections of it:

Reducing our complex, intricate, and ever-changing world into a couple of categories is a blatant oversimplification. Recently I heard Philip Yancey do the same--but when he said it, the only thing blatant about it was its naked truth. Yancey said, "There are two kinds of people in the world: those who admit they are needy and those who don't." . . .

1. Good leaders admit their need. There are many levels of admitting need. The kind of admission I think Yancey was talking about is one that takes place at a person's core. Sometimes a youth [leader] is fortunate enough to be in a fellowship where it's okay to struggle. . . . Good youth [leaders] aren't needy, but they're able to admit their need.

2. Good youth leaders foster an environment where young people can be real. Modeling a genuine walk with Christ is the first step in developing an atmosphere where others feel free to share their own needs and personal battlefields. It's important to note that openness and vulnerability aren't the central goals. Our focus must be to lead others into a dependent relationship with Christ, not to celebrate how real we're being.

Steve Merritt, "Two Kinds of People," Group Magazine 32 4 (May/June 2006): 46.

Sunday and Acts 1

Sunday

Quiet Time - Gifts
Evening Assembly - Gifts, Acts 1
Flagpole - Needs
------------------------

Isn't it interesting that God gifts his people according to what is needed. The charge in Acts one, is that the followers of Jesus will be his witnesses, in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. To accomplish such a mission they would need help, they would need something beyond sheer will power and luck, they would need Divine Assistance. Does that not happen in the promise in the continuing presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit? Sure, Jesus had ascended into heaven, but He didn't leave his disciples to merely guess how to go about spreading his message, he empowers them for the task.

2000 years later, God operates in the same manner. He gifts according to His need. The same Spirit that indwelt Peter and the others, is the same Spirit who resides in our hearts seeking our submission to the kingdom reign of Christ in our lives. Christ still empowers His people for his mission. Tom Cruise may call it, Mission Impossible, but our God views it as Mission Possible.

Saturday

Morning Flagpole - The Waiter (Waitress), the Garbage Man, Serve and Be Served, Acts 28

Friday

Quiet Time - Abundant Life
Morning Flagpole - Lottery Winner
Class - Paul, Felix, Festus, Agrippa; Acts 21-28
Morning Assembly - Luke the Servant
Let's Talk - The Rest of Life
Evening Assembly - Life Abundant
Evening Flagpole - Fulfillment

Thursday

Quiet Time - Resources
Morning Flagpole - Surplus City; The Warehouse
Class - Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Silas; Acts 9; 13-20
Morning Assembly - Luke the Observer
Let's Talk - Priceless Stuff
Evening Assembly - Resources
Evening Flagpole - Means

Wednesday

Quiet Time - Little or Much
Morning Flagpole - Feast or Famine
Class - Philip, the Ethopian, Stephen, Acts 6-8
Morning Assembly - Luke the Doctor
Let's Talk - So What?
Evening Assembly - Abundance or Scarcity
Evening Flagpole - Purpose

Tuesday

Quiet Time - Giving
Morning Flagpole - Contribution
Class - Barnabas, Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 4-6
Morning Assembly - Luke the Apostle
Let's Talk - What About Them?
Evening Assembly - Giving
Evening Flagpole - Dreams

Monday

Quiet Time - Receiving
Morning Flagpole - Christmas in June
Class - Peter, Acts 2-4; Cornelius, Acts 10-12
Morning Assembly - Luke the Author
Let's Talk - What About Me?
Evening Assembly - Receiving
Evening Flagpole - Wants

Sunday

Quiet Time - Gifts
Evening Assembly - Gifts, Acts 1
Flagpole - Needs

Gifts in Acts

This is not an exhaustive list of gifts found in the book of Acts, but these 12 items jumped out me through a recent re-reading of Acts:

1. The continuing presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (1:5)

2. The continuing of the redemptive narrative seen in the preaching of the book of Acts -- they often begin with the OT and how Jesus fulfills OT hopes.

3. A brand new start -- Acts 2:14-41 (Belief, repentance, baptism, reception of the Holy Spirit). This will model will be demonstrated over and over again through the narrative of Acts is replayed daily in the Church today.

4. Fellowship (aTS 2:42-46). The earliest belivers were together not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally and shared not only their lives but their possessions.

5. Suffering and boldness (Acts 4:29). Peter and John marveled that were considered worthy to receive a beating because of their association and preaching of Jesus. After the early persecution begins, the church prays for boldness to fearlessly preach Jesus.

6. The spread of the Gospel -- We know the story already, how the gospel begins in Jerusalem, and then on to Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

7. Paul -- He is just one example of the many lives we read about that were drastically made over because of Jesus. Paul, especially demonstrates the effect that Christ has on even the hardest of hearts.

8. The mystery revealed (cf. Ephesians) -- that is the acceptance of the Gentiles into the fold. They are the sheep of the other pen.

9. The travels of Paul and his companions and his letters -- we see the diffusion of the Gospel, and the creation of many new churches and learn a great deal about Paul.

10. Christ-centered preaching urging Christ-centered living.

11. The unchanging gospel in changing culture (Acts 17). Paul doesn't change the gospel when dealing with a different culture, and neither should we. I believe that Acts 17 provides a great model in how to contextualize the gospel for a different culture.

12. The abrupt ending of the book of Acts -- the point being the work of Christ is not finished. We are to live the mission began by the aposltes, we are a part of the continuing story of Christ. Because we are a part of this redemptive narrative, we are the 29th chapter of the book of Acts.