Friday, April 19, 2013

Lutheran Adult Bible Studies online

North West Publishing have available the following Lutheran Adult Bible Studies online....which you can download

What is the Gospel?
I am Christian even at work
Who is Jesus?
Narrow Lutheran middle
Prepared to answer
The theology of the Cross
and more

visit here to discover more

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Making Disciples: Video illustration by Francis Chan

Here is a great illustration to share with the church...to give us perspective of what it means to make disciples.....

 

Evangelism Discussion: Evangelism involves living dfferently


Being a Christian involves not only believing with your head, but believing with your words and actions. This results in us living differently. There are at least five verses in the New Testament that remind us that even though we live in the world we are to live differently to the world:
Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards. 2 Corinthians 10:3
Jesus says, “If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you.” John 15:19
“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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4
As we live differently in ways that are consistent with God, we are allowing God to be reflected in our lives, helping others see and hear about what God is on about.    
So this week as you hear the sermon, read your devotions and bible think about how is God calling your to live differently.

Discussion Starter: The perfect church

What does it mean to be the perfect church???

Many people seem to think for us to have the perfect church we only have to get back to the early church of the New Testament....

Now read the following bible passages of Jesus leading his initial church....
Matthew 26:17-30
Mark 10:35-45
Luke 11:1-12

these are some accounts of Jesus and his church.....

What does it mean for us to be a church like the church in early days of Christianity??

From the above passages what are some positives we can learn from these early disciples and Jesus???

Alive 175: 175 years of Lutheran ministry and mission in Australia


On April 21 2013 the Lutheran Church of Australia as part of its Synodical convention will be celebrating 175 years of ministry and mission in Australia

For more details visit:  http://www.lca.org.au/alive175-2.html


Bible Study: Pew Sisters

Pew Sisters
Women's Bible study based on real women in the church today....


This 12-session Bible study for women “goes and tells what God has done” in the lives of real women in the church today. From alcoholism to postpartum depression to cancer, twelve different women generously share the story of God’s faithfulness in their lives for the consolation of their sisters in Christ.
Each session begins with a scripture reading followed by a narrative of an individual woman’s real-life story. Eight study questions, designed for both personal and group study, help the reader apply the reading and narrative to her own life in Christ. A meditative hymn stanza and collect complete each session.
The goal of this study is to encourage and build up the faith of our Christian sisters. Every woman sitting in the pew has a story to share of God’s faithfulness in her life, and women love nothing more than to hear a good story and to delight in the sisterhood of believers.

Reviews
Suzanne Mcafee
"I found this book to be insightful, not only for my own daily needs, but to help support others who are also in need. I liked the set up of the lessons, and enjoyed the hymns that went along with each chapter. I can find many ways to use this material now, in my daily life for me and for others I care for. Each subject is a quick read, with lots of knowledge to be obtained, all followed up with Scripture verses and where to find them in the Bible. I would recommend this book to my other Sisters in Christ, not only for their daily lives but to support our other sisters in the body."

Amazon Customer

Pew Sisters, by Katie Schuermann, is a 12 week Bible Study. Small Groups and individuals both, will be enlightened by these teachings. Each week starts out with a Bible verse, followed by a short story, a hymn to medicate on, a prayer to accompany that weeks teaching, before some insightful questions, ending with a summery of the story including the rationales for the questions. Each lesson is based on a difficult situation women can deal with in their life.
Have you suffered from someone else's sins, brought into your life, angry and unforgiving? "Forgiveness is not a feeling, it is a gift that is given to you regardless of how you feel." Praying for guidance and emotions needed to forgive, is just one of the learned lessons in this study guide. Pray and then "tell satin to go to hell", I love that line! Other subjects covered are depression, grieving, anxiety, sickness, low self esteem, loss of talent, worry, children are God's gifts, and not judging others. There are other lessons within a lesson also that can be obtained it you spend the time to really study with this book. You will find the answers to the questions to each chapter in the back of the book, not answered from the author but by the authors Preacher Pastor McGuire. Not only does each lesson relate to one's life but it also shows how to give comfort to our "Pew Sisters", our sisters in Christ, who struggle and need our shoulders to lean on.
I found this book to be insightful, not only for my own daily needs, but to help support others who are also in need. I liked the set up of the lessons, and enjoyed the hymns that went along with each chapter. I can find many ways to use this material now, in my daily life for me and for others I care for. Each subject is a quick read, with lots of knowledge to be obtained, all followed up with scriptures and where to find them in the Bible. I would recommend this book to my other Sisters in Christ, not only for their daily lives but to support our other sisters in the body.



Book: Luther and His world by Graham Tomlin

Luther and His world
by Graham Tomlin


Graham Tomlin brings the world of the early reformers to life as he explores their battles and disagreements and investigates their fight over what they considered to be correct doctrine, and the future of the early Church. The result is a truly illuminating account of Martin Luther—the central figure in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century—that examines his background and the circumstances that led to his rebellion against the church. It delivers a rich analysis of his significance for and contribution to Western culture and Christianity.

Reviews

GoodBookStall Review:
Although slender compared with some books on Martin Luther, this new paperback is packed with information and tells us as much, in 150 pages, as most of us probably need to know about the chief instigator of the 16th century Reformation, whom Graham Tomlin calls "one of the most influential European figures of the last millennium". It's all there - Luther's complex character, "a man of immense personal courage, fierce intelligence, and Teutonic stubbornness" (Yes, and with recurring health problems!); his personal spiritual struggles and anxieties, not only in a monastery in his youth, but in his later life, too; his "exuberant sense of relief and joy" when God was transformed for him from a "condemning, demanding tyrant" into "a good, generous, big-hearted God". You will read of his conflicts with the religious and political authorities after he had "thrown down the gauntlet" with his theses in Wittenberg in 1517, challenging much of the thought and practice of the Church and "changing the course of history irrevocably". Read Chapter 6 for Luther's political views and his attitude to the 'peasants' revolt' in Germany, and Chapter 7 for his controversies with Erasmus and Zwingli. The final chapter, ‘The Legacy’, offers stimulating thoughts on Suffering, Justification by Faith and Theology and Experience. I think Graham Tomlin has succeeded in his aim, which is "to present an accessible and attractive introduction to Luther’s life, ideas and significance", leading many readers on to more substantial works, such as those by G Ebeling or R H Bainton.

Amazon Customer

This is a sympathetic treatment of the life and impact of this giant of the Reformation era.
The author is conversant with the modern re-interpretations of Luther, but he focuses on the objective facts of Luther's life and beliefs, as well as the dynamics that helped make Luther a bridge from medievalism to the modern world.
Filled with colorful anecdotal material and Luther's interactions with friends and adversaries, the author portrays the human side of Luther in the development of his belief system. The concluding chapter sketches the importance of Luther's thought and its lasting influence.
This handbook on Luther is a glossy publication with useful sidebars, contemporary paintings, and modern photographs.






Forgiveness by Matthew West... song and story behind the song

Stories and songs are two of the most effective ways in communicating the faith.....
stories that are real and link to God's approach to life are effective and transforming....
songs are away of helping us remember and proclaim God's approach to life.....

Matthew West is a song writer with a mission to put stories into song.....
He was sent a story of forgiveness and the impact it has had on people and has translated that it to song....

Listen to the story.....




Hear the song 


Way of Praise by Kevin Bueltmann = Contemporary music for Lutheran theology

Ways of Praise contains 10 great songs for contemporary worship and christian gatherings, that have been written and produced by Pastor Kevin Bueltmann.   He is a pastor of St Johns Lutheran Church Green Valley 

Check out the introduction video below




You can also visit their web page at here which contains more information about the cd and how you can obtain the songs