by Bret Capranica | Jun 23, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think We didn”™t finish our tour of Genesis last week, so try and read through Genesis 32-50 and see if you can summarize each chapter”™s theme. As you read, look for and perhaps underline the activity you see God doing directly. Read again Genesis 50. Who was behind all of the negative events of Joseph”™s life? Think through this one carefully. What was Joseph”™s response to these circumstances and those involved? Prayerfully Meditate What lessons would you write down from what you have read in the latter part of Genesis (32-50)? How have you been responding to the events in your own life? How much like Joseph have your responses been ““ or unlike? Why? What is it that keeps you from responding like Joseph? What has helped your responses to resemble his that you could capitalize on even more? What lesson what God teaching the original writers of the book of Genesis? How should we apply that lesson today? Intentionally Act List unique events that have occurred in you or your family”™s life over the past year. Spend a moment meditating on how God has been involved and what you have learned about Him (and about yourself) through them. Spend some time in prayer, thanking God for His providence, confessing any sin for failed responses, seeking wisdom on how to respond to current issues unique to you. Pray for those in our gathering this week who do not know Christ. Pray that God will awaken their hearts through His word and bring them to the knowledge of Christ. Pray that the entire body will be strengthened in...
by Bret Capranica | Jun 9, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think “¢ If you have the time, read through Genesis 1-11 and make a list of the most significant events in these chapters. “¢ Who are most significant people in these chapters? “¢ What do you learn about man and his relationship to God from these chapters? “¢ For a more significant reading, read through Genesis 1-11 and underline every phrase that indicates God”™s activity. What do you learn about God? Prayerfully Meditate “¢ From reading through Genesis 1-11, what issues of life are brought up in these chapters and where do you see them (i.e., marriage, worship, interpersonal relationships, sin, parenting, pride, humility, dependence on God, etc.)? “¢ Which of these issues is most relevant to your life right now? Why? What does the book of Genesis suggest is most biblical way to deal with it? How? Intentionally Act “¢ Make a list of any appropriate responses you think would help you apply your answer given in the last statement above. When and how can you carry these out, by God”™s grace, and in absolute dependence upon him? “¢ Make a list of issues or subject raised in Genesis 1-11 that you would like to give greater study or attention to. Which one should you begin addressing? When could you begin studying it further (this week?)? “¢ Pray for our church as a whole that we will all respond to God”™s word corporately. “¢ Pray for those who will be leading us through the service Sunday. Pray that our hearts will honor God and that our actions will be helpful in edifying the entire body. “¢ Meditate...
by Bret Capranica | Jun 2, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Christian Living, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
Carefully Think Read Romans 12:14-21. From this passage what ways are given to display the gospel when you are personally wronged or hurt. Can you think of any recent event, interaction, or issue in your life that one of these ways you listed above would apply? What constitutes persecution (v 14)? Who are the lowly (v 16)? Who would biblically be considered your enemy (v 20)? Prayerfully Meditate Which of the ways to respond, among those you listed above, seems to speak most pointedly to you? Why? Pray and ask God to give you wisdom in how you should apply the exhortation you see in the passage. Write out a few ways you could apply one or two of these exhortations. Intentionally Act Who do you need to speak to this week in light of how you responded above? Could you send a note of encouragement to someone? What are practical ways you could take the initiative to make sure you are living at peace with someone you find yourself at odds (v 18)? Pray for our church as a whole that we would evidence the characteristics mentioned in this passage. Pray for those who will be leading and assisting us in worship today. Pray that we honor the Lord and encourage each other in our gathering this week. Meditate on the lyrics of the songs we will be singing (see below). To listen to or download the songs, click on the links below. Songs we will sing: All Creatures Of Our God And King Before the Cross When I Survey Lyrics: Morning Service – June 5,...
by Bret Capranica | May 27, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
This week’s message will be the first of a 2 part series entitled, “Gospel-Centered Living” from Romans 12:9-13. Carefully Think Read Romans 12:9-13. Make a list of what the different characteristics you find here. After listing each one, try and write down a short definition of what each of them means. Can you think of any other Scriptures that would help you define them? What is the connection between these verses and the ones preceding them? Prayerfully Meditate How could you practically and consciously give attention to so many different gospel-driven characteristics? Which ones seem to be most practical to you in your life at the current moment? Why? What sin should you confess? Any relationships that need attention? How grateful should you be for the characteristics you do see in your life? Spend a few moments in prayerful reflection, confession, and thanksgiving. Intentionally Act Circle the characteristic that needs the most attention in your life. List the top 3 actions you can begin to take, by God”™s enabling grace, to strengthen this characteristic in your own life? Have you seen any of these characteristics uniquely demonstrated in the someone else”™s life? Who? How? Write them a note expressing how grateful you are to see God”™s grace being expressed in them. Or take a minute to have a personal conversation with them and express how you have seen God”™s grace uniquely displayed in their character. Encourage them. Pray for those who will be involved in this week”™s worship gathering Pray that they will all demonstrate these characteristics and help the congregation to focus together on God”™s Word. Pray for...
by Bret Capranica | May 9, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Ecclesiology, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching
I am in the midst of a short series of sermons on What Makes a Church. Yesterday’s sermon was on the subject of baptism and looked particularly at Romans 6:3-5. Here are my notes from that message: Baptism Makes a...
by Bret Capranica | Mar 10, 2011 | Biblical Studies, Featured Articles, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Worship
Carefully Think Read through Revelation 4 & 5 in one setting (it won”™t take long). Make a list of one-word statements that would describe the kind of worship taking place in heaven. Put a star beside those words in the list that would be transferrable and helpful in how we should think about our own worship when we gather as a church. Prayerfully Meditate Make a list of one-word characteristics that you find to be true about our church”™s worship gatherings. How could the list of heaven”™s characteristics improve our worship? Review this week”™s bulletin and the various elements of our worship gathering. Which elements can you find biblical warrant for? Can you think of biblical texts that would describe each element? Can you think of biblical texts that need to better inform our worship? How would these additions help you worship with all your heart and soul on Sunday? Meditate on the lyrics to this Sunday”™s songs. What are they teaching about the subject of worship? What themes in these songs are also present in the worship scene in heaven? Actively Respond Pray for all those who will be assisting the church in our worship gathering. Pray that they will arrive with humble hearts ready to serve and focused on making God central in what we do together. Pray specifically for Dawson Bryant and Bret Capranica as they work together each week to prepare our weekly gatherings. Pray that they will be driven by God”™s word and sensitive to how we can best express our praise corporately. Read through Revelation 4 & 5 with your family. Talk through...
