Bible Study Romans 12:1-8 copy from my website

Bible Study Romans 12: 1-8

Process for studying a passage or chapter of the Bible

1. Pray to open - Volunteer
2. Read Romans 12
   1. 1 - 8 - Volunteer
   2. 9 - 16 - Volunteer
   3. 17 - 21 - Volunteer
3. Reread vs. 1 - 2
4. Write out verse 1 for memorization, if you finish early, then write out verse 2 or start memorizing.
5. Take 5 minutes to read verses 1 - 8 again Write notes and questions that you can share with the group.
6. Discuss verses 1 - 2
   1. What does it mean to present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice?
   2. What does the word "holy" mean?
   3. What is it talking about to not  be conformed, but to be transformed? 
   4. What is renewing your mind?
   5. How does it apply to you?
7. Reread verses 3 - 8  
   1. What is verse 3 saying?
   2. What is the body imagery about in verse 4?
8. What do verses 6-8 talk about?
   1. What gifts has God given you? and how are you using them?
   2. What gifts do you see that other members of this group have?
9. Admonition - Use the gifts you have for blessing, but avoid becoming proud, because of them.
10. Next Week's Homework

• Memorize Romans 12: 1
• Read Romans 14 as often as you can
• Read Romans 13 - 16 at least once.
• Write down at least 1 question and 1 insight to share.

The notes below were my notes from the time in the Bible study that we had yesterday:

Romans 12: 1 - 2

"I urge you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

God's will - good, acceptable and perfect

Sound judgment of self based on faith level 

all different, but one body

What is/are your gift/s?

9 - Hate evil, cling to what is good

11 Not lazy. but fervent

12 rejoicing, persevering, devoted

13 contributing, giving, hospitality

14 Bless, don't curse

then went back to group discussion

Someone in the group brought up this discussion verse 1 - Body and Spirit not separated - God focuses on the whole being

Every single moment an offering

We then ran out of time and I shared the rest of the questions and that I would send them out to the group and closed in prayer.

Copy of Save Olympic Wrestling from 1stthingfirst.ning.com

This is a group that I was added to by a friend that I want to share with you. Many of you probably have very little connection to wrestling, you may not understand the sport or even watch it, but for me it has had a deep impact on my life.

I started wrestling when I was 7 or 8 and wrestled competitively up through my freshman year in college. Though I never pursued competing in the Olympics, it was always that goal far off that could be a possibility if I or others put the commitment into reaching that goal.

I have had the opportunity to coach wrestlers who have gone on to be national champions with both stories of joy and of immense sadness. The sport of wrestling has had bad points as well as good points over the years as many other sports definitely have.

The school where I attended for college has dropped the sport as they looked for a more lucrative sport to replace it. Now the Olympics are considering dropping the sport as well. I will speak out for the saving of Wrestling.

It is a sport where just about anyone can participate whether small or large. It gives a place for those who may not be big a level playing field as they compete against people who are their own size. For me this was important as I would never have been big enough for sports such as football or basketball, but wrestling gave me a chance to excel.

Please speak out and consider joining this group.

"Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Dylan Thomas

Thanks for reading this.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/160048430814195/

Thoughts on life and changes

God is Good!

I have not written a post in about a month or more, but wanted to write one today.  Life has been fast and furious as I have been working on the creation of a Christian Social Network.  It has not been a straight path forward and at times, my resolve has been tested.  I am thankful for the many connections that have been made over the past three months and look forward to continued contact in the months and years ahead.  We have a website name and it is going to be developed as God sends resources and time to the people that are involved.  The domain is 1G1C1B.com it is in very very early stages, but will be gradually updated over time.  I am planning to have a blog available on there very shortly and will probably move my blog over there once it is ready.  1stThingfirst.ning.com will be up for maybe a month more, but will soon be abandoned as the limitations that we found in it led us to decide to pursue another route.

God has given me amazing opportunities to be involved in people's lives and to communicate His truth to them.  He has given me opportunities with both believers and unbelievers in Church, Community Group, Focus, Bible Study, Discipleship Group, FamilyWorks Ministries, and a Hindi Congregation, and Child Evangelism Fellowship.  The list is long of the opportunities.  Someone this week commented on the need to focus in my efforts and so I may seek God's direction on how he wants me to focus my energy in ministry.

The greatest need I see that I might be able to fill is in relation to Child Evangelism Fellowship.  They are having focus cities that they concentrate on each summer now for a two week stretch.  Last year was Minneapolis St. Paul.   This year is Denver and next year is Portland.  This is an area that I see a huge need that I think God has gifted me to contribute to filling that need.

My experience with Child Evangelism Fellowship is extensive as I went to camp as a camper from 7-12 years old.  I experienced assurance of salvation while at a CEF Camp, Camp Good News, when I was 11 I believe.  When I was thirteen and through the rest of Middle School and High School I served with CEF during the summers in middle school for three weeks each while attending Christian Youth in Action.  In High School, I served as a summer missionary for CEF for three entire summers.  I cannot put into words the impact that it had on me, but it is a lifelong impact that still impacts me and my faith.

My favorite quote outside of biblical quotes comes from a missionary story that I taught while in CEF.  "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."  Hudson Taylor.  This quote has challenged me recently and encourages me as I seek to follow and love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.  I trust that God will provide as I do what He calls me to do in His way.  Sometimes that is difficult to discern if we let things of this world distract us from our first love.  I am truly seeking to listen to what God says while listening to counsel that sharpens my thinking.

Did I mention, 'God is sooo good!"?

I am moving this weekend to a beautiful new place that I think will be a great blessing.  It was provided so quickly and will be less expensive than my previous place.  One of my friends lives there and I have gotten a chance to visit with the others there and it looks to be a blessing in my life.

As I am writing this, Oh how He love us is playing in the background.  What a great song to hear.

May you have a blessed day!

Grant