Baptism Service

We are the Household of God – 1 Timothy 3:14-15a -What did God do to make you a child of God? What privileges are yours as a child of God? -How does understanding the church is the household of God affect your commitment to Abounding Grace Church? -How should being a member of the household of God impact our behavior toward God? Toward each other? And toward unbelievers? For further study: Mt 6:9; Jn 1:12; Rom 8:14-16; 1 Cor. 4:1; Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19; 4:32-5:2; 1 Jn 3:1,3,11.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

Title: News That Matters Text: Book of Romans (Survey) Intro: The Value of God's Word Psalm 19:9-10 Proverbs 23:23 Key Passages: Rom. 1:16-17 God Reveals His righterousness in the Gospel Three Dynamics: Knowing, Growing & Doing Rom. 5:1 God's Righteousness as a benefit of your faith Rom. 6:11 God's Righteousness as it impacts your perspective Rom. 12:1-3 God's Righteousness impacts your life Rom. 12:9 ff God's Righteousness demonstrated in you (The Roman's Road a path to righteousness: Rom. 3:23 Rom. 6:23 Rom. 5:8 Rom. 10:9 Rom. 10:13 Rom. 13:14 God's Righteousness in practice

Centered, Secure, & Satisfied – Psalm 16 Our lives are… -How does David demonstrate that his life is centered on the Lord? What choices should you make on a typical day to show your life is centered on the Lord? -Why is our relationship with the Lord secure? What difference should that security make in your life? -Where do you look to for satisfaction? Do you believe the Lord can truly satisfy? How can you cultivate satisfaction in the Lord? For further study: Ex 33:14-15; Ps 49:15; 73:24-26; Matt 7:14; 16:16; Acts 2:25-28; Rom 8:23; 1 Cor 15:23.

Perfection is Coming– Revelation 21:1-8 -What will be different and better about the New Heaven and the New Earth? How will it be a reversing of the curse? -What examples in the Bible do we see of God desiring to dwell with His people? How will this reach its culmination in the New Heaven and New Earth? -How does the guarantee of this coming perfection encourage us in our walk with Christ now? How should we live now in light of this promised future? For further study: Genesis 1-3; Ps 16:11; 23:6; 73:26; Isa 65:17-20; Rom 5:1-5; 8:18-30; 1 Cor 15:51-58; 1 Pet 1:3-9; 2 Pet 3:12-13.

The Importance of Qualified Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:8-13 The Role of Deacons – Deacons assist the elders by facilitating the care for the needs of the church. Their service ensures needs do not go unmet, preserves the unity of the church, and enables elders to focus on the ministry of the Word and prayer in shepherding the flock. The Qualifications of Deacons: -In AGC's current setting, how can deacons serve to free the elders to fulfill their role? -What does the image of "holding the faith" teach us about being a Christian? -Why are these qualifications essential for the deacons of the church? How does a church test (v10) if a deacon is qualified? -How are faithful deacons a blessing to the church? What promise is given to deacons as they faithfully serve (v13)? For further study: Acts 6:1-6; 11:29; Eph 4:11-16; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 6:5-10.

The Church Needs Biblically Qualified Elders - 1 Timothy 3:1-7 Knowing these qualifications will equip you to: -Evaluate current/prospective elders -Pray for current/prospective elders -Raise up future elders -Strive for personal growth in godliness -Why is desire to serve as an elder a good starting point, but not enough in itself to serve as an elder? What else is needed? -How does ministry provide temptation regarding money and material things? -Why is there a connection between a man's leadership of his home and his leadership in the church? How does a church guard against holding an elder's family to an unrealistic standard? How should a church respond when an elder's children are not under control? -Why would a newer believer be more vulnerable to the pitfalls of pride than someone older in the faith? How did pride lead to the devil falling under judgment? -Why is there only one qualification having to do with skill, while the rest are character-related? What does that tell us? For Further study: Isa 14:12-15; Acts 20:17,26-35; Phil 1:1; 1 Th 4:12; 1 Tim 5:10,17; 6:3-9; 2 Tim 2:26; 3:2-4; Titus 1:5-9; 2:2,5; Heb 3:2-6; 13:2,5,17; 1 Pt 5:1-4,8

Glorifying God by Embracing His Design 1 Timothy 2:11-15