Key Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14

When it comes to gifts, "it's the thought that counts." When it comes to God, it's the heart that counts the most. The things we give to God and others are often tainted with sin and corrupted with selfishness. We give in order to gain and to get ahead. However, Jesus was the perfect Sacrifice, accepted by God on our behalf. We can now give joyfully, because of everything He has given to us.

Scripture References and Quotes:

1. Hebrews 11:4 2. Isaiah 64:6 3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 4. Acts 20:35 5. 2 Samuel 24:23-24

Key Scripture: Malachi 1:1-5

"God loves you" is a phrase we hear often in church and usually take for granted. Yet when we go through pain and hardship, it's easy to doubt His love. To rest and revel in His love, we must understand it correctly. God's love isn't like human emotion or sentimentality. His love means He has chosen to enter into an unbreakable Covenant of steadfast loyalty and love with you, fulfilled by the Cross. Stop trying to earn what you already have. God loves you!

Scripture References and Quotes:

Quote: “We are frequently told, indeed, that the great danger of the theological student lies precisely in his constant contact with divine things. They may come to seem common to him because they are customary…The very atmosphere of your life is these things; you breathe them in at every pore: they surround you, encompass you, press in upon you from every side. It is all in danger of becoming common to you! God forgive you, you are in danger of becoming weary of God!” - B.B. Warfield

1. Deuteronomy 7:6 2. Isaiah 49:3 3. Genesis 3:15; 9:15-16; 12:2 4. Exodus 34:28 5. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 6. 2 Corinthians 1:20 7. Romans 5:8 8. 1 Corinthians 11:25

Key Scripture: Ephesians 4:1

As we follow Christ, we follow Him into our calling. God has made you for a life of significance. He has given you unique experiences, passions, talents and gifts - all of which He wants to use to make Christ-disciples and further His redemptive purpose in the world. Do you know your calling?

Scripture References and Quotes:

1. Genesis 1:27 2. Psalm 139:14 3. Ephesians 2:10 4. Matthew 5:13-14 5. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 6. Jeremiah 18:1-6 7. "Just think: You are here not by chance but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else; you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation. You are God's masterpiece. You have God's blessings and can do all things through God’s strength working in and through You!" - Roy Lessin

Key Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Christian community is vital to Christian discipleship. While most of us would love to belong to a supportive, sacrificial community like the early Church, we fail to devote ourselves to the same things: the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. Until we recapture these devotions, our small groups will be nothing more than a gathering with friends - enjoyable, but void of disciple-making power.

Scripture References and Quotes:

1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 2. Luke 6:46-49 3. Deuteronomy 4:2 4. Acts 15:37-38 5. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Key Scripture: Luke 5:17-26

Church isn't just where you make friends, it's where you make family. We all need strong community to encourage us, challenge us and support us on our journey toward Christ-likeness. This can’t happen exclusively on Sunday mornings. Community is a seven-days-a-week thing. It means sharing your life with others and allowing them to share their lives with you. Do you have community, or are you still trying to do it alone?

Scripture References and Quotes:

1. Genesis 2:18 2. 1 Peter 5:8 3. Ephesians 2:1-2 4. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Key Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

To be a Christ-disciple means to be Christ-like. True spiritual growth isn’t measured by Bible-knowledge or how many hours per week we pray. The only real measure of Christian maturity is whether or not we’re becoming like Jesus in our character. Do we speak like Him, treat others like Him, think like Him, love like Him? Are we more like Him today than we were yesterday?

Scripture References and Quotes:

1. Psalm 139:1-4 2. Proverbs 27:6 3. Luke 11:39-40 4. Mark 4:22 5. Genesis 1:27 6. Romans 5:12 7. Colossians 1:15 8. Hebrews 1:3 9. Ephesians 4:11-13

“It should amaze us to realize that when the Creator of the universe wanted to create something ‘in His image,’ something more like Himself than all the rest of creation, He made us! Every single human being, no matter how much the image of God is marred by sin, or illness, or weakness, or age, or any other disability, still has the status of being in God’s image and therefore must be treated with the dignity and respect that is due God’s image-bearer.” - Wayne Grudem

Key Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

There is nothing and no one more important than Christ Himself. To be His disciple requires knowing and following Him every day. You can’t become like someone you don’t know, which makes relationship the foundation of discipleship. Do you know Jesus rightly? Do you know Him intimately?

Scripture References and Quotes:

• Matthew 7:21-23
• 1 John 5:19-20
• John 17:3 4
• Philippians 3:8
• Ephesians 1:17

Key Scripture: Mark 10:17-22

Far worse than failure is succeeding at things that don't really matter. There are many good things a church can do, but what is the most important thing to accomplish? Making Disciples. Jesus is calling you to follow Him - to copy who He is and imitate what He does; to watch Him and learn from Him as you become more like Him. It won't be easy, but He is worth it!

Scripture References and Quotes:

• Matthew 21:18-20
• Galatians 3:3
• John 15:5
• Luke 14:25-27
• Luke 9:57-62
• Philippians 3:8
• Matthew 13:44

Key Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24

This time of year is often characterized with goal setting and planning ahead so that this new year is better then the last, which is great! But before we run into this next year, let's stop and look at what God has already done. Stopping to see God’s faithfulness may be looking at the past but that just might be what we need to have faith for the future.

References and Quotes: 1 Samuel 17:32-37

Key Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

It's the most wonderful time of the year. It can also be the most stressful and overwhelming time of the year. There's so much we have to do, so much we need to buy and so many people we're trying to make happy. During these times, we must remember the good news we tend to forget: God sent His only Son to save and redeem us and to make us right with Him. Not only does He see you, He has called you into His family and given you the privilege of worshipping Him. Glory to God in the highest!

Scripture References and Quotes:

• Matthew 13:13-16

• Psalm 27:1

• Romans 1:18

• Nahum 1:2

• Matthew 26:39

• Romans 5:1

• Psalm 51:12

• Ephesians 2:13

• “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” - A.W. Tozer