Teacher: Donovan Christian

This weeks’ Encounter sermon teaches us about fasting which

is mentioned throughout the Bible. There are two 40 day fasts

mentioned, both related to momentous events, the first as

Moses prepared to receive the ten commandments, and the

second as Christ prepared to meet and be tested by Satan.

Was Christ weakened by fasting? This is debated by Christians

but it is obvious that Christ had a strength from God. So

fasting is a manifestation of a reset with God. This, it can be for you!

Teacher: Donovan Christian

This weeks’ Encounter sermon teaches us about fasting which

is mentioned throughout the Bible. There are two 40 day fasts

mentioned, both related to momentous events, the first as

Moses prepared to receive the ten commandments, and the

second as Christ prepared to meet and be tested by Satan.

Was Christ weakened by fasting? This is debated by Christians

but it is obvious that Christ had a strength from God. So

fasting is a manifestation of a reset with God. This, it can be for you!

Teacher: Donovan Christian

The purpose of the Encounter series is to utilize spiritual

practices resulting in a closer relationship with God. The

practice Donovan explores this week is prayer. Since prayer

is talking with God, which can be for a number of reasons, two

of which are to praise him and to ask God for things only can

grant,(Such as peace/patience/ kindness/strength). Prayer,

therefore, puts us into direct contact with God.

Teacher: Donovan Christian

We have learned that as we Encounter God through various Spiritual practices that we can come to know Him better and to know Him as our Abba, or Father. While all the practices require intentionality and awareness, perhaps none more than this weeks practice, which is meditation. For you are guided, when you observe the Sabbath, or read the scriptures, or even contemplate things for which you are thankful. All have more structure than meditation

Teacher: David Hageman

This series titled Encounter, has been focused on Spiritual practices, the purpose being getting to know God and thereby increasing your love of and for God. Spiritual practices discussed thus far have been Sabbath rest, scripture reading and today we will look at thankfulness.

Teacher: Jim Graham

Reading scripture: Reading scripture is one of the spiritual practices for enjoying God. “Lectio divina” means “sacred reading.” It is a way of reading scripture to have an encounter with God through the text. Since we’re not primarily reading for information, we go through the text slowly and prayerfully.

Check out this week's message from our 'Encounter' series as Philip talks about how to enjoy God through sabbath rest!

Download this week's homework here:

http://ow.ly/NAVt50FhV09

Teacher: Donovan Christian

Spiritual practices are things we do which nurture our encounters with God. Given time and practice, we find ourselves more at ease in God’s company, more at ease with God as a person, and most importantly more able to love God.

Teacher: Donovan Christian

One of the reasons you were created is simply to enjoy God. That’s a staggering thought. Why would we want to? How can we?

Join us as we embark on our Encounter series to discover how!

Teacher: Jim Graham

As we wrap up the Exiles series today, we are challenged to re- evaluate all the things we think we need to do as Christians. As we look at what Jesus did and said, we might be surprised at what really should be our focus.