Text: 1 Cor 9:19-27

Today, ignorance of Biblical things is common. As a result, we need to learn to assume nothing about a person’s beliefs and understandings, and tailor our conversation to meet their needs.

The soil in this parable is analogous with our heart. The condition of the soil (heart) has a great bearing on the outcome (growth). Like soil, we can work at amending (improving) the condition to be more receptive and hospitable to the seed that is planted. When a farmer plans to sow seed, he first works the soil to get it ready to receive the seed. Our task, as Christians, is no different.

Text: John 4:31 - 42

For many decades, the church in America has been in "harvest mode". We are now living in a time that harvesting is difficult to do. We must learn to sow by taking time to invest in relationships with people who are different than us. It will take effort, time, and most of all, prayer.

Text: John 4

In order for Jesus to have a meaningful discussion with the woman at the well, He met her where she was. He went out of His way to accommodate her routine in order to quench her thirst with Living Water.

Reference: Matt 5:13, Col 4:5-6

Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth. If we want to impact the world for Him, we need to be salty. Salt has many properties. It is used for seasoning, preserving, melting ice, disinfecting, etc. It also stings if it gets into a wound. We may need to be like all of these. Paul said "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity."

Luke 12:13-21

The short answer to this question is: "Everything". You can't take any of your possessions with you. However, more importantly, there is something you can leave behind to your children that is not material. This has the potential to have greater impact than any material possessions you have.

Text: Acts 17:16 - 34

Everyone is a "believer" of one belief or another. Hence, it is necessary to understand the "Thought Culture" of your audience before you can effectively communicate with them.

Text: Exodus 20; Matthew 11:28-30

The need for a Sabbath, a day of rest, is woven into Creation. Without rest, we can, and do, work ourselves to exhaustion. God never intended it to be this way, yet our culture drives us this way.

God designed us to take joy in knowing and serving Him. Our purpose in life is not a mystery. He clearly tells us. You were made to give Him glory, not to glorify yourself or serve yourself. We worship what we treasure. And God wants us to treasure Him above all other things that might seem like treasure.

The Israelites wandered through the wilderness for 40 years, before arriving at the Promised Land. What was the purpose for this long trip (a straight trip would have taken a couple of months on foot)? Do their experiences have any relevance to our lives, today?