Modesto Free Will Baptist Church

Read Genesis 12:1-9; 15:1-6 Abraham is called the father of faith because he believed God about some big promises. Genesis 12 reveals to us God's call and Abraham's response of faith. God promises blessings to those who trust and obey Him. God made specific and incredible promises to Abraham, conditioned on Abraham's obedient faith.... God reassures those who trust Him. When years later, Abraham and Sarah remained childless, God came again to affirm His covenant with Abraham. We are saved by faith. Despite any doubts he may have had, Abraham trusted God. Throughout Scripture, this testimony is used for our example (see Romans 4:3, 22; Galatians 3:6; and James 2:23). List the promises of God to Abraham in the covenant in Genesis 12:1-3. How have these promises been fulfilled? When Abraham still had no heir, he asked God about an alternate plan (Genesis 15:2). We know about Sarah's plan in Genesis 16:2-4. How did that work out? When have you tried to "fix" God's plan?

Today's D6 Discipleship Moment w/ PC - January 22, 2021

Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 What do you think of when you hear the word "ministry"? For many, the word brings to mind pastors, preachers, evangelists, or missionaries. They are "in the ministry." But, what if I told you all believers are "in the ministry"? Ministry is simply serving Jesus by serving others. Every believer in Jesus is meant to serve Him by serving others. Wherever we live is our mission field. While there are many forms of ministry, there is one ministry we are all meant to be actively involved in: the ministry of reconciliation. What do we do as ministers of reconciliation (verse 20)? Why do you think so many believers find it difficult to be a part of this ministry? Verse 11 gives us one motive for this ministry; verse 14 gives us another. What are they? Who did Jesus die for? (See verse 15.)

Today's D6 Discipleship Moment w/ PC - January 21, 2021

Read Acts 26:12-23 God actively seeks us. Salvation begins with Him. He takes the initiative to search for us and then calls us to Himself. There is something powerful and encouraging in knowing that the great and awesome God of Heaven actively sought us out. God saves us for a purpose. He has something for each of us to do in service and devotion to Him. This service is both unique and general. God has uniquely created and gifted you to do work for His kingdom. In ge...neral, God has designed and required certain activities for all believers. What is something all believers are meant to do (verses 17-18)? We are saved to serve. Paul's testimony in these verses included both his own experience and the essence of Christ's redemption. What could you say if you had a chance to share the good news about Jesus with someone? Now, watch for opportunities to share it this week. Who was Saul (who changed his name to Paul) telling about the time he trusted Jesus? (Hint: you can see his name in verse 19.)

Reminder: Midweek Family Fellowship in the Word tonight @ 6pm. Come and join us as we gather together for a time of worship and prayer and then dismiss into our age appropriate groups (JAM Zone for prek thru 5th grade students, ROCK Youth for 6th thru 12th grade students, and Adult Study) for a time of fellowship in the Word. Hope to see you there!

Today's D6 Discipleship Moment w/ PC - October 28, 2020

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-17 Years ago I heard a sermon called "Peanut Butter and Jelly Christians." As a kid, the preacher said, he loved peanut butter and jelly sandwiches so much they were all he wanted to eat - until one night his dad told him it was time for him to grow up and have meat. His dad threw away the sandwich and made him eat steak for supper. The pastor went on to say that sometimes Christians are like the boy with his sandwiches. They have been Christians lo...ng enough to move beyond the basics but refuse to do so. Why is this a problem (verse 3)? What are some benefits of being a spiritual "meat eater"? What are some ways you can improve your diet? Ask God to who you any way you are a "peanut butter and jelly" Christian and pray for Him to help you to grow beyond that. Name at least three things this passage compares Christians to. (See verses 1, 9, and 16.)

Excited to announce the beginning of a new ministry @ Modesto Free Will Baptist Church. Beginning Tuesday, November 3rd Denise G. will be running a laundry ministry at our church every Tuesday 9am to 3pm. The Lord impressed this need upon her heart and she will be beginning a week from today. More information to come later in the week and we will be sharing on Sunday during our Sunday Morning Gathering as well. Please be in prayer for this ministry, for Denise as she leads it and help get the word out to any you know that may benefit from this ministry.

Today's D6 Discipleship Moment w/ PC - October 27, 2020

Read Luke 18:9-17 In the weekend study, you learned that despite being very religious and a good moral man, Nicodemus needed to be born again. Good morals are not necessarily a sign that a person has faith in Jesus Christ and has been born again. Jesus contrasted a sinful tax collector and a very moral religious man in this passage from Luke 18. Both prayed to God but only one left that meeting righteous, and it wasn't the moral, religious man. What made the difference (ve...rses 11-13)? The Pharisee's good deeds and rule-keeping did not make him righteous, because self-righteousness gets us nowhere with God. The despised tax collector acknowledged his sinfulness and humbly asked for mercy. What does this teach about God's willingness to accept those who come to Him? In verse 16, who did Jesus invite to come to Him?

Today's D6 Discipleship Moment w/ PC - October 26, 2020

Read Isaiah 45:18-23 In the weekend study, you learned that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that everyone could have everlasting life. God has always desired the salvation of the world and has the power necessary to save everyone in the world. It doesn't matter who the person is or what kind of lifestyle he or she has lived or is living; God has the necessary power to save anyone anywhere. God reassures us of His power by reminding us that He is the... Creator of all that exists (verse 18). God also wants us to be sure of His desire by reminding us that He has not kept this desire a secret, and He has not told people to seek Him in vain (verse 19). What must we do before God will save us (verse 22)? Is there any other requirement? What difference has Christ made in your life? Is there more than one true God? (see verse 21.)

Reminder: Sunday Morning Worship Gathering this morning @ 10:30am. Join us either in person or online as we dive into Chapter 3 of the Gospel of John and what it means that Jesus Offers the Only Way to New Life and does it mean to be Born Again?! Hope to see you there or online!

Family Theme: Jesus Offers New Life - The Only Way Do you know any stories about your birth? Did your mother, like mine, make it a point to remind you of those stories each year on your birthday? Your birth, your entrance into your family, was an occasion to be remembered! So is the occasion of your second birth. The picture of being born again is an interesting one When we are born, we inherit certain traits from our parents. As we grow up, we tend to develop other character traits from our parents. Something similar is true for being born again. We are given a new nature with some new traits. The more we learn about our Heavenly Father, the more we emulate His character. As we grow, we look increasingly like Him. The devotions for this week will encourage us to celebrate the difference Jesus make in our lives.

Reminder: Sunday Morning Worship Gathering tomorrow morning @ 10:30am. Join us either in person or online as we dive into Chapter 3 of the Gospel of John and what it means that Jesus Offers the Only Way to New Life and does it mean to be Born Again?! Hope to see you there or online!