Category Archives: bible study

Radical Experiment: Make Your Family a Small Group

One of the ways we experience God’s work in our lives is through small groups.  In the interaction between individuals studying and applying the Bible in a shared life together, God shapes us and changes us to be more like Jesus Christ.  That’s why small groups are an integral part of our disciple-making strategy.

But let’s face the fact:  participating in and getting involved in a weekly small group requires a significant commitment especially if you are a parent.  The time and energy required can sometimes prevent families from getting connected with a small group.  Here’s a “novel” idea — turn your family into a small group!

Remember the “family devotional time”?  Why not set aside one evening a week where you invest one hour in your own “Family Small Group”?  There are endless resources available for you to use to take some time to catch up with each other in conversation, look into a Bible passage with a view to discussing how you can begin to live it in your family, make a plan for living “love/grow/serve/go”, and then spend some time praying together.  Every couple and every family could benefit from this simple commitment!

Getting connected with one another on a spiritual/relational level will do you good!  You will grow together as a couple/family while at the same time grow to become more like Jesus Christ.

If you are a parent and want one resource let me suggest the following:  FaithWeaver Now Family Connect.  This weekly resource comes free with our Sunday Bible study literature that we use each Sunday in our Kids Ministry.  You could easily use this simple resource to reinforce what your children are learning on Sundays and enjoy all of the benefits of investing in “making disciples” of your children.  Here are links to this week’s and the next four weeks of resources:

Familyconnectdigital-wk04

Familyconnectdigital-wk05

Familyconnectdigital-wk06

Familyconnectdigital-wk07

Familyconnectdigital-wk08

If you find this helpful and want access to these digital documents, please, let me know and I’ll be happy to make them available to you.

Happy Birthday, IBCB! 1965-2015

“Let the nations be glad and sing for joy…” Psalm 67:450th

This year IBCB celebrates its 50th year of existence.  Our history is filled with people of conviction who have faithfully carried the vision of incarnating and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Berlin.  Here is an excerpt from one of our historical documents:

“The pastor of Rhine Valley Baptist Church met with several people in Berlin in January 1965 to pray about establishing an English language Baptist church.  Representatives of the Evangelishefreikirchliche Gemeinde Steglitz offered use of space in their church facilities in February 1965.  The name chosen for the new work was Berlin Baptist Church, English-Speaking.

Encouraged by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, Berlin Baptist Church was constituted March 7, 1965.  Nineteen of the thirty-one charter members were present, and by July 1, 1965, the church had thirty-five members.  The church’s early budget was $465.85, Sunday School enrollment was fifty-two, and the average attendance was forty six.”

We will have our formal 50th Anniversary Celebration in conjunction with our annual International Day Festival.  Help us get the word out to all past and present IBCBers.

June 27-28 — 50th Anniversary Celebration  & International Day

Special Guests:  Bob and Myra Marsh

 

Disciple Life Academy, Mar 21

Finding Financial Peace Workshop Disciple_Life_akademy_green

10:00-12:00 h w/ Scott Corwin

Learn key biblical and practical principles (such as spending plan, emergency fund, and online resources) for managing your money in a way that honors God and brings you peace.

DLA Mar 21Sharing Your Faith Without Fear

13:00-15:00 h w/ Jürgen Ferrary

Discover ways you can turn your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues into opportunities to share your faith naturally…without fear.

Register for your classes, lunch, and childcare in advance by scanning this QR code or following this link: http://goo.gl/forms/1RvYSTHkIK

 

 

Bonhöffer Haus Trip, 19. February

Join a Thursday 19. February for a one-hour guided tour (auf Englisch) of the Bonhöffer Haus — the home of Dietrich Bonhöffer’s parents and the place of his arrest in April 1943 by the Gestapo.  Learn about this influential theologian known for his stand for “Christian community” and his resistance to both “cheap grace” and the Nazis.

Meeting time is 18:30 h at the S-Heerstrasse platform.  We will walk to the Bonhöffer home and then afterwards to the home of Thorsten and Heide John for time of fellowship.  Space is limited, so first come first served.

Register by completing the registration form below or contact the tour coordinator Pun — hpchong7(at)gmail(dot)com.  For more information see http://www.bonhoeffer-house-berlin.net/.

Serve in Ministry: Examine My Experiences

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

 “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”  Philippians 1:12

shapeThe “E” in SHAPE stands for your life EXPERIENCES.

One of the best resources for future ministry is your past experiences.

Think about it:  your experiences have provided opportunities for growing, healing, learning, and serving.  When you look back over your life experiences and put them together into your “life story” you discover your “life message.”  God wants to use your “life message” to make a difference in the lives of others.

For example, think about the hurts and problems you’ve been through and overcome with God’s help.  Some of your greatest life messages come out of your weaknesses, your hurts, and your problems.  God never wastes a hurt!  He wants you to be open to ministering to people who are going through what you’ve already been through!  This is what Paul says about it:

“God…wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this?  So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them the same help and comfort God has given us!”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

So take some time to reflect on your growing, healing, learning, and serving experiences.  Write down your thoughts and feelings about …

  • Your Spiritual Experiences—meaningful decisions or times with God
  • Your Painful Experiences—problems, hurts, and trials that have taught you
  • Your Educational Experiences—favorite subjects, special training or equipping experiences
  • Your Ministry Experiences—previous areas of meaningful service

Examine your experiences and reflect on the lessons you’ve learned.  Ask yourself how those experience might benefit others.  For example, what past ministry experiences brought you significant joy?  What training or work experiences have equipped you for making a difference in the life of the church?  When you put all of these experiences together you come up with a life message that God wants you to use for serving others!