Honing Your Spiritual Discernment

Conrad Hilario

Proverbs 11:14

Solomon was called the wisest man who ever lived and for good reason. He displayed an understanding of humans and an ability to judge truth from falsehood. This attribute of discernment is vital for our spiritual growth and effectiveness. In order to grow in our discernment, we must learn how to correctly interpret Scripture and begin learning how human nature works. In order to gain wisdom here, we must lean against the imbalances of seeing people in either an overly positive or overly negative light. This workshop then discusses several practical ways in which we can hone our own discernment.

Suffering with Hope - An Eternal Perspective

Amy Moreno

Romans 8:18

A framework for suffering includes preparation, purpose, and patience. The Bible is flooded with scripture about suffering as a reality and how God can use it in our lives. It is important to focus on going through the process with God rather than on ending the suffering. God wants us to know Him and this can happen best when we go through hard times and cling to Him. Suffering gives us an opportunity to go deeper with God, develop our character and experience peace in a deeper way. Suffering with hope requires an eternal perspective.

Teaching Difficult Concepts to Jr. High Students

Brian Runk

Brad DuFault

Luke 2:41-52

The Xenos Junior High Staff explores the why, how, and what when it comes to teaching difficult concepts to adolescents. Teaching the hard concepts is important because they can and do understand it, they need to be equipped, they do enjoy it, and they need an alternate view to the world system. Five ways how to teach these difficult concepts: 1) consecration; 2) communication; 3) content; 4) connection; 5) context. What makes these concepts difficult is that they are abstract, complicated, uncomfortable, delicate, low immediate interest, and have large text. These areas need careful consideration and wisdom in presenting but also necessary.\r\n

The Combat Field Manual - Fighting Today in Our March Toward Eternity

John Cleary

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

We are reminded throughout Scripture to "not be surprised by the fiery ordeal" that accompanies the spiritual battle to which we belong. This spiritual battle is very real and we need to be convinced of it. The battle is in our minds and the weapon God has given us to fight in this battle is His truth. Writing out truth is helpful in arming our minds for this battle. We can develop our own personal Combat Field Manual.\r\n

Evangelism for the 21st Century (Part 3) - Quoting Poets

Randy Newman

Acts 17:16-34

As we prepare to share the gospel with those around us, we must be sensitive to the audience we have. While the gospel always remains the same, we need to adapt our presentation of the gospel to best fit the person in front of us. One way to do this is to quote their poets, or to use insights from their own music and movies as bridges to the gospel. If we have an accurate understanding of the "poets" of today's culture, we can use this to connect the truth to what people may already be seeing or believing.

Living the Life of Faith (Part 5)

Dennis McCallum

Hebrews 13:8-9

The author of Hebrews continues his instruction for a life under God's grace. Hebrews reminds readers of the permanence of the person of Jesus Christ. The author connects this with the need for believers to reject strange teaching and cling to the grace of God. This teaching expounds on false teaching versus biblical truth.

Staying on Target

Conrad Hilario

2 Timothy 3:15-16

As Christians, it is important to teach what the Bible teaches and emphasize what the Bible emphasizes, and churches that do not follow this principle often find themselves emphasizing esoteric ones instead. The central message of the Bible is the person and work of Jesus Christ, and a focus on Him will result in His grace strengthening our hearts.

Introduction & Preface

Gary DeLashmutt

John 1:1-18

John, one of Jesus' disciples, wrote his first letter to the church at Ephesus for the two-fold purpose of exposing the Gnostics and their false teaching and strengthening the Ephesians' assurance of their salvation and spirituality. The first four verses of the letter explain the message about Jesus' identity, how we know this message is true, and why God gave us this message.

Living the Life of Faith (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 19:4-6

The author of Hebrews instructs the church to maintain the honor of marriage. Contextually, this serves as another expression of faith for the Christian believer. This instruction serves as a counter-cultural perspective leading to thriving marriages as a witness to the watching world.