Bible, Beliefs and Behaviors
Dear LTCC Family,
A couple of weeks ago, pastor Bob pointed out in one of his messages that the learning process is not limited to the young, both in age or spiritual maturity, but that it is a lifetime process in which we all participate.
One reason for this is because the object of our learning is God. Because He is infinite, there is an infinite amount of knowledge to be learned about who He is and what He does.
The apostle Paul understood the part that knowledge played in the lives of those he wrote to. In both the letters of Romans and 1st Corinthians, no less than 12 times he challenged his readers with the question “Do you not know?” It is evident he expected his readers to have a knowledge of scriptures so that they could better understand his teaching.
Another example is in John 3:10, where Jesus Himself expressed surprise that Nicodemus, being a learned man didn’t understand the scriptures which were the basis of the new birth teaching.
And finally, A.W. Tozer in his book, ‘Knowledge of the Holy’, said that knowledge of God determines how we worship God. With greater knowledge, comes worship based on the truth of who God is. The more we know about God, the deeper our relationship will be with Him.
At Lake Tapps one of our core values is continued learning as we study the scriptures. In order to support this activity, we have put together a slate of eight classes this fall. The classes are divided into 3 broad categories; Bible, Belief, and Behavior. These categories are the natural outworking of our core value. The first is that the Bible contains the word of God, “all scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16
What we derive from the Bible, therefore, shapes our beliefs. Beliefs based on who God is, who we are and what He has done to perfect us into the men and women He created us to be. Our behavior is in turn, a result of what we believe. Proverbs 23: 6 declares that what we believe in our heart determines who we are. In other words, our actions are just the outward sign of what's going on internally.
So, this fall we will have three Bible classes: two focused on Colossians and Galatians and a third based on the book of Habakkuk, Walking by Faith when life deals us troubles. There will be three classes dealing with our Beliefs: Names of Jesus, based on His Names, Titles and Offices. Hope in God, what we do when depression strikes, and The Path to Heaven, a record of the path from unbelief to faith. There will also be three classes dealing with our Behavior as Christians: The Secret of a Happy Christian Life, resting in the finished work of Christ, Family Equipping Forums, discipling kids throughout the various stages of their lives, and finally a class on Financial Peace, practical advice derived from the wisdom of God.
For more information on the classes, including when they are offered, who is teaching, any required material and to register, just click here, or on our church website, navigate to Get Involved: Bible Studies & Classes.
Gary for the Elders and Deacons
P.S. Marty and Jeanette Windle, our missionary spotlight this week, are traveling this summer and will be between church visits next week. They have asked to park and plug in their camper van in our church parking lot starting Monday and leaving Saturday so that they may have a safe place to stay for the night while visiting their son in Tacoma during the day. We are blessed to be able to host them!
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Who is this week's Missionary Spotlight? · Marty & Jeanette Windle
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