The Truth Project Lesson one: What is Truth?

The Truth Project series relies heavily on Scriture as the divine and authoritative Word of God.

According to the Barna Research Group, only 9 percent of born-again believers hold a biblical worldview. In essence, the church as a whole does not velieve what it says it believes. Therefore, divorce rates mirror our culture, sexual addiction is on the rise in the church and a large portion of church-goers live a life devoid of purpose. We believe this curriculum , through God's transformational power, can assist in reintroducing the Body of Christ to a life lived with meaning, purpose and value which ultimately makes a difference in our modern world.

What this is about is the opportunity to be a part of what God is doin the lives of His people worldwide, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to work through this curriculum and begin to transform the minds and hearts of each person who participates in your small group.

This series is designed to take a participants on a guided worldview tour, following the points of the worldview compass, a tool designed to direct our thinking with regard to four fundamental issues: Truth, God, Man, and the Social Order.

Veritology: What is Truth?

The cosmic battle, Why was Jesus Born?

Truth as ultimate reality.

Gazing on the face of God.

 Key Terms

Antithesis: The complete or exact opposite of something. The truth claims of God in direct opposition to the lies of the world, the flesh and the devil.

Bifurcation:To divide or separate into two parts, to split or branch off into two parts.

Common Insanity: A sickness we all suffer from. We have bought into the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil and therefore we live as if the lie is true, denying reality.

Compass Illustration: looking at life from a 360 degree perspective. A graphic means to illustrate that there is no area in life that God has not spoken.

Idol: a false source of salvation, sustenance, or power. Isaiah 44 equates an idol to a lie. These lies lead us into insane notions.

Jewels of the Cave: Specific topics or truth claims that are of particular interest.

Insanity: Losing touch with reality: believing the lie is real. Extreme foolishness or an act that demonstrates it.

Pathology: Any condition that is a departure or deviation from the true design. Dr. Tackett uses "pathology" to describe areas of distortion within the social spheres.

Pernicious Lie: The lie that man is basically good and that his greatest need is to self-actualize and get in tough with his inner desires.

Spheres: Social institutions or systems that we live and interact in (family, church, state, labor, community, and the intimate relationship between God and man). Each sphere has distinct organization.

Worldview: The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world. How Christians understand and apply the biblical revelation to the big questions of life.

Upcoming Study

 Our spring study, The Truth Project will begin on March 13. The Author, Dr. Del Tackett, has some interesting articles on his blog. https://www.deltackett.com/blog

The Truth Project is designed to help participants learn to integrate the biblical message with the big questions of life. To develop a biblical worldview and how to apply it to every aspect of life, instead of bringing a secular worldview to bear on the issues of the day.

Biblical foundations are laid for the various important spheres of life: law, politics, economics, history, science, the arts, sociology, education, and the media. All of these crucial areas are examined in terms of the biblical worldview, and participants are taught how to apply biblical principles to all these key fields.

Participants will learn how to organize and evaluate various opposing ideas that all claim to be the truth. But our ultimate goal is not simply to gain knowledge It is to "look upon the face of God" - and be transformed in the process.

Study Guides

Grace

 Dictionary definition of Grace: God's favor toward the unworthy or God's benevolence on the undeserving. 

Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving. BB Warfield 

Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues. John Stott

Grace is unconditional love toward a person who doesn't deserve it. Paul Zahl

Grace is God's best idea. His decision to ravage people by love to rescue passionately, and to restore justly - what rivals it? Of all his wondrous works, Grace, in my estimation, is the magnum opus. Max lucado

Gracious, the Hebrew word channun, in its verb form, means to be considerate, to show favor. That God is gracious would mean that he is favorably inclined toward us. That He wants to show favor to us. and to do what is best for us.

The concept of grace is a fundamental and a vital concept that is central to Christian belief. Grace is often defined as the unmerited favor, kindness, and mercy of God. It is God's freely given, undeserved love and assistance to humanity, particularly in the context of salvation and forgiveness of sins.

Grace is most needed and best understood in the midst of sin, suffering, and brokenness. We live in a world of earning, deserving, and merit, which result in judgment. That is why everyone wants and needs grace. Judgment kills. Only grace makes us alive.

Grace is “mercy, not merit” it is the opposite of karma, which is about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve and not getting what you do deserve. Christianity teaches that what we deserve is death as the price of sin, which separates us from God, Who is life.

Christians live every day by the grace of God. Grace transforms our desires, motivations, and behavior. In fact, God’s grace grounds and empowers everything in the Christian life.

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-grace.html

 

Prayer Journaling

Have you ever kept a prayer journal? while preparing a presentation at church, I've become an even more ardent supporter of prayer journals. Quiet time in prayer with God teaches you about Him and gives you the opportunity to practice listening to Him. Prayer is a deeply spiritual experience that needs time to grow and mature. Through prayer you learn to distinguish between thoughts that are yours and those that come from God. It's one of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Prayers can have a powerful impact on your spiritual life. However, there is something about writing down prayers that can make them feel more real or tangible. Prayer should not just a request line to God. We are dearly loved by God and He wants to spend time with us. That's why He created us, to be in fellowship with Him. By extending our prayer topics to things other than what we want, we are entering into fellowship with God.

A prayer Journal can take many forms, from a simple notebook to a more elaborate Journal with prompts and sections for different types of prayers. It's just up to you to decide what works best for your needs and preferences. Whatever format you choose, using your prayer journal to connect with God and document your spiritual journey is key.

Benefits of a Prayer Journal:

• Enhances & encourages a consistent prayer practice by making your prayer life more meaningful and intentional. This practice can lead to a stronger connection with God and a more fulfilling prayer experience.

• It increases focus during prayer. Writing down your thoughts and feelings helps you stay focused and engaged during prayer time, It encourages a consistent prayer practice by making journaling a part of your daily routine. You are more likely to stay committed to your prayer life.

• It offers clarity. Writing down your prayers and thoughts lets you see them more clearly and objectively. It also helps you organize your thoughts and identify the things weighing heavily on your mind so that as you write, you may also gain new insights or perspectives you might have missed had you not taken the time to reflect and document your thoughts.

• Allows reflection on God's blessings and the expression of gratitude to him. It allows reflection on God's blessing and the expression of gratitude to him. As you record the things you are grateful for, you will begin to see the hand of God at work in your life. Just as Thessalonians 5:18 says give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you.

• Helps you keep track of your spiritual progress and growth. It promotes self-reflection and allows you to reflect on past prayers, see how God has answered them, and recognize growth areas in your faith journey. This helps you identify areas where you have grown and where you need to focus your prayers more.

• Helps you overcome spiritual fatigue when you feel spiritually disconnected, journaling can be a powerful tool to help you process your thoughts and emotions. By reflecting on your relationship with God, you understand your walk with God and renew your faith. Keeping it prayer Journal can also be a helpful way to get out of your spiritual rut and find a new sense of purpose and meaning in your spiritual life.

The Discipline of Prayer

 A Couple Familar Things...

I recently read about the need to renew our minds on how to pray, how little time most Christians spend in prayer, and the reasons behind the lack of time spent in prayer.  After reading that some people feel that prayer is boring and that we just keep repeating ourselves, I realized that my prayer life needs a boost.

I remembered a method of prayer that Rev. McClendon taught it to us a few years ago in church. It involves praying with scripture! 

Turning the Word into prayer includes ACTS, adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, supplication. Using scripture in prayer ensures:

1. You'll never have to say the same ole' prayer about the same ole' things. Always fresh, always new.

2. God will respond, you can interact with God. He can say something and you can say something.

3. Your soul will be satisfied

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Oh Father, I want to thank you today that Jesus is my Shepherd. Thank you for the privilege of being one of your sheep. I pray that you will make me an obedient sheep. Oh God, make me a good shepherd of the the people that you have entrusted into my care. Prayer for other shepherds.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Father I pray today that you might enable me to be led beside quiet waters, may my soul rest in you, Lord, satisfy my soul with you.

He restoreth my soul:

Lord, I know that so often I am prone to wander. I feel prone to leave the God I love, oh Lord restore me.

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Keep me in the path walking righteously. Guide me along the path you would have me follow, not the path the world follows.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Lord, help me feel your presence daily as I walk in the world's shadows. Help me not to fear troubles I encounter.

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Jesus, you are my shepherd, please help me feel your love and comfort. I love you for providing comfort in this world of trouble.

Thou prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

My cup is not just full but runs over with joy at the prospect of what you have prepared for me in heaven

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Lord, as a believer, I know that you will guide and protect me here in earth and when I live in perfect goodness with you in heaven. I'm so thankful to have you with me on my journey through life.

What I've Been Reading:

https://www.valmariepaper.com/7-reasons-prayer-feels-boring/

https://www.toolsformentoring.com/resources/small-group-helps/prayer-ideas.php