Things to always remember from Jesus.

I AM…

… the BREAD OF LIFE (Survival).
“For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” - John 6:33-35 (NIV)

… the LIGHT OF THE WORLD (Direction).
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12 (NIV)

… the GATE (Access).
“Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - John 10:7-10 (NIV)

… the GOOD SHEPHERD (Security).
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep…” - John 10:11 (NIV)

… the RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE (Eternity).
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” - John 11:25-26 (NIV)

… the WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE (Peace).
“Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:5-6 (NIV)

… the VINE (Purpose).
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener…” - John 15:1

Personalizing the “I AM” statements:

I am ________________________ BREAD of LIFE. – Survival
I am ________________________ LIGHT of the WORLD. – Direction
I am ________________________ DOOR. – Access
I am ________________________ GOOD SHEPHERD. – Security
I am ________________________ RESURRECTION and the LIFE. – Eternity
I am ________________________ WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. – Peace
I am ________________________ VINE. – Purpose 

Week 3: "I am a Church Member" - Chapters 4 & 5


I Will Pray For My Church Leaders

I Will Lead My Family To Be Healthy Church Members

GOING DEEPER

GETTING STARTED:
How do you handle interruptions? What are common interruptions in your day? Do you have personal qualifiers that you use in determining your response to interruptions? What are they? Are their “fun” interruptions in your life? What are some?

A CLOSER LOOK:

I WILL PRAY FOR MY CHURCH LEADERS - Chapter 4

Read: “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)” - I Timothy 3:2-5

Why is the pastor’s family such an important factor in their ministry?

What is meant by “above reproach”? Is that standard even possible for a pastor/leader? 

Read I Timothy 3:7: “He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

What is the meaning of “outsiders” in this verse? Why should they be a concern to church members, leader or pastors?

What are some “traps” that leaders and pastors can fall into? What effects have you seen as a result of these on the church?

Read Page 50 in “I Am A Church Member” from - “Pray for His… to demands upon him.”

What areas of a pastor’s life are focused on here? How can we, the church, practically help & encourage the pastor to stay on track in his/her life?

Why is wisdom so important to being a leader/pastor?

I WILL LEAD MY FAMILY TO BE HEALTHY CHURCH MEMBERS - Chapter 5

Read Ephesians 5:25-30 : “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.  In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—  for we are members of his body.”

This passage reminds us that, just as we are supposed to sacrifice and love our spouse and families unconditionally, so are we to love those churches where God has placed us. What are some ways that we can show love for an imperfect church?

Read “Worshipping Together as a Family” page 60&61. From “As a church member…” to “…example to others.” (top of page 61)

How can we strengthen the “family of God” through our commitment to the church? How can families, couples and single people demonstrate a unified love for God through worship, acts of service, giving, leadership, prayer and discipling?

Read page 62 - “Falling Deeply in Love with the Bride of Christ” first two paragraphs. (to …disagreeable people.”)

“Unconditional love means I will continue to fall more deeply in love regardless of the response.” What does that quote mean to you? What are the downsides of this in the church? What are possible upsides?

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8

This verse reminds us that God’s unconditional love has been demonstrated in Christ. What is unique about God’s action toward us?

BONUS:

Read the pledge on page 64. What strikes you about the pledge? What is most important to you, most challenging to live out?

How would you feel about signing this pledge with your name and commitment?