Sunday the 1st and Prayer

Hello class,

We will spend a part of our class time this Sunday planning for our 11:00 children's Sunday School. We will discuss teachers, curriculum, structure, etc. Please call (343-5675) or email me if you have input but will not be in church Sunday. When we are done we will continue our study of Exodus starting with chapter 8 verse 20.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Exodus 7:1 - 8:20

I failed to get this posted last week (and frankly, it has been awhile since I posted a blog update with lesson notes ... I'm working to correct that by uploading past notes to the archives section in the next couple of weeks). Anyway, since we just got partway through Exodus 7 last week, we'll be focusing on the first three plagues (referred to by some as the "loathesome plagues") in this week's lesson. Lesson notes can be downloaded by clicking here.

Tuesday/Wednesday: Birdhouses, Waterguns, and Pedicures - all Pictures of God's Plan

TODAY'S REPORT:

Tuesday and Wednesday were two very full days in Chicago. Lots of kids and quite a few of their adult guardians are participating in the week's "Family Camp" activities. Adult registrations for Tuesday were near 70 total contacts. Wednesday more than 100 adults registered. Most had multiple children with them so we are churning out custom birdhouses, water guns and handprint art about as fast as it can be done! Not to mention washing some feet and "prettying up" the ladies at tonight's "spa night."

Monday: Starting Work, Meeting People, BLOCK PARTY!

TODAY'S REPORT:

Sunup to Sundown Monday and each day is the plan while we are here. Today we kicked things off with an 8am morning devotional at James Ward Elementary before getting started on the day's projects. We have a team that is working on stripping and re-painting the school cafeteria during the day, while other teams prayer walk neighborhoods and hand out fliers inviting people to this week's evening "family camp" activities.  And there is a cake decorating class we are providing for several women (and a few men) in the surrounding neighborhoods. Then, in the evening, we wait to see who shows up to the block party.

Sunday: A Great Day of Worship, Re-Connecting, and Preparation

TODAY'S REPORT:

We spent longer than we had originally planned in Springfield, IL Saturday before tackling the final leg of our trip to Chicago. As a result, we arrived pretty late last night, about 18 hours ahead of the rest of the mission team from Second Baptist. This morning (Sunday), Rachael, Annie, Alex and I got up and headed to Sunday morning service with City South Church where they are currently meeting, at James Ward Elementary School.

Friday Departure: Brothers' and Sisters' Encouragement in Advance and on the Road

TODAY'S REPORT:

Tonight is my first daily blog update for friends, brothers, sisters who have committed to pray for our family as we share the gospel with the good people on the south side of Chicago, in and around James Ward Elementary School. Much good has happened since we and the Elliotts helped with last year's Chicago mission from Second Baptist Church (If you are feeling nostalgic or just want a refresher on that, check out our entries on this blog from July 2009 by clicking here. I actually quite enjoyed reviewing it in preparation for our return this week). City South Church now has a home. Each Sunday at 10am they hold services in that same elementary school where last year we taught Vacation Bible School.

Sunday the 4th and prayer

From: reggiebreshears@lawyer.com [mailto:reggiebreshears@lawyer.com] 

Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 11:25 PM

Subject: Sunday the 4th and prayer

Hello class,

No Sunday School this Sunday, and the service will only be held at

9:30. So that gives you two weeks to read Exodus Chapter 7 and lesson 4

in the study guide. No excuses! (And happy 4th.)

Exodus 2

Last week we completed Exodus 1 (which was MOST of the first lesson in our study guide - available at the Second Baptist bookstore now for less than $6). This Sunday, we will work to get through the second chapter of Exodus. Chapter gave us a feel for the context of the coming Exodus. The oppression and enslavement of the Israelites. The providential protection offered by God. The fulfillment of God's promises to Abram from early in Genesis.

It is in that setting that we begin following the life of Moses in Exodus 2. We will begin with the arrival of the child who one day would be God's chosen leader to deliver His people from bondage.As we follow Moses as an adult, we learn that God will use three unlikely methods to prepare Moses for the divine assignment that awaits him. God will utilize:

• A formal education from the most advanced civilization of the day;
• Moses' own personal failures; and
• An extended period of solitude and humble service.

To preview this week's lesson notes, click here to download. Looking forward to exploring God's word with you Sunday and learning what He has shown you in it.

God Bless,

Matt

Lesson 1: Exodus 1:1 - 2:10

I'm excited to be back at it in Old Testament, verse-by-verse study. Our study of Exodus begins Sunday, using Woodrow Kroll's Exodus: God's Plan, God's People.  The study guide is now available for purchase in the Second Baptist Church bookstore, so most of us will pick up our copies this Sunday morning when we are there. Crossway.org was kind enough to make a pdf excert of the study available that gives us the first lesson of the book for easy download, by clicking here. That should be a decent bridge to when we all have our own study guides.

Here also, are my lesson notes for the first lesson in the book. My plan is to take this study at a deliberate pace, though. We don't have a hard and fast date by which we need to be finished, so some of these lessons may be completed in a week or two. Other chapters in the study guide may require several weeks to fully explore. That sounds like fun to me, and I hope it does to you, too.

God bless you and I look forward to studying God's Word with you tomorrow.

Matt

1 John 1:1 - 2:2

And away we go! Starting our study of 1 John this week and I'm really enjoying getting back into a good, old-fashioned expository (verse-by-verse) study. This is going to be fun. This week, we will start by studying 1 John 1:1 - 2:2 (click here to download my lesson notes for this Sunday, January 10). The handout I shared in last week's overview ("Are You a born-again Christian?") is one I will be referencing periodically throughout our study of 1 John. This week our passage of scripture includes the first test of salvation ("A true Christian cannot ignore sin"), along with many other treasures in God's Word.

I'm really sorry about the confusion of the availability of our study guide in the Second Baptist bookstore last week (the shipment apparently had not yet arrived). I'm very hopeful it will be there this week. I'm more excited about the study guide we will use for this study than about any guide we've used so far since I've been teaching. I think it will be a great asset to you as together we dig deeper into God's Word. It is John MacArthur's Bible Study Series on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John and Jude. It should be available for purchase at the Second Baptist Church bookstore Sunday morning for a very attractive, below-retail, sales tax-free price, or can also be ordered online. The guide is great, but the Word is perfect, so let's not let the guide's availability (or lack thereof) prevent us from experiencing God's blessing from carefully studying His Word.

Just a reminder that I will be travelling next week and won't be with you on Sunday, January 17. Kevin McCall will lead us that week. I'm so grateful that our class is filled with Godly and gracious servants of Christ who are so willing to put their gifts to work for His glory. Thanks again Kevin!

God Bless You.

Matt

Overview / Introduction to 1 John

Happy New Year! I trust all had a joyful celebration of Christmas and already are geared up for a great 2010!

I'm so excited about our starting our verse-by-verse study of 1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude! We'll begin this week with an overview and introduction to the book of 1 John. My notes outlining this overview/introduction can be downloaded by clicking here.  There is supplemental material referenced in this week's lesson, as well. A handout (which I will bring in hard copy form to class for everyone) entitled: "Are You a born-again Christian?" This is a handy tool using five "tests" (right out of 1 John) that any believer can use to evaluate their own salvation. It also includes a quick walk through the plan of salvation for unbelievers seeking the truth. I shared this several weeks ago during a lesson in the "Cultural Dilemmas" study, but thought it would be helpful to review as we prepare to study 1 John.

I'm more excited about the study guide we will use for this study than about any guide we've used so far since I've been teaching. I think it will be a great asset to you as together we dig deeper into God's word. It is John MacArthur's Bible Study Series on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John and Jude. It should be available for purchase at the Second Baptist Church bookstore Sunday morning for a very attractive, below-retail, sales tax-free price, or can also be ordered online.

God Bless You.

Matt

Week Three: The Nativity

Nativity scenes and Christmas pageants abound annually as Christmas approaches. Such traditions date back to the early centuries of the Christian church, and they help Christians focus on the story that is central to the celebration of Christmas: the arrival of God as a human infant.

This week we focus on that story and some of the key components of Jesus' birth. We will discover that, even in the way in which this infant arrived, God was teaching us about His purpose for us in sending His one and only son - and of the sacrifice that Son one day would make on our behalf.

To download this week's lesson notes, click here.

God Bless You and Merry Christmas!

Matt

Week Two: Celebrating Advent

This Sunday will be the third of the four Sundays of the Advent season, and we will take the opportunity to explore the purpose of Advent celebrations and how to use Advent to help our families focus on the magnitude and life-changing significance of the first coming of Jesus, and His eventual second coming.

If you'd like a copy of this week's lesson notes, they can be downloaded here.

God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Matt

St. Nick, Advent, and the Nativity

This Sunday opens a brief, three-week Christmas study for our class. The series is titled: St. Nick, Advent, and the Nativity. The series centers around the traditions, themes, and rituals of Christmas and how, as believers, we can observe them through and reconcile them with a Biblical Worldview.

The date of our first lesson in the series (December 6) actually is celebrated in many Christian circles as a very special holiday. December 6 is St. Nicholas Day. Yes, THAT St. Nicholas. The one we know more commonly today as Santa Claus. Santa Claus is based partially on Christian principles and the example of a great Christian man. Today most Christians hold special childhood memories associated with the anticipation of Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve. And they would like very much to offer these same joyous holiday memories to their own children. But they are also rightly concerned about linking Santa Claus, who is now little more than a mythical figure, with the reality of the baby Jesus who was born in Bethlehem of Judea. They have good reason to fear they may weaken the validity of the Christmas story by mixing it with fantasy. What are Christians to do with Santa Claus?

That will be our study this week. To view this week's lesson notes, you can download them by clicking here.

God Bless You.

Matt

Evidence of Salvation

Preparing for this week's lesson on Becoming a Complete Christian and it occured to me that I had promised to share a summary of some of last week's points on how you can test yourself to see if you are truly a saved child of God. The Bible tells us we should test ourselves in this area, and the book of 1 John gives some very practical tests to apply.

I need to give a big thank you to Brad Bennett for sharing this with me in advance of last week's lesson. This handout, in fact, is his. He uses it in his ministry and mission work. I found it very helpful and hope that you will also. Here is the handout.

Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow and hearing what God is revealing to you in this week's study. Please continue to lift your brothers and sisters up to the Lord in prayer. The needs in our class and in the circles touched by members of our class are many, and we were reminded of that again this week. Please don't be tempted to minimize the importance of your responsibility to intercede for your fellow believers in prayer. It is an essential part of becoming a complete Christian. We are commanded to do it, and we all desperately need it from one another. God bless you.

Matt

Genesis 44-47

Well, we didn't get all the way through the chapters we had planned to cover last week, so this week, we'll pick up with chapters 44 & 45 from last week's lesson notes, then go right into Genesis 46 & 47. Lots to cover, including Judah's emergence as the leader of Israel's sons, and the migration of what will be the nation of Israel out of the Promised Land and into Egypt. We also see Joseph's life-saving policies plant the seeds that one day will lead to the enslavement of the nation of Israel.

The lesson notes for the first two chapters of this Sunday's lesson can be found in the latter half of last week's lesson notes. For lesson notes on Genesis 46 & 47, click here.

God bless you. See you Sunday AM.

Matt

REMINDER: Sunday Night Recap of Chicago Mission Trip

Just a quick reminder that this Sunday night (July 26) the Elliotts and the Morrows will share more about our recent mission trip to Chicago with any members of our class who would like to join us. We'll show some pictures, tell some stories, and answer any questions you might have. We are so grateful for your prayer support while we were there. You were so active and supportive in so many ways that it truly was a full-class mission effort.

We will gather at 6pm Sunday, during the regular evening church hour, so small kids will have childcare already in place (older kids should feel free to join us). I think our plan is to meet in our normal classroom upstairs, unless it happens to be in use for something else (unlikely at 6pm on a Sunday, I suspect).

Genesis 42-45

A lot of ground to cover this week, as we near the end of Genesis. This week's lesson takes us through an elaborate deception Joseph uses to alternately test, measure, and even "mess with" his brothers as they come to him to both symbolically and literally fulfill the prophecy of Joseph's original dream (they would bow down to him).

We can learn a lot from each of the characters in this story, including Joseph, Israel, and more than one of Joseph's brothers. The climax of the whole story, though, occurs when Judah, referring to himself repeatedly as Joseph's "servant" offers himself as the substitute to pay the penalty for the theft Benjamin is accused of. This is the same Judah who had cooked up the scheme to sell Joseph into slavery for profit and subsequently fake his death. It also is the same Judah through whose lineage would come another servant who would offer himself as the substitute to pay the penalty of others. How beautiful is God's word to explore?!

To download this week's lesson notes, click here.

God Bless You.

Matt

Friday/Saturday: Wrapping Up & Heading Home

TODAY'S REPORT:

Last night I laid down next to Alex to help him fall asleep and guess what... I was out as fast as he was! Normally I post to this blog after he falls asleep, so it can show up in subscribers' email the next AM. As it is, I'm posting Saturday morning just as we pack the van to head home.

Yesterday was a long full day of prayer walking, VBS and the VBS Parents' Night party (followed by borderline gluttony at Connie's Pizza). The kids (the ones here and the ones we brought) all did great. As Rachael and I help teach Bible stories, it is amazing how many of these kids have never seen a Bible. Most do not own one. One little boy asked Rachael if he could touch my Bible. Then, when she looked up and showed a few children our memory verse, they acted as if they had just seen a magic trick: "Do another. Do another."

Another boy told Jim that he had looked up his Bible story from earlier this week in the one Bible in his home. When his older brother saw what he was reading from, he took the Bible away from him, threw it in the kitchen sink, and turned on the water, ruining the only Bible the boy had access to. The families in this area are mostly immigrants from southeast Asia, Africa or Latin America. A diverse mix of religious tradition & belief has accompanied them here, and not all are open to the truth we share.

However, the reactions of the children wanting to explore further are encouraging. We hope and pray their reactions mean they are hearing our message that this is no ordinary book. That it is written by the hand of God and therefore can be believed fully - unlike any work of man.

PRAYER NEEDS:

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. As we complete our portion of this mission, our prayers remain with the people of this area. Please join us in praying for:

• God's Word in the hearts and hands of these families. For those who don't know, our group was the second in a series of three groups from Second Baptist to conduct this project in Chicago. The final group will arrive next week. With them will come a Bible for every child. I firmly believe the stage has been set for many of these children to pour over the pages of their Bibles when they receive them. Pray that, after our work here, they would be ready to receive God's word, and that their families would not be an obstacle to their study of it. Pray also that their families might be influenced by the quiet faith and study of their children.
• The Harvest. God's word reminds us: "Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor (John 4:37-38)." As the middle group of three who will be here on this mission, we get to do a little sowing for the third group and a little reaping from the work of the first. Most importantly, we will pray for a bountiful harvest at some point to come from the work God is doing here through His people. Pray that His name would be glorified and that these children would become trophies of His grace.
• Safe return home. For Jim, Heather, Rachael and I, this has been an incredible blessing. Even our kids seem to have connected with the children here in a very short time and the older ones understand that God is doing an important work. We all are excited also to come home, and we pray for save travel today. Please pray the same.

Tomorrow is Sunday and we will be back together for our ABF class at Second Baptist. I'm hoping to get some time in the van today to refresh my study of tomorrow's lesson (I honestly haven't looked at it in nearly a week). We so are looking forward to seeing you all and sharing more (Both the Elliott camera and the Morrow camera have lots to share as well - I'll work to get pictures up on the blog later in the week, once we've had a chance to share with each other).

We love you and are so thankful for you. Thank you again so much for your prayers and words of encouragement this week (even this morning I received another Facebook note from Amanda Booth encouraging us and sharing what she is praying for us).

God's bless you, and we'll see you tomorrow!

Matt

Thursday: Make Disciples of All Nations

I've included these pictures (above), but they are from my camera phone, so not the best. Tomorrow I'll work to remember to bring our actual camera and hope to have some better ones to share with you.

TODAY'S REPORT:

Yesterday I reported that we had planned for a max turnout of about 70 kids, and were excited to see approximately 135 on our first day. I neglected to mention that planning for 70 was expected to be overkill, as the largest turnout before this week had been 44 kids. The nature of the population is such that even over a three-day program, some kids come and go. Today we had about 110. Tomorrow could be more or less. Either way, God has blessed our work here beyond anything we could have anticipated.

Today's Bible story for the children was the story in John 21 of Jesus appearing to the disciples when they were fishing and telling them to throw their net on the other side of the boat (after fishing all night and catching nothing). Following the miraculous catch of 153 fish, the disciples recognized Jesus and ate with Him. Our Lord asked Peter three times if he loved Him, and each time Peter affirmed his love, Jesus responded by directing him to "feed my sheep."

Accordingly, our memory verse for the children today was the gospel of Matthew's account of the Great Commission: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:16). Rachael put together an activity for the children where they constructed a map of the world and marked places on the map where they knew people. They keep the maps as a reminder that Jesus has called us to make disciples of ALL nations, and to share the love of Christ with their loved ones no matter where in the world they are. Many of these children have family in Asia, Latin America, or Africa, so that message was especially meaningful to many of them.

PRAYER NEEDS:

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. We have so many praises already to report. Not the least among them has been the performance of the Elliott and Morrow children (as the youngest members of this mission trip). They really have been champs. The older kids are taking active part in the VBS activities with the local children. The younger ones are cooperating better than we could have expected (Alex today for the second day in a row napped through two of the four Bible story sessions - sleeping on a mat on the hardwood floor in the classroom!) Daily, new opportunities for prayer support become clear. As you continue to pray for our efforts, today please pray especially for:

• Receptive Hearts. Several of the children we are working with seem to really soak up the lessons we are teaching. Many have memorized key Bible verses. Eighteen have expressed interest in coming to know Christ personally as their savior. Please pray that all the children would come to VBS Friday in their very most sensitive and receptive state. Friday will be our last chance to share with them, and we don't want to miss the opportunity.
• Parents of the children. Friday night will be our parents' night. All the kids will come with their parents to show their crafts and VBS projects. We will be there to meet their parents and to share God's love with them. Pray that God will present opportunities for us to share our own testimonies, His gospel, and the salvation He offers with these parents. God may well have pre-ordained that some of these very people will become the core membership of City South Church as it begins its important work here in Chicago. More importantly, He may have marked Friday night as the night some of these parents come to know Him personally as Lord and Savior.
• Needs of our loved ones at home. Primarily to members of our Sunday School class: in your constant prayer for our efforts here, please do not forget one another. Reggie shared this week's prayer list via email a couple of days ago. Please remember, for instance, that Mendie's important doctor's appointment & echo are Friday. Pray for God's protection over her and for an encouraging prognosis. "Pray without ceasing" for one another.

I cannot begin to tell you how encouraged we are here to know that you are lifting our efforts to the Lord in daily prayer. We feel the strength of your prayers daily. Today was a critical day and there can be no explanation for how well things went except that the Lord delivered us and answered your prayers on our behalf. In addition to the immeasurable power of your prayers, I'm so grateful for your constant encouragement. Jeff Kallenberger called me yesterday to see how things were going and to encourage our efforts. Naomi called Rachael the day before that. I got a text from Greg Chadwell (from Dublin - by the way, we are convinced Greg doesn't really work for a video game company, but that his "vocation" is merely an elaborate cover for his double life as a secret agent for the CIA). This week we've received emails and facebook notes of encouragement from many in our class (many were mentioned in earlier blog posts). I am personally overwhelmed by the work God is doing in our Sunday School class - by the powerful sense of Christian community He has built among us in such a short time. I am so grateful for each and every one of you.

One side note: There are stories from this trip that simply must be told in person. A blog would never do them justice. Some just because they are funny (ask Jim to tell you about the nickname he was given by a little girl he helped across the monkey bars today, for one). When we return, Jim, Heather, Rachael and I promise to share stories with you. We so look forward to being back with our cherished brothers and sisters in Christ.

Once again, please share these posts with others you know who will pray along with all of us for a succesful mission trip. We want to lift God's name and to share Him with those who do not yet know Him. Sign up at http://ourabfclass.blogspot.com (upper right hand corner) to receive this blog via email. You can also share it on facebook, twitter, or just by plain old e-mail via the links that appear at the bottom of this (and every) post on this blog.

We love you and thank God for you. Please know that you remain in our prayers daily as well.

Blessings,

Matt