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Forward progress happens one step at a time. Whether it’s taking a literal walk around the block or developing a course of action to achieve a goal, steps are an essential part of the process. When it comes to your goals, plans, and dreams, are you achieving them? Is your relationship with God getting stronger? Are you making progress or are you unsure of what to do next? Growth moves us from where we are to where we want to be. Movement requires steps, and those steps require obedience. There is always another step to take in maturity and growth. Join us for Forward as we take the next step in stewardship, relationship, discipleship, and community.
January 07, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#1 in series)
Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a; Ephesians 5:15-16
Series Truth:
God’s __ are God’s __ plan.
We grow in maturity as we take our next step.
For the person who wants to grow in the stewardship of time, they will need to be concerned with the __ of time and the __ of time.
There is always an __ that accompanies the commands of God.
The __ of one generation becomes the godly __ of the next generation.
For those who want to grow in the stewardship of time, each day there is…
“See, I have set before you today…” (v. 15a)
“I command you today to love the Lord your God…” (v. 16a)
“So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants…” (v. 19b)
“by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him…” (v. 20a)
“for this is your life and the length of your days…” (v. 20b)
January 14, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#2 in series)
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Three statements on understanding finances from a biblical perspective:
1) God owns everything.
2) God blesses us with work, resources, and the ability to make money.
3) We are stewards of what God has entrusted to us.
Big Truth: Generosity is a voluntary expression of __ that transcends wealth and circumstances. You don’t have to be __ to be generous. You have to be __ to be generous.
Biblical generosity is…
January 21, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#3 in series)
Romans 12:1-8
What is a spiritual gift?
A spiritual gift is a special __, given by the Holy Spirit to every believer, that is to be used to __ others and build up the Body of Christ.
Based on information from the four primary texts, here are some foundational truths concerning spiritual gifts.
How do spiritual gifts fit into the flow of Romans 12?
Big Idea
Use the gifts God gave you, in the __ God called you, for the __ of those around you.
Motivational gifts are defined as gifts that motivate your thought __, actions, and reactions.
Finding your place of service is connected to how God MADE you.
Reflection/Response
How can you discover your gifting?
Take a free spiritual gifts inventory test:
May 19, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#4 in series
Acts 2:41-42; 1 Peter 2:9-10
Series Truth: God’s promptings are God’s growth plan. We grow in maturity as we take our next step.
__ brings __.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
What does it mean to belong to God?
May 26, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#5 in series)
2 Timothy 3:16-17; Colossians 3:2-3
Spiritual maturity occurs when the gospel transforms us in the areas of belonging, belief, and behavior.
Basic Idea: Our beliefs become a lid on our growth.
What do we need to believe about the Bible?
1) The Bible is God’s Word, and I can __ Him. (v. 16a)
2) The Bible is life-__, and I’m transformed by it. (v. 16b)
Scripture is useful for…
3) The Bible is preparatory, and I’m __ by it. (v. 17)
What are seven beliefs that can help you experience a lifetime of spiritual growth?
Who am I in Christ?
June 09, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#6 in series)
2 Peter 1:5-7
Big Truth: Our life in Christ is __ (lived out) when we __ and obey God.
Trusting God is the position from which we approach every virtue. What are the seven virtues?
– Aristotle distinguished self-control in connection to human passions.
– Unrestrained __ is when reason is entirely suppressed by passion.
– Perfect self-__ is when passion is entirely under the control of reason.
– Self-__ is when reason fights against passion but passion prevails.
– Self-__ is when reason fights against passion and reason prevails.
August 18, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#7 in series)
Colossians 4:7-17
Series Truth: God’s __ are God’s growth plan. We grow in __ as we take our next step.
Big Truth: Kingdom collaboration __ the body, advances the mission, and __ God.
Verses 7-8
Tychicus
__
Verse 9
Onesimus
__
Verses 10-11
Aristarchus
__
Mark
__
Jesus (known as Justus)
__
Verses 12-13
Epaphras
__
His prayer life has become a model to millions of Christians.
Verses 14-17
Luke
__
Demas
__
Nympha
__
Archippus
__
Response
Two action steps:
August 25, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#8 in series)
1 Timothy 3:15; Various Passages
“…the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” — Ephesians 4:16, NLT
How do we conduct ourselves in the family of God so that we all grow spiritually?
“I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” — 1 Timothy 3:15
1) We are called to live __ lives.
“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” — Romans 12:4-5, NIV
2) We are to speak the truth in __.
“So stop lying to each other. Tell the truth to your neighbor. We all belong to the same body.” — Ephesians 4:25, NLV
3) We are to do __ to each other.
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the household of faith.” — Galatians 6:10, ESV
4) We are to encourage each other to __, to do good, and to __ together.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV
5) We are to love one another as Christ __ us.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:34-35
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” — John 15:12
“This I command you, that you love one another.” — John 15:17
6) We are to __ each other in love.
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” — Galatians 5:13
September 01, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#9 in series)
Various Passages
Are boundaries good, biblical, or needed?
If so, where do we need them?
Relational Truth 1: Boundaries are needed and __.
Relational Truth 2: Boundaries are __.
Relational Truth 3: Every relationship will not connect at the same __.
Relational Truth 4: The __ a person gets to you, the greater the __ they have on you.
Relational Truth 5: When relationships are not filtered through Scripture, we remove ourselves from God’s designed __.
God established boundaries…
November 10, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#10 in series)
John 14:15, 21-24
Levels of God awareness:
1. __
2. __
3. __
4. __
Series Truth: God’s promptings are God’s growth plan. We grow in maturity as we take our next step.
The Christian life is lived in the context of 3 key relationships: our relationship with __, our relationship with the __, and our relationship with the __.
Two Key Truths:
We don’t know God as we __ because we don’t obey Him as we __.
The door to greater __ swings on the hinges of personal __.
Reflection/Response:
Levels of God awareness (continued):
5. __
November 17, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#11 in series)
Acts 2:41-47
The local church is a united group of __ believers…
Key Thought:
Moving forward in relationship with the church requires us to know what __ actually is.
What can we learn about the model church?
1. __ : The church refers to those who receive the gospel and are baptized in Jesus’ name. (v.41)
2. __ : A local church is to be devoted to Scripture, fellowship, communion, and prayer. (v.42)
3. __ : When God is at work, there should be a sense of awe. (v.43)
4. __ : Common belief, sacrifice, care, and generosity unified the church. (v.44-45)
5. __ : God’s design leads to oneness, worship, joy, and favor with all people. (v.46-47a)
6. __ : God will add to their numbers day by day. (v.47b)
November 24, 2024 AM
Paul Gotthardt
(#12 in series)
Matthew 5:13-16
Key Truth: Christians steward God’s __ wherever we go.
I. Christians are called to maintain our distinctive __. (v.13)
II. Christians are called to __ Christ’s light. (v.14-15)
III. Christians are called to live for God’s __. (v.16)
Reflection/Response: Here are a few final questions for Christian reflection.
