Bill Mitchell Lessons and Slides

Here's a link to the much anticipated and highly acclaimed Bill Mitchell video and slides.

Power Point Lesson Two

Lesson 2

Power Point Lesson Three

Lesson 3

We are posting these here until we learn how to navigate and post on The Table.

Enjoy.

p.s. Technical difficulties resolved!!

Blog Happenings

Greetings fellow HB's.

I know it's been a while since I last posted, so I offer my apologies.


I want to pass along some info about the blog.  Wayside has purchased some new social media software called The Table.  Unlike a blog that remains open to everyone, postings on The Table can only be seen by members.  I was tooling around the site today and noticed that some of you have already joined.  In the future, these posts will appear on The Table, or at least that's the plan.  I'll make an announcement in class or via e-mail when I have learned how to work the site and posts messages.

I've had some requests for the videos of Bill Mitchell.  Jeff is in the process of rendering them and as soon as he sends them to me, I'll post them.

Happy Easter!

Brad

To fear or not to fear

The topic of today’s lesson really struck a chord with me.  What role do I allow fear to play in my life?  Am I a fearful person, maneuvering through life being careful to avoid the unexpected, or am I bold?  Unfortunately, I’m guilty of the former, at least when it comes to my spiritual life.  When opportunities for sharing the gospel arise, the Enemy is there planting seeds of fear. 

 

The Enemy knows me quite well, as he has studied me over the years.  He knows I have a natural tendency for shrugging off opportunities, for fear of offending someone or making someone uncomfortable.  He whispers in my ear – “don’t say anything, you’ll embarrass him” or “why bring God or Jesus into this conversation?”  And so I let fear have another small victory.  It’s shameful.  How does an eternity spent in hell compare to a few moments of embarrassment?  

I often wonder if those people whom I choose to ignore to appease my own comfort will one day find themselves in the presence of the living God offering up my silence as their excuse for not believing.  And I wonder what I would say if that person were allowed to ask me why I choose to remain silent about THE most important thing in the world.  That I risk someone’s eternal destination for the sake of my comfort zone is shameful.  

Following God is not without pain, suffering, and a host of other worldly discomforts, but these pale in comparison to what He has promised us.  And quite honestly, we in America have it pretty good.  I don’t risk death for sharing the gospel.  I have no fear of torture or imprisonment for talking about Jesus.  Most do, and I should be ever thankful to God that I live in America, and I should ever-relish in any opportunity to share His love with others, and deny the Enemy a victory.

Pray that I can continue to stand on God’s promises and be bold in the name of my savior.  He deserves nothing less.

On Worship

Our lesson this week focused on worship.  Matthew 2 recalls the story of the magi, who sought out the baby Jesus and upon finding him, fell to the ground and worshipped him.  This overt act of worship – physically bowing down before the Lord was most likely prompted by obedience.  The magi knew they were in the presence of God. 

   

The Bible tells us to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23-4), but exactly what does this mean?  Old Testament worship was certainly different from New Testament worship.  We no longer require a building or physical structure in order to worship our Lord.  True worship requires only obedience.  True worship is transparent; it’s tuning in and responding affirmatively to God’s will for your life.  

God has called us to true worship, both in good times and bad.  In fact, I would argue that our most genuine worship comes in times of distress and hardship.  Worshipping in the “valley” can help to solidify the believer’s heart and deepen the relationship with God.

This week, think of ways God is calling you to worship, and then make a deliberate effort to be obedient to his call.

Joseph As Our Example

Matthew 1: 18-25

Joseph As Our Example

As we revisit Joseph in these verses, we are reminded that he had 3 choices: 

1. Expose Mary, according to the law,
2. Walk away quietly, leaving his engagement commitment to Mary, or
3. Step into conflict and make the difficult choice to commit to Mary.

To gain further insight into Joseph’s dilemma, let’s examine some background scripture from Genesis 3 where Adam is passive in the Garden of Eden; he is fearful, and he hides. This contrasts Joseph’s reaction in Matthew Chapter 1 to step into conflict and make a difficult choice.

As Christian couples, we must often follow Joseph’s example. The Lord often prompts us to step into conflict yet model (in our marriages) love, forgiveness, honesty (Proverbs 24:26), gentleness, and peacemaking (to name only a few).

This week, Shawn encouraged us to have conversations with our spouse at an appropriate time to discuss issues that bring conflict into our specific marriages. Take this as an opportunity to invite the Holy Spirit into the discussion and then go deeper, with the LORD in the midst.

Matthew Chapter 2, next Sunday, March 6^th.

Humbly filling in for Brad,

Amanda Dunnagan

On Personal Testimonies

Sunday morning, HBs were blessed to witness and experience another testimony from one of our own.  Each personal testimony is unique as a fingerprint, and each one demonstrates that we serve a mighty God.  Since joining the class last fall, I’ve sat through about four different testimonies and after each one, my understanding of God grows a little deeper.

As I sat and listened to Jennie pour out her soul to the class, so many thoughts crossed through my mind.  First, that she was able to recollect on so many painful memories without erupting into tears amazed me.  God was certainly with her and spoke through her.  Another thought was that the devil lost in his quest to keep Jennie bitter.  If anyone qualifies to show bitterness, it’s Jennie; yet there is none.  God, through his mercy and grace, demonstrated by the Cross, has replaced Jennie’s bitterness with love.  How awesome is He!

I could go on, but there’s no need.  Jennie – your talk Sunday morning wrecked me, in a good way.  You are one of the strongest women I know, and God has done a marvelous work in your life.  I’m so thankful you chose to share your testimony with us.  Our mighty God will use your words to continue His work here at Wayside and beyond.

Brad D.

On Matthew 1

Today, we finally broke into the first gospel of Matthew.  The first half of chapter one details the genealogy of Christ.  Interestingly, Matthew mentions four women in this list, an uncommon practice in those times to be sure.  In addition, not all of these women were what we would consider godly women.  Another interesting fact about this group of people is that not all were Jews.  The list includes Jews and Gentiles, as well as the saintly and not so saintly.  I think the overwhelming message God wants us to hear is that the gospel, His gospel, is for everyone.

The discussion of Christ’s genealogy also brought to mind the notion of generational sin.  The Bible is chock full of examples of generational sin, and there’s little doubt we often suffer from the same affliction.  When we are dealing with instances of generational sin, how we address it can make all the difference in the world.  We can choose, as Shawn said, to draw a line in the sand.  We can decide that our generation will break the chain and end the cycle of destruction that robs us of joy and intimacy with God.  However, the devil would have you choose an easier way.

Another way to cope with generational sin is to punt.  In deciding not to end the cycle of destruction, we simply pass it down to our children.  While this choice may seem easier at first, the result will always be the same: pain, sorrow, and a broken life.  The devil would certainly prefer we take this path.

Know that whatever season you’re going through, God has a purpose in mind.  And remember, that when we’re broken, God is all we have, and He is more than enough. 

Homework for next week.  In preparation for next week’s lesson, Shawn has asked that we read Isaiah 58 with our spouse.  Additionally, please finish reading Matthew 1.