D-Groups 2011-2012

An Amoeba is a single-celled organism that is found in pond water, bottom of ocean, & mud puddles. It has no exact shape, and is capable of changing its shape as it moves. The name "Amoeba" is derived from the Greek word "amoibe", which means "to change".

The Bible gives some thoughts that pertain to changes we as believersmake as we grow spiritually during our lives. In Romans 12:2, we are told to be "transformed by the renewing of our minds." Our thinking should be changing and coming closer to God's perfect will the more we study and understand His true Word.

Amoebas, we are told, move around in what is called a "swarm" meaning together. They unattached themselves from whatever they were attached and float around together until they find another place to attach to. This same Amoebic activity should become the foundation of our Christian communities. As we connect ourselves to Christian community, we will find ourselves becoming stronger, more developed disciples of Jesus.

D-Groups on Sunday Nights at 5pm have taken this same idea and placed it into a spiritual context. As we come to do life together in Christian community, there should be a type of "Amoebic" activity in our individual small groups. Just as an "Amoeba" can reproduce by splitting in half to form two identical amoebas, our D-Groups should have the end result of individuals going out to produce disciples identically to what we know and have experienced to be true Christians.

It is evident that we have a lack of "Amoebic" activity in our ministries. True "Amoebic" activity in our small groups will result in reproducing ourselves (our belief system, faith, love...) in another person. Let's be about some Amoebic activity in our small groups.

It is my prayer that these D-Groups will put students on the pathway toward reproducing their Christian character in others they meet and know in their world.

Week of Champions 2011

I still remain impressed by the Week of Champions that is unique to the Low Country of South Carolina. We heard from a coach in the upstate, Dabo Swinney, tonight. He spoke about how God has led his life through the ups and downs of life. Dabo gave us three fundamentals to live by: 1) Keep your eyes on the Lord no matter what happens, 2) Believe in yourself as God is leading it, 3) You can't quit no matter what. These three fundamentals speak volumes of how we as Christians are to be in everyday life.

One of Swinney's favorite sayings on the field is "All In...", which asks the question of those whether or not they are "All In" for the Lord. Swinney told us his personal story, and how things did not go as he had planned them neither. As he quoted scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 and Psalm 37:4-5, one began to get a glimpse of his single mission and focus for life. He refused to let anything get in the way after he completely gave his life to God.

I applaud him and other coaches that use their platforms to give God the honor that He finally deserves. All night Swinney seemed to reiterate it is not about himself or us, but the Creator God our Father.

"Everything great in Dabo's life has come from adversity."

Were all under warranty with an eternal contract."

"All In"

If you were not there, you missed a blessing and encouragement to not quit when the going gets tough. Press on!!

Who is a Good Servant of Jesus Christ?

‎412 Uth Don't forget we are going to have a short study from 1 Timothy and then have some hotdogs and an outdoor movie. Happy last day of School. Love you!!

Christianity and Liberalism Note

This is from a review I read on this book. How relevant for us today?

The Christian religion which is meant is certainly not the religion of the modern liberal Church, but a message of divine grace, almost forgotten now, as it was in the middle ages, but destined to burst forth once more in God’s good time, in a new Reformation, and bring light and freedom to mankind. What that message is can be made clear, as is the case with all definition, only by way of exclusion, by way of contrast. In setting forth the current liberalism, now almost dominant in the Church, over against Christianity, we are animated, therefore, by no merely negative or polemic purpose; on the contrary, by showing what Christianity is not we hope to be able to show what Christianity is, in order that men may be led to turn from the weak and beggarly elements and have recourse again to the grace of God. --Tim Challies


We need to be about the true faith, which is of divine grace and how it fits into God's great redemption plan. Christians need to be about showing what Christianity is not in order to lead people to understand God's wonderful and matchless grace.