The Champions Spirit
Volume 68, Issue 1
January 11, 2009
“What we are all about...”
What are we all about? What are we doing? Why do we come together today? Why bother with Bible classes? Why send money to Medina or other children’s homes? Why send the Fords to Papua New Guinea or the Freeds to France? Why?
Like a solitaire diamond, the answer here is single, but there are many facets within it.
Souls! That’s the answer!
We are about “souls”—Ours! Our souls—those who are now in Christ and bought by His blood—need to be brought ever closer to the God who created us! Our souls want to worship Him, learn about Him, and share Him according to His Word and way. If we don’t take care of our responsibilities, make no mistake about it—our souls are at stake!
We are about “souls”—Theirs! Their souls—those who are yet lost in this world of sin need to be brought to the Savior who died for them! Their souls need to find the cleansing from sin and the resulting Father-child relationship with Him. If they don’t respond to the Gospel, make no mistake about it—their souls are at stake!
What are we doing then? I pray that as we are challenged today by our evangelism deacons to “Each one, reach one” that souls will be so much a priority to us that this will not only become a motto for evangelism, it will become “what we are all about!”
—Larry Keele
FAMILY MATTERS...
It’s good to be back after our holiday season! I hope that everyone enjoyed time with family and friends. It is great to see so many back “home.” If you are visiting with us, we are also very grateful for your decision to be with us. Please, come again.
Since the last bulletin, James and Stacy Wyatt placed membership with us. James and Stacy have two young girls, Melody and Cadence. We are glad they have chosen to be part of the Lord’s family at Champions.
This morning, our deacons who work with our evangelism efforts will lead in our worship. A.D. Pinson will read Scriptures and lead us in prayer. Jim Butler and Allen Arnold will bring us the message. I am sure their messages will increase our desire to do our part in sharing the Gospel! We are blessed by these men (and our other deacons) for the way they take seriously their responsibilities within this congregation.
Remember September 13th! Why are we “pushing” it so early? We want every one of us to keep that date open—to be present as we are looking for 100% of our membership to be in attendance that day!
Parting Thought: You don’t get dizzy doing good turns!
HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!
Bill's Bits
Sunday Mornings Studying with Solomon
Imagine the chance to sit in a room with King Solomon. Here is your opportunity to question and learn from one of the wisest men ever to walk the face of the earth. His reputation is legendary. He is the builder of the temple, the constructor of the palace in Jerusalem. He is responsible for a framework of treaties that stretches across the ancient world. His wealth is unimaginable, his wisdom a gift from God Himself. What would Solomon want to teach you? What fundamental things about life would Solomon choose to share with you? No need to imagine; just open up the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, or the Song of Solomon. In these books, Solomon challenges us to be a people who choose to walk in the wisdom of God. He gives us incredible insight on the meaning of life. He draws vivid pictures of love and devotion. Come join us as we spend Sundays with Solomon.
Sunday Morning Adult Classes
- The Meaning of Life - A study of Ecclesiastes - Auditorium - Larry Keele
- Proverbs People - A study of Proverbs - Fellowship Hall - Bill Rasco
- Wisdom for Living - A study of Proverbs - Library - Marvin Trice
- Proverbs People for Young Professionals - Room 12 - Young Professionals - Various Teachers
- Proverbs People for College Students - Room 11 - College Class - Ward Lusk
Download discussion sheets at www.championschurch.org - Click on “Bible Study” and “2009 Winter Curriculum.”
Wednesday Evenings
- Living With the End in Mind - Fellowship Hall– Byron Willis
What if you knew for certain that Jesus would return in 2009? Would your life be different? Would your priorities change? Join us for “table talks” as we study the Bible for life changing ways to live. - Training for Worship - Auditorium - John Qualls
Worship is important to every Christian and it takes preparation. Devotional talks, communion meditations, singing, praying, and serving are all ways that our men are involved in the preparation of worship. This quarter we will train to serve. Come be a part of a “hands on” experience. - Song of Solomon - Library - Bill Rasco
This little love letter has quite a reputation. People have described it in a variety of ways. There are questions which surround its meaning and its allegory. Is it a letter from one lover to another? Is it a picture of Christ and His bride? What is the Song of Solomon all about? Come study with us as we look at some of the pictures that this little book has created and find out how it can help us look more like Jesus.
—Bill Rasco
John's Jogs
PARENTS & FAMILIES
As the New Year begins many new activities are beginning in which we can be participants. A new quarter of Bible School will begin as a study in the Wisdom Literature books of the Bible especially Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. I’ll be teaching a class on “Training for Service” on Wednesday evenings. Also available will be “Song of Solomon” and “Table Talks for Everyday Life.” Bible Bowl study of the Gospel of John will begin for students in third grade through high school on Sunday evening from 6-7 p.m. We hope everyone will take advantage of one of these on both Sunday and Wednesday.
Another great opportunity is available as you prepare to come to church on Sunday morning. Tune in at 7:30 a.m. on Channel 55 for the TV Program “In Search of the Lord’s Way” with Mack Lyon. The following list are the four January programs directed at the Christian families.
January 4 - “The Christian Family” – President Ronald Reagan said, “The family has always been the cornerstone of American society.” But something has happened along the way. There has been a breakdown in the transmission of the foundational values of family. How has it happened? And as goes the family so goes the nation.
January 11 - “The Christian Father” – The father is the head of the biblical family. The Christian father loves his wife just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. The responsibilities of spiritual leadership fall on the father’s shoulders. What are these responsibilities and how does the father of the household exercise that leadership?
January 18 – “The Christian Mother” – What does the Christian wife and mother have to contribute to the spiritual life and welfare of her family? The role of women has changed 180 degrees in my lifetime. The worldly wise woman now marches to a different drum beat than that of the Christian wife and mother. What is mother’s role in the biblical family?
January 25 – “Christian Children” – In the New Testament children are taught to “obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.” Does it mean parents are always right? Does it man that children are to obey their parents even when they are wrong in their expectations? What does God say?
What are you doing that is more important than these opportunities?
—John Qualls