Throughout the year we have several Bible Studies and Small Groups
to choose from. There are Saturday morning groups, weekday groups, as
well as early morning groups for men. These groups vary from doctrinal,
to new believer, to relational. Whatever the group, we hope men will
find NorthPark Men's Groups inviting and conducive to building strong relationships. Below are some of what we currently offer:
“Scrolls” is a Bible Study led by Pastor Bob Lininger and meets at 10:30AM Sunday Mornings beginning January 15th. A six-week study of Galatians 1-3. Just come or contact bob.lininger@northpark.com for more information.
THE GOAL
To be in the WORD daily and to be connected with other men.
Something doable
Something meaningful and applicable.
Something that will challenge me
Something that will help me grow Spiritually and relationally
THE CHALLANGE
Daily Reading: My Utmost for His Highest
This is a classic and guides the reader through Scripture, daily devotionals, and meaningful, applicable commentary.
Read (or listen/audio version), highlight, mark up, make notes,
journal--anything to capture what the reading is doing in you and
through you.
OPTIONAL
Tweet: (@FirstMeeting1) I am totally new to this but thought it
would be a good place for us to simply Tweet thoughts on our readings
and how they are affecting our lives. I WOULD LOVE HELP FROM SOMEONE
WHO KNOWS HOW TO USE THIS TYPE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.
SUNDAY MORNINGS: Carl Dever and I will be available for "casual
meetings" on Sunday mornings at church. In the Embassy (just across the
Colonnade in Heritage Hall/Main front doors). This will be a casual,
come-as-you-are, gathering of First Meeting Men. No format except to
gather and share how our devotionals are going, encouragement, and
fellowship. 8AM - 8:50AM. Come and go as you have time. Have a cup of
coffee and a doughnut or two (or three!) STARTING SUNDAY MORNING,
JANUARY 9TH
THE BOOK
BOOK: I am using the "Updated Version" as this book's content was
written in the early 1900s. But it is up to you--some of us really like
to older use of language.
Updated Version Link: http://www.amazon.com/Utmost-His-Highest-Updated-ebook/dp/B0049U4WA6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1321295737&sr=8-8#_
Classic Version: http://www.amazon.com/My-Utmost-His-Highest-CHRISTIAN/dp/1577489144/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323891367&sr=1-1#_
iPhone: http://www.appstorehq.com/myutmostforhishighest-iphone-68349/app
Audio: Some guys are playing this as they drive into work: http://www.amazon.com/My-Utmost-His-Highest-Language/dp/1596445009#_
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Utmost-His-Highest-Classic-ebook/dp/B0052MFU5G/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323891367&sr=1-8
I LIKE HOW ONE MAN REVIEWED THE BOOK ON AMAZON:
I find there is no better way to start the day than with the wisdom
in this magnificent devotional; these profound thoughts were given by
Oswald Chambers while at the Bible Training College in England, during
the years of 1911 through 1914, and after his death in 1917 (while
serving in Egypt during World War I) were edited by his wife, and later
updated into modern English by James Reimann, who says in his
introduction that the book is the "culmination of approximately 1800
hours of research and editing", and the end result are words that flow
and feed and sometimes pierce the soul with remarkable accuracy, to
remind one of the way Jesus intended us to live. This book, in
conjunction with the Bible (Reimann recommends one to read this with one
hand and the Bible in the other) are guideposts for a meaningful life.
Not a "God loves you and all is well" type of book, there are many
passages of tough love, that keep one on the right track, and I often
have the experience of it answering a question that is on my mind. Each
day under the header, is a relevant Bible quote, and underneath
Chambers' teaching on the subject, in the 250 word range in length.
There are various editions to chose from, and mine is a small
leather-bound volume using the NKJV for its Bible quotes, with a
foreword by Charles Stanley, who as Reimann's pastor, was the one who
recommended the original Chambers work to him.
The back of the book has two useful sections, a Subject Index, and a Scripture Index.
SAMPLE:
Jesus answered him, ’Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward’ —John 13:36
“And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ’Follow Me’ ” (John 21:19). Three years earlier Jesus had said, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19),
and Peter followed with no hesitation. The irresistible attraction of
Jesus was upon him and he did not need the Holy Spirit to help him do
it. Later he came to the place where he denied Jesus, and his heart
broke. Then he received the Holy Spirit and Jesus said again, “Follow
Me” (John 21:19).
Now no one is in front of Peter except the Lord Jesus Christ. The first
“Follow Me” was nothing mysterious; it was an external following. Jesus
is now asking for an internal sacrifice and yielding (see John 21:18).
Between these two times Peter denied Jesus with oaths and curses (see Matthew 26:69-75).
But then he came completely to the end of himself and all of his
self-sufficiency. There was no part of himself he would ever rely on
again. In his state of destitution, he was finally ready to receive all
that the risen Lord had for him. “. . . He breathed on them, and said to
them, ’Receive the Holy Spirit’ ” (John 20:22).
No matter what changes God has performed in you, never rely on them.
Build only on a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and on the Spirit He
gives.
All our promises and resolutions end in denial because we have no
power to accomplish them. When we come to the end of ourselves, not just
mentally but completely, we are able to “receive the Holy Spirit.”
“Receive the Holy Spirit “— the idea is that of invasion. There is now
only One who directs the course of your life, the Lord Jesus Christ.
MEN, I AM REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO 2012 AND JOURNEYING WITH YOU!
PASS THE WORD.
USE THE BOOK IN YOUR MENS GROUP
HINT FOR THE BOOK AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT
BUY TWO AND GIVE ONE AWAY AND INVITE
Pastor Matt
Contact Matt Stemme
mstemme@earthlink.net
.