Study questions will be posted on Sunday afternoon. 

Human beings are embodied souls, uniquely created to be like God, who sin and suffer.

1 Peter 1:16 (NLT)
16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

Luke 7:36-40 (NLT)
36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” 40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

Luke 7:41-50 (NLT)
41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” 50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
 
Concluding Charge: Receive God’s multifaceted love for you AND reciprocate that love to others.

God is doing incredible things at Christian Fellowship Church, and we are deeply grateful. We see lives being transformed! Our people are growing in faith, serving one another, and giving generously. As elders, we thank God for His faithfulness and for each person who joyfully serves Jesus and His church.
 
Growth brings new opportunities and responsibilities. Over the past 1 ½ years, the elders have spent significant time praying, listening, and seeking God’s direction for the future of CFC. That work became our strategic plan, which is helping us begin to envision the next chapter of our church’s story. Through this process, one conviction has become clear: We want to be a spiritually unified church where discipleship produces genuine life change.
 
Our Vision Statement remains the same: “Glorifying God by Making Disciples of All People.” We don’t want to simply add programs or stay busy; rather, we want to see people becoming more like Christ, growing in faith, deepening relationships, and living out the gospel. We want growth to mean more than fuller rooms; it should mean deeper faith, stronger relationships, lives changed by the gospel, and more people sent to serve Jesus.  
 
We are asking you to pray with us that God would give us wisdom and unity as we seek God’s direction. Pray that He would help us faithfully steward everything He has entrusted to us – our people, our resources, and our opportunities. Also, pray about how CFC can expand our capacity and reach without losing what matters most, including our commitment to Biblical truth, genuine relationships, spiritual formation, and a unified focus on Jesus.
 
Most importantly, we want the things we are praying for and pursuing to be evident in the life of CFC – not simply words on a page or ideas in a strategic plan. We want them to be reflected in how we live, serve, disciple, lead, worship, and care for one another. We want people to see the fruit of what God is doing among us, not just hear us talk about it. 
 
Ultimately, our prayer is not simply that CFC would become a larger church. Rather, our prayer is that God would continue shaping us into a unified, Spirit-led church where people are growing, serving, giving, reaching others, and experiencing real life change through Jesus. We are grateful for what God has done, excited about what He is doing, and prayerful about what He may choose to do through us in the years ahead.

Stay up to date with what's happening at CFC by reading the eBulletin each week.

This weekend, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper or, as we often call it, Communion. We look forward to remembering and honoring Christ’s sacrifice for us.
 
The last time we celebrated Communion, we passed the elements to one another – something we hadn’t done in a long time before that. Why? The way we’d been doing it started as a COVID precaution. However, as time went on, it was easy to continue the routine of grabbing Communion elements on the way in the doors for services. Passing plates takes more time and honestly isn’t as convenient, so why bother? We are used to doing things the most convenient way, whether it’s preparing food, scheduling an appointment, or doing a grocery store pickup. We like things to be quick and easy so that we can move on to the next thing. This mentality often finds itself at home in our churches, too, and neglects to acknowledge that some things exist not to be quick or easy, but rather to teach and sanctify us. 
 
1 Corinthians 10:16 says, “When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?”
 
The word for “sharing” in that verse is the Greek word koinonia. Koinonia means “fellowship” or “communion.” It refers to something that is done together or in participation with one another. We live in such an individualized society that we often don’t opt for the communal option if we can avoid it. We have so many contactless options these days that we can employ to avoid dealing and interacting with other people. By contrast, like the name of our church implies, we want to live our lives in Christian fellowship.
 
The Christian life is meant to be lived and worked out in Christian koinonia. Christian communion. Christian fellowship. Even as we remember the Lord’s Supper, we are called to do so in community, interacting with and serving one another. The simple act of passing the elements and serving one another helps us to remember that we are many members of one body, and we are called to live, work, and serve the Lord together.
 
As we serve one another this weekend, let us remember what Christ did for us not only through the sacrifice of His death and the victory of His Resurrection, but also how He established His church for His glory and for the benefit of all of us who work, live, and serve together in Christian fellowship.
 
We hope to see you this Sunday!

Sufferers - Our Sad Reality by Reid Schultheis
Read John 16:31-33; Psalm 13:1-6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; and Genesis 3:1-19.

1. Reid opens by grounding the message in the overarching summary of the series: "Humans are embodied souls, uniquely created to be like God, who sin and suffer." Read John 16:31-33. Jesus tells His disciples plainly that in this world they will have "many trials and sorrows." How does Jesus' honest declaration directly expose the myth of the "prosperity gospel," which promises that true faith brings only health, wealth, and ease?
2. The sermon identifies two common, unhelpful ways people react to suffering: suppressing/denying it (through stoicism, machismo, or over-spiritualizing) or being completely overcome by it (making suffering our primary identity and the "bold text" of our lives). Have you ever caught yourself leaning toward one of these extremes when facing deep pain?
3. Reid introduces the biblical practice of lament, referencing pastor Mark Vroegop's definition: "a prayer in pain that leads to trust." Reid notes that about 40% of the Psalms are laments—like Ford F-150 trucks that are everywhere on the road once you start looking for them. Why do you think we often overlook the song of lament in our churches until trial or sorrow forces us to look for it?
4. Read Psalm 13:1-6. The first element of a biblical lament is calling out to God. The sermon notes that while griping or whining is directed toward ourselves or others to vent and commiserate, a true lament is an act of faith directed specifically to God. What makes taking your honest frustration directly to God an act of faith rather than disrespect?
5. The second element of lament is naming the pain—both internal anguish and external injustice. Reid shares the phrase, "We have to name the pain in order to tame the pain." Just as Adam named the animals in Genesis 2 to exercise God-given stewardship, how does naming our specific pain to God acknowledge His authority and help break suffering's grip on our hearts?
6. Read Psalm 13:3-6. In the third and fourth steps of lament, David asks for God's help—praying for God to "restore the sparkle" to his eyes—and ultimately chooses to trust in God's unfailing love. Notice that David did not start at trust; he moved from feeling forgotten to resting in God's goodness. How does giving yourself permission to process raw emotions before God pave the way for genuine trust?
7. While individual lament before God is essential, Reid points out that processing suffering in isolation is often not enough because pain can distort our view of God, ourselves, and others. How can practicing communal lament—such as sharing heart wounds in a small group or support ministry—help expose the lies we believe in the dark?
8. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Apostle Paul calls God the "source of all comfort" who comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort others. Reid warns that if we refuse to face our own suffering and receive God's comfort, we actually rob the people around us of the empathy they need. How have you seen God use someone else's healed wound to bring comfort to your own life?
9. The sermon cautions against making suffering the "bold text" of our lives to the point that we develop a victim mentality or use "hurt people hurt people" as a hall pass for our own sin. Why is it vital to hold on to your primary identity as a saint in Christ while still being honest about your real experiences as a sufferer?
10. The sermon concludes with a two-fold charge: "Lament your own suffering AND listen to others' suffering." Which side of this charge do you find more challenging right now—taking the time to bring your own wounds to God, or staying present to listen patiently to someone else's pain without trying to fix it?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the "Man of Sorrows" acquainted with grief who understands every trial we face. Ask the Holy Spirit for the courage to name your pain, the vulnerability to lament in community, and the grace to extend God's comfort to those who are suffering around you.

__________________________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Navigating suffering through lament is like using a pressure-relief valve on a steam boiler rather than capping the pipe or letting the vessel rupture. Suppressing pain is like capping the valve—it creates an illusion of control until the pressure inevitably bursts out through unhealthy behaviors, bitterness, or emotional breakdown. On the other hand, letting suffering define your identity is like allowing the steam to flood the entire room until you are completely blind to everything else. Lament is God's ordained pressure-relief valve. It directs the raw heat of our pain straight to the Father, allowing us to safely release our anguish, name our wounds, and regain our footing on the bedrock of His unfailing love.

Humans are embodied souls, uniquely created to be like God, who sin and suffer.

John 16:31-33 (NLT)
31 Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? 32 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Psalm 13:1-6 (NLT)
1 O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever?
   How long will you look the other way?
2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
   with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
3 Turn and answer me, O LORD my God!
   Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
   Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love.
   I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the LORD
   because he is good to me.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Lament your own suffering AND listen to others’ sufferings.

Humans are embodied souls, uniquely created to be like God, who sin and suffer.

John 1:10-13 (NLT)
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

Which side of the great divide are you on? Are you endeared to God or His enemy?

Ephesians 1:3-14 (NLT)
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. 7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 8 He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. 9 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. 13 And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Rest in your supreme reality and remind other believers about their supreme reality.

Our Supreme Reality by Reid Schultheis
Read John 1:10-13; Ephesians 1:3-14; and Hebrews 10:25.

1. Reid opens by re-stating the series premise that humans are "embodied souls, uniquely created to be like God, who sin and suffer." He highlights that a biblical "saint" isn't an exceptional historical figure or just a kindly neighbor, but anyone who is in Christ. How does defining "saint" as your actual identity in Christ change how you view yourself in your daily life?
2. Read John 1:10-13. Reid speaks of the "great divide" running through humanity—separating those who are enemies of God from those who are endeared to God as His children. How does a person cross this divide from enemy to child through justification and adoption?
3. In discussing justification, Reid references founding pastor David Niednagel’s classic description of justification as "the great swap"—our sin placed on Christ, and His righteousness credited to us. How does remembering this "great swap" give you confidence when you feel unworthy or guilty?
4. Reid shares the story of Michael Reagan, the adopted son of President Ronald Reagan, who had to undergo a long journey of unlearning false stories about being unwanted or unchosen once he entered his new family. What false narratives or past insecurities are you most tempted to believe about yourself instead of what God says is true about you?
5. Read Ephesians 1:3-14. Reid points out that in the original language, Paul wrote this entire passage as one unbroken sentence, overwhelmed with emotion and praise. Which specific spiritual blessing listed in these verses (such as being chosen before creation, adopted with pleasure, redeemed by His blood, or sealed with the Spirit) stands out most to you right now, and why?
6. In verse 4, Paul states that God chose us in Christ to be "holy and without fault in his eyes." Why is there often a gap between what we know factually in Scripture and what we actually believe deep down about how God views us?
7. Read Hebrews 10:25. Reid emphasizes that humans are an incredibly forgetful people who quickly lose sight of who they are, especially during seasons of pain or suffering. How does gathering regularly with your church family help counteract this "spiritual amnesia"?
8. Reid warns against viewing other believers narrowly through a single lens—seeing them only as "sinners" or "sufferers" rather than primarily as "saints." He shares a story of a father who refused to encourage his son because he saw him only as a sinner. How can viewing fellow Christians strictly through the lens of their mistakes damage relationships and community?
9. On the flip side, Reid cautions that we shouldn't handle sin lightly by using our identity as saints to ignore practical repentance or necessary consequences. Why is a balanced approach—treating people as saints, sufferers, and sinners—essential for true spiritual care?
10. The sermon concludes with two charges: "Rest in your supreme reality" and "Remind other believers about their supreme reality." Who in your life or small group needs a gentle, intentional reminder this week of who they are in Christ?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for adopting us into His family, pouring out His rich grace, and sealing us with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to help you rest deeply in your supreme reality as a saint and to give you the wisdom and opportunity to encourage others with this truth this week.

___________________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Resting in our supreme reality is like an adopted child learning to live in a loving home after years in an orphanage. The legal adoption happens in an instant, but unlearning old habits, fears, and false stories of being unwanted takes time. Focusing only on daily failures keeps us living like spiritual orphans, but looking to the Father's declaration in Ephesians 1 reminds us that we are fully chosen, deeply loved, and granted an inheritance that can never be taken away. Our calling as fellow saints is to walk alongside one another in the house, gently pointing out the Father's promises whenever someone forgets who they truly are.

Good morning CFC Family! We're excited to tell you about this event coming to CFC next month. It's a Women's Ministry event, but there is a role for men too.
 
CFC Women’s Ministry has the privilege of kicking off the fall 2026 Hope of Heaven tour featuring Jennifer Rothschild and guest speaker, Ann Voskamp, on Thursday, November 5 at 7PM in our Worship Center. Ladies, you are invited!
 
This will be a wonderful night of worship and Biblical teaching. We will discover what the Bible says about Heaven, laugh together, worship, and release to the Lord the burdens we were never meant to carry.
 
Jennifer is a Christian author, speaker, and podcast host, the founder of Fresh Grounded Faith events for women, and a wife, mom, and grandmom! Blind since 15, Jennifer gives “living by faith and not by sight” a whole new perspective! She has written 20 books and Bible studies, many of which our CFC Women’s ministry has studied.
 
Ann Voskamp lives on a farm in Canada with her family and is an author and blogger. Her One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are is a New York Times bestseller. Ann’s engaging and inspiring teaching will challenge you to embrace the truths of Scripture in new and exciting ways.
 
Use THIS LINK for discounted tickets. Bring your friends, family, small group –- all your people! We will learn, laugh, and lean into the hope of Heaven!
 
MEN: Yes, this is a women’s event, but we need your help to make it happen! We need men for the unloading of their equipment in the morning and loading it back up after the event. Contact Andrée Beaver if you can help with that. If you have a husband, son, friend, etc. who might want to help, please ask them!
 
Have a great weekend! We can't wait to worship with you this Sunday.

Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT)
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
   the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
   human beings that you should care for them?

Humans are embodied souls, uniquely created to be like God, who sin and suffer.

Genesis 2:7 (NLT)
7 Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

Genesis 1:26-27 (NLT)
26 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 3:1-7 (NLT)
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

Genesis 3:14-19 (NLT)
14 Then the LORD God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this, you are cursed
   more than all animals, domestic and wild.
You will crawl on your belly,
   groveling in the dust as long as you live.
15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,
   and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will strike your head,
   and you will strike his heel.”
16 Then he said to the woman,
“I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy,
   and in pain you will give birth.
And you will desire to control your husband,
   but he will rule over you.”
17 And to the man he said,
“Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree
   whose fruit I commanded you not to eat,
the ground is cursed because of you.
   All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.
18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you,
   though you will eat of its grains.
19 By the sweat of your brow
   will you have food to eat
until you return to the ground
   from which you were made.
For you were made from dust,
   and to dust you will return.”

To get free articles and book recommendations for further study, please visit the CFC For You Center.

Multifaceted Intro by Reid Schultheis
Read Psalm 8:3-4; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:1-7; and Genesis 3:14-19.

1. Reid opens with Psalm 8:3–4 and poses the foundational question: "What does it mean to be human?" How would you contrast the way secular culture answers that question with how Scripture defines human identity and purpose?
2. The sermon uses the children's book Are You My Mother? to illustrate that the baby bird only understood its true identity once it recognized its mother. Why is looking outward to our Creator the key to understanding who we are, rather than looking inward to "find our own truth"?
3. Reid highlights the catastrophic historical consequences of getting human identity wrong—such as reductionist materialism (viewing humans as mere physical atoms), racial supremacy, or utopian ideologies that deny human sinfulness. How does a biblical worldview protect human dignity and establish justice in society?
4. Read Genesis 2:7. Reid emphasizes that humans are "embodied souls"—a unified combination of the physical (dust) and the immaterial (breath of life) that God declared "very good." How can an over-spiritualized mindset lead us to neglect physical care like rest and nourishment, and how does God's gentle response to the exhausted prophet Elijah in 1 Kings illustrate care for the body?
5. Read Genesis 1:26-27. Being made in the Imago Dei (image of God) gives every single person inherent dignity and worth that can never be erased or stripped away. How should this foundational truth shape the way you treat people in your daily life, especially those with whom you disagree?
6. In addition to inherent dignity, Genesis 1 shows that God created humanity with a mandate: to co-rule with Him by subduing and cultivating the earth. How does viewing your daily work, home care, or service through this lens give sacred purpose to routine tasks?
7. Read Genesis 3:1-7. The sermon notes that while culture (and often Christians) use soft euphemisms like "mistakes" or "weaknesses" to describe wrong behavior, Scripture uses direct terms like iniquity, trespass, and evil. Why is calling sin what it truly is essential for genuine gospel healing?
8. When confronted with personal sin, people tend to fall into one of two extremes: denying and excusing it, or being completely paralyzed by guilt and shame. How does the gospel offer a "third way" that allows us to honestly face our sin while remaining secure in our identity as saints in Christ?
9. Read Genesis 3:14-19. The fall introduced multi-layered suffering—relational conflict, painful labor, physical sickness, and death. Why is it important to realize that suffering is an expected reality in a fallen world rather than a sign that God has abandoned us?
10. Reid references counselor Mike Emlet’s framework that believers are simultaneously saints, sufferers, and sinners. When walking alongside a friend or family member in distress, how can discerning which of these three facets needs focus in that moment help you love them more wisely?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for creating us in His image with sacred worth and eternal purpose. Ask the Holy Spirit to align your view of humanity with God's Word, to grant you honest repentance for sin, to comfort you in seasons of suffering, and to empower you to walk confidently as a saint set apart for His glory.

______________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Understanding human identity is like reading a complete architect’s blueprint rather than looking at a single, isolated floor plan. If an engineer only inspects the plumbing (our physical body) while ignoring the electrical system (our soul), or focuses solely on the original design (being made in God's image) without accounting for severe storm damage (sin and suffering), the building cannot be properly maintained. In Christ, God gives us the full blueprint: we are embodied souls created with sacred dignity and purpose, living through the real impacts of sin and suffering, yet restored and declared saints through the finished work of Jesus.

We just finished another fiscal year (September 1, 2025-August 31, 2026), so we would like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to all of you for your faithful giving! THANK YOU! God has used your giving in numerous ways throughout the year — from local outreach initiatives to global missions projects to discipleship efforts within our local church body and more.
 
We are reminded of Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9:11-12, which say, “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.”
 
Thanks to your generosity, many lives have been impacted, hope has been renewed, and the gospel has been declared here at home and abroad. It is so special to see how our local body of believers has collaborated to make a true difference!
 
You can find a summary of our Operations Report for this past fiscal year HERE. We share this out of a desire to be forthcoming and transparent with how we have used the resources we have been given, and we want to also praise God for what He has accomplished with your giving! It is our hope that this will provide encouragement to you just as it has for us.
 
Thanks again for partnering with us in ministry! We will continue to strive to faithfully steward all that God entrusts to us so that it can be used for His glory and for the good of others.
 
If you have any questions about the report below, please contact Nathan Hazel or Robert Goedde in the church office.
 
We are thrilled to get to worship with you as we start a new message series called Multifaceted this Sunday! We hope you’ll join us!

Be aware that deception is still the goal of our enemy.

Romans 16:17-20
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

No sins are more dangerous than those accepted and celebrated by society.

Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Remember that in the midst of adversity, we are not alone in the struggle for faithfulness.

Romans 16:21-23
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. 22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers. 23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.

2 Timothy 4:14-17
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said. 16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.

Remember that in the midst of spiritual adversity, we will always have reasons for praise and thanksgiving.

Romans 16:25-27
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Romans 11:25
I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

Ephesians 3:6
And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 1:5
Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

For the Glory of God by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Romans 16:17-27; Romans 5:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:14-17; and Ephesians 3:6.

1. Pastor Dale points out that Paul gives his "second and third goodbyes" in Romans 16, pausing right before the end to deliver a crucial warning. He notes that prevention via a warning is far better than a cure needed without one. Why do we often resist warnings until an "infection" or crisis hits, and how can a preventative mindset protect our spiritual lives?
2. Read Romans 16:17-20. The sermon emphasizes that the enemy’s primary weapon is not always obvious horror, but deception through "smooth talk and glowing words" that cause division and upset people's faith. How can subtle twists on truth be more dangerous to a church’s unity than outright external opposition?
3. Pastor Dale shares transparently about the universal human temptation—especially in careers or ministry—to want to appear "profound" or "distinctive" to secure our significance and standing. How can the drive to pursue novelty or get caught up in endless rabbit trails distract us from the core simplicity of the gospel?
4. The sermon references the classic hymn "Trust and Obey," reminding us that at the core of Christian growth is simple faith and obedience. Is there an area in your life where you have overcomplicated what God is asking of you instead of simply trusting and obeying His clear Word?
5. Read Romans 5:1-2. The sermon notes warn that "no sins are more dangerous than those accepted and celebrated by society". Why is it so easy for believers to gradually normalize cultural sins, and how does remembering our "undeserved privilege" in Christ keep us anchored in truth?
6. Read Romans 16:21-23. Paul lists several specific co-workers, including Erastus, the city treasurer. Pastor Dale highlights that an actual Latin inscription bearing Erastus’s name as a city official was discovered by archaeologists in Corinth in 1929. How does seeing the historical reality of biblical figures strengthen your confidence in the reliability of Scripture?
7. Read 2 Timothy 4:14-17. In contrast to the supportive team surrounding Paul in Romans 16, Paul recalls his trial before the judge where "everyone abandoned me". Yet he declares, "But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength". Have you ever experienced a season of isolation, and how did God demonstrate His personal presence with you?
8. Read Romans 16:25-27. Paul concludes this great letter with a doxology—praising the "only wise God" who establishes us according to the gospel. Why is it vital to remember that the ultimate goal of our salvation is not merely our own benefit, but God’s eternal glory?
9. Read Ephesians 3:6 and Romans 11:25. The "mystery" once kept secret but now revealed is that Gentiles and Jews share equally as one body in Christ. How does the gospel tear down racial, social, and cultural walls in a world that is deeply divided?
10. As Pastor Dale wraps up the series on Romans, he reminds us that Jesus is "the answer for every question you're asking" and that our ultimate response should always be worship. Looking back on the message of Romans, what key truth has most impacted your daily walk with Christ?
11. Close in Prayer: Praise the "only wise God" for the glorious gospel that saves, establishes, and unites us. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your heart against deception, to keep you rooted in simple trust and obedience, and to empower you to live every day for His glory alone.

_________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Living for the glory of God through the pure gospel is like following a steady lighthouse beam through a foggy channel rather than chasing shiny, flashing lights along the shoreline. Deception rarely looks like an obvious shipwreck; it often arrives as smooth, "profound" novelties that tempt us to drift into division and speculation. True spiritual stability doesn't come from discovering new, complicated theories, but from staying anchored to the simple, proven message of Christ—trusting and obeying the One whose light guides us safely home for His eternal glory.

Anytime Dale doesn’t give the message on a Sunday, we get questions asking how he’s doing and if everything is OK. We love that you care so much for our Teaching Pastor! Here is a message from Dale:
 
I wanted to let you know that Andrée and I will be taking some vacation time next month. It will be our privilege to have Reid Schultheis preaching each Sunday in October as he leads us through a four-week sermon series titled "Multifaceted."
 
Reid describes the series this way: "Jesus calls us to love others just as He has loved us. As we explore and experience three ways Christ loves us, we will be primed to love others similarly. Christ loves us by reminding us that in Him we are saints, by sitting and grieving with us in our suffering, and by convicting us when we are caught in sin."
 
This gives Reid the chance not only to craft an entire sermon series, but also to deliver it from start to finish. Please pray for him as he leads us through this study of the ministry of Jesus. Andrée and I would also be grateful for your prayers for us that this will be a time of genuine rest and recreation.
 
We look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as Dale completes our study in the book of Romans! See you then.

NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the newest CFC members. We are eager to see how God will continue to grow you and work through your lives! 
 
If you’d like to start the membership process, plan to come to the Intro to CFC Class on October 4 and the Membership Class on November 8. Learn about membership HERE. 

Marcelline Ada Kabre
Anna Cornelius
Thomas Cornelius
Faith Griffin
Cedric & Pulcherie Guissou
Patricia Jackson
Tamika Liebhart
John Martin
Eli Miller
Jamil & Mady Myrick
Willie & Brittany Nelson
Joe & Megan Southwell
Zane & Breilee Springer
Jeff Stein
Ciana Valiant
Jovie Valiant
Adam & Lauren Wadlington
Pat Weathers
Charlie & Kara Wonnell

1. Pastor Dale shares statistics showing that Americans generate 292.4 million tons of trash per year (about 4.9 pounds per person daily) to illustrate our "disposable culture," warning against bringing a single-use, "use and lose" mindset into our relationships. How can a transactional view of people—treating others as commodities to leverage and discard—damage the life of a local church community?
2. Read Romans 16:1-2. Paul commends Phoebe, a deacon in Cenchrea who served as the trusted courier delivering the scroll of Romans and as a financial benefactor (prostatis) to Paul and many others. What does her prominent role teach us about the vital contributions of women and financial partners in gospel ministry?
3. Scholars estimate that producing the scroll of Romans cost around $2,000 in today's currency, requiring significant financial resources, travel expenses, and materials. How does recognizing the practical financial cost of ministry challenge us to be generous with our own resources to support gospel partnerships?
4. Read Romans 16:3-5a and Acts 18:24-26. Priscilla and Aquila were not only tentmaking co-workers who risked their lives for Paul, but they also privately took Apollos aside to explain "the way of God even more accurately". Why is humble, relational discipleship essential for developing strong leaders in the church?
5. Read Romans 16:7. Andronicus and Junia became followers of Christ before Paul did and were imprisoned alongside him. Considering Paul's past as a violent persecutor of the church, why did it require supernatural trust for early believers to overcome suspicion and embrace him as a genuine brother in Christ?
6. Pastor Dale reflects on how Paul's past reputation followed him, comparing it to how people in small towns often remember someone by their high school mistakes. Is there a past mistake or old reputation that you struggle to move past, or that prevents you from seeing how God has transformed someone else?
7. Read Romans 16:13. Paul greets Rufus—whose father, Simon of Cyrene, carried Jesus' cross (Mark 15:21)—and calls Rufus's mother a "mother to me". How does God provide spiritual mothers, fathers, and family members within the local church when earthly family ties are strained or absent?
8. Read Romans 16:10-15. In this list of 27 individual names, Paul addresses slaves, royalty, prominent businesspeople, Jews, Gentiles, men, and women all sharing fellowship together. Read Galatians 3:28. How does the gospel break down societal walls to create true unity across diverse cultural and economic backgrounds?
9. Early believers met in house churches (like the one hosted by Priscilla and Aquila) long before dedicated church buildings existed in the third century. How does gathering in small groups or home settings foster the kind of authentic, non-disposable community Paul describes?
10. The sermon concludes that church unity and gospel partnerships rely on four key pillars: sacrifice, service, security, and support. Which of these four areas is God calling you to invest in more deeply within your local church family right now?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for adopting us into His family and giving us a permanent place in His body. Ask the Holy Spirit to free your heart from any "disposable" mindset toward relationships, and pray for the grace to serve as a faithful coworker in your church community this week.

__________________________________________
Analogy for Understanding:  Living in gospel community is like treating people as fine family heirlooms at a shared table rather than single-use paper plates. In a disposable culture, relationships are often treated like paper plates or plastic utensils—convenient for a quick transaction, but tossed out the moment they require effort or no longer serve a personal benefit. In contrast, Paul’s list of distinct co-workers in Romans 16 shows that in the local church, every person—whether slave or royalty, business partner or spiritual mother—is priceless and permanent. Rather than "using and losing" people as tools, true gospel partnership requires the intentional, hands-on care of sacrifice, service, security, and support to bind us together as an enduring spiritual family where every member is valued and held secure in Christ.

In a disposable society where human relationships are often used and discarded, Romans 16 highlights the specific and priceless value of unity in the church and partnering for the gospel.

Romans 16:1-2
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Romans 16:3-5a
3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.

Acts 18:24-26
24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

Romans 16:5b-9
Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. 6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Romans 16:10-13
10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

Romans 16:14-16
14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.

Galatians 3:28
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Church unity and gospel partnerships depend upon sacrifice, service, security, and support.

Next Friday will literally be a BLAST!
 
We can’t wait to see the CFC Family here on Friday, September 25 (one week from today) for our annual Fall Blast. We hope you will join us!
We consider this a local outreach event, so invite your friends and family to come with you, too. The CFC Kids’ staff is making over 450 candy bags with the gospel message in them for kids. You can still donate wrapped bags of candy in the bins in the foyer until this Sunday. We are also sending postcards to the neighborhoods around CFC inviting them and letting them know that there will be fireworks.
 
If you are coming, here is what you need to know:

• The inflatables, games, and food trucks open at 5PM. 
• You can see a list of the planned food trucks and their menus HERE. The food trucks are the only thing you will need money for. Everything else is free!
• There are inflatables for little kids, and we’ll have some more extreme ones for bigger kids, too.
• The Worship Team will be playing music, and we’ll have games like 9-square, sand volleyball, and gaga ball set up.
• We’ll have 3 hayrides going.
• Emergency and safety vehicles will be here.
• Be sure to bring a lawn chair so you can sit and listen to music and watch the fireworks.
• Fireworks will start at 7:15PM, and the parking lot lights will go out. If you have kids, make sure you know where they are (or they know where you are) prior to lights out. Everything will restart when the firework show is over. 
• See an event map HERE. 

It’s always a great time, so we hope you’re planning to come! And, if you invite someone to come with you who doesn’t have a home church, invite them to come back to worship with us on Sunday!

Speaking of Sunday, we will celebrate Communion together THIS Sunday, and it will look a little different than how we’ve done it for the last several years. Watch THIS VIDEO from Joe with more information on how and why.
 
We’ll see you Sunday, then we’ll see you next Friday at Fall Blast!

Remember that Jesus came as the Servant for all. (15:8-13)

Romans 15:8-9a
8 Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. 9 He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them.

Remember God's grace in getting the gospel to you. (15:14-19)

Romans 15:15b-18
For by God’s grace, 16 I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. 17 So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. 18 Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.

Where are you ambitious and patient with the gospel? (15:20-24)

Romans 15:20-21a
20 My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. 21 I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures....."

Passionate Proclamation
Luke 24:44-47
44 Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’

Deliberate Discipleship
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Gospel partnership happens in many ways. Join in! (15:25-33)

Romans 15:30
Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

For Those Who Have Never Been Told by Dale Beaver
Read Romans 15:8-33; Luke 24:44-47; and Matthew 28:18-20.

1. Pastor Dale states that real gospel obedience is ambitious enough to go where no one has heard the gospel and patient enough to stay once arriving. How do you see both ambition and patience functioning in your own spiritual journey or witness?
2. Read Romans 15:8-13. Paul cites Old Testament passages from the Psalms and Isaiah to prove that God's plan always included Gentiles giving glory to God. Why is it encouraging to know that God's mercy to all nations was part of His intentional design long before Christ came?
3. Pastor Dale likens Paul to a spiritual doctor who uses tools to check vital signs like faith, hope, and love. In Romans 15:13, Paul specifically focuses on the vital sign of hope. How would you evaluate the current "vital sign" of your hope in God's promises?
4. Read Romans 15:14-19. Paul references his role as a special messenger to the Gentiles, giving them "parental reminders" grounded in God's grace. Who has God placed in your life to give you gentle, persistent reminders to keep walking with Christ?
5. Pastor Dale highlights the Greek word for patience or longsuffering (makrothumia), which combines "large" and "suffering". He also shares a Kentucky saying: "If you meet a jerk in the morning, you met a jerk; if you meet jerks all day, you're the jerk". How does recognizing our own need for others' patience help us extend supernatural patience to people around us?
6. Read Romans 15:20-24. Paul expresses his gospel ambition to preach where Christ has never been named rather than building on another's foundation. The sermon cites a Lausanne movement report showing that about 40% to 43% of the world (over 3 billion people) remains unreached, yet less than 1% of global mission finances go to unreached populations. How do these statistics challenge our understanding of global gospel priorities?
7. The sermon notes that Jesus' Great Commission involves both passionate proclamation and deliberate discipleship. Read Luke 24:44-47 and Matthew 28:18-20. Why are both bold evangelism and patient, long-term discipleship necessary for fulfilling Christ's mission?
8. Pastor Dale shares a story about his grandfather, an evangelist who would tell him after preaching crusade messages, "Dale, here's where the real work begins". Why is long-term discipleship—like Paul spending a year and a half in Corinth or three years in Ephesus—often harder than initial proclamation?
9. Read Romans 15:25-29. Gentile believers in Macedonia and Achaia eagerly sent financial gifts to poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem to show unity and gratitude for spiritual blessings. How does financial partnership across cultural or economic lines express true unity in the body of Christ?
10. Read Romans 15:30-33. Paul urges the Roman believers to join in his struggle by praying for his protection and ministry. In what ways can you actively "join in" gospel partnership through prayer or supporting local and global outreach this week?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank God for sending His Son as a Servant for all nations and for the grace that brought the gospel to your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a passionate ambition for the unreached and a patient, long-suffering love to disciple those in your sphere of influence.

______________________________________________
Analogy for Understanding: Living out gospel partnership is like building a long-distance bridge. Passionate proclamation is like firing the initial pilot cable across a wide chasm so the connection is established. But deliberate discipleship is the patient, step-by-step engineering work of laying down heavy beams, securing foundations, and maintaining the structure over years so people can cross safely and walk together. Without the ambition to cross the chasm, no connection is ever made; without the patience to build and stay, the connection cannot sustain lasting growth

At CFC, we are about Glorifying God by Making Disciples of All People. Two of our Core Values are the Bible and Discipleship because we believe God changes us as we know, trust, and obey His Word together.
 
Eugene Peterson described discipleship as “a long obedience in the same direction.” That phrase reminds us that following Jesus is not a one-time event or a journey we are meant to take alone. It is a lifelong pursuit of becoming more like Christ through the grace of God, the truth of Scripture, and meaningful relationships with other believers.
 
For that reason, discipleship needs to be an intentional part of life at CFC. One important pathway for spiritual growth is connecting with other believers through a small group or one of our discipleship ministries. In these settings, we study God’s Word, pray for one another, encourage each other, and learn to faithfully follow Jesus in everyday life.
 
We invite you to join us at the upcoming Discipleship Fair this Sunday and next. Stop by the tables before or after services for an opportunity to meet our leaders, learn more about the discipleship opportunities available at CFC, and find a next step that fits you.
 
At the Discipleship Fair, you can learn more about:

• New small groups beginning this fall
• Current small groups with openings available now
• Other discipleship ministries at CFC
• Opportunities to connect with leaders and ask questions

Groups meet every day of the week and at a variety of times, which makes it much more likely that you can find one to fit your schedule and season of life.
 
Whether you are looking for a small group, seeking deeper relationships, or simply wanting to learn more about the ministries available, we encourage you to come. Take an intentional next step in your own “long obedience in the same direction” and discover a place where you can grow in Christ alongside others.
 
We look forward to seeing you at the Discipleship Fair and worshiping with you this Sunday!

Christian strength is measured not by the liberty we can handle, but by submission to the Master of our conscience.

Two Pitfalls in the Household of Faith (Romans 14:1-3)

Romans 14:1-3
1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.

Defining "Strong" vs. "Weak"
The "Weak" - A conscience easily wounded or constrained by non-essential issues, yet seeking to honor God through strict boundaries.
The "Strong" - A conscience grounded in Gospel freedom that recognizes non-essential issues do not affect our status with God.

Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Stay in your seat. (Romans 14:4-12)

Who are we to condemn? (14:4)
The judgment seat belongs to the Master.

Romans 14:10
10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

Strength is measured through humble sacrifice, not boundless freedom. (14:13–15:4)

Romans 14:13
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Remember that Jesus sets the example for the way we live with each other.

Romans 15:1-4
1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

As we submit to the Master of our conscience, we can work for relational peace that leads to community. (Romans 15:5-7)

If we are honest, most of us feel the constant, exhausting pull of a world that is incredibly fast-paced, loud, and shallow. Every day, we are bombarded by competing stories telling us who we should be, what we should buy, and where we should find our security. It’s easy to feel like our attention is constantly being fractured. Yet, as human beings made in the image of God, we are designed for something much greater. We are born with a deep hunger to know the Author of our story and to understand our place in His world. As Jen Wilkin often reminds us, "The heart cannot love what the mind does not know.” That is why we are so excited to invite you into a unified journey called Deep Discipleship.
 
What is Deep Discipleship?
We have strategically reworked Year 1 of our Discipleship Academy. This course brings head-knowledge, heart-transformation, and daily habits together.
 
Over two 12-week semesters (Semester 1 covering the Old Testament this Fall), we will sit at tables together and study three integrated tracks:

• The Christian Story: Chronologically tracing God's redemptive arc from Genesis to Revelation
• The Christian Belief: Unpacking core, essential doctrines like the Trinity and the Imago Dei using Jen Wilkin and J.T. English's book, You Are a Theologian
• The Christian Formation: Cultivating life-shaping habits like Sabbath, prayer, and missional living

We want to be completely upfront with you: this class takes work—but it’s worth the work. All good things are. We are asking you to step into a real spiritual rhythm. This means committing to a 2-hour weekly group session and dedicating about 1 to 1.5 hours of personal pre-work each week (Scripture reading, eBook assignments, and prayer) so that you come to your table ready to engage.
 
Why We Need You to Register by THIS Sunday
Our first official classes begin on Thursday, September 10th (6PM – 8PM) and Sunday, September 13th (4PM – 6PM). To make sure our very first week is fruitful, our firm registration deadline is this coming Sunday, September 6.
 
Registering by Sunday is crucial for several practical reasons:

• Pick Up Materials: Once you register, you can head to The Center this Sunday or during office hours this week. Our team will verify that you are on the class roster and hand you your physical Deep Discipleship Journal.
• Redeem Your Free eBook Library: In your physical journal, you’ll find a unique access code. You can redeem it at my.lifeway.com/redeem to get free, instant digital access to all three required textbooks (Remember and Rehearse, You Are a Theologian, and Formed for Fellowship) using the Lifeway On Demand app.
• Complete the Orientation Pre-work: Before our first session, there is a short Orientation Video that we need you to watch. Registering by Sunday ensures you have the margin to complete this before class starts.

 
Pull Up a Chair
Theology is best done in community. We were never meant to figure out these deep truths of Scripture in isolation, sitting alone. We need one another to grow.
 
Whether you have been studying the Bible for decades or are just beginning to ask your very first questions about God, there is a seat saved for you at these tables. Let's choose to push back against the shallow noise of our culture this Fall and build a firm, life-giving foundation together.
 
Watch a video about Deep Discipleship with Kyle Carnahan and Emily Breeden from our Adult Ministry Team HERE and see sign-up info for Deep Discipleship HERE.
 
We hope many of you will sign up for Deep Discipleship, and we look forward to worshiping with all of you this Sunday!
 

Working for Peace by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Romans 14:1-23; Romans 15:1-7; and Romans 12:1-2.

1. Pastor Dale notes that Romans is one of the most highly developed theological letters in the New Testament and recommends utilizing the articles and study aids curated at the church's resource center. How does having an intentional, structured plan for studying Scripture help you move beyond a superficial reading of God's Word?
2. Read Romans 14:1-3. Pastor Dale warns against two pitfalls in the household of faith: strong believers flexing their freedom over the weak, and weak believers condemning those who walk in freedom. In what ways are you tempted to fall into either of these traps when you disagree with another believer on a non-essential issue?
3. The sermon notes define the "weak" as those whose consciences are easily wounded or constrained by non-essential issues, while the "strong" are grounded in Gospel freedom. Why is it important to realize that the weak are still actively seeking to honor God through their strict boundaries, rather than simply being legalistic?
4. Read Romans 12:1-2. Pastor Dale describes these verses as a "road sign" or anchor for how we should live out our convictions and freedoms in front of one another. How does allowing God to transform your mind change the way you think about and treat people who have different personal boundaries than you?
5. Read Romans 14:4-12. The sermon uses the phrase "stay in your seat" to remind us that the judgment seat belongs solely to the Master. How does remembering that we will all give a "personal, individual account" to God keep you from trying to jump into the Judge's seat to condemn others?
6. Discuss the transition Jewish and Gentile believers faced regarding the Mosaic law, holy days, and diets. How does Pastor Dale’s point that "this stuff gets in us" explain why it can take years, or even generations, for people to grow out of strict traditional backgrounds?
7. Read Romans 14:13-17. The kingdom of God is defined not as external rules like eating and drinking, but as goodness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Pastor Dale notes that this applies to modern debates like tattoos, piercings, vaccines, and masks. How can we prioritize goodness, peace, and joy over our personal liberties or restrictions in these areas?
8. Pastor Dale shares a cautionary story about a man in Kentucky who asked if the Bible prohibited drinking beer, went on to drink a case, and wrecked his truck. How does this story illustrate the danger of abusing our freedom without considering our own spiritual maturity or the safety of others?
9. Read Galatians 2 and consider the sermon's mention of the Apostle Peter’s spiritual journey. Even after his vision and the resurrection, Peter struggled with eating with Gentiles when other Jewish believers were around and had to be corrected by Paul. How does Peter's struggle give you hope when you find yourself slipping back into old patterns of fear or exclusion?
10. Read Romans 15:1-4. We are told that we must not live to please ourselves, following the example of Christ. How does laying down your rights for the sake of another believer's spiritual growth show a greater measure of Christian strength than simply exercising your freedom?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for the grace in which we stand and the freedom we have in Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to purify your heart of any condescension or judgmental attitudes, and to give you the humility to actively work for harmony within the church community this week.

______________________________________________

Analogy for Understanding: Imagine a family dinner table where children of all different ages and stages of growth are sitting down to eat. A mature older sibling has the physical capacity and freedom to eat complex, heavy foods without issue, while a toddler has a sensitive stomach and must stick to soft, simple foods. If the older sibling uses their physical strength to mock the toddler's simple diet, or if the younger child screams in protest because the older one is eating something different, the peace of the family dinner is completely destroyed. Relational peace in the church works the same way: true maturity is not about proving we have the "freedom" to eat whatever we want, but about willingly adjusting our behavior at the table so that everyone is built up and nourished together. Relational peace is a daily work where we offer our rights and convictions to serve the greater good of harmony.