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D6 - The Shema - Deuteronomy 6:4-9

What is the most-often quoted passage of Scripture in the world?

John 3:16? For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Psalm 23? The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

What about the shortest verse in the Bible? John 11:35 - Jesus wept.

These are all great passages of Scripture which many down through the generations have put to memory.  But, the distinction of being the most-often quoted passage of Scripture in the world goes to Deuteronomy 6:4-9! This is the section of Scriture the Jewish people call the Shema.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (NKJV) "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

The word Shema literally means "to listen" or "to hear" in the Hebrew language. Each day in Orthodox Jewish homes, usually in the morning and evening the Shema is recited. It's used as a morning blessing, a bedtime prayer and in special dedications such as "home blessings." Traditionally the Shema was quoted every Sabbath, and the congregation would stand to recite these most holy words. Even today, the Shema is quoted at every deathbed, and is part of the mojor feasts and celebrations of the Jewish people.

The Shema is so important that most Bible scholars believe it is the first Scripture Jesus learned as a child. Before He could speak, walk or read He heard it everyday in His home. In fact, when Jesus was asked what is the most important commandment, He quoted part of the Shema (Matt 22:36-40).

The Shema is central to all the teachings in the Bible and shows us how to build a legacy of faith from generation to generation.

The Shema provides three foundational lessons for the home:

1. Loyalty to God
2. Tranmission of our faith to our children
3. Keeping constant mindfulness of the teachings of God

The home is where children must be taught faithfulness and fidelity to God. They must hear it taught and see it lived out authentically in their parents. No one is perfect, but the intentional nature of faithful living is critical.

Unfortunately, in our culture, we have "outsourced" the spiritual discipleship of our children to the church.  We send them to the "professional discipleship makers" (the pastor, youth pastor, children's pastor, and Sunday school teacher) and we think we are doing our part, but that is not the command of Scripture.

Don't get me wrong, the church plays a vital role in the life of Christians, but the first layer of spiritual influence is the parent, not the church!

Action Steps:

1. Pray the Shema as a family.
2. Teach this passage of Scripture to your children
3. Daily live by Biblical principles and be an example for your children

Remember, more is "caught" than is "taught!"

A FAITH WORTH PASSING DOWN

The word "inherit" may bring to mind cash and possessions, or even genetic and personality traits.  Yet the Bible talks about something else that can be passed down to the next generation, and it is the most precious thing we have: our faith!

In 2 Timothy 1:3-7, Paul writes to Timothy about faith worth passing down, namely, that which is based on the truth of God's Word.  It is the confident conviction that God is who He says He is and will do everything He says He will do.  The apostle notes that the younger man's sincere faith did not materialize out of thin air, but in fact was evident in his lineage (vs.5).

There are many ways to hand down a rich legacy of faith to the next generation:

1. SHARE BASIC BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES

Kids must be taught the proper attitude about money (Ps. 24:1), how needs are fulfilled (Phil. 4:19), and direction in life (Pro.3:5-6).

2. MODEL THROUGH LIFESTYLE

How we live - with transparency, peace, and persistence or fear, doubt, and frustration - sends a loud message about whether God can be trusted.

3. SERVE GOD BY SERVING OTHERS

If we act on our faith, we show it is real (James 2:26).

4. PRAY AND PRAISE

Children won't forget hearing us speak their names in prayer.  And when we praise them for trusting the Lord, they will be motivated to do so again.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

1. Do you know the basic Biblical principles for life?
2. Are you teaching the basic Biblical principles to your children?
3. Does your life and lifestyle model your faith in Christ?
4. Are you a person who likes to be served or serve?
5. Do you serve others together as a family?
6. Do you have a daily prayer time?
7. Do you pray with your family?

THIS WEEK'S PARENTAL PRAYER OF BLESSING AT VICTORY - Repentance

Weekly Scriptural Parental Prayer of Blessing For Our Children:

REPENTANCE

Prayer: "Father, when my children sin, quickly lead them to confess and repent so they might enjoy a clear conscience and unbroken fellowship with You, Amen."

Psalms 32:1-2 (HCSB) How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 2 How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit!

1 John 1:5-9 (HCSB) Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him” and walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

SUNDAY'S D6 MESSAGE ON SERVANTHOOD IS NOW ON THE PODCAST

I realize many of our Victory Church family were traveling last Sunday, therefore, you can still hear the D6 message on "servanthood" on the podcast (the podcast player is to the right of this post).  Below are the D6 family take home sermon notes:

D6 Family Theme for Week 12/27

SERVANTHOOD

D6 Weekly Goal: To inspire Christians to love others practically by serving like Jesus.

__________________________________________________________

Fusion Facts

1. Service opportunities sometimes happen when we least expect them.  (John 2:1-11)
2. Jesus is able to take our limited resources and do the impossible. (John 6:1-13)
3. A praying heart opens the door to opportunities of service (Philippians 1:1-8)
4. When seeds of compassion are sown, service is grown           (John 9:1-11)
5. When we serve others we are serving Jesus (Ephesians 6:5-8)

____________________________________________________________

Servant Leadership (Mark 10:35-45)

Thought 1: Being a SERVANT is NECESSARY for the believer and Christian leadership.  (Mark 10:35-45)

Jesus taught them this lesson, “If they wanted to be leaders in His Kingdom, they had to be SERVANTS.”

Thought 2: The wrong attitude for servanthood is to serve out of the HOPE of REWARD! (Mark 10:35-45)

____________________________________________________________

Point #1: The world’s view of servant leadership IS NOT Jesus’s definition. (Mark 10:42-43)

Point #2: SERVICE is the measure of Christian  leadership. (Mark 10:43-44)

Point #3: Servant leadership is modeled after JESUS' behavior. (Mark 10:45; John 13:1-15)

____________________________________________________________

Six main points of servant leadership:

1. “Servants lead out of RELATIONSHIPS, not by coercion.”
2. “Servants lead by SUPPORT, not by control.”
3. “Servants lead by DEVELOPING OTHERS, not by doing all the ministry themselves.”
4. “Servants GUIDE people, not drive them.”
5. “Servants LEAD FROM LOVE, not domination."
6. “Servants seek GROWTH, not position.”

____________________________________________________________

Take Home Family Study: Read Mark 9:33-35; Luke 9:11; John13:1-15

Three questions for the believer:

1. What is your motivation in serving?
2. As you look around, what is the need in front of you now?
3. What do you have to give? (Acts 3:6)

Going deeper: Take time to ask yourself and those in your family these questions while pondering the idea of servanthood.

1. Who in your life best reflects Jesus’ servant heart?
2. What Christ-like qualities does he/she exhibit while serving?
3. How has God uniquely gifted you to serve?

This week be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit as He leads you to opportunities of “humble service.”

REGISTER FOR D6 CONFERENCE BY 09/08 AND SAVE!

Come on, let's keep connecting the church and home!

Almost 1,350 people have registered for the D6 Conference , September 23-25, 2009 in Dallas, Texas.  The exciting to thing to know is there are more and more groups registering each day.

To make it as easy as possible on those who missed all of the early bird opportunities, the D6 Conference would like to extend a promotion to everyone who has not yet registered.  This will help you save a little extra. 

In order to take advantage of this offer, do the following:

1. Go to the D6 Conference website (click here)
2. Register by Tuesday, September 8th (click here)
3. Use the discount code SEPTD6 and groups of 2 - 9 will save $25 per person!!! (Individuals will save $30. Groups of 10+ will save $15 per person.)

See you in Dallas!!

SEVEN VIEWS ON APOSTASY FROM HEBREWS 6:1-6

This Sunday's D6 Family Theme is FAITHFULNESS. The text passage of Scripture is Hebrews 6:1-12 from which I will be preaching tomorrow.

I have been mediating on this passage of Scripture all week.  I have spent time praying over it, reading a variety of commentaries on it, wrestling with it, and doing word studies through the passage.  I'm mentally exhausted, but spiritually revived!

Let me explain.  I was raised Southern Baptist, educated at an Independent Baptist College, and ordained a Free Will Baptist.  Twenty years ago when I felt the Lord calling me into ministry I had to make a decision on which denomination I was going to spend the rest of my life serving.  Yes, you guessed it! It all came down to this passage of Scripture and others like it.

Well, I made my choice. I could not reason away what I was discovering in this particular passage, therefore, I identified with the Armenian group, the Free Will Baptist.  And with no regrets I might add!

I was reading this week in the Randall House Commentary by Dr. Stanley Outlaw.  Dr Outlaw shares seven different views on Hebrews 6:1-6:

1. Those described are “professors” of salvation in Christ, but not genuine “possessors” of that salvation.
2. Those described were “regenerate”, but not “elect”.
3. Those described are genuinely saved people who receive a serious warning about apostasy as a preventive measure, but the whole thing is “hypothetical” since believers are eternally secure.
4. Those described are saved people, but the writer is speaking about “loss of rewards” and not “loss of salvation”.
5. The sin of apostasy spoken of here involves a special situation which could not be repeated today.
6. Those described are saved people who are on the verge of apostasy, but even if they proceed into apostasy, they could come back to God, not through any human effort, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Those described are saved people who are seriously backslidden in their spiritual lives, and if they continue to the point of apostasy, they will be eternally lost since they have sinned against the Holy Spirit.

(The seventh view is the one I seem to believe fits the best within the context of the Scripture.  Therefore, this is the view for which I adhere.)

Many have asked me through the years about the "unpardonable sin" the sin of unbelief, the sin against the Holy Spirit.

I believe the sin against the Holy Spirit can be committed by both unsaved people - who constantly and willfully reject the obvious truth of the Gospel, and by saved people who also constantly and willfully turn their back on Christ to the point of final apostasy.

One final thought: You may be wondering if you have committed apostasy.  Well, just the fact you are questioning, pondering, and thinking about your relationship with God is a sure sign you have not committed apostasy.  Once you do, there is no coming back.  Whey? Because those who commit apostasy:

• Have turned off their consciences long enough that they no longer feel guilt.
• No longer feel sorry for their sin — they are enjoying it too much. 
• Have ears that have become dull to the voice of God. 
• Have eyes that have become blind to his goodness and mercy. 
• Have hearts that have become so calloused that they could no longer respond to the love of God.

Apostasy is a willful decision, and a deliberate choice, an abandonment to the things of God which are made with your own conscious.

REGISTER BY TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH FOR REDUCED PRICE!

D6 CONFERENCE - SEPTEMBER 23-25 - DALLAS, TX

Just give a quick reminder that the August 4 price break for the D6 Conference is quickly approaching. If you register on or before next Tuesday (August 4), it will be your last change to SAVE BIG for the D6 Conference.

Don't forget to go and check out the new Main Event speaker topics that have recently been added, as well as the PreCon Lab Schedule, topics, topic descriptions, and bios of the Lab presenters. (Click here for D6 Conference website.)

 

D6 Conference Promo (Long Version) from D6 Conference on Vimeo.

CHECK OUT THIS D6 FAMILY CONFERENCE VIDEO

Victory Church is a D6 Church striving to build D6 Families! Each week at Victory we focus on one D6 Biblical Theme, from the nursery through senior citizens in our D6 Sunday school, to our children's church, our junior and senior high youth meetings, and my sermons each Sunday in our weekly worship service. We are intentional in driving home just ONE Biblical theme each week and getting our families to discuss at home what we are studying at church. It's working at Victory! Check out D6 at Randall House (click here).

Four members of our leadership team at Victory are going to the D6 Conference in Dallas this September.  I encourage you to attend this conference, it will be life changing!  Sign up today! (click here)

D6 FAMILY BIBLICAL THEME - JOY

This week our D6 family biblical theme at Victory Church is "joy."  We are collectively studying together Philippians 4:4-23.  Here is the study outline from the CLEAR curriculum:

1. Rejoice!  It is God's command (Phil. 4:4-5)

2. Rejoice with a transformed attitude (Phil. 4:6-9)

3. Rejoice regardless of the circumstances (Phil. 4:10-14)

4. Rejoice in the rewards of helping others (Phil. 4:15-17)

5. Rejoice!  As you give help to others, God will supply your needs. (Phil. 4:18-23)

FAITH EVANGELISM BEGINS IN TWO DAYS!

The countdown continues...TWO DAYS and counting ...

FAITH Evangelism begins at Victory Church this Sunday, 21 September at 3:00 PM!

FAITH EVANGELISM BEGINS SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER!

The countdown begins!!  Six days and counting ...

FAITH Evangelism begins at Victory Church this Sunday, 21 September at 3:00 PM!

PRACTICE #2: ORGANIZE WITH PURPOSE

After observing churches that have effectively used Sunday school in a strategic way, Ken Hemphill shares with us the top ten practices.  Practice #2: "Organize with Purpose."

As pastors and church leaders, we must organize our Sunday school ministry to accomplish the objectives of leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and building on-mission Christians by...

• Using the concept of age-graded, open Bible study groups as the primary organizing principle for Bible study groups.
• Providing groups for all ages and generations, including preschool, children, youth, young adults, and adults.
• Relying on sound learner:leader ratios proven to be effective for each age in developing the  age-group organizational structures.       

Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments on this subject; and be sure to check back soon as I post the remaining eight practices.

D6 - FAMILY THEME: MISSIONS...WHAT IS A WITNESS?

Our D6 family theme yesterday at Victory Church was "missions".  Every Sunday school class studied the life of the Apostle Paul in Acts 24-26; we then gathered in the auditorium and I shared a message titled: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WITNESS FOR CHRIST?  Below is my sermon outline:

Memory Verse: Acts 24:16 (HCSB) I always do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and men.  

In our Sunday school lesson this week we discovered through the life of Paul that…WHEN GOD CALLS, HE PROVIDES!

1.    God uses unusual circumstances to make missionaries of us. (Acts 24)
2.    Even false accusations may open doors to witness for Christ. (Acts 25)
3.    Your personal testimony is a powerful tool that will create interest in others. (Acts 26)

QUESTION: Have you ever wondered why, when God saved you, he left you on the earth?  If God had wanted to, he could have taken you directly to Heaven the moment you trusted Christ as Savior.  But he didn't, which means that he left you on the earth for a particular purpose. 

William Arnot, a distinguished Scottish pastor in the last century, put the matter this way: "To every true Christian these two things may be said: you have need of Christ and Christ has need of you."  He then adds this thought: "The simple fact that a Christian is on earth and not in heaven, is proof that there is something for him here to do; and if he is not doing it, the neglect shows either that he is not yet a Christian or that he is a Christian who grieves Christ."

Acts 1:8 (HCSB) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Now, when Jesus told this to his followers, do you know where they were?  They were in Jerusalem.  So here's the point.  He is saying:

• Jerusalem: I want you to start at home.  I want you to start with the people closest to you, right there in your own city, your own community.
• Judea/Samaria: That's like the county next door, and Samaritans happen to be different culturally and different racially.  So He said, “I want you to go to people nearby, but they are different from you.”
• Ends of the earth: I want you to go reach everybody else. 

Acts 1:8 emphasizes two things we need to know: 1) The Holy Spirit empowers disciples, and 2) Spirit-filled disciples witness about Jesus around the world.

• Our greatest need today is not for political power but for the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Political power can change leaders but it can't change hearts. 
• Political power can win an election but it can't save a life. 
• Political power can pass righteous laws—or repeal unrighteous ones—but it can't make men righteous. 
• Political power cannot change the way people think because it touches the outside of life. 
• Only the Holy Spirit can change hearts, restore families and save an entire nation from destruction.

Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses."  What did he mean?  In its basic sense it means to declare the truth to another person.  What is a witness?  A witness is somebody who just tells what he knows, and what he has experienced or what has happened to them.

• He doesn't say, “You will be my defense attorney.” 
• He doesn't say, “You will be my prosecutor.” 
• He doesn’t say, “You will be my salesman.” 
• All God wants you to do is He wants you to be a witness. 

1. A WITNESS TELLS WHAT HE KNOWS!

PRACTICE #1: COMMIT TO THE STRATEGY

After observing churches that have effectively used Sunday school in a strategic way, Ken Hemphill shares with us the top ten practices.  Practice #1: "Commit to the Strategy!"

As pastors and church leaders, we must commit to Sunday school as the foundational strategy in our church for doing the work of the Great Commission.

Below are some suggestions:

• We must develop an annual plan that supports the church's thrust to lead people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and build on-mission Christians.
• We must include as key elements of the plan ongoing and short-term open Bible study groups and additional Bible study events, such as Vacation Bible School, that focus on foundational evangelism and foundational discipleship.
• We must provide the best possible financial support to implement the strategic plans.
• We must implement the plan through specific monthly and weekly actions.

Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments on this subject; and be sure to check back soon as I post the remaining nine practices.

10 BEST PRACTICES OF SUNDAY SCHOOL

Over the last year the Lord has really be dealing with me concerning the ministry of Sunday school.  Therefore, at Victory Church we have rediscovered and reimplemented the ministry of Sunday school.  During the next several weeks I will be sharing with you some of the pros and cons of Sunday school.  I am currently reading a book titled Ten Best Practices To Make Your Sunday School Work by Ken Hemphill and Bill Taylor.

In this first post I will introduce you to the the "10 Best Practices of Sunday School" as suggested in the book, then I will share them with you in individual posts.

1. Commit to the Strategy
2. Organize with Purpose
3. Build Kingdom Leaders
4. Develop Soul Winners
5. Win the Lost
6. Assimilate People
7. Partner with Families
8. Teach to Transform
9. Mobilize for Ministry
10. Multiply Leaders and Units

How is Sunday school working for you in your church?  Please feel free to leave your comments, I'm  interested in how things are going in your Sunday school. 

Are you a Sunday school teacher?  If so, please give me some feedback on how Sunday school is working for you!

Are you a student (any age) in Sunday school? If so, please leave your comments as well!

ATTENTION D6 FAMILIES - SIGN UP NOW FOR "SPLINK!"

A Splink is a SIMPLE way to LINK your family together spiritually.

It’s a FREE weekly email packed with ideas to help connect your family. Splinks are creative ways of interacting with your children with family devotional starters and ideas for family time. Splinks can also help you use teachable moments to pass along spiritual truths and life lessons while making memories or just having fun together. No matter where you are, it can always be time for a Splink!

Sign up now to have the weekly Splink emailed straight into your inbox. What are you waiting for? Get Splinking!

HOW GOOD OF A JOB ARE YOU DOING AT KICKING YOUR BALL?

Below is a video I used in our D6 Sunday School Teachers Training Seminar last evening. (It's in Japanese, but I think you will get the point!)

This is an example of how we DO NOT want to kink the ball in our Sunday school ministry. I shared how many churches show up every Sunday and just go through the motions, trying to "kick the ball." I then shared how that is NOT what we desire to do in the one hour we have to impact our student's life with God's Word.

There are many lessons to be seen in this video. Enjoy! Feel free to leave a comment; I'm interested in your thoughts.

VICTORY CHURCH "D6" TRAINING SEMINAR

Last night here at the Victory Church offices we had our first "D6" Sunday school teacher training seminar.  I was very encouraged with the attendance and the training our Sunday school teachers received.

We are strengthening the discipleship ministry here at Victory Church through our Sunday school.  Our goal for discipleship is to create an environment where families can talk about God's Word throughout the week.  In other words, we are strategically building D6 families at Victory!

Watch the video below to get a better understanding of what D6 is all about.

 

BIBLE ZINGERS

Here are several "zingers" about the Bible that I thought you may enjoy!  Let these soak in.

• Not all biblical promises carry an unconditional guarantee.

• God's Word is like a highway sign.  You don't have to pay any attention to it if you don't care what happens to you.
• The value of the Bible is not knowing it, but obeying it.
• Love for the Author of the Bible is the best preparation for the Bible.
• Knowing the Scripture is one thing; knowing the Author is another.
• When you study the Scriptures "hit or miss," you're likely to miss more than you hit.
• A Bible in hand is worth two on the shelf.
• Keep your Bible open and you will not find the door to heaven closed.
• The Bible is a telescope; it is not to look at, but to look through.
• It is good to mark your Bible, but it is better to let your Bible mark you.
• Knowing the Bible is of little benefit unless you practice it.
• Should all the people dust off their Bibles, we would have one of the greatest dust storms of all time.
• The best way for Christians to grow is to eat the Bread of Life. 
• Because there is dust on your Bible does not mean it is dry.
• To master the Bible, the Bible must master you.Knowing the living Word is the key to understanding the written Word.
• The Bible should more than inform us—it should transform us.
• The Bible is not only the world's best-seller—it's man's best buy.
• The Bible was not written to teach science, but the Bible is scientifically correct.
• The Bible is the only book whose Author is always present when it is read.
• Carrying your Bible will never take the place of reading it.The Bible doesn't need to be rewritten—just reread.
• Don't criticize the Bible—let it criticize you!Trying to do away with the truth of the Bible is like trying to mop the ocean dry with a sponge.
• Too many study their neighbor's faults more closely than their Bible.
• The devil is not afraid of a dust-covered Bible.
• Some people have memorized the Scriptures without practicing them.A Bible that has frayed edges usually has an owner that doesn't.The best thing to do with the Bible is to know it in the head, stow it in the heart, sow it in the world, and show it in the life.

COMMITMENT IN DISCIPLESHIP? Uh, yeah!

At Victory last week we studied from Luke 14:25-35 and our bible study theme was "commitment."  It seems to me that in our day there are many people "following" Christ, but I believe few are really committed! 

In our CLEAR curriculum the transition read like this:

"In the context of the selected Scripture we find a multitude of people following Christ.  Most leaders would be greatly satisfied that people were actually following them.  But Jesus is no ordinary leader. He is not interested in fluffy followers or curious crowds.  He wants devoted disciples. What he now declares will certainly clear the crowd."

Listed are the three necessities for committed discipleship:

1. Love the Lord supremely (Luke 14:25-26)
2. Count the costs carefully (Luke 14:27-32)
3. Relinquish your resources sacrificially (Luke 14:33)