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By David Watson

Benchley, January 15, 2012

• Acts 2:22-23 – the plan that God made for our salvation
• Planning is a way to use blessings and fulfill responsibilities wisely.
• I Chronicles 28:10-11; I Corinthians 16:5 – examples of planning
• Matthew 16:26 – Shouldn’t we make plans to take care of our soul?
• Excuses we made for not planning:
• “Planning takes the future for granted.” (James 4:13-15)
• Planning should be done with the right attitude.
• “Planning is not as good as doing.”
• Planning helps us to do well.
• “We need to live by faith.” (II Corinthians 5:6; Romans 1:13)
• Planning does not prevent us from walking by faith.
• What can you start planning?
• Plan to get the most out of Bible classes and sermons. Ezra 7:10; Ezekiel 33:1-4
• Plan to read the Bible. Matthew 19:3-4
• Plan to reach out to someone by the end of April. John 1:29,40-42
• Plan to teach a kids’ Bible class. Ecclesiastes 12:1

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By David Watson

Benchley, January 1, 2012

• Lamentations 3:40
• Have I lived more righteously?
• Romans 6:12-13 – We need to use our bodies in righteous ways to serve God.
• I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22
• Have I gotten better about reading the Bible?
• Luke 10:38-42 – It is important to make God a priority in our lives.
• Bible reading has a long term positive impact on us.
• Deuteronomy 17:18-20 – God’s rules for Bible study for rulers. They were to write their own copy of the law and read it all the days of their lives. This was to help the king fear God and keep him humble.
• Have I increased my prayers?
• Daniel 6:10 – Daniel refused to stop praying, even when the king passed a law against it.
• Romans 12:12; I Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
• James 5:13
• Have I done better in sharing the gospel?
• Mark 12:41-44 – God considers one’s abilities and not just the amount that he serves.
• I Corinthians 3:6 – God causes the growth. We don’t have to do everything ourselves – just what we can!

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, July 24, 2011

• II Timothy 1:5 – Timothy’s faith came from the teaching of his mother and grandmother and from his own study. Like him, we must study to build our own faith.
• II Timothy 1:6 – Timothy had a spiritual gift he had received from Paul.
• I Timothy 4:14 – The gift was through the agency of Paul with the approval of the elders. Some point to these two verses as a contradiction in the Bible, but a study of the original wording clarifies the issue.
• II Timothy 1:8 – We are to be joyful if we must suffer for the gospel.
• II Timothy 1:9 – See Titus 3:5. This is not teaching that obedience is unnecessary as some claim. We must still be obedient, but we can’t be obedient enough to merit our own salvation. We must still rely on God’s grace.
• I Peter 1:20 – Our salvation was planned before creation of the world.
• II Timothy 1:13 – See II Timothy 2:2. Timothy was to hold fast to what he was taught and teach it to others.

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By Garren Stroud

Benchley, March 11, 2011

• “Walk” defined
  • [Peripateo] – physically in the gospels except for Mark 7:5
  • Figuratively, signifying the whole round of activities of life
• Ephesians 2:2; 4:17
  • The condition of those outside of Christ based on their “walk”
    • Ephesians 2:1 – dead
    • Ephesians 2:3 – fulfilling own desire
    • I John 2:16 – Describes the “course” of Ephesians 2:2
  • To “walk” as others shows a self-determination
    • Proverbs 16:25 – There’s a way that seems right.
    • Judges 17:6; 21:25 – We are not to make our own decisions.
    • Matthew 15:9 – Not following doctrines of men.
    • Is our “walk” in accordance with God’s will, or our self-imposed righteousness?
    • Are you “walking” in hopelessness?
• Ephesians 2:10; 4:1
  • The condition of those who have made a change in their “walk” unto that ordained, and worthy.
    • Ephesians 2:8-9 – God’s grace recognized, and their own lack of power recognized.
    • II Corinthians 5:17 – Have become a new creation in Christ
    • Philippians 3:14 – And as Paul, have a new focus
    • I John 4:5 – Not as the world, but called out of the world.
    • Is your “walk” one that looks like the world, or is it distinct?
      • Galatians 5:19-23 – Works of the flesh vs. works of the spirit
    • Are we worthy to be called a Christian?
• Ephesians 5:2,8
  • The “walk” above the baseness of life, as children of light
    • Romans 12:1-2 – As Christ gave, we are to give – our time, resources, and love.
    • Galatians 2:20 – Christ lives in the actions of His children
    • Colossians 1:27 – They show forth the hope of glory
    • Matthew 13:10-17 – They have the light – God’s word
    • Do we show forth our light?
• Ephesians 5:15-16
  • We are to walk circumspectly – [akribos] – accurately
    • Colossians 3:17 – In accordance with God’s will
    • II Timothy 2:15 – Handling aright the word
    • Colossians 3:5-10 – Making proper application in life
  • We are to walk in wisdom, not as fools – [asophos] – unwise
    • I Peter 3:15 – Making preparation for the now
    • II Peter 3:10-14 – Making preparation for the future
• How is your “walk”?
  • Each day leads us closer to eternity.
  • Each day places us closer or further from God.
  • Each day we make a decision.
  • What “walk” will you take?

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By Ron Treat

Benchley, January 16, 2011

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By David Watson

Benchley, January 2, 2011

• Lamentations 3:40
• Have I lived more righteously?
  • Romans 6:12 – Our bodies are not to be used unrighteously.
  • I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22 – Pursue righteousness.
• Have I gotten better about reading the Bible?
  • Luke 10:38-42 – God must be our priority.
  • Deuteronomy 17:18-20 – The king was to read God’s law every day.
• Have I increased my prayers?
  • Daniel 6:10 – Daniel refuses to stop praying.
  • Romans 12:12-13; James 5:13-16 – We are commanded to pray.
• Have I done better in sharing the gospel?
  • Mark 12:41-44 – The widow contributing to the treasury.
  • I Corinthians 3:6

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By Jesse Jenkins

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By Caleb Westbrook

Benchley, June 27, 2010