Coach Connelly

Monday night the Small Group had a guest speaker.  Brad Connelly, coach of Gibbs High Football, presented a very moving and eye opening talk.  We in the Gibbs community are truly blessed to have such a "Christian Coach" leading our young people.
Basically, he said he ask three questions to his players. 
1.  What is the OBJECT of what you are doing? 
    Are you wanting to play  football or are you wanting to be socially known, or to look big at school, or are   you wanting to please your parents ?   Are you really dedicated to what you are doing?
2.  What is your ROLE?
    Do you want to be the hero?  the quarterback?  running back?  Are you willing to play in the position you are best at, even if its not the spotlight position?
3.  What is your LEGACY?
    How do you want to be remembered?  How will you be remembered? 

Then he uses the same three questions to help them in there daily life and their Christian life.  He wants the players to ask these questions in sports but also in their daily life.  He said his job was there to coach a football team but at the same time to teach young men to live right.  His "paying job" is to coach, his "Christian" job is to mentor.  Coach Connelly believes in and uses prayer.  Praise God.  He believes in setting the example for his team and his assistants as well..  We are very fortunate to have him as both coach and mentor for our young men, and young ladies who see the results. 

NEW BIBLE STUDY STARTING

Make plans to join us every Monday night for Bible study.  we are starting a new Discover Life  study on Jesus. You can click on the Monday Night Bible Study Page for more info on the sessions and Scripture readings for each week. God bless

Monday Night Bible Study

Since we did not get to meet last night, here is a question to ponder for our next meeting.

Why was the sea voyage of Paul to Rome in the Bible? 

Paul is a role model.

We had a lively discussion at the Bible study tonight, but what struck a chord with me was how The Apostle Paul views even the most dire situation. He seems to take every opportunity to witness no matter what is occurring around him. From preaching in Synagogues to testifying to prisoners on a doomed boat.  He never missed a chance to spread the gospel or give glory to God. I really like the way he describes his relationship with God in Acts 27 verse 23. "For this night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me,".  I think this attitude toward who is in charge might help us all with personal struggles we may have.
The study tonight brought to mind five questions that were asked of me recently, I hope you take time to answer them yourself.

1. Do we sometimes make our faith too private?
2. Do our neighbors even know we are Christians? if not, how can we be more faithful as witnesses?
3. Are we diligent in the work of building up Gods kingdom today?
4. Are we showing God's love in ways that open up conversations about our faith and hope in Christ?
5. Are there any ways in which we are being disobedient? if So How???

I think I know how Paul would answer these questions. I know we can't all be like The Apostle Paul, but he sure is a good role model to have. God Bless.

This weeks Bible study continued our look at Paul's ministry.  We discussed his arrest and defense in Jerusalem. We began in ACTS ch. 20-21 as a recap from our last meeting.  It was noted that when Paul reported on his trip and all the great miracles that God worked that he took no credit and gave glory to God. Every town he went to the Holy Spirit had warned him of what would happen. When the Spirit warned him of the bad that would happen to him in Jerusalem it was not to discourage him but to prepare him. We discussed personal experiences of being falsely accused of something, like Paul being accused of bringing a gentile into temple. We discussed how Paul quieted the angry mob then spoke to them in their native Hebrew.  In ACTS 24 we learned of  Paul's captivity and how the Holy Spirit sustained him. In GALATIANS 2, 15-16 and  GALATIANS 3, 26-28 we learned of how we are not saved by works or strict adherence to Jewish Law but by faith  in Jesus Christ. That salvation is not earned but freely given by grace. We are all the same in Christ.

Next week we will discuss Paul's trip to Rome.
God Bless

This Monday instead of small group bible study the CCUMM hosted their families to a screening of  "THE NATIVITY STORY" along with potluck dinner.

Here is the official description of the movie off its web site

In Nazareth, a town oppressed by the devastating taxation practices of King Herod, a teenage girl, Mary, is told by her parents that they have arranged for her to marry Joseph. Distraught by the idea of marrying a man she hardly knows, Mary takes refuge in a grove to collect her thoughts. There, she is visited by an angel, who tells her that she has been chosen by God to bear his son. Despite the public scorn from an unwed pregnancy, together, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem for a census mandated by the King. It is here, with a great celestial event revealing his prophecy, in a history-defining event, that Jesus is born.

It was refreshing to watch a serious movie that attempted to stay true to the Bible. Sometimes I think we see all the media out there in the movie theaters, on T.V., and the radio and we think is there nothing concerning God in our society anymore. But there are a few gems out there to be watched and enriched by. It was nice to see the production value so high on a christian movie and all that attended had a good time. I would encourage all who can to attend any future movie nights we might have. Merry Christmas and God Bless.