Hebrews 12

Laura:
Hebrews 12 is really encouraging. The chapter starts out with, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith". It's saying that it's okay to mess up and fail. God forgives and forgets. Even if sometimes it's hard for us to get over our mistakes, it's comforting knowing that God totally lets you start out with a new slate.

We are supposed to focus on Jesus, and not let anything else get in our way. No matter what we're going through, we can endure through God. Anytime we feel like giving up or losing faith, God can give us strength. The main key is to stay focused on Him, and we can overcome anything.

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." This helps me to not give up. School is hard but when I give my best, the results are good. I just have to make sure I'm always giving my best. And in college, when I start to get overwhelmed with all the work and stress, I'll be able to think of this verse. After our last volleyball game Mr. Moland told us, "Finish what you start. Never give up, never quit, never wimp out. FINISH what you start". I'll keep that in my head throughout life, and I think I see where he got this from - Hebrews 12:11.

Hebrews

Emily:
Hebrews 12 is full of amazing words from God. It reminds us to strip off every weight and keep our eye completely on Jesus while running toward the prize. I love Hebrews 12:2, where it says how Jesus is the initiator of our faith. It says how Christ endured the cross and disregarding its shame. That now he is seated at a place of honor beside God's throne. It reminds us that God is treating us as His own children when He disciplines us and that if He did not discipline us then we would not be His real children. This just reminds us of how much we should submit to God when He disciplines us.
Hebrews 12:14 calls us to live a holy live, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Titus - Philemon

Titus
1. Paul
2. circa 63 AD
3. he is in charge of the church of Crete
4. Crete
5. Titus 2:1 - Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.

Philemon
1. Paul
2. circa 60 AD
3. a Christian slave owner & church leader
4. Philemon's runaway slave that Paul converted to Christianity
5. tells him to take Onesimus back

Emily: In Titus 3, Paul tells us that we must not slander anyone and avoid quarreling. He tells us to show true humilty to everyone. He reminds us that God revealed his kindness and love to us through his son, when he came and washed away our sins. He reminds us about our new life with Jesus Christ. And that he poured out his spirit on us through Jesus. Because of his grace, he declared us righteous and gave us the confidence of salvation.

Laura: Paul tells us to submit to authority. We must show humility. We aren't supposed to judge others. Paul says that no one has the right to cast judgement because we aren't holy either.

What a Christian Looks Like:

Older men - have self control and patience, wise, respected
Older women - don't drink to much or bad mouth people, mentors
Young men - learn fro Titus' example, kind, and helpful
Slaves - try their best to please their masters
Roman citizens - submit to the government and officers, be a light to the Roman empire

1 Thessalonians

What convinced Paul to go to Greece? - a nightime vision
What does Acts 16:9 say? - Come over to Macedonia and help us.
Where was the first European church planted? - Philippi
What's the Egnatian Way? Where does it bring him? - a Roman road to Thessalonica
How many miles does he WALK? - 90
Where is Paul when he gets a report on the church in Thessalonica? - Corinth
What are the "three main questions" of the church? - What should we do about the persecution we're facing? How should Christians behave? When is Jesus coming and what happens to die before then?

How many people lived in Thessalonica? - 100,000
How was Thessalonica a "free city"? - Rome granted it's special privileges
Who was Cassander? - the former general of Alexander the Great and founder of the city
When did Romans capture the city? - 167 BC
What's "Thessaloniki"? - modern day Thessalonica

What does 1 Thess 4:3 say? - God's will is for you to be holy.
What does 1 Thess 5:23-24 say? - Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may you're whole spirit and sould and body be kept blameless until our
Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
What does Matt. 5:48 say? - You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
What is holiness? spiritul maturity, it is a description of our one of a kind God, and it is the goal of all christians.

Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians

Galatians:
Who wrote Galatians?-Paul
Who was it written to?-The church of Galatia
When was it written?-50A.D.
Why does the author write Galatians?-To clear up confusion about christianity
Where is Galatia?-modern day turkey


Ephesians:
Who wrote Ephesians?-Paul
When was it written?-Circa 60A.D.
Who was it written to?-The church of Ephesus
Where is Ephesus? modern day Turkey
What does he write (2 main points)?-to praise them for their solid Christian reputation & to remind them that Jesus is their source of salvation

Philippians:
Who wrote Philippians?-Paul
When was it written?-circa 60 AD
Who was it written to?-Church of Philippi
Where is Philippi?-Greece
What kind of letter is this?-upbeat letter

Ephesians & Philippians

What kind of letter is Ephesians? - upbeat letter
What is Paul's "Main Point"? - to live a life filled with love
Who is this letter from? - Paul

How does Paul say we can gauge the maturity of our faith? - Paul doesn't give us a scale
What's on Paul's List for "keeping us on track"? List them out.
1. stop telling lies
2. don't let anger control you
3. give generously
4. don't use foul or abusive language
5. be kind to each other, tenderhearted, and forgiving
6. stay away from sexual immorality and obscene jokes
7. don't get drunk
8. fill yourself with God's Spirit and sing His praises

If Christians aren't fighting against Romans, who are they fighting against? - the devil
What are the pieces of physical armor Paul is talking about and what is its spiritual equal?
1. belt - truth
2. body armor - God's righteousness
3. shoes - peace
4. shield - faith
5. helmet - salvation
6. the sword - Word of God

Even though Paul was in prison, he was still looking forward to heaven. He was encouraging others to have faith and not give up. If we don't forget the past and realize we're forgiven then we can't grow and move on. We won't be able to adequately "run the race".