The Series Before the Series - Week One

Pastor Matt Miller taught us about Bridging the Gap this past weekend. How much do we really care about the people in our lives? Here is this week's iMAX (I MAXimize the message) for your group discussion...

Read Ezekial 22:30-31 Bridging the Gap
Think about who/what bridged the gap between you and the Cross. Where do you think you would be if that had not happened? Discuss.

There are three general reasons that the gap exists for people:

• They do not know - can you think of some examples of this?
• They do not understand - how can we help them understand?
• They do not care - is it possible to "make" people care?

We feel comfortable staying close to the Cross, in our own safety zone. It can be scary to step out to bridge the gap. "It is hard to put caring into action." but, is our fear or discomfort a good excuse for not helping a lost soul?

If someone was about to get hit by a speeding truck, what would you do? If no one ever bridges the gap for the lost, waht will happen to them? Discuss.

We have many resources you can use to draw people to God [via Flamingo]

• Business cards
• TV broadcast - in South Florida Sundays at 10:30 am, FOX Channel 7
• Website - www.flamingoroadchurch.com
• Evite (through website)
• Talk about the worship team, pastors, ministries

Connect Group Challenge - This week, name 5 people in your sphere of influence who either don't know God, or need to get closer to Him. Pray for opportunities and courage, and invite them to Flamingo Road Church. Bridge the Gap!

To be a kid again...

I look at this picture & cant help but think or wish sometimes "that I could be a kid again". What I would give to see the world through their eyes...

Everything is an adventure...

A friend is anyone that will play with you...

Giggling is a form of Art & expression...

There isnt anything you couldnt do...

You believe the best in people...

You keep no one out ("gate-ology") & let everyone in...

You believe everything is possible!!!

We were reminded this weekend to hold on to our "child-like" faith with all that we are. The kind of faith that carelessly, recklessly, whole-heartedly believes so much in God & in His unfailing promises that you blindly surrender, fall-back into His arms without any reservations. Praying that kind of child-like faith in me & in my arrows all the days of my life.

DREAMS

This is what I face every day when I sit at my desk...

the letters D R E A M sit right in front of me.

I am a HUGE "dreamer"!  Believe in Dreaming Big with all that I am since I was a little girl...

When I look at my list of DREAMS, many have come to fruition...so many it blows my mind!  Yet there are still some DREAMS that I ponder...some that scare me...some that excite me.  Some that I think HOW will that come true?!  

But I believe with ALL that I am, that God is the one that puts those DREAMS in us, that they WILL come to fruition if you HONOR & OBEY God first in everything (stay under the umbrella) & if you remain faithful to His calling on your life.  

Life is about reaching His plan for our lives, submitting to HIS heart, HIStory. DREAMING big for & WITH HIM.

The Best Part of the Journey

This is the Life & Leadership weekly email from Pastor Troy Gramling.

I remember a couple of years ago, on a particular weekend, I had a hard time catching my breath. It could have been the weather change or the chili I ate the night before. Either way, due to heart disease and stents in my heart, when coupled with chest pain, you start wondering if it's the "Big One." What if that weekend had been my last opportunity to proclaim the Good News? That simple thought brought a flood of emotion because my favorite part of teaching is your response to God's word. It's your transformation when the light bulb turns on. For me, teaching doesn't start with an idea that I have, but with the questions you have. My responsibility is to walk through the Bible with you to find the answer... and the best part of the journey is YOU.
Obviously, that weekend was NOT my last weekend to teach, but it did serve as a reminder of the power of God's word and the reason I love to teach. This week, look inside yourself and identify the best part of being who God created you to be!

The Aphrodisiacs: Tempted - Week Two

Tempted is our new series dealing with how to have a fulfilling sex life, and how to avoid the traps that lead to bad choices about sexuality. This is Week Two.

Read Matthew 4:3-7, Ephesians 4:26&29, and Proverbs 25:11

• The devil wants to tempt you to stay at surface level with communication. Pastor Brian said, "A satisfying sex life starts with good communication." Discuss.
• Can you trust that people always say what they mean? What is an example of a spouse not saying what they mean? How might this affect the couple's sex life?
• What are some non-verbal forms of communication?
• Can something the husband or wife does in the morning have an effect on their intimacy at night?
• Timing (knowing when to bring something up), tone (think about how they will receive it), and temperature (it it gets too hot, cool it... if it's been cold for a while, heat it up) are all crucial in communication. In light of Pastor Brian's message, give some practical examples of how this is true.

The Aphrodisiacs:
Read James 1:19, 1 Peter 3:7b, Genesis 2:24, and Ephesians 4:31-32. Discuss each of the items below. How can they contribute to emotional and physical intimacy?

• Actively LISTEN
• Intentionally LEARN
• Remember your LINK
• Passionately LOVE

Connect Group Challenge - this week, focus on really listening to other people, intentionally trying to understand what they are saying (or not saying) both in their words and body language.

Apologetics Class starts next week at FLAMINGO!

Do you have an answer for people who talk to you about other religions? Do you feel "stumped" when people ask you questions about your faith? Are you intimidated by discussions about whether or not the Bible is true?

So are most people! This is why we are offering the next class in the Seminary Gear. The textbook is When God Goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics, by Paul Copan.

"Apologetics" seems like a big word, but it simply means learning to articulate what you believe, and give a strong explanation of your faith. It doesn't mean to apologize!

Please don’t be intimidated. Dr. Lema has tons of grace for people who feel inadequate with all of this. As an example: in our last class, in an exercise we used Viva La Vida, by Coldplay as our text! Dr. Lema has a direct and easy to understand teaching style, and is super approachable. The classes are relaxed, and you can feel free to ask questions. If you are serious about ministry, and don’t want to get left behind, this class is for you. There is a good buzz around this class, and we are excited.

Please consider taking the time to participate in this class, and encourage your team members to do so. It is only five weeks long, on Thursday evenings at the Cooper City campus. Cost is $90 (with a $25 registration fee if you did not take the summer class).

Please email questions to Janis Whipple, who is coordinating the class, at jwhi954@aol.com.

Thank you for thinking about this! And if you have any questions please contact Barby Ward at ext 220 or at barby.ward@flamingoroad.org

Tempted - Sex, Lies & Adultery

This week's iMAX (weekend discussion guide) comes with a PG-13 warning! Tempted is our new series dealing with how to have a fulfilling sex life, and how to avoid the traps that lead to bad choices about sexuality. This is Week One.

Read Matthew 26:41; I Corinthians 10:13; Matthew 4:1-4

• The temptation Jesus faced was to satisfy normal desires, but at the wrong time in the wrong way. Have you faced similar situations?
• Pastor Troy said, "Life is about more than two naked bodies, techniques or an orgasm." Discuss.

Celebrate Our Love - Read I Corinthians 6:16-17; John 8:10-11

• "For sex to be fulfilling it has to have: Purpose, meaning and commitment. Outside of marriage, it becomes a competition." What does this mean?
• What are some physical consequences of being sexually active outside of the marriage relationship?
• What are some mental consequences of being sexually active outside of the marriage relationship?
• What are some spiritual consequences of being sexually active outside of the marriage relationship/
• In the light of John 8:10-11, what hope can you give to a person who has been involved in this way, and now wants to change?

Capture Your Mind - Read Matthew 5:27-29; Romans 8:5-7

• Some people feel that, if thinking it is the same as doing it, they might as well do it. Pastor Troy said, "It is the same betrayal, but not the same consequences, because of the number of people involved." Discuss.
• "If you feed your lust, it will grow into a monster. Lust is the ultimate act of selfishness." Discuss.

Cherish Their Body - Read I Corinthians 7:3-5; Ephesians 5:25-28

• Do people ever use sex as a weapon or bargaining tool? Is this wrong? Is it ever okay? Why or why not?
• In light of the scripture in Ephesians 5, how is the marital relationship meant to parallel/mirror our relationship with God? What does it say about how God "feels" about us?
• Is it possible for married couples to continue to have a sexually fulfilling relationship throughout the lifetime of their marriage?

Connect Group Challenge - How can the Church help single people to deal with this issue? What encouragement can you give to the singles in your life? If you are a single Christ follower, how can you encourage other singles?