Doctrine:rooted part 2

Well in the mean time while I am waiting for my stove to come in I thought I would bring in some thoughts on true discipleship...

doc·trine
doc·trine [dóktrin]
(plural doc·trines)
n
What isa doctrine?
1. rule or principle: a rule or principle that forms the basis of a belief, theory, or policy
2. ideas taught as truth: a body of ideas, particularly in religion, taught to people as truthful or correct
As a Christian, why do you think that it is important to study the doctrine of our faith? (write down your answer)

Reasons why we should study doctrine
· Lack of theological conviction
· In days gone by, many believers were persecuted or burned at the stake because of their doctrinal convictions. People believed that one’s relationship with God was more important than all other considerations.
· Today many believers are so shallow in their convictions that as God’s sheep, they cant tell the difference between grass and Astroturf!
· Lack of Biblical Knowledge
· Today many Christians in America would rather be tolerant than have truth. Biblical and theological Accuracy are things that are left to scholars. This was not true in the past. Actually this is a new concept.
Biblical illiteracy is rampant
1. Half of Americans can’t name the first book of the Bible.
2. Only 1/3 know who delivered the Sermon on the Mount
3. 75% do not know what is celebrated at Easter.
4. 6 out of 10 can’t name half of the Ten Commandments
5. 12% of Christians think Noah’s Wife was Joan of Arc
6. 64% of Christians don’t read the Bible because they are too Busy
The Bible is the best-selling, least read and least understand book.
What does the word say????????????
Discussion
Colossians 2.6-8 (6) Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, (7) rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (8) See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

( The outline is given to help you understand the scripture. Use it if you want, or make up your own)
A Charge to Know the Truth
I. Walk in Christ (vs6)
a. Live (everything)
b. Life (found)
II. Root your Mind (vs7)
a. Word
b. Prayer
III. Protect your Life (vs8)
a. Knowing the truth
b. Knowing the lies

The following Questions are to help aply the scripture to your life.
Discussion Questions-
I. Walk in Christ (vs6)
What are ways we walk in Christ?
Is this something you think your generation does well?
II. Root your Mind (vs7)
How can we be rooted in the faith?
Why is this important?
III. Protect your Life (vs8)
How can Knowing the truth protect us?
Do you think that knowing the lies can help a Christian stay protected?
(Give examples of when the truth is needed and important, use personal examples if you want)

Wood Heat!

So....in these trying times my wife and I have decided to try and save some money by adding another source of heat to our house. We currently have propane. The cost of propane is a record highs and is very trying on our budget. Since our house has an old buck stove that is unusable due to a crack in the firebox and bad ventilation in the chimney. We have decided to replace the wood stove and repair the chimney. Wood heat is cheap and very effective. We have obtained two chain saws to cut the wood provided by the wind on my papaw's farm. We will be documenting this process on this blog as well as other happenings on the mountain.

here is a picture of Emma with Poppa's cows

Rooted

Well its been a while since my last post...I have been going through the book of Colossians in my personal devotion time. Through this study I have seen how important it is to have your mind founded in the truth of the Gospel. Now this is not a prosperity Gospel or another fales beleif. This Gospel produces joy, love, love, disicpline, sacrafice, holiness. There is a battle of the mind going on in our world today. Even the church has been under attack. The emmergant church and the seeker sensitve movement are all signs of the war that is being waged in the church of Chirst. The world has influenced the chruch in ways it has never been before. Now this influence is not nessessarly a physical one or one of preference. This influence is a doctrinal issue. Mnay Churches have chosen to be abiguous on such issues as; inerency of scripture, holiness, depravity of man, and supremacy of Christ. We must know the truth. There are absolutes. When will we stop being influencd!!!!! One drop of sewage defiles the hole bottle of water.

Colossae was a region that was under may influences. It truly could be compared to the state of our world in which we live. The Colossians were under the influence. Paul had set his mind on making sure these people of Colossae understood they needed to have their minds rooted in the Lord.
In this lesson we will talk about influence.
The Colossians were under heavy influence. This can be seen when you get the Back ground of the region of Colossae. By understanding these characters in which Paul addressed we can get an idea of the Influence the Colossians were under.
Under the Influence: Introduction to Colossians
I. False Prophets/ Doctrines
a. Holiness
b. Christ
The Colossians were under many types of influence. One reason is because of the false prophets and the doctrines that they were speaking. The prophets had false ideas concerning holiness. In your opinion what does holiness mean to you? They also taught a wrong doctrine concerning Christ. Paul pays much attention in the letter to the Colossians to the Lordship of Christ. Why do you think that having the wrong view of Christ could lead you down the wrong road?
II. Ignorant believers
a. Prejudices
b. Unlearned of Holy Spirit and the Things of Christ
Some of the believers at Colossae were very young in the faith, many held on to the old Jewish laws of eating and drinking. These believers did not understand the ways of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Tradition was more important to these people than the things of Christ. First of all can someone describe tradition? Tradition is okay, when put before Christ it becomes legalism. How can tradition get in our way as believers?
III. Arrogant Philosophers
a. Greece (pagan, and humanistic)
b. Orient (new age)
Finally the most dangerous influencers of the Colossians were the arrogant philosophers. The men and women ranged in scale from free thinkers to non-thinkers. Greece was a hot bed for pagan thought and practice. Many Greeks had their own personal gods that portrayed a lifestyle the particular person adhered to. For example most warriors worshiped the god Hermes. Hermes was the god of war. This posed a great problem to the Colossians. Also there were many free thinkers, whose thought where surrounded in humanism. Humanism puts man and his happiness above all things, as the center of the universe. In God’s eyes this is idolatry. There were also influences from the eastern religions and philosophies. Which New Age comes from. This is religions like Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many others. This is also where Gnosticism and Agnostics come from. Now we could study these religion and philosophies forever. To simplify their falsehood comes from the placement of Christ. He is not considered Lord and King in any of these beliefs. Ask—How do you think these beliefs could influence a young believer? What kind of dangers do these beliefs bring in today’s world?