The Gospel of John: John 4

This coming Sunday we are going to be studying through John chapter 4, and Pastor Chris is going to be leading us through it. To prepare you all, he has posted a few discussion questions on the church blog to kind of wet your appetite for this remarkable passage of Scripture. 

Here's the link: Living Water

Anyhow make sure to be there at 10:45 this Sunday for an exciting study. I look forward to seeing you there. 

God bless, 

Casey D. 

The Gospel of John: John 2:13-3:36

As some of you know, we are going through the gospel of John this summer as a group. This next Sunday we focus on John 2:13-3:36, which is an exciting passage, filled with both theological concepts and deeply practical realities.
So, if you want to prepare for this coming Sunday, here's a couple things you could do:

1. Read the section: Go through it slowly. Observing repeated and emphasized words really helps you understand what the author was trying to say, along with recognizing linking phrases such as "therefore," "but," "so that," "because," and (you guessed it) "and." As you read, pray that the Holy Spirit would open your eyes to the meaning of the passage. Write down your observations and bring them to the group on Sunday. 
2. After you have read the passage,think about some of these questions: 
1. Jesus' spiritual metaphors are often misunderstood. The Jewish officials do not understand his usage of "temple" (2:18-22)and Nicodemus cannot understand how someone could possibly be born twice (3:1-8). Why do you think Jesus used metaphors to convey spiritual truth? What possibilities do metaphors provide when trying to communicate spiritual truth? What hinders people from understanding them?
2. Jesus emphasized the necessity of the new birth (3:1-8), something called "regeneration." How might you define regeneration biblically? How does one become "born again?"   
3. A large portion of this section deals with the reasons for not believing in Jesus and the consequences of that unbelief. From 3:16-21 and 3:31-36, what are the reasons John gives for refusal to receive Jesus for who he is? How do you see these reasons in unbelievers you know? What are the consequences of unbelief?

I hope you are excited for this study, and I look forward to studying the Gospel of John with you this summer

God bless, 
Casey D.

A 20Somethings blog!

I don't know about you, but I like getting to know people. I like to learn about their lives, their interests, what they do for fun, what their favorite foods are, and so on. For me, someone new to both the "20somethings" no-man's-land (where your an adult... but not really), and Faith Bible Church, getting to know people is a big priority.  

So you can imagine how excited I was when I learned that there was actually a group designed for the very purpose of getting to know other 20somethings! I jumped in, and found it to be a friendly, God-centered group of people who's purpose is to follow Jesus together. 

Okay, so where does this blog fit into that purpose? 

Well, we want to get to know you, and a good way to do that is to connect with you. That's what this blog is for, to be a posting area where we can connect; a place to talk about Bible studies, to discuss possible future  events and post pictures of past ones, and whatever else you can think of related to being a "20something"(have I used that word enough yet?). That's what this blog is for. 

I hope, then, that you will find it to your benefit to do what I did; jump in the group, get to know the people, and I guarantee you won't regret it. And I hope this blog can help you do just that. 

"that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine." 
Romans 1:12 ESV.
God bless, 
Casey D. 
(p.s., nineteen-year-old's are welcome too!)