Week 2: Sunday Welcome

Welcome to Week Two of the Foundation course!

This week is all about developing a healthy and holy mindset. This is the hub for your member-only material. A new blog, podcast, quote, Bible verse, or YouTube video will be posted here every day, all week long – SWEET!

We encourage you to comment, share stories, make friendships, and ask for prayer or encouragement when needed. Ignite is a community that cheers on and lifts up others. So let’s grow together; in community. 

Question: What day are you looking forward to the most?
 

Week 1: Friday Verse

So, what does James 5:16 mean?

In this verse, James reminds us that mutual confession and prayer can bring healing, both physically and spiritually. It can also set us free from the heavy burdens that are weighing on our hearts.

Question: Why do you think prayer is so important?

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Week 1: Thursday Verse

So, what does Romans 8:18 mean?

Paul was the man who wrote the book of Romans. He was very familiar with pain and hardships, yet he still considered that the future glory outweighed his present sufferings. We live in a world that has suffering, trials, heartache, and problems. But God is bigger than any situation, broken heart, or outcome.
 
Question: What does this verse mean to you, or how does it speak to you?
 

Week 1: Wednesday Comparing Faith

Comparing Faith 

I used to be guilty of comparing my faith to others’. And these are statements I used to let rule my life:

  1. She is a better Christian than I am.
  2. She knows more worship songs than I do.
  3. That person is better at praying out loud.
  4. They have more verses memorized than me.

I used to be the queen of comparison when it came to faith. I followed and looked up to so many women that had hearts similar to Jesus. So, I would sometimes not share my faith because I was one-third of their age and wasn’t as experienced or educated as they were.

I saw women pray without stumbling over their words and sing praise songs with their hands held high. Women who walked boldly in faith and spoke gracefully in truth. Every time I saw these things, it left me feeling like my faith wasn’t as good as theirs. I felt like I needed to have perfect faith before I could share mine with others.

I got so caught up in the exteriors and appearances of what “perfect faith” should look like that I missed opportunities to lead others to the cross.

Looking Back

I wish I could go back and tell myself that Jesus didn’t come to make perfect Christians. He came to make disciples.

If we continue to believe the lie that we are not good enough to share God’s love, then what will make us good enough? Memorizing more Bible verses? Having perfect church attendance? Knowing exactly what to pray for?

Our job as Christians isn’t to look perfect. Our job is to lead others towards God’s perfect love.

My prayer is that you walk away from this course confident in your faith and who God created you to be. But, in order to do that, you first have to take yourself out of the race. The race of being the best, most confident, and put-together Christian because Jesus already won that race. This is your relationship with God. You and Jesus.

God has you on the path you are on for a purpose. He has a specific plan and process for your life that only YOU can thrive in! Quit comparing your faith and walk in it at your own pace, as your unique and beautiful self.

 

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Week 1: Wednesday Verse

So, what does 1 John 4: 7-8 mean?

Did you know there are four different kinds of love in the Bible? 
  1. Torge: love between family members
  2. Philia: love between friends
  3. Eros: love between couples
  4. Agape: love of God for humankind
The love that John talks about in this verse comes from the ancient Greek word agape; love that gives without demanding or expecting re-payment. Agape is the God-kind of love.
 
We love one another because we are loved by God and have received that love. If we want to love one another more, we need to draw closer to God.
 
Question: What are ways you can draw closer to God?
 

Week 1: Tuesday Quote

So, who is John Piper?

John Stephen Piper was a theologian, pastor, and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota! John originally went to school for pre-med but decided to go into ministry after being critically ill and listening to sermons on a radio from his hospital room! He then completed a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California (Wikipedia).

Challenge: Share this quote on your social media, or with a friend! 

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John Piper