Beginning this Thursday, September 1, we'll begin a new Bible study based on Francis Chan's book, "Crazy Love." Each week I'll be posting a short video and we'll discuss that week's chapter. Although the book is not required, here's a link if you're interested in purchasing it. Join us each week at Starbucks (629 Blanding Blvd.) at 7pm. If you have any questions, contact me (X-trials@BrianBorden.com).
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Crazy Love - New Bible Study Begins Next Week
Monday, August 23, 2010
New X-trials Bible Study on the Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation.
Its Greek title "Apocalypsis" is a word meaning an "unveiling" or "uncovering" of future events or hidden mysteries of God.
Join us each Thursday as we uncover Revelation together. We will see a frightening preview of what awaits our world, as well as an amazing glimpse of heaven and the glory that awaits Christ's followers.
Beginning September 2, 2010
@Starbucks
629 Blanding Blvd in Orange Park
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Truth Project - Unio Mystica: Am I Alone
Lesson 8 takes us for a tour of the social sphere that Dr. Tackett characterizes as the heart and soul of Christianity: the Mystical Union (Latin, Unio Mystica) between God and man. Here, in the most intimate and profoundly mysterious sphere of the “Intimate Three” (family, church, and the God-man relationship), we have the privilege of pondering exactly what it is that Christ has purchased for us at the price of His precious blood shed on the cross for our sins: not simply salvation from hell, but an invitation into the Godhead itself, where we may experience the incomprehensible wonder of oneness with the Creator of the universe.
In our discussion of the family, we saw that the apostle Paul
likens the bond between Christ and the church to the oneness shared between husband and wife (Ephesians 5:31-32). This oneness, he concludes, is a “profound mystery” –a concept that is difficult to fully grasp. On this tour, we proceed to examine an even deeper and more mysterious aspect of this bond: namely, that it is experienced not only within marriage and the corporate context of the body of Christ, but also on an intimate, personal level by the individual believer. This, says Dr. Tackett, is the greatest of all the wonders we will contemplate during the course of our study: that the God of the universe has come to make His dwelling both with us and in us.
Dr. Tackett marshals an impressive array of scriptural passages and biblical images to illustrate both facets of this glorious truth. On the corporate side, he draws our attention to Jesus’ discourse on the vine and the branches and the importance of “abiding” in Him (John 15:5); the high priestly prayer of John 17, in which Christ speaks again and again of the oneness shared between the Father, the Son, and the body of believers (“I in them and You in Me”); the several passages in which Paul emphasizes the importance of unity in the church and the mutual edification of the various members of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 2:19-22, 4:11-16; Galatians 3:28-29); and the many “one another” commandments with which Jesus and the apostles set forth their vision for our common life as Christians, including John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:16, and 1 Peter 1:22. On the personal, individual side, he cites Jesus’ statement to Nicodemus about being “born again” (John 3:7); His promise of the indwelling Spirit (John 14:16-17); Paul’s declaration that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17); and the apostle’s astounding claim that “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). In connection with this discussion, Dr. Tackett points out that we must be careful not to “blur the spheres” by applying the unique and particular social laws of one realm to another realm – for example, by assuming that we can meet our need for Christian fellowship by worshiping God individually, or that we can enter into the wonder of the Unio Mystica simply by attending services at the local church.
As in all of the social spheres, there is potential here for the emergence of dysfunctions and pathologies as the effects of the Cosmic Battle make themselves felt at the very core of man’s relationship with God. Interestingly enough, marital imagery arises again in this connection: the Lord warns His people many times in Scripture against the danger of “prostituting” themselves or “going a-whoring” after other gods and idols (see Numbers 15:38-39). Just as spouses are to seek fulfillment of the sexual drive exclusively within the bonds of the marriage covenant, so we as believers are to confine our quest for significance to the covenant relationship with the Creator. For it is this powerful human hunger for significance, says Dr. Tackett, when directed outside of God’s covenant relationships, that constitutes the single most formidable barrier to intimacy, communion, and oneness. All too often, we forsake the Lord and cut ourselves off from others in attempt to puff up our own sense of self-importance.
Especially important to the overall message of this lesson is the idea that oneness with God represents the heart of the Christian Gospel; in other words, that Christianity is not primarily a moral, philosophical, or religious system, but rather a deep, intimate, and living relationship with a personal Creator. This, to return to a point made in Lesson 4, is the essence of “eternal life” – i.e., knowing God just as intimately as Adam knew Eve. It is important to help students come to the place where they can not only begin to understand this concept rationally – something we can never fully achieve – but also feel the wonder of it in a profoundly affecting way. This is the point at which the transformational aspect of this tour will come home to participants most tellingly. Some students may also need to wrestle with the implications of Dr. Tackett’s warning about the danger of “blurring the spheres.”
Here is a preview of this weeks lesson:
You can watch the complete lesson here. Contact me (X-trials@BrianBorden.com) if you still need a Username and Password.
See you Thursday!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
X-Trials Bible Study at Starbucks
Thanks to Eddie for giving us an update on his China Mission trip. It was great hearing it. I think there may be an opportunity for a Small Group Study on applying Global Mission lessons at the Local Community level. Why is it sometimes easier to witness to a stranger in China than it is to go someplace local and witness to a stranger?
Since we didn't finish Lesson 7 of The Truth Project, we'll pick up where we left off and finish it this Thursday. Lesson 8 will start the following Thursday.
We ended the discussion this week on the Westminster Confession of 1646 (Dr. Tackett referenced this Confessions definition of the Trinity.) I encouraged everyone to read it or any of the several Confessions available and then begin working on your own personal Confession along with the Scriptual Proofs. It doesn't have to start off as some long, 40 page Confession. Just write
down what you believe and the Biblical Proofs. In the future, as you Biblically prove a belief, add it to your Confession. Feel free to discuss your Confession with others. In fact, I would encourage you to discuss it with others. Just remember that this is YOUR personal Confession so only add what you have proven for yourself.
Here are two well-known confessions and the latest Southern Baptist Statement:
Westminster Confession of Faith with Scriptural verses (PDF)
Westminster Confession of Faith with Full Scriptural Proofs (PDF)
Baptist Confession of Faith with Scriptural verses (1689) (PDF)
Baptist Faith and Message (2000) (PDF)
They are in PDF format. Let me know (X-trials@BrianBorden.com) if you would prefer them in another format.
There are others available as well. I'm including these as templates or guidelines if you need them. Yours can be a lot like them or nothing like them, as long as it is yours.
Good luck and God bless.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Truth Project - Sociology:The Divine Imprint
During the course of Tour 5 we took a good look at a few of the miraculous ways in which the physical universe declares the glory of its Maker. Now we turn south to consider some of the amazingly detailed reflections of God’s nature inherent in the social order. According to Dr. Tackett, the evidences of the divine imprint that we see in this realm are even more awe-inspiring and more indicative of the heart of the Creator than the marvels of DNA replication or the complexities of the blood-clotting system. But for this very reason they also stand closer to the focal point of the Cosmic Battle.
We begin where we left off in Tour 5: with the voice of nature making loud and unmistakable statements about the nature and character of God. “Ask the animals, and they will teach you,” says Job, “and the birds of the air, and they will tell you” (Job 12:7, 8). In this case, order is one of the overwhelming messages with which creation bombards us. From the atom to the solar system, from photosynthesis to the cleansing tides, from the human body to the design of a chicken egg – everywhere we look we see obvious indications of purposeful design in the things God has made. This, of course, is a serious problem for those who argue that the universe is the product of “random, mindless forces.”
The same element of order is apparent in the social systems God has instituted. Dr. Tackett lays out six that he see in Scripture: family, labor, church, state, community, and the relationship between man and his Maker. But the order we detect in this area is not simply an expression of the Lord’s creative design. Instead, it flows out of His very nature. It is a reflection of who He is. As Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Triune God embodies in Himself the ultimate resolution of the old philosophical problem of “the one and the many.” He exemplifies diversity within unity and the answer to why it is “not good for man to be alone” is bound up in the Triune Essence. Relationship, union, communion, intimacy, fellowship, love, and community – these things have existed from all eternity within the economy of the Godhead. Accordingly, they serve as the basis for the smooth and ordered functioning of creation. It is for this very reason, Dr. Tackett argues, that basic social institutions such as marriage, family, and church have come under such heavy attack in our day: just as the world, the flesh, and the devil hate the Creator with a fervent and undying hatred, so they inevitably stand opposed to the social order that bears the imprint of His divine nature.
As this tour unfolds, the principles of order and relationship will be examined specifically as we find them manifested in three of the social systems designed by God: the family, the church, and the union between God and man (“The Intimate Three”). During the course of this discussion, Dr. Tackett will explain how the threefold Trinitarian pattern is reflected in and fundamental to
the internal functioning of each of these spheres. Special attention will be given to the subject of the family and some of the pathologies associated with disregard for the divine plan in this crucial area of human life.
Statements from video interviewees poignantly highlight the pain, confusion, and deep emotional reactions connected with almost any examination of family life and family-related issues. Similar emotions are almost certain to arise during group discussion. The video segments also present a broad range of popular definitions of “family,” a subject that has the potential to stir up equally diversified reactions from group participants. In addition, Dr. Tackett and his students fearlessly broach the often troublesome topic of authority and submission within the context of marriage, the church, and other aspects of God’s social design.
Here is a preview of this weeks lesson:
You can watch the complete lesson here. Contact me (X-trials@BrianBorden.com) if you still need a Username and Password.
See you Thursday!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Who's Your Daddy? Prophecies of His Ancestry
This Thursday's X-trials class is on the Genealogy of Jesus and how it applies to Messianic prophecies. I know what you're thinking, "We normally just skip over those long, boring genealogies in the Bible and now you are going to devote an entire class to studying one? BORING!" But when are the X-trials ever boring? Besides, the one we are studying is a very special one. It's the genealogy of Jesus and did I say one genealogy? There are actually two, one by Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17) and the other by Luke (Luke 3:23-38).
So why two lists? That's a question many have asked with skeptics asserting that there are contradictions in them that cannot be reconciled. Then there is the reason of showing Christ's decent through David from Abraham and Adam set forth in an unbroken line in both genealogies. And how does this all tie in to Messianic prophecy?
Join us Thursday night at 7pm as we explore this matter...it won' be boring, I promise!
Brian
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Prophecies of His Preexistence
This weeks Starbucks Bible Study Topic: Prophecies of His Preexistence
What is Messianic prophecy and why do we need to study it?
Our first class will concentrate on the prophecies of Jesus' preexistence.
Was the Son of God born? Or has He always been? Does it even matter?
We will look at Jesus' own words for guidence.
See www.X-trials.com for more info on the class.
Monday, September 22, 2008
New Bible Study Starting September 25th
The X-Trials Bible Study Group will begin a new Bible study on Thursday, September 25, 2009 at 7pm; we'll be meeting at Starbucks as usual. Don't let the start date scare you off. You can join at anytime!
We've just completed a look at several key figures in the Old Testament which was great! Thank you to everyone. We had some great discussions. I know that I learned a lot. This Fall we are going to be looking at the Messianic Prophecies and how Jesus fulfilled them. We'll be using the book "All the Messianic Prophecies of the Bible" by Herbert Lockyer. We’ll cover how the different prophecies accurately foretell of the coming of Christ including His ancestry, birth, character, and His death and resurrection.
As always, this course is designed to be a "come when you can" class. In other words, each week we cover something different so if you can't make a week...show up for the next one! We welcome everyone. It is a discussion oriented class but if you want to come and listen only...feel free.
Join us for a cup of coffee and a night of fellowship!
See you there,
Brian Borden
Monday, May 12, 2008
New X-trials Bible Study
OK, its time for a new Bible Study and I'm really excited about this one. Starting May 22, 2008 we'll be covering several Old Testament figures using the book "Following God: Learning Life Principles from the Personalities of the Old Testament" by Wayne Barber as a starting point. Now some of you may cringe at studying these old patriarchs of our faith: I mean haven't we heard their stories over and over? Well, yes...and no. We are going to take a fresh look at these "Righteous Dudes" and learn that they weren't perfect...in fact, they are a lot, and I mean a lot, like us today.
What can they teach us? Plenty!
So join us for an X-trials look at these old dudes of faith. Each week will be someone different, so if you miss a class...show up next time!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Another X-trials Bible study starting up!
Let's not beat around the bush. How about some tough questions? In this course we are going to do just that with "The 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity" by Alex McFarland...plus we'll through in a few of our own tough questions just to show we're serious! Don't believer me...here are some of the questions we'll be asking:
What about all those errors in the Bible?
How can anyone know that God exists?
What about Evolution?
What makes Jesus different?
Aren't there many roads to Heaven?
What about the other religions?
Why does God allow suffering?
Is Hell real?
Aren't most people basically good?
Do babies go to heaven?
Is there a difference between murder and killing?
Told you we weren't going to pull punches. We are going to ask the tough questions. Do we have the answers...well...we'll have to see about that. So join us starting February 21, 2008 and put your two cents in. As always, each week is different so come when you can!
For more info jump to www.X-trials.com.
Brian Borden
Thursday, August 16, 2007
New Bible Study for Fall 2007!
The X-Trials Bible Study Group will start up on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 7pm; we'll be meeting at Starbucks as usual.
The new study will be based on Charles Stanley's book, "When the Enemy Strikes." For the last two studies we have been learning how to live the Christian life to the X-treme. With this study, we'l take it up a notch. At some point every Christian will experience a satanic attack-a willful, determined assault by the Devil to harm our spirit, soul, or body. God wants Christians to be under His control, but the Enemy will do his best to destroy everything good in our lives. So the question is not how to avoid satanic attacks, but how to overcome them.
Satan is a very powerful adversary. However, God does not leave us to defend ourselves, and He wants us to understand His supernatural and unlimited ability to help us. This Bible Study will show us how to achieve victory by:
* Identifying the enemy
* Dressing in the full armor of God and standing firm
* Releasing God's energy, divine power, and protection through prayer
* Sensing the forewarnings of Satan's attacks on finances, family, relationships, or health
Spiritual warfare is fought every day on the battlefield of your mind. The Adversary knows that if he can direct your thinking, it's only a matter of time before you're vulnerable to the allure of sin. Dr. Stanley teaches that to stand against Satan's attacks, you must meditate upon biblical principles and arm yourself with the sword of the spirit-God's Word.
For more information check out www.x-trials.com.
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