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Fall 2023 - THE CHURCH: Why DOes it Matter?
September 3, 2023 - November 4, 2023
The Church: Why Does It Matter?
Core Text: John 10:16
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
-Jesus (John 10:16)
September 3, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: On Purpose!
God has designed us for relationship. We have been created in His image. Our core relationship is with Him! Then, we can live into His purpose for our lives and also live in proper relationship with others. As Christians, we learn to do all of this best as we live in community with other believers in the church. The church is a purposeful community. Here is our purpose at First Baptist Arlington: Becoming fruitful believers, influencing our world for Christ. This statement embodies our calling as a church to enrichment and engagement.
Daily Bible Readings
September 4: Acts 1
September 5: Acts 2:1-21
September 6: Acts 2:22-47
September 7: Acts 3
September 8: Acts 4:1-22
September 9: Reflection
September 10, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: We Believe!
The disciples of Jesus were gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost after the Ascension. Jesus had promised them the Holy Spirit would come and fill them with power. That is exactly what happened at Pentecost. Peter preached an evangelistic message and 3000 people were converted to Christ! They were baptized as new believers and the Believer’s Church was born! The church of Jesus Christ is comprised of believers! Disciples are believers! The followers of Jesus Christ today are believers!
Daily Bible Readings
September 11: Acts 4:23-37
September 12: Acts 5:1-16
September 13: Acts 5:17-42
September 14: Acts 6
September 15: Acts 7:1-22
September 16: Reflection
September 17, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: We are Changing!
The Christian life is about . . . change! The Gospel is a message of transformation. Those early believers were devoted to the Apostles’ teaching. As they embraced the Apostolic witness, their lives were formed and shaped. The New Testament has much to say about us being formed, conformed, and transformed. As members of this church, we are changing to become more like Jesus!
Daily Bible Readings
September 18: Acts 7:23-43
September 19: Acts 7:44-8:1
September 20: Acts 8:2-25
September 21: Acts 8:26-40
September 22: Acts 9:1-22
September 23: Reflection
September 24, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: We are Together!
The church is just a special organism. Each church is a charismatic community. It is the Body of Christ on earth now. It offers believers an opportunity to live together in community and share life together. God has designed us for deep fellowship. The church is where we discover true community with like-minded believers. Our world is hungry for what we have to offer!
Daily Bible Readings
September 25: Acts 9:23-43
September 26: Acts 10:1-23a
September 27: Acts 10:23b-48
September 28: Acts 11
September 29: Acts 12
September 30: Reflection
October 1, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: We Worship!
All human beings have been created in the Image of God. This reality has many theological implications. One aspect of the Image of God within us is the universal desire for worship. Every civilization studied by anthropologists has some sort of an altar. Across the world and across time, human beings have worshipped. The church is now home for the people of God to experience corporate worship. Here at First Baptist Arlington, we are a worshiping congregation!
Daily Bible Readings
October 2: Acts 13
October 3: Acts 14
October 4: Acts 15:1-21
October 5: Acts 15:22-41
October 6: Acts 16:1-15
October 7: Reflection
October 8, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: Serving Others!
A part of every Christian’s journey as a believer is service to God and others. God has given us His Spirit and He has gifted us to engage in a life of ministry. There are so many ways to serve God and His Kingdom through the church. Each one of us has a role to play. Together, in ministry, we use the gifts and resources entrusted to us to serve God in practical ways through the church.
Daily Bible Readings
October 9: Acts 16:16-40
October 10: Acts 17:1-15
October 11: Acts 17:16-33
October 12: Acts 18:1-17
October 13: Acts 18:18-28
October 14: Reflection
October 15, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: Sharing the Gospel!
The church is not just a gathering of people. The church is a missional and purposeful community. We exist as a church for a reason. God has called us to share the message of Jesus Christ with our world. Our world is lost without Jesus. People are disconnected from God, from His purpose for their lives, and from each other. The church has the message to share with the world that will lead to life, purpose, and meaning.
Daily Bible Readings
October 16: Acts 19:1-22
October 17: Acts 19:23-41
October 18: Acts 20
October 19: Acts 21:1-16
October 20: Acts 21:17-36
October 21: Reflection
October 22, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: In Partnership with Others!
As the church began to spread across the Roman Empire, networks of churches developed. This is not specifically recorded in the Book of Acts, but there are hints of it. This principle of collaboration is important for us to consider as we forge ahead into the future God has planned for us. We are committed to collaborative ministry. We believe in partnership in ministry. This is our Baptist heritage. We are Baptists. We are independent. But we are not Independent Baptists!
Daily Bible Readings
October 23: Acts 21:37-22:21
October 24: Acts 22:22-23:11
October 25: Acts 23:12-22
October 26: Acts 23:23-24:27
October 27: Acts 25:1-22
October 28: Reflection
October 29, 2023: First Baptist Arlington: We are Growing!
The Book of Acts chronicles the story of the early church and its expansion across the ancient world in the first century. It is a remarkable story. That story continues today. The church is growing across the world. Christianity is the largest and most significant religious movement in the history of the world. When you become a part of the church, you are a part of a growing, thriving movement of God!
Daily Bible Readings
October 30: Acts 25:23-26:32
October 31: Acts 27:1-26
November 1: Acts 27:27-44
November 2: Acts 28:1-16
November 3: Acts 28:17-31
November 4: Reflection