Carefully Think Read Matthew 16:21-28. Reread Matthew 16:13-28. After Peter's confession to build the church what is Jesus telling the disciples is to come? (v21) Why would Peter "rebuke" the one he called the "Christ, the Son of the Living God?" Is Jesus addressing Peter as Satan? What does Jesus think it should look like to follow him? Health and wealth, or somet...
Keep ReadingCarefully Think Read Matthew chapter 16, focus on verses 17-20 Why was Peter called "blessed"? How was Jesus' response to Peter different than his response to the group of the disciples in 16:8? Why? From these verses, what are the connections between heaven and earth? What was Peter's role to be in the church? Why? What were the disciples to do with this conversat...
Keep ReadingIn 2007, Summit Woods Baptist Church adopted a new Constitution and By-Laws which implemented an elder-led form of church polity. In 2009, the first elders were chosen by the congregation and began serving. Building on this necessary and biblical approach to church polity is a constant prayerful mindset and quest for the existing elders. One of the most important prioritie...
Keep ReadingThis Sunday morning, the worship team will introduce a new song for our corporate gatherings. One of the values that drive the selection, arrangement, and production of our music, is that what we sing will be scripturally driven. This emphasis was behind the writing ofBut God, by Michael Bleecker, as he puts Ephesians 2:4-7 and 1 Peter 2:9 to verse and melody. May this son...
Keep ReadingCarefully Think Read Matthew 16:13-20. Focus on 16:18-20. Why does Jesus name Simon as Peter? What is "the rock" upon which Jesus will build his church? How does Jesus describe the "church?" What do "the gates of hell" refer to? What do "gates" on a city do/what are they used for? What do "keys of the kingdom" refer to? What do these keys do; what are they used for...
Keep ReadingCarefully Think Read chapter 16 of Matthew and focus upon Matthew 16:13-17 (perhaps using various translations). Where are Jesus' and the disciples in Matthew 16:13? Locate it on a map at the back of your Bible. Where had Jesus been ministering previously? What is Jesus saying about himself in the question he asks the disciples? What do we learn about Peter and the d...
Keep ReadingCarefully Think Read 1 John 2:15-17 What is "the world" in this context? From what you learn in this passage, what is the danger of loving the world? What is true about "the world" that would create such severe spiritual consequences? Why is it more valuable to have the love of God the Father than to love the world? Prayerfully Meditate How can you be a loving...
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