Abundant Inspiration
INTRODUCTION
We live in an era of biblical illiteracy. You have perhaps seen the interviews of the people on the sidewalk or malls that did not know some basic facts about the Bible. There have also been various studies done of long term church members and those entering Bible colleges that scored poorly on basic Bible knowledge.
During this era there is an over-abundance of information being hurled at everyone. Madison Avenue makes sure that there are ads everywhere for everything. The Christian bookstores have plenty of new books released. There are various Sunday school classes and seminars offered.
Yet along the way there are many and various key lessons that are too often neglected.
Another important application for this list is that it serves at an initial sketch of the Blueprint of Educational Nucleus for Four Bridges Ministry www.fourbridges.org
This will bridge the gap between Sunday school and Bible College or seminary. The seminary students will be the teachers.
I submit to you that there is a large demand for teachings and sermons that go deeper and wider than what is usually offered. We are in an information age when people can access all sorts of detailed information about medicine, sports, finances, entertainment, weather, hobbies, etc. over the web. Yet often when they come to church there is the same narrow band of teachings that have been there for decades.
The following list will help you think outside of the box of conventional thinking. Yet for a youth group, singles group, those preparing for missions work or just want to gain a firmer foundation for their faith this will hit a bull’s eye.
These ideas tend toward the meat but there can be a milk version for children and new believers.
This list will also serve as an initial sketch of the curriculum for the online lay institute or Four Bridges Ministry www.fourbridges.org
This is just a rough draft of the hundreds of topics related to biblical Christianity. This begins to give an overview of the comprehensive lists that will follow.
In order for the Online Lay Institute to have thousands of 3 minute messages that are able to be searched then there needs to be a comprehensive outline for the search engine to use.
AUDIENCES
This is just a sample of the kinds of people who can use this list.
Sunday school teacher
Small group leader
Pastor
Missionary
Chaplain
Personal Bible study
Home schoolteacher
Parents
Grandparent
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Personal responsibility for world missions
Personal responsibility for local benevolence
Personal responsibility for personal evangelism
Personal responsibility for the persecuted church
Personal responsibility for evangelizing and discipling family members – nuclear and extended
Personal responsibility of a husband to a wife and visa versa
Personal responsibility of a father to each child and visa versa
Personal responsibility of a mother to each child and visa versa
WHY AND HOW
Why and how of progressive sanctification and personal holiness
Why and how of personal devotional prayers and intercession
Why and how of personal thanksgiving and private worship
Why and how of Bible memory
Why and how of meditating on scripture
Why and how of fasting
Why and how of repentance
Why and how of confession of sins – privately to God and selectively to believers
Why and how of forgiveness – forgive others & ask for forgiveness
Why and how improve stewardship of a person’s time, talents, and treasures (things and money)
Why and how discover and develop spiritual gifts
Why and how give money to the local church and other Christian ministries
Why and how love the sinner while hating the sin
Why and how love one another
Why and how love God
Why and how practice the golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Why and how perform good deeds as genuine believers
Why and how serve in the local church
Why and how claim and stand on the promises of God.
DEFINE AND DESCRIBE
Body - soul - spirit
World - flesh - devil
Armor of God
Sovereignty of God
Free will
Lust of the eyes – Lust of the flesh - Pride of life
Sins of commission - Sins of omission
Seven deadly sins – Pride, Anger, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony
Seven virtues – Humility, Generosity, Love, Kindness, Temperance, Zeal, Self Control
Hell
Heaven
Spiritual warfare
Judgment of unbelievers
Judgment of believers
Eternal rewards
Eternal security & Assurance of salvation
Satan and demons
Angels and archangels
Gospel
Mind of Christ
Heart of God
Great Commission
Salvation
Rebirth
Redemption
Reconciliation
Fruit of the spirit
Spiritual gifts
Works of the flesh
Election
Foreknowledge
Predestination
Calling
Regeneration
Dispensation
Elder
Deacon
Pastor
Rapture
Tribulation
Millennium
Tolerance
Unity – diversity - uniformity
Duty
Community
Koinonia
MISSIONS
Biblical mandates
Motivations
Goals
Means
People
Responsibilities
Prayer
Money
Culture
Cross culture
Language
Travel
Health
Safety
Testimonies
Missionary care
Kinds
Benevolence
Evangelism
Discipleship
Church growth
Church planting
Leadership development
Economic development
IDOLATRY
The following items can become idols if taken out of balance. Note that Americans have a far better life style than most of those on the planet today or than most people in recorded history. Yet they many church members cannot seem to find enough time, money or energy to do what they know is best for their marriage, family or church. Thy find themselves too busy for much Christian service or spiritual disciplines because often there is a serious imbalance. And maybe it has gotten to the excess of an idol.
Materialism
Consumerism
Status
Looks
Excesses
Power
Prestige
Pleasure
Security
Control
Comfort
Convenience
Beauty
Recreation
Entertainment
FELT NEEDS
What are the biblical ways to meet these felt needs?
What are the key Bible verses, biblical principles and other practical steps.
How does prayer, fellowship, forgiving, repenting, confessing and just enduring fit?
There are an abundance of books, tapes and web sites to deal with each one.
There are plenty of self-help books that address these matters.
Each person experiences a few bumps on the road of life.
They need coping skills to deal with these.
God can and does use the difficulties of life to get our attentions.
But then what?
Anger
Depression
Fear
Anxiety
Worry
Resentment
Guilt
Shame
Bitterness
Loneliness
Grief
Sadness
Overwhelm
Burn out
Rage
Despair
Apathy
Disappointment
Inadequacy
Helplessness
Hopelessness
Jealousy
Envy
Regret
Confusion
Denial
fear of
abandonment
control
loss
rejection
betrayal
desire for
gain
security
significance
THEMES AND THREADS THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE
Covenant
Blessing/Cursing
Redemption
Glory of God
Reconciliation
Faith/Hope/Love
Grace/Mercy/Judgment
Deliverance
Remnant
Law
Promises of God made and fulfilled
Character of God proved by His acts
Weaknesses, imperfections and selfishness of humans proven in various settings
Blood
Righteousness/Sin
Justice
Holiness
Life/death
Light/darkness
Truth/deception
VIEWS OF GOD
Polytheism
Pantheism
Monotheism
Deism
Theism
Atheism
Agnosticism
JUDAISM
Feasts
Holidays
Law
Traditions
Land
Tabernacle
Outer court
Bronze altar
Brass laver
Holy place
Golden lamp stand
Table of showbread
Altar of incense
The veil
Most holy place
Ark of the covenant
Mercy seat
Priest
Priestly garments
Priestly duties
Offerings
Burnt offering
Grain offering
Peace offering
Sin offering
Trespass offering
WORLD RELIGIONS
Present a summary of the history, major beliefs and how unlike biblical Christianity.
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Christianity
Roman Catholicism
Eastern Orthodox (Greek, Russian)
Traditional African religions
Islam
Wicca
New Age
CULTS
Present a summary of the history, major beliefs and how unlike biblical Christianity.
Mormon
Jehovah Witness
Unification Church
Hare Krishna
Bahai
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES
Inspiration of scriptures
Virgin birth
Divinity of Christ
Trinity
Blood atonement
Bodily resurrection
Second coming
SOLAS
This was used during the Reformation to sum up what they stood for what protesting the Roman Catholic church. It can be used today as an excellent guide to discover how faithful a person or group is to the essentials of the Bible. On a related note this brief essay is very challenging Cambridge Declaration http://www.reformed.org/documents/cambridge.html
Solas sola is Latin for alone
Salvation is
by grace alone
through faith alone
in Christ alone
based on Scripture alone
to the glory of God alone.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Overview of the field
Archaeology and the OT
Archaeology and the NT
HOT TOPICS
Homosexual marriage
Ordination of homosexuals
Ordination of women
Women as church elders
Women teach men
Baptism by emersion vs. sprinkling
Baptism of infants
Baptism as needed for salvation
Abortion
Euthanasia
Infanticide
Stem cell research
Gun control
Capital punishment (death penalty)
Dating vs. courtship
Open theology
KJV only
Baptism in Jesus name only
Oneness
SPRING BOARDS
Use the various statements of faith as a spring board for messages.
Each element in the doctrinal statement of your local church and/or denomination
Each element of the Apostles Creed
http://www.carm.org/creeds/apostles.htm
Each element of the Nicene Creed
http://www.carm.org/creeds/nicene.htm
Each element of the IFMA Doctrinal Statement – hundreds of mission agencies agree to this
http://www.ifmamissions.org/doctrin.htm
Each element of the Westminster Confessions – if disagree then why
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/indexf.html
Each element of the Lausanne Covenant – if disagree then why
http://www.gospelcom.net/lcwe/statements/covenant.html
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
What is the situation ethics and how is it influencing our society?
What is the cultural relativism and how is it influencing our society?
What is feminism and how is it influencing our society?
What is the New Age and how is it influencing our society?
What is postmodern and how is it influencing our society?
Victory over Internet pornography for Christian men
Modesty in dress for Christian teen girls and women
Men and anger related matters
Body image, dieting and eating disorders for girls and women
Sanctity of life, euthanasia, stem cell research, abortion, etc.
How are appeals of the world, flesh and devil commonly present and how are they best defeated?
MISCELLANEOUS
Death and dying
Live in the light of eternity in uses of time, money commitments, relationships, etc.
Gossip
Original sin, sin nature, kinds of sin, biblical solutions to sins, etc.
Justification and sanctification – how are they similar and different
Problem of Evil – God is all-powerful and loving yet pain, suffering and evil exist
Book of Ecclesiastes – what does this book say about Solomon, human nature and believers today
Psalms 119 - the themes, the key verses and the central message – as a guide to spiritual maturity
How to be in the world and not of the world
INTRODUCTION
We live in an era of biblical illiteracy. You have perhaps seen the interviews of the people on the sidewalk or malls that did not know some basic facts about the Bible. There have also been various studies done of long term church members and those entering Bible colleges that scored poorly on basic Bible knowledge.
During this era there is an over-abundance of information being hurled at everyone. Madison Avenue makes sure that there are ads everywhere for everything. The Christian bookstores have plenty of new books released. There are various Sunday school classes and seminars offered.
Yet along the way there are many and various key lessons that are too often neglected.
Another important application for this list is that it serves at an initial sketch of the Blueprint of Educational Nucleus for Four Bridges Ministry www.fourbridges.org
This will bridge the gap between Sunday school and Bible College or seminary. The seminary students will be the teachers.
I submit to you that there is a large demand for teachings and sermons that go deeper and wider than what is usually offered. We are in an information age when people can access all sorts of detailed information about medicine, sports, finances, entertainment, weather, hobbies, etc. over the web. Yet often when they come to church there is the same narrow band of teachings that have been there for decades.
The following list will help you think outside of the box of conventional thinking. Yet for a youth group, singles group, those preparing for missions work or just want to gain a firmer foundation for their faith this will hit a bull’s eye.
These ideas tend toward the meat but there can be a milk version for children and new believers.
This list will also serve as an initial sketch of the curriculum for the online lay institute or Four Bridges Ministry www.fourbridges.org
This is just a rough draft of the hundreds of topics related to biblical Christianity. This begins to give an overview of the comprehensive lists that will follow.
In order for the Online Lay Institute to have thousands of 3 minute messages that are able to be searched then there needs to be a comprehensive outline for the search engine to use.
AUDIENCES
This is just a sample of the kinds of people who can use this list.
Sunday school teacher
Small group leader
Pastor
Missionary
Chaplain
Personal Bible study
Home schoolteacher
Parents
Grandparent
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Personal responsibility for world missions
Personal responsibility for local benevolence
Personal responsibility for personal evangelism
Personal responsibility for the persecuted church
Personal responsibility for evangelizing and discipling family members – nuclear and extended
Personal responsibility of a husband to a wife and visa versa
Personal responsibility of a father to each child and visa versa
Personal responsibility of a mother to each child and visa versa
WHY AND HOW
Why and how of progressive sanctification and personal holiness
Why and how of personal devotional prayers and intercession
Why and how of personal thanksgiving and private worship
Why and how of Bible memory
Why and how of meditating on scripture
Why and how of fasting
Why and how of repentance
Why and how of confession of sins – privately to God and selectively to believers
Why and how of forgiveness – forgive others & ask for forgiveness
Why and how improve stewardship of a person’s time, talents, and treasures (things and money)
Why and how discover and develop spiritual gifts
Why and how give money to the local church and other Christian ministries
Why and how love the sinner while hating the sin
Why and how love one another
Why and how love God
Why and how practice the golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you
Why and how perform good deeds as genuine believers
Why and how serve in the local church
Why and how claim and stand on the promises of God.
DEFINE AND DESCRIBE
Body - soul - spirit
World - flesh - devil
Armor of God
Sovereignty of God
Free will
Lust of the eyes – Lust of the flesh - Pride of life
Sins of commission - Sins of omission
Seven deadly sins – Pride, Anger, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony
Seven virtues – Humility, Generosity, Love, Kindness, Temperance, Zeal, Self Control
Hell
Heaven
Spiritual warfare
Judgment of unbelievers
Judgment of believers
Eternal rewards
Eternal security & Assurance of salvation
Satan and demons
Angels and archangels
Gospel
Mind of Christ
Heart of God
Great Commission
Salvation
Rebirth
Redemption
Reconciliation
Fruit of the spirit
Spiritual gifts
Works of the flesh
Election
Foreknowledge
Predestination
Calling
Regeneration
Dispensation
Elder
Deacon
Pastor
Rapture
Tribulation
Millennium
Tolerance
Unity – diversity - uniformity
Duty
Community
Koinonia
MISSIONS
Biblical mandates
Motivations
Goals
Means
People
Responsibilities
Prayer
Money
Culture
Cross culture
Language
Travel
Health
Safety
Testimonies
Missionary care
Kinds
Benevolence
Evangelism
Discipleship
Church growth
Church planting
Leadership development
Economic development
IDOLATRY
The following items can become idols if taken out of balance. Note that Americans have a far better life style than most of those on the planet today or than most people in recorded history. Yet they many church members cannot seem to find enough time, money or energy to do what they know is best for their marriage, family or church. Thy find themselves too busy for much Christian service or spiritual disciplines because often there is a serious imbalance. And maybe it has gotten to the excess of an idol.
Materialism
Consumerism
Status
Looks
Excesses
Power
Prestige
Pleasure
Security
Control
Comfort
Convenience
Beauty
Recreation
Entertainment
FELT NEEDS
What are the biblical ways to meet these felt needs?
What are the key Bible verses, biblical principles and other practical steps.
How does prayer, fellowship, forgiving, repenting, confessing and just enduring fit?
There are an abundance of books, tapes and web sites to deal with each one.
There are plenty of self-help books that address these matters.
Each person experiences a few bumps on the road of life.
They need coping skills to deal with these.
God can and does use the difficulties of life to get our attentions.
But then what?
Anger
Depression
Fear
Anxiety
Worry
Resentment
Guilt
Shame
Bitterness
Loneliness
Grief
Sadness
Overwhelm
Burn out
Rage
Despair
Apathy
Disappointment
Inadequacy
Helplessness
Hopelessness
Jealousy
Envy
Regret
Confusion
Denial
fear of
abandonment
control
loss
rejection
betrayal
desire for
gain
security
significance
THEMES AND THREADS THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE
Covenant
Blessing/Cursing
Redemption
Glory of God
Reconciliation
Faith/Hope/Love
Grace/Mercy/Judgment
Deliverance
Remnant
Law
Promises of God made and fulfilled
Character of God proved by His acts
Weaknesses, imperfections and selfishness of humans proven in various settings
Blood
Righteousness/Sin
Justice
Holiness
Life/death
Light/darkness
Truth/deception
VIEWS OF GOD
Polytheism
Pantheism
Monotheism
Deism
Theism
Atheism
Agnosticism
JUDAISM
Feasts
Holidays
Law
Traditions
Land
Tabernacle
Outer court
Bronze altar
Brass laver
Holy place
Golden lamp stand
Table of showbread
Altar of incense
The veil
Most holy place
Ark of the covenant
Mercy seat
Priest
Priestly garments
Priestly duties
Offerings
Burnt offering
Grain offering
Peace offering
Sin offering
Trespass offering
WORLD RELIGIONS
Present a summary of the history, major beliefs and how unlike biblical Christianity.
Hinduism
Buddhism
Judaism
Christianity
Roman Catholicism
Eastern Orthodox (Greek, Russian)
Traditional African religions
Islam
Wicca
New Age
CULTS
Present a summary of the history, major beliefs and how unlike biblical Christianity.
Mormon
Jehovah Witness
Unification Church
Hare Krishna
Bahai
FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES
Inspiration of scriptures
Virgin birth
Divinity of Christ
Trinity
Blood atonement
Bodily resurrection
Second coming
SOLAS
This was used during the Reformation to sum up what they stood for what protesting the Roman Catholic church. It can be used today as an excellent guide to discover how faithful a person or group is to the essentials of the Bible. On a related note this brief essay is very challenging Cambridge Declaration http://www.reformed.org/documents/cambridge.html
Solas sola is Latin for alone
Salvation is
by grace alone
through faith alone
in Christ alone
based on Scripture alone
to the glory of God alone.
ARCHAEOLOGY
Overview of the field
Archaeology and the OT
Archaeology and the NT
HOT TOPICS
Homosexual marriage
Ordination of homosexuals
Ordination of women
Women as church elders
Women teach men
Baptism by emersion vs. sprinkling
Baptism of infants
Baptism as needed for salvation
Abortion
Euthanasia
Infanticide
Stem cell research
Gun control
Capital punishment (death penalty)
Dating vs. courtship
Open theology
KJV only
Baptism in Jesus name only
Oneness
SPRING BOARDS
Use the various statements of faith as a spring board for messages.
Each element in the doctrinal statement of your local church and/or denomination
Each element of the Apostles Creed
http://www.carm.org/creeds/apostles.htm
Each element of the Nicene Creed
http://www.carm.org/creeds/nicene.htm
Each element of the IFMA Doctrinal Statement – hundreds of mission agencies agree to this
http://www.ifmamissions.org/doctrin.htm
Each element of the Westminster Confessions – if disagree then why
http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/indexf.html
Each element of the Lausanne Covenant – if disagree then why
http://www.gospelcom.net/lcwe/statements/covenant.html
CONTEMPORARY ISSUES
What is the situation ethics and how is it influencing our society?
What is the cultural relativism and how is it influencing our society?
What is feminism and how is it influencing our society?
What is the New Age and how is it influencing our society?
What is postmodern and how is it influencing our society?
Victory over Internet pornography for Christian men
Modesty in dress for Christian teen girls and women
Men and anger related matters
Body image, dieting and eating disorders for girls and women
Sanctity of life, euthanasia, stem cell research, abortion, etc.
How are appeals of the world, flesh and devil commonly present and how are they best defeated?
MISCELLANEOUS
Death and dying
Live in the light of eternity in uses of time, money commitments, relationships, etc.
Gossip
Original sin, sin nature, kinds of sin, biblical solutions to sins, etc.
Justification and sanctification – how are they similar and different
Problem of Evil – God is all-powerful and loving yet pain, suffering and evil exist
Book of Ecclesiastes – what does this book say about Solomon, human nature and believers today
Psalms 119 - the themes, the key verses and the central message – as a guide to spiritual maturity
How to be in the world and not of the world
posted by John | 6:42 AM
