Bill Crockett Ministries: Recent Episodes
In this video we will discuss in detail the pre designed budget worksheet that can be used to manage your finances and eliminate stress. We will go step by step through each part f the worksheet and explain how to use it.
We have completed our roadmap and discovered the way to Living Free From Financial Stress. Now the work begins! We must implement and maintain the plan that has been identified. Along the way we will need a little refresher to keep us focused on doing the correct things. In this finial episode we will conclude our series by putting together a quick overview of the main parts of our plan. This will become a quick and easy resource to pull up and review when we need that refresher. I hope this study has benefited you and that you will begin to see immediate results as you put into practice the steps we have learned together.
When it comes to managing our money there are some practices and habits everyone should avoid. That doesn't mean that we won't make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. However, by avoiding these basic BAD practices, we can eliminate most of the mistakes and at least limit the mistakes to those that are not devastating.
As we begin down the road to living free from financial stress, the first stop on our roadmap is "Why is it so important to understand how to manage money?" Is managing money really that critical? Can't we just look at our bank account and if we have money then we can spend it? What's so complicated about that? If that is what you think, you are the perfect example of why it's important to understand how to manage money, because that is not money management! The second stop on our roadmap is "What is really going on when we experience financial stress?" Isn't the real issue that we don't have enough money? We just need to get more money and that will solve all our probelms. Once again, that's why we need to talk about what is really going on. If you think the amount of money is the real problem, you will always have money problem. The amount has very little to do with living free from financial stress. Don't miss this episode of Living Free From Financial Stress!
There are lot's of things that wise money managers do. However, there are 6 things I believe all wise money managers should do. In this episode we will learn what these are and take another step on the roadmap to Living Free From Financial Stress.
Learning to manage money can be simple or it can be complicated. The first thing we've got to understand is what is meant by money management. When we talk about money management are we talking about balancing a check book, creating a budget, saving money, investing for retirement or just deciding when and where we want to spend our money? True money management actually includes all of these and more. In this episode we will define what money management is and then talk about the basic characteristics of good and bad money management.
The second part of building a money management plan is to understand 4 other aspects of making the plan work accurately. There are two areas other than income and expense that must be a part of this plan. Debt and savings. These are often left off money management plans and they can be the main cause of stress and disaster if we are not careful. Once we have the data, we must build a budget with all this information and then manage the budget on a regular basis for it to work. In this episode we will discuss how to do all of these things and get us closer to living free from financial stress.
The first step in developing a money management plan is to gather the financial data. Having real life data will enable us to put together an honest assessment of where we are financially based on what we're actually doing with our money. Guessing will only create doubt and an unrealistic plan that doesn't work. The first thing we need to know is how much money do we make (income) and what are we actually spending our money on (expenses). This episode will show us how to get that information so that it is correct. Buckle up for some shocking information that will ultimately help us eliminate the unknown and do away with the stress.
If you are on a journey to a place you've never been before you will need a roadmap. Maybe you've actually been there before but you forgot how to get back. That can be the case with living without financial stress. Whether it's a place you've been before, or some place you've never been, this episode will lay out the roadmap to help us get to the place called "Living Free From Financial Stress." Jump on board and let's begin the journey together.
To live free from financial stress, there are two bricks that must be laid in the foundation of our lives in order for this stress free plan to work. If these two things are not true about our life, nothing else we try will work when it comes to managing money without stress. Ironically, the amount of money we have is not one of them.
This episode will introduce the series entitled, "Living Free from Financial Stress." We will discover how to eliminate financial stress form our lives by practicing the clear principles taught in the Bible.
This is the final session in our Let's Talk Marriage series. It is all about God's Will. How do we know if it is God's will for us to be married-- This session will describe what God's will is and how you can know God's Will in your decisions, especially the decision -Is It God's Will for us to be Married--- It will take you through 7 steps to knowing God's will.
In every marriage there will be personal conflict, disagreements and -fighting.- It's a part of human nature. However, when these conflicts arise God gives us the formula to solve the conflict and move forward instead of quitting. In this session we will discover what that formula is and learn how to resolve conflict in our marriage. This may be the single most important lesson in the entire series.
Quite often married couples go through an extended period of strife and conflict not long after being married and conclude that the reason they fight so much is that they should have never been married. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this lesson we discover why this is not true and what causes this normal period of strife in a newly married couples life. We will also see what God says about the issue of strife in marriage. It is normal.
In this session we study the basics of finances in marriage. Such issues budgeting, the 4 basic needs that must be covered first, saving, giving, children - more.
Sex and marriage. What is the only way sex is blessed and sanctioned by God-- We will discuss 4 warnings God gives about the physical relationship in marriage that should be considered before marriage.
Children are a gift from God and bring with them responsibility. In this session we will discuss planning for children, what if we are not able to have children and basic principles of training children.
The Biblical design for the wife in the home causes everything else to fall into place. The key to helping women fulfill their role in the home is for men to be the men God made them to be and treat their wives the way God teaches them to treat them. When men don't do their part, it makes it very difficult for the women. However, wives can single handedly impact not only their husbands but ultimately the entire home by living the way God designed them to live. In this lesson we will see that God's design for the wife is both powerful and impactful. Also, we will see that God's design is nothing like what the world portrays when it comes to submission and working outside the home or having a career. The godly woman is both the CEO of her home and a hard worker in the home and outside the home. Grab your Bible and hang on for God's design for the wife-
This lesson will help us to understand the God given role of the husband in marriage. Submission is not just for the wife. I believe the Bible teaches that submission is the key to every relationship in the home. In this lesson we will learn what submission means for the man.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of marriage are the God given roles of the husband and wife. The world has so distorted the meaning of things like submission and leadership that homes today are a mess. In this lesson we will define what a role is and the need for roles in light of what the Bible says and not what the media and the world portrays.
An introduction to the Lets Marriage Series with a brief bio of Bill Crockett and an overview of all 13 lessons.
In this lesson we will talk about 5 areas of life that can be a red flag that we are not ready for the marriage commitment. Marriage brings a lot of change in life style and one must not only understand what these changes will be but be willing to make these changes. This does not necessarily mean we shouldn't get married but it may indicate we need a little more before we are ready.
God talks about a man and woman becoming one when they get married. What does that mean and what things do we need to look at prior to making this commitment-- This lesson will help you to understand the change that is about to take place in your life when you say -I Do.-
2Corinthians 10-3-4a -NLT- - -We are human, but we don't wage war as humans do. We use God's mighty weapons, not worldly weapons...--To win this war in our minds we must use God's weapons not the world's. In this study we will continue to learn about each piece of God's armor, what it is and how to use it in everyday life. These pieces of God's armor are critical in helping us win the war in our mind and overcoming depression, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, etc.
In the war in our minds that we fight every day, God has provided spiritual resources for us to use that will guarantee victory. In the next two lessons we will look at these resources to discover what they are and how to use them.
Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, inferiority, anger, jealousy, envy, guilt, grief and loneliness are potentially paralyzing issues that take place in a person's mind. Most of us will battle one or more of these in our life time. We are in a 2 part lesson looking at the 4 characteristics of this war in our mind. In lesson 1 we learned that it is a Spiritual War so God must be involved. In this lesson we will look at the last 3 characteristics. These 4 characteristics are foundational in learning how to win the battle against these issues in our mind.
The greatest battle that we face as believers is the battle in our mind. As Paul says in Romans 7-21-23---Rom 7-21 NLT-I have discovered this principle of life--that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.--Rom 7-22 NLT-I love God's law with all my heart.--Rom 7-23 NLT-But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.--In this lesson we will begin our discussion of the 4 characteristics of this war that takes place in our mind. These 4 characteristics help us to understand how to confront this battle and win.
In this lesson we will introduce -The War in Our Mind- Series. We will talk about why this is important as well as the topics that will be covered. You will not want to miss this foundational lesson to one of the most listened to series we have done. This is an updated version to this same series that we did several years ago.
Once we die and leave this earth for our eternal home in Heaven, what happens next-- In this lesson we will examine the events from death to the final state in the New Heaven and New Earth. Some of these events take place in Heaven and some of them take place on the Earth. Events such as the resurrection, Judgment in Heaven, Marriage Supper of the Lamb, Great White Throne Judgment and the Second Coming of Jesus. Enjoy as we explore what the Bible says about our existence after we die.
What actually happens the split second we die and leave this life to the next-- In this study we will examine what the Bible says about that moment.
God created mankind in the garden when he formed Adam from the dust of the ground. But what else did he give Adam that day-- It was more than just a body. Is this lesson we discuss the make up of mankind, Body, Soul - Spirit, what they are as well as what happens to each part when we die.
In the life of Joshua, on of the greatest national and military leaders of the Bible, we find 5 Principles of successful leadership that can be applied to our lives as well. these principles are critical in leading our individual lives, our families, our ministries our jobs or any other responsibility we have been given. We will be able to apply these 5 principles in many areas of our lives. Please join us as we learn from the life of Joshua Biblical Principles of Leadership-
At some point we must all grow up and become adults. We must take responsibility for our own choices and decisions as well as the consequences for them. Part of the growing up process is learning so that we are prepared for the day we become an adult and launch out on our own. As we grow there are 5 foundational truths that we learn from the study of the life of Joshua as he was prepared by God to grow up and take responsibility for leading the children of Israel into the promised land. In this episode we will define those 5 truths and see how we too should form them as we grow up-
In this episode we will discuss the last 4 principles of the 8 Principles for determining what is right relative to questionable things.
How do we know what the right thing is when the Bible is not clear. Is is ok to drink a beer, go to a movie, dance, eat in a restaurant that has a bar, and on and on-- In the next two episodes we will talk about 8 Biblical principles or questions we should ask ourselves to determine if what we are about to do is the RIGHT thing to do. In this episode we will look at the first 4 principles, including the foundational principle that governs the other 7. Tomorrow we will finish up with the last 4 principles.--Thanks for listening to Touch of the Master's Hand. May God draw you closer to Himself through the study of His Word-
How can we know what is right when it is not spelled out in black and white-- In this 3 part series we will present 8 Biblical principles we can use in determining what is right relative to questionable things.--We begin in part one with 5 characteristics that must be true about our lives if we are to understand right and wrong at all. Without these 5 things, the 8 principles we will discuss will seem foolish.--Join us as we discover how to know what is right when it is not black and white.
Several years ago my life began a downward spiral that I thought would never stop. It was like I was in quick sand and every decision I made seemed to make things worse. Until God intervened and changed everything. If that is how you are feeling, this episode is for you. King David felt the same way and in Psalm 25 he gives us the answer. How to stop the downward spiral and get back to a place of purpose and joy in life. All the principles are discussed in this episode.
Do you feel lost-- Are you struggling to figure out what to do with your life-- You are not alone. I have been there, more than once. In this episode I will take you through the steps for finding the Path for your life. I experienced God's direction for me by following these very principles and they work.
How can a flawed human being have fellowship or be a partner with a perfect, holy God- In this lesson we will explore what God says about how that partnership is a possible. We will also learn what the Bible means when it uses the terms light - darkness.
Fellowship with God is the foundational characteristic of the Christian's life. In part one of this 2 part lesson we will study the Meaning of Fellowship and then discuss who the main partner is in the Fellowship we have with God.
In a world where values, morals - even religion is changing, what characteristics define a follower of Jesus Christ- In this study of the book of 1 John we will explore the 7 basic characteristics of the follower of Jesus. This lesson explores the background of the book of 1 John that sets the stage for the topics of and the reason why John wrote the book.
Jesus turns water into wine. Did the wine Jesus made have an alcohol content- What does the Bible say about the Christian and alcohol- Is it wrong for a believer to drink an alcoholic beverage- This lesson deals with truth about alcohol from God's perspective.
This lesson is about 7 Biblical Principles that govern questionable things in the life of a believer. It is to be applied not only to the issue of alcohol but all questionable things in life.
The knowledge of God is the key to being effective and productive in our walk with Jesus Christ. In this lesson we dig into what the knowledge of God really is and what it looks like in our daily life.
Can you define an effective and productive Christian- What does this kind of life look like- Is effectiveness measured by how many notches we have in our -gospel gun- belt showing how many people we witnessed to this week or the number of people we personally led to Christ- Is productivity measured by how large our ministry is, or how popular we are on social media- Is it determined by how we dress or what kind of music we listen to- Is our health or our bank account taken into consideration- This series looks at what God says makes us effective - productive as followers of Christ.
This is the final session in our Let's Talk Marriage series. It is all about God's Will. How do we know if it is God's will for us to be married- This session will describe what God's will is and how you can know God's Will in your decisions, especially the decision -Is It God's Will for us to be Married-- It will take you through 7 steps to knowing God's will.
In every marriage there will be personal conflict, disagreements and -fighting.- It's a part of human nature. However, when these conflicts arise God gives us the formula to solve the conflict and move forward instead of quitting. In this session we will discover what that formula is and learn how to resolve conflict in our marriage. This may be the single most important lesson in the entire series.
Quite often married couples go through an extended period of strife and conflict not long after being married and conclude that the reason they fight so much is that they should have never been married. Nothing could be further from the truth. In this lesson we discover why this is not true and what causes this normal period of strife in a newly married couples life. We will also see what God says about the issue of strife in marriage. It is normal.
In this session we study the basics of finances in marriage. Such issues budgeting, the 4 basic needs that must be covered first, saving, giving, children - more.
Sex and marriage. What is the only way sex is blessed and sanctioned by God- We will discuss 4 warnings God gives about the physical relationship in marriage that should be considered before marriage.
Children are a gift from God and bring with them responsibility. In this session we will discuss planning for children, what if we are not able to have children and basic principles of training children.
This is the session when we examine the role of the wife in marriage. The biblical view of the woman as well as what biblical submission means. We also discuss the 3 core responsibilities and the 4 directives of the wife.
This is a biblical description of the role of the husband in marriage. We will learn the key ingredient and the two main responsibilities of the husband.
Many couples come to the conclusion after they have been married for a few months that marriage is not what they thought. In this session we will discuss such questions as - Why do you want to get married-, What do you expect to get out of marriage that you do not already have--, etc. This may be one of the most eye opening and revealing session in the entire series. Every couple should go through this session-
Marriage is the union of two human beings with varied backgrounds and characteristics. For two people to become one you must know each other. In this session we examine how your relationship began, the 5 stages of developing a strong relationship, culture - family background as well as your spiritual background.
One of the issues that creates the most trouble in the early months of marriage is a faulty expectation of what marriage is supposed to be. In this session we will look at the Bible and discuss some dangers to look for when considering marriage.
This is the introduction to a 12 part per-marital counseling series where marriage is examined in light of God's word in a very practical way. This series can be used by couples to make sure they are ready for marriage and prepare for what lies ahead.
To know God we must know Jesus. So how to we get personal with Jesus- In this lesson we will learn what that means.
Religion or relationship- Which one really changes a person's life- In this series, we will discover what it means to get personal with God. How to have a true personal, real relationship with the living - true God through His son Jesus. If we can understand these truths it will transform not only our lives but our Christianity.
There are times in our Christian walk when we become lethargic, complacent, lukewarm and even spiritually indifferent. We can lose focus on loving God and others. Many times this is caused by our distraction with the things around us. In this lesson we will discuss when we need personal revival or renewal in our spiritual lives and begin discussing how to have it.
What is revival- It is a principle taught in the Bible that is a necessary event in the life of a believer. We all have a tendency to become complacent and stagnant in our relationship and walk with God. Several factors in the Bible indicate this. We will look at some of those in this lesson and some in the next lesson. In this series we will learn the Biblical principle of revival, why it is needed, how it takes place and what the results are in the lives of believers and those around them.
Job is probably the most vivid example of when life becomes difficult. Here was a very succesful man who experienced tragedy and did not know why. He received counsel from some of his friends, while well meaning, they were wrong. All the while, Satan was the reason behind the entire difficulty. So many times in our lives, Satan initiates difficulty to create doubt in our minds and turn us from God. When we do, we fall right into his trap. In this lesson we will see what Job did and how to avoid falling into Satan's trap when Life Is Difficult-
Life can present some pretty difficult situations. being mistreated by someone we love or being overlooked for that promotion. Expecting to get something we want only to find out it was given to somebody else instead. Being diagnosed with an illness that disables us and we do not understand why- There are many reasons why bitterness and anger can enter our hearts. In the account of Jonah, we find that bitterness - anger caused Jonah to consider life unlivable. Why- In this lesson we will examine why Jonah was bitter and angry and the cure that kept him from losing his life. If you have ever struggled or are struggling with bitterness and anger, this lesson is for you. At some point we will all need these truths to help us-
Part 2-----Elijah was a powerful man that experienced the raw power of God in many ways. He stood all alone against 450 demonic prophets of Baal and won. He confronted wicked king Ahab and told him it wouldn't rain again until he said so. He saw God provide for his needs in the wilderness and through a poor widow. He also saw God bring a young boy back from the dead when he prayed. However, Elijah ran from Jezebel when she threatened his life. Why- In this lesson and the next, we will examine what caused Elijah's collapse and what the cure is. Sometimes the pressures of life can cause us to become afraid and so tired of fighting that we're at the point of giving up. I've been there. God has an answer. Let God's word change you just like it did Elijah and me-
Elijah was a powerful man that experienced the raw power of God in many ways. He stood all alone against 450 demonic prophets of Baal and won. He confronted wicked king Ahab and told him it wouldn't rain again until he said so. He saw God provide for his needs in the wilderness and through a poor widow. He also saw God bring a young boy back from the dead when he prayed. However, Elijah ran from Jezebel when she threatened his life. Why- In this lesson and the next, we will examine what caused Elijah's collapse and what the cure is. Sometimes the pressures of life can cause us to become afraid and so tired of fighting that we're at the point of giving up. I've been there. God has an answer. Let God's word change you just like it did Elijah and me-
Moses was a man of courage and strong leadership skills. He was a man's man. But even a man like Moses can go through periods of loneliness. Have you ever felt all alone- Sometimes the loneliness becomes so overwhelming that life can appear to be unlivable. In this lesson we will examine what caused loneliness in the life of Moses and what the cure was. Then we will examine the cure in depth. If you are feeling all alone, this lesson will change your whole outlook on life- May God encourage you through His word today.
Every year in America 36,000 people will take their own lives according to the Center for Disease Control. What causes a person to think life is no longer livable- In this series we will look at people in the Bible who almost took their own lives but God stopped them. What caused them to get to that point and what happened that changed them forever- In this lesson we look at someone who almost took his own life because he thought he was a failure when in fact he was not. Are you or someone you know battling the feeling of failure- God has a cure to make you realize you are not a failure. In fact, you are very important- Listen and we discover God's answer for feeling like a failure.
Despair- It's very real and can be fatal. It almost was for me 16 years ago. I was sitting behind a shed at my parent's home in Brentwood, Tennessee with a 9mm pistol in my mouth and my finger on the trigger. Only God stopped me. What causes a person to get to this point in their life- What stops them from pulling the trigger- According to the Center for Disease Control in their -Understanding Suicide Fact Sheet 2012-, 36,000 people in America take their own life every year. Another 374,000 people every year try and do not succeed. There is an answer and God is the key. In this new series we'll examine people in the Bible that wanted to die but did not. What caused their despair and how did God help them. May God spare and heal many lives through this very important series. It begins with my own personal story-
Jesus is our Savior. Of that there is no doubt. But that is not all He is to us. He is our example of the proper way to live. He lived for 33 years and ministered publicly for 3 1-2 years to show us how it should be done.He went through everything we could possibly face yet without sin. In this lesson we talk about three things, Who Jesus is, What His purpose was and what we should do about Him as individuals.
When does salvation begin and end- The wonderful part about salvation is that we are promised that it will accomplish what God intended for it to accomplish- We will be like Christ one day and live with God forever in Heaven. In this lesson we examine the Purpose, the Process and the Progression of salvation. When we received Christ as our savior we began a journey with God that ends in Heaven. Understanding this journey and what God is doing causes life to have a whole new meaning. It helps us to understand some of the -WHYS- in our life. This one truth could change your life and how you approach life.
In answering the question, -What is Salvation- there are two things that must be addressed. First the understanding of our situation with God. This we discussed in part 1. In this lesson we will discuss the second part of answering this question and that is the -Hearing of God's Plan of Salvation.- What actually happens when a person gets saved- How do we get saved- In John 3 Jesus explained to Nicodemus the answer to these questions and more. we will also look at evidence that seems to indicate that Nicodemus, a ruling Pharisee, did get saved- May this lesson change the lives of all who hear, understand - accept it by faith-
In the spiritual realm, what does the term -Saved- mean- When we refer to the term -Salvation-, what are we talking about- The answer to this question will make the difference between Heaven - Hell for all eternity. In this lesson we begin to answer the question, -What is Salvation- by examining two basic facts we have to know before we can properly answer this very important question. Follow along with us as we define one of the most important terms in the Bible-
If God is in control of everything, then why is there sin in the world- How does God handle sin- God is in control of everything, even the sinful acts of mankind. In this lesson we will answer the question, -Does God Cause Sin- and we will also look at the 4 ways God controls sin.
Is God really in control- Have you ever had someone to console you in a time of sorrow, loss, or despair by saying that -God is in control and He has a purpose for this in your life.- That sounds great, but it does not always bring encouragement. Two things cause that fact to encourage us- timing - understanding. In this lesson we will focus on understanding what it means that God is in control. What is the providence of God, what is the foundation of God's providence and what are the two aspects of God's providence. All of these are discussed din this lesson-
The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most profound and important doctrines of the Bible. If God the Father, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit are not all God, then all we believe is destroyed. In this lesson we will examine some basic facts about the Trinity, discuss the biblical teaching that proves the Trinity and then explore what this means to us as believers and why it is so important-
God is God because He is different than we are. In this lesson we will look at the non-moral - moral attributes of God. what makes Him God- What did God mean when He said that He does not change- Is He a mean and intolerant God- If not, how do we know- What is holiness and can we be holy- These and many more questions will be answered in this lesson-
What is God like- His nature includes his essence or his substance and reality and His attributes. In this lesson we will discover why God is not just an idea but He is real. There are 7 characteristics of His essence that we will study in this lesson-
Is there a God- Does He really exist- If so, then how do we know- In this lesson we will look at the basic views of God's existence as well as the three main human arguments for God's existence. Then we will examine the Bible proof that God exists and 4 reasons why people do not believe in God. If someone asked you why you believe in God, what would you say. This lesson should help-
Guilt can be like the pain sensors in our brain, warning us that something is wrong. It can also paralyze us when it is false guilt. What is Guilt- How do we deal with it in our lives so that it benefits us and does not paralyze us- We will answer those questions in this lesson. We will talk about the the two types of guilt. We will examine what false guilt is and then look at the 4 steps to dealing with guilt properly from the Bible.
Is the Bible all we need to know God and what He wants to tell us- The answer is yes. In this lesson we will look at why the Bible is all we need as well as four reasons why people add to or take away from the Bible.
Is the Bible necessary for us to know God, have our sins forgiven - know God's will for our lives- Can we know these things without the Bible- These are the questions we will answer in this lesson. We will examine that the Bible is necessary for Salvation, Sanctification and Service. Should the Bible be a part of our daily life- How do we use the Bible in our service for the Lord- May we realize we are unarmed soldiers in a serious war without our Bible-
Can we really understand the Bible- This is a common question in today's world. The Bible was given to us by God and He wants us to understand it. In this lesson we will establish the fact that the Bible can indeed be understood by everyone. There are reasons why people do not understand the Bible and these will be addressed. In this lesson three very important aspects of understanding the Bible are explained, -Illumination-, -Interpretation- and -Application.- we can understand the Bible and in this lesson we learn how.
In any system of belief there has to be a common standard of authority. The Bible is the Christian's standard of authority. In this lesson we will discuss what revelation and inspiration are. How did it happen- We will explain the two kinds of revelation and give examples. We will talk about why those people in remote parts of the world will all have an opportunity to hear the good news of salvation. We will talk about the characteristics of inspiration that make God's word without error - reliable-
This is the first of 4 lessons on the doctrine of the Bible. In order to know right and wrong, there must be a standard of truth. In this lesson we will look at what the Bible teaches truth is and where it comes from. We will also discuss 4 things God teaches us about the Bible. Then I will explain the 4 reasons why I personally believe the Bible to be God's Word to us.
Why should a believer study theology- It takes time, work, effort. It is not always exciting. It does not necessarily increase my salary or help me climb the corporate ladder. So why should I study it- In this lesson we will look at 5 reasons why every believer should not only study theology but make it a priority. This could change our entire outlook on how we study the Bible.
What do we really believe about God- Why do we believe it- In this introduction to a larger series on Bible doctrine or theology, we discuss what theology really is. What important question does it answer- What is -My Theology- - what is theology in a practical way to a follower of Jesus- When you hear the term, -Theology-, what comes to your mind- To many people words - phrases such as -difficult, deep, too hard to understand, boring, not necessary, not practical-- All of these ideas are dispelled in this lesson. Theology is a very practical and necessary part of being a follower of Jesus - is anything but boring -if taught in a real - practical way-. We will explain this thought in this lesson - -What is Theology--
-Grief is a certainty.- - Billy Graham- Sorrow - grief are a part of life in this world. How can we properly handle it- In this lesson we will answer the questions, What is Grief- What does the Bible say about the believer and grief- Is it okay to grieve- How is grieving different for a believer versus a non-believer- We will also discuss a 4 step process from 2 Samuel 12 that will help us to properly handle grief in our lives- Sorrow - grief are a certainty in life. We will all face it. It can either make us stronger or destroy our lives if not handled properly- May God teach us how to properly handle grief and sorrow-
-Anxiety- is an emotion that we all confront. No matter how hard we work at overcoming anxiety or worry, it never completely goes away from our lives. How do we confront anxiety and worry and keep it from paralyzing our lives- In this lesson we look at a definition of anxiety, healthy - unhealthy anxiety. We will also discuss the most important aspect of winning with worry. We will list the things we need to focus on and 6 practical things we can do when we are worried to help us overcome it in our lives-
For the purpose of this lesson we will adopt the following definition of loneliness- -Loneliness is the concept in my mind that I am by myself.- We can be lonely in a crowded room. We can feel all alone in a job or in a church or class if we feel we are getting no help. In this lesson we will discuss the possible causes for loneliness and the key factors to winning the battle we have with loneliness. A battle all of us will confront at sometime in our lives.
Most of us will deal with some form of depression in our life time. All people, good and bad, are candidates for depression. Depression can be a killer- In this study, we will look at what the Bible says about overcoming depression. Topics such as, -What is the key to overcoming depression-- -Is sin always the cause of depression-- -Possible causes of depression.- -Warning signs that depression is at the door- and much more. We will then discover from Scripture the 4 main aspects of dealing with depression and the 6 practical steps for overcoming depression. May God use this to help us and others to realize God's plan for our peace and joy in life-
It has been estimated that as much as 95- of all people battle with some form of inferiority or low self esteem. This battle has led to depression and even suicide in some cases. In this lesson we will identify things that cause inferiority - low self esteem. We will learn the key to overcoming these emotions. We will learn the biblical definition of Self Image, Self Esteem and Self love. we will learn the 5 things that describe how we are to properly love ourselves. We will close the lesson with a 5 step checklist to go through when we feel inferior to help us overcome this emotion that destroys our lives and our potential for God-
At some point in all our lives we will have to battle envy and jealousy. It is described in Galatians as an obvious act of the sinful nature. So in this lesson we answer three very important questions. What is envy - jealousy- Where does it come from- How do we deal with it- We will see a process of emotional destruction that can eventually lead to depression and even suicide if not dealt with properly. May God grant thousands of lives, like mine, victory through these simple Bible truths applied to our lives-
We all battle ANGER at some point in our lives. Anger can be the foundation of many other struggles caused in our lives. Therefore, if we can learn how to control and deal with anger, we can possibly solve several issues at once. In this lesson we will discuss, 6 tendencies we all have that could cause anger to result in an improper response. We will also look at the 3 possible responses when we are angry, the secret to controlling anger and the 5 steps to take when anger enters our heart to help us control it and respond properly.
-In your anger, do not sin...- This is what Paul told the Ephesian church in Ephesians 4-26. What is -Sinless Anger-- Does this mean there is anger that is not sinful- In this lesson -part 1 of 2 on -Anger--we will seek to answer the following questions, -What is anger-- -What can cause anger-- -What does anger look like in my life-- -What is sinless anger-- To control anger we must have a clear understanding of what it is and how it is created in our lives- God has the answer-
In the battle for our emotions, God has provided some spiritual clothing for us to wear that will protect us from losing these battles. In this lesson we will discuss how to protect ourselves using God's armor. We will also look at each piece of the armor and learn what it is and how it should look if we use it properly in our lives. This lesson is critical to understanding how to win the battle for our emotions.
-HOW CAN WE KEEP FROM BECOMING AN EMOTIONAL WRECK-- How do we deal with anger, low self-esteem, loneliness, depression, jealousy and more- These are the questions to be answered in this new series about the -Battle for our Emotions-- In this first lesson, we will examine the spiritual war that takes place inside of every person on a daily basis. We will learn the 4 characteristics that define this war. We will define the real enemy in this battle. Until we understand what the real issues are, we will never be able to win the battle for our emotions.
Have you ever asked God, -Why did you allow this to happen to me-- I think we all have at some time or another. God uses our personal experiences to strengthen us spiritually. Nothing ever happens to us without a divine purpose attached to it. In this lesson we will learn- ----1. What does God use these experiences to do in our life- --2. How do we approach - handle these experiences so that we benefit from them---3. What will begin to change in my life as a Christian-----If you have ever wondered why something happened to you, this is a must lesson for you-
Have you ever thought that life would be so wonderful if the only person on earth was you- That would get old quick - life would be really boring- The truth is, life is all about people. In this lesson we examine the fact that every person that crosses our path was sent to us by God for some purpose. It may be to help us or for us to help them. We will look at the two things God uses these people to do in our lives. We will also see the three ways we are to approach people that God send to us and the results that we will see in our own lives when we respond to people God's way- Who are these people- They are the people God has sent to us for a reason-
What is in it for me- That is a common question when we are approached about buying into anything. In this lesson we will address that very issue relative to church. Why should I go to church- What benefit will I get by going to church- What is church- What will church do for me and what kind of results will I see if I participate in church- How do I approach church so that it will bring helpful results in my life- All of these questions should be answered in this lesson. Many people have a flawed conception about what church really is and why it is important. We hope to clear that up in this lesson-
Can we pray anywhere, about anything, at anytime- Of course we can. However, if we look at the example of Jesus, He had private, on purpose, often, uninterrupted and focused times of prayer. We also need this kind of prayer in our life- In this lesson we will look at the 3 ways this kind of prayer will change our lives. Have you ever wondered how to worry less- This lesson addresses that issue. Does God still answer my prayer if I have trouble believing- Yes He does and we will look at the Bible account where Jesus himself teaches this. This one lesson could change your whole life-
There are numerous resources that talk about and describe prayer. Prayer is one of the essentials in the life of a follower of Christ. There are many aspects of prayer to be learned. What to say when we pray, where to pray, when to pray, how often to pray, etc. The greatest resource for knowing how to pray is Jesus himself. In Luke 11-1-4, his disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray so lets do the same- As we examine the life of Jesus and how he prayed, we notice a few basic characteristics. These are discussed in this lesson.
Prayer is a critical part of our spiritual growth but many of us do not fully understand what prayer does for us. Prayer is for us, not God. Though God desires us to pray, it helps us. In this session we will look at 3 things that prayer does for us when we make it a part of our lives.
This is part 3 of our series on spiritual body building with the Bible. In this lesson we discuss the 6 results we can expect to see from using the Bible properly in our lives. We will also share practical examples of how each of these results can show up in our life.
This is part 2 of using the Bible to build our spiritual lives. In part 1 we discussed what the Bible does for us. In this lesson we examine how to use the Bible to realize spiritual growth in our lives. The bible is our sword to be used against the Devil and his temptations. We will look at 5 ways we use the bible in our life to help us be affective when we use this sword. These same 5 things are the spiritual exercises we do with the Bible to grow stronger spiritually.
In body building, when we use a certain piece of equipment or machine or do a certain exercise we want to know three basic facts - What does this do for me- - How do I use it- - What are the results- We will answer all three of these questions about each piece of spiritual body building equipment in our spiritual gym of life. In this lesson we begin with the most basic of all tools for our spiritual growth, the Bible. In this lesson we examine 6 important things the Bible will do for us. Have you ever read the Bible and struggled to come away with something practical that affects your life- This lesson will begin to address that issue and send us on our way to powerful and life changing Bible study-
Paul told Timothy that physical training had some value but training to be Godly had value for this life and the life to come. In this lesson we will identify the basic tools God uses to build us spiritually so we can glorify God in our body or our physical life on this earth. We will also look at the 5 basic principles for spiritual body building.
1 Timothy 4-8 tells us that -physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.- verse 7 says, -train yourself to be godly.- In this series we will explore and learn how to train ourselves to be godly. In Philippians 1-20 Paul said he wanted Christ to be exalted in his -body.- In 1 Corinthians 6-20 Paul tells us to honor God with our -body.- In 1 Corinthians 9-27 Paul says he had to -beat his body- -discipline- in order to win the race. In this series we are going to learn about the -Equipment- the -Exercises- and the -Areas of our Life- to focus on so that we can finish the race of life as winners in Christ. This is -Body Building God's Way.- This lesson helps us define what Spiritual Discipline is.
Is polygamy right or wrong for a christian- People in the Bible practiced polygamy. Abraham, David, Solomon, just to name a few. So what does the Bible say about this and is it right for a christian today to have more than one married spouse- These are all questions we seek to answer in this lesson. In today's world, these are issues a christian will face and we need to know the mind of the Lord about what to do.
This is part two of a lesson about the sexual crisis that we appear to be facing in our society. In lesson one we realized that the real crisis is sin not sexual. In this lesson we will examine the solution to the apparent sexual crisis and the attitude a Christian should take towards those involved in sexual sin. How should a Christian respond- We will learn three very important ways a Christian should respond. Not what you might think-
The question was asked of me, -Why are we so hard on homosexuals-- There is a sexual crisis among people today but it is no different than what has gone on since the beginning of time. What is this crisis and why is it a problem- In this lesson we define the real crisis from the Bible and begin to answer the question, -How should a Christian act toward the sexual crisis we face today-- An honest look at the real issue.
Is the desire for a sexual or physical relationship bad- Does God intend for us to enjoy a sexual relationship- When does God say it is okay to have a sexual relationship- These are all common questions being pondered today in our society. This lesson will look at what the Bible says about God's design for the sexual relationship. We will also look at the reality of sexual temptation and why this is a problem to mankind. What is morality and immorality- We will answer these questions as well.
In the world today, the topic of sexuality and marriage has become an area of great confusion especially among Christians. In this series we will explore what God says about the subject and how a child of God should treat this very important matter in their lives. We begin with a study of how the Bible determines right and wrong. What is Satan's strategy, what determines right - wrong, what is God's design for our life and where does God's grace fit in this issue- This is the foundation of knowing how to properly deal with this issue on our lives.
The most life changing aspect of studying the Bible is properly applying what I study to my own life. In this lesson we will look at principles of spiritual growth, two areas of spiritual growth, what the -basics- are that every believer should master and then 6 practical questions to ask ourselves when we study the Bible that will help us apply the Bible properly to our life.
Most misunderstandings and false ideas and doctrines occur from a wrong interpretation of the Bible.In this lesson we will look at some basic principles of Bible interpretation that will help the everyday Christian to be able to properly understand the Bible when they read it. We will also talk about some study tools to use when interpreting the Bible and 6 steps to follow when studying the Bible.
Prayer is one of the most basic practices of our faith. Do we really understand what it is and how to do it the Bible way- In this lesson we will answer the question, -What is prayer and how do we do it-- We will define what prayer is, look at 4 kinds of prayer, biblical characteristics of prayer and 8 practical instructions for how to prayer.
What should we be looking for when we study the Bible- This study addresses the topic of -Meditation.- What is it and how do we do it relative to Bible Study- We list the 5 basic objectives of Bible study and also look at the practical goals of bible study. The 8 goals of bible study in discipleship are also listed and discussed. A life changing lesson that will change forever how we approach Bible study.
How can the average Christian study the Bible so that they understand it and it changes their life- In this mini-series we will learn 4 basics about life changing Bible study that anyone can do. We begin by looking at some basics truths about the Bible. There are some basic facts that one must understand and accept before the Bible will ever make sense to them. May God use this series to make the Bible come alive in your life.
What does the Bible say about baptism- What is it- Is it necessary for salvation- Who should be baptized- When should one be baptized- How should a person be baptized- What is infant baptism and does the Bible teach that it should be done- Why do some churches baptize babies- We will answer all of these questions in this very practical lesson that is so vital to a Christian's walk with God.
As Americans, we are privileged to live in a country where we are free. Although there are many Americans who have never known real freedom in their lives. Suicide, divorce, depression, crime, debt, bitterness, alcoholism, drug addiction, just to mention a few, have people all around us locked in a prison of despair. Through Jesus Christ we can be free from these things. Jesus said, -You shall know the truth and the truth will make your free.- What did He mean- In this lesson we will study that statement by Jesus and discover what the Bible describes as -Real Freedom--
Jesus taught that a house built on sand would fall but a house built on the rock will stand. This principle is discussed in this lesson as it applies to building a wise home. We also summarize all the principles discussed in our series on -Wisdom for the Home.-
The book of Proverbs describes for us three basic things needed in the home for it to have a strong foundation. In this lesson we will discover and describe what these three things are and then learn how to build these three things into our lives and home.
In this lesson we will learn how God described King David's life as it came to an end. We will also summarize the entire series on -How to Have a Heart Like God,- even though we are sinners like David was. The Bible says David enjoyed his life. We too can live a life of joy if we learn how to have a heart like God and deal properly with those things that would rob us of that. This lesson will give you a summary you can refernec each day to help you as you seek to live a life with a heart like God.
There is no question that we all have a sin nature and the daily battle between our sin nature and the Spirit of God for control of our lives is real -Galatians 5-16-18-. David, a man after God's own heart, commited sin. How did he deal with this and overcome his sin so that he finished his life serving God- In this lesson we will discuss the Process of Sin -how we are tempted to sin- and the Path to Restoration. If you have ever thought that God does not love you or that you cannot live the Christian life because of something you have done in your past, then this lesson will give you hope and show you how to overcome that so that you can live in victory and joy serving God, even though we sin. May God restore thousands of lives through this very powerful truth-
Having a heart like God means, among other things, that we are passionate about what He is passionate about. Christ was passionate about the church because it is His body, His bride, and He died for it. In this lesson we will study David's passion for the Lord's work and his desire to build a house for the ark of the Lord. In this we will see 5 characteristics of David that describe how we can have a passion for God's work. May God give us all a renewed passion for His work-
The two things that destroy more marriages than anything else is the mis-use of money and sex. In this lesson, we look at what the book of Proverbs says about protecting your marriage from adultery. In this lesson we study the process of sin and the plan to protect our marriage according to the Bible. We look at 4 things needed to guard our heart and then 4 principles of growing our marriage.
Christianity is a realtionship with the living God through His Son Jesus Christ. This means we are to walk in fellowship and communication with Him every day. In this lesson we will examine the two main characteristics of someone who walks with God and how those two things can be an everyday part of each of our lives as seen in the life of David.
God uses all kinds of people in our lives to mold and make us into the person He wants us to be. Handling the difficult people is the challenge. In this lesson we will discover 4 principles to practice when dealing with diffcult people in our lives. David had to deal with Saul and his jealousy. We will discover these 4 principles as we examine how David handled Saul.
In this lesson we look at a parents God given responsibility to -train- their children. We will also discuss the 4 parts of training children as described in Proverbs. We will discuss discipline and what the Bible says about it relative to training children.
In this lesson we will look at 7 characteristics of a wicked home as described in Proverbs and the three ways we can possibly participate in these 7 things. These are the things we should avoid to have a Godly home.
All of us face situations in our lives that overwhelm us. Many of them we view as impossible. In this lesson we examine the familiar story of David and Goliath and draw some very powerful principles for our lives to help us trust God and overcome those -Giants- in our life. We will elarn how to face difficulty with a heart like God.
In this lesson we will define what it means to have a heart like God and then look at the character of David as a servant.
Materialism can destroy a home and a life. In this lesson, we look at 4 things God teaches in the book of Proverbs about how to handle money and materalism in the christian home.
No other chapter in the Bible describes the power and elegance of the godly woman like Proverbs 31. In this lesson we will examine the characteristics of the virtuous woman as described by God.
The Prudent wife is a very powerful part of the Christian home. In this lesson we take a look at the description of a prudent wife in the book of Proverbs.
When we consider the fact that we are sinners, it makes it hard to believe that we could have a heart like God. The fact is that God longs for our heart to be like His. Kind David was a regular guy whom God said, had a heart like God. In this lesson we look at four characteristics of David's life that can be true of anyone. These characteristics are the beginning of having a heart like God.
The Bible warns that the person who brings trouble to the home will reap the wind and bring a curse to the home. The Bible also promises that God will bless the home of the righteous. In this lesson, we examine several principles in Proverbs that describe what a righteous home looks like. In doing these things, we can help avoid unnecessary trouble in the home.
Heaven, the eternal dwelling place of God and His children. This session looks at Revelation chapters 21 - 22 and describes the eternal state of man in the New Heaven and the New Earth. What will that be like. We do not know everything but in this study we will examine several aspects of what they will be like.