The Second Mark of Discipleship

Reading the Bible

“If most of us opened a carpenter’s tool kit, we wouldn’t know what to do with most of what we found inside. Using the tools of any trade requires the development of skills through mentoring, practice, and experience. It is no different with the Bible, the key tool in the trade of discipleship.” - Michael Foss Power Surge.

Reading God’s Word can be difficult. When God invites us to read and study His Word, God doesn’t require us to understand everything. God invites us into a relationship through the words of the Bible, and the relationship is primarily with God’s Son, Jesus, the living Word.


Need some help?
Here is a three-step process for discerning the voice of God in the words of the Bible:

1. Pray that God will speak to you in the words you are about to read. Invite the Holy Spirit to open God’s heart and character to you in the words of Scripture.

2. Read the passage, stopping when it speaks to you, or at the end of a section. Ask: what does this passage tell me about God or life? How does it fit with what I know about Jesus? What lesson is here for me?

3. Pray that God will transform us as we read. We want to conform our attitudes and behaviors to God’s will that we see lived out in the scriptures, and we ask God for the ability to do this.


Scripture for the Week

Thursday
John 1:1-5

Friday
Psalm 119:97-105

Saturday
Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Sunday
Matthew 4:1-11

Monday
Hebrews 4:12-16

Tuesday
2 Timothy 3:14-17

Wednesday
Luke 4:14-21

The First Mark of Discipleship

Can one be a Christian without being religious? The vast majority of Americans think so. Polls and opinion surveys indicate that a the majority of adults in this country think of themselves as Christian. Yet their self-understanding of a Christian does not seem to be reflected in their lives in the form of practiced faith. As Christians, something must set us apart from the rest. This is more that just living a good life. It is more that doing good things. It is more than being a member of St. James Lutheran Church or any church for that matter. It is being a disciple. It is carrying the cross. It is living a life that exhibits the marks of Discipleship.


The Marks of Discipleship
We are going to spend the 40 days of Lent learning the six marks of discipleship. These are the six ways of living out our faith that show the world that we are different than a good citizen. These practices of faith will help us bridge the gap between belief and behavior. These disciplines of faith are based on biblical and historical practices that have long characterized individuals with living, active faith.


The Six Marks of Discipleship
As a member of Saint James Lutheran Church and the body of Christ I believe that I am called…”to the measure of the stature of Christ” -Ephesians 4:12
I will strive to…
1. PRAY daily
2. WORSHIP weekly
3. READ the Bible
4. SERVE at and beyond St. James
5. Be in RELATIONSHIP to encourage the spiritual growth of others
6. GIVE of my time, talents and resources


PRAYER
The assumption is that we all know how to pray. This problem of not knowing how to pray is not a new one. Some two thousand years ago, Jesus “was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord teach us to pray’” -Luke 11:1 Prayer is something that needs to be taught and learned over and over again; from the child getting ready for bed to the elderly person resting in a nursing home.

Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude.


Some Tips for your Prayer Life

It is important to take time to step into God’s presence Each Day. Here are some tips to help:

1. Identify your best time– morning, evening, during lunch break.

2. Find a place where you will not be interrupted.

3. Get comfortable.

4. Begin your conversation with God.

5. Review your day.

6. What do you have to be thankful for?

7. What situations do you need to ask for help with?

8. Where do you need forgiveness and healing?

9. Are there people and situation you want to pray for?

10. Leave it in God’s hands.

You can also just sit in silence and listen for God.




Scripture for the Week

Thursday

Luke 11:1-13

Friday

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

Saturday

Psalm 5:1-12

Sunday

Psalm 63:1-11

Monday

Mark 11:20-24

Tuesday

Psalm 46:1-11

Wednesday

Psalm 62:1-8

Wednesday Vesper Service

All are invited to join us for mid-week meals and prayer services throughout Lent. Every Wednesday until Easter, we will begin with a light dinner in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30PM, and then we will move to the Sanctuary for a Vesper Service at 7PM. This year, our pastors are presenting a sermon series on the 6 Marks of Discipleship. Come along, and bring a friend.

Hello, Lent

Our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper was a lot of fun, and the food was delicious! Thanks to all who came out to enjoy the fellowship and fill your plates (and your stomachs) with pancakes and sausages. We had a great time together, and we buried the Alleluias for Lent. We'll pull them back out at the great celebration of the Resurrection in early April. Tonight, everyone is invited to join us for a service of Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes at 7PM. May you all have a blessed Lenten season.

Sun or Snow

We've had a lot of winter weather lately, but our church doors are not closed! Sunday is the Lord's day, no matter the weather. Come and worship with us on Sundays at 8AM and 10:30AM, with Sunday School at 9:15AM.

Boxing for Hunger

The Youth at St. James are hosting a canned good drive this Friday, January 22, from 6-10PM. They'll be camped out in big boxes in front of our church and will stay outside in the cold until they collect 1,000 canned goods to be donated to a local food pantry. Please consider giving to help this worthy cause.

Servant of The Lord

This new Christmas banner was donated to us by a family from our congregation to honor the ministry of the Reverend William Kyzer, Sr. at St. James Lutheran Church.

Pastor Bill is a son of the congregation and has worked as a visitation minister and assisting minister for many years now. We have been so blessed to have him serve God in this place. At the end of 2009, Pastor Bill retired, and we are sad to see him go! On Saturday, January 9, at 6PM, we are holding a retirement party to celebrate his ministry here and to let him know how much he means to us. All are invited to bring a dish to share. We thank God for Pastor Bill and for the many ways that he has faithfully used his gifts to serve our Lord.