Christian Living: Peace in Practice

What does it mean to worship God? Is it a worship service or service of worship? There are radically differing answers to this question. What does the Bible say about it? Paul explains we should present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices. This is the way we should worship God. Find out what this looks like and how we can take steps toward this in our own lives.\r\n

God calls His followers to be different than than the rest of the world. What does this look like? Paul says the first step is to worship God with our whole lives, then let Him change us from the inside out. God wants to change our minds and the way we think. This will result in changes in the way we act. However, he warns us that we have to make a choice: either we can live for the world system or we can live for God.\r\n

What is the church? There are many different answers to this question, but what does the Bible say? Jesus says the church is the body of believers, i.e., people who believe in God. The Bible says God created the church to be intensely relational and interdependent, and God has a place for you in it! Find out how you can be a part of the church that God created. A testimony by Julie is included.\r\n

What does the phrase "separation of church and state" mean? What does the Bible have to say about this and what does it say about a Christian's engagement with the government? This section of Romans covers three principles: 1) be careful about bringing Christ's name into partisan politics; 2) Christians should be examples of respectful and thoughtful political discussion; and 3) discover your evangelical heritage.\r\n

Love is a basic human need. We all seek to be accepted, valued, and cared for. Where do we seek it? The Bible says God is love; in fact, that is the central message of the Bible. Why not share in God's love? God says experiencing love is based on giving. Find out what giving love looks like in a spiritual dimension, a moral dimension, and an emotional dimension.\r\n

The Bible does not address each and every situation in our lives. We can follow the clear principles of right and wrong, but what do we do with the gray areas? We find there is freedom within the bounds of objective morality and we need wisdom in making decisions in these areas. Find out how to think through matters of conscience with the example Paul gives in the book of Romans.\r\n

As Christians we are called to be in close fellowship with one another. This inevitably leads to situations that call for difficult conversations. Paul calls us to admonish each other as members of the body of Christ. What is admonishment? Who is responsible to admonish? What is at stake in this area? Practical steps to take regarding admonishment are discussed.\r\n