Editor’s note: The recent Town Hall for Hope Event can be purchased as a video download, or on CD from the main website.

I know that we have been announcing the upcoming class both in church & through these email updates, but I was recently given even more information to share with everyone.

The class will begin on Monday night March 2nd @ 6:30pm.

(we changed it to Monday nights to accommodate many who were unable to make is on Sunday evenings, and hope that this will be a better night for the majority of people)

The class will be a mix of video on the big screen, and discussion time, and will be facilitated by Scott & Jaime Duck.

Here is a description of the program as given by the FPU:

 

• Teaches financial responsibility with easy baby steps
• Helps eliminate debt using the Debt Snowball method
• Offers accountability and continued support with lifetime membership
• Trains participants to spend every dollar on paper with the zero-based budget planner
• Empowers people struggling with financial hardships by establishing a plan to take control of their finances

The Financial Peace University Member Kit includes:

Financial Peace University Workbook
13 life-changing lessons designed to be worth $2,000-$3,000 in information and education!

All 13 Lessons on CD
Listen to the lessons anytime, or use them as a refresher once you’ve completed the program

Dave’s best-selling book, Financial Peace Revisited
Over a million have benefited from these solid financial principles of common-sense money management

Financial Peace University Envelope System
Easy cash management envelope system

Budgeting Forms
Complete set of monthly budgeting forms and examples

UPDATED Financial Peace University Bonus CD
Includes financial calculator, screen saver and more!

Two Debit Card Holders
Helps you stop busting your budget!

Tip Cards
Easy reference guides for you to use when you go out

Member Resource Center
Information about how to get started in the MRC, a free online tool with exclusive clips, stories, assignments, forums, and much more!

Here are the lesson titles

1. Super Saving
2. Relating with money
3. Cash Flow Planning
4. Dumpling Debt
5. Credit Sharks in Suits
6. Buyer Beware
7. Clause and Effect
8. That’s Not Good Enough!
9. Of Mice and Mutual Funds
10. From Fruition to Tuition
11. Working in Your Strengths
12. Real Estate and Mortgages
13. The Great Misunderstanding (Bonus Lesson)

Especially with the current economic climate in our country, people now, more than ever, need direction & Godly wisdom on how to deal with their finances.

And… this time of year, during these Winter weeks, is the perfect time to get out of the house & get involved with each other…as well as gain great financial wisdom!

We would LOVE to see as many participate as possible!

From the time a person makes the decision to follow Christ, it seems as though they are continually separated from the world around them. You might be saying… isn’t this a good thing?

The bible tells us that we are a new creation when we are cleansed by our faith in Jesus. And as it says in 2 Corinthians 6, we are to separate ourselves from the unrighteousness of the world, by not joining (partnering or yoking) ourselves with it any longer. We know that we are to live holy lives, separated unto God in our heart, as well as our deeds. The bibles also says that we need to be wise in who we surround ourselves with & receive counsel from, as we read in Psalms 1.

Having said that, we know that as a Christ follower (and because we are changed into a new creation), we are to live with the heart of our savior & have His desires as our highest priority! And even though we are told to separate ourselves from the “things” of this world, we have also been commissioned by Jesus Himself, to go into all the world (into our world) and share the good news of the gospel. This wasn’t just a “passive suggestion”, but an active commission for us.

I like to think about the holidays at our house… it’s wonderful to have a house full of family, gathered around the table enjoying time together! Jesus gave us this same picture in Luke 14:23, where He said, go out into the streets and persuade them to come in, because I want a full house. God wants a big family… all enjoying life together!

We know by overwhelming evidence throughout the scriptures, that God’s heart is for people everywhere to turn towards Him and receive the gift of salvation. It was His plan from the very beginning of time, and He prepared to bridge the gap between us & Him way before we ever knew there was a gap!

While Jesus was here on earth, He said… I only do what I see my father do. And we can see by His example, that He spent His time reaching out in love to a lost & dying world even up until the very end… when He gave the ultimate gift of love – His own death in our place.

Our lesson stemmed from the account in Luke 5:27-32, when Matthew, a tax collector, decided to follow Jesus. And upon making this exciting decision, the first thing he did, was to throw a big feast (or party) & invite all of his other friends who were also tax collectors over to his house.

Of course… this made the religious folks of the day very angry, and they accused Jesus of eating with, drinking with, and being a friend of sinners.

To these accusations, Jesus replied… “Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders – an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.” (Luke 5:31 message)

This was uncomfortable for the religious people, because:

• Matthew was not a speaker sharing from their platform
• He wasn’t one of their chosen select few
• Matthew was considered the “filth” of society
• The meeting was not held in the synagogue
• It was not labeled a study of scripture (or Bible study)

It was simply… dinner at Matthew’s place, and Jesus was a guest.

Although Jesus didn’t share in the life style or sinful habits of these tax collectors, He was able to look past their outer appearance, and with the love of the Father, see people who needed a savior. We know this by His reply in Luke 5:31 (above).

What is a Matthew Party?

A get together (or party) with the purpose of getting to know those around you, and in love, introducing them to Jesus. The invitation list should consist of both people that are still far from God, as well as a few Christ followers.

As Christians we need to remember, that we can do many good things for God, but if we do not truly love others, it is all for nothing!

1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

We need to remember, that those who are far from God, do not act like Christ followers… because they are not! God’s love is what draws people into His family, and as the family of God, we are to show His love to others, so that by faith, they will be drawn into His family as well.

Here are a few ideas you might consider for a Matthew party at your house

• A picnic
• A pizza party
• Pool party
• Game night (outdoor or indoor)

A few points to consider

• Be sure that those who are already Christ followers are outnumbered, so that those who are far from Christ don’t feel like they are being ganged up on.
• Try to decide which Christ followers would be best for those on your invitation list. You might think about age, stage in life, interests, temperament, etc. You want this to be a wonderful experience for all.
• You should never find yourself “enjoying” the ways of the world – or participating in them.

Remember the goal is to always – in love – point to Jesus!

This is an exciting time, because God is causing us to be alert & see the possibility of revival in our land.

Our Tues. evening class “Just Walk Across The Room”, lead by Pastor Jonnie, has been very encouraging! We have learned a lot about the need to get involved in the lives of others. Not to merely “convert” them, but to show them the true love of Jesus.

If you have ever said things like…

• I don’t know what to say to people
• I’m afraid I won’t know all the answers
• I don’t know how to start the conversation
• What if they reject me

Then you will love the simplistic methods that Pastor Bill Hybels shares in his book “Just Walk Across The Room.” He breaks things down into simple practical steps for us to live by.

1. Simply be willing to walk into a person’s life
2. Take the first step towards someone & be genuinely interested in them as a person
3. Find out their story
4. Share your story
5. Continue to show the love of Jesus, be aware when the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak, and allow God to do the work in their lives

Last night, we learned the importance of getting familiar with your own story. So many times, people don’t know where to begin, so they begin “all the way” back at the beginning (of creation We learned how to prepare our story, so that it is concise, and to the point. After all, we may only have a moment or two with someone, and we want to leave them with hope.

Your story should consist of 3 elements:

1. Before Jesus
   How was your life before you met Jesus? Write down some adjectives to describe what your life was like.
2.  Jesus
   What brought you to a relationship with Jesus?
3. After Jesus 
   How has your life changed since you made Jesus the center of your life? In this part, you can also share something that He is still working on in your life.

Take these 3 elements that you have written down, and try to put them together into a brief (approx. 1 minute) story about how you came to Christ. Become very familiar with what you have written down, so that you will feel very comfortable sharing it with those you come in contact with.

Here’s what the bible has to say about being prepared to share our story.

1 Peter 3:15-16
And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. NLT

I also like how the message bible says it…

Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.

Click here to see a preview of the book & some links to where you can pick up your own copy -
Just Walk Across The Room

The class will be based from a book written by Pastor Bill Hybels.

We will learn how to help others meet God, and why it’s important. There will also be solid advice on evangelism, without sounding like you’re checking items off of your spiritual list.

We will learn to live in 3-D (find out what those 3 D’s are in the class), and be challenged to move beyond our insulated vacuum world of our own. We will explore “the power of story” and to learn how to tell our own spiritual stories concisely and effectively.

We are not only looking forward to what we will learn together in this new class, but also to hearing the testimonies of how the body has applied the knowledge by helping people find life & hope in Christ!

We want to encourage everyone to get involved in this class, as we know the principles being taught are God’s will for our lives as Christ followers!

Location: At the Rome Campus
Day: Tuesday evenings
Time: 7pm