Each guide focuses on a specific book of the Bible and contains between 10 and 14 lessons.   Each lesson starts out with “warm up” questions which serve to introduce the related theological points.  MacArthur then presents the scripture for the lesson and provides helpful commentary on the language and context of scripture.  After you read the scripture and the commentary, the guide walks through a series of questions which help drive a group discussion.  Many of the questions contain reference scriptures that can be used to help tie the lesson’s scripture to other areas of the Bible.  This helps to clarify and emphasize the particular point of the lesson.

In our group, each individual completes the lesson before we meet.  It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to work through the lesson on your own and about the same about of time for the work through the lesson as a group.

The MacArthur Bible Studies series does an excellent job explaining the scriptures and promoting discussion. The only thing I don’t care for in the MacArthur Bible Studies series is that MacArthur seems to prefer the New King James Version (NJKV) of the scripture, which I find more difficult to read and understand than the New International Version (NIV) or New Living Translation (NLT).  Each study guide costs about $10.

To check them out for yourself, you can look at one of the lessons for James online at Amazon.com.

meet the reviewer: tim schmitt

Tim Schmitt has been attending the Alley since September of 2007, where he serves on the setup team, the A/V team, the communion team.  Tim also organizes the Alley’s two bowling teams.  Originally from Litchfield, MN, Tim moved to the Twin Cities area to attend college at Concordia St. Paul.  Tim is an I/T professional and enjoys bowling and riding his bicycle on the various trails in the Twin Cities area.

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God, quite literally, commands that we take a day off.  And can you think of a commandment that we more actively ignore than this one?

I know, I know, you are important and have important things to do.  I don’t understand you kids’ sports’ schedules, your work demands, your commitments.

Remember, this command is coming from God.  The very God of the universe who created the universe in 6 days.  And on the 7th day… he rested, sabbathed.

Now, before I simply convince you to take a day off.  Let me remind you what the heart of the Sabbath is about.  It is a time for renewal of your heart, mind, body and spirit by stopping to spend time in connection with your maker.

Some of us get the stopping part.  But, Sabbath is meant to be a reconnection with our maker, our King, our God.

This is a crucial part of practicing the other Spiritual Disciplines.  How can you repent if you’re not stopping and seeking God?  Your routine should include a true Sabbath.

As I write this, my wife and I are getting ready for a week long trip in a tropical place.  We will definitely stop, soak in the sun, enjoy a slower pace.  However, we are very excited about a time of Sabbath.  A time to seek our creator.  To pray to Him, listen to Him and read His word without distraction or noise from the rest of the world.

This is crucial to understanding that life is bigger than this world. That we are heavenly citizens and serve an eternal God.

May God bless you as you Sabbath in Him.

Here’s a quick link to the other Spiritual Disciplines.

Spiritual Disciplines (1 of 7) :: Spiritual Influence

Spiritual Disciplines (2 of 7) :: Routine

Spiritual Disciplines (3 of 7) :: Repentance

Spiritual Disciplines (4 of 7) :: Meditation

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This disc is another shining example of Starfield does very well; write engaging Christ focused songs with great hooks and loud guitars.  Lyrically they are not always dripping with scripture but they are focused and concise: Jesus is the Savior.  Many of the phrases are memorable and catchy and should leave you humming them throughout the day; which in the long run serves as a great reminder to who we are and most importantly; who we NEED.

Unlike the Gungor disc reviewed last week there is nothing new under the sun with this release.  The songs border on predictability and if could easily swap singer Tim Neufield’s voice out with a lot of other CCM males and hear a song that has already been done before.

I’m looking above at the previous paragraphs and realizing that I’m not exactly giving this disc it’s praise due.  Let me say this: the CD really is great.  You can listen to it from top to bottom and not want to hit the skip button.  In fact, you’ll probably hear a few of these cuts in upcoming worship services @ theAlley (shameless plug: 9a & 10:45a).  The music is conventional in that it is singable and works well in a corporate worship setting but with that, it still contains a lot of passion for the Gospel and Christ.

Below are some samples from my favorite tracks, feel free to check the rest out and maybe download a few or all over at Amazon.com

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In addition to Sunday morning, this coming fall we will be launching a new worship site on Sunday evenings in the Midway area of St. Paul.

In preparation for this we want to make sure that we are doing the most important thing first.  Seeking the Lord and His leading, praying for His protection from evil and for unity.  Please join us in praying for this site, the people it will reach and the city impact it will have.

Sunday night March 28th and every 4th Sunday of the month until the fall launch we will be doing a Sunday evening prayer and worship time in the Midway to seek the Lord’s leading on this. Shoot us an email at info@theAlley.org if you’d like more info or to get involved.

A special thanks to LINC – Twin Cities for their partnership in this.  They are both financially supporting this effort and coming along side in mission.  LINC is an organization that supports urban ministry and church planting.  They will be leading the “on the street” mission effort and will be hiring a full time site leader/worship leader to support this.

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