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CBA’s Treasure

Challenge Central: a CBC devotional

By: Lars Janssen

God has gifted me with a unique vantage point into my children’s school life. My four kids are in grades three, five, seven, and eight at Central Baptist Academy (CBA). My position is quite special because CBA is a ministry of Central Baptist Church, where I am an associate pastor (although many of you already know that). I get to participate by leading chapels, interacting with my kids’ teachers as both a parent and a pastor, and even incidentally just by being in the same building as my children while they are in school. My wife and I are even alumni of CBA—having either grown up with or been taught by several of the school’s teachers.

I have deep gratitude for those who have served throughout CBA’s ministry and the generational ripples are obvious in my family. It is wonderful to have a school in which there is absolute freedom to share the gospel and discuss the truth as it pertains to any subject, but let me assure you that the real treasure of this ministry is the teachers. Now let me tell you why.

CBA’s school verse is Colossians 1:28-29, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” The Him at the beginning is Jesus (see v27), and you will note that the goal is maturity in Christ.

How does a child mature? He is warned of danger; she is taught wisdom. But let me ask you, parents and grandparents: Is that easy to do day-in-and-day-out? If you don’t know, I’ll tell you from experience that it is not easy. In fact, it requires toil and struggle to even make the attempt.

What does maturity look like? A mature Christian’s character resembles Jesus more and more each day. A mature Christian recognizes that she is inadequate for the task; that he is in desperate need of help to both be warned and to warn as well as to be taught and to teach. A mature Christian has found that help comes from the energy that he powerfully works within believers. Maturity is realizing the way things truly are. It is realizing that “the hope of glory” (see Col. 1:27)—that is the hope for any good at all—rests solely in Christ.

Our CBA teachers are the real treasure at CBA because they are maturing Christians living with CBA students every day. When students have a problem on the playground, the authority figure is someone becoming more like Jesus—someone who will warn the students away from danger and toward Jesus. When students struggle in a classroom, the authority figure is someone who is becoming more like Jesus—someone who will teach the students what wisdom looks like in that struggle.

This week, we’re having a CBA emphasis Sunday at Central. Here’s your challenge, Central: Pray for our CBA teachers and then take an opportunity this Sunday to encourage them.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1!” – A Countdown to Worship (Renewing the Mind)

Challenge Central: a CBC devotional

By: Jeremy Heikkinen

Who doesn’t like a good countdown?! We do it for for the things we like and dislike: going back to school (like this week), going on vacation, cooking and baking, starting our services on Sunday, ringing in the New Year, etc. Countdowns keep us on track, creates anticipation, provides hope in pain, and parameters.

Here at Central we are seeking to become like Jesus as we worship, grow, and serve. We look at ‘Worship’ as a time for our minds to be renewed in the truth of God’s Word, the Scriptures. As we have come through the countdown of summer and come back to the ‘routine’ of the Fall, what is your plan for renewing your mind in the Scriptures? Where are you reading in God’s Word these days? Summer can be difficult to set aside a consistent time to study the Scriptures and if you are like me, it is easy to get out of routine. Here is a countdown that can help you get back in the routine of renewing your mind:

5- Take 5-10 minutes to read 5-10 verses.

• I suggest you choose the time of the day you are at your best (morning, evening, etc.)

• Choose a consistent location where you can have your Bible and notebook easily accessible (if possible even keep your Bible open).

• Pick a book or chapter in God’s Word that you would like to read through.

4- Observations

• What does the text say (who, what, when, where, why, and how)?

• What questions do you have about what the text says?

3- Application

• Based off the text, is there something that you need to confess and forsake?

• Based off the text, what would it look/sound like for you to become more like Jesus today?

2- Praises

• What is something from your life circumstances and events that you are thankful for (weather, good conversation with someone, good night’s sleep, etc)?

• What is something about God that never changes that you are thankful for?

1- Prayer

• What is on your heart today?

• What would you like God’s help in today?

• Who is someone that you should pray for and check in on today?

5,4,3,2,1 and done! It does not have to be more complicated than that. This is what I seek to do in the morning as I work my way through Philippians right now. You don’t need to spend hours unless you have have hours to spend. Track your progress in a notebook. If you miss a day, seek to pick up where you left off. As a reminder to one another try giving someone a ‘high-five’ and asking, “how is renewing your mind in God’s Word going”? I challenge you, when you see me, give me a ‘high-five’ and ask me, but be prepared, I might ask you in return. Becoming more like Jesus starts with renewing our minds in the Scriptures because the Scriptures define who Jesus is!

5,4,3,2,1…Go!

Several Paths Diverged in a Wood

Challenge Central: a CBC devotional

By: John Kerr

I spent three years pastoring in northern BC. It was a different way of life, and it took a bit of adjusting at first. Hunting was a part of that way of life and, in some cases, was expected, so I learned to hunt. It wasn’t long before I realized the potential problems of being out in the bush, usually alone.

I followed a game path once to check out an area to hunt. The trail was well used and clear to follow. It led me into a clearing, and after looking around, I decided that this wasn’t a good place to hunt. I had felt confident that I knew the path, so l hadn’t marked it for my return trek. When I turned around, I found several game paths leading to that clearing! Which one was mine? I picked one and followed it out of the bush. It took me about a mile from where I came in, but other than a long walk, no harm was done.

During my time there, I heard several tragic stories of people lost in the bush. One especially was a man who passed away only yards from a road that would have meant his rescue.

In the Christian life, we often are unaware of the potential dangers that surround us. It is tragic when a brother or sister loses their way because they are ill-prepared for the dangers we face in the Christian life.

I learned three things from my experiences that I have sought to use as a basis for my Christian life.

First, be prepared. “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8), and “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Know your enemy and be prepared for anything! You are more likely to encounter a bear on an open path than you are when working your way through the bush.

Second, be equipped. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul outlines the Christian’s armour. To be prepared, one needs the proper equipment to be able to face the challenges that lie ahead. Once my truck got stuck on a road in the bush. I hadn’t planned on a major problem but soon found that I wasn’t really prepared. Fortunately, after a long walk, some other hunters came to my aid.

Third, have a game plan. In several places, Paul talks about our “walk” as believers. “Look carefully how you walk” (Ephesians 5:15), or as the KJV says, “walk circumspectly.” Knowing the signs when one is walking in the bush is essential. Being able to read signs will help you avoid an unwanted encounter!

The Christian life is a great adventure, but there are many pitfalls that can cause us to stumble. Be prepared!

Check Out Our New & Ongoing Growth Groups

We’re not rushing you––promise!––but soon, the warm days of Summer will be replaced by Autumn’s cooler evenings, brilliant colour in the trees, and mugs of warm apple cider.

It’s also the time when many of our ministries, programs, and events return to the church calendar. Of particular note is our ever-growing roster of Growth Groups.

What Are Growth Groups?

Growth Groups provide a safe, caring, and friendly environment with a small number of people from our church family. These groups gather regularly for Bible-centred discussions that engage our hearts so that we become more like Jesus in every part of our lives.

Growth Groups are an integral part of the life of our church, and we encourage you to join one of them listed on the Growth Group page. There you’ll find Growth Groups galore, with contact info for group leaders, along with the times and locations.

SHOW ME THE GROWTH GROUPS NOW!

Worship – Grow – Serve …but where?

Challenge Central: a CBC devotional

By: Barb Rogelstad

Have you ever heard these requests made at church?
• We need more volunteers to serve in the Nursery.
• We are looking for a few more coaches for our Soccer Ministry.
• We are seeking leaders for our Kids’ Club starting in September.
• We invite you to come out and meet the neighbours and share the Gospel.
• We need individuals to help make a meal for new parents.
• We need teachers for our Growth Groups.
• We are looking for volunteers to BBQ hot dogs at Northland Gardens.
• Prayerfully consider being a monthly donor to our Academy.

I’m sure you recall hearing at least one of these pleas, and perhaps your heart was moved to respond. The question may be, “Is this where the Lord wants me to serve?” After all, each of us is part of a body of believers who WORSHIP-GROW-SERVE, but where and why should I serve?

As a Christian, who is a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit has distributed at least one gift to you. God wants you to use this spiritual gift to bless others and give glory to Him. We minister not for personal gratification but to give glory to the One who created us. One point to keep in mind is that … “the creator God does not need us at all, but in His grace and mercy He chooses to use us to accomplish ministry in His church. In a sense, He allows us to become co-labourers with Him in this world through our gifts and our ministries. What amazing grace!” [Source: Understanding Spiritual Gifts published by Precept Ministries. 2010]

God gave an order of gifts. The spiritual gifts given to believers fall into two categories: Speaking & Serving

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies;” 1 Peter 4:10

Are you inspired to discover your own spiritual gift? Knowing your gift takes the effort and stress out of figuring out what you should be doing. Furthermore, it takes the guilt out of saying ‘no’ to some requests and brings joy in saying ‘yes’ to another request. So, are you saying ‘yes’ to the Holy Spirit’s nudge towards a certain area of speaking or serving, but you are still unsure what to do?

Here are some helps.
The New Testament lists 21 gifts, but most Bible scholars agree on a list of 18 due to similar characteristics. There are miraculous gifts such as tongues, interpretation, miracles and healing (1 Corinthians 12:9-10, 28, 30)). There are enabling gifts such as faith, discernment, wisdom and knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8-10). There are team gifts for use in daily life and ministry. Here is that list:

1. EVANGELISM: passionately leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ. Ephesians 4:11
2. PROPHECY: boldly and fearlessly proclaiming God’s truth. Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 12:10, 28 3.
TEACHING: making clear the truth of God’s Word with simplicity & accuracy. Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28
4. EXHORTATION: motivating others to action, application and purpose. Romans 12:8
5. SHEPHERDING: overseeing, training, feeding, coaching/leading. Ephesians 4:11
6. SERVING: providing practical help both physically and spiritually. Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28
7. MERCY-SHOWING: identifying with and comforting those in need. Romans 12:8
8. GIVING: releasing material resources to further the work of the Church. Romans 12:8 9. ADMINISTRATION: organizing, administering, promoting, leading. Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28
[Source: “Your Gifts. Discover God’s Unique Design for You” developed by Larry Gilbert. 2015. ChurchGrowth.org]

Recently, I completed the spiritual gifts survey at https://gifts.churchgrowth.org.
My dominant gifts are:
1. Shepherding
2. Mercy-Showing
3. Teaching & Exhortation (tied)

These spiritual gifts made sense to me. Since the age of 12, when my mother became ill with cancer, my role in the home as the eldest child was to ‘shepherd’ my younger brothers by caring for them and watching over them. In my youth, I tried my best to “show mercy” to my mother by comforting her in times of physical stress and pain. I also had a passion for teaching. God was faithful to provide a way for me to go to university, graduate, and begin teaching students with special needs. During those tumultuous years, I was not a Christian, but God waited patiently for me to repent of my sins, ask forgiveness, give my heart to His Son Jesus Christ, and follow Him as my personal Lord and Saviour. Then…what a privilege to be given these spiritual gifts! I find great joy in teaching others to learn the truths of God’s Word through Bible study. I also find that the Spirit leads me to people who are hurting and in need of comfort. I am so grateful for these spiritual gifts and that He has given me purpose to bless others and bring glory to Him alone. I am where He wants me to be! Praise Him!

So, what makes sense to you? What brings you great joy? Are you where God wants you to be? Most people are naturally drawn to areas of ministry that fit their gifting. Are you being drawn to a particular ministry? Are you using your gifting to glorify God in that ministry?

To get started on this path, completing the spiritual gifts survey at https:// gifts.churchgrowth.org is so helpful. It only takes a few minutes, and the results may surprise you or confirm what you already know. Why should you bother to know what your spiritual gifts are? Paul wrote his concern in 1 Corinthians 12:1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.” The believers in Corinth were not all that different from believers today. They had a lot of questions about spiritual gifts and how the gifts were to operate in the church.

Once you complete the spiritual gifts survey, the Growth Group Team would appreciate hearing from you. Just email your top 3 dominant gifts to info@cbcbrantford.ca. We would love to support you as you serve the Lord in the place He desires for you according to your gifts.

Today’s Challenge Central for you is to discover which spiritual gift(s) God has given you and find ways to employ them to bring glory to Him.