• The rest of the sentence: Lest any of you become hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
• Attendance at Bible Classes is very low.  But there are good reasons:
  • Sunday afternoon and Wednesday, class is for adults.  Nothing is available for kids.  If there were, some adults would miss the adult class.
  • Kids in sports (and such like).  Christian parents should be the dominant influence at such events.
  • Distance and weather.  If it were a ball game, would you be there?
  • Work schedule.  We need to adapt to provide fellowship for such people.
  • Sunday morning: if it were Monday, you would be at work already.  You can sleep in and get here by 9:30.
  • Rhys thinks Sunday afternoon and Wednesday evening are interesting, but he’s the teacher.
• Why Bible class?
  • The New Testament does not mention such gatherings specifically.
  • Obviously, we should know the Bible better.  Classes at specific times are one way to make it happen.  We can do it ourselves, we just don’t.
  • In addition, we need a way to exchange ideas.  Most people quickly lose interest when learning alone.
  • In our culture, everything needs to be fast paced or we lose interest.  The Bible class format has not kept up with the times.
• Using the electronic age to encourage one another daily:
  • Facebook (and such like)
    • Becky posts a Scripture daily.
    • Rhys posts an idea from the Scriptures daily.
    • Stop and ponder its application to your life.
    • “Share” rather than “Like” so it goes to your non-church friends (who may unFollow you; that’s the risk).
    • “Reply” with questions that it raises in your head.  Suggest applications.
  • Telephone
    • If you commute and you have a cell phone and a signal, redeem the time.  Please set up hands-free calling; we want to see you next Sunday.  Check on people briefly.  Find out if a call-back for a longer call is needed.  If you car-pool, let the passenger do it.
    • Have a list of everyone.  Randomly call people you don’t normally spend time with just to check in and find out how they are doing.
  • New church web site (ready in a few weeks)
    • It is not fancy, but it will have a lot of stuff.
      • Recordings of recent sermons
      • Typed sermons
      • Bible class handouts (topics, word studies)
      • Detailed outlines of New Testament books.
      • PowerPoint presentations from classes
      • Books and commentaries
    • A resource for answering questions of yours and from others.

• What am I promising myself that I will do?
  • Get a partner who will prompt me to do it.
  • Teach a monthly men’s or women’s class.
  • Show up at Bible class if work and/or kids do not supersede.
  • For those with smartphones: participate through Facebook
  • Call people to check in
  • Download (at the building if not at home) resources
• What are your suggestions for making daily encouragement happen?
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