Life At The Ridge

How was Timothy going to be a good minister of Jesus Christ? Paul gives Timothy some specific instructions in how to do this. As followers of Jesus we too can gain some practical insights from these instructions as well.

Husbands are we fulfilling the biblical command of loving our wives? How do we know? What is the standard of a loving husband? How can we love our wives better and learn how not to be harsh with our wives?

Paul is showing us how the Gospel has changed our relationships in the church and now begins to tell us how the Gospel has and should transform our lives in our marriages, homes and families. What exactly is a submissive wife? What does it mean to submit? We hope to give you a fresh and biblical perspective on one of the most misunderstood and misused topics in Scripture.

Would you say that your life reflects an attitude of grumbling or being grateful? When others hear you talk what would they say? What would God say? As we continue our teaching out of Colossians 3 Paul is going to give us a reminder that a life of thanksgiving is the result of being a Spirit-filled believer that does all to the glory of God.

How will we know that we are in the last days? Paul tells Timothy what will mark the last days is Christians departing from truth and running after false teaching and false doctrine. How can we as believers make sure we don't fall prey to false teaching and false doctrine?

Is the Word of Christ dwelling in you? How do you know? What does it look like when Christ's Word is dwelling in you?

Is the peace of Christ ruling in your hearts? Jesus transforms us, but also gives us the ability to transform our relationships.

Do you love your fellow brother or sister in Christ? Is it a real love? How can we keep from hypocritical love? How will we know if we really are loving one another? Paul encourages us as believers to put on love above everything as it is what brings unity in the body of Christ.

How are the relationships in your life? Would you say they are healthy, or on life support? God is very concerned about our relationships with one another because if we are citizens of heaven we are to be displaying the same Christlike qualities in our relationships that God has shown to us trough the Gospel such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance and forgiveness. Are you practicing these? How can we display these qualities?

How important is the church (body of Christ) in this day and age? Paul told Timothy that the church is the pillar and ground of the truth and within the church we are confessing the mystery of godliness. What is this mystery?

It's reported that the average person tells twenty-five lies a day! Why don't we tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? We are commanded as believers in Christ to be people of truth and not to lie to one another.

How do you handle your sinful anger? Pauls command in Colossians 3:7-8 tells us we must put it away. How do we do that? God's Word gives us everything we need to not only control it but to live in victory over it. The Gospel speaks directly into our lives and gives us the power to overcome sinful anger.

What is anger? It is something that we all deal with. It often shows up in our frustrations, opinions, dislikes, when we are offended, when we're not heard, when we are hurt, ignored, used and abused. It can be a volcano eruption, or a slow simmering pot. When does it become sinful and how can we "put away" sinful anger?

Paul gives instructions to Timothy about the office of deacons. What are the qualifications of a deacon? What is a deacon?

What does God's Word say about hope for those who struggle with sexual immorality? What hope does Jesus offer?

Are you killing the sin in your life? What sins in your life need to be put to death? As believers in Christ positionally we have died to sin having been raised to new life in Him. We need to live that truth out practically by putting our sins to death.

What is the secret to living the Christian life? What will help you fight sin? What is the key to helping us have the right relationships in our marriages, families, and within and without the church? The answer is Pauls truth statement "If then you have been raised with Christ…" What does it mean to be raised with Christ?

Does God's Word give requirements for those who shepherd and lead the flock? Why are these requirements necessary? I Timothy 3:1-7 gives us the instructions and qualifications for those who are to be in leadership as they serve the local church through teaching the Word and helping others grow spiritually. It is our prayer that Pleasant Ridge will strive to be led by a plurality of Biblically qualified men who can shepherd and protect the flock.

This was an opportunity for the church family to share how Colossians has impacted their faith walk with Christ.

Do you still struggle in sin? I know I do... often. How do we have victory over sin? The believers in Colosse were being taught in order to have victory over the flesh they needed to submit to man made rules and asceticism, which did not help. What is the answer? We need to be identified with Christ in His death. Col. 2:20-23