How Communion Was Instituted
Jesus Christ established Communion on the night before His crucifixion, during the Passover meal with His disciples (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).

A traditional Passover meal includes four cups. The first cup is the Cup of Thanksgiving, mentioned in Luke 22:17: “He took the cup and gave thanks.”

Early in the meal comes the second cup, the Cup of Plagues, reminding participants of God’s judgment on Egypt.

After the meal, the middle piece of unleavened matzo bread is broken. Half is wrapped in a cloth and hidden, then later brought out and shared as the final portion. This is paired with the third cup, called the Cup of Blessing or Cup of Redemption, which recalls the blood of the Passover lamb on the doorposts.

Jesus most likely instituted the Lord’s Supper with this third cup and the broken bread. The hidden and returned matzo beautifully pictures our Messiah: His sinless body was broken in death, wrapped and hidden in the tomb, then raised to life by the power of God, a reward of eternal life for all who partake in Him.

The fourth cup (Cup of Elijah or Cup of Praise) looks forward in hope to the coming Messiah, with the expectant cry, “Next year in Jerusalem!”

The Meaning and Symbolism
In the early church, bread and wine were used for the Lord’s Supper. Today, many churches, including ours, use unleavened crackers and grape juice. This practice aligns with the original Passover elements and with Jesus’ own words about the “fruit of the vine” (Matthew 26:29).

The bread represents Christ’s body, which was broken for us as He bore the punishment for our sins. The cup represents His blood, which was shed to pay the full price for our sins and bring us forgiveness (John 10:17-18; Ephesians 1:7; Romans 5:8-9).

Who Should Participate and How to Prepare
Communion is for those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus commanded His disciples to observe it (Matthew 26:26), so a personal relationship with Christ allows us to fully enter into its meaning. Because salvation can happen in a moment, through prayer, an invitation, or an altar call, we practice open communion. Anyone who has trusted in Jesus is welcome.

Beyond being a believer, we are called to prepare our hearts. The Apostle Paul warns us not to partake “in an unworthy manner” (1 Corinthians 11:27). This means we should take time for honest self-examination: “Let a man examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28). If we find unconfessed sin, we confess it to the Lord, knowing He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (1 John 1:9) and to help us repair any broken relationships. In this way, we can participate with a clear conscience and enjoy the full blessings of the table.

The Past, Present, and Future Significance of Communion

• Looking Back (Past): Communion calls us to remember Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross. He didn’t just die for us, He died in our place. He took our sins upon Himself so we could receive His perfect righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21).
  
  
• Looking Within (Present): It is also a time of personal reflection and gratitude. As we come to the table, we thank the Lord for our salvation and the incredible privilege of being called His children.
  
  
• Looking Ahead (Future): Communion points forward to the glorious return of Jesus Christ. Paul reminds us that every time we partake, we “proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is a beautiful foretaste of the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19).

As believers, we stand between the two greatest events in history, the First Coming and the Second Coming of our Lord. When we observe Communion together, we are powerfully connected to both.

Communion at Calvary Chapel of Fergus Falls
We normally observe Communion on the first Sunday morning of each month, though we remain flexible and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit for other special times.

Parents are encouraged to use their godly wisdom in deciding whether their children should participate, based on where each child is in their personal journey of faith in Christ.

We also strongly encourage families and small groups of believers to celebrate Communion together whenever the Lord leads. Jesus did not limit this observance to ordained pastors. As members of His holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:9-10; Revelation 1:5-6), every believer is invited to remember the Lord in this meaningful way.

When we approach the Lord’s Table in faith, it brings rich spiritual blessings, deeper intimacy with Christ, and sweet unity with one another.

Below is an excellent article about Communion that we hope will further encourage you…

Communion by Gayle D. Erwin

Recently, I contacted an old high school friend of mine and discovered that in his spiritual life, communion had become a sore spot. The communication that followed, along with some other requests, prompted this article.

Power and grace flow in this act we call communion. Power comes because the Holy Spirit is involved in pointing us to Jesus and helping us live right. Grace flows as we attach ourselves to His goodness. Let’s see if we can take some positions on the grace side of the fence.

First, many traditions exceed the authority of the Bible, thus victims of tradition abound. When Jesus began communion, his only commands were to do it and to do it to remember him. Some punish people by refusing to offer communion to them, however it should not be refused to anyone who wants to remember Jesus. Never forget how Jesus treated Judas!

Some churches limit administration of communion to special authorities or to special buildings. Jesus placed no such limitation. Communion belongs to the people, not to the elite. Communion is for anyone who wants to remember and honor Jesus. The very life and action of Jesus proved that. This is why “common people” heard him gladly.

Second, the very act of participating in communion identifies you with the Kingdom of God and symbolizes the continuing forgiveness of sin that Jesus offers. If in your heart you want to be His and are sorry for your own sins and wish to be cleansed of them, you have every reason to want to partake in communion. Communion reminds you that Jesus accepts you and “keeps on forgiving.”

Third, it is a celebration of what Jesus has already done, not what we have or are doing. That fact is the joy of the New Testament. Righteousness is beyond our achievement, so Jesus provided it for us by his death and resurrection. Now, all we have to do is believe on Him, accept His grace and we are “in.” This calls for a party! Yes, we call the party communion. Communion is the “Whoopee!” of living for God. I ache when I see churches turn it into some somber, sad moment. To remember the gracious, forgiving Jesus sets fireworks off in my heart. If anyone ever chooses to remember me, I hope they do it with joy and laughter. I think Jesus wants the same.

Fourth, communion is not a “reward” for having reached a certain age or joined a certain church. It is simply the memory of having a party over Jesus. It is a declaration of whose side you are on. It is a smile that remains when all the rest of ourselves has disappeared (to borrow from Alice in Wonderland). Communion is for anyone who wants to say “I believe and I belong.” It is not limited to those in good standing in some institution of religion. Often people ask me at what age they should permit their children to participate in communion. The answer is simply, “At whatever age you want them to remember Jesus.”

Fifth, some churches practice what is called “closed communion.” They permit no one except members of their group/denomination or local church to partake with them. By this act they recognize only themselves as Christians. This is dangerously close to partaking “unworthily” which Paul warned against in 1 Corinthians 11 by not discerning or recognizing the body of Christ. How sad it is when people pull their cloaks around them and shut themselves away from the awesome, growing body of Christ in the world. How dangerous, too, since we drink “judgment on ourselves” when we do.

Sixth, I have been in conferences where some church officials of high standing were present. They were free to participate in all parts of the meeting except communion. I realized that this moment was a watershed. If they partook in any communion except from their own hands, they were admitting that others beside themselves were saved and had direct access to God. In spite of all the talk of getting together or calling us “separated brethren,” until they take communion officially from us, they don’t recognize us as Christians and they don’t recognize what we do as communion.

Seventh, people have asked me if we should let non-believers participate in communion and I have heard preachers urge nonbelievers to refuse to participate. Why would a non-believer want to participate, anyway? Who are we to tell them not to do it, anyway? Maybe this is the nonbeliever’s way of saying “I now believe.” I have come to the conclusion that by the grace of God, I will never say “No.” I want to keep the hand of invitation extended. If we have the keys to the kingdom, let us use them to open up the door. Freely we have received, let us freely give.

Eighth, people ask how often we should partake in communion. Churches have even split over whether it was to be weekly, monthly, quarterly. I don’t know the answer to that. Jesus didn’t say. He only said that as often as we do it, do it in remembrance of him. Maybe we should do it as often as we wish to remember him. Hmm.

Ninth, the “early church” in Corinth violated the use of communion seriously. So seriously that Paul warned them that they would be condemning themselves and that many of them had become sick, weak and had even died because of their misuse of communion. It was not because the wrong hands administered or because they let non-believers participate. Rather, it was because they were not recognizing who their brothers and sisters were. Paul told them to examine themselves; i.e., look into their hearts and see whom they were excluding from the kingdom or their brotherhood. Any time we don’t recognize our brothers, we maim the body of Christ. Communion should be a time of repairing our relationships. One cannot “remember Jesus” without hearing him say, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Finally, communion rings the bells of our expectancy. It reminds us that Jesus is returning and we will do this again with Him at a great banquet. What a healing to our hearts!

Hopefully you can now see that Jesus is God’s open door with a smiling, welcoming face. The table behind him is ready. Welcome to the party! Let’s eat!

 Gayle D. Erwin (1938-2025)
 Servant Quarters, https://gayleerwin.com

These videos are from the conference on September 18–20, 2025 with the theme of “A Shepherd’s Heart”

Session 1 – Pastor Mike Focht

• The session encourages pastors and anyone who teaches God’s Word to recover the joy of preaching by looking at Paul in Ephesians 3. Preaching, he says, is first and foremost a gift of grace — none of us deserves it — and it’s meant to bless others, not elevate ourselves. Real power comes from the Holy Spirit, not clever methods or hype, so we can rest in God to work. We should speak simply, so normal people can understand, keep the focus on Jesus rather than our own stories, and love the church we’re called to serve. Even when ministry is hard or discouraging, joy returns when we see preaching as a privilege, trust God’s strength, and stay amazed at Christ and His people.

Session 2 – Pastor Patrick Farrell

• This message is from Titus 2–3, and urges believers—especially pastors and church leaders—to stay grounded in sound doctrine, so their lives match their message. In a climate of fear, anger, and calls for violence after tragedies like Charlie Kirk’s murder, Christians must reject hate and vengeance and instead show Jesus through integrity, gentleness, and love, even toward enemies. Our mission isn’t to win culture wars, but to worship, witness, and lead people to Christ by living differently from the world. Change won’t come through retaliation but through prayer, humility, repentance, and asking God for revival that begins in our own hearts and overflows into the church and nation.

Session 3 – Pastor Jared Clements

• The message walks through Mark 1 and encourages pastors and ministry leaders to serve like Jesus: remember He often chooses the unlikely, so lead with humility; prioritize making disciples, not just sermons; keep teaching the Word simply and clearly; expect spiritual pushback when God is moving; stay steady through busy seasons but anchor everything in prayer; be ready to follow God’s unexpected directions in faith; and show deep compassion to the “lepers” of our day. Bottom line: hold the line on God’s unchanging Word, love people well, and be faithful where you are—God will open the right doors at the right time.

Session 4 – Pastor David Rosales

• This teaching is from John 6:60–71: Jesus makes exclusive claims, many walk away, and He asks, “Do you also want to go?” It’s a call for pastors to preach the Word (not entertainment), rely on the Spirit, endure discouragement, and accept God’s breaking that makes us useful. Through personal stories of salvation and trials, he urges self-examination (Judas/Demas), steadfast faith, and finishing well.

Session 5 – Pastor Wes Denham

• The talk moves from “katan to king” (1 Sam 16) to practical leadership and soul care: God chooses the overlooked; don’t fear man like Saul; raise leaders slowly (watch for “Agags”); cultivate humility, intimacy with God, and Jonathan/Nathan friendships; expect spears and stay pure. Part two contrasts brain (physical, trauma, pathways) with mind (eternal): renew the mind by Scripture and the Spirit, use biblical counseling, and boldly speak truth in a confused culture.

Session 6 – Pastor David Rosales

• This message (Mark 10:46–52) uses Bartimaeus to paint “the heart of a minister”: Jesus stops for hurting people, so pastors should cultivate compassion, not just technique—spending time with teams, mentoring, noticing pain, and guiding folks to Christ. Don’t fear disruptions; help the needy get to Jesus. Train and equip others, keep a shepherd’s heart, and keep your eyes open for the harvest.

Session 7 – Pastor Mike Focht

• This talk unpacks pastoral correction as central ministry, not a detour. From 2 Timothy 2:23–26 and 4:1–2, we’re called to be non-quarrelsome, gentle to all, able to teach, patient, and humble—using Scripture to convince, rebuke, and exhort so people repent and escape the enemy’s snares. It’s messy, often uncomfortable, but real love speaks biblically in season and out, trusting God to work even when reactions vary.

Session 8 – Pastor Josh Blevins

• Matthew 20’s vineyard parable confronts pastoral entitlement: God owes us nothing; service is a grace, not leverage. Framed by Peter’s “what do we get?” (Mt 19:27–30) and James/John angling for rank (20:20–28), Jesus shows the landowner’s generosity exposes our hearts. Three entitlement tells: (1) “I deserve more than promised,” (2) “I have a right to complain,” (3) “I deserve more because I did more.” Three servant counters: (1) God always keeps His promises—rejoice in what He has said, not stories we invent; (2) God always gives what is right—trade comparison for gratitude; (3) the problem is my perception—“Is your eye evil because I am good?” Pastors aren’t owed outcomes, platforms, or comfort; we’re invited to downward, cross-shaped greatness: losing life to find it, seeing people as the mission, serving with thanks whether hired at dawn or the eleventh hour. Let our ministries be marked by gratitude, faith, and joy in the Master’s goodness.

* Worship Workshop | Holland Davis.

• Holland Davis, a seasoned worship leader and pastor, shares practical insights on leading worship effectively, drawing from his time under Pastor Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. He emphasizes aligning worship with a pastor’s vision, using Psalm 100 to guide services from joyful praise to awe-filled reverence, and encourages writing original songs tailored to the local congregation. He advises against imitating popular worship trends or using overly complex songs, advocating for authenticity, simplicity, and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit. He offers tips on seamless transitions, minimal reliance on tech like click tracks, and building trust with pastors through open communication. This engaging, practical workshop is ideal for worship leaders seeking to minister biblically and effectively.

* Tech in Ministry & the Home Workshop | Jon Medina

• Jon Median, has worked in Youth Ministry and shares actionable strategies for using technology to amplify church outreach and strengthen family devotions. From setting up affordable home streaming stations to navigating digital tools for discipleship, he provides biblical insights and practical tips to help leaders and parents harness tech without letting it dominate life. This insightful session reminds us that innovation should always point back to God’s glory—perfect for anyone blending faith with modern tools. Watch now for ideas that could transform your ministry or home setup!

* Church Administration Workshop | Ryan Cline and Adam Przybylski

• This workshop helps equip church leaders with biblical and practical strategies for effective ministry management, from budgeting and volunteer training to digital tools that free up time for what matters most. The speakers dive into real-world challenges like nonprofit compliance and team coordination, all grounded in Scriptures like Nehemiah for building sustainably. Whether you’re a pastor juggling roles or an admin streamlining operations, this session offers actionable wisdom to glorify God through organized excellence. Tune in for inspiration that turns admin headaches into opportunities for growth!

https://ccfergusfalls.com/bible-study-teachings/the-makings-of-a-godly-man-with-pastor-jack-hibbs

Shared at our September 2025 Men’s Supper – “The Makings Of A Godly Man” with Pastor Jack Hibbs

Calvary Distinctives Overview:

1. God’s Model For The Church
2. Church Government
3. Empowered By The Spirit
4. Building The Church God’s Way
5. Grace Upon Grace
6. The Priority Of The Word
7. The Centrality Of Jesus Christ
8. The Rapture Of The Church
9. Having Begun In The Spirit
10. The Supremacy Of Love
11. Striking The Balance
12. Ventures Of Faith

To learn more, we encourage you to review our Beliefs and Statement of Faith, and read the Calvary Chapel Distinctives. Our hope is that once you know who we are and what we value, that you’ll desire to become apart of our church family.

• God-centered worship is supremely important in the life of our church. We approach the Sunday morning worship hour with great seriousness, earnestness and expectancy. Here’s a helpful article: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-family-together-in-gods-presence
• Preparing one’s children’s heart for weekly worship starts with the parents preparing their own. Enjoy this podcast, with Scott Brown and Jason Dohm, joined by special guests Danny and Megan Craig, to discuss this priority. https://churchandfamilylife.com/podcasts/6601b7804923a0be42b85245
• Here’s some help on how we can disciple our children to worship God and let them know they belong. Try the following tips to see what works for your family. https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/welcoming-kids-into-worship/ 

Very few books deal with the inward heart of a child as deal with the outward behavior of children. “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” is a that valuable help for parents. It’s a book about how to speak to the heart. The things your child does and says flows from the heart. This insightful book provides perspectives and procedures to Shepherd, your child’s heart into the path of life guided by scripture.

With the plethora of material on parenting and the family, it is surprising—and distressing—to see how few books are genuinely biblical. Here is a refreshing exception. Tedd Tripp offers solid, trustworthy, biblical help for parents. If you are looking for the right perspective and practical help, you won’t find a more excellent guide.
~ Pastor John MacArthur

I am glad to recommend this book for its remarkably clear, biblical, and practical teaching. Earnest fathers and mothers will find it also eminently ‘do-able.’
~ Elisabeth Elliot

Many parenting books are based on hit-or-miss theories steeped in secular thinking. This one draws from Pastor Tripp’s seasoned experience as a father-and from God’s Holy Word. Grounded in the Bible’s divine plan for parenting, this guide defines your goals as a parent and provides the Scriptural methods for accomplishing them.

How to get this resource:

See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)

Shepherding a Child’s Heart (Amazon) at: https://a.co/d/j67i3nn

Shepherding a Child’s Heart (Christian Books) at: https://www.christianbook.com/shepherding-childs-heart-revised-and-updated/tedd-tripp/9780966378603/pd/37191

Shepherding a Child’s Heart (Shepherd Press) at: https://www.shepherdpress.com/products/shepherding-a-childs-heart/

Gayle D. Erwin (1938-2025) – Gayle Erwin was a global minister known for his simple yet powerful message about Jesus and servant living. With a varied background as a pastor, teacher, and writer, he authored several popular books, including “The Jesus Style” and “Handbook for Servants.” His humorous style and relatable anecdotes have delighted audiences worldwide. Through his ministry, Servant Quarters, he shared the message through speaking, writing, and storytelling.

Communion

Recently, I contacted an old high school friend of mine and discovered that in his spiritual life, communion had become a sore spot. The communication that followed, along with some other requests, prompted this article.

Power and grace flow in this act we call communion. Power comes because the Holy Spirit is involved in pointing us to Jesus and helping us live right. Grace flows as we attach ourselves to His goodness. Let’s see if we can take some positions on the grace side of the fence.

First, many traditions exceed the authority of the Bible, thus victims of tradition abound. When Jesus began communion, his only commands were to do it and to do it to remember him. Some punish people by refusing to offer communion to them, however it should not be refused to anyone who wants to remember Jesus. Never forget how Jesus treated Judas!

Some churches limit administration of communion to special authorities or to special buildings. Jesus placed no such limitation. Communion belongs to the people, not to the elite. Communion is for anyone who wants to remember and honor Jesus. The very life and action of Jesus proved that. This is why “common people” heard him gladly.

Second, the very act of participating in communion identifies you with the Kingdom of God and symbolizes the continuing forgiveness of sin that Jesus offers. If in your heart you want to be His and are sorry for your own sins and wish to be cleansed of them, you have every reason to want to partake in communion. Communion reminds you that Jesus accepts you and “keeps on forgiving.”

Third, it is a celebration of what Jesus has already done, not what we have or are doing. That fact is the joy of the New Testament. Righteousness is beyond our achievement, so Jesus provided it for us by his death and resurrection. Now, all we have to do is believe on Him, accept his grace and we are “in.” This calls for a party! Yes, we call the party communion. Communion is the “Whoopee!” of living for God. I ache when I see churches turn it into some somber, sad moment. To remember the gracious, forgiving Jesus sets fireworks off in my heart. If anyone ever chooses to remember me, I hope they do it with joy and laughter. I think Jesus wants the same.

Fourth, communion is not a “reward” for having reached a certain age or joined a certain church. It is simply the memory having a party over Jesus. It is a declaration of whose side you are on. It is a smile that remains when all the rest of ourselves has disappeared (to borrow from Alice in Wonderland). Communion is for anyone who wants to say “I believe and I belong.” It is not limited to those in good standing in some institution of religion. Often people ask me at what age they should permit their children to participate in communion. The answer is simply, “At whatever age you want them to remember Jesus.”

Fifth, some churches practice what is called “closed communion.” They permit no one except members of their group/denomination or local church to Partake with them. By this act they recognize only themselves as Christians. This is dangerously close to partaking “unworthily” which Paul warned against in 1 Corinthians 11 by not discerning or recognizing the body of Christ. How sad it is when people pull their cloaks around them and shut themselves away from the awesome, growing body of Christ in the world. How dangerous, too, since we drink “judgment on ourselves” when we do.

Sixth, I have been in conferences where some church officials of high standing were present. They were free to participate in all parts of the meeting except communion. I realized that this moment was a watershed. If they partook in any communion except from their own hands, they were admitting that others beside themselves were saved and had direct access to God. In spite of all the talk of getting together or calling us “separated brethren,” until they take communion officially from us, they don’t recognize us as Christians and they don’t recognize what we do as communion.

Seventh, people have asked me if we should let non-believers participate in communion and I have heard preachers urge nonbelievers to refuse to participate. Why would a non-believer want to participate, anyway? Who are we to tell them not to do it, anyway? Maybe this is the nonbeliever’s way of saying “I now believe.” I have come to the conclusion that by the grace of God, I will never say “No.” I want to keep the hand of invitation extended. If we have the keys to the kingdom, let us use them to open up the door. Freely we have received, let us freely give.

Eighth, people ask how often we should partake in communion. Churches have even split over whether it was to be weekly, monthly, quarterly. I don’t know the answer to that. Jesus didn’t say. He only said that as often as we do it, do it in remembrance of him. Maybe we should do it as often as we wish to remember him. Hmm.

Ninth, the “early church” in Corinth violated the use of communion seriously. So seriously that Paul warned them that they would be condemning themselves and that many of them had become sick, weak and had even died because of their misuse of communion. It was not because the wrong hands administered or because they let non-believers participate. Rather, it was because they were not recognizing who their brothers and sisters were. Paul told them to examine themselves; i.e., look into their hearts and see whom they were excluding from the kingdom or their brotherhood. Any time we don’t recognize our brothers, we maim the body of Christ. Communion should be a time of repairing our relationships. One cannot “remember Jesus” without hearing him say, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Finally, communion rings the bells of our expectancy. It reminds us that Jesus is returning and we will do this again with Him at a great banquet. What a healing to our hearts!

Hopefully you can now see that Jesus is God’s open door with a smiling, welcoming face. The table behind him is ready. Welcome to the party! Let’s eat!

Source: https://gayleerwin.com

Dr. James Dobson give us a timeless and insightful book that explores the complex and often challenging world of raising boys. As a renowned psychologist and family expert, Dr. Dobson shares his wisdom and experience on how to navigate the journey of fatherhood and help boys become confident, capable, and compassionate men.

Boys need guidance, support, and encouragement as they navigate the journey to manhood, and that fathers play a critical role in shaping their sons’ identities and values. Through practical advice, real-life examples, and biblical principles, Dr. Dobson shows how fathers can:

• Build strong relationships with their sons
• Foster a sense of masculinity and identity
• Encourage emotional intelligence and empathy
• Model integrity, responsibility, and leadership
• Help their sons navigate the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood

The book is not just a guide for fathers, but also a reminder of the significance of male role models in shaping the next generation of men. Boys need to be encouraged to take risks, develop resilience, and cultivate a sense of purpose, and that fathers play a critical role in modeling these values.

How to get this resource:

See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)

Teaching from Rest (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Dads-Sons-James-C-Dobson/dp/1414388217

“Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace” by Sarah Mackenzie is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that challenges the conventional approach to homeschooling. As a homeschooling parent, Mackenzie shares her personal journey of finding peace and rest in the midst of the chaos that often accompanies homeschooling.

Homeschooling should not be a source of stress and anxiety, but rather a journey of peace and joy. By focusing on rest, not just physically but also spiritually and mentally, homeschooling parents can cultivate a sense of calm and confidence that will transform their approach to education. Through practical examples, personal anecdotes, and biblical insights, Mackenzie shows how homeschooling parents can:

• Let go of the need for perfection and control
• Prioritize relationships over academic achievement
• Create a peaceful and restful learning environment
• Trust in God’s sovereignty over their children’s education

The book is not just a practical guide, but also a spiritual companion that encourages homeschooling parents to seek God’s guidance and wisdom in their educational endeavors. Education is not just about imparting knowledge, but about nurturing hearts and minds.

I highly recommend “Teaching from Rest” to any homeschooling parent who is feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or uncertain about their educational journey. This book is a gentle reminder that homeschooling is not just about academics, but about cultivating a sense of wonder, curiosity, and love for learning.

How to get this resource:

See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)

Teaching from Rest (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Rest-Homeschoolers-Guide-Unshakable/dp/1600512879

Teaching from Rest (Christian Books) at: https://www.christianbook.com/teaching-rest-homeschoolers-guide-unshakable-peace/sarah-mackenzie/9781600512872/pd/512872

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The “Five Points of Arminianism”
3. The “Five Points of Calvinism”
4. Calvary Chapel’s Perspective

Introduction

What does it mean to be a part of the growing number of Calvary Chapel Fellowships? There are certain distinctions that cause us to stand out among other evangelical churches. We could point to our shared commitment to systematic Bible teaching or the emphasis upon love that transcends all cultural and ethnic barriers. Calvary Chapels have also been known for focus on worship, featuring contemporary music loyal to the Word of God and the desire of His people to praise their Lord. Without exception, Calvary Chapels have taken a strong stand for a pre-tribulational and pre-millennial view of the second coming of Jesus Christ. We have also expressed a steadfast love and support for the nation of Israel, its right to a historic homeland and its need for the Messiah. But most importantly, Calvary Chapel has been known for striking a balance between extremes on controversial theological issues that have often caused division rather than unity in the body of Christ.

Calvary Chapels have no desire to be divisive nor dogmatic in areas where Bible believers and teachers have disagreed. However, it is important to state as clearly as possible the doctrinal basis of our fellowship and unity with one another, especially in the area of pastoral leadership and teaching. While we welcome believers who disagree with us to our fellowship, we do encourage a measure of doctrinal understanding and unity among our pastors who teach us the truths of God’s Word.

Calvary Chapels try to avoid conclusions, terminology, and arguments which are not clearly presented in the Bible. In no area of controversy is this approach more essential than in the long simmering debate between Calvinists and Arminians. In the midst of this heated argument it is easy to ignore or neglect the plain statements of the Bible, or to believe that we have the ability to fully understand the ways of God (Romans 11:33- 36). But how tragic it is when we become more concerned with being “right” than being loving. When we discuss the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it is easy to disagree over terms such as “baptism” and “filling” and to miss the blessing and power of God’s Spirit in our lives. The way we conduct our debates and express our opinions will sometimes “quench” as well as “grieve” the blessed Spirit who dwells within the believer. In the midst of our arguments over spiritual gifts, we can miss the Biblical admonition to love, which clearly is greater than all the gifts (I Corinthians 12:31 – 14:1) Our desire is to bring believers together in the love and unity of the Holy Spirit. Our focus is on our awesome God, not on ourselves. We are committed to glorifying our Lord in all we say and do.

Perhaps no issue is as important or as potentially divisive as the doctrine of salvation, reflected in the debate between followers of John Calvin (1509-1564) and those of Jacob Hermann (1560-1609), best known by the Latin form of his last name, Arminius. Since the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century, Christian churches and leaders have disagreed over such issues as depravity, God’s sovereignty, human responsibility, election, predestination, eternal security and the nature and extent of the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Although trained in the reformed tradition, Arminius had serious doubts about the doctrine of “sovereign grace” as taught by the followers of John Calvin. He was a pastor of the Reformed congregation in Amsterdam (1588), but during his fifteen years of ministry there, he began to question many of the conclusions of Calvinism. He left the pastorate and became professor of theology at the University of Leyden. It was his series of lectures on election and predestination that led to a violent and tragic controversy. After his death in 1609, his followers developed the Remonstrance of 1610 which outlined the “Five Points of Arminianism.” This document was a protest against the doctrines of the Calvinists, and was submitted to the State of Holland. In 1618, a National Synod of the Church was convened in Dort to examine the teachings or Arminius in the light of Scripture. After 154 sessions, lasting seven months, the Five Points of Arminianism were declared to be heretical. After the synod, many of the disciples of Arminius, such as Hugo Grotius, were imprisoned or banished. When John Wesley took up some of the teachings of Arminianism, the movement began to grow, and it affected the Methodist tradition as well as the beliefs of most Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.

Arminianism

The “Five Points of Arminianism” included the following:

1. FREE WILL
   Arminius believed that the fall of man was not total, maintaining that there was enough good left in man for him to will to accept Jesus Christ unto salvation.
2. CONDITIONAL ELECTION
   Arminius believed that election was based on the foreknowledge of God as to who would believe. Man’s “act of faith” was seen as the “condition” or his being elected to eternal life, since God foresaw him exercising his “free will” in response to Jesus Christ.
3. UNIVERSAL ATONEMENT
   Arminius held that redemption was based on the fact that God loves everybody, that Christ died for everyone, and that the Father is not willing that any should perish. The death of Christ provided the grounds for God to save all men, but each must exercise his own “free will” in order to be saved.
4. OBSTRUCTABLE GRACE
   Arminius believed that since God wanted all men to be saved, He sent the Holy Spirit to “woo” all men to Christ, but since man has absolute “free will,” he is able to resist God’s will for his life. He believed that God’s will to save all men can be frustrated by the finite will of man. He also taught that man exercises his own will first, and then is born again.
5. FALLING FROM GRACE
   If man cannot be saved by God unless it is man’s will to be saved, then man cannot continue in salvation unless he continues to will to be saved.

Calvinism

Interestingly, John Calvin, the French reformer, did not formulate what today we know as the Five Points of Calvinism. This came out of the Canons of the Council of Dort (1618), and subsequent statements among the many Reformed Confessions have expanded upon these matters. Calvinism has been known for outstanding scholars, theologians, preachers, and reformers, men such as John Owen, George Whitefield, William Wilberforce, Abraham Kuyper, Charles Hodge, B.B. Warfield, J. Gresham Machen, and Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Those in the reformed tradition who answered the teachings of Arminius chose the word “TULIP” as an acrostic to summarize their answer to the Five Points of Arminianism”:

1. “T” = TOTAL DEPRAVITY – The Calvinists believed that man is in absolute bondage to sin and Satan, unable to exercise his own will to trust in Jesus Christ without the help of God.
2. “U” = UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION – The Calvinists believed that foreknowledge is based upon the plan and purpose of God, and that election is not based upon the decision of man, but the “free will” of the Creator alone.
3. “L” = LIMITED ATONEMENT – The Calvinists believed that Jesus Christ died to save those who were given to Him by the Father in eternity past. In their view, all for whom Jesus died (the elect) will be saved, and all for whom He did not die (the non elect) will be lost.
4. “I” = IRRESISTIBLE GRACE – The Calvinists believed that the Lord possesses irresistible grace that cannot be obstructed. They taught that the free will of man is so far removed from salvation, that the elect are regenerated (made spiritually alive) by God even before expressing faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. If a totally depraved person wasn’t made alive by the Holy Spirit, such a calling on God would be impossible.
5. “P” = PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS – The Calvinists believed that salvation is entirely the work of the Lord, and that man has absolutely nothing to do with the process. The saints will persevere because God will see to it that He will finish the work He has begun.

Calvary Chapel’s Perspective

It is not our purpose to take sides on these issues or to divide the body of Jesus Christ over human interpretations of these Biblical truths concerning our salvation. We simply desire to state how we in the Calvary Chapel fellowships understand the Bible’s teaching regarding these matters.

1. DEPRAVITY
   We believe that all are sinners (Romans 3:23) and unable by human performance to earn, deserve, or merit salvation (Titus 3:5). We believe that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and that apart from God’s grace, no one can be saved (Ephesians 2:8-9).
   We believe that none are righteous, or capable of doing good (Romans 3:10-12), and that apart from the conviction and regeneration of the Holy Spirit, none can be saved (John 1:12-13; 16:8-11; I Peter 1:23-25). Mankind is clearly fallen and lost in sin.
2. ELECTION
   We believe that God chose the believer before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4-6), and based on His foreknowledge, has predestined the believer to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29-30). We believe that God offers salvation to all who will call on His name. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We also believe that God calls to Himself those who will believe in His Son, Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:9). However, the Bible also teaches that an invitation (or call) is given to all, but that only a few will accept it. We see this balance throughout scripture. Revelation 22:17 states, “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” I Peter 1:2 tells us we are, “elect according to the foreknowledge of God, the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” Matthew 22:14 says, “For many are called, but few are chosen (elected).” God clearly does choose, but man must also accept God’s invitation to salvation.
3. ATONEMENT
   We believe that Jesus Christ died as a propitiation (a satisfaction of the righteous wrath of God against sin) “for the whole world” (I John 2:2; 4:9-10), and that He redeems and forgives all who will believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as their only hope of salvation from sin, death, and hell (Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18-19). We believe that eternal life is a gift of God (Romans 6:23), and that “whosoever believeth” in Jesus Christ will not perish, but will have eternal life (John 3:16-18). I Timothy 4:10 says “we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.” Hebrews 2:9 states that Jesus, “was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man.” The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ was clearly sufficient to save the entire human race.
4. GRACE
   We believe that God’s grace is not the result of human effort or worthiness (Romans 3:24-28; 11:6), but is the response of God’s mercy and love to those who will believe in His Son (Ephesians 2:4-10). Grace gives to us what we do not deserve nor can earn by our performance (Romans 11:6). We believe that God’s grace and mercy can be resisted by us. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them who are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not.” We are not condemned because we have no opportunity to be saved, but a person is condemned because he makes a choice not to believe (John 3:18). In John 5:40 we read “And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.” Jesus also said in John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:40 states, “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that everyone who seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life.” In John 7:37 Jesus said “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” In John 11:26 He adds “whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”
   • Jesus clearly acknowledges the fact of human resistance and rejection. In John 12:46-48 He said, “I am come as a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came, not to judge the world but to save the world. He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath One that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
   • In Stephen’s message in Acts 7:51, he concluded by saying, “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye.” In Romans 10:21, the apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 65:2 when he speaks of God’s words to Israel, “All day long I have stretched forth My hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.” In one of the five warning passages of the book of Hebrews, we read in Hebrews 10:26, “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Verse 29 adds, “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Clearly, God’s grace can either be resisted or received by the exercise of human free will.
5. PERSEVERANCE
   We believe that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:38-39), and that there is no condemnation to those who are in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1). We believe that the promise of Jesus in John 10:27-28 is clear: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” Jesus said in John 6:37, “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” We have this assurance in Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” We believe that the Holy Spirit has sealed us unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13- 14; 4:30).
   • But we also are deeply concerned over the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23: “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father, who is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Apparently there are many who claim to be believers that in fact are not.
   • Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” I Corinthians 6:9-10 insists that “the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” and warns us not to be deceived. A list is then given of various kinds of sinful lifestyles with an ending remark that they will not inherit the kingdom of God. Similar statements and conclusions are given in Galatians 5:19-21 and Ephesians 5:3-5.
   • Galatians 5:4 says “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are
     justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Colossians 1:22-23 says about Jesus Christ “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight, if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature that is under heaven, of which I, Paul, am made a minister.” II Timothy 2:12 says “if we deny Him, He also will deny us.” Hebrews 3:12 says, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Can true believers (“brethren”) depart from the living God? I Timothy 4:1 says that “in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith.” II Thessalonians 2:3 speaks of “a falling away” or an apostasy. II Peter 2:20-21 makes these remarkable statements: “For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”
   • It is no wonder that Peter says in I Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” We thank God for the encouragement of Jude 24 – “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

Maintaining a Bible-centered balance in these difficult issues is of great importance. We do believe in the perseverance of the saints (true believers), but are deeply concerned about sinful lifestyles and rebellious hearts among those who call themselves “Christians.” We don’t have all the answers to these matters, but we desire to be faithful to the Lord and His word. If we find ourselves basing our view of salvation on the performance and attitudes of people we become discouraged and concerned. But when we keep our eyes on the Lord, and trust in Him alone and in His power, we say with Peter in I Peter 1:3-9:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to His abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations, that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, whom, having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

It is not easy to maintain the unity of the Spirit among us on these matters. It seems that the sovereignty of God and human responsibility are like two parallel lines that do not seem to intersect within our finite minds. God’s ways are “past finding out” (Romans 11:33), and the Bible warns us to “lean not unto thy own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). To say what God says in the Bible – no more and no less – is not always easy, comfortable, or completely understandable. But Scripture tells us that the wisdom from above will be loving and kind toward all, seeking the unity of the believers, not trying to find ways to divide and separate from one another. May God help us all to love each other, to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as Jesus Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32)! In difficult doctrinal matters, may we have gracious attitudes and humble hearts, desiring most of all to please Him who has called us to serve Him in the body of Christ. Discussion – YES! Disagreements – YES! Division – NO!

Jesus said, “By their fruit ye shall know them.” When a particular position on the Scriptures causes one to become argumentative, legalistic, and divisive, I question the validity of that position. I seek to embrace those things that tend to make me more loving and kind, more forgiving and merciful. I know then that I am becoming more like my Lord. If you have come to a strong personal conviction on one side of a doctrinal issue, please grant us the privilege of first seeing how it has helped you to become more Christ-like in your nature, and then we will judge whether we need to come to that same persuasion. Let us always be certain to look at the fruit of the teaching.

Seek those things that produce the loving nature of Jesus in our lives. I would rather have the wrong facts and a right attitude, than right facts and a wrong attitude. God can change my understanding of the facts in a moment, but it often takes a lifetime to effect changes of attitude.

Yours in love,
Chuck Smith

How to get this resource:

• See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free
• Read our free copy online at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GCoY_AFZNxFkZl-yXW5dLE5lvB3jdYq4
• Calvinism, Arminianism, and the Word of God (Free eBook – PDF format) at: https://www.calvarychapelriverside.org/s/CalvinismArminianismAndTheWordofGod.pdf
• Calvinism, Arminianism, and the Word of God: A Calvary Chapel Perspective (Christian Books) at: https://www.christianbook.com/calvinism-arminianism-and-the-word-god/chuck-smith/9780936728469/pd/728460
• Calvinism, Arminianism, and the Word of God: A Calvary Chapel Perspective (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Calvinism-Arminianism-Word-God-Perspective/dp/0936728469
• Calvinism, Arminianism, and the Word of God: A Calvary Chapel Perspective (Sermon Index): https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=26984&forum=34

Are Christians required to keep the Law of Moses? How about the Ten Commandments? Was Jesus divine? Join R. L. Solberg in his book, Torahism, where he confronts a modern heresy and dives into these and other critical questions related to the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

“It all began with a series of Facebook posts that an old friend posted just after Thanksgiving. He was aggressively taking Christians to task for celebrating the ‘pagan’ holiday of Christmas. This struck me as odd because I’d always known he and his wife to be strong Christians. And while I’ve debated with plenty of atheists over the alleged pagan roots of Christmas, I’d never heard this charge leveled by a fellow Christian. So I decided to chime in on his posts and soon discovered that I had stepped into a mystery of, well, biblical proportions…”

This is a great book on defending against the theology of Torahism, which teaches that all followers of Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, are required to keep the Law of Moses. It was written to help you understand and address the teachings of movements such as Hebrew Roots, Torah-keepers, Pronomian Christianity, and Messianic Christians, which can be unbiblical, dangerous and divisive.

How to get this resource:

See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)

Torahism (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Torahism-Christians-Required-Keep-Moses/dp/173367215X/

Torahism (Walmart) at: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pre-Owned-Torahism-Are-Christians-Required-to-Keep-the-Law-of-Moses-Paperback%2C5209593783

Torahism (R. L. Solberg) at: https://rlsolberg.com/torahism/

America has entered troubling times. The rule of law is crumbling. The massive expansion of Federal government power with its destructive laws and policies is of grave concern to many.

But what can be done to quell the abuse of power by civil authority? Are unjust or immoral actions by the government simply to be accepted and their lawless commands obeyed? How do we know when the government has acted tyrannically? Which actions constitute proper and legitimate resistance?

This book places in your hands a hopeful blueprint for freedom. Appealing to history and the Word of God, Pastor Matthew Trewhella answers these questions and shows how Americans can successfully resist the Federal government’s attempts to trample our Constitution, assault our liberty, and impugn the law of God.

The doctrine of the lesser magistrates declares that when the superior or higher civil authority makes an unjust/immoral law or decree, the lesser or lower ranking civil authority has both the right and duty to refuse obedience to that superior authority. If necessary, the lower authority may even actively resist the superior authority. Historically, this doctrine was practiced before the time of Christ and Christianity.

How to get this resource:

See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates (ChristianBook) at: https://www.christianbook.com/magistrates-resistance-repudiation-unlimited-obedience-government/matthew-trewhella/9781482327687/pd/327687

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Doctrine-Lesser-Magistrates-Resistance-Repudiation/dp/1482327686

The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates (Defy Tyrants) at: https://defytyrants.com/store/book-the-doctrine-of-the-lesser-magistrates/

In the book Whatever Happened to Worship, A. W. Tozer opens with the following statement:

Christian Churches have come to the dangerous time predicted long ago. It is a time when we can pat one another on the back, congratulate ourselves and join in the glad refrain, “We are rich, and increased with goods, and are in need of nothing!” It certainly is true that hardly anything is missing from our churches these days – expect the most important thing. We are missing the genuine and sacred offering of ourselves and our worship to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

With a call back to true worship, A. W. Tozer gives us an inspiring perspective on worship, and invites us to take a deep look into the ways in which we worship and why. He reminds us that we were created solely for the purpose of worshiping the Father and seeking fellowship in His delight.

How to get this resource:

See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)

Whatever Happened to Worship? (ChristianBook) at: https://www.christianbook.com/whatever-happened-to-worship-call-true/a-w-tozer/9781600663239/pd/663239#CBD-PD-Description

Whatever Happened to Worship? (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Whatever-Happened-Worship-Call-True/dp/1600663230

Whatever Happened to Worship? (Moody Publishers) at: https://www.moodypublishers.com/whatever-happened-to-worship/

This book gives you a blueprint for standing up for the truth of Jesus Christ in a culture that has forgotten how to have respectful conversation and often suppresses conservative opinions and biblical values.

After Phil Robertson quoted Scripture in an interview with a national magazine, his hit show on A&E, Duck Dynasty, was put on hiatus. It was then that Robertson knew he had been a target of Cancel Culture. Since then, he has spoken out against widespread public shaming, strategic campaigns to get folks fired, and other tactics that have wreaked havoc in our society. While our country is so deeply divided and so many people are bent on condemning others, Robertson calls for us to carry out the uniting message of Jesus Christ.

In Uncancelled, Robertson uncovers the motivations and faulty thinking behind our human desire to cancel other people, including our sinful desire to “play God.” He reminds readers that the goal is not to win the public relations war, or to convince the masses to love (or even like) us, but to win the war for our own integrity by refusing to bow down to the god of political correctness.

Instead, it’s time to trade cancelling and retaliation for the love and forgiveness that God continually offers. When we recognize who the real opposition is-the Evil One-and embrace that Jesus Christ already paid an enormous debt to cancel our sins, we will find a path to redemption, a way to forgiveness, and a means for godly connection.

How to get this resource:

See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)

Uncancelled (ChristianBook) at: https://www.christianbook.com/uncancelled-finding-meaning-culture-accusations-condemnation/phil-robertson/9781400230198/pd/117335EB

Uncancelled (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Uncanceled-Finding-Meaning-Accusations-Condemnation/dp/1400230179

Uncancelled (Walmart) at: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Uncanceled-Finding-Meaning-and-Peace-in-a-Culture-of-Accusations-Shame-and-Condemnation-Pre-Owned-Hardcover-9781400230174-by-Phil-Robertson/1832959124

These 8 Bible studies cover some of the most important concepts in the Bible. You can download and print the studies by clicking the buttons above. Feel free to call or e-mail with any questions!

May God bless you as you study His Word!

• Bible Study #1 – BELIEVE THE GOSPEL
• Bible Study #2 – NEW LIFE: WHAT IS IT?
• Bible Study #3 – TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS
• Bible Study #4 – RELATING TO GOD
• Bible Study #5 – RELATING TO THE PEOPLE
• Bible Study #6 – WHO DO WE BELIEVE IN?
• Bible Study #7 – THE WORD OF GOD
• Bible Study #8 – DOCTRINE OF BAPTISMS

Focus on the Family named and began emphasizing Pastor Appreciation Month in 1994, reminding congregations that it was biblical and proper to honor their pastoral staff and pastoral families throughout the year, but suggesting that they set aside the month of October for a special tangible tribute. For those churches that preferred a single weekend, they recommended the second weekend of the month. However, honoring a church’s entire pastoral staff and their families can be done at any time — and, in fact, should become a normal part of a church’s ongoing care of these special families throughout the entire year.

We believe that the concept of pastor appreciation started with the Apostle Paul as he was establishing the first Christian churches. In 1 Timothy, he wrote, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17). And, in 1 Thessalonians, he said, “Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” (1 Thess. 5:12-13).

Pastor Tim says this is hard for him to mention, but here are some helpful suggestions:

• Pray. I’m sure most of you pray for others. Thank you for doing that. If you are able to please add the pastors family, church leaders, and the church fellowship to your prayer time. We all need prayer!
  
• A sincere note. Yep. Seriously. The best gifts from church members are cards or letters letting the pastor and his family know they are appreciated for their work. PS. We love cards from the kiddos as well.

• Bring a meal or treats. Bringing food for your pastor and his family is also an awesome way to show appreciation for their ministry. Cookies and treats are also much appreciated!

• Offer to help. Serve within the local church to help with coverage for the weekend duties. Offer to help in kids ministry, be a greeter, clean-up after service, etc. Offer to help take care of anything last minute.

• A date night. Your pastor and his wife will love the special time together, and know a trusted friend in the fellowship is able to watch the kiddos.

• Pastors don’t expect a gift. If you don’t feel moved or led to do something special for your pastor, there’s no need. They’re not sitting around waiting to be formally appreciated. But if you feel that they’ve made a difference in your life, church, or community, reach out and tell them you are thankful for how God is working through him! It would be a pleasant surprise for any of us to hear that, wouldn’t it?

It just can’t hurt to brighten the day of your pastor and his family.

Pastor Tim Molter: E-mail
Anna Molter: E-mail

Session 1 – Common Sense Tells Us We Can’t Trust The Bible … DeBunked! (Watch on YouTube)

Download Files Notes

Session 2 – How Do You Fit Dinosaurs Into The Bible? (Watch on YouTube)

Download Files Notes

Session 3 – There’s No Evidence That God Created … DeBunked! (Watch on YouTube)

Download Files Notes

Reasons for Hope exists to direct people to the Biblical Jesus by offering HOPE*

• H elping Christians share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• O ffsetting secular thinking with Biblical truth.
• P roviding resources that give Biblical answers to real-world questions.
• E ncouraging the church to rely on God’s Word as the foundation for their thoughts, their words and their actions.

rforh.com | getdebunked.org

We have a troop with Trail Life USA which is an Outdoor Adventure, Character, and Leadership Development program based on biblical values with a mission to guide generations of courageous young men to honor God, lead with integrity, serve others, and experience outdoor adventure.

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We are also in the process of starting a troop with American Heritage Girls (AHG) which is building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country through a balanced and holistic program.

• Inspiration, Infallibility, and Inerrancy

Session 2 – How to Study the Bible

• Inductive method to study the Bible

Session 3 – Family Bible Time

• S.O.A.P. Bible reading and journaling

SOAP is a method of Bible reading and journaling: Scripture, Observation, Application,  Prayer. It can be used with any daily Bible reading plan.  

You’ll need a Bible, a journal and a pen.  

S  

for Scripture  

Open your Bible to today’s reading (according to whatever plan you are following).  Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse  that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.    

O 

for Observation  

What struck you and caught your attention in what you read? What do you think God  is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to  you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words.  

A  

for Application  

Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right  now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or  corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you  today.  

P  

for Prayer  

This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a  greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way  conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out. 

How To Establish A Family Bible Time

January 12, 2022 by abbey@smalltownsoul.net

Morning or Night?

It doesn’t matter! Not one bit. I have friends that are dedicated to morning Bible times with their kids, while we personally do ours between supper and bedtime. No matter when you read, your kids are hearing, experiencing, and learning the Word of God. Want to implement it during lunch time? Go for it! Snack time? Great! Middle of the morning? Whatever works for you!

Children’s Bible or Adult Bible?

There are benefits to each, but before we discuss this, let me make this disclaimer: there’s no right or wrong here. If all you have is an adult Bible, start there. Your kids (even little ones) can learn from it. If you only own a children’s Bible, start there. You might learn something from it along with your kids. In any format, God’s Word never returns void.

Children’s Bible

Pros: Written on a child’s level. Short stories for short attention spans. Includes pictures to look at. 

Cons: May water down stories or leave parts out. Does not include all Bible stories. Does not challenge kids to learn new vocabulary.

Our favorite children’s Bible for young kids are Jesus Storybook Bible and Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible. For elementary-age kids, look into the products from Kaleidoscope to transition your children into reading full books of the Bible on their level.

Adult Bible

Pros: Many stories to choose from. Includes direct commands, teachings from Jesus, and prophecies. Gives opportunity to teach children new words and concepts they may not otherwise be exposed to.

Cons: May not keep a child’s attention. Very few, if any, visuals. Can be hard to decide where to start reading.

“My Kids Won’t Sit Still”

Anytime I speak on topics like this, I hear from moms saying things like, “Well my kid would never sit still that long” and “That just won’t work for us because of our schedule.” Those are valid concerns! That’s why you have to find what works for you. Maybe your kids need to color while they listen, or use a sensory bin. My kids don’t – they sit on a blanket or next to us on the couch – but that doesn’t mean you have to do it the same way.     Source: https://raisingjesuskids.com/family-bible-time/

It’s been said that a table must have at least three legs to stand. Take away any of the three legs, and it will surely topple. In much the same way, the Christian faith stands on three legs. These three legs are the inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy of Scripture. Take away one, and like the table, the divine authority of the Christian faith will surely topple. These three “in’s” complement each other, yet each expresses a slightly different distinction in our understanding of Scripture.

1. Inspiration. The first “in” is inspiration, and this deals with the origin of the Bible. Evangelicals believe that “God breathed out” the words of the Bible using human writers as the vehicle. Paul writes,

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (literally “is God-breathed”), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

2. Infallibility. The next “in,” infallibility, speaks to the authority and enduring nature of the Bible. To be infallible means that something is incapable of failing and therefore is permanently binding and cannot be broken. Peter said, “the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:23-25) and therefore its authority cannot be broken.  When addressing a difficult passage, Jesus said, “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:34-35). In fact, He said, “one jot or one tittle will by no means pass away from the law till all is fulfilled” (Mat. 5:18). These speak to the Bible’s infallibility.

3. Inerrancy. The last “in,” inerrancy, simply means that the Bible is without error. It’s a belief in the “total truthfulness and reliability of God’s words” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, Inter-Varsity, 2004, 90). Jesus said, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). This inerrancy isn’t just in passages that speak about salvation, but also applies to all historical and scientific statements as well. It is not only accurate in matters related to faith and practice, but it is accurate and without error regarding any statement, period (John 3:12).

But Is It Really Important?

Yes, inerrancy is extremely important because: (1) it is attached to the character of God; (2) it is taught in the Scriptures; (3) it is the historic position of the Christian Church, and (4) it is foundational to other essential doctrines.

1. It’s Based on the Character of God

Inerrancy is based on the character of God, who cannot lie (Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2). God cannot lie intentionally because He is an absolute moral law-giver.  He cannot err unintentionally because He is omniscient. And if the Bible is the written Word of God (and it is), then it is without error.

2. It was Taught by Christ and the Apostles

Inerrancy was taught by Christ and the apostles in the New Testament.  This should be our primary basis for believing it. B.B. Warfield said,

“We believe this doctrine of the plenary inspiration of the Scriptures primarily because it is the doctrine which Christ and his apostles believed, and which they have taught us.” (Limited Inspiration, 1962 cited by Mohler, 42)

To quote Jesus himself, “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35) and “until heaven and earth pass away not an iota, not a dot, will pass away from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matt 5:18).

3. It’s the Historic Position of the Church

Inerrancy is the historic position of the Christian Church. The International Council on Biblical Inerrancy (ICBI) produced a whole book demonstrating this point (see John Hannah, Inerrancy and the Church, Moody). As Al Mohler pointed out (Mohler, 48-49), that inerrancy has been the standard view of the Christian Church down through the centuries. He cites the Hanson brothers, Anthony and Richard, Anglican scholars, who said,

“The Christian Fathers and the medieval tradition continued this belief [in inerrancy], and the Reformation did nothing to weaken it. On the contrary, since for many reformed theologians the authority of the Bible took the place which the Pope had held in the medieval scheme of things, the inerrancy of the Bible became more firmly maintained and explicitly defined among some reformed theologians than it had even been before.”

They added, “The beliefs here denied [viz., inerrancy] have been held by all Christians from the very beginning until about a hundred and fifty years ago.” (cited by Mohler, 41)

4. It’s Fundamental to All Other Doctrines

Inerrancy is foundational to all other essential Christian doctrines. It is granted that some other doctrines (like the atoning death and bodily resurrection of Christ) are more essential to salvation. However, all soteriological (salvation-related) doctrines derive their divine authority from the divinely authoritative Word of God. So, epistemologically (in a knowledge-related sense), the doctrine of the divine authority and inerrancy of Scripture is the fundamental of all the fundamentals. And if the fundamental of fundamentals is not fundamental, then what is fundamental? Fundamentally nothing! Thus, while one can be saved without believing in inerrancy, the doctrine of salvation has no divine authority apart from the infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture.

It’s an Essential

Inerrancy deserves high regard among evangelicals and has rightly earned the status of being essential (in an epistemological sense) to the Christian Faith.  Thus, to reduce inerrancy to the level of non-essential or even “incidental’ to the Christian Faith, reveals ignorance of its theological and historical roots and is an offense to its “watershed” importance to a consistent and healthy Christianity. Inerrancy simply cannot be rejected without grave consequences, both to the individual and to the Church.

Source: https://defendinginerrancy.com/why-is-inerrancy-important/

Learn more and visit: https://ccfergusfalls.com/tq/

We hope you’ll draw closer to God through these resources!

We all want change for the better. But what if you can’t get the change you need most? Follow three lives on the verge of disaster that desperately needed something more.

Watch it for free at: https://billygraham.org/video/change-needing-more/

Author Lisa Schultz-Fred reveals how her life was forever changed in the book “Mourning Journey” on one August afternoon in 2005. While out on a family bicycle ride, her beloved husband of twenty-one years, Pat, was killed when he accidentally collided with a truck.

Her book recounts that tragic day and the tremendous challenges she and her family faced going forward. But she found hope in the Lord, which is available for anyone, no matter the circumstances they find themselves in. If you are hurting or feel hopeless in any situation in life, this book will give you the help and tools to keep living life.

Her inspiring story will encourage readers that they too can heal after a traumatic loss. Lisa shares her weaknesses that we all have felt, and how she fought through the enemies lies. It provides all the scripture that we need to know that Jesus Christ is walking with us through the valley, and He is with us all the way. This book is Lisa’s story of her journey from utter despair to finding love again. It is a hopeful and encouraging story, one that can encourage anyone suffering from grief, loss, depression, and despair.

How to get this resource:

• See if the book is available from your local library – It’s free (Minnesota Viking Library System)
• Mourning Journey (Amazon) at: https://www.amazon.com/Mourning-Journey-Choosing-Happily-After/dp/0997098708/

Yet on 9/9/2021, Joe Biden announced a forced vaccine, which we believe should never be a condition for employment and we see this as nothing short of tyranny.

As the government continues to reach into the jurisdiction of the church and family we providing a letter of religious exemption and you can use this template created and tailor it to your specific use.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fVAuFmFK2Tqq_Ai13ILVj4QaGwDtECvm?usp=sharing

Some more Vaccine Mandate Resources: https://prayvotestand.org/vaccine

Praying for each of you!

• Pastor Tim Molter, PastorTim@CCFergusFalls.com

ps. You can get a 4-pack of clear face shields for about 10 dollars at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DL25PT6/

Local, State, and Church Updates:

• January 10th, 2022 – Fergus Falls School Board voted to allow Staff Vaccine Mandate: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FFNEWS/posts/3020603498254747/

• January 10th, 2022 – MN-OSHA will begin enforcing the majority of “OSHA ETS Rule”: https://www.felhaber.com/today-mn-osha-will-begin-enforcing-the-osha-ets-rule-unless-supreme-court-intervenes/

• January 7th, 2022 – US Supreme Court to hear case on Vaccine Mandate: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/supreme-court-covid-vaccine-mandate-decision-contractor-construction-come-days/616819/ listen to the arguments at: https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2021/21A244 and at C-SPAN: https://www.c-span.org/video/?516920-1/supreme-court-oral-argument-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-large-employers

• October 20th, 2021 – Fergus Falls School Board voted to end student Mask Mandate: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FFNEWS/posts/2959434277705003/

• October 18th, 2021 – How Should the Church Respond to Mandates? http://timothymolter.com/2021/10/18/how-should-the-church-respond-to-mandates/

• July 29th, 2020 – A Biblical Case for the Church’s Duty to Remain Open http://timothymolter.com/2020/07/29/a-biblical-case-for-the-churchs-duty-to-remain-open/

• Calvary Chapel Fergus Falls 2019-2020 response to Covid-19: https://ccfergusfalls.com/covid-19/

Gospel tracts can find their way into people’s homes when we can’t, and they don’t get into arguments; they just state their case. So, be bold in sharing your testimony and hand people a tract which just might help them make the most important decision they will ever make.

Gospel of John Booklets

The Pocket Testament League is Mobilizing and equipping Christians to Read, Carry, & Share the Word of God since 1893.

Get these resources at: https://members.ptl.org/code/products.php

Halloween Gospel Tracts for Kids

Get ready for Halloween and hand those trick-or-treaters the good news about God. We recommend you tape one of these to a piece of candy or place them in a bag together. They pray for families to receive the gospel message and enjoy a sweet treat.

Get these resources at: https://www.christianbook.com/apps/easyfind?event=EBRN&N=1029415+5401+4294893444&Ne=80000&Nso=1&Nu=product.endeca_rollup&Ns=product.number_sold&rpp=50