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Mark your calendars for Dec. 15, 2024 for our 1st An-nual Seniors Appreciation and Fellowship Dinner. Dress Church wear, Time: 9:30 Bible Class 10:30 Worship Followed by dinner and program. Guest Speaker: L. Ludy, Summerville GA. A special welcome to our guests! We are glad to have you vis-ing with us today! You are welcome here. At the Rock Springs Road congregaon, of the church of Christ, we are the church we read about in the Bible. Our goal is to glorify God with our worship and with our lives and to point people to Jesus Christ. Please ll out a visitor’s card located on the back of the pew in front of you and put it in the collecon basket when passed. If you have any quesons or if we can help you, please let us know while you are here or call the church oce at (770) 4829724 ►Let’s make this year, 2024 a Spiritually Producve one by telling somebody about Christ and His saving power. Help bring a lost soul to Christ in 2024 ►Please call the church office a schedule your free Bible Course by mail—online or in per-son study Wednesday Evening Bible Class: ►Wednesday evening Bible study takes place weekly at 7:00 pm. This is a time during the week when the church comes together to fellowship and learn practical and relevant truths from the Bible. We invite you to come join us this week for service. ►Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all those born or mar-ried this month. ►We also recognize all those sharing a Spiritual Birthday in This month The Convention Theme for 2024 is, “I am Not Ashamed – Romans 1:16.” Bible Bowl Book for 2024 is, “Romans.” Sign up for Lads2Leaders /Youth and Adult Growing in Faith Together - Willing Workers Meeting. Next Meeting - Saturday, December 16, 2023. Every 4th Saturday - Ladies Bible Class 10am - 11:30am Dr. Nelson V. Hare, Evangelist / Teacher Link: hps://us02web.zoom.us/j/7704829724 Meeng Password: go2theword We are a church family being changed by the Spirit of God into the like-ness of Jesus Christ as we worship God in Spirit and in Truth. We look forward to seeing you online every Sunday and Wednesday. 6481 Rock Springs Road Stonecrest, GA 30038 Oce ~(770) 482-9724 Fax ~ (770) 482-9714 Website: www.rockspringsrdcoc.org November 10, 2024 Volume 13 Number 46 Welcome to our church family and to our great city. The City of Stonecrest has the largest population (54,400) in DeKalb County and is Georgia's 16th largest city which was estab-lished in 2017. If you are interested in joining us for in-person worship, then come on down. Currently, we have room enough to receive all who desire to attend our 9:30 Bible class and our 10:30 morning worship service in person at the building. During every service we will maintain proper social distanc-ing, and wear mast. To increase safety and for the benefit of oth-ers, everyone is expected to (1) adhere to social distancing guidelines, (2) wear a mask while in the building, and (3) avoid physical contact, in-cluding handshakes and hugs. Precautions and practices for seating, greeting, communion, offering, and other aspects of worship will also be in place for everyone’s protection. While everyone is welcome to come to worship, we encourage anyone that remains particularly susceptible to this virus or any-one uncomfortable with public assemblies right now to join us in worship online Sunday at 10:30 am or anytime afterwards via our YouTube channel.
Ephesians Chapter 5 according to the "who, what, when, why, how, and where" approach: Who: The letter to the Ephesians is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, addressed to the church in Ephesus, a group of early Christians. The text often focuses on believers, addressing them as "dearly loved children" and “the church” as the "bride of Christ." What: Ephesians Chapter 5 contains Paul's instructions for how Christians should live and relate to one another. It covers: Imitating God – Paul encourages believers to live a life of love, like Christ, avoiding sinful behaviors like impurity and greed. Liv-ing in Light – He contrasts light and darkness, urging believers to “live as children of light” by doing what is good and righteous. Wisdom in Living – Paul advises making wise decisions, understanding God’s will, and being filled with the Spirit. Relationships – There’s a focus on the relationships within a household, including guidance on marriage, where husbands and wives are instructed to love and respect each other as Christ and the church relate. When: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians likely around 60-62 AD while he was imprisoned, traditionally believed to be during his first Roman imprisonment. Why: Paul wrote this chapter to guide believers in how to live out their faith practically, emphasizing unity, holiness, and love. He sought to remind them that their lives should reflect Christ, shining as lights in a world that often walks in “darkness.” He also aimed to strengthen household relationships, with marriage mirroring the sacrificial love Christ has for the church. How: Paul uses contrasting images and direct instruction to teach his message, such as light versus darkness, wisdom versus fool-ishness, and the love of Christ as a model for human relationships. He also calls on believers to sing spiritual songs, give thanks, and submit to one another in reverence for Christ. Where: Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) known for its cultural diversity and as a center of worship for the goddess Artemis. The church in Ephesus was surrounded by a culture that often contradicted Christian teachings, which is why Paul’s guidance emphasizes a lifestyle set apart from surrounding influences. Summary: Ephesians Chapter 5 encourages believers to live as examples of God's love and light, make wise choices, and reflect Christ's love in their relationships, particularly within marriage. This chapter serves as a practical blueprint for Christian living in a challenging cultural environment. Points to REMEMBER: There are no CONTRADICTIONS in Ephesians Chapter 5 There are those who perceive tensions rather than outright contradictions when they read Ephesians 5, mainly because of cultural differences and translation nuances. Let’s break down a few areas that can appear conflicting, and explore how they might harmo-nize with the broader themes of the chapter and Paul's teachings: 1. Submission and Mutual Respect (Verses 21-24) Perceived Tension: Paul writes in verse 21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," promoting mutual submission among believers. However, in verses 22-24, he specifically instructs wives to submit to their husbands "as to the Lord," which, with-out context, can appear to suggest a one-sided form of submission. Resolution: In context, Paul’s call to "submit to one another" in verse 21 sets the tone for all Christian relationships, including mar-riage. This approach frames submission as mutual respect, rooted in love, humility, and Christ’s model of service. For husbands, the directive to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (verse 25) emphasizes a sacrificial love rather than authoritarian control. The mutual respect and self-sacrifice that Paul outlines are meant to create a relationship of balance and love, not hierarchy. 2. Walking in Love vs. Avoiding Certain Groups (Verses 1-7) Perceived Tension: In verses 1-2, Paul emphasizes walking in love, following Christ’s example. However, in verses 3-7, he urges believers to avoid behaviors and people who live in immorality, greed, or impurity, warning that such individuals have “no inher-itance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (verse 5). Resolution: Paul’s instruction to "walk in love" refers to living a life characterized by kindness, forgiveness, and love. The warning against engaging with “immoral” behaviors or lifestyles is about staying spiritually pure and distinct, while still being compassion-ate. Walking in love does not mean condoning every behavior but instead means lovingly choosing to live with integrity, avoiding harmful influences. Paul’s call here isn’t to reject people, but to avoid actions that go against a Christ-like way of living. Continued on next page 3. Wives Submit vs. Husbands Love (Verses 22-25) Perceived Tension: Some readers see Paul’s instruction to wives to "submit" as contradictory to his instruction to husbands to "love" sacrificially, viewing one command as subordinating and the other as affirming. Resolution: Rather than contradictory, Paul’s specific guidance for each spouse reflects different aspects of a balanced, loving relation-ship. In Greco-Roman culture, husbands typically had authority over wives, but Paul’s call to husbands to love "as Christ loved the church" (which involved humility and sacrifice) was actually radical. Both commands are challenging and require selflessness: wives show respect and husbands demonstrate sacrificial love, mirroring the love Christ has for the church. This is not about establishing au-thority but creating a relationship of mutual care and devotion. Summary: What may appear as contradictions in Ephesians 5 often stems from reading without cultural or thematic context. Paul’s cen-tral themes—walking in love, living in purity, practicing wisdom, and showing mutual respect in relationships—work together to de-scribe a life modeled after Christ. When interpreted within these frameworks, the chapter advocates for a community rooted in love, hu-mility, and integrity, aiming for a unified life in Christ rather than division or hierarchy. Reflection Questions: 1. What does “mutual submission” look like in your relationships? 2. How can your relationship (whether marriage or friendships) reflect Christ’s love? Click Here ------>
Ephesians Chapter 5 according to the "who, what, when, why, how, and where" approach: Who: The letter to the Ephesians is traditionally attributed to the Apostle Paul, addressed to the church in Ephesus, a group of early Christians. The text often focuses on believers, addressing them as "dearly loved children" and “the church” as the "bride of Christ." What: Ephesians Chapter 5 contains Paul's instructions for how Christians should live and relate to one another. It covers: Imitating God – Paul encourages believers to live a life of love, like Christ, avoiding sinful behaviors like impurity and greed. Liv-ing in Light – He contrasts light and darkness, urging believers to “live as children of light” by doing what is good and righteous. Wisdom in Living – Paul advises making wise decisions, understanding God’s will, and being filled with the Spirit. Relationships – There’s a focus on the relationships within a household, including guidance on marriage, where husbands and wives are instructed to love and respect each other as Christ and the church relate. When: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians likely around 60-62 AD while he was imprisoned, traditionally believed to be during his first Roman imprisonment. Why: Paul wrote this chapter to guide believers in how to live out their faith practically, emphasizing unity, holiness, and love. He sought to remind them that their lives should reflect Christ, shining as lights in a world that often walks in “darkness.” He also aimed to strengthen household relationships, with marriage mirroring the sacrificial love Christ has for the church. How: Paul uses contrasting images and direct instruction to teach his message, such as light versus darkness, wisdom versus fool-ishness, and the love of Christ as a model for human relationships. He also calls on believers to sing spiritual songs, give thanks, and submit to one another in reverence for Christ. Where: Ephesus was a major city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) known for its cultural diversity and as a center of worship for the goddess Artemis. The church in Ephesus was surrounded by a culture that often contradicted Christian teachings, which is why Paul’s guidance emphasizes a lifestyle set apart from surrounding influences. Summary: Ephesians Chapter 5 encourages believers to live as examples of God's love and light, make wise choices, and reflect Christ's love in their relationships, particularly within marriage. This chapter serves as a practical blueprint for Christian living in a challenging cultural environment. Points to REMEMBER: There are no CONTRADICTIONS in Ephesians Chapter 5 There are those who perceive tensions rather than outright contradictions when they read Ephesians 5, mainly because of cultural differences and translation nuances. Let’s break down a few areas that can appear conflicting, and explore how they might harmo-nize with the broader themes of the chapter and Paul's teachings: 1. Submission and Mutual Respect (Verses 21-24) Perceived Tension: Paul writes in verse 21, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," promoting mutual submission among believers. However, in verses 22-24, he specifically instructs wives to submit to their husbands "as to the Lord," which, with-out context, can appear to suggest a one-sided form of submission. Resolution: In context, Paul’s call to "submit to one another" in verse 21 sets the tone for all Christian relationships, including mar-riage. This approach frames submission as mutual respect, rooted in love, humility, and Christ’s model of service. For husbands, the directive to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (verse 25) emphasizes a sacrificial love rather than authoritarian control. The mutual respect and self-sacrifice that Paul outlines are meant to create a relationship of balance and love, not hierarchy. 2. Walking in Love vs. Avoiding Certain Groups (Verses 1-7) Perceived Tension: In verses 1-2, Paul emphasizes walking in love, following Christ’s example. However, in verses 3-7, he urges believers to avoid behaviors and people who live in immorality, greed, or impurity, warning that such individuals have “no inher-itance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (verse 5). Resolution: Paul’s instruction to "walk in love" refers to living a life characterized by kindness, forgiveness, and love. The warning against engaging with “immoral” behaviors or lifestyles is about staying spiritually pure and distinct, while still being compassion-ate. Walking in love does not mean condoning every behavior but instead means lovingly choosing to live with integrity, avoiding harmful influences. Paul’s call here isn’t to reject people, but to avoid actions that go against a Christ-like way of living. Continued on next page 3. Wives Submit vs. Husbands Love (Verses 22-25) Perceived Tension: Some readers see Paul’s instruction to wives to "submit" as contradictory to his instruction to husbands to "love" sacrificially, viewing one command as subordinating and the other as affirming. Resolution: Rather than contradictory, Paul’s specific guidance for each spouse reflects different aspects of a balanced, loving relation-ship. In Greco-Roman culture, husbands typically had authority over wives, but Paul’s call to husbands to love "as Christ loved the church" (which involved humility and sacrifice) was actually radical. Both commands are challenging and require selflessness: wives show respect and husbands demonstrate sacrificial love, mirroring the love Christ has for the church. This is not about establishing au-thority but creating a relationship of mutual care and devotion. Summary: What may appear as contradictions in Ephesians 5 often stems from reading without cultural or thematic context. Paul’s cen-tral themes—walking in love, living in purity, practicing wisdom, and showing mutual respect in relationships—work together to de-scribe a life modeled after Christ. When interpreted within these frameworks, the chapter advocates for a community rooted in love, hu-mility, and integrity, aiming for a unified life in Christ rather than division or hierarchy. Reflection Questions: 1. What does “mutual submission” look like in your relationships? 2. How can your relationship (whether marriage or friendships) reflect Christ’s love?
Mark your calendars for Dec. 15, 2024 for our 1st An-nual Seniors Appreciation and Fellowship Dinner. Dress Church wear, Time: 9:30 Bible Class 10:30 Worship Followed by dinner and program. Guest Speaker: L. Ludy, Summerville GA. A special welcome to our guests! We are glad to have you vis-ing with us today! You are welcome here. At the Rock Springs Road congregaon, of the church of Christ, we are the church we read about in the Bible. Our goal is to glorify God with our worship and with our lives and to point people to Jesus Christ. Please ll out a visitor’s card located on the back of the pew in front of you and put it in the collecon basket when passed. If you have any quesons or if we can help you, please let us know while you are here or call the church oce at (770) 4829724 ►Let’s make this year, 2024 a Spiritually Producve one by telling somebody about Christ and His saving power. Help bring a lost soul to Christ in 2024 ►Please call the church office a schedule your free Bible Course by mail—online or in per-son study Wednesday Evening Bible Class: ►Wednesday evening Bible study takes place weekly at 7:00 pm. This is a time during the week when the church comes together to fellowship and learn practical and relevant truths from the Bible. We invite you to come join us this week for service. ►Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to all those born or mar-ried this month. ►We also recognize all those sharing a Spiritual Birthday in This month The Convention Theme for 2024 is, “I am Not Ashamed – Romans 1:16.” Bible Bowl Book for 2024 is, “Romans.” Sign up for Lads2Leaders /Youth and Adult Growing in Faith Together - Willing Workers Meeting. Next Meeting - Saturday, December 16, 2023. Every 4th Saturday - Ladies Bible Class 10am - 11:30am Dr. Nelson V. Hare, Evangelist / Teacher Link: hps://us02web.zoom.us/j/7704829724 Meeng Password: go2theword We are a church family being changed by the Spirit of God into the like-ness of Jesus Christ as we worship God in Spirit and in Truth. We look forward to seeing you online every Sunday and Wednesday. 6481 Rock Springs Road Stonecrest, GA 30038 Oce ~(770) 482-9724 Fax ~ (770) 482-9714 Website: www.rockspringsrdcoc.org November 10, 2024 Volume 13 Number 46 Welcome to our church family and to our great city. The City of Stonecrest has the largest population (54,400) in DeKalb County and is Georgia's 16th largest city which was estab-lished in 2017. If you are interested in joining us for in-person worship, then come on down. Currently, we have room enough to receive all who desire to attend our 9:30 Bible class and our 10:30 morning worship service in person at the building. During every service we will maintain proper social distanc-ing, and wear mast. To increase safety and for the benefit of oth-ers, everyone is expected to (1) adhere to social distancing guidelines, (2) wear a mask while in the building, and (3) avoid physical contact, in-cluding handshakes and hugs. Precautions and practices for seating, greeting, communion, offering, and other aspects of worship will also be in place for everyone’s protection. While everyone is welcome to come to worship, we encourage anyone that remains particularly susceptible to this virus or any-one uncomfortable with public assemblies right now to join us in worship online Sunday at 10:30 am or anytime afterwards via our YouTube channel. Click Here for Zoom