NEW LIFE MARRIAGE CLASS HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL - MAY 2010

New Life Church has recently begun a session of classes to help our newlywed couples. It is called “The Marriage You Always Wanted” written by Gary Chapman. The class is for couples who have been married for five years or less. It has been a lifelong vision of Pastor Tim Hammond in Watkinsville to see the church in Oconee County grow spiritually, emotionally, and in maturity. If you have weak families, you will have a weak church. If you have strong families, then of course you will have a strong church. As John Maxwell always said, “we are no stronger than our weakest link”. The church is under constant pressure from outside forces such as society in general, career pressures, financial dilemmas, and such like. Not only do we have to battle the things in our lives that feed our minds each day such as television, movies, internet, books, and conversation, we have to battle an adversary that is after the destruction of our souls. The following scripture gives good insight into the battles we face:

1 Peter 5:8 (King James Version)

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

We know as Christians, that the battle comes from a formidable enemy because we know that we are no match for Lucifer without the Spirit of Christ in us. The battle also comes from a much greater force and that is our fleshly bodies. It can be described as a “beast within us” due to the strong sinful carnal nature that we have to deal with everyday. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman Church:

Romans 7: 19-21 (King James Version)

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Paul goes on in his writings to state how thankful he was to the Spirit of God that dwelled in him for the power to overcome his fleshly desires. As these scriptures state, we can have victory over the flesh and live in the spirit if we so desire:

Romans 8: 1-11 (King James Version)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The New Life Marriage Class has made it through seven of the classes to this point. Pastor Tim called on ministry teams comprised of the Vaughn’s, the Strawn’s, the Long’s and the Russell’s to become teachers and mentors for these great young people. These four couples have many years of solid marriages and are excited to share love, support, and knowledge with each one. No matter how many years, we all know that our marriages are “works in progress”. We are all learning and growing together.

Some of the topics discussed thus far are: 1) Forgiveness 2) Our Feelings 3) Serving 4) Listening 5) Conversation with God 6) Learning to Love and 7) Talking with our spouse. New challenges are bringing great rewards to the couples and their teachers. The entire group is binding together and sharing their burdens, triumphs, and frustrations in order to work through the issues and be victorious in their marriages…..Some of the highlights at a local eating establishment are seen in the picture below. The class will be attending the Gwinnett Braves game on May 15th. If you are struggling with some marital issues and would like to be in a great group, please contact New Life Church @ 706-769-6824 or Scott Strawn, Outreach Director at rsstrawn@gmail.com.