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Grace Church

THE GREAT ONES: Chapters - #1 The Simplicity of God's Law

THE GREAT ONES: Chapters - #1 The Simplicity of God's Law

Locations & Times

Grace Community Church

8950 M-79, Nashville, MI 49073, USA

Sunday 10:00 AM

The Great Ones is our theme through November. Each month has a different sub-theme:
September = Commands
October = Chapters
November = Choices
In September we looked at 4 disciple making commands Jesus gave to His followers which continue for us today at Grace Church.
This month we'll look at our 2nd sub-theme, chapters.
The Bible is made up of 66 books by some 40 divinely inspired authors over a period of 1,600 years.
The books of the Bible were written in at least 3 major languages and spread across numerous countries on 3 different continents.
There are 929 chapters in the Old Testament and 260 chapters in the New Testament. Total = 1,189 chapters.
Greatness, like beauty, is seen in the eyes of the beholder. Greatness is a rather subjective term.
It's hard to choose, but this month we'll look at Pastor Don's list of 4 great chapters of the Bible.
One chapter was chosen out of the 4 main divisions of the Bible:
-The Torah
-The Writings
-The Prophets
-The New Testament
Our chapters for today are Deuteronomy 5 and 6.
Before looking at these it would be good to understand the context in the preceeding 4 chapters.
-The children of Israel have finished their 40 years of wandering and have moved toward the land promised to Abraham.
-The Israelites were now on the East side of the Jordan River and had vanquished a number of pagan armies who had tried to halt their advance.
-The leader, Moses, gathered the people and began to review the laws, privileges, blessings and warnings that God had previously given to the Israelites.
-Nearly 4 decades before our text took place, God and the Jewish people (Exodus 19 & 20) had entered into the Mosaic Covenant and the Ten Commandments were a huge part of the agreement.
The Ten Commandments is one of the most well-known sections of the entire Bible. The law given to Moses provided the foundation for a new Israelite society and set the people apart from the pagan and immoral cultures around them.
In addition, these laws and the ideas of authority and accountability have helped form the basis of law and order for virtually all humanity.
Here in Deuteronomy 5 & 6, Moses reminds the people of their covenant with God.
Deuteronomy 5:1-2, 32-33
In Deuteronomy 6, Moses reinforces the Ten Commandments and shows their importance to the social and family structure of their new nation.
Deuteronomy 6:1-3
The Ten Commandments are a reflection of God's character and express His desire for us to live in a right relationship with Him and others. They can be divided into 2 divisions:
-The first 4 commandments God Himself is the focal point.
-The next 6 commandments deal with our relationships and responsibilites towards those around us.
The Ten Commandments serve several important purposes today:

First - They serve as a LIGHT.
Matthew 7:13-14
Ephesians 5:15-17
Second - They serve as our LOVE indicator.
John 14:15
Third - They serve as a LEASH.
1 Peter 2:16 [NCV]
Fourth - They serve as a LEVEL.
Jeremiah 17:9
If you continue reading in Deuteronomy 6, you will see that parents have the primary responsibility to teach these to their children. According to a USA Today poll, 60% of Americans cannot name 5 of the 10 Commandments. We can't teach what we don't know or don't practice!
Application and Discussion Questions:

1. Read Exodus 20 and become familiar with the 10 Commandments. Pay attention to the two primary categories of laws (the first 4 are about you and God while the last six are about you and others).

2. Read Deuteronomy 5 and 6. What are the major reoccurring themes?

3. Review the four main purposes of the 10 Commandments that were covered in the message. Think about and discuss how the laws of God serve in these capacities.

4. Prepare to be a difference maker in our country by voting intelligently according to God’s heart and agenda. Also, think of ways to make the Ten Commandments a part of your family during the month of October.

Online Giving Link

https://www.gc3.org/giving/

H.O.M.E. Groups

Visit this link to learn more about groups and to sign-up.
https://www.gc3.org/home-groups/

Bridge Pop Can Drive

The Bridge is hosting a pop can drive at the church to raise money to pay for shipping the Operation Christmas Child boxes they will pack in October. If you have cans or bottles you would like to donate, please bring them to the church and put them outside the east end doors or in the garage. If you have cans but would like someone to pick them up for you, contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org).

CJ's Re-Opening/Limited Menu

We're excited to have CJ's open with a limited menu!
Barista's will be ready to serve you beginning at 8:30 am until church begins at 10:00.
Here are the menu items for October:
Pumpkin Spice
S'mores
Cinnamon Apple
Vanilla Chai
We will have you wait outside of CJ's until someone calls you in to order and pay at the counter. At that time you can head to the auditorium and your drink(s) will be delivered to you.
If you would like to submit a pre-order you can do that at the website: www.gc3.org/cjs/ before 9:30 am on Sunday. Pre-ordering will limit your wait time AND you get a free baked good if you pre-order before 9:30 am on Sunday!
Please contact Leslie Booher (leslie@gc3.org) if you have any questions.

Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat

Grace Church is excited to announce plans for our 2020 Trunk or Treat event!
Trunk or Treat will take place drive-thru style in the Grace Church parking lot on October 31st from 5:30-7:00 pm. As always, we need lots of candy! Bins will be located in the lobby for you to drop off donated candy now through October 25th. If you want to take part in this event but have not yet talked with Emily Mater, please send her an email (emily@gc3.org) as soon as possible.

Operation Christmas Child Begins Today!

Today kicks off our annual Operation Christimas Child Shoebox outreach! Boxes will be distributed after the service to those who wish to participate. More information about Operation Christmas Child can be found by visiting the Samaritan's Purse website.
New this year, Build a Box! If you are not able to get out and about to collect items for your box or just want to try something different, you can build your box online.
No matter which way you participate, the goal is the same, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to children all across the world! If you have any questions you can contact Val VanDuser, Grace's OCC project leader (vvanduser1@gmail.com).

Church Work Days

Each Saturday during the month of October will be an opportunity to bring your family to serve at Grace Church. God has abundantly blessed us with 78 acres to do His ministry, but we need your help to prepare the grounds for the winter months. We ask that you pick a Saturday to join us from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm or whatever time you can give. If you can't help on a Saturday but would like to come and serve another time, please contact Ryan Hickey (ryan@gc3.org).

3 New Grace U Classes Start in October

A new term of Grace U classes begins October 4th! Sign up at the link below.The Five Love Languages A look at the different styles of expressing love.Teachers: Jeff & Mary BurpeeMeeting time: Sunday's 9:00-9:45 amBook available in CJ's ($10) or you can purchase online on your own.How We Got The Bible Learning where the Bible we have today came from.Teacher:  David SmithMeeting time: Sunday's 9:00-9:45 amBooks available in CJ's ($16 for a 2 book set)First ImpressionsLearning the skills of church hospitality.Teacher: Leslie BooherMeeting time: Sunday's 12:00-2:00 pm (3 Sundays, dates to be determined)Book available in CJ's ($3)
https://www.gc3.org/grace-university/
Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Monday, October 5 - Ellie Mann
Tuesday, October 6 - James Yenger, Randy & Kathy Sears, Mike & Heidi Mater
Wednesday, October 7 - Klara Stephens, Brett & Cass Ramey