Young Adults and Kids Church

 Today I taught two different lessons at Trinity Baptist Church.

At 9:45, it was the Young Adults Fight for the Faith class looked at 2 Timothy 3.

At 11:00, it was the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-grade children's church lesson was 1 Samuel 27 -31.

Now the two lessons may not see m to have a lot in common, BUT they do.

Just read on.

One of the themes throughout the Fight for the Faith class is Deconstructing the Christian Faith. Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett offer the following definition of faith deconstruction: "a postmodern process of rethinking your faith without regarding Scripture as a standard."

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Prayer, Missions, Evangelism, and the Church

I have taught this lesson to two different ACE classes over the last two weeks.
One of the reasons I have done it twice is because of the importance of evangelism and missions in the life of the local church

Read Hebrews 10:19 - 26 and think about this breakdown.

Verses 19 – 21 say, "Since we have confidence."

Verse 22 tells us what to do because of this confidence. "Let us draw near to God…"

Verse 23 tells us another thing we need to do. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope…"

 Verse 24 tells us how to live together. "Let us consider how to stir up one another…"

 Verse 25 gives us another "one another" command.  "Let us encourage one another…"

Remember what these verses are saying.

Be confident

Be assured

Be hopeful

Encourage one another

 

Bullet points to consider:

• Missions and Evangelism are not two of many different programs that the church has to offer.  They are the God-given, Christ-focused, Holy Spirit-empowered disciple-making mission of the church (Matt. 28, Acts 1:8).  They are not programs, classes, committees, or a part of a church
• The church needs to remember the Gospel and remind one another of the Gospel.
• Evangelism and Missions must be in the culture, the DNA of the church
• Evangelism and Missions must be talked about and prayed for among the church.  We must “congregationalize” evangelism and missions, and this is not just through formal programs and opportunities.

 What is Evangelism? - www.str.org/w/evangelism-is-not-a-thing-you-do

Evangelism isn’t just an activity for certain gifted people; it’s the natural overflow of a life lived in alignment with reality. 

Non-Christians need the gospel to meet Jesus. Christians need the gospel to become more like him.

What is Missions?

The church crossing barriers, whether they be linguistics, economics, cultural, geography, or religion to share the Gospel.

 

Remember to   

pray for missions & evangelism in & through the church

participate by sharing the Gospel HERE

participate by going and sending THERE

For more about our supported workers, go to trinitybaptistgr.churchcenter.com/pages/supported-workers

Disclaimer:  These posts are meant to be a resource, not well-written articles.  They will contain bullet points, incomplete sentences, and not everything discussed in class.  Thank you for your understanding.

How Did We Get Here?

GENERAL INFO

For More Fight for the Faith posts, click HERE.

TBC Young adults, please fill out the following survey https://forms.gle/baRP7AXCaasiNJJP6 to help with communication and planning

CLASS INFO

What is the difference between doubt and deconstructionism? 

In the context of this class, the difference is that doubt brings questions, doubts, and concerns to the LORD and Scripture, and deconstructionism looks to deal with these same things without Scripture, God's Word.

"Not all questions are honest questions.  When it comes to faith, some questions seek answers, and some questions seek exits.  There are questions that seek truth, but other questions seek to avoid the truth."  page 44

In reading Genesis 3:1 - 7, you can see Satan's three-step process 

1. Questions the Word of God.
2. Denies the Word of God.
3. Questions who God is.  
• Can God be loving?  Because a loving God wouldn't hold something back from you
• Is God truthful? Because God said you will die, but "Surely you will not die."
• Is God sufficient? You need more than Him.

This Crossway podcast, "3 Patterns False Teachers Follow," delves into this more.

In sharing about responses to a loved one's deconstruction, Barnett and Childers write, "There are two responses, broadly speaking, to this issue.  In many ways, we feel like we are writing with both tears in our eyes and a sword in our hands."  

There is a burial and a battle.

The battle is not against people.  It is against ideas and claims that are against God.  

We need to pray the following

that our knowledge and love for God will continue to grow,

that we would engage others with the truth of God's Word,

and that we would speak truth and show love to others.

Be ready to share with others what habits and practices you do to help fill your mind with true ideas about God.  Remember, this sharing should not just be in an ACE class from 9:45 to 10:45.

"The only way to guard against false ideas about God is to fill our minds with true ideas about him.  But thinking rightly about God doesn’t come naturally."  Page 53

During next week's class, we will be looking at 2 Timothy 3.

For all Fight for the Faith posts, go to. tinyurl.com/fightforthefaith

Disclaimer:  These posts are meant to be a resource, not well-written articles.  They will contain bullet points, incomplete sentences, and not everything discussed in class.  Thank you for your understanding.

A Name I Didn't Drop

A couple of weeks ago, I was interviewed by friends Andrew Gommesen and James Wisneski for the Speaking 4 Him podcast.

It was such a great time to reflect with them on God's faithfulness.
It was so good that we talked for a long time, and the interview had to be split into two parts.

Here is part one,  speaking4him.sermon.net/main/main/22497020
and part two, speaking4him.sermon.net/main/main/22497053

I wrote a post before the interview about what I was hoping to communicate.  In that post, I wrote

Through the many different relationships God has blessed me with, He has shown Himself faithful in how He helps and sustains me through the gift of His people.  On the podcast, I plan to name names.  I know the phrase often has a negative connotation, but in this case, I mean I plan to mention many different people who have been a blessing, a help, and an encouragement to me. 

DISCLAIMER:  The people I mention in the podcast are in no way an exhaustive, complete list.  

There was a name I didn't mention, but I wanted to share it here on a more personal level.

My family and many others have known him as Pastor Bob (Robert T. Singleton).  Pastor Bob passed away on February 8, 2026.  Here is his obituary 

There are a lot of things I could share about Pastor Bob.  So, to limit my ramblings in the following video, I wanted to share about three specific times and one general life principle.  

• Camp
• Dominican Republic
• My dad
• So many other personal stories of his loving care.

Fight for the Faith

For all the Fight for the Faith posts, click HERE.

TBC Young adults, please fill out the following survey https://forms.gle/9J6Advso4N5dRCeV9 to help with communication and planning

During this quarter, as we learn how to Fight for the Faith here are a couple of expectations taken from Romans 12:12

Be hopeful.  Remember that our hope is not in ourselves or tactics.  It is in Jesus Christ.

Be patient.  Not everyone is like you, and part of our sanctification process is learning how to live together in the family of God.  

Be prayerful.  Our prayers reflect our dependence on God. They should show our patient trust in the Lord, no matter the circumstances.

The purpose of this Spring Quarter class is to learn together with the goal of spiritual growth and connecting with other young adults, single and married.

I (Pastor Dave) would love for this class, and even more so the Young Adults ministry at Trinity Baptist Church, to do the following.

Grab [young adults] with passion - Romans 12:9 -  11
Win them with love - John 13:35
Hold them with holiness - 2 Peter 1:5 - 8
Challenge them with truth - 2 Timothy 3
Amaze them with God - All of the Scripture

March 1 - Week 1 - 1 Timothy 6:3 - 16

The class is designed to have the Bible as its anchor, foundation, and ultimate authority.  This passage reminds us fight against false doctrine and for "the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness."

March 8 - Week 2 - What is God's will for my life?

We watched and discussed part of David Platt's breakout session at CrossCon.

March 15 - Week 3 - What is Deconstructionism? - Ephesians 6:10 - 20 - Video Session 1 and Chapters 1 & 2 in "The Deconstruction of Christianity" 

Ephesians 6:10-20 tells us to "be strong in the Lord," "put on the full armor of God" twice, "stand firm" twice, and "pray" three times. In Christ, we have victory, and we need to actively depend on Christ for that victory. 

When we use the word deconstruction, here's what we mean: 

Faith deconstruction is a postmodern process of rethinking your faith without regarding Scripture as a standard."  (p. 26)

"Asking your hard questions, correcting your false beliefs, and facing your deepest doubts are all a natural part of maturing as a Christian."  (p. 12) 

March 22 - Week 4 - How did we get here? - Genesis 3:1 - 7

Notes coming on Tuesday.

Disclaimer:  These posts are meant to be a resource, not well-written articles.  They will contain bullet points, incomplete sentences, and not everything discussed in class.  Thank you for your understanding. 

Lets Talk Politics

Here are four important words/attitudes to remember on this topic and any topic where there may be differing views. 

• Prayerful
• Biblical
• Humble
• Loving

These are notes from the "Let's Talk About Politics" workshop I led at the 2026 Church Ministries Conference.

Was the most recent presidential election the biggest election ever?
Yes and No

It is not surprising that non-Christians view the next election as the most important one ever. 

They have no real, future, eternal hope.

Let's look at two passages of scripture, an Old Testament passage and a New Testament passage, to help us think about this topic.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope" is often thought of as an instant blessing.  In verses 4 through 11, we see the Israelites living in exile for 70 years, building homes, planting gardens, marrying, and having children.

For context, read Jeremiah 29:4 - 11 HERE.

God commanded Israel, while they were in Babylonian Exile, to

• build houses and live in them
• plant gardens and eat their produce
• marry and have children
• seek the welfare of the city where God sent them
• pray to the Lord on the city's behalf

In verse 10, God says this captivity will be for 70 years.

The bottom line is to be completely where you are, as long as God has you there, for God's glory.

Romans 13:1—7

Here are two sermon resources on this passage: 

• HERE is a link to Trinity's Romans series.  LIsten to the sermons on Romans 13:1 - 4 and 5 - 10. 

• Six part sermon series from John MacArthur - www.gty.org/sermons/series/127/the-christian-and-government

Remember,

God is holy and sovereign.

Man is sinful and dependent on God. 

Government is a divine institution authorized by God.

The purpose of government is to ensure the common good.

Christians are to be good citizens.

The solution to political apathy is not political idolatry.

The solution to political idolatry is not political apathy.

Resources from How Can I Love Church Members with Different Politics by Leeman & Naselli

1. Adjust expectations.
2. Recognize what unites a church and what belongs to the domain of Christian freedom.
3. Understand the difference between straight-line and jagged-line issues.
4. Respect those who have a different conscience on jagged line issues.
5. Remember what is most important.

Quotes from What Do I Say When…? by Walker & Walker

“Changing your world doesn’t happen by complaining but by slow plodding and persuasion.”  

“Apathy and obsession are equally alike in being the wrong approach to political engagement.”  

“Political engagement is a forum for loving one’s neighbor by seeking your neighbor’s flourishing. Christians should not engage in politics for the sake of their own interests of what causes all people to have the best chance to prosper.”

God vs. Government by Busenitz & Coates

• Supreme Allegiance:  Psalm 118; Daniel; Acts 5:29
• Sovereign Appointment:  Daniel 4:32; Romans 13:6; 1 Timothy 1:17
• Secular Animosity:  Matthew 10:16—20; Luke 12:8—12; Jesus was falsely accused; Acts 5:40—42
• Submissive Attitude:  Romans 13:1—7; 1 Timothy 2:1—8; Titus 3:1—2; 1 Peter 2:13—17
• Spheres of Authority
• Parents in family matters
• Belief in church (ecclesiastical matters), Government in civil matters

Five Categories of Times When it is Appropriate or Even Necessary for Believers to Disobey Governments: 

• An order to do what is wrong
• An order to stop doing what is right
• An order that contradicts another level of civil authority
• An order to stay silent in the face of evil
• An order to turn yourself in

Conscience: What It Is, How To Train It, and Loving Those Who Differ by Naselli & Crowley 

Contains a great chart Paul’s Solution of Love.

Resources:

• Tough Questions class posts.  Adapt as needed for your setting: drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/Tough%20Questions
• Caring for One Another by Ed Welch.  This book is not specifically about politics, but it is a great resource for caring for others for God's glory.
• Conscience:  What It Is, How to Train It and Loving Those Who Differ by Andrew Naselli and J.D Crowley.
• God vs. Government:  Taking a Biblical Stand When Christ and Compliance Collide by Nathan Busenitz and James Coates
• How Can I Love the Church Members with Different Politics by Jonathan Leeman & Andy Naselli
• How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman
• Just Thinking About the State by Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker
• The Story of Abortion in America by Marvin Olasky & Leah Savas
• What Do You Say When...?  A Parent's Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children and Teens by Andrew Walker and Christian Walker.  Specifically, the chapters about political engagement and abortion.
• What Every Christian Needs to Know About Social Justice by Jeffrey Johnston.