Dear SBRPC Family,

After thinking through a number of factors, and fully acknowledging the uncertainties surrounding Tropical Storm Lee's potential impact on the Baton Rouge area, the Session has decided to err on the side of caution and, accordingly, we will not be holding our worship services at the Dunham School tomorrow morning. Some of the factors influencing this decision are: 1) the official forecasts coming from the National Hurricane Center which include tropical force winds from a storm that is projected to move slowly and dissipate slowly, and which has resulted, among other things, in our mayor's office advising BR residents to stay off the streets as conditions deteriorate, 2) rainfall projections of anywhere between 8 and 20 inches, depending on the speed of the storm (which, in fact, is currently stalled as I type this email), 3) the flash flood warnings that have been issued for East Baton Rouge Parish, as well as the numerous Tornado watches and warnings that have come and gone in the past 24 hours, and which will likely continue for at least another 24 hours and 4) the unique aspects of our situation in terms of having to set up and take down in less than favorable conditions, as well as other intangibles, such as power outages that may or may not occur in association with this storm. And so, again, given the particulars of our situation as a "suitcase" church, given the intangibles, and given the fact that we cannot wait until the last minute to make a decision - we have decided to err on the side of caution and NOT conduct worship services in the morning.

We would, however, encourage you to take this opportunity to engage in family worship and thus still benefit from the opportunity that is provided by the Lord's Day, to honor the Lord. And we look forward to seeing everyone together again, next week, Lord willing.

Also, on the off chance that you may experience some storm-related difficulties - please do not hesitate to contact any of the pastors, elders or deacons, should you need any sort of assistance and we will be happy to do what we can.

On behalf of the Session,

Pastor Scott

Building Systematic Theology

Instructor: Richard L. Pratt, Jr. 
Lessons: 4
Discipline: Practical Theology 


Use the links below to download or view online for free. 

Lesson 1: What is Systematic Theology? 

 

Compares New Testament theology with Systematic theology, surveys historical developments, and explores the values and dangers of Systematic theology.

 

(Discussion Group will meet at the Voelkel home on Wednesday, Oct 5, 7:30-8:30pm.)

Downloads
• Video Lesson
• Audio Lesson
• Word Manuscript
• Study Guide

Lesson 2: Technical Terms in Systematics
Begins with a general orientation toward technical terms, explores the formation of technical terms as well as the values and dangers of technical terms.

 

(Discussion Group will meet at the Voelkel home on Wednesday, Oct 19, 7:00-8:00pm.)

Downloads
• Video Lesson
• Audio Lesson
• Word Manuscript
• Study Guide

Lesson 3: Propositions in Systematics
Begins with a general orientation, explains the formation of propositions as well as the values and dangers of propositions.

 

(Discussion Group will meet at the Voelkel home on Wednesday, Oct 19, 7:00-8:00pm.)

Downloads
• Video Lesson
• Audio Lesson
• Word Manuscript
• Study Guide

Lesson 4: Doctrines in Systematics
Begins with a general orientation, explains the formation of doctrines as well as the values and dangers of doctrines.

 

(Discussion Group will meet at the Voelkel home on Wednesday, Oct 26, 7:00-8:00pm.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Downloads

• Video Lesson
• Audio Lesson
• Word Manuscript
• Study Guide

 

 

DOES some of your monthly mortgage payment actually go towards the principle?

DO you remember when you had to be home to get your phone messages?

DID you see Star Wars in the movie theater the first time around?

CAN you use the word osteoporosis in a sentence?

ARE your baby pictures in black and white?

Boy, have we got a Sunday School class for you!

Starting Sunday, August 21, the TOP OF THE HILL GANG* will begin a study of Middle Age in a Sunday School class titled “The Best Half of Life.” We will be using Paul David Tripp’s book, Lost in the Middle, subtitled “MidLife and the Grace of God.” The underlying supposition for the study is seen in Tripp’s reconciling of two seemingly contradictory statements:

“The Bible has nothing whatsoever to say about midlife crisis.”

“The Bible tells you everything you need to know about midlife crisis.”

Lost in the Middle isn’t another “how-to” book that purports to give you Ten Easy Steps to Conquering Middle Age, etc. It doesn’t supply a string of proof-texts to get you through middle age. Nor does it look at the story of David and Bathsheba and ask whether it was a midlife crisis that made David do it or ask us to consider whether “Moses was having a midlife moment when he wrongly whacked the rock for water.”

Rather, Tripp brings us repeatedly back to the Bible story so that we can see our part in it and be convicted, comforted, encouraged in our experiences, and ultimately, equipped to face the emotional, physical, and spiritual realities of middle age and beyond.

I am looking forward to leading this study and I hope you will be a part of it. We will meet at 9:00 AM in Dunham’s cafeteria building for coffee, donuts, conversation and our study. Books will be available at Sunday School and worship on Sunday, August 14. Regularly $15.99, they are $10.00 for the class.

Blessings,

Woody

*“TOP OF THE HILL” means we may be at the half-way mark, but we’re not over the hill yet . . .

New Sunday School Options – Beginning August 21^st

(each week, 9:10 to 9:55am in Dunham cafeteria/science building)

• Nursery --> Available for young children (infants through 4yrs).

• Beginners Class -->  Young children are invited to join Sheila Govan for Bible and Catechism instruction. Class meets in the “Round Table” Room.

• ​Understanding the Faith --> Young students are invited to join Pastor Scott for an Overview of Christian Life & Doctrine, with a focus on faithful Church Membership. Class is ideal for young communicants and those preparing for communing membership in the church.

• An Introduction to World Views -->  High School and College Students are invited to join Becky Parker and various church Elders for a discussion of World Views, based on James Sire’s book, “The Universe Next Door.” Class scheduled to meet in the Conference Room.

• Book of Philippians --> Join Ryan Greene, Deacon Tory and Pastor Andrew for fellowship and study ­of ­­this New Testament letter, with particular focus on applying the text to the lives of young adults.

• The Best Half of Life --> Join Pastor Woody for fellowship and discussion of life and ministry during the “Middle Ages” and beyond.

* Note: Fall Community Group gatherings will be organized through the Sunday School classes and advertised, church-wide, in the church bulletins.

Our new Adult Sunday School subject will cover "Some Practical Aspects of the Doctrine of the Trinity" and will begin on Sunday, May 8th in the cafeteria of Dunham School. Sunday School begins with coffee and doughnuts about 9AM. The tentative course outline is:

Adult Sunday School: Some Practical Aspects of the Doctrine of the Trinity

Introduction

  I. Importance of the Doctrine

 A. Centrality to Relationship with God

 B. Centrality to the Faith

 C. Centrality to Living in Community

 D. Centrality to Worshiping and Praying with Understanding

 II. A Brief History of the Doctrine

 A. Heresies that Forced the Trinitarian Issue

 B. The Development of Orthodox Trinitarian Doctrine

The Triune God

III. One in Three

 A. God is One

 B. God is Three

 C. Revealed in Scripture

IV. The Social God

 A. An Internal Relationship

 B. An Eternal Relationship

 C. An Economic Relationship

Glorifying God as Sons & Daughters

 V. The Perfect Son

 Four Ways to Honor Your Father After the Manner Jesus Honored His

 VI. Undeserving Fathers

 Addressing the Question: What if Dad doesn’t deserve honor?

Glorifying God as Fathers & Mothers

VII. The Perfect Parent

 A. Exercising Parental Authority 

 B. Following the Perfect Model

VIII. Imperfect Parents

 Addressing the Issue of Failure as a Parent 

Glorifying God by the Spirit

 IX. Father, Son, and Spirit

 Interdependency Within the Trinity

 X. Fathers, Sons/Daughters, and the Spirit

 Addressing the Issue of Our Dependency

_______________

Bibliography

 Curriculum (27 credits) -- from Third Millennium Ministries 

• Bible Survey 1 (2.5 credits)
  • Kingdom, Covenants & Canon of the Old Testament
  • Kingdom, Covenant & Canon of the New Testament
• Hermeneutics 1 (4 credits)
  • He Gave Us Scripture
  • He Gave Us Stories
  • He Gave Us Prophets
• The Pentateuch 1 (1.5 credits)
  • The Primeval History
  • Father Abraham
• The Gospels & Acts (3 credits)
  • The Gospels
  • The Book of Acts
• The Pauline Epistles 1 (3 credits)
  • The Heart of Paul's Theology
  • Paul's Prison Epistles
• The General Books 1 (1 credit)
  • The Book of Revelation
• Introduction to Theological Studies (4 credits)
  • Building Your Theology
  • Building Systematic Theology
  • Building Biblical Theology
• Basic Christian Doctrine (5 credits)
  • The Apostles' Creed
  • We Believe in Jesus
  • The Means of Grace
• Christian Ethics 1 (3 credits)
  • Making Biblical Decisions

How it Works

1) Choose a course from the curriculum, available at http://thirdmill.org/video- curriculum/free-downloads.

2) Download Study Guide for course lesson.

3) Watch online video lesson (or listen to MP3). While watching the lesson use the “Notes” section of Study Guide to follow the lesson and to take notes. Many of the main ideas are already summarized in the notes, but you should add supporting details that will help you remember, describe and defend the main ideas.

4) After watching the lesson, answer the Review Questions in the space provided in Study Guide.

5) Meet with an approved group, or individually with a SBRPC Pastor, to discuss the Application Questions from the lesson. If you cannot attend a meeting, you may complete each question in writing (one page or less) and turn answers in to a SBRPC pastor.

6) Go to the next lesson and repeat steps 2- 5 until course is complete.

7) Repeat steps 1-6 until all courses are completed.

---------------------------------------------------

Questions: 

What is required to get my Certificate in Christian Ministry?

1. Watch (or listen to) all lessons of all the courses in the curriculum.

2. Compile binder(s) containing completed study guides to each course, including detailed notes and answers to Review Questions.

3. Attend meetings to discuss Application Questions, or turn in answers in writing.

4. Read through the entire bible at least one time.

Why should I pursue this Certificate in Christian Ministry?

You will be better equipped to understand and to apply the Bible and Christian theology. And thus, you will be better equipped to serve God and others in the home, in the church, and in the world.

Do I have to be a member of SBRPC to receive this certificate?

No. All friends and visitors of SBRPC, together with members, are encouraged to pursue this certificate.

When will groups meet?

See a pastor or check our website, www.sbrpc.org , for details.

What is the cost?

Time, Energy and $0. 

What is Third Millennium Ministries?

Third Millennium Ministries (IIM) was founded by Dr. Richard Pratt of Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. It is a non-profit Evangelical Christian ministry whose goal is to provide Christian education to hundreds of thousands of pastors and ministry leaders around the world by publishing and globally distributing a free multilingual, multimedia, digital seminary curriculum produced by seminary professors. IIM has forged strategic relationships with many different churches, denominations, agencies, missionaries, seminaries, Bible schools and other groups, and these relationships have already resulted in the distribution of thousands of video lessons to indigenous pastors and seminary students. Their website serves as one avenue of distribution, and provides additional materials to supplement their videos.

For more information, go to: http://thirdmill.org

6913 Oak Cluster

Exit at Sherwood- - go north  past Florida Blvd.- continue on North Sherwood until greenwell Springs rd- .Turn right- go about 5 miles--pass Sullivan-Turn right on Oak Cluster. First house on the right.

*Bring Lawn Chairs

Book Review:

Pilgrim’s Progress

John Bunyan

Edited by C.J. Lovik

Illustrated by Mike Wimmer

Crossway Books

I have just finished reading John Bunyan’s classic allegory of the Christian life, Pilgrim’s Progress, but this time in a new edition edited by C.J. Lovik with illustrations by Mike Wimmer, recently published (September 2009)  by Crossway Books in a beautifully-done hardback volume. 

At last there is a modern edition of this classic work that remains true to the story, omits none of it, and avoids doing insult to the original author and his intentions.  Editor Lovik has done a superlative, yet minimal, job of bringing Bunyan’s 17^th century English vocabulary and syntax into the 21^st century without losing any of the force and flavor of Bunyan’s prose.  He then divides the story into fifteen chapters and adds extremely helpful notes at the end of the work.  Wimmer’s illustrations do just what illustrations are, by definition, supposed to do: “explain", “elucidate”, and “adorn”.   All of which makes for a delightful read for today’s Christian reader. 

If you have never read Pilgrim’s Progress, or have not read it in a while, I urge you to buy or borrow a copy of this edition and give yourself a spiritual and literary treat.  There was a time when, it was said, every Protestant owned a copy of the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress and was likely to have read each one through more than once.  Charles Spurgeon, the “Prince of Preachers” of 19^th century London proclaimed it the one book other than Scripture that every Christian should read annually.  With this new edition that would be a much easier task for twenty-first century readers. 

I found it online at Amazon (there are a zillion editions available, be sure you get the correct one) for $16.49 (list: $24.95).  Amazon also has an audio version for $18.24 or the Kindle version for $14.84.

Woody

 Will started a RUF ministry at Tulane University in this fall after receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary in Dallas. Prior to attending seminary, Will worked as a financial analyst in Memphis after graduating from Vanderbilt Business School and Mississippi State University. He will be addressing the Adult Sunday School class this Sunday, sharing the ministry opportunities and challenges available to him (and to us) on the university campus.  

Our 2010 Missions Conference - jointly conducted with Westminster Presbyterian Church - is kicking off tomorrow night - 6:30 pm - at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 3701 Jones Creed Rd. We will meet some of our missionaries and hear a challenging message from Sam McDonald, with African Bible College in Malawi. Saturday night will be a family cookout/fellowship - at 5:30 pm - after which we will hear from Allen Smith (Peru) and Richard and TC Bailey (Australia). Following the conference events there will be a youth movie night at the Govan's house where we will watch "The End of the Spear" and talk about missions as a way of life - and consume mass quantities of popcorn and cookies. Sunday morning the conference continues as missionaries will be preaching and teaching at both churches, and then Sunday night we come back together for one more time to hear from Sam McDonald again as he presses home some of the practical implications of personally taking on board the Church's Gospel Mission. Babysitting is provided all three nights. If you are planning on attending please RSVP with Stella (768.9999) so we can get an idea of numbers!!

Looking forward to seeing you there, 

Scott