Our theme for 2019 is “Back To Basics.” As a church family we’ll be focusing on our spiritual foundation so that together we might stand strong during the storms that we know are sure to come.
Focusing on our spiritual foundation - getting “Back to Basics” - means we’ll continue focusing on making sure we have been saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:13); we’ll continue focusing on praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 39); we’ll continue meeting together in small groups to experience and extend Christian community (Acts 2:42-47); we’ll continue focusing on outreach as we minister to the felt-needs of the people in our community (Matthew 25:31-46); and we’ll continue going to our family and friends sharing our story of how Jesus saves (Mark 5:19).
But getting “Back to Basics” also means we’ll be focusing on getting back to having a daily personal devotional time of Bible study and prayer (John 5:39; Mark 1:35); we’ll be focusing on getting back to having family worship at home, and “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” in corporate worship, especially “as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25); we’ll be focusing on being faithful financial stewards, cheerfully returning tithe and giving an offering (2 Corinthians 9:6-7); and we’ll be focusing on getting back to experiencing God’s Word producing spiritual growth in the lives of believers (2 Peter 1:3-8).
The Bible says we should always be ready “to give a reason for the hope” that is within us (1 Peter 3:15), which means getting “Back to Basics” needs to include making sure we know why we are Seventh-day Adventist Christians, and what the Seventh-day Adventist message even is — and this is where we will begin!
On Sabbath, January 19 we will launch our “2019 Back to Basics Small Group Emphasis.” Our entire Riverside church family will be studying the Truthlink Bible study series in each of our small groups. Follow along with this study schedule.
(You can set up an account and download the TruthlinkBible study guides for free at: www.Truthlink.org)