Shift

Shift: Small Changes. Big Differences.Whether it’s relationship issues, financial concerns, bad habits, or other life challenges–we all struggle.  Although painful at times, struggle often signifies the beginning of change. And fortunately, we all have the God-given power to shift our focus, our perspective and our priorities, which can lead to exciting life changes.  But why do this alone?

Shift is a seven-week spiritual growth program beginning Sunday, October 2nd, 2011, in which participants come together to learn about each other, about God, and about how to make shifts in their lives.  The program draws on the Jacob story from the Old Testament, and includes Sunday morning worship gatherings, weekly small group meetings, and daily personal reflections on scripture.  Here is your chance to offer your struggles before the Lord, and watch them turn to blessings.

At New Way Church, we have three small groups you can choose from, and also a fourth group for young teens 11-14 years old. You can sign up in person on Sunday morning at 10 a.m., or sign up now by sending an email to Mac@NewWayAustin.org, with your group preference. Our groups meet at the following places and times:

  •  South (Riverside area) – Sundays at 7pm.
  • Central (Northwest Hills area) – Tuesdays at 7pm.
  • North (Cedar Park) – Fridays at 7:30pm.
  • Teens — Saturday evenings.

This seven week program explores Biblical answers to a new topic each week:

  • A Shift of Awareness: Notice the conflicts.
  • A Shift of Perspective: Remember the Lord is here, now.
  • A Shift of Focus: Keep in mind who you want to be.
  • A Shift of Expectations: Have patience with the process.
  • A Shift of Motivation: Recognize when it’s time to make a change.
  • A Shift of Confidence: Hold on through the wrestling.
  • A Shift of Heart: Show your love.

Shift is open to everyone. Come as you are!

 

 

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Question: Did Jesus Christ Die for Our Sins?

Now and then we have a special message addressing one or more questions sent in by New Way Church participants. This week, we spend the entire time responding to the question, “Does the New Church teach that Jesus Christ died for our sins?”

The short answer: “Yes!” But when we say that Jesus died for our sins, we mean something different than you may be conditioned to expect. What does it actually mean that Jesus died for our sins? Well, it all has to do with what Jesus meant when he spoke about “blood”. The blood of Jesus is not a symbol for death and suffering, but of life! His command that we “drink his blood” was him speaking “in parable” about his desire for us to make his life’s teachings a part of our souls by not only learning them, but by living them. Jesus died not as a sacrifice to a God that demanded painful punnishment, but rather died as a warrior dies in combat, fighting hell, and setting us free. We can have that freedom not by letting him “take it for us”, but rather by taking up our cross and following him! How? By allowing our lower nature to be put to death. Through the spiritual act of practicing love for God and neighbor above selfish desires, we too “die”, and so follow Jesus, the one true God, into true life, his spiritual blood coursing through our veins.

Jesus Christ died for our sins. But not as a punnishment for our sins, but rather to show us a way out from under them. He died to lead us out from under the slavery of hell. And Jesus Christ lived, so that you could follow him and be free.

That’s just a summary. For the full answer, listen to Question: “Did Jesus Christ Die for Our Sins?”:

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Here are the readings from “Did Jesus Christ Die for Our Sins?”:
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Movie Time!

During July and into August, we will be celebrating summer by doing something different in our Sunday morning worship gatherings. It’s Movie Time at New Way Church!

Every Sunday morning our message will use a clip from some popular movie to illustrate an idea related to Christian spirituality. There will be no formal kids’ program, although we will still be offering nursery for the very little ones.

Each Sunday will be a different Biblical, spiritual principle, and will use a clip from a different movie. And you’re invited. As always, just come as you are. (And bring a friend!)

 

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