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Archive for Inspiration

Nov
15

Doing our work

Posted by: Ray Griffin | Comments (0)

I am so grateful to all of you leaders for how you diligently serve every week in Sunday School. Titus 2:11-15 clearly reminds us of our task of:

1. Taking to heart the Gospel message of salvation through Christ and the hope of His return.
2. Living in the world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while turning from sin.
3. Live out His hope in this world through doing good deeds.

4. And most importantly for our ministry, teach these things and encourage and correct the believers to do them.

You and I have a huge responsibility every week to teach and model the Gospel in our Sunday School classes each week. If you have not done so in a while, please share your own testimony of faith in Jesus Christ this week, and invite one other to share their testimony.

Contact me anytime I can be of assistance to you, from discussing a lesson, to sharing a crisis, to relating a good story, I am here for you!

I am praying for you!
Ray

Categories : Inspiration
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Nov
05

A word from Dixie

Posted by: Ray Griffin | Comments (0)

Good day!

I am so thankful for how the Lord continues to richly bless our gathering every week here at Quail. As a matter of fact, this past Sunday is the second highest attendance we have had, 1464! Wow. That is awesome, and at the same time is a strong reminder of the number of folks it takes to serve in ministry in Sunday School every week. Take a moment to ponder and pray about this sincere word from Dixie Swezey:

“LET’S TAKE TURNS”

Just saying “let’s take turns” reminds me of childhood. It meant “let’s be friends”. It meant that everyone would be included – that I would get to be a part of the game. This essential character trait is often overlooked but important for all of us.
As children we learn that turn taking means that we will have to give up a little something – a toy, or maybe our time – so that everyone can play. As adults, turn taking makes four way stop signs possible. It smoothes the drive for all of us doesn’t it? It’s frustrating and dangerous when one of the drivers at a four way stop doesn’t know how to take turns.
Taking turns really means that we will serve each other by giving up a little something so that the way can be smoother for everyone. Jesus called it denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily to follow Him. Jesus’ friend Peter said that we should use the special gifts we have been given to serve one another.
I’d like to invite you to take a turn serving with preschoolers and children. I am asking you to give up a little something – your adult Sunday School class or perhaps a worship service or even an extra hour – maybe once every six weeks or maybe every Sunday for the next 10 months to make the way smoother for the children who are waiting for new leaders.
Volunteers are needed immediately to take a turn one time every six weeks in the 11:00 hour in Extended Teaching Care with twos – K-G. Permanent Sunday School leaders are needed immediately in both Sunday School hours with a variety of age groups so that we can start new departments to teach the children God has sent our way. Volunteers are also needed in 8:15 service.
You will be working with another adult, curriculum will be provided and training is available.
You are needed. Will you take turns?

Dixie Swezey
Minister of Childhood Education

Thank you for continuing to serve as you do! Encourage others to share in the work. People get frustrated on the sidelines when they don’t serve, and folks who do too much risk burnout. Ask faithful people to serve!

God bless you this week,
Ray

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Sep
05

Maintenance

Posted by: Ray Griffin | Comments (0)

speedometer1.jpg
Sounds exciting doesn’t it. Maintenance also has a ring of mediocrity too doesn’t it.

But, what if I decided not to do regular maintenance on my car…oil changes, coolant, and oh yeah, the brakes. No big deal right?

We have been sooo very blessed at QSBC with new guests coming to Quail every week. We all engage in worship to the Lord in spirit and truth, we’re encouraged by the living and active Word of God, and hopefully we’re all spurred on for love and good deeds through the week.

As new folks have come, are you missing anyone? Have you ever heard, “have you seen the “xyz” family in a while? They used to come so regularly, i wonder where they have been.” As soon as you hear that, or sense someone is missing, make contact.

This is really a both/and! We love the new folks coming to Quail, and we want them to find a place of connection and service. At the same time, let’s stay aware of those we shepherd every week.

I am so very thankful and grateful to serve with you in the mission field at QSBC!
Ray

image freefoto.com

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Jul
24

Sunday School-On Mission!

Posted by: Ray Griffin | Comments (0)

Hello all from beautiful Glorieta, New Mexico!

Thanks for allowing me to come to this place to spend some away time with family, but also to spend some concentrated time with some of the SBC’s most influential leaders. One leader, Ed Stetzer, has challenged us to press on in Sunday School/Small Groups with a clear and intentional purpose to Go and make disciples. To be on mission.

I hope this sounds familiar, because our purpose at QSBC in Sunday School is to Reach and Teach, but at the same time, I have been challenged to refocus! To recommit! To commit to the strategy of each of us in Sunday School to connect with our own mission fields every week, personally.

Who are you praying for and/or reaching personally this week? This is a call for you and me to not do something new, but to press in to what we know is true: people are looking for authentic relationships with God and with a people who love Him and each other. Where is your harvesting field?

I am praying for you all in our mission to reach our community and the world with the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Ray

Categories : Inspiration
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Jul
10

Give thanks to the Lord!

Posted by: Ray Griffin | Comments (0)

At Wednesday night’s prayer meeting, the pastor encouraged us to be careful to give thanks to the Lord for all the ways He continues to bless us. His text was Psalm 44. Remember that our cry is “Not to us o Lord, not to us, but to Your Name give glory!”

As you think of the ways that we are blessed as a church family, as a Sunday School class, in our families, and individually, let us speak that praise and thanks to the Lord.

The pastor encouraged us to take time on Sunday to do that very thing. Please plan for time this week for individuals to share how the Lord has blessed them and to offer thanks for His great goodness!

Round Up is coming, begin now making preparation for contacting all the souls on your Sunday School Ministry roll to be here August 17th. Be planning your Round Up fellowships in August. And, be praying!

I love and appreciate you all!
Ray

Categories : Inspiration
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