Resources

This document explores how Christians can engage in the political sphere while upholding biblical principles. It emphasizes the importance of advocating for the sanctity of human life, strengthening families, caring for the poor, protecting religious freedom, and pursuing justice and peace. Grounded in scripture, it calls for a balance between faith and civic responsibility, encouraging believers to actively contribute to societal well-being while staying true to Christian values.

• Sanctity of Human Life
• Strengthening family health
• Care for the poor and vulnerable
• Caring for God’s creation
• Protecting religious freedom
• Preserving human rights
• Pursuing justice and reconciliation
• Just peace and restraining violence

Platforms of Political Engagement PDF Download

SOAP

Becoming a Christ-follower transforms our lives and begins a life-long journey of becoming more like Jesus. Reading the Bible gives us a better understanding of who God is and what His plan is for our lives. As a church, it is our goal to infuse the Bible with everything we do, because we believe it becomes a catalyst for continued growth in Jesus.

One way to begin to incorporate the Bible into daily life is the SOAP personal daily devotional process. SOAP is an acronym: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. While doing this, write your thoughts down in a journal. Journaling is an excellent way to record and process what God has spoken to you.

• Scripture – Take your time reading each chapter and allow God to speak to you. Look for a verse that particularly spoke to you and write it in your journal.
• Observation – What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words in your journal.
• Application – Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.
• Prayer – This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say and journal about it.

Reading Plan Options

One Story – The OWNit365 “One Story” plan takes you through the key stories of the Bible in one year. The plan shows how the many stories of the Bible make up one interconnected story – God’s story. The plan calls for reading between one to three chapters of Scripture a day from three separate chapters (i.e. the main storyline and key cross references), six days per week.

• Start One Story Plan
• Printable One Story Plan

New Testament Plus (NT+) – NT+ is a 6-day-a-week revolutionary way to read through the New Testament. Instead of reading straight through the New Testament, the NT+ plan is strategically divided into reading based on authorship. Five days a week, you’ll read one chapter in the New Testament. On the sixth day, you’ll read a chapter in the Old Testament that was referenced in the New Testament reading that week to give you context for its New Testament emphasis.

• Start New Testament+ Plan
• Printable New Testament+ Plan

Models Of Prayer

• The Lord’s Prayer
• Tabernacle Prayer
• Praying Scripture
• Warfare Prayers
• Hands-On Praying

Resources

• Submit Prayer Requests And Praise Reports
• Bible Reading Resources
• Watch Pastor Rick’s Message On Fasting!
• Listen To The Rick Lorimer Podcast – “Fasting”

Fasting

What Is Fasting? – Fasting is a decision to take our eyes off of our physical needs and desires in order to focus more completely on God. During a time of fasting, it is encouraged to plan additional time for prayer and Bible study. We believe God wants to speak to you during this time!

• Quick Fasting Guide

How Do I Fast? –

• Determine the Type of Fast: Daniel Fast – Eat Only Fruits, Vegetables & Grains, Liquid Fast – Eat No Solid Food, Other Types of Fasting – Social Media, Other Entertainment, etc
• Determine the Length of Time: Examples: One Meal a Day, One Week, or 21 Days

We encourage you to use any resource below in a disciple-making relationship with someone else to grow in your faith together.

Following Jesus

• “Following Jesus” Devotional
• “Following Jesus” Connect Group
• “The Purple Book” Devotional
• “Brand New” (book)
• The Cure (book)
• The Good and Beautiful God (book)

Leading Others

• “Leading Others” Connect Group (seasonal)
• “Surprise the World” (book)
• “The Disciple-making Genius of Jesus” (book)
• “The Emotionally Healthy” Church (book)
• “The Ascent of a Leader” (book)
• “The Way of the Shepherd” (book)
• “It Starts at Home” (book)
• “Mere Christianity” (book)

Multiply the Mission

• “Experiencing God” Devotional
• “The Challenge of Finishing Well” (workbook)

For Families

Books:

• The Talk: 7 Lessons to Introduce Your Child to Biblical Sexuality by Luke Gilkerson
• Changes: 7 Biblical Lessons to Make Sense of Puberty by Luke Gilkerson
• Relationships: 7 Lessons to Give Kids a Great Understanding of Biblical Sexuality by Luke Gilkerson
• Gen SeXYZ: Love, Sexuality, and Youth by Jeff Grenell

Websites:

• Axis.org: Build your teen’s lifelong faith in Jesus by tackling tough topics together one conversation at a time.
• GuidingFamilies.com: Helping Christian parents honor God and relate effectively to LGBT+ loved ones.

For Individuals

Books:

• Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say. by Preston Sprinkle
• Love Into Light: The Gospel, the Homosexual, and the Church by Peter Hubbard
• The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Butterfield (TBD)
• Gen SeXYZ: Love, Sexuality, and Youth by Jeff Grenell

Messages:

• Watch Week 1 Message: “Casting Stones”
• Watch Week 2 Message: “Leaving Home”
• Watch Week 3 Message: “Growing Up”

Care (& Counseling?) at Christ Place

Have questions about gender identity or want to talk in confidence with someone about gender-related questions? Sign up to become a One-To-One Care Receiver at www.christplace.church/care.