1. 1 The Family of God 1 Tim. 3:14-15

2. 2 When Challenges Arise Ignore them (Ostrich)Ignore them (Ostrich) Run away from them (Jonah)Run away from them (Jonah) Increase the trouble by inflammatory words & actions (Diotrephes)Increase the trouble by inflammatory words & actions (Diotrephes) Meet them with open minds, open Bibles & a prayerful, reverent attitude (Abraham, Gen. 13:8)Meet them with open minds, open Bibles & a prayerful, reverent attitude (Abraham, Gen. 13:8)

3. 3 God expects us to meet our challenges by serving each other in love & unity Acts 6:1-7 Eph. 4:1-3 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25 1 Jno. 4:20-21

4. 4 Challenge of Compatibility Different people… One in Christ – 1 Cor. 12:25-26; Jno. 17:20-23; 1 Jno. 4:10-11Different people… One in Christ – 1 Cor. 12:25-26; Jno. 17:20-23; 1 Jno. 4:10-11 How?How? Others before self, Phil. 2:3-4; Acts 6:1, 5Others before self, Phil. 2:3-4; Acts 6:1, 5 Forgiveness, Matt. 6:14-15Forgiveness, Matt. 6:14-15 Common faith, Gal. 3:26- 28 (Titus 1:4)Common faith, Gal. 3:26- 28 (Titus 1:4) Acts 6:1 Eph. 2:13-22

5. 5 Challenge of Communication Fail to communicate - Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24; Jas. 1:19-20Fail to communicate - Matt. 18:15; 5:23-24; Jas. 1:19-20 Communicate wrong infoCommunicate wrong info Not hearsay, gossip, backbiting, 1 Tim. 5:13; Prov. 16:28; 2 Ths. 3:11Not hearsay, gossip, backbiting, 1 Tim. 5:13; Prov. 16:28; 2 Ths. 3:11 Speak truth, Eph. 4:25Speak truth, Eph. 4:25 Acts 6:1-5

6. 6 Challenge of Convertedness Satan is still in control whenever there is lack of conversion – Acts 5:1-5, 7-9Satan is still in control whenever there is lack of conversion – Acts 5:1-5, 7-9 Change heart, life & relations, Acts 3:19; 26:20Change heart, life & relations, Acts 3:19; 26:20 Conversion shows in…Conversion shows in… What we serve, Rom. 6:16-18; 1 Ths. 1:9What we serve, Rom. 6:16-18; 1 Ths. 1:9 Who we serve, 1 Jno. 3:16-18Who we serve, 1 Jno. 3:16-18 What is our 1 st concern, Matt. 6:33What is our 1 st concern, Matt. 6:33 Acts 6:3

7. 7 Challenge of Convertedness Test our convertedness – (2 Cor. 13:5)Test our convertedness – (2 Cor. 13:5) Do carnal things hinder my obedience? (1 Jno. 2:15-17)Do carnal things hinder my obedience? (1 Jno. 2:15-17) Do I seldom pray?Do I seldom pray? Do I have trouble forgiving?Do I have trouble forgiving? Do I hold grudges?Do I hold grudges? Do I keep my brethren at arm’s length?Do I keep my brethren at arm’s length? Do I refuse to repent?Do I refuse to repent? Acts 6:3 Rom. 12:1-2

8. 8 Challenges are our opportunities to succeed (Phil. 4:13) Be an asset to this church & help us meet our challenges with faith, love, mercy & truth!Be an asset to this church & help us meet our challenges with faith, love, mercy & truth!