Sermons and Class Audio  

Date

Text Title Minister  

Sunday Morning Adult Activities

Practicing the Presence of God
Adult Formation Series for sunday Mornings: Spring of 2010

If you are anything like me, you grew up with a view of prayer that was kind of a spontaneous, free-association way of prayer. Other than dinner time with the family, there were not set times, set places, or set prayers that you prayed. Prayer was based on your needs, feelings, and circumstances. And if you are like me, this was fine as long as conditions were favorable. As long as I was in the right mindset, I was in a particularly good place in my spiritual life, or if I was just coming off a rich experience with others (a retreat, camp, conference, etc.), then I could pray passionately.

What I have learned is that this approach to prayer doesn’t lend itself to consistency, regularity, or depth. As important as “pouring my heart out to the Lord” (1 Sam 1:15) is, sometimes there is just nothing in my heart to pour out. Thankfully it is pretty rare that my circumstances force me to the ground so that prayers pour from my heart like a burst fire hydrant. Nope, most of life is just life - routine. Therefore, most of life presents a difficulty for me to sustain consistent, meaningful, regular, deep prayer.

That is why “Practicing the Presence of God” is the focus for our Sunday morning Adult Formation classes this Spring. Some learning will take place, but we are not going to commit the cardinal sin of classes on prayer - prayerlessness! We need to view this series as an experiment in a way of praying that pulls us out of the roller coaster nature of spontaneous prayer. Out of our practices of prayer we will dialogue and learn so that we can form a deeper, richer, more consistent and deliberate life of prayer. Again let me say, the goal of this is not to learn more about prayer, though that is certain to happen. The purpose of this is to become people of prayer!

Keep reading to discover which group you need to be a part of this Spring!

College Age and Young Singles
Facilitated by Kevin Clayton Jr. and Antonio Baltazar and held in the conference room.
This is a place for conversation centered on the Word and God’s work in our lives. Sharing life and God’s truth that we may shape one another for Christ. This Spring they will be discussing the preaching texts from the book of Hebrews.

Connections
Young Couples & Parents with Young Children - Ike and Gwyn Reeser, Jim and Laura Neal in Room 205
A true dialogue, this groups seeks to connect participants to God and to each other by creating conversations about life lived in the company of Jesus.

Koinonia
Taught by Neal Stubblefield and held in The Forum (new room downstairs)
This is a group of 40s-50s who generally have teenage to college-age children. It is discussion based with an emphasis on application for life lived faithfully as followers of Jesus.

Prime Timers
Taught by Marion Baggett, Cindy Hayes and Ralph McCluggage. Held in the Chapel upstairs.
This class is made up of those who generally are approaching or have arrived at the “empty nest” stage of life. They enjoy participative discussion and quality biblical teaching.

PARLOR CLASS
Taught by Jerry Hardiman and held in the parlor.
This is a discussion-oriented class including Northlake’s senior members, whose study of Scripture is always personal and rich.

The Front Porch Hosted by Gary Crane; held in the Living Room.
This is a nontraditional experience open to all ages. This is a place for sharing life, questions, problems, and more. This class is currently in a discussion of C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity.”

Spanish Bible Study
Taught by Felipe Baltazar and held in Room 202.
If you or someone you know would like solid biblical teaching in Spanish, this is the perfect place to be! This is a growing group of our Spanish-speaking friends who are committed to a deep study of the Bible.

Threshold Class
Facilitated by Andrew Walker and Aaron Zee; Held in Room 203.
This is a warm and hospitable environment for welcoming international friends to Northlake by teaching Scripture with an “English as Second Language” emphasis.

Women in the Church: Hearing God’s Voice
The Elders; Held in Room 204.
This is a repeat of the Wednesday class offered in the fall/winter. The objective is to do an in-depth study of the relevant scriptures on gender roles in the church, and to examine the issues these scriptures raise for us. Outside reading is required and the format is largely discussion based.

Sunday Evening Adult Activities

Chapel Service
The chapel service, led by various members, consists of a time of worship and covers a wide array of preaching topics

Church-based Groups
We have several groups that meet at the building in order to maximize participation for those with children and youth who want to participate in their evening activities. Check the quarterly guide for more information.

Parents Encouraging Parents
This group provides a support network for parents who are seeking encouragement in their journeys as parents.

Women's Study Group
This group is working through Beth Moore's study of Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman.

Lilburn/ Lawrenceville Group
This group meets in different homes throughout Lilburn and Lawrenceville.

Midtown Group

Young Adults (Decatur)
This group meets in various locales around Decatur.

Young Adults (Tucker)

Wednesday Morning Adult Activities

Ladies Bible Class 10:00am - 11:30am
Fall classes began: Sept 16
Study: TO LIVE IS CHRIST by Beth Moore

Wednesday Evening Adult Activities

A Season of Prayer
For the next few months, we are inviting people to gather in the Chapel on Wednesday nights for a season of prayer.

Men's Bible Reading Group
This group of men focus on the reading of Scripture, with an emphasis on life transformation and contemplative reading. Texts chosen are the scripture focus of our Sunday morning worship at Northlake.

Women's Bible Reading Group
This group, like the men's group, focuses on the sermon text for the coming Sunday, reflecting on it and its meaning for our lives.

Women's Study Group
This group is studying Beth Moore's Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy.

Women's Share Group
This group of women is dedicated to providing support, encouragement, and prayer for each other.

Stone Mountain Neighborhood Women's Bible Study
This neighborhood group is working through Beth Moore's A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place.




03/07/2010 Colossians 4:2-4 "Devoted to Prayer" C. Reed
02/28/2010 Ephesians 4:1-16 "To Be Like Christ" C. Reed
02/21/2010 Romans 12:1-21 "Living Intentionally" C. Reed
02/14/2010 Isaiah 6:1-8 "One Day at the Temple" C. Reed
02/07/2010 Luke 10:25-37 "Why It Is Now Time To Abandon Our Faith, Break Some Laws, & Ignore Our Bible" S. Duncan
01/31/2010 Deuteronomy 8:11-20 "The Greater Giver" C. Reed
01/24/2010 John 20:19-23 "A Sending God" C. Reed
01/17/2010 Amos 5:21-24 "Waterfalls of Justice" C. Reed
01/10/2010 Romans 12:13 "Virtue of Hospitality" C. Reed
01/03/2010 Matthew 25:31-46 "Cups, Clothes and the Cusp of the Kingdom" C. Reed
12/27/2009 Luke 2:41-52 "Growing Up Jesus" C. Reed
12/20/2009 Luke 1:39-55 "A Mother's Christmas Prayer" C. Reed
12/13/2009 Luke 3:1-18 "What Shall We Do?" C. Reed
12/06/2009 Malachi 3:1-4 "O Sober Night!" C. Reed
11/29/2009 John 14:1-31 "Transitions: One Goes and Another Comes" C. Reed
11/22/2009 John 11:1-53 "Trouble in the Cemetery?" C. Reed
11/15/2009 John 10:1-21 "Sheep and a Shepherd?" C. Reed
11/8/2009 John 9:1-41 "Is Seeing Believing?" C. Reed
11/1/2009 John 13:1-30 "Basin and Towel?" C. Reed
10/18/2009 John 7:53-8:11 "Extravagant Mercy" S. Duncan
10/18/2009 I Corinthians 15:1-11 "Is Our Gospel Too Small?" John York
10/11/2009 Matthew 5:21-24,20-26 "Hardcore Christianity" R. Harris
10/4/2009 John 4:1-42 "Well Water" C. Reed
9/27/2009 John 12:1-8,20-26 "Perfume & Wheat: Learning the Surprise of Generosity" C. Reed
9/20/2009 Romans 5:1-11 "The Ride of My Life" K. Huhtanen
9/13/2009 John 1:35-51 "The Suprising Jesus" C. Reed
9/6/2009 Ephesians 2 & 3 "A Word on the Word" C. Reed
8/30/2009 John 15:1-7 "Fall Pruning" C. Reed
8/23/2009 Genesis, John, & Colossians "We Worship" C. Reed
8/16/2009 Ephesians 2 & 3 "Under Construction" C. Reed
8/16/2009 Presentation "Dedication Sunday" ---
8/16/2009 Full Service "Dedication Sunday" ---
8/09/2009 Matthew 16:13-18 "Where It All Begins" C. Reed
8/02/2009 Acts 2:42-47 "Vibrant Community" C. Reed
7/26/2009 Isaiah 2:1-5 "Mountain Climbers" C. Reed
7/19/2009 Ephesians 6:10-13 "Deliver Us from Evil" C. Reed
7/12/2009 Matthew 18:23-35 "Forgive Us" C. Reed
7/05/2009 Matthew 6:9 "Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread" J.Simmons
6/28/2009 Matthew 6:9 "Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be Done, On Earth as it is in Heaven" C. Reed
6/21/2009 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 "A Look in the Mirror" C. Reed
6/14/2009 Isaiah 6:1-9 "Striving or Striving" C. Reed
6/07/2009 Matthew 6:5-8 "Our Father" C. Reed
5/31/2009 Matthew 6:25-34 "Striving or Striving" C. Reed
5/24/2009 Matthew 6:19-24 "Making Choices" C. Reed
5/17/2009 Matthew 28:16-20 "Doors and Windows" C. Reed
5/10/2009 Matthew 6:1-14 "Framing a Jesus-Focused Life" C. Reed
5/03/2009 Matthew 5:17-48 "Christless Christianity" S.Duncan
4/26/2009 Matthew 4:23-5:16 "What is Jesus Up To?: Thinking In New Ways" C. Reed
4/19/2009 Acts 4:1-22 "Stop Helping God Across the Street Like a Little Old Lady" I. Reeser
4/12/2009 John 20:1-18 "He Speaks Our Name" C. Reed
4/05/2009 Philippians 2:5-11 "A Love Story" C. Reed
3/29/2009 Hebrews 4:14-5:10 "Learning Obedience?" C. Reed
3/22/2009 Ephesians 2:1-10 "God's Amazing Grace" C. Reed
3/15/2009 John 2:13-22 "House of God, or Den of Thieves?" J. Simmons
3/08/2009 Mark 8:31-38 "Mind the Divine" C. Reed
3/01/2009 Genesis 9:8-17 "Never Again" C. Reed
2/22/2009 Matthew 6:1-8 "New Hearts for Old" C. Reed
2/15/2009 2 Kings 5:1-14 "Muddy Water" C. Reed
2/08/2009 Isaiah 40:21-31 "Big Enough!" C. Reed
2/01/2009 Mark 1:21-28 "Spellbound" C. Reed
1/25/2009 Mark 1:14-20 "The Call to Freedom" C. Reed
1/18/2009 I Samuel 3:1-10 "A Boy Who Learned to Listen" C. Reed
1/11/2009 Mark 1:4-11 "Getting Wet Might Mean Something" C. Reed
1/4/2009 John 1:10-18 "Living Incarnationally" C. Reed
12/28/2008 Isaiah 6:1-3 "Garments of Joy and Seeds of Hope" S. Duncan
12/21/2008 - "Mary, Did You Know?" C. Reed
12/14/2008 Luke 1.47-55 "What Do We Do With the News?" C. Reed
12/7/2008 Isaiah 40.1-11 "Here is Your God!" C. Reed
11/30/2008 Acts 20.17-38 "Learning to Lead" C. Reed
11/23/2008 Philippians 4.4-9 "The Practice of Joyful Living" C. Reed
11/16/2008 Acts 17.16-34 "The Gospel and the Public Square" C. Reed
11/9/2008 Acts 16.25-34 "Freedom and its Illusions" C. Reed
11/2/2008 Acts 15.1-12 "Change Comes to Church" C. Reed
10/26/2008 Acts 10.1-16 "Double Vision" C. Reed
10/19/2008 Acts 25.1-12 "When Faith and Politics Meet" C. Reed
10/12/2008 Acts 9.1-30 "The Conversion of the Sovereign Self" C. Reed
10/5/2008 Acts 8.26-40 "The Treasurer's Report" C. Reed
9/28/2008 Acts 8.4-24 "In Step With the Spirit" C. Reed
9/21/2008 Acts 4.32-5.11 "Wealth and Community" C. Reed
9/14/2008 Acts 2.1-39 "Living As If Something Is At Stake" C. Reed
9/7/2008 Acts 1.1-15 "To Tell the Truth" C. Reed
8/31/2008 Acts 17.1-15 "The Tale of Two Cities" C. Reed

Sermon Archives

Summer 2008: This season includes reflections on various aspects of our lives as Christians, including topics like communion, prayer, ministry, and baptism, and concludes with a 4-week series reflecting on our values as a congregation.

Genesis: April - May 2008 - As Northlake reflects on the theme of beginnings, we explore God's work in the beginnings of Genesis.

January-March 2008: This season includes reflections from the gospel of Matthew and a journey through the Lent season and Easter.

Christmas 2007: December 2007 - This series prepares us for Christmas by looking at how Scripture prepares us for the coming of Christ and God's entry into the world.

Jesus the Servant: The Gospel of Luke: September - November 2007 - This series explores moments in Jesus' life as seen through the Gospel of Luke where Jesus models the practice of service, reaching out to those in need and witnessing to the transforming power of God's work in the world.

 

Class Archives

Faith and Film - Summer 2008 Special Edition: This four week class explores the spiritual themes that emerge in some of the summer's biggest blockbusters.

Mission in Our City: Summer 08 - This is a collection of prayer guides published over the course of 6 weeks that invite reflection on prayer on mission needs around the world.

Christian Faith in our World: Spring 08 - This class features different speakers reflecting on various aspects of our life and times and the varied ways in which our faith lives in the world.

Water from a Deep Well: Winter 07-08 - This class looks to the history of Christian spirituality, seeking to understand how we might grow in Christ by looking at various movements in church history and asking how they grew.

Paul at the Movies: Summer 2007 - Seeking to bring Scripture into conversation with contemporary culture, this class involves discussions of contemporary film and suggests interactions with Paul's theology.

The Journey of Joy: Summer 2007 - This class explores the central idea of joy in the Christian life by reflecting on ideas contained in John Piper's seminal work, Desiring God.



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Minister's Blogs

We encourage you to check out our minister's blogs for their reflections and insights on a variety of topics.

Check out Carson's blog here.

 

What We Believe

We post a description of our faith for our guests, but we think that everybody, members and guests, could benefit from thinking more deeply about our life in Christ. Here's a link to our story in Christ for your reflection.