Discipleship

 
The word standing by itself doesn’t seem very exciting. It may sound overwhelming to some. What does it even mean? “-ship” means the state or condition of something; so, the state or situation of being a disciple. In New Testament times, it implied a teacher/learner relationship. For Jesus and His disciples, it represented doing life together with formation of a spiritual relationship. Pastor and author Bill Hull describes discipleship as “a way of life for all of life”.
 
When we look at Jesus’ life, discipleship happened in many places. The synagogue where He read from Isaiah, the temple where He overturned merchant tables and commented on a  widow giving her meager offering, homes and public venues in which He healed broken lives.
 
Where and when will discipleship happen in your life? For your family, it ought to include the patterns outlined in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (the Message) “Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night.”
 

Trinity U is just one way to weave the fabric of discipleship into your life. Our upcoming Sunday night Bible reading series will equip you personally as a parent or grandparent.  MasterLife and The Disciple’s Prayer Life are two proven disciple-making formats for adults. These opportunities don’t have to be limited to Sunday evenings. You won’t regret the time and energy invested in discipleship for yourself or others!

 

 


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Genesis Class

by Dale Moreau
 
The Genesis Class aims to help people progress in their ability to study the Bible and understand its meaning. The key to good Bible study is not following steps. It is learning to think carefully about what you’re reading. The Genesis Class helps you to develop thinking skills by asking insightful questions about the biblical text, learning to detect and avoid flawed ideas (your own and those of others), and being dissatisfied with explanations that aren’t comprehensive.
 
Learning to think well is much more powerful than memorizing a method. Careful thinking allows you to adapt to whatever Scripture presents you rather than asking the same repetitive questions of every passage.
 

Many things we read, especially in the Bible, are not as easy to parse as this headline. Many readers will have memorized Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

 
But how many of us have bothered to ask the obvious question: What is the gift of God? Is it grace? Faith? Both? Something else? How would we know? Memorizing these verses is a good idea, but understanding what they mean is even better. The Genesis class will help you explore this passage and many more and find the biblical truths and meaning in the text.
 

You missed us concluding our study of the Book of Genesis. So, come join us in our new study, John’s Use of the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation. It is unlike any other study you have heard. We are in room 217, upstairs near the elevator, in the new building.

 

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Fun & Fellowship with Prime Time

by Don Francis
 
Prime Time is a group of seniors 55+ who get together for fellowship, entertainment, food, and subjects of interest for seniors and activities to serve our Lord.
 
Prime time Game Day is the first Monday of each month and we meet in the church café for a time of fellowship and games.  Bring your brown bag lunch and perhaps some cookies to share.  We play a variety of domino and card games. Join us for a great time of fellowship, fun and laughter with games. The time is 11:00am until 2:00
 
Prime Time Dinners are scheduled at various times during the year.  The meeting will include a meal, potluck or catered by Judy Brooksher the church food expert. There will be music.  We may sing as a group or be entertained by special guests.  This past year we have enjoyed Trinity Men’s Quartet, Ray and Jan Solomon, a Ray Stevens impersonator and a group from Sunrise Baptist Church.  We have benefitted from presentations by Greg Longenbaugh from Kerr County Sheriff’s Department concerning frauds and scams, JD’s teacher Dr. Dan Crawford, and have enjoyed open mike time sharing stories of what God has done in our lives.  Most important of all, we have enjoyed the fellowship with one another and sharing God’s love. We most recently had a Thanksgiving pot luck with Missy Coulter giving a presentation on home safety and fall prevention.
 

Every May we have a 2-day senior event called ENCORE! (Energized, Committed, Reassigned) with a light lunch, games, music and speakers. This is a special event attended and enjoyed by many of our seniors.

 

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Men’s Bible Study

by Philip Meadow
 
Life is HARD!
 
Everything takes our time:  family (good and bad), everything that owns us.  And, as we get older, we have appointments (mostly doctors’ appointments!). Something is always taking our fleeting time. YET – on Thursday mornings at 10:00am there is peace and calm with learning and fellowship.  Come sit at the feet of Biblical masters, Bill and Dale as they lead us through GOD’s word.
 
Bill Parr was an ordinary, lost, heathen man, with Merchant Marine and Army experience until the LORD called him into the ministry. Once the LORD called, Bill went to seminary and became an ordained minister. Because of this background, Brother Bill can present GOD’s word so that an ordinary man can clearly understand it.  Dale Moreau has a background in the Hebrew text, helping us understand the how, what and why the scriptures were written.  Together, we cover the daily application and a deep understanding of GOD’s word.
 
The men’s Bible Study is open to all men.  We have men from other denominations, men that are engineers, men that own local businesses, men that work at local businesses, lawyers, teachers, salesmen, and a lot of men that are retired.  But, on Thursday mornings we are all ordinary men, learning about GOD’s word, sharing our prayer needs, our stories, our love of GOD’s word, and    always some great cookies and coffee!  GOD’s word says he wants you to join with other believers and grow in knowledge and wisdom so that when you share GOD’s word, you are more confident in your understanding of His word. 
 

So, men, I encourage you to try something easy, and worth the time. Come to the Men’s Bible Study Thursday mornings at 10:00 in The Forge (behind the TBC café), to enjoy the fellowship and be filled with cookies, coffee, and knowledge!


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Adult Ministry – November 2023

 
Do you remember the teachers who would let you take an “Open Book” test? How about grading your spelling test by “passing it across the aisle” for your neighbor to score? Or the dreaded group project; where either you did all the work, or arguments prevented any meaningful accomplishment!? Your last school exam may have been 20-50 years ago, but there are still areas of your life that need evaluation.
 
One part of your life that needs a regular assessment is your Bible study group. Don’t worry, it is an Open Book test! For many, attendance is the only measurement used to gauge group health. Ken Braddy, a discipleship consultant with LifeWay, has complied a new “scorecard” to better quantify the spiritual health of our small group Bible studies.
 
Braddy’s scorecard has four major categories. One: Do group members learn and obey God’s Word? Two: Do they invite people to become disciples? Three: Are they forming deeper relationships? Four: Do they engage in acts of service?
 
This list is not exhaustive, but let me share a few probing queries to flesh out Ken’s questions.
Measurement One: Are apprentice leaders identified and developed; are new groups started?
Measurement Two: Are prayers focused on the lost; do group members initiate gospel conversations?
Measurement Three:  How balanced are connection and content; do newcomers experience biblical hospitality?
Measurement Four: Does our group make a difference in the community; do our group members serve in leadership roles for our group?
 
It requires a courageous change of heart and mind to begin evaluating yourself and your small group Bible Study by more than attendance. Healthy small groups make for a healthy church. Here at Trinity we have a good ministry, let’s press on to make it even better!
 

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Prime Time Singers – October 2023

by Doug Lusk
 
The Prime Time Singers is a family of people who love the Lord and who love to sing, and they are delighted to spread His word by doing something they enjoy so much. 
 
Interim Choir Director Becky Doyle did a superb job last season in directing and helping the choir learn the songs they performed for people who might not otherwise have the chance to hear music live and in person.
 
This season the Singers will be directed by Charlie Barganier, Trinity’s new Minister of Worship. Lew King will continue as pianist/arranger. A number of his works are included in the group’s repertoire. Rehearsals are held at 10 am on Tuesdays and last about an hour and a half.
 
The first Sing Outs of the new season are tentatively scheduled for River Hill on September 26 and at Hilltop October 17. Participation in the 2023 Everlasting Choir Celebration is being considered and will be decided in October.
 

Prime Time Singers was pleased to welcome several new members recently and always has another chair available for more. They will gladly welcome you to join them in joyously singing about God’s love and grace.

 


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Marriage Ministry – October 2023

by Lauren Kurz
 
Hello from Marriage Ministry! We are excited to have kicked off our fall “Love Like You Mean It” Class. We would like to invite you to come join us on Sunday nights to dig deeper with your spouse to develop a relationship built on what the bible defines love to be! Bob Lepine helps us dive into how God describes and displays true love; the love your soul craves, and the love God has designed for your marriage. Our first challenge was to find one small way to show your spouse patience this week. Join us as we work together as couples to serve the Lord with our marriages.
 
The marriage ministry is excited to be taking a group to San Antonio for the “Weekend to Remember”! This event will take place on November 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort. You can register on the Family Life Weekend to Remember website. You can choose to stay at the resort, local hotel or  commute back to Kerrville. This weekend is packed with phenomenal speakers and various materials to help grow your marriage! We love how this weekend is made for every walk of marriage; whether you are engaged, newlywed, growing through different stages with children, blending families, empty nesters reconnecting with your spouse or seasoned marriages looking at what it means to leave a legacy with your family – there is something for every stage. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Kaleb and Lauren Kurz.
 

We look forward to finishing the “Love Like You Mean It” class in the spring session of Trinity U. Keep an eye out for upcoming information on the 2024 Marriage retreat! 


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Men’s Ministry – October 2023

by Mark Clemons
 
Jeff Stone has been very busy helping bring awareness and information about the upcoming solar eclipses to the citizens of Kerrville and the surrounding area.  That includes about 20 briefings, ranging from 15 minutes to over an hour, for groups including HOAs, civic and professional organizations, as well as other groups. There are also more planned between now and the April 8, 2024 total eclipse. If you missed his presentations at Trinity, take him out for a cup of coffee to discover more on this natural wonder from God!
 
David Clarke organized the Car Show at TBC on September 9th. Around 20 cars came and went throughout the morning. Those who attended enjoyed themselves. 
 
Jerry Gale and others have helped build 6 ramps in conjunction with the Texas Ramp  Project in the Kerrville area over the past few months.
 
Men’s Bible study has continued with Bill Parr being the primary teacher and Rick Boles as the coordinator.
 
Mark Clemons attended the Men’s & RA Retreat at Camp Menard on September 1st and 2nd. He was able to offer Tomahawk throwing and prepare cobblers for the 180 plus that attended.
 
Many men were able to participate in the children’s camp at Alto Frio in July, helping with Bible Studies, dutch oven cooking, fishing and other activities. Thank you, Kellee Parish, for letting us join you in touching the lives of the children.
 
Plans for 2024 are being prayed about and we would love for more men to be involved. Please consider joining others as we seek the  Father’s will in regard to the Men’s Ministry at TBC.

 


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A Way of Life…For All of Life

 
“Discipleship isn’t a program or an event; it’s a way of life. It’s not for a limited time, but for our whole life. Discipleship isn’t for beginners alone; it’s for all believers for every day of their life.   Discipleship isn’t just one of the things the church does; it is what the church does.” (emphasis mine)- Bill Hull, author of The Complete Book of Discipleship.
 
Bill is a speaker and former pastor whose ministry focus is discipleship and church leadership. For him, the biblical view of discipleship is “a way of life…for all of life!” That doesn’t mean discipleship happens by osmosis. It is intentional and has some level of structure.
 

Young and old, male and female, single or married – all believers are on a discipleship journey. What is the next step for you? Trinity U is one option you can use on this road to Christ-likeness. Below, you’ll find a few opportunities to grow in your faith. I urge you to deepen your walk by engaging in one of these classes:

Crisis 101 (Red Sea Rules)ife is hard, difficulties are guaranteed, but a way through is available! Barbara and Roger McCormick share ten strategies for following God in the midst of trials. This video guided series by Robert Morgan is developed from the Israelites’ experience of crossing the Red Sea, and will be divided into two semesters. $5 book cost.

Faith Driven Entrepreneur
What does it mean to be a Christian businessperson? Does your business serve as an active part of God’s work in our world today? What does it mean to embrace your call to create, and fulfill God’s purpose, for your life and work? Join Wayne Uecker in discovering what God desires to unleash through our work. Be encouraged to flesh out the purpose of your entrepreneurial dreams. 8 weeks, no cost.
 
MasterLife – The Disciple’s Victory
Cynthia and Royce Itschner lead the third book of the MasterLife series. Learn to gain victory over the world, the flesh, and the enemy using God’s word and prayer. The first two books of the series are recommended prerequisites. 7 weeks, $15 workbook required.
 
Love Like You Mean It
How do the ten attributes of love found in 1 Corinthians 13 relate to marriage? Discover the biblical vision of marriage and how actions and decisions drive emotions, not vice versa. Lauren and Kaleb Kurz lead this video driven conversation by marriage and family expert Bob Lepine. 9 weeks, optional workbook.
 
Writing Your Spiritual Memoir
Your spiritual story is worth telling. Leave a legacy of your journey with God for family and friends by writing your Spiritual Memoir. Bill Gray will guide you through effective steps of planning and organizing, best writing practices, and free publication on www.draftdigital.com. Limited to 12 committed participants. 9 weeks, $15 material cost.
 
The Disciple’s Prayer Life – Walking in Fellowship with God
Do you desire intimacy with God and effectiveness in your prayer life? Survey biblical examples and apply biblical prayer principles in this powerful small group study. You will do more than talk about prayer!  The 13-week course led by JD Templeton will be divided between two semesters. $15 workbook required.

 

Please register today for any one of these discipleship opportunities by calling Gina at 830-895-0100. Room assignments will be made at a later date.

 

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