Monday, December 15, 2014

Top 10 Books

As a college pastor I'm often asked what books have been the most influential in my life.  This is a reasonable question but a very difficult one to answer because I read a lot.  But in an effort to give the people what they want, I sat down at Jittery Joe's this morning and wrote down the 10 books that came to mind. Interestingly, I've read all of these more than once (a pretty good sign that it has had an impact).  Anyway, in no particular order, here they are: 


Where the Red Fern Grows - by Wilson Rawls


This book made me fall in love with reading.  If you have a son and you want him to read, give him this book.  But be warned he will also beg you to buy him two dogs as well.









Desiring God - by John Piper

 

No other book has had such a profound influence on my life.  This book changed the way I thought about God and the world.  Every sermon I preach or conversation I have about life is shaped by the ideas in this book.  "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." 







The Old Man and the Sea - by Ernest Hemingway


This story is so hauntingly beautiful and speaks to the very nature of masculinity.  Power, courage, humility, triumph and devastating loss converge in one simple character and his battle with a fish. 









A Good Man is Hard to Find (and other stories) - by Flannery O'Connor

 
 I think O'Connor is the unmatched master of the short story.  Her characters are soaked in the religious overtones of the south and are always a mixture of creepy, lovely, and insane desperately searching for glimpses of redemption.  Her stories are like the train wreck you can't look away from. 







The Holiness of God - by R.C. Sproul



I love this book because Sproul takes a very difficult subject (one we usually ignore in the Western church) and makes it very accessible.  His use of story and illustrations also make it clear that God is the greatest story-teller every and the theme is his holiness. 








The Chronicles of Narnia - by C.S. Lewis



  

Yes, I know it's more than one book! But if you've only read one of these or only "seen the movies" then you don't really know the story.  The definitive allegory of Christianity! 








The Prodigal God - by Tim Keller


 

What Piper did for my understanding of God's glory, Keller did for my understanding of God's grace.  In my estimation this is probably the most important book written in the past 10 years.  If you haven't read it you should. 







The Raggamuffin Gospel - by Brennan Manning

 

All you need to know about this book is that Brennan Manning writes like Rich Mullins sings.  Every time I read this I'm reminded of how kind God is and how glorious his love of "ragamuffins" like me is. Oh, and you will cry I promise.  







Pilgrim's Progress - by John Bunyan

 

Spurgeon once said you could illustrate every sermon from this book and he's probably right.  I actually read this book every year during the Christmas break and the characters and the story never get old. 
From one pilgrim to another, do yourself a favor and read this.  






Knowing God - by J. I. Packer




The first time I read this I realized that I only knew "about" God; I didn't "know" Him.  Chapter 4 (The Only True God) is worth the price of the book.  This is one you could read every year.







Thursday, November 20, 2014

Winter Retreat 2015

Hey gang-

Here's some info about this years winter retreat and why you should come.

The Retreat is "the place" to get connected with other students at Watkinsville.  We realize that it can be difficult in the course of a normal Sunday to get to know a lot of people and genuinely feel connected to and be in community.  We design The Retreat with that in mind and build in a lot of time for you to meet new people and hang out with our leaders in a setting where you're not rushed to move from one thing to the next.

The Retreat is on a holiday weekend.  We always do the retreat on MLK weekend which this year is January 16-17.  We go from Friday night through Sunday around lunch so you get back in time to do any studying you need to do. 

The Retreat is close.  We will be staying at High Harbor Camp on beautiful Lake Burton.  We will have the entire camp to ourselves.  Click here to check it out.

The Retreat is inexpensive.  For just $125.00 you get to hang out with some of the coolest kids on the planet.  The $125 also gets all the meals plus you all the junk food you can eat (and healthy food if you're into that).  There will be literally gallons of Jittery Joes coffee.  And of course included in the cost is the fabulous t-shirt designed by our very own artist in residence Chelsea Jay (she's the coolest).  

The Retreat will have great bible centered teaching from Mark McAndrew and Graham Sibley.  This year our theme will be "Jesus in the Old Testament".  In addition to the usual amazing bible teaching.  Will Parker (worship ministry intern and all around great guy) will be leading worship for us during the weekend.  

Seriously, if you only do one thing with Watty College this year we think it should be The Retreat. If you really want to go but just don't think you can come up with $125 or you can only cover part of the cost let Vic know and we can find you a scholarship. If you have any other questions please contact Vic.  706-202-1764 or vic@watkinsville.org

It's super easy to sing up- just click here and you can reserve your spot. 


Vic

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Things You Need to Know


Here are some pretty important things you need to know about if you’re a college student. 

·      Romans 3 tomorrow at 11:30. (Pastor Carlos, Mark and Vic)


·      Sunday Morning Tailgate is back! – tomorrow 11:00 AM - Grass courtyard next to Life Building


·      21 Day Challenge - starts Monday.  We'll be giving you the opportunity tomorrow to take 2 New Testaments and invite someone to go through the 21 Day Challenge (more info: HERE
)

·      CALLING ALL DUDES! - we have two opportunities for you to get connected to other men and learn what it means to be a biblical man.

Wednesday mornings at 6:30AM join Vic, Mark and anyone else insane enough to wake up that early in the basement at WFBC for breakfast and the Bible.     

Wednesday nights at 6:30PM join Papa Fred for FIGHT CLUB (Not your momma's Bible study) upstairs in the Life Building.  


·      Shane & Shane with J.D. Greear - September 30th at 7PM at Prince Avenue- Send North America Tour- Come here how you can be on mission to reach the largest cities in North America

·      Baptism Service - September 28th If you’ve become a Christ follower yet have never followed Jesus in believer’s baptism let us know and we’ll schedule you.


·      Watty College Tailgate – Join us this Saturday for the first official Watty College tailgate- For more information call Kelsey Greene (706) 410-8989






Thursday, August 7, 2014

Watty College D-Teams

One of the core values of WFBC and of our college ministry is discipleship: intentionally making whole-hearted followers of Jesus Christ. We do our best to practice the philosophy of the apostle Paul, who wrote to Timothy, his “son in the faith:”
“The things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Discipleship produces a chain of influence: Paul made a spiritual investment in the life of Timothy, who then “entrusted” that investment in the lives of others, who then taught others, etc. Jesus was the first who modeled this lifestyle when He invested in His 12 disciples for 3 years, and then sent them out to make disciples themselves. It is a simple, yet extremely powerful, strategy that Christ gave us to reach the entire world with His gospel!
One way the WFBC college ministry participates in this calling is through our d-teams (discipleship teams). Here is everything you need to know about them:

What is a WFBC d-team? It is a small group of 2+ same-gender students (no co-ed) that meets weekly to study the Bible, pray, and develop community. The goal of these groups is to invest in students’ relationships with Christ in a small group context. The hope is that the members will eventually split up and disciple others.

Elements of a D-team meeting:

1.     The Gospel: The gospel of Jesus Christ & His grace are clearly & continually talked about in our d-teams.

2.     The Bible: The Bible is the inerrant, living Word of God. It is the primary way we can know God & be conformed into His image. A WFBC d-team does not exist without it!

3.     Prayer: Humbly talking with God (praying through Scripture, for one another, with one another, etc.) is necessary for a healthy d-team.

4.     Accountability: Our d-team leaders seek to provide a safe place for transparency, challenge & encouragement so that we can fight sin together & “spur one another on to love & good deeds” (Hebrews 10).

5.     Life-on-life: God created us in His image, which includes being relational. By doing life together (not just in your scheduled d-team meeting) we learn how the gospel affects our daily lives (eating dinner together, having movie nights, going to football games, etc.).

6.     Multiplication: in each d-team there is an element of equipping members for ministry themselves- the hope is that through your d-team you would be prepared & ready to make disciples, both during your time in college and after you graduate!

Who leads the d-teams?  We have some of the greatest leaders around! We have a leadership team of college students, young adults, dads & moms from our church family who love Jesus and love investing in students. These people are pumped about growing with you this year!

When & where do they meet? We have different d-teams meeting every weekday (some at night, some in the morning). They are held in leaders’ homes, apartments & dorms. We will help connect you to a time that works best with your schedule.

When do they start? D-teams start at the end of August.

How can I join one? Contact Emily@watkinsville.org or click here .  You can also find one of our leaders before or after the Sunday 11:30am service

We would love for you to prayerfully consider joining one of our d-teams. We look forward to growing with you this year in our love for Jesus and for His kingdom!


-       Emily