Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

What Four?
by Tom Goodman
January 25, 2012

Have you seen a giant "4" migrating around the church building? I've seen it in the adult wing, the gym, and the office wing.

There's no telling where it will pop up from time to time in 2012. It's a way of reminding us to engage in 4 activities with 4 friends this year:

Identify
Intercede
Invest
Invite

First, identify 4 Austin-area people who need to connect with Christ and church involvement. "Open your eyes and look at the fields," Jesus said in John 4:35. "They are ripe for harvest." Have you followed Jesus' command to "open your eyes"? We're challenging you to identify 4 people that could use your Christian influence in 2012.

Second, intercede for your friends 4 times a week. If you don't have a daily time of prayer and Bible reading, now's the time to start the routine.

Third, invest in your life in your 4 friends' lives this year. Spend time with them. This may involve scheduling dinners or movie nights, but mostly it involves including them in activities you're already going to do anyway.

Fourth, invite them to at least 4 Hillcrest activities this year. We offer you 52 activities on Sunday morning in 2012, and in addition we'll have Sunday School parties or Second-Half banquets or seasonal musicals that can be good "entry points" for your friends.

Come this Sunday @ 10, January 29, and I'll tell you more about the 4!

The Anchor Course: Exploring Christianity Together. This Sunday night, I begin Week One of the Anchor Course. I wrote this book as an introduction to Christianity for those asking questions about the faith.

What are the evidences for God? Why do Christians call the Bible the Word of God, and can we trust it? What does it mean to call Jesus the Son of God, and why is his death on a cross so important to Christians? What about heaven and hell?

These are important questions, and we'll meet the next eight Sunday nights to discuss them, 5:30-6:30 pm. Children's activities and child care are provided. Registration closes after this Sunday, so don't miss out.

For more information, or to sign up, contact my assistant, Jami (345-3771 or jami@hbcaustin.org.

--Tom

Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here.

Check out my weblog here.

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org

LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here.

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.

Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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What Four? by Tom Goodman January 25, 2012 Have you seen a giant "4" migrating around the church building? I've seen it in the adult wing, the gym, and the office wing. There's no telling where it will pop up from time to time in 2012. It's a way of reminding us to engage in 4 activities with 4 friends this year: Identify Intercede Invest Invite First, *identify* 4 Austin-area people who need to connect with Christ and church involvement. "Open your eyes and look at the fields," Jesus said in John 4:35. "They are ripe for harvest." Have you followed Jesus' command to "open your eyes"? We're challenging you to identify 4 people that could use your Christian influence in 2012. Second, *intercede* for your friends 4 times a week. If you don't have a daily time of prayer and Bible reading, now's the time to start the routine. Third, *invest* in your life in your 4 friends' lives this year. Spend time with them. This may involve scheduling dinners or movie nights, but mostly it involves including them in activities you're already going to do anyway. Fourth, *invite* them to at least 4 Hillcrest activities this year. We offer you 52 activities on Sunday morning in 2012, and in addition we'll have Sunday School parties or Second-Half banquets or seasonal musicals that can be good "entry points" for your friends. Come this Sunday @ 10, January 29, and I'll tell you more about the 4! The Anchor Course: Exploring Christianity Together. This Sunday night, I begin Week One of the Anchor Course. I wrote this book as an introduction to Christianity for those asking questions about the faith. What are the evidences for God? Why do Christians call the Bible the Word of God, and can we trust it? What does it mean to call Jesus the Son of God, and why is his death on a cross so important to Christians? What about heaven and hell? These are important questions, and we'll meet the next eight Sunday nights to discuss them, 5:30-6:30 pm. Children's activities and child care are provided. Registration closes after this Sunday, so don't miss out. For more information, or to sign up, contact my assistant, Jami (345-3771 or jami@hbcaustin.org. --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.