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BIRTH marks the entrance of a new life into the world. Every year we celebrate birthdays because someone special entered the world: You!

BONDING is where child and parents become attached to one another by being with one another and learning to appreciate one another.

DISCIPLINE is how the wisdom of the parent is transferred to the child so that the child grows into a mature adult. The transfer of wisdom requires a lot of patience and many lessons. We are slow to learn!

REPRODUCTION is not only the ability to re-produce life (or give birth), but it is just as much the ability to reproduce quality of life. Bonding and discipline produce quality! Your parents want you to bear fruit just like those fruit trees that grow in people's back yards!

BIRTH occurs as the Holy Spirit who is the giver of life, gives us new life so that we might "see" and "enter" the kingdom of God. The Spirit, who comes in Jesus name, brings the presence of the risen Lord. He baptizes or puts us into the body of Christ so that the ugly things in us are taken away by His death. Thank you Jesus! Our new life or birth receives God's stamp of approval when we are baptized with water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is applied to those who respond to the gospel in faith. Our faith is based upon the good work that Jesus did as well as upon his promises. Therefore we baptize our children because the Spirit's baptism is also promised to them, Acts 2:33,39; 1 Cor. 7:14.

BONDING takes place through the celebration of the EUCHARIST. Eucharist means thanksgiving. It is a simple meal where we give God thanks for our forgiveness that flows from the broken body and shed blood of Jesus. During the Eucharist the risen Lord is really present to strengthen those who believe in his love. Those who believe, celebrate their common union: they have been crucified with Christ and no longer live but Christ lives in them. They no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again, Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 5:15. The love of God is both demonstrated and poured out into the hearts of those who come with child-like faith to the Lord's table. The heart of our thanksgiving Meal is communion with God. The more communion we have the greater our bond of love becomes!

DISCIPLINE is the work of God's word. By it the wisdom of God is transferred (or given) to the child so that the child grows into the image of God's beloved Son. When God speaks his word it is for the purpose of equipping us for action. It is those who persevere under God's discipline that will be transformed into the likeness of Jesus. The word of discipline should be a source of encouragement for it is a sign of God's love and acceptance of us as his sons, Hebrews 12:4-6.

REPRODUCTION occurs as the Spirit of God flows freely unhindered through us. In order for the life of the Risen Lord to work through us we must remain bonded to the Lord and be disciplined by his Word.

IN SUMMARY, the Christian life is very simple: It starts off with birth through baptism with the Holy Spirit; this is signified and sealed with water. The Holy Spirit comes whenever he wants: Before, during or after baptism. Once spiritual life begins the person born again needs to establish a strong bond with the risen Lord, this occurs by sharing a thanksgiving meal with the Lord. This is called Eucharist, the Lord's Supper or Communion. While communion can take place in many ways (prayer, praise, fellowship, meditation, service) it occurs most dynamically in the Lord's Supper, that why it is called a "sacrament." Jesus says, "if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" Rev. 3:20. The normal Christian life also requires discipline; it is the means by which the wisdom of the Lord is transferred to us to make us like Jesus. The gift of wisdom is faith expressing itself through love. "If anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him" 1 John 2:5. Discipline is the avenue by which the fullness of Christ is made manifest. Question: Where is Jesus seen most clearly? Answer: In those who respond to his fatherly discipline with obedience. As the believer's bond with the Lord grows stronger and God's word of discipline has its effect the believer will become an instrument through which God can reproduce his life in others! This is the essence of evangelism where we share the "good news" to the world!