The Auburn Beacon
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

A Website dedicated to the Restoration of New Testament Christianity
 

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Building a Biblical  Faith
Wednesday Evening College Bible Class Download the current outlines:

Lesson 1 - Make Your Faith Sure

 

Lesson 2 - Protect and Nourish Your Faith

Lesson 3 - Choose To Let Faith Control Your Emotions

Lesson 4 - Let Faith Mold Your Character

Click Here for Audio and Other Files
 


Planning to Visit Us?

What to Expect
Current Class Information


Thoughts To Ponder

Thou art the way,
the truth and the life.
 Without the way,
there is no going.
 Without the truth,
there is no knowing.
 Without the life,
there is no living.

 


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University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830
Click Here for Specific Directions

 

Evangelist

Larry Rouse
1174 Terrace Acres Drive
Auburn, AL 36830

Cell:    (334) 734-2133
Home:
(334) 209-9165

Contact Us

 University
church of Christ

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

 

Or directly e-mail us at:
LarryRouse@aubeacon.com

 

 


Sermon Series on the Book of 1 John
by Robert Harkrider

Sermons:

A Sin Often Overlooked

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 1 - Actions  Speak Louder Than Words

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 2 - The Love God Hates

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 3 - The Love That God Commands

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 4 - Truth or The Consequences

PowerPoint
Audio

1 John 5 - Things a Christian Knows for Sure

PowerPoint
Audio

Click Here for Audio and Other Files

 

 

 

Premature Baptism in Children

by Matt Hennecke
 

The "Age" of Accountability

(Note: I wrote the following while serving as an elder in a local congregation. We had lots of children and we were concerned some might be prematurely baptized.)

Parents in our congregation may be having some concerns about when a child is ready to become a Christian. Perhaps some of you are in discussion with your children about baptism. To assist you in your discussions, I am providing some things to consider:

Age of accountability is not an age at all, but a level of readiness and maturity. Parents, you must determine your child's level of maturity.  Those of us who are elders, Bible class teachers, or the preacher, cannot do it because we spend limited time with your children. You have the most contact with them and can best evaluate their readiness to make a life long commitment. Here are some questions to ask or ways to help you determine if your child is ready:

1. Is your child only afraid of going to hell at night? Or, do they express their fears and need during the light of day as well? Someone truly convicted will have concerns beyond the "night fears" that are common to children.

2. Does your child want to put off getting baptized until some future day -- at worship, for instance? If so, then they may not see the urgency of baptism. Someone truly convicted will not want to delay. (Acts 22:16 And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized....")

3. How long have they discussed the subject?  Do they bring it up on their own or is it prompted by you or some other event (like someone else being baptized)? We need to be wary of the "bandwagon" effect.

4. What sins do they claim to have committed?  Have them write down all the reasons they feel they should be baptized. Keep their reasons for some future date when they may question whether they were baptized for the right reason.

5. Ask them what would have been the Ethiopian's reaction if Philip said he could NOT be baptized? (Acts 8:36)  If they realize he would have had to have done it anyway, then ask them, "What if I said `no' to you about being baptized?"  Do they feel as if they would have to do it anyway?  Are they willing to do God's will before their parent's will?  Interestingly, Jesus at the age of 12 determined that he needed to be about his Father's business.  He was at the age that his Father's will was more important to him than the will of his parents (Luke 2:49).

6. Ask them, "How will your life be different when you become a Christian?"  Do they have an "old man of sin" that needs to be crucified? (Romans 6:6).

 

What follows are some other thoughts from various preachers and Christians. You may agree or disagree with some of what is said. It is only offered to help you to consider some things you may not have considered before. 

Consider This

What would most parents do if their 9 or 10 or 11 or 12 year old came home and said, "Mom and Dad, I believe in Jesus Christ and I want to be baptized"?  I think most parents would be thrilled beyond words! They would rush that child down to the building and upon their confession of Christ, the child would be baptized.  But now consider this:

If that same child came home and said, "Mom and Dad, I do not believe in Jesus Christ and I won't be going with you to church services anymore!"

How would most parents respond?

"You're not old enough to make that decision!  You're going to church with us!"

Now parents, consider very carefully: If children are not old enough to decide against Christ, are they old enough to decide for Christ? 

Another Consideration

Often we preach about baptism and children feel compelled to respond. They know the answers but can they live them? Too many children later get "re-baptized."

Ask yourself this question: Would you let your 13 year old get married?  No?  Why?  Because marriage involves a lifelong commitment. In much the same way, one commits for life to the Lord. A child does not yet understand the nature of such a commitment. Just as we would not approve of their marriage at a young age, we should seriously think about allowing them to commit to the Lord when they don't know the nature of that commitment. 

A Word from a Coach

Having spent 16 years coaching football and wrestling, I have noticed that there is significant change that occurs around the 10th grade. When I get 9th graders (14 - 15 years olds) they typically are still children, more concerned with playing and playing around and having fun. Around 10th grade many are making significant changes toward accepting personal responsibility toward preparing for the contest, their place in the team, and teamwork. Before it was about playing and fun.  Now it becomes more about the team and the contest and the work involved to get better. Some kids make the shift earlier than others, some later, but it seems to me that across the board, its about 15-16 that the change occurs. At 9th grade I'm still coaching kids, at 10th grade I'm starting to coach young adults.   Some surveys reveal interesting information about those baptized around 15-16 as opposed to 10-12. According to the survey, far more are still faithful among those baptized at 15-16 than at 10-12. Of course, we have to be cautious about the use of surveys.

For those kids who feel compelled, even though they are not ready (8-10 year olds especially), they often seem satisfied when reassured that young people like themselves are safe with the Lord, and not yet lost. 

In Conclusion

One final word: Pray to God for help in leading your children to make the right decision at the right time.

 

Other Articles
A Healthy Church
Because It Is Right

Why Does God Allow Evil?

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Student Sunday Night Home Study and Singing

 

 

Realizing Your Spirituality by Jonathan Perz - May 2, 2010
Outline
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

Common Moral Challenges on Campus by Larry Rouse - April 18, 2010
Outline
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

Overcoming Spiritual Sickness by Blake Edwards - April 3, 2010
Outline
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

Encouraging the Heart by Larry Rouse - March 21, 2010
Outline
Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

Overcoming Self-Doubt by Ryan Hasty - March 7, 2010

Audio of Lesson
Audio of Singing

Trust in God! by Seth Buchanan

Outline
Audio of Lesson

For Additional Information and Past Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


University church of Christ

 

Assembly Times

 Sunday

   Bible Classes (9:30)

   AM Worship (10:20)

   PM Worship (6:00 pm)

 Wednesday

   Bible Classes
(7:00 PM)

 

Location

449 North Gay Street

Auburn, AL 36830

Click Here for Specific Directions


 

Overcoming the Present Apostasy

Sermon Series by Larry Rouse

Piscataway, NJ Nov 20-22, 2009

 

 

Friday Night 7:30

Lesson1 - How Do We View the Bible?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Saturday Night 7:30

Lesson 2 - How do we View the World?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 9:15
Lesson 3 - How do we View God's Order for Leadership?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 10:00
Lesson 4 - How Do We View the Local Church?

Outline
PowerPoint
Audio

Sunday Morning 11:00
Lesson 5 - How Do We View God's Instruction on Fellowship

Outline
Audio

For Additional Information, Audio and Outlines Click Here

 


Recent Bulletins:

The Auburn Beacon - May 9, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - May 2, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon - April 25, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon -
April 18, 2010 Edition

The Auburn Beacon -
April 11, 2010 Edition


Your
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Our Adult Bible Classes

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