Getting To Grips With A Man You Need To Know

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Getting to grips with: A Man You Need To Know

Reading Mark 8:27-29
 

 

1. What were people’s theories about Jesus then and what do people say today?
2. Jesus asks his disciples two questions: “Who do people say I am?” and “Who do you say I am?” Why is it important for disciples of Jesus to be able to answer both of these questions clearly?
3. If a friend asked you, “Who is Jesus?”, how would you reply? (1 Peter 3:15-16)
4. What are the consequences to the answer we give to this question?
5. All Scripture is useful (2 Timothy 3:16-17). What is most useful to you from these three verses?
6. Discuss where as a church and individuals we might apply these verses to our lives  

 

Getting to grips with being the Church Jesus wants!

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Getting to grips with being the Church Jesus wants!

 

 

Instead of specific questions, this week take a look at the four headings used in the sermon:

 

• A CHRIST CENTRED CHURCH.
• A CONVINCING CHURCH.
• A CLEANSED CHURCH.
• A CONTENT CHURCH.

Use the bible references from the sermon to discuss each one as a group.

Consider how they should impact our life: 
          a) as a church family;
          b) as an individual.

Here they are... Scriptures used to look at: Getting to grips with being the church Jesus Wants.

 

 

  

 

 

Scriptures used to look at: Getting to grips with being the church Jesus Wants.

In launching our new series on getting to grips with the church on Sunday I used the following headings and bible passages. As there were so many I promised to publish them with this weeks House Group Questions

 

• A CHRIST CENTRED CHURCH.
• A CONVINCING CHURCH.
• A CLEANSED CHURCH.
• A CONTENT CHURCH

JESUS WANTS A CHRIST CENTRED CHURCH

Acts 2:41- 47

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

⁴² All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁴ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— ⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:

“I will live in them and walk among them.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.
¹⁷ Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.
¹⁸ And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.”

Colossians 3:16- "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts."

JESUS WANTS A CONVINCING CHURCH

Ephesians 3:10-11

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. ¹¹ This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord." And

1 Timothy 3:15

"This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth."

Acts 5:42- " And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah."

Acts 8:4- “the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went."

JESUS WANTS A CLEANSED CHURCH

Romans 16:17- “dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them."

Galatians 1:6-7 " I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News ⁷ but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ."

Ephesians 4:14-15 “Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. "

2 John 10-11 "¹⁰ If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. ¹¹ Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work."

Acts 17:11- “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth."

1 Thessalonians 5:21- "Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good."

1 Peter 4:11- "Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you."

JESUS WANTS A CONTENT CHURCH

1 Corinthians 14:33 "God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people."

Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace."

1 Thessalonians 5:13 ends with the command “live peacefully with each other..."

Romans 14:19 "So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up."

James 3:18 "those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of

Matthew 5:9- “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”

Proverbs 12:20- “Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!"

“TEN WAYS TO HINDER THE CHURCH"

I picked this up a few days ago when looking for something else. It's the basis of a sermon outline from George Butterfield.

 

 

First it amused me, next it got me thinking - it's a sad and sorry list as there's such truth in it, but I'd love to have heard the sermon - Church leaders reading through this list will be audibly shouting yes!

 

1. Do nothing to help the church2. Stay away from every service3. Find fault with everything and everybody4. When asked to do anything, say, "I can't."5. Rebel against the elders and leaders of the congregation6. Cause trouble whenever it is possible7. Don't bridle your tongue8. Get a hobby horse and ride it9. Be a dictator10. Be worldly

I wonder if we might use it as a checklist for our prayers of repentance. Despite this we must thank God for His incredible gift to us of His Church, His Bride, His delight, and most of all His Grace and Mercy.

  

Who Killed Jesus?

Reading: John 11: 45 - 57
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Who Killed Jesus?  

1. Verses 47-48 This is a major change in tempo, the top people were meeting?
1. What made them react so seriously and quickly?
2. What was the aim of their meeting?
3. Did they doubt Jesus miraculous power?
2. Verses 49-52 are the key to this passage.
1. Why are these verses important? In the sermon we picked out four points, what were they?
2. Can you find any others?
3. Who Killed Jesus and why?
4. Think back over the first 11 chapters of John.
1. Discuss as a group things which might have struck you for the first time or you have been reminded about?
2. What picture of Jesus has come through John's account so far?
3. What have you picked up through the teaching, discussion and prayer around John that has impacted your life? Talk this through as a group.

Death Defeated! Really

Reading: John 11: 17 - 44
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Death Defeated! Really?  

1. Why did Jesus only arrive after Lazarus had been dead 4 days?
2. Discuss what Martha and Mary said to Him? 
3. Jesus said 'I Am the Resurrection and The Life' What does that mean?
4. What condition was Lazarus in when the tomb was opened and why does that matter to John's telling of the story here? 
5. This raising of Lazarus had a significant effect on the people present and the whole world - what effect has it had on you? and what have you learned? 
6. Spend some time in prayer for each other, for the Church and our community in the area between Kings Avenue and Deacons Lane. That we would live in the strength and Power of Christ; for His Glory

Some Application Questions to take home

1. There may be things in your life that do you not believe that Jesus has the power to put right, heal, and/or change? Pray this through.

2. How could your life change if you were to believe Jesus fully?

3. Mary fell at the feet of Jesus. How do we place our burdens at the feet of Jesus?

Why would Jesus do that?

Reading: John 11: 1 - 16
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Will You Live For Christ?  
Lot's of questions, try to cover at least 5 including Q.1

1. First consider verse 16 - Thomas' response to Jesus. In the sermon we looked at living and dying for Jesus. How might we not live for Jesus?
2. Was sickness part of God’s original design? 
3. What was Jesus’relationship with Lazarus & his sisters?
4. What message did his sisters send to Jesus when Lazarus became sick? What did you learn from their example about how you should pray to God?
5. Why do people (you?) blame God for sickness?
6. Why did Jesus wait for two days after hearing Lazarus was sick? Was this cruel? How would you have felt if you were Lazarus’ sister?
7. What  kind of love did Jesus have for Lazarus & his sisters? Was His delay in coming in keeping with that love? 
8. How is God’s perspective different from yours? How can you know that God will
   always love you?
9. Can you glorify God even when sick? If so how?