G-ram's God Spot

Elijah 01: The Making of a Man of God Followup

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Think of someone you consider to be a true Christ follower.What unique attributes of their character would you like to seein your own life? Why?

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As theLord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew norrain in the next few years except at my word."

1 Kings 17:1 (NIV)

God had more to do in Elijah before He could do more throughElijah. God is preparing each of us so that He can workthrough us. How have you seen God prepare you for His
specific purposes throughout your life?

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: "Leave here, turn eastwardand hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.

1 Kings 17:2-3 (NIV)

In 1 Kings 17:2-3, God led Elijah to a period of hiding in theKerith Ravine. Kerith means “cut off or cut down.” Describe apainful experience that God used to shape you into who youare today.

You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed youthere." So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the KerithRavine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought himbread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, andhe drank from the brook.

1 Kings 17:4-6 (NIV)

God taught Elijah to depend on Him daily for food and water.What are you daily trusting God for right now?
Describe a time in your life when things felt very desperate butyou saw God meet your needs. What did you learn from theexperience?

Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain inthe land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: "Go at once toZarephath of Sidon and stay there.
1 Kings 17:7-9a (NIV)

• Describe a time when you decided to step out on faith andobey God even though that decision didn’t seem to makesense to you at the time. Did that experience strengthen yourrelationship with God? If so, how?
• After the brook dried up, Elijah trusted God and moved on toZarephath. Is there a “dry brook” in your life God is using to“motivate” you to move on to what He has next for you?

Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of Godand that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth."
1 Kings 17:24 (NIV)

Final thought:
Just like Elijah, pain in our lives, can lead us to atotal dependence on God and more intimate relationship with Him.
Pray and ask God to help you see Him and dependtotally on Him during the good times and the bad.

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday 06

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Making Life Different

For most people in Western contexts, shopping is spirituality. It is an attempt tofind meaning and happiness in the product... Once again we are back to idolatry: theattempt to establish meaning and purpose on our own terms outside of a relationship with God. -Alan & Deb Hirsch

The holiday season often brings increased stress and even depression due tothe dizzying demands and distractions of shopping, work parties, extended familyvisits, blended family responsibilities, cleaning, baking, entertaining, and –oh yes-did I mention spending? To top it off, burning the candle at both ends makes usmore susceptible to colds and other ailments.

Then we start off the New Year with guilt (and inches) from overeating, the debtfrom overspending, and the emotional low that comes from pursuit of fleeting joy. Meanwhile, the reason for the season -Immanuel, God with us- gets lost in thefrantic complexity. But it doesn’t have to.

On January 6, after the holiday vacations are over and the gifts and decorationsare put away, we celebrate Epiphany-the arrival of the wise men or “magi” whocame from afar to see the new king. The true biblical account of the magi is an inspiring example of persistent life-altering faith. The amount of energy and expenseinvolved in their journey would have been considerable in what appears to havebeen a two-year quest. And after they arrived they offered Jesus treasures thatwould have been worthy of a king.

Matthew 2:11-12: On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary,and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures andpresented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warnedin a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

What we see here are the marks of true commitment:
1) They bowed down and worshipped him – when we acknowledge Jesus as Lordwe humbly submit to his authority.
2) They opened their treasures – the resources of heaven don’t fall from the sky,instead they are released through God’s people.
3) They returned to their country by a different road – Belief is simple, butchanging course or life attitudes and practices are often hard commitments tomake.

January is a traditional time to commit to taking a different road. We see the NewYear as a time for making resolutions to change something about our lives. Whether it be quitting a bad habit or starting healthier practices, we vow to make this year different. But what if we allow the lessons of Advent and Christmas to shape the way westart the calendar year - and the rest of our lives - by reorienting our priorities to focusnot on ourselves but on the radical love Jesus gives to us and asks from us in return.

Jesus continually challenges our life values and priorities by making clear the contrast between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of consumption. Overspending,debt, and attachment to material possessions hinder our ability to fully commit tofollowing Jesus in sacrificial mission. The more we have the harder we have to workto maintain what we have, which means less time to develop relationships with thoseclosest to us and less time to serve Jesus’ mission for the least and the lost. Jesusnames the alternative path for his followers:

Matthew 6:31-33: So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall wedrink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and yourheavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

1. Do you typically begin each New Year with a big relief, big guilt, big gut, big expectations, big let-down, big debt, big joy and/or big depression? Why do you think this is?

2. Which of the following examples of the three Magi do you most need to put intopractice: Submitting to Jesus’ authority over your life, opening up your treasures forGod’s purposes or committing to a needed life course change with God’s help? Whatwill you do to begin making this happen?

3. How can you simplify your home to create more room for peace and righteousness, rather than for more stuff? What excess can you get rid of in your home (or yourschedule) to reflect more accurately where your priorities lie?

4. What would it mean for you to “seek God’s kingdom first”? What changes wouldthat shift necessitate in your life?

5. Take a moment right now to think of ways you can make first things first by finishingthe following sentences:
I will spend more time with the people I love by ______________________________.
I will demonstrate my faith in practical service by _____________________________.
I will cultivate my relationship with God by __________________________________.

Challenge:
Write down what you will do differently this holiday season in order to honour Jesus' birthday and God's desire to bring good news to all people.

g-ram

When Fear Creeps In

2011-12-20T18:49:00.001-05:00

Who do you turn to when you're afraid?

Psalm 118:5-9

In my distress I prayed to the LORD,
and the LORD answered me and set me free.
The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me?
Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me.
I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

If your fear is holding you back, find freedom in God's arms.

- g-ram

Advent Conspiracy 03: Give More

2011-12-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Living Water International sends over 1,000 people a year on more than 100 missiontrips to Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Haiti. Every week volunteersare received by indigenous hosts in those countries. We asked one of those hosts, anevangelist and seminary graduate, the following question: “As short-term missionaries,what is the single most valuable thing we can do to advance the gospel in your country?Share my testimony? Show the Jesus film? Drill more wells? Hand out Bibles? Tell Biblestories? Build churches? What?”

This was his answer: “Make friends. Give yourself. Give time. Eat a meal in my houseeven if all I have is beans. Let me give something to you. Grab a Frisbee and play with ourchildren. It makes us feel important. Laugh. If you don’t speak our language, just smileand make signs with your hands. In our culture, nothing you can say about Jesus makesmuch sense until you’ve made friends with us. Our perception of gringos comes fromtelevision and movies. You could be other things, and we know your time is valuable.Share it with us.”

Is any culture really any different?

DISCUSSION:

• God gave us his son for Christmas. We give stuff. What would a Christmas givingtradition modeled after God’s giving look like?
• Have you ever received a gift you felt was given out of a sense of obligation?How would you describe the “spirit” of such a gift?
• What is the most thoughtful or loving gift you have ever received?How would you describe its “spirit”?
• Life itself is God’s gift of time to you. Is there someone in your life who wouldprosper from the gift of your time?
• In what specific way will you give yourself in the coming week?

g-ram

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday 05

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Session 5: Creating New TraditionsBased on Ch. 4:
9

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we oughtto lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessionsand sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of Godbe in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but withactions and in truth. -I John 3:16-18

Do you struggle to come up with the perfect gifts each Christmas for the specialpeople in your life? It can be tough but here’s an even more important question:

What do you give Jesus on his birthday?
How can we change the traditional focusof Christmas from materialistic self indulgence to giving Jesus what he desires onhis birthday?
And what can you possibly give the Lord of the universe?
FortunatelyJesus made his wish list unquestionably clear in his last teaching in the book ofMatthew concerning his return and the day of final judgment.

Matthew 25:31-36: When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels withhim, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him,and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheepfrom the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by myFather; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of

the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and yougave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothesand you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you cameto visit me.”

We serve God when we serve others. We give to Jesus when we sacrifice ourtime, talents, and resources to meet other’s needs in his name. The church is thebody of Christ. We are the only hands, feet, and wallets that Jesus has. Many people ask the question “If God is all-loving and all-powerful then why doesn’t God dosomething about evil?” The answer to this question is simple: you are the somethingthat God is sending to combat evil in this world.

You are the evidence that the Messiah of God’s Kingdom is among you when everything that is broken around you is being restored, when the oppressed and captive are being set free, and when good news is being preached to the poor. Everyone who recognizes Jesus as Messiah is a servant of his mission and if that includesus, then we need to be committed to live more simply so that others may simplylive - because that is what Jesus desires from his followers.

Can you imagine the birthday celebration if every Christian in every churchpracticed the commitment of giving an equal amount of what they spend on themselves to a specific Jesus mission somewhere in the world? We can change theworld one place at a time, one person at a time, if we are willing to celebrate Jesus’birthday in a way that honours him. When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord we givehim the rights to define our lifestyles, our values, and yes, in the way we celebratehis birth.

At Christmas, we celebrate a messiah, a deliverer who was born to die. So wetoo are called to give ourselves sacrificially with Christ for the world that Godloves. Such sacrifice is paradoxical because the more of ourselves that we giveaway, the more abundant our faith and our commitment will be with what we have.

1. Who is the hardest person to shop for on your Christmas shopping list? Howmuch time and energy do you have to spend finding a gift for him or her?

2. What would happen if you put as much time and energy into Jesus’ wish list eachChristmas as you put into getting everyone the right gift?

3. What are some practical ways we can change the traditional focus of Christmasfrom materialistic self-indulgence to giving Jesus what he desires?

4. Describe an event where you gave of your time, talent and/or resources andwere completely blessed beyond what you expected.

5. Why do you think God uses people to bring restoration and healing to a brokenworld instead of just stepping in with almighty power? Has God ever used you?

6. What “big buts” are keeping you from giving sacrificially of both time andmoney? What excuses do you need to overcome this year to truly honor Jesuswith your life’s resources?

Challenge:
Get Creative! What is one new tradition or family practice you could start this year to make every Christmas a more authentic celebration of Jesus?

g-ram

Advent Conspiracy 02: Spend Less

2011-12-12T06:00:00.000-05:00

A group of Living Water International missionaries and Advent Conspiracy visionariesvisited an AC well in a Liberian village. The area had been ravaged by theft, so Living Waterhad installed a lockable protective steel jacket over the new well’s pump to prevent it frombeing stolen. The village had taken an additional measure—they encased the entire pumpin concrete! Only the pump handle and spout stuck out. We asked what they were goingto do if we needed to repair the well in a few years. They said they would gladly spenddays chipping it out of the concrete with hammers. They said that that was far better thanspending days without water to drink. They had seen all the death they could stand. Jesushad given them life for Christmas and that was a gift too precious to lose. When we askedwhat they wanted next Christmas, they asked for a well for the neighboring village.

Not one of the North Americans there could even remember what gifts we had received theprevious Christmas. None of us had ever received a gift we loved so much that our firstreaction was to want someone else to have it. Meanwhile, children all around played withlittle cars they had made out of plastic talcum powder bottles with wire axels and wheelscut from sandal soles, happy as can be, without spending a dime.

DISCUSSION:

• “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet yourheavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26)What does this translate to in terms of practice?

• “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant,overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49) Were youbrought up with the same view as Ezekiel regarding the “sin of Sodom”?

• “So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you withtrue riches?” (Luke 16:11) What does it mean to be “trustworthy” with wealth? What are“true riches”?

• “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no placeto lay his head.” (Matthew 8:20) What is one step you could take in the coming weektowards trusting God’s sufficiency.

• Americans spend $450 billion on Christmas. Two percent of that, $10 billion, wouldprovide clean drinking water in Jesus’ name to half the world’s people who need it. Is thisdoable? Or is it a crazy pipe-dream?

g-ram

Turbo Christmas Story

2011-12-09T08:52:00.001-05:00

Super-fast Message of Christmas perfectly encapsulated in 2 verses:

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NLT)

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20 NLT)

- g-ram

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday 04

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Putting Jesus' Love Into Action

When the LORD began to speak through Hosea, the LORD said to him, “Go, marry apromiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this landis guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD.” So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim,and she conceived and bore him a son. -Hosea 1:2-3

Christmas is the heralding of a God who pursues us so relentlessly as to come toearth in human form to be with us. The incarnation is the revelation of our scandalous love affair with the world, and God’s persistent striving to bring us back to him.

One of the most passionate illustrations of God’s love affair with humanity isfound in the book of Hosea. During Israel’s last days of prosperity under JeroboamII the Israelites became lukewarm in the faith and strayed as God’s people often do in prosperous times. From a human perspective we can equate God’s relationship with the Israelites to the sacred trust commitment made and then broken inmarriage. But God demonstrates unrelenting love for God’s people through Hoseaby telling him to go and marry a wife of “whoredom” and have children by her. Canyou imagine marrying someone you knew would be unfaithful and spend your lifewondering if your children were really your own?

Hosea 3:1-3: The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, thoughshe is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” So I boughther for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I toldher, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimatewith any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.

Hosea represents God’s relentless pursuing love and Hosea’s wife of prostitutionrepresents God’s people, not only the Israelites but also you and me. God loves us and wants us even while we are under the influence of unworthy lovers such as greed, selfishness, addiction and deceit. So God has come to buy us back! Themagnitude of this kind of love is beyond my comprehension, but after all...beauty isin the eye of the beholder.

We have been created to find life and meaning through exclusive devotion to ourlover - God, but in the spirit of prostitution we sell ourselves out to the consumerist johns of materialism and greed. This is never more obvious than in the way wecelebrate Jesus’ birth in a self-focused, hedonistic feast of gluttony, oblivious towhat God really wants from us.

What God wants from us for Jesus’ birthday and every day is love. God desiresthat we return God’s scandalous love with our own, demonstrated by how we treatthose in need. God is not oblivious to the fact that one child dies every four seconds of a hunger-related cause or that as many as seven will die by the time you finish reading this page. God also knows that more than 14 million AIDS orphans werereported in 2008 worldwide. God also knows that one child dies every forty-fiveseconds from malaria which could be prevented by a simple mosquito net that costsless than ten dollars.

Only when we realize how far we have strayed from the one who loves us sodeeply and unconditionally can we respond in radical faith. And when we passionately pursue God as our defining life center, then everything else will be rightly ordered. Though we may not deserve it, God showed us mercy by sending us his Sonto show us the way home. Jesus came to earth as a tiny baby in humble, scandalouscircumstances to redeem and restore broken places and broken hearts. That is thelove we celebrate at Christmas and it is that kind of love that we are called to showin return.

Challenge:

Think of one person in your life who has either disappointed you deeply or hurt you in a way that you need to forgive them, and pray that God would help you. Commit to praying for him or her for this whole week.

1. How might your life look different if you could fully understand and embraceGod’s passionate and unconditional love for you? When or where have you experienced God’s relentless pursuit of having a relationship with you?

2. Think about the deepest and most enduring relationship you’ve experienced– with a spouse, parent or friend. If this is only a glimpse of the relationship Godwants with you, what must that mean about God’s love?

3. How do we tend to “sell ourselves” to other things instead of making God ournumber one love? What one thing do you struggle with the most?

4. God promises to bring good out of bad, to raise up the lowly and to comfort theafflicted. How would you view or live your life if you trusted completely in thosepromises?

5. What would it mean for us to love others “scandalously”? How would that bedifferent from the safe, cautious ways we often show Christ’s love in the world?

6. To whom or in what way can you show “scandalous” love this holiday seasonbecause of God’s great love shown to you?

Habakkuk 03: Climbing Out Of The Dip Follow Up

2011-12-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Objective: Asking God to replace the hopelessness in our lives with the joythat comes from a relationship with Him.

I have heard all about you, LORD, and I am filled with awe by the amazingthings you have done. Hab 3:1-2 (NLT)

What kind of relationship do you think Habakkuk had with God?Do you think this gave him hope for the future? Why or why not?

Describe a time when God gave you hope through something amazing Hedid in the life of another person.

Looking at the physical world around him, Habakkuk said:

His brilliant splendour fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise!What a wonderful God he is!” Hab 3:3 (NLT)

Awe (n.): A mixed emotion of reverence, respect, and wonder inspired by authority, great beauty, or might.

Describe a time when, like Habakkuk, you were “awed” by God’s creation.

Do you feel like your relationship with God changed through thisexperience? If so, how?

In the face of an apparently hopeless situation, Habakkuk still had this to sayabout God:

“...yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. TheSovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer andbring me safely over the mountains.” Hab 3:18-19 (NLT)

Has there been a time in your life when God gave you joy even though yourcircumstances appeared hopeless?

Habakkuk moved from hopelessness to joy over the 3 chapters of this book.In what areas of your life would you like God to take you from hopelessnessto joy?

In your own words, pray the following:

Thank God for the amazing things you’ve seen Him do and heard about from others
Tell Him about your “awe” of Him
Ask Him bring the joy of your relationship with Him to the places in your life that seem hopeless

For Further Study

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20:

What best helps you worship God?

How should a person go to the house of God? (5:1)

How did Solomon encourage us to conduct ourselves in the house of God? (5:2-3)

Whyshould we stand in awe of God? (5:7)

Why is it important to approach God with the rightattitude? What does it mean to stand in awe of God?

1 Chronicles 16:7-43:

When was the last time you felt overwhelmed with thankfulness or gratitude?

Accordingto David, why should we give thanks to the Lord? (16:8)

What should people tell othersabout God? (16:9)

What attitude should a person have toward God? (16:10-12)

Whathad God done for Israel? (16:15-22)

How did David express his thanks to God?

Howshould we express our thanks and appreciation to God?

For what specific reasonsshould we praise the Lord?

How can praising the Lord change our attitude and outlookon life?

What are some of the reasons you have to be thankful to God?

g-ram

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday 03

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Living God's Mission

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lordis with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind ofgreeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you havefound favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to callhim Jesus”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” -Luke 1:28-31, 34

Our Christmas traditions have sanitized the Jesus birth narrative by removing the event from its biblical and historical context. Jesus was born in a stable, a cavewhere animals were kept. And where there are animals there is also dung, which in turn brings flies. The setting of Jesus’ birth was not sanitary and it doesn’t getbetter from there. Jesus spent his earliest years as a refugee in Africa escaping thegenocide that Herod was committing in Judea against children aged two and under.

In turn the Gospel of Luke makes it indelibly clear that walking in the way ofJesus is neither safe nor predictable. Sometimes we have the idea that when we doright, wrong is not supposed to show up. And if we are faithfully following Jesus,then life isn’t supposed to get messy, but it does.

God’s favour cannot be earned. God comes when we are doing everything wrong.God comes when we are doing nothing. God comes whether we are being naughtyor nice. Why? Because God loves us and we are highly favoured. Look at the situation from Mary’s perspective. She had worked really hard to do what was right, yetit seemed like wrong still showed up. This God miracle of the birth of the Messiahwas in the context of an unplanned teenaged pregnancy with all the emotionalgrief that would entail. How emotionally prepared would a 12-15 year old be forthis life experience. God’s blessing would only continue to bring pain into Mary’slife – all the way to the foot of the cross.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Maybe you have done everything you know how to be faithful to God and true to your family, and then you arenotified four weeks before the holidays that your job will be discontinued. Or yourhusband tells you that he doesn’t love you anymore and wants a divorce. Or yourfour year old is diagnosed with leukemia. No where does the Bible say that a life offaith will always make sense or follow a predictable path.

Read II Corinthians 11:23-30:

Why do you think God would allow Paul - a greatservant of Jesus - to go through so muchpersecution and to endure so much suffering?

God’s love and favour on us doesn’t mean that the path of faith is going to be neatand predictable. Life gets messy, but in the midst of your mess - God shows up. Nomatter what you are struggling to overcome, no matter what life issues have comeyour way, God promises to show up. Christmas is God’s vivid reminder that amid theuncertainty, God shows up to bring peace, purpose, joy and wholeness.

So why did God choose Mary? Mary had proactive faith. A person with proactivefaith doesn’t live in the paralysis of doubt and disillusionment. Instead they activelypursue God’s redemptive purpose and presence in the midst of any situation, evenwhen it doesn’t make sense.

The Holy Spirit is with you right now to be your helper through any situation,including the messy ones. When life isn’t making sense, the power of God will be ashadow over you! That gift, however, is often experienced in pain and suffering. Justremember, God’s promise may be delayed but it will not be denied.

Life is not about staying safe and living comfortably. The call to follow Jesus is

a call to give your life to him and to join God’s mission in healing the souls of theworld. The real rewards are found in the joy and peace that we experience throughserving others in Christ’s spirit.

1. What is your vision of a perfect Christmas? What imperfect circumstances willyou face this year that will challenge your ability to celebrate Christmas fully?

2. What emotional and social pressures do you think Mary felt in the months anddays leading up to Jesus’ birth? How well do you think you would have handled thesituation as either Mary or Joseph?

3. How should Mary’s experience of that first Christmas influence the way youapproach the holiday season?

4. Has life ever smacked you down even though you were trying to do everythingright? What was your initial reaction to God, and how did you get through it?

5. How can you celebrate Jesus in the midst of your struggles? How can God useyour current struggles to help others this upcoming holiday season?

6. Name one promise of God that you can stand upon even in the midst of trials andlife troubles.

CHALLENGE:
This week focus on helping someone you know that is struggling in life and/or faith and commit to praying for them, asking them how youcan help, and following through with help and encouragement.

g-ram

Advent Conspiracy 01: Worship Fully

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

“Worship” derives from Old-English words meaning “worth-ship.”
What we give worthto is what we worship: possessions, God, shopping, money, Jesus.

Advent is a timeto consciously direct our worship at Jesus, seeing him in everyone and worshiping himeverywhere. How can you worship more fully this Christmas?

• In the Exodus story, every time God says, “Let my people go” it’s followed by “so thatthey may worship me.” Is our culture captive to things that come between us and fullworship? What are those things?

“Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols.”(2 Kings 17:41)

Does that passage apply only to ancient polytheists?

• In the weeks before Christmas, is it easier to worship God or more difficult?

• If extra-terrestrials landed in our homes on Christmas morning, what would theysee as having “worth-ship” to us?

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirt and in truth.”

(John4:24)

What does that mean?

• In what specific ways do you find it easy to worship God?

• What specific thing can you do during the coming week to prepare for the birth of Christby worshiping more fully? Share it with a friend.

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday 02

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

You Are A Miracle Worker

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and givebirth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

-Isaiah 7:14

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; thepunishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and theLORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

-Isaiah 53:5-6

Centuries before Jesus’ birth the ancient prophets spoke of the coming of a messiah deliverer who would be called:

“...Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of theincrease of his government and peace there will be no end...”

-Isaiah 9:6-7

But this Messiah king would also know suffering and rejection, and his missionwould clearly prioritize the poor and marginalized. Expectations of what this messiah would be like and look like, however, were quite diverse and even contradictory. Some expected a worldly political revolutionary who would restore the glorydays of the Davidic Kingdom, whereas others visualized a messiah who representedthe Greek ideal of focusing totally on the afterlife.

Jesus was not what folks expected. When you think about God, adjectives likepowerful, majestic, and almighty tend to come to mind. But Jesus did not come toearth with any air of worldly wealth or majestic power. On the contrary, everything about Jesus’ life stood in stark contrast to worldly priorities and values. As a man, he lived in tension with the organized religious system. He resisted theworld’s obsession with wealth, pleasure, power, and recognition. He identifiedwith the weak and powerless, the widow and orphan. And he did not condemn thesinner. So what does God look like? Like Jesus!

List some of the adjectives that come to mind when you think about Jesus, hisattitude, his relationships, his life and mission. How do these contradict what theculture teaches about success and influence?

Too often we view God like Santa Claus – a genie in a bottle here to fulfill threewishes. We have created this Santa Claus Jesus in our own image, a golden-calfmessiah who promises to fulfill all our earthly wants and wishes, an idol of consumption who supports the human quest for meaning and purpose in materialthings outside of a relationship with God. But at Christmas we should celebrate the birth of the Messiah who was born not only to die sacrificially for us but to showus how to live sacrificially. Christmas is the celebration of a miracle but we’ve edgedthe miracle worker out of his own birthday celebration. It is time to take it back byplanning new traditions that focus on Jesus’ presence, rather than the often forgettable presents we expect to give and receive.

Christmas is about a miracle. Miracles don’t just happen; they are born throughlabours of pain. The dictionary defines miracle as a visible interruption of the laws of nature, understood by divine intervention and often accompanied by a miracleworker. In other words a miracle is a unique event in the world that God does throughpeople like you and me. That’s right – you are God’s miracle worker! You are God’smeans to affect change in your world and God wants to birth a miracle through you.Every miracle of God is conceived in the heart of the believer, grows in conviction andclarity, and is delivered through committed action. And every spirit-filled Christianhas the potential for a God movement within them. Are you ready for God to birth aChristmas miracle through you?

(Michael Slaughter)

1. How do you picture God? How do you think this picture affects your Christian walkand your faith in God?

2. Name the ways your image of God has more in common with Santa Claus than withwho Jesus is and how he lived?

3. Have you ever witnessed or experienced a miracle? If so what happened? Do youthink God could actually work a miracle through your life?

4. For your life to be meaningful you need to give it away to others. What does thatlook like for you, and how difficult is it? Do you have capacity to give away more?

5. What would it take for you to be more prepared for God to use you for miraculouspurposes in the world?

6. What ideas do you have that could be seeds for a mission miracle? How could thisgroup help you make it happen?

CHALLENGE: Pray about it and then write down 1-3 ideas or thoughts that you think might be God-initiated dreams for you to pursue in helping change this world for God's kingdom.

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Challenge – Pray about and then write down 1-3 ideas or thoughts thatyou feel

Altogether One

2011-11-22T18:12:00.001-05:00

Wouldn't everything be great if other people weren't messing it up all the time? Paul talks to the Ephesians about how they ought to treat each other.

Ephesians 4:1-7

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

You have abilities and perspectives that other people need. And other people have perspectives and abilities that you need. So, get together and change the world!

- g-ram

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday: 01

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonersand recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Then Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyesof everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them,“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” - Luke 4:18-21

It is October 12 and I am on my way to the local mall to purchase a new carry-on bag. I am scanning the radio channels and notice that one station has alreadyswitched to a twenty-four-hour Christmas music format. Bruce Springsteen is singing familiar reminders about Santa Claus seeing you “when you are sleeping” andknowing “when you are awake.” My mother used such reminders as part of somebehavioural modification strategy leading up to Christmas season every year.

Growing up, Christmas was like a second birthday but a much bigger and betterdeal! Mom’s reminder was clear: I’d better be good or I would get a lump of coalin my stocking instead of the new Red Ryder BB gun that I was willing to trade mylittle sister for. Apparently reminders worked, because I did get my Red Ryder thatChristmas. No I didn’t shoot my eye out but I did ricochet a BB off my foreheadonce while target shooting in our basement.

As we grow older, our desired gifts become more sophisticated. Unfortunately theidolatrous promise of the desired object to bring us life-fulfillment and meaning isnever realized as the newness wears off and we seek the next new, best thing. We arehypnotically lured by the seductive marketing sirens of mindless consumption. Andby buying into the false promises of secular consumerism we continue to feed ourchildren’s materialistic self-focused addictions.

I arrive at the mall and notice that the marketing preparations are in full swing.Santa Land is under construction as workers on motorized lifts hang banners heralding the season of conspicuous consumption.

According to the National Retail Federation, as of 2010, adult consumers spent
an average of $830 each on holiday food, decorations and presents. In a two-parentfamily that equates to roughly $1600.00! Now add this cost to the average Americanhousehold credit card balance of $15,788 with an average annual percentage rate of14.67%.
Christmas has been hijacked and exploited. We have professed allegiance to Jesusbut celebrate his birth with an orgy of materialism. Christmas is not your birthday;it’s Jesus birthday! This study will help you reclaim the broader missional meaning ofJesus’ birth and experience a Christmas season with more peace and joy than any toyor gadget could ever bring.

(Michael Slaughter)

What was the best Christmas gift you remember

receiving as a child and why?

1. Think about your family’s Christmas traditions as you grew up. What were the mostunique traditions you practiced? How many of them focused on your own comfortand pleasure, and which were sacrificial in nature?

2. Think of one of the best Christmas gifts you’ve ever given to someone. Whatmade it the best, and how long do you think they appreciated it?

3. Name some ways you think Christmas has been hijacked. How have you allowedChristmas to become more about you and/or consumerism than about Jesus?

4. Do you typically use cash only for Christmas, or do you go into at least a littledebt? How can you make this year a cash-only Christmas?

5. What are some things you currently enjoy or love about the holiday season? Whatdon’t you like? Is there a common theme between what you like and don’t like?

6. What new tradition(s) can you plan that would focus more on Jesus’ presence thanpresents?

Challenge: Ask those closest to you, whether friends, family, parents or children, what they would change about the Christmas holiday and why?

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Habakkuk 02: In The Dip Follow Up

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Objective: To see God’s goodness in the past, leave behind any idols we may be putting our faith in and trust God’s goodness even when circumstances seem hopeless.

When Habakkuk questioned God about evil and injustice this was God’s response:

Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked; but the righteous will live by their faith. Hab 2:4 (NLT)

What did it mean for Habakkuk and his people to “live by faith?”
Describe a time in your life when the circumstances seemed hopeless but you “lived by faith.”
How did you see God’s goodness revealed through these circumstances?
How did it affect your relationship with God? Your relationship with others?

God went on to say:

What have you gained by worshiping all your man-made idols? How foolish to trust in something made by your own hands! What fools you are to believe such lies! How terrible it will be for you who beg lifeless wooden idols to save you. You ask speechless stone images to tell you what to do. Can an idol speak for God? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.

But the LORD is in his holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before him."

Hab 2:18-20 (NLT)

i•dol: an image or other material object representing a deity other than God; a false conception or notion; fallacy.

• Many Jews were trusting idols to rescue them. What kind of ”idols” do many people look to for their rescue today?

• Describe areas in your life where you are temped to trust in “idols” rather than God?

• How will you “live by faith” in those areas of your life? How can your group help you?

Pray in your own words and ask God for the following:

Eyes to see His goodness in every area of your life
Wisdom to identify and reject any “idols” you may be putting your trust in today

• Strength to “live by faith” and trust Him even when things look hopeless.

For Further Study

Deuteronomy 16:21-17:20

What was Israel commanded not to set up? (16:21-22) What kind of sacrifice is detestable to the Lord? (17:1) What was to be done if someone was suspected of worshiping other gods? (17:2-4) How was the punishment for idol worship to be handled? (17:5) What implications do these verses have for our attitude toward justice and fairness?

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Why did Paul refer to Israel's history? (10:1) How do the Israelites serve as examples to us? (10:1-6) Why did God record the experiences of the Israelites? (10:6, 11) Why is it important that all the temptations Christians face are common to everyone? (10:13) How is God faithful? (10:13) What have you learned about God from this history of Israel? What have you learned about yourself from this history of Israel?

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Habakkuk 01: Where Are You God? Follow Up Questions

2011-11-07T09:25:00.000-05:00

God, how long do I have to cry out for help before you listen? How many timesdo I have to yell, “Help! Murder! Police!” before you come to the rescue? Whydo you force me to look at evil, stare trouble in the face day after day?

Anarchy and violence break out, quarrels and fights all over the place.

Law and order fall to pieces. Justice is a joke. The wicked have the righteous hamstrung and stand justice on its head. Hab 1:2-4 (Message)

Objective:
To trust God with our frustrations, while also trusting His timing and His purposes.

• [Suggested Time 3 min.] How would you describe Habakkuk’s mood in this passage? What seems to be his driving passion here?

• [Suggested Time 5 min.] Describe a time when you’ve had similar feelings. In those moments, did you have this kind of frank and raw conversation with God? Why or why not?

Pause and read God’s response to Habakkuk’s questions:

I am raising up the Babylonians to be a new power on the world scene. They are a cruel and violent nation who will march across the world and conquer it. Hab 1:6 (NLT)

Pause and read Habakkuk’s reaction:

God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? ...You gave them the job of discipline? But you can’t be serious! You can’t condone evil! So why don’t you do something about this? Why are you silent now?

Hab 1:12-13 (Message)

• [Suggested Time 3 min.] Why do you think Habakkuk felt so shocked by God’s response?

• [Suggested Time 3 min.] When and where do you see injustices like these today?

• [Suggested Time 5 min.] Describe a time when you felt a sense of “injustice” similar to Habakkuk’s.

Pause and read Habakkuk’s next words:I’ll wait to see what God says, how he’ll answer my complaint. Hab 2:1 (NLT)

• [Suggested Time 3 min.] How hard do you think it must have been for Ha-bakkuk to wait on God’s timing?

• [Suggested Time 5 min.] In your past experience, how has waiting onGod’s timing affected your attitudes toward God and the circumstances?

• [Suggested Time 5 min.] Is there some area of your life where you arestruggling to wait on God’s timing, frustrated by His answers or confused byapparent injustice?

• [Suggested Time 5 min.] Now take the next few minutes to have an honestpersonal conversation with God about your struggles, remember...God hasbroad shoulders and a loving spirit. He is interested in what you have tosay!

For Further Study

Habakkuk 1: If you could talk with one prominent person, whom would youchoose and what would you discuss? What did Habakkuk receive? (1:1)About what was the prophet distressed? (1:2-4) How did God answerHabakkuk's complaint? (1:5-11) Why was the prophet perplexed andbewildered? (1:12-17)

When people suffer because of violence and injustice,
how do you feel? God used the ungodly Babylonians to punish Israel. Howdoes God speak to Christians through the actions of pagans nowadays?
When have you been perplexed about why God allowed something to happen?

When can you take time this week to be open and honest with the Lord aboutsome of your deepest concerns or frustrations?

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No Really, I Will

2011-11-01T17:44:00.001-04:00

I say I'm going to read more, eat healthier, start exercising... I say a lot of things. But here's a good reminder from 1 John 3.

1 John 3:18-19

18 Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

Just saying it doesn't cut it. Especially when it comes to love.

- g-ram

Thankfulness

2011-10-29T20:32:00.001-04:00

Paul reminds us to make thanksgiving a way of life.

Ephesians 5:20

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He loves you, He provides for you... Let Him know you're grateful.

- g-ram

Living A Nightmare

2011-10-26T22:14:00.001-04:00

Have you ever had a nightmare that you think about for days? Like, you're afraid to sleep because you don't want to have it again? Well, Daniel understood. The only difference was that his nightmare was something that would actually happen. Daniel was freaking out, but listen:

Daniel 10:4-6, 12

4 On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, 5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. 6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

...

12 Then he said, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.'"

God gives peace even when you are living a nightmare. You just have to ask.

- g-ram

YDHWIT 04: You Can't Control The Future Follow Up

2011-10-24T19:28:00.001-04:00

You Can’t Control the Future — Week 4
Objective: To stop trying to control our future and experience the peace that comes from trusting God

• What do the people around you seem to worry about the most concerning their future?

• How have you seen others try to control their future?

Read together:

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. “So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.”

Matthew 6:32-34 (NLT)

• Describe a time when things felt out of control and God met your needs.

• How does God meeting your needs in the past affect your view of the future?

Read the following verses: Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

In this passage Jesus told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.”

• Describe issue(s) you are facing where Jesus is saying, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me."

Read together:

Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together forgood, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christdisplaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4:7 (The Message)

For Further Study

Mark 5:21-40Open

What are some common fears people have?

Explore

Who was Jairus, and why did he want to see Jesus? (5:22-23)
What was Jairus' attitude toward Jesus? (5:23)
What did Jesus do for Jairus? (5:24)
What happened when the woman touched Jesus' cloak? (5:29)
How did Jesus' reply give the woman comfort and reassurance? (5:34)
What happened while Jesus was still speaking to the woman? (5:35)
Whom did Jesus tell not to be afraid and to "just believe"? Why? (5:35-36)
Who were the only people who went with Jesus to Jairus' home? Why? (5:37-38)
How did people react when Jesus expressed confidence that the dead girl would be all right? (5:40)

Reflect

How does Jesus' treatment of the sick woman and Jairus offer comfort to us today?
What does this passage tell us about Jesus' character?
In what situation in your life do you need to heed Jesus' words, "Don't be afraid, just believe"?

How do you hope God will work in the situations that cause you fear?

Apply

What is one fear that you can ask the Lord to help you face this week?With what concrete action can you show your faith in the Lord this week?

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Don't Fear The Future

2011-10-22T17:40:00.001-04:00

You don't have to be afraid of the future when God's in control.

Philippians 4:4-7

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

So when you're feeling a little worried today, take it to God and experience His peace.

- g-ram

YDHWIT 03: You Can't Handle It All Follow Up

2011-10-17T13:48:00.000-04:00

You Can’t Handle It All - Week 3

Objective: To admit we can’t do it all alone and to experience freedom by giving our burdens to God.

Describe a time when you needed help but didn’t ask for it or didn’t accept it.

Why is it difficult for us to accept help from others?

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Why is it sometimes difficult for us to ask for or accept help from God?

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV)

What burdens are you carrying that are heavy and exhausting?

In what practical ways can you give these burdens to God?

Read this verse:
“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” Matthew 5:3 (NLT)

Lord I admit my need for you in every area of my life. Please help me to give my burdens completely to you and experience the freedom of leaving them in your hands.

For Further Study

Matthew 11:25-30

Open

What sorts of activities absolutely drain the life out of you?

Why are many Christians frazzled and burned out?

Explore

When did Jesus pray? (11:25)
How did Jesus address God? (11:25)
Why did Jesus say He was praising God? (11:25)
What did Jesus say God had entrusted or committed to Him? (11:27)
Who alone did Jesus say knew Him? (11:27)
Besides himself, who did Jesus say could know God? (11:27)
Who claimed to reveal God to the world? (11:27)
What general invitation did Christ make at this time? (11:28)
What kind of people was Jesus addressing? (11:28)
What promise did Jesus make to those who would accept His offer? (11:28)

How did Jesus describe Himself? (11:29)
How is walking with Christ described? (11:30)

Reflect

In what ways do you feel weary and burdened right now?
What aspects of the Christian life do you find especially taxing or burdensome?

What is it like to experience the promised "rest" of Christ?
How would you describe your walk with Christ right now?

Apply

What are two specific ways you can work with Christ tomorrow instead of going in your own direction?
Besides praying, what are some ways you can get to know your Father in heaven more intimately this week?

What burdens will you entrust to Christ today?

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YDHWIT 02: You Can't Please Everyone Follow Up

2011-10-11T06:00:00.000-04:00

You Can’t Please Everyone - Week 2

Objective: To live for God by choosing to find our validation and acceptance in Him rather than people.

• Name the people in your life you often feel pressured to please.

Read:

Our purpose is to please God, not people. He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT)

• What motives do you have for trying to please people?

• What do you fear would happen if you failed to please them?

Read:

He will give you all you need from day to day if you livefor him and make the Kingdom of God your primaryconcern.

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

• What needs you are expecting others to meet that canonly be met by God?

• What choices or changes do you need to make inorder to have those needs met only by God?

Read:

He will give you all you need from day to day if you livefor him and make the Kingdom of God your primaryconcern.

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Pray together: God, help us to believe you will giveus all we need from day to day. Help us choose to liveonly for you and make your Kingdom our primary concern.

For Further Study
Matthew 7: 1-5
Open
What kinds of things do people criticize you for the most?
How do you tend to respond when someone criticizes you?
What would your friends say is your biggest fault?
Explore
What happens to those who are judgmental or critical? (7:1)
In what way will we be judged? (7:2)
By what measure will we be judged? (7:2)
What kind of faults do we notice in others? (7:3)
How did Jesus illustrate the foolishness of the way we find fault with others? (7:3)
What figure of speech did Jesus use to illustrate how blind we are to the shortcomings in our own lives? (7:4)
That did Jesus call those who ignore their own imperfections and focus on the flaws of others? Why? (7:5)
When is it good to confront others with their faults? (7:5)
Why is it necessary to deal with one's own sins first? (7:5)
Reflect
When, if ever, should we criticize or judge someone else?
Why is it that the traits of others that irritate us most are often the very faults that are present in our own lives?
What happened the last time you criticized someone else or judged another's actions?
What are some of the things that cause us to become critical, judgmental people?
How can we become more merciful and nonjudgmental?
Apply
How will focusing on your relationship with Christ make you less likely to criticize others?
What issue in your life is God drawing your attention to? How can you give Him control in this area of your life?

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Confession

2011-10-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

What is our hope from this verse?

Is there something that stops you from sharing it with others?

- g-ram

Don't Get Mad, Get...

2011-10-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

Feeling jealous? Here's James with some advice.

James 3:16-18

16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Instead of getting mad about it, you know what you should do.

- g-ram

The Gift

2011-10-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

More follow up from Sunday.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

What is the promise in this verse?

How can you help others see this promise?

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The Standard

2011-10-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. (Romans 3:23-24)

What is God’s “glorious standard"?

How does remembering God's "undeserved kindness" help you relate to others?

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YDHWIT 01: You Aren't Good Enough Follow Up

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

You Aren’t Good Enough - Week 1

Objective: To reveal the areas in our lives where we feel unworthy and to find confidence in God’s unconditional love.

Read:

When I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God's

approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ.

Galatians 2:19 (NLT)

Why do we sometimes feel like we need to earn God’s approval?

What are some things you’ve seen people do in order to try and earn God’s approval?

Read:

Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God.

Hebrews 9:15 (The Message)

Are there areas in your life where you have been trying to make yourself feel more acceptable to God? What are they?

In the previous passage of scripture we are told we have beenset free from having to earn God’s love. How does this giveyou confidence for your daily life?

Does this confidence come from trusting yourself or fromtrusting God? Why?

Read:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not fromyourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gainedthrough the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Galatians 2:21 (NLT)

As a group pray and ask God to help you accept Hisunconditional love in every area of your lives.

In your personal time this week read Galatians 2:17-21 andask God to give you confidence through His unconditional love.

For Further Study - Week 1
Philippians 3:7-11

Open

If you were to update your resume today, what recent accomplishment would you want to include?

What do you feel are your most valuable skills and gifts?

Explore
In what sense was Paul not boasting, even though he was calling attention to his accomplishments? (3:7-9)

Why did Paul view his former accomplishments as "rubbish"? (3:8)

What was Paul's status in Christ? (3:9)

What longings did Paul admit to the Philippians? (3:10-11)

Reflect

Why do we tend to base our worth as Christians on our performance?

Why should our identity and confidence be in Christ?

Apply
What do you need to start counting as “rubbish” for the sake of Christ?

Ephesians 2:4-9

Open

What is the best gift you've ever received?

Explore
Why did God make those who were dead alive with Christ? (2:4-5)
What describes God's action in making us alive? (2:5)
What position has God given Christians in Christ by His divine power? (2:6)
How do we receive salvation? (2:8)
Where does salvation come from? (2:8)
Why can no one boast in his own salvation? (2:8-9)

Reflect
How would you describe God's grace to you?
Why doesn’t anyone deserved God's grace, mercy, or riches?

Apply

Who can you share the news of God's mercy with today? How?

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High Respect

2011-10-03T09:55:00.000-04:00

"Greet Andronicus and Junia...they are highly respected among the apostles."

Romans 16:7

What do other believers say of you?

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TRUE[ish] 04: As Long As You Don't Hurt Anyone FollowUp

2011-09-26T10:45:00.000-04:00

As Long As You Don’t Hurt Anyone Week 4

Share with your group your what your biggest “guilty pleasure” is. Some examples could be a questionable television show you like to watch, a controversial type of music you like to listen to, overeating when it comes to a certain food or maybe just a bad habit.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

One of the top virtues promoted in today’s society is tolerance. The virtue of tolerance teaches we can justify almost anything we want to do in our lives. How has the virtue of tolerance affected you (or someone you love)?

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 (NIV)

What are some questionable activities that you have heard others justify with the claim that “it’s ok if no one is getting hurt?” What sins does our culture tend to excuse with this same logic?

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8 (NIV)

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags… Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)

Even if a sin, in our own life, doesn’t directly impact others, in what ways can it impact others indirectly?

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Describe how Christ’s forgiveness has transformed you and resulted in your living a more pure life.

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret...2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18 (NIV)

Is there something in your life right now that may be questionable but you’ve found a justification for it? Take a moment to pray individually. Ask God to help you see that “something” through His eyes and how it is impacting your life. Ask if it is something He wants to purify in your life.

Final thought: With your group As a group share with each other what you sense God may be wanting to purify in your life.

For Further Study

Simply select one or two questions from each category below that you think will help your group discussion. Alternatively, you can use these questions and Scriptures in your own personal devotions during the week.

Open

What are some of the common motives people have when deciding to make major changes in their lives?

Explore
Read Romans 6:1-14

Why should a forgiven, justified person make a strong effort not to sin? (6:1- 2)

Why would a person not want to live in sin any longer? (6:2)

What makes it possible for a person to live a new life? (6:4)

Before a person is united to Christ, what are they a slave to? (6:6)

After Christ died and was raised, why did neither sin nor death have any power over Him? (6:7, 9-10)

How will uniting with Christ in His death change the future of our lives? (6:8-10)

In a person’s new relationship with God, what is his or her relationship to sin supposed to be? (6:11-12)

What change in attitude and action toward God happens in a person who follows Christ? (6:11-13)

Reflect

Why would a Christian want to stop sinning even though he or she knows God has forgiven them and will forgive those sins?

How does God help a person discard old habits and tendencies?

How does God give a person a new self?

What are the symptoms of a person in slavery to sin?

What does it mean to live a new life for God?

In what practical sense is sin no longer the master of a Christian even though he or she might still commit specific sins?

Apply

What are some ways Christ has promised to help you run toward Him and away from your old life and sin.?

Here are some suggestions you may want to use for your time with God this week:

Day 1: Read Romans 1:28-32. Take time today to confess those areas of your life that continue to struggle with sin to God. Ask God for forgiveness and for his healing in those areas of your life.

Day 2: Read Romans 7:7-25. Spend time with God in prayer asking Him to help you recognize and battle the attacks of the enemy in your life.

Day 3: Read Luke 17:1-10. Ask God to make you aware of ways you can show his love to those you impact daily.

Day 4: Read 1 John 1: 5-10. Spend time thanking God for His forgiveness in your life.

Day 5: Read 2 Corinthians 7:2-16. Pray for those in your LifeGroup and other loved ones and for strength and wisdom in the battles they are facing.

g-ram

Kill Shame

2011-09-23T19:05:00.001-04:00

The opposite of shame is a sense of honour and confidence. Paul once wrote that he was not ashamed of the good news about Jesus.

Romans 1:16-18

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes--the Jew first and also the Gentile. 17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

Paul had confidence in the Good News. He was proud of its power to bring people back to God. The good news is that any of us can be right with God. Through faith in Jesus, we have access to the Father. Honour this news today through your confident obedience to God.

- g-ram

Times of Transition: Thin Spots

2011-09-19T14:33:00.000-04:00

Life is not what it once was. Does that mean it is bad? Does that mean it is good? The answer here is like so many others...it depends. It depends on what changed, for who, when and why and probably a dozen other factors. What

Everlasting God

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

TRUE[ish] 03: As Long As You're Sincere Follow Up

2011-09-19T14:19:00.000-04:00

As Long As You’re Sincere Week 3

What impressions did you have of Christianity before you became a follower of Christ? Are those different now? If so, how?

The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Acts 16:29-30 (NIV)

• Many people don’t believe they have anything to be “saved” from. Discuss what being “saved” means to you?

• The word “saved” in this passage of scripture can also be translated “rescued.” When you made the decision to follow Christ, what do you believe He rescued you from?

• In what ways has He continued to rescue you?

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.

Luke 6:27-29 (NIV)

Has there ever been a time when you showed to love to someone you considered to be an enemy? If so, how did the experience affect you? How did it affect them?

What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles!

Mark 6:2 (NIV)

• God continues to perform miracles in our lives today. Discuss a time when you saw a miracle in your own life or in the life of someone you know. How did that affect your relationship with Christ?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 (NIV)

If you’re a follower of Christ, explain how you came to know Him personally. (If you’ve never shared your Christian testimony with your Life Group, take a few minutes to tell your story).

"Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Matthew 16:15-16 (NIV)

Who do you say He is? Take a moment and tell the others in the group who Jesus is to you, what He means to you.

Final thought: Spend time in prayer as a group thanking God for all He saved you from when you made the decision to follow Him. Then take time to thank Him and celebrate the ways He continues to rescue you daily.

g-ram

Peace Comes From Trust

2011-09-16T09:38:00.002-04:00

When Christ ascended into Heaven, He sent you a gift! The gift of peace through the Holy Spirit.
Philippians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation)
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

How much do you need today? Tell God, let him know what is going on. Thank him for what he has already done. Be creative here. There are lots of things that we forget about. Let your mind rest on God, what he has done and what he can do. Be calmed by the peace that comes from just relaxing in God's faithfulness. Let that peace guard your heart and your mind from the attacks of doubt, worry, criticism and "what ifs." Now live the way you have been called to live. Walk in the light.

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Brakes: Stopping Myself

2011-09-13T19:00:00.000-04:00

The brakes are what makes my car safe to drive.
How many problems do we have because we don't know how to stop ourselves?

Galatians 5:22-23

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

g-ram

TRUE[ish] 02: As Long As You're Happy Follow Up

2011-09-12T11:36:00.001-04:00

As Long As You’re Happy Week 2

• Besides your faith in Christ, what are some of the things in your life that give you happiness? Explain how these things make you happy.

May all who are godly be happy... Psalm 97:12 (NIV)

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)

• There are many false beliefs in our society as to how to achieve happiness. Discuss some of those beliefs that you have followed and how those beliefs affected your life and your actions.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do...1 Peter 1:15 (NIV)

• The world’s ideas of how to achieve happiness are usually at odds with God’s standards. Describe a time when you have put your immediate happiness above doing what you knew was right.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2: 15-17 (NIV)

This passage says “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” Have you ever pursued happiness through the things of this world? If so, be open and give some specific examples.

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

• God wants you blessed (which can be translated as more than happy.) Talk about a time when you have been overwhelmed by the blessings of God.

May all who are godly be happy in the LORD and praise his holy name! Psalm 97:12 (NLT)

• Discuss some ways that you can begin a greater pursuit of happiness through God this week.

Final thought: Pray that God will help you strip away the false beliefs you have regarding true happiness in your life. Ask God to help you seek happiness through Him only. Thank Him for the blessings he has given you in your life so that you can truly appreciate the comfort and happiness that comes through His blessings.

For Further Study

You can use these questions and Scriptures in your own personal devotions during the week.

Open

Describe some people you know that seem truly happy in their lives. Where do you think their happiness comes from?

Explore

Read Matthew 5:1-12

According to Jesus, what is the reward for those who are poor in spirit? (5:3)

Why are those who mourn blessed? (5:4)

What is the reward for those who are meek? (5:5)

What can those who hunger and thirst for righteousness expect? (5:6)

What does God promise to those who are merciful? (5:7)

Why are peacemakers blessed? (5:9)

What does the future hold for those who are persecuted because of righteousness? (5:10)

What instruction is given to Christians who are insulted, hassled, and lied about? (5:11-12)

Reflect

How do you think a person might behave if he or she were hungering and thirsting after righteousness?

What are some examples of showing mercy?

How does society’s list of admirable virtues compare and contrast with these kingdom virtues?

How (if at all) does the promise of future blessing affect us in the present?

Which of these promises means the most to you today? Why?

Apply

What realistic steps can you take this week to increase your hunger and thirst for righteousness?

Additional Resources

Quotes about the world’s view of happiness

Read these quotes and consider which of these reflect the world’s view and those that reflect God’s view. Some may incorporate both.

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” - Aristotle

“Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get.” - Dave Gardner

“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” - Abraham Lincoln.

“Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier.” - Margaret Young

“Being happy is something you have to learn. I often surprise myself by saying ‘Wow, this is it. I guess I’m happy. I got a home I love. A career that I love. I’m even feeling more and more at peace with myself.’ If there’s something else to happiness, let me know. I’m ambitious for that, too.” - Harrison Ford

“Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response.” - Mildred Barthel

“Joy has nothing to do with material things, or with man’s outward circumstance... A man living in the lap of luxury can be wretched, and a man in the depths of poverty can overflow with joy.” - William Barclay

Facts About Happiness

The following are some unique facts about happiness taken from various surveys to share with your group.

1. Nigeria is the happiest country in the world. The United States is ranked 16th.

2. Americans are, on average, only 69 percent happy.

3. 14 percent of the world’s nations on Earth are less than 50 percent happy.

4. The world’s population is, on average, less than 65 percent happy.

5. Americans earning more than $10 million annually are only slightly happier than average Americans

6. Americans’ personal income has increased more than 2 1/2 times over the last 50 years, but their happiness level has remained the same.

Here are some suggestions you may want to use for your time with God this week:

Day 1: Read 1 John 2:15-17. Be honest with God and confess those things in your life that are distracting you from truly knowing God’s happiness. Seek God for satisfaction through Him rather than worldly things.

Day 2: Read Philippians 4:12-13. Pray to God for contentment in those areas of life where needed. Share with God any urgent needs you have.

Day 3: Read Ecclesiastes 2:1-26. Pray for those around you that lack true happiness in their life. Pray that will find that happiness through God.

Day 4: Read 1 Timothy 6:6-12. Pray about your financial needs. Seek God’s satisfaction rather than relying on money during your prayer time today. Ask for God to meet your needs today.

Day 5: Read Psalm 112:1-10. Thank God for the blessings in your life. Praise Him for all He has done in your life and will continue to do.

g-ram

TRUE[ish] 01: What Is Truth? Follow Up Blog

2011-09-05T11:28:00.001-04:00

Describe a time in your life when you told a lie. What were the consequences of your lie? Was the truth finally revealed?

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked.

John 18:37-38a

What you believe determines how you behave. How have false beliefs affected you in your life?

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness...Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools... They exchanged the truth of God for a lie...

Romans 1:18,22,25

Two of Satan’s greatest weapons against truth are relativism and subjectivism. Relativism is the assumption there is no absolute truth and subjectivism allows a person to determine what is right and wrong on their own without submitting to any authority. How do you see these two weapons being used by Satan in our society today?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6

Some would say, to believe there is only one way to a relationship with God, is narrow minded. Would you agree? Why or why not?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1: 1-2, 14 (NIV)

Verse 14 says that Jesus came full of grace and truth. Truth without grace can lead to legalism. Grace without truth can lead to an “anything goes” mindset. Do you lean more toward grace or truth? What are some areas, in your life, where you need to experience this balance of grace and truth?

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 8:32 (NIV)

So if the Son sets your free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

Share with your someone how the truth of Christ has set you free from those things that used to hold you captive.

Final thought: With your group ask God to show you more of His truth as you pray together. Pray that He will open your eyes to false truths that you may have fallen victim to. Thank God for His wonderful grace through Christ that has set you free from lies and the darkness of sin.

For Further Study

To use this resource, simply select one or two questions from each category below that you think will help your group discussion. Alternatively, you can use these questions and Scriptures in your own personal devotions during the week.

Open

Why is it difficult for many people to admit they have done something wrong? Do you find this true in your own life?

Explain.

Explore

Read 1 John 1:5- 2:14 This passage encourages us to walk in the light of God’s truth. When we walk in His light, there is no darkness at all. (1:5)
What message did the writer hear and declare? (1:5)
What inconsistency did John address? (1:6)
What results from "walking in the light"? (1:7) How were some believers apparently deceiving themselves? (1:8)

What is the result of confessing one’s sins? (1:9)

Why did John write this letter? (2:1)

What did John say he was giving to his readers? (2:7-8)

Reflect

What do you think the terms "light" and "darkness" represent?
In what way is God similar to light?
In what way do we "walk in darkness"?
How can we "walk in the light"?

How does the promise of being purified from all sin make you feel?
What confidence should our relationship with the Father give us?

Apply

Share some of the areas of your life where it feels like you are still “walking in darkness.”

What are some things you can do help that will allow Christ to take you out of the darkness and into His light this week?

Daily Activities for the Week

Day 1: Read 1 John 1:5-2:14. Have an honest conversation with God about those areas of your life that may still be in darkness. Ask Him to lead you into the light of His truth.

Day 2: Read Romans 1: 18-25. Spend time praying for those you know that are being misled by lies in their lives. Ask God to open their eyes to His truth.

Day 3: Read John 14: 5-14. In those areas of your life where you have been blinded by a lie, ask God if you are still being affected by that lie. Ask Him to continue to bring the light of truth into this area of you life.
Day 4: Read John 8: 32-36. Spend time thanking God for rescuing you from lies in your life that have held you captive in the past.

Day 5: Read John 18: 37-38. Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal a specific truth in your life today.

Have fun!

g-ram

Trust For The Everyday

2011-09-02T08:13:00.001-04:00

Of all things we have to worry about, money is one of the easiest. Understandable, but, while you're trying to be smart with money, don't forget this.

Hebrews 13:5 (New Living Translation)

5 Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

"I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you."

God wants us trusting Him and nothing else. Because He knows that He alone can satisfy our deepest needs.

- g-ram

Family Tree 03: Joseph

2011-08-22T11:20:00.000-04:00

The conclusion of the FAMILY TREE series. Give a listen to the podcast and then think about these things by yourself or with some friends.

What two positive qualities about your dad come to your mind first when you recall your childhood.

Jesus is and was the Son of God, yet God the Father chose a a physical dad for Jesus as he was growing up. Jesus had to grow up just like the rest of us, fully human.

How would you feel in Joseph's place (Mt 1:19)? In (Mt 1:20-21)?

What would you say to family and friends? To God?

What reason does Matthew give us as to why Jesus was born (v.21)?

Apart from fulfilling prophecy why was Jesus' virgin birth necessary?

How have you experienced Jesus as Immanuel (God With Us) in your life lately?

What do you learn about faith from Joseph?

g-ram

Family Tree 01: Hezekiah

2011-08-08T10:29:00.000-04:00

We are looking into the Family Tree of Jesus to see who was influential in his history. Listen to the sermon and/or jump into these questions based on 2 Kings 18.

What does Hezekiah have going for him (vv. 1-4)?
What behaviours show a love for God?
What is the significance of the bronze snake? (v:4; Numbers 21:8-9, compare John 3:14-15)
Why would this antique become fetish?
Why does the author seem to rank Hezekiah greater than David, Solomon or Josiah (vv. 5-8 compare 23:25)?
What two plans does Sennacherib figure Judah might pursue (vv.19-22)?
What do the Assyrians make of the Egyptian option? The Yahweh option?
What Assyrian option do they propose (vv. 23-25)?
Which of the three would you bet your life on and why?
Why do Hezekiah's men want the Assyrians to speak in Aramaic (vv. 26-27)?
What reason do the Assyrians give for continuing in Hebrew?
What is he implying will happen?
How do the Assyrians view the God of Judah (vv. 22,32-35)?
The deities in general?
Assyrian power compared to deity power?

g-ram

Urban Legends 04: Sin Legends Follow Up

2011-07-25T10:54:00.001-04:00

Urban Legends About Sin:

Spiritual Maturity isn’t how much we know, but how much we obey.

1. I’m not a bad person. (I’m not that bad of a sinner.)

Unless we see ourselves as sinners, we won’t see our need for a saviour.

2. All sin is the same.

Our obedience or disobedience influences:

Rewards in heaven.

Punishment in hell.
Consequences on earth.

3. I’ve already sinned, I might as well continue.

•The most miserable people in the world are not non-Christians, but Christians living in sin.

BREAKING THE ICE:

What are some “little sins” that we often minimize or excuse?

Name some sins have that become culturally acceptable.

CONNECTING:

1. Which of the above spiritual myths have you believed about sin? Most of us have been educated way beyond our level of obedience. What truth do you know that you are not obeying?
2. We often accuse others of sin while excusing our own. What sins have you been excusing in your life? What sins are you quick to judge in others? How do our sins affect others in the Body of Christ? How is our witness to the world tarnished by our sins?
3. Think of some so-called “little” sins that we often minimize. How are these sins destructive to our lives and relationships? How do these “little” sins grieve God? Sin is progressive. How can “little” sins grow to overtake our lives?
4. When you accepted Christ into your life, did you see yourself as a good person or a sinner in need of God’s forgiveness? Why do we need to be aware of our sins? Besides forgiveness of our sins, what else did we receive when we trusted in Christ? How would believing that our old self died with Christ and that we are now a righteous, new creation (on the inside) free us to resist sin?

TAKE IT HOME:

1. For what sins do you need to repent? Agree with God about your sins and thank Him for His forgiveness. Ask God to give you a godly sorrow and a holy hatred of sin. Depend on the Holy Spirit to empower you to say “no” to the thoughts that tempt you to sin.

2. Put into practice James 5:16. Guard against judging others by their particular struggle with sin and never share with others what is shared, confidentially.

DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:

1. Read Romans 6:1-7, 11-14. 17-18.

Why does a forgiven, justified person desire not to sin? (6:2) What died with Christ and how does this change our relationship to sin? (6:7) What does it mean to be dead to sin? How are we now alive to God?

Why is the believer no longer enslaved to sin? Do you believe that you are dead to sin or do you still see yourself as a sinner (incapable of not sinning)? How can we keep from being enslaved to sin? (6:16)

2. Read Ephesians 4:17-31.

In what way did Paul instruct the Ephesian believers to live differently than the Gentiles (non-believers)? Why do people without Christ sin? (18-19) How can believers live lives free of sin? Why is this so important?
As followers of Christ, what are we to “put off”? What are we to “put on”? How does Paul describe the new self? (22-24)

How can we be angry and yet, not sin? How does sin give the enemy an opportunity to harass us? (26-27)
Of the sins mentioned in verses 28-31, which do you struggle with? How do these sins affect your relationships and the cause of Christ? What Christ-like behaviour do you need to put on?

3. Read Ephesians 5:8-21.

What does it mean to be a child of light? What are some differences between the life you once lived in darkness and your current life (in light)?
How do we expose the deeds of darkness in our life? What does this accomplish?

How do you know when your life is being controlled by (filled with) the Holy Spirit? What areas of your life are not under the control of the Holy Spirit?
If you were to make one phrase from this passage your focus for the rest of the year, what would it be?

VERSES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

1 John 1:8-9; Isa. 64:6; 1 Tim. 3:1-10; Titus 1:5-9; John 16:7-8;19:11; Matt. 11:20-22; Luke 20:46-47; 1 Cor. 5:18-20; Rom. 3:11,23; 6:1-2, 6, 11. Rev. 3:19

g-ram

Urban Legends 03: More Than You Can Handle

2011-07-18T10:40:00.000-04:00

KEY POINTS:

The gift of too much teaches you to:

1. Put something down

2. Hand something off

3. Give something to God.

BREAKING THE ICE:

GOD WILL OFTEN ALLOW YOU TO HAVE MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE!

Contrary to popular opinion, God wants us weak not strong. How does the world’s perspective of strength and weakness differ from God’s?

CONNECTING:

1. Why is this spiritual myth so dangerous? Believing the myth, “God won’t give you more than you can handle” can lead us to what wrong conclusions? Share a personal example of how believing this myth has affected your life. How does this belief lead us to attempt to handle things by ourselves, rather than depend on Christ or share the load with others?

2. In what area of your life do you feel God is giving you more than you can handle? Where in your life do you need to say “or” instead of “and”? To what request and to whom do you have the most difficulty saying “no”? What boundaries do you need to set in these relationships?

3. Is God asking you to: 1) put something down 2) hand something off 3) give something to Him or 4) do something else? If you need to hand something off, who could share this burden with you? (see Numbers 11:17)

4. When have you felt overwhelmed by life? Did this feeling lead you to 1) try harder 2) give up or 3) depend on God and/or others? Why is it beneficial to share our burdens with other believers? Why do you find it difficult to ask for help? Share a time when you handed something off to others. What was the result? What are you holding onto that needs to be given to God?

5. In what ways were you taught that you need to be strong (in yourself)?

Why are we afraid to disclose our weaknesses to others? What perceived weakness in yourself do you find difficult to accept? How is God using this to bring about brokenness and dependence on Him? How can you allow the Lord’s power to be perfected (accomplish it’s goal) through your weakness?

TAKE IT HOME:

1. Ask God to show you the specific things He wants you to put down. Practice

thinking “ I can do ______ or _____” instead of “I can do _____ and ______.”

2. Ask God to show you the areas in your life where you are relying on your own strength instead of His. Acknowledge this to God and surrender control of these areas to Him.

3. Make a list of the weaknesses that make your life difficult. Each time you are reminded of one of these weaknesses, thank God for His grace and trust Christ to empower you in this area. Memorize Philippians 4:13.

4. Spend some time this week giving your burdens to God. Ask Him to reveal His purpose for them in your life. Apply Psalm 55:22 and 1 Thess. 5:18.

DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:

1. Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-14.

Why did Paul refer to Israel’s history and what can we learn from it? (10:6,11)

Name some examples from Israel’s history when God allowed them to experience more than they could handle.

How did they respond and how does their response serve as an example for us today?

What warning did Paul give the Corinthians? Why? (10:12)

What causes us to fall into sin?

What should we recall when we are tempted to yield to sin? How does God make a way of escape when we are tempted?

How does the context for God’s promise in 10:13 shed light on it’s meaning?

How is this different the myth, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Put verse 13 into your own words and commit it to memory.

2. Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Who was responsible for giving Paul a “thorn in the flesh”?

If Paul had not had this “thorn” how might his spiritual life have been affected? (12:7)

What did Paul ask God to do?

What did God reveal to Paul?

What is your “thorn in the flesh”?

What purpose does it serve?

How can trusting in God’s grace and power make a difference in this area?

Why does God choose to heal some people of their weakness or disability and not others?

How should you respond if God chooses not to remove your “thorn in the flesh”?

How can you be content with your weaknesses?

How does God remind us to rely on Him and not ourselves?

Why should we boast about our weaknesses?

How can you “boast in” the Lord when you feel overwhelmed or inadequate?

When confessing your weaknesses, be sure to boast in the Lord at the same time. Example: “I feel inadequate and overwhelmed when ________ but Christ is the strength of my life.”

VERSES FOR FURTHER STUDY: Numbers 11:13-17; Exodus 18:17-23; 2 Cor.1:8-11, 3:4-6, 4:7-11; Psalm 55:22

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Generousity

2011-07-17T07:45:00.001-04:00

Giving isn't about the volume, it's about your heart. Jesus once commended a faithful woman who gave what was considered very little. But Jesus recognized it as being much.

Luke 21:4 (New Living Translation)

4 "For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."

God doesn't want us to give as a duty. We ought to give as we can.

2 Corinthians 8:12 (NLT)

12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have.

Ultimately, giving benefits not just others, but us as well.

Proverbs 11:25 (NLT)

25 The generous will prosper;
those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

Life is about giving--not as a duty, but as a joy. And that joy overflows into all aspects of our lives.

- g-ram

Urban Legends 02: God Wants You To Be Happy

2011-07-11T09:41:00.000-04:00

KEY POINTS:

God doesn’t want you happy . . .

1) When it causes you to sin.

2) When it is driven by circumstances.

• In the pursuit of happiness, the prodigal son became miserable.

3) God wants you blessed.

• If you pursue happiness, you’ll miss God.

• If you pursue God, you’ll find blessings.

Blessed: Spiritually prosperous— experiencing life-joy and satisfaction through God’s indwelling presence and matchless grace.

BREAKING THE ICE:
• How are most people trying to find happiness?
• Name some pursuits (sins) that can create temporary “happiness”, but lead to

permanent sorrow.

CONNECTING:
1. Talk about a time when you did the wrong thing because you thought it would make you happy. Complete the following sentence with the first thing that comes to mind: “I would be happier if only . . .” or “I could never be happy if . . .”
What do your answers reveal about your goals in life?
How can pursuing happiness lead to misery?
What is the difference between happiness and joy?
Are you seeking happiness in externals or a blessed life through your relationship with Christ?

2. How do people attempt to use God for their own gain or profit? (Example: “If I do ___ for God, He will give me what I want.”)
What is wrong with basing your contentment or happiness on externals?
What does it mean to be “holy”? To be “blessed”?
How does being holy lead to a blessed life?

3. How has the pursuit of happiness caused you to miss God?
How did it lead to sin?
In what ways are we blessed when we pursue God? (see Psalm 16:11 and John 15:11)
Why should the awareness of Christ’s presence in us and His promises to us bring us inner joy?
What has Jesus spoken to you that gave you great joy?

4. Describe a time when your circumstances did not make you happy, but you still experienced God’s blessings.
How did God bless you, in spite of your less than optimum situation?
The apostle Paul experienced many hardships as he followed Christ. What was the goal or focus of his life (see Phil. 3:8-10, 14)?
How would pursuing this goal lead to experiencing a blessed life?

TAKE IT HOME:
1. Have you believed the spiritual myth that God wants you happy?
Is there

anything you are doing today, against God’s will, in the pursuit of happiness?

If so, what attitudes or goals do you need to change in order to pursue God and experience a blessed life?

2. It is easy to get distracted by worldly pursuits.
How will you stay focused on seeking God’s interests instead of chasing after happiness? How will you demonstrate, to others, God’s perspective of a blessed life?

3. What worldly ideas do you need to reject?
What promises do you need to believe to experience the blessings that yours in Christ? How will you find your joy in God this week? (see Psalm 16:8-11, 37:4; Phil. 4:4)

DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:
1. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-11 and Philippians 4:11-13.
• What brings us great gain?
What does it mean to be content?
With what are we to be content?
Why do some think that godliness is a means to financial gain?

• What about your life is making it difficult for you to be content?
What would it take for you to be content in your circumstances?

• How can you guard against placing too much stock in your personal possessions or circumstances?

• In what types of situations had Paul learned to be content?
Why was Paul able to handle any kind of circumstance?
What is the relationship between contentment and a blessed life?

2. Read Matthew 5:3-10 (Amplified version).
• Who did Jesus say would experience a blessed life?
What does it mean to be blessed?
• What does it mean to be poor in spirit? How are those who mourn blessed? • What will those who hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness receive? What
does it mean to be filled? • How are we blessed by having a pure heart? Why would seeing God result in
blessing and joy?
• What is the reward for those who are merciful and peacemakers?
• Which of these kingdom attitudes needs to be developed more fully in your life?
What will that look like?

VERSES FOR FURTHER STUDY:
2 Tim. 4:3-4; 1 Peter 1:15; 3:8-12; Prov.16:25; Eccl. 5:18-20; 2 Cor. 7:9-14; Psalm 16:5-11; 37:4-7; 112:1; Matt. 6:33; John 10:10,15:9-11; Rom. 14:17, 15:13; Eph.1:3-4; 1 Thess. 5:16-18

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Enjoy the Good!

2011-07-10T07:43:00.001-04:00

Seen anything good lately? We're bringing the good right to you!

Psalm 24:1 (New Living Translation)

1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it.
The world and all its people belong to him.

From Genesis 1 (NLT)

4 And God saw that the light was good....

10 And God saw that it was good....

12 And God saw that it was good....

18 And God saw that it was good....

21 And God saw that it was good....

25 And God saw that it was good....

31 Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

Matthew 5:16 (NLT)

16 Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Look around you. God made life to be enjoyed. As the crowning point of creation, get out there. Go spread some good. And have a really good day

- g-ram

Training To Excel

2011-07-03T12:31:00.001-04:00

You have to work hard and train to excel at something. There are those that train to run, to act, to type, to draw, to bike, to swim, and to play "Angry Birds". Paul talks about working to excel:

2 Corinthians 8:7 (New Living Translation)

7 Since you excel in so many ways--in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us--I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.

So excel in your giving! Think of your giving as something to be developed. Something that takes creative thought, not simply something you mark off a list.

- g-ram

Urban Legends 01: There Are Many Ways To God

2011-06-28T10:32:00.000-04:00

KEY POINTS:

1) Test the claims of Jesus.

2) Test the credibility of Jesus.

• Examine what people said.

• Examine what Jesus did.

• Examine what God did (resurrection).

3) Test the character of Jesus.

THREE OPTIONS:

JESUS is either a liar, a lunatic or LORD.

BREAKING THE ICE:

• Has anyone ever accused you of being narrow- minded in your spiritual beliefs? How did you respond?

• What are some reasons people have for believing that Jesus is NOT the only way to God?

CONNECTING:

1. Some believe that all religions are just different paths that lead to the same God. How do we know if what we believe is right? When you were first confronted with the claims of Christ, what questions did you have about Him? How did you overcome your doubts about His deity? What convinced you that Jesus is the Son of God?

2. Share a time when you were asked a difficult spiritual question by a non–believer. What was the question and how did you respond? What can you take from this week’s message that will better prepare you in the future?

3. Some people refuse to believe in a God who would send people to Hell. How would you explain the difference between a God who is fair and a God who is holy and just? Why did Jesus have to die in order for us to be forgiven and receive eternal life? What is the one thing that God asks of us? (see Ro- mans 10:9) How difficult would it be to believe in a holy, but loving God who became human, took our punishment for sin and died in our place so that we could live forever with Him?

4. Why do people today fail to realize that Jesus is God? How would you share Christ with someone who struggles with believing Jesus is the only way to God? What misunderstandings might they have about the gospel? About Jesus? What are your favourite verses to share regarding the claims of Christ?

TAKE IT HOME:

1. What will you do to be prepare yourself to share the claims of Christ? (Example: study the verses below to become better equipped to share your faith).

2. Do you believe the spiritual myth that there are other ways than trusting in Jesus to be saved? If so, what truth about Jesus are you failing to believe? For example, the truth that he is God, his death was necessary, his resurrection or something else? If your faith is weak, take the time to examine the claims and character of Jesus.

3. How will you demonstrate with your life that Jesus rose from the dead and is the only way to the Father?

DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:

1. Read John 1:1-5, 12-14; 10:30-33,37-38; 14:6-11.

• Who is the Word? What is the relationship between the Word and God? What did the Word do? Who did Jesus claim to be? What did he say that he came to do? What was his relationship with the Father? What is the benefit of believing the Word? Whose glory did the Word reveal? (1:1-5, 12-14)

• What does Jesus mean when he says he is one with the Father? What proof does he give? Why did Jesus’ claims enrage the Jews? Who today is offended by this claim? (10:30-33, 37-38)

• How does Jesus describe himself? What one way did Jesus say we could come to the Father? How did Jesus characterize his relationship with the Father? How can we know what Father God is like? (14:6-11)

2. Read Phil. 2:5-9; Col. 1:15-20; Heb. 1:1-3.

• Who and where was Christ before he became a man? How did Jesus limit himself? For what purpose did he come? In the end, who will bow their knee and confess that Jesus is Lord? (Phil. 2:5-9)

• What is Christ’s relationship to God? To Creation? To the church? What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection? What did God achieve through the work of His Son? What does the work of Christ on your behalf mean to you? (Col. 1:15-20)

• How did God speak to people in the past? How does He speak to us today? How is Jesus different from other prophets? What does Jesus reveal to us about the nature of God? What did Jesus do after completing his ministry on earth? What difference should it make to us that Jesus is heir of all things and the creator of the world? (Heb. 1:1-3)

VERSES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Matt.10:32-33; 27:54;

Mark 6:2-3;

John 8:46, 58; 14:6-1; 16:15-16; 18:38-39;

Acts 3:15-16;

Rom. 2:11-16;10:9;

Phil. 2:9-11;

Col. 2:9.

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