November 13th

 

What do you think the cross meant to Jesus? What does his death mean to you?

What does the idea of “dying to self” meant to you? In what areas of your life do you need to die to self, (in order that others might have “life”)?

Meditate on Philippians 2:1-11. What adjustments do you need to make so that your attitude is the same as Christ’s? How can you “make yourself nothing” for God?

 

October 30th

(refer Matthew, chapters 14 & 15)

As you read through this section of Matthew’s gospel, what strikes you about the disciples’ experience of Jesus? If you were one of the original twelve, what would you think about Jesus?

As you read the accounts of Jesus’ miracles, does him walking on water seem normal or out of place? Why do you think Peter wanted to get out of the boat and go to Jesus? Why do you think the others didn’t? What would you have done? In what ways have you “got out of the boat” in your life as a modern-day disciple?

In what ways do you see God’s future Kingdom (heaven) present in the life of Jesus? The early disciples? Modern-day disciples (you and me)? How do you explain the similarities and differences?

 

October 23rd

In Romans 1:1, Paul says he is "set apart for the gospel". Are all Christians in some way set apart for the preaching of the gospel?  To what extent is this description of Paul's life true (or not true) of all of us?

The gospel was important to Paul (see e.g. v. Romans 1:1-5, 9, 15-17).  In what ways do our lives show that the gospel matters to us?

In Romans 1:16-17, what does it mean to say that the gospel "is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes"?  Do we need words to preach the gospel?  (See also Romans 10:5-15)  Why would we be ashamed of the gospel?  What can we do to counter any temptation to be ashamed of the gospel?

October 16th

(Refer to Luke 4:1-14)

What three temptations does the devil offer Jesus? What do you think the devil was trying to achieve by tempting Jesus? In terms of Covenant (relationship) and Kingdom (responsibility) what was most under threat by these attacks?

What does Jesus use to defend himself? How would you describe Jesus’ attitude during his temptations?

How can you relate to these temptations? Are any familiar to you personally? Describe a time when you felt your identity was under threat. How do you reassure yourself of your standing before God?

September 18th

After the death of Moses, Joshua and Caleb led Israel into the Promised Land. After Joshua, there was a noticeable cycle in the history of Israel known as the time of the Judges. (This is how it went…)

The people enjoyed  prosperity in the promised land->The people sinned and forgot God and life was messed up->The people called out to God in their desperation->God heard them and raised up a Saviour figure (Judge) who would rescue and lead them ….and ->the people enjoyed prosperity in the promised land….

We can easily judge the Hebrews and wonder why they can be so foolish to keep repeating the same mistake, but are there times when we “forget” God ? What does that look like? and What can we do to avoid this ?

In the time of Samuel, the people ask for a king to be like the nations around them. In what way is this rejection of God? Why despite this rejection does God provide for them a king and even when that king fails provide another with whom He would make an eternal covenant?

Why does the prophet have such a key role in the life of the Kingdom of Israel and Judah ?

In what way is the Davidic covenant a fulfilment of the promises made to Abram(Gen 12:1-3) and the Sinai Covenant (Ex 19:5-6) ? How is Jesus the fulfilment of all of these ?

 

September 11th

Think about and compare the lives of Abraham, Joseph and Moses. What do you notice about their identity in God? What do you notice about their obedience to God? How they each experience God's authority and power in their lives?

 Let's "drill down" into the life of Moses. Who do you think Moses felt like you belong to? At which points in his life might this have changed? How do you think the matter was settled? What part did the burning bush incident play in Moses finding his true identity?

 How do you think Moses felt: at the burning bush? Facing Pharaoh? At the Red Sea? What comes after learning identity and obedience? What comes with authority and power?

 In what ways do you notice similar incidents and growth in your own relationship with God?

August 28th

The story of Abraham is quite an epic and is mostly to be found between chapters 12 and 22 of Genesis.

From what you know of Abraham's story, can you discern any parallels between Abraham's journey with God and your journey with God?

In Gen. 12:3 we read that all peoples on earth will be blessed through Abraham. How is that promise ultimately fulfilled?

Looking back through what we have heard so far of the experiences of Adam, Eve, and Noah, what have you learnt about yourself, about humanity, and about God?

July 10th

¨ What does Paul mean by saying we are in a spiritual battle?

¨ Are there times you feel you are in such a battle, & if so how do you defend yourself?

¨ Are there areas where your mind needs to come under God's authority. Has Satan captured part of your mind? Do you find yourself regularly being negative or fearful, critical or angry & if so what steps do you need to take to overcome in these areas?

¨ What does Paul mean by saying we have the mind of Christ?

July 3rd

  (refer 2 Cor 9) Why do you think Paul keeps harping on about the “generosity”       of the Corinthians? Why do you think he had to send “the brothers” (v3)? What do you think Paul’s aim for the Corinthians is? Is it just about the level of giving?           If not, what is it about?

Whose choice does Paul say it is with regards to giving? What do you think this      implies? What do you notice about God’s role in this?

How much of this discourse is about money and how much about spiritual wealth? What’s the difference? Is it possible to be sparingly generous? So what is God’s goal for us? What has he promised in return? What is God’s purpose in making us rich?

June 26th

Have you ever urgently pleaded with God for the privilege in sharing in His ministry? Have you ever longed to excel in giving money to God’s work? How does Paul urge his hearers to complete their eager willingness to serve God financially? What fundamental change will you need to pray about?

April 17th

¨ If the contents of our heart were laid out on a table; what would it look like?

¨ What would Jesus see on the table of our heart?

¨ What does it mean to be in unity with each other to be in mission in the world.

April 10th

¨ What do you think Jesus meant when he said that his followers would do “even greater things” than he himself had done?

¨ What do think he meant when he said “you may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it”?

¨ Why do you think Jesus couched love for him in terms of keeping commands? How do you keep Jesus’ commands? How do you not?

April 3rd

¨ (Refer John 8:31-47) Try reading from Chapter 7 of John’s Gospel, through to the end of Chapter 8. What seems to be the big dispute between people who were listening to Jesus? How does Jesus resolve this issue?

¨ What then does Jesus say about the people who are true children of Abraham? What does he say about people who are trying to kill Jesus? How does this snapshot of Jesus fit with your picture of him?

¨ In one sentence, try to sum up how you can know if someone is a follower of Jesus or not?

March 13th

(Ref Jn 4:1-38)

1. Can you think of a time when you were so thirsty you didn’t seem to be able to quench it? How good was it to taste that cold liquid running down your throat? 

2. What do you think Jesus was referring to when he said, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again but those who drink the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 

3. Do you think it mattered to Jesus that the Samaritan woman was unmarried? Did her current life stop him from offering eternal life?

4. What does it mean to you to be spiritually thirsty? How should we satisfy that thirst? How do you think your people of peace satisfy their spiritual thirst? How might you be able to help them?

 

March 6th

What role did baptism have for Jews in the days of Jesus? Why do you think so many people went to John the Baptist for baptism?

Why do think Jesus' disciples were baptising people? What was different between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus? Do you think both were necessary?

Why do you think people should be baptised these days? What is similar to our baptisms and the baptism of John  & Jesus? What do think about the age people should get baptised? Is it age that matters or something else? Which do you think is more important to represent in baptism – our decision or God's grace towards us?

 

February 27th , 2011

1.  Look at Nicodemus’ meeting with Jesus 1-2.  What are we told about him and his standing in the community?  What was positive in his assessment of Jesus and what was lacking?  How did Jesus respond?

2.  What is involved in being born of the Spirit? Why is it needed? Cf John 1. 12-13.

3. Why was it necessary for the Son of man to be lifted up?  Note the word ‘must’ in verse 14. 

4.  All are judged but why are some people judged and condemned? Where do you stand in relation to vss. 16-21?