Amazing Faith, How Rare Is Found - 5/26/13

key texts: Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10 (NIV) 

“Faith” is one of the those words that gets thrown around a lot and can have any number of meanings. In the text this week we are not allowed to keep our ambiguous definitions. We are given a very specific example of what faith looks like and, more importantly, acts like: recognizing that Jesus possesses ultimate authority. The challenge for us is what I want us to study, consider, discuss and ultimately act upon; what does it mean to recognize and submit to Jesus? What does it mean to call Him “Lord” and then to live like it?

Take time to dig deep into this week’s text and those we have studied leading up to this point. Pray about the above questions. Ask others how they see this playing out in your life. Come to community group ready to discuss what you are learning.

Grace and Peace, y’all.

J.Ray

Building On The Rock - 5/19/13

key texts: Matthew 7:21-27; James 1:21-25 (NKJV) 

This Sunday’s scripture focused on essentials for being a part of Christ’s Kingdom now.  Spend some time sharing with each other how God is leading you to become better at each of these three aspects:

KNOWING JESUS:  how do you build time for relationship with Jesus into your day?  What does that look like ?  How can you encourage one another to know him better?

HEARING JESUS:  what are you doing to make certain you are hearing him?  What are the inputs of scripture in your week?  How can your small group help you hear him better?

DOING WHAT JESUS TELL ME TO DO:  what do you already know that you’re doing that you should stop doing? What do you already know that you’re not doing that you should start doing?  How can you encourage one another to greater levels of obedience?

Sabbath Stories (Part 2) - 5/12/13

key texts: Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11 (All NIV)

“If we don’t get Jesus right, we don’t get anything right”. This statement can be taken a number of different ways. It might be comforting, challenging, offensive or confusing. Take some time to consider your personal response to it. Then, as you study the scripture this week, really try and understand why the Pharisees were having such a hard time with Jesus’ words and actions? Were they really so cruel and hard hearted that they couldn’t look with compassion on the healing of a man with a withered hand? Is there anything in our own lives that keeps us from seeing others with compassion? 

Also this week, take time to consider your own Sabbath practices. How does a new or greater understanding of Jesus as Lord of the Sabbath challenge your understanding and practice of Sabbath? Come to your community group prepared to share what you find out. 

Sabbath Stories (Part 1) - 5/5/13

key texts: Matt 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; Luke 6:1-5 (All NIV) 

This week is the first of a two part series of “Sabbath Stories”. To really understand what is going on, what Jesus is getting at, we have to understand “Sabbath”. In fact, I am starting this study with a basic presupposition; we won’t be “right” until we get the Sabbath right and we won’t get the Sabbath right until we get Jesus right.

Since this study is over two weeks, I want the majority of our time and study this week to be in considering our own presuppositions and forming new questions as a result. Take time to read the stories and do some digging. Seek out the text and the stories in the Old Testament that Jesus references. Do some study on the origin and practice of Sabbath. Consider how your current observance (of lack thereof) of Sabbath relates to your belief about it. Come to group prepared to share what you have found. Specifically, discuss what Sabbath means to you. What role do you think it should play in the life of the Christian, in the life of the Church? A word of warning though, don’t get too entrenched in your positions; after Sunday, I dare say they might change.

Hungry For God - 4/28/13

key texts: Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18-22; Luke 5:33-39 (NIV)

This week, Josh Wilson shares some thoughts on the practice of fasting. Based on our study together on Sunday morning, and on the texts we examine together, here are some questions for discussion in our community groups with each other.

1.  Tell a story about a time you fasted? Don’t worry about bragging here… we want to try and learn from each other’s experiences. Why did you fast? What was the hardest part? How did it affect your relationship with the Lord?

 

2.  What is the most intimidating thing about fasting to you?

 

3.  Fasting is a physical reminder of the internal longing that we should have for Jesus. Are there any other physical “postures” or reminders that you practice which help orient your heart toward Jesus? (Kneeling in prayer, sitting in silence, etc…)

 

4.  Is there a specific time in your life where you feel like you have demonstrated a deep longing for Jesus? What instigated that? How did it affect how you lived your daily life?

 

5.  Read Isaiah 58:6-7, what does this tell you about the “Heart” behind what God wants to see from His people in regards to fasting (or any other spiritual discipline for that matter…)?