If you missed it, here's a link: Getting to grips with: Being an Honest Church
Reading: Psalm 139
- What are the kinds of things that we think of when we think about being honest, and when might we find ourselves justifying being dishonest?
- Working your way through the psalm verse by verse, discuss what it has to say about our honesty as individuals, as part of a church family and in respect of the people we come into contact with who have no faith.
- How should we deal with gossip in churches? cf: Proverbs 25:23; Eph. 5:11;James 3:7-8 Matt. 18: 15-20
- Spend some time praying for each other and the integrity of every aspect of our church.
- Homework - get int the habit of praying the words of Psalm 139: 23&24
If you missed it, here's a link: Getting to grips with: Being a Submissive Church
Reading: James 4:1-10
- What thoughts come to mind when you think about being submissive?
- What are the results of a lack of submission to God? Read through the first 4 verses and discuss the various points James raises.
- James looks back to the Old Testament in Verses 5 and 6. Discuss what it means for God to be a jealous God? And how does this link with His desire to give us overwhelming grace?
- Verse 7-10: what is the difference between submission and obedience?
- How can/should we apply this to our lives today?
If you missed it, here's a link to some notes: Getting to grips with: Being a Giving Church
Reading: Malachi 3: 8-12
- How would you describe a giving church?
- How might we rob God?
- Why do we struggle to give back to God? Discuss what our use of time, money, experiences shows of our commitment to God.
- Verse 9: does God curse us if we don't tithe?
- What has giving got to do with worship?
- Verse 10 includes the phrase "I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!." Discuss
