Don't take that away!

Here's the link to the Sermon: What is the thing you can't live without?

Reading: Amos 8

1. What did the Lord show to Amos in Amos 8:1-2, what did it mean and how does those verses apply to us today?
2. In Amos 8: 3-6 there is a description of the Israelites attitude to the Sabbath and other holy days.
   1. Discuss the difference between the Lord’s Day and the Sabbath. How should we keep the Lord’s Day?
   2. What was the thrust of God’s words through Amos in these verses?
3. What does the Lord say in Amos 8:7?
   1. How does that fit in with other verses offering forgiveness?
   2. Which verses can you find where God promises to forgive?
4. What is the Lord going to do in Amos 8:11-12? Has this happened already or is it a prophecy, yet to be fulfilled? Discuss and explain.
5. Amos and some of the other Minor Prophets can be a bit challenging in places. What would we miss if we didn’t tackle the less well known parts of the bible?
6. As a group consider whether there are areas of teaching which people would like to (or feel they ought to hear), [Group leaders – please feedback any comments]

God always hit's the bullseye!

Here's the link to the Sermon: God always hits the bulseye!

 Reading: Amos 1-2 

1.  If you were being interrogated by the "bible police", what could you tell them about Amos? i.e. who, when, what, where, why, how...
2. look at the pattern laid out in Amos' imagine what the original hearers of the message would have felt as the message unfolded?
3.  Describe the society in Amos' day; how does it compare to the UK today?
4. God will judge all nations and all people:
1. discuss what this means;
2. what responsibility do we have for shaping our society?
3. how does this impact us as individuals?
5. How does God judge believers compared to non believers? (Luke 12:48)
6. God cares about the attitude of our hearts, what wrong attitudes might we have and how can we encourage/challenge each other over these (in love!!)

 

God, You're right!

Here's the link to the Sermon: God, You're right! 

 

Reading: Jonah 1:17 - 2:10

This week the study is less directed, but there is a lot in this passage, so please don't rush through, but take some time to look at the things we didn't have time for in the sermon and also to remind each other of those things we did look at...

1. How long was it before Jonah prayed?
2. Take a look through Jonah's prayer and discuss any points that arise as you read through, line by line.
3. In the sermon we looked at a number of important points for us to apply to our lives today, and there may well be others, spend some time discussing these as a group.
4. What was the question we were left with at the end of the sermon?

Can we learn anything from Judas?

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: The Grim, The Bad, and The Ugly

Thanks to Russell for this week's questions!

Reading: John 13:18-30

1. Jesus washed the feet of all the disciples, including Judas. What do you think Jesus was thinking and feeling as He knelt before Judas? What do you think Judas was feeling?
2. Why did Jesus leave it till now in V19 to predict his death? Discuss the importance of Jesus calling himself the 'I AM'. Read Ex 3v14
3. Does God use evil for his divine plan? 
4. None of the disciples had any idea who the betrayer was. What does this tell you about their relationship with Judas? About Jesus’ relationship with Judas?
5. Look again at V2 and V27 What has happened to Judas to allow Satan in.
6. Has someone in your life ever hurt you deeply? How have you responded to that hurt? What is Jesus showing us in the passage?

Getting to grips with: Being a Giving Church

If you missed it, here's a link to some notes: Getting to grips with: Being a Giving Church

 

Reading: Malachi 3: 8-12

 

1. How would you describe a giving church?
2. How might we rob God?
3. Why do we struggle to give back to God? Discuss what our use of time, money, experiences shows of our commitment to God.
4. Verse 9: does God curse us if we don't tithe?
5. What has giving got to do with worship?
6. 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