Courageous and Compassionate

Here's the link to the Sermon: Courage and Compassion

Reading: Amos 7

1. Take a few minutes to recap on what Amos has taught us so far.
2. Verse 1 - what is a vision, and what is it not?
3. What do the visions in verses 1-7 show about God's judgement?
4. What does this teach us about prayer - can you make God change his mind?
5. Discuss the meeting with Amaziah. What does this show of Amos' character, attitude and behaviour, and what should we learn and apply from it? 
   
   

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?

My Way or the Highway

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: My Way or the Highway  

Reading: John 14: 15-24

1. According to v. 15, what is the indication that one loves Jesus? What can those who love Jesus expect (v. 21 & 23)?
2. Share with one another some experiences or aspects of your life that you love Jesus? Do people around you know that you are different? Discuss.
3. What commands do we struggle with as Christians and what commands does the world ignore. Why is it so important to be 'salt & light'?
4. In v17 Explain why the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit? What must we do to receive him?
5. What is different about the role and character of the Holy Spirit?

Some Staggering Claims

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Some Staggering Claims 

Reading: John 14: 7-14

1. Verse (5 &) 8. What have Thomas and Philip failed to understand about Jesus? Then verses 7, 9 & 10: Do people still struggle with this truth?How important is this truth to us as Christians? To the church?
2. Discuss verse 12, What do you understand from Jesus statement here? Greater in what way? What condition(s) does this verse contain?
3. Why do you think the church isn't seeing more of these "greater" works? Discuss what we as individuals and a church an do about it.
4. Verses 13 & 14 contain a stunning promise. Discuss the word anything (in the context of what Jesus has said from verses 1 to 12). Does this mean we will get whatever we ask for? Explain.
5. Prayer should always be within the will of God. What does this mean and how do we do that?
6. There is a lot in this passage for us to apply to our lives. What is that and how do we do it?

 

Aspects of Love

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Aspects of Love

Reading: John 13: 31-38

1. Take a re-cap of the happenings over this meal. Consider the thoughts and feelings of the disciples at the beginning and how they might have changed as the meal goes on to the point in verse 33 when Jesus says He is going and they can't follow.
2. Discus all the aspects of Jesus love (verse 34) that you can come up with as a group, to consider how exactly we're supposed to be loving each other within our fellowship.
3. What stops us from loving one another? Try and look at this from various angles (spiritual, emotional etc. etc.)
4. Consider, as a group, whether there is anything you could commit to do, to more actively make that Christian love plain to others. This is a big question, so why not cheat a bit, ask the one who can give you the answer...
5. Why does the church, and specifically individual fellowships, fail to help people come to Christ? cf: verse 35.
6. As you close, use 1 John 1:7-17 to lead you into a time of prayer focussing on our response to Jesus command to love one another as He has loved us. 

 

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?

A bit awkward?

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: A bit awkward?

Thanks to Russell for this week's questions!

Reading: John 13:1-17

1. Considering Jesus knew what was before him in respect of the cross. What was the significance of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples? Read Matt 20 v28
2. This very humble act from our Saviour and Lord is teaching us something - What is it? and how should we serve one another V16
3. How and Why did Peter react like he did when Jesus wanted to wash his feet and how did Jesus reply? 
4. Two great words we hear little of today but what's the difference between sanctification and justification?
5. How can we emulate Jesus' humility and love with one another and in church/workplace?

Dying to Live?

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Dying to Live?

Reading: John 12:20-36

1. Why did the Greeks need to ask to see Jesus?
2. Does Jesus see them? Explain.
3. Discuss the powerful pictures of the grain "dying" and the walking in the light. How can we apply these things to our own lives?
4. Verses 27-34: what are the important things about what Jesus is saying here? Is any of this confusing? If so talk it through as a group (refer back to the sermon).
5. Spend some time praying for each other as a group and the wider church, that we would take this teaching seriously.

God Has A Plan!

 

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: God has a plan!

Reading: John 12:12-19

1. What do you think of when you think about Palm Sunday?
2. What was the reason for so many people went out to meet Jesus, what were they wanting from Him?
3. Discuss the prophecies in Zech. 9:9 and Daniel 9:20-27. What does this tell us about God's plan?
4. What does verse 16 tell us about how we should understand God's plan? And also how we should approach situations that we find bewildering in our personal lives?
5.  Pray for us as a church, as housegroups and as individuals that we may faithfully seek to live in obedience to Christ.