Heart Trouble?

Here's the link to the Sermon: A Work To Do In Your Heart  

Reading: Jonah 4

1. What is the book of Jonah mainly about, and what are the other themes?
2. Why is Jonah so angry at God? What does it tell us about Jonah?
3. What is the lesson God is teaching Jonah in this chapter? How does He do it?
4. We're not told Jonah's response, why is that?
5. Discuss ways in which we can apply the message of this book to our lives

Angelic, yeah right!

Do you find the idea that there are invisible supernatural beings around and amongst a bit hard to swallow?

I mean all the fantasy books and films you’ve read and seen paint a funny old picture of elves and fairies and super spiritual beings, but really!?

And if you’ve got an angel on your Christmas tree, the chances are it’s looking like a Scandinavian girl with wings or a chubby looking baby thing.

I wonder what answers you might give if you were asked what you know about angels? Maybe if you’ve been watching some old films you might say “every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings.” Well that’s a line from “Its a Wonderful Life” not the Bible.

Good old C.S. Lewis wrote plenty about angels (you could check out  the Eldila in his Space Trilogy, Mere Christianity, or maybe try the Screwtape Letters)

Here’s an excerpt from Screwtape Letters: It should be (but it is not) unnecessary to add that a belief in angels, whether good or evil, does not mean a belief in either as they are represented in art and literature. Devils are depicted with bats’ wings and good angels with birds’ wings, not because anyone holds that moral deterioration would be likely to turn feathers into membrane, but because most men like birds better than bats. They are given wings at all in order to suggest the swiftness of unimpeded intellectual energy. They are given human form because man is the only rational creature we know....

Of Course, Lewis is spot on, we only have to read the first chapter of Luke’s Gospel to find some pretty terrifying angelic appearances (Luke 1:11-20, 26-38, 2:8-14).

But does it matter if we bother too much about angels? Do we really have to believe in them? And what’s happened to them since all that stuff in the bible? And what is it they do, and where do demons fit in?

Well if you missed our crash course on January 4th 2015 when we looked at this as we introduced our verse for the year:

2 Corinthians 4:18 –  “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”
then pick it up here - sermon link

Some references mentioned in the sermon:

• Angels bring GOD’S MESSAGES. (Matt. 1:20; 2:13,19; Luke 1:19,26-27).
• They provide REVELATION, dreams, and understanding. (Dan. 8:15-19; Rev. 1:1).
• Angels give GUIDANCE and DIRECTION. (Acts 8:26; Gen. 24:7).
• They RESCUE. (See Is. 37:36; 2 Kings 19:35).
• Angels PROTECT. They guard little children, have charge over and protect believers, ‘camp’ around those who fear God. (Matt. 18:10; Ps. 34:7; 91:11-12).
• Angels provide supernatural STRENGTH. (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:42; Dan. 10:16).
• They minister to God through PRAISE AND WORSHIP. (Luke 2:14; Rev. 5:11-12).
• Angels are warriors of WAR. (Gen. 32:1-2; Dan. 10:13; Rev. 12:7).
• Angels meet out God’s JUDGMENTS. (Gen. 19:11; Ex. 12:21-23; Rev. 16:17).

Who Killed Jesus?

Reading: John 11: 45 - 57
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Who Killed Jesus?  

1. Verses 47-48 This is a major change in tempo, the top people were meeting?
1. What made them react so seriously and quickly?
2. What was the aim of their meeting?
3. Did they doubt Jesus miraculous power?
2. Verses 49-52 are the key to this passage.
1. Why are these verses important? In the sermon we picked out four points, what were they?
2. Can you find any others?
3. Who Killed Jesus and why?
4. Think back over the first 11 chapters of John.
1. Discuss as a group things which might have struck you for the first time or you have been reminded about?
2. What picture of Jesus has come through John's account so far?
3. What have you picked up through the teaching, discussion and prayer around John that has impacted your life? Talk this through as a group.

Death Defeated! Really

Reading: John 11: 17 - 44
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Death Defeated! Really?  

1. Why did Jesus only arrive after Lazarus had been dead 4 days?
2. Discuss what Martha and Mary said to Him? 
3. Jesus said 'I Am the Resurrection and The Life' What does that mean?
4. What condition was Lazarus in when the tomb was opened and why does that matter to John's telling of the story here? 
5. This raising of Lazarus had a significant effect on the people present and the whole world - what effect has it had on you? and what have you learned? 
6. Spend some time in prayer for each other, for the Church and our community in the area between Kings Avenue and Deacons Lane. That we would live in the strength and Power of Christ; for His Glory

Some Application Questions to take home

1. There may be things in your life that do you not believe that Jesus has the power to put right, heal, and/or change? Pray this through.

2. How could your life change if you were to believe Jesus fully?

3. Mary fell at the feet of Jesus. How do we place our burdens at the feet of Jesus?

Back on the right track - again

Joel 2:25-26 reminds us:

I will restore to you the years

that the swarming locust has eaten...

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,

and praise the name of the Lord your God,

who has dealt wondrously with you.

There will be times in our lives when we slip, when we think we've listened to God guiding us, but we get it wrong...

When that happens let's not make the mistake of allowing the enemy to convince us that we’ve suddenly become second class Christians. God’s grace is sufficient!

You see the devil will spin a tale something like this:

        Your life is planned out for you by God, who acts like some kind of cosmic travel agent. So as long as you turn up in the right place at the right time and stick to His itinerary then you’re fine… But the moment you miss one of the connections God has sent you to the plan is ruined. Yes if you ask Him, God will draw up another one for you, but it will always be a bit second best, it can you can never really recover, not properly…

Don’t ever believe that; don’t believe the lie that God doesn’t have the wisdom or the resolve to, immediately you ask Him, pick you up, dust you down and set you on the best, the perfect, path for you. God can and does graciously restore us, when we let Him…

Only when we live our faith will we really get it...

Reading: John 7:1-24

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Are you missing the point?  

1. Think about and discuss why Jesus' brothers suggested all the things they suggest (verses 3-4).
2. Verse 5 says Jesus' brothers didn't believe– discuss the difference between true faith and a misplaced or false faith.
3. Look at verses 10-13
• why did Jesus go secretly?
• what did Jesus mean by "my time"?
• consider how you measure up to verse 13 - are you afraid to speak the whole gospel in public (not just the politically acceptable parts)?
4. Verse 17 - how is it that we can know the truth of Jesus's teaching? we looked at this for some time in the sermon. Why is it crucial to a Christian?
5. What was the thing that had really upset the religious leaders? Talk through how Jesus answers that.
6. Read verse 24 in different translation, then discuss it.

Some kind of celestial baker?

Reading: John 6:22-40

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Some kind of celestial baker?  

1. Why were the people searching after Jesus now, and why do many people follow Jesus these days?
2. What is the right motivation for following God? What should our attitude be towards spiritual rewards and material benefits? How does Jesus deal with this issue in verse 27?
3. What is the difference between every man-made religion and what Jesus taught us (see verse 29)?
4. Discuss verse 30: What sign do you think would be enough to convince them?
5. Verse 31 -33. What is the difference between the manna that Moses gave (through God) and the bread of God?
6. Is it possible for somebody to be called but not end up saved (37)?
7. Is it possible for somebody to lose their salvation after they have come to true faith in Christ? Why or why not?

Just About Ready To Bail Out?

Reading: John 6:16-21

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Just About Ready To Bail Out?  

1. What do we know about Galilee, it's geography, topology and weather?
2. Read the other accounts of what happened in Mark 6:45ff and Matthew 14:22ff. Why are there differences, and what more can we learn, by looking at all the evidence?
3. Would Jesus ever send us into a ferocious, dangerous storm? Discuss the ramifications of this:
• why would He/wouldn't He?


• what does that tell us about Him?


• how are we supposed to respond?


• when are we most likely to hit storms?


4. Had the disciples understood what the feeding of the 5000 meant?
5. What ought we learn from this passage?
6. Pray for those known to us who are in the midst of a storm at present.

Would you share your lunch?

Reading: John 6:1-15

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Would you give away your lunch?  

1. Why were the people following after Jesus; what was it they wanted? Talk this through.
2. Read verses 4-7 and discuss the things that stand out to you. For instance, what would you have thought if you were Philip?
3. Discuss verse 5. In particular consider a) how the women might have responded to this and b) how we might, "seek the living from among the dead" in our lives? 
4. Verse 4 mentions the Passover, verse 9 tells us the bread was made of barley and later on in the chapter Jesus will speak of being the bread of life. How does this all add up? 
5. Verse 12 tells us Jesus wasted nothing. What can we learn from this as a church and how should that fact affect the way we Christians live our lives?
6. Jesus slipped away - why?
7. The boy was willing to give the little he had to Jesus.
• what might stop us from doing that?
• what will we miss out on?
• would you give your lunch? 

Study Questions: The Resurrection huh, that’s crazy!

Reading: Luke 24:1-12

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: The Only Hope  

1. Why Does the resurrection matter? (c.f. Romans 4: 24&25; 1 Corinthians 15: 53-57) Spend some time discussing this.
2. Why do you think the women had to go to the tomb - why didn't the angels save them the journey and meet them at home?
3. Discuss verse 5. In particular consider a) how the women might have responded to this and b) how we might, "seek the living from among the dead" in our lives? 
4. Discuss verses 6-8. What are the things we can learn from these verses for our lives?
5. How did the women respond to what they saw, heard and experienced? How does this compare to the apostles response and what can we learn from this?
6. There are countless people who need to hear the truth about the resurrection, what are you going to do about it?
7. Spend some time in prayer for each other and for our church as a whole, that we may come more and more to live in obedience to Jesus Christ, and fulfil, in our time, Matthew 28: 19-20.

Study Questions: Don't Just Stand Up!

Reading: John 5:1-15

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Don't Just Stand Up!  

1. Does archaeology generally back the biblical account?
2. Jesus just heals one man amongst the many, why do you think that is?
3. Discuss the fact that Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed? Why is that such an astute question? 
4. What were the three points that were picked out in the sermon from verse 8 for us to apply to our lives? Talk them through as a group, taking each one in as much depth as you can.
5. When Jesus heals, it is about wholeness. What should that mean?
6. What would a return to sin mean for this man? And what about you?
7. Spend some time in prayer for each other and for our church as a whole, that we may come more and more to live in obedience to Jesus Christ.

Study Questions: What do you really believe?

Reading: John 4:43-54

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: What do you really believe?  

1. The Gospels tell us about different kinds of miracles Jesus performed, how many can you think of and what was the main purpose of them?
2. Verses 43 to 45 look a bit contradictory (they're not), so what is going on here, what is John telling us?
3. Discuss the whole of the account of the miracle; considering, especially, the words and actions of Jesus and the Father of the sick boy. 
4. What were the points that were picked out in the sermon for us to apply to our lives? Talk them through as a group.
5. There are lessons in this passage for us in how to approach prayer. What are they?
6. Spend some time in prayer for each other and for our church as a whole, that we may come more and more to live in obedience to Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Study Questions: What do you mean born again?

Reading: John 3:1-16

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: What do you mean born again? 

1.    Verse 1-2. What do we know about Nicodemus and why did he visit Jesus at night?

2.    Verse 3-4. Nicodemus was talking about miraculous signs, but immediately Jesus changed the conversation and said “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” Should Nicodemus have understood this?

3.    Discus verses 5-6. cf. Ezekiel 36 & 37 (water and spirit).

4.    Who causes new birth?

5.    How many times is the word believe mentioned in these verses and how can we make ourselves believe?

6.    Verses 12-14. Discuss these verses cf. Numbers 21: 4-9. What stands out most to you? (God’s wrath and our sin).

7.    Read John 3:16, consider what it means to you, and use it as a start point for prayer.

 

Study Questions: A Spot of Spring Cleaning

Reading: John 2:13-25

 

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Spring Cleaning

 

1. Verse 13: What is Passover? (Exodus 12:1-14): What condition did the lamb need to be in and what did the lamb and its blood symbolise?
2. Verse 14-16: What was the big deal about:  a) the market place? b) the bureau de change?
3. Where does the Bible say the judgment will begin? 1 Peter 4:17?
4. How many times did Jesus clear the temple?
5. Study and discuss verses 23-25, what does it mean?
6. How can we apply all of this to our lives today?
7. Are we ready for Jesus to suddenly appear again?

 

Study Questions: What a way to launch a ministry!!

Reading: John 2:1-12

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: What a way to launch a ministry

1. Verse 1: What do we know about weddings and marriage as described in the Bible? And why is it important that we understand about this?
2. Verse 2: What was the big deal about the wine running out?
3. Verse 4: Discuss how Jesus addressed Mary; what is going on here?
4. Verse 5: Talk through what Mary said to the servants.
5. Verse 6-8: look at the details in these verses, what stands out to you and why?
6. Discuss what was said about the bridegroom and Jesus at the close of the sermon.
7. How can we apply all of this to our lives today?