Single, Married, Divorced, Sex and all that stuff!

Here's the link to the Sermon: Single or Married - What is right for me? 

Reading: 1 Corinthians 7

Using the passage, the sermon, your experience and the guidance of The Holy Spirit, spend some time discussing the following areas (ideally get the questions and discussion coming from all members of the group, and remember these are some hard issues foe some):

1. Marriage – for example: when is it right and when might it be wrong, should a Christian marry someone who’s not, what about sex?
2. Singleness – for example: people could be ‘single’ at various points in their life or for the whole of their lives, what does scripture teach about these? How does society view singleness and celibacy?
3. Divorce – Pastor outlined New Connexions understanding of scriptures teaching on this, what is it, how do you feel about it, does it reflect scripture?
4. What should someone do when they become a Christian, after they marry a non-Christian?
5. How should a bible believing church deal with the sensitive issue of homosexuality (based on what scripture teaches)?
6. What are the implications of all the above on the way we should care and support one another?

Prayer for Sierra Leone Mission September & October

Sunday: Pray that the breakthrough in finding a successful inoculation for ebola might bring to an end the present epidemic and prevent further outbreaks.  Also pray that the price of this drug might not be prohibitive to the poor.

Monday: It is almost a year since Daniel Koroma lost his wife to cancer.  Please pray for him and his daughter. It is also a year since he became our agent, pray for him and his added responsibilities.

Tuesday: Please pray that everyone worshipping in a Connexional Church in England will realise the responsibility that we accepted at Conference 2015.  It was agreed that there needed to be an increase in giving to continue the work effectively in S.L.

Wednesday: Thank God that the owner of the building – Bethesda has agreed that the children may remain there for a further 7 months – rent free!

Thursday: Thank God that £23,000 has been given specifically for the new Bethesda. Trust and pray for a further £9,000 to complete the interior.

Friday:As we continue to send out ‘rice money’ pray that those people receiving this gift might realise the true’ giver’ as Jesus.

Saturday: Our main concern in S.L. is the furtherance of the gospel. Please pray that in the wake of ebola there might be a mighty awakening in the churches of the Connexion. That Christians will be inspired tobe a great witness where they live.

Getting to grips with: Being a Worshipping Church

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Getting to grips with: Being a Worshipping Church


Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:8-36

1. Describe worship.
2. In this reading, the worship stems from the arrival of the Ark of the Covenant in Jerusalem. What is that and why was it so important?
3. Take time to go through this 'psalm' it is a call to worship - talk about the various commands: what they mean and why they are important.
4. Corporate worship (worship together is important. How can we encourage each other in worship and in which ways might we disturb other people from worshipping?
5. In your closing prayers spend some time giving thanks and praise in prayer before moving to intercession.

Getting to grips with: Being a United Church

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Getting to grips with: Being a United Church


Reading: Ephesians 3:14-4:16

1. Discuss the last 7 verses of chapter 3. Consider each verse and how we ought to apply it to our lives.
2. As a result of those 7 verses Paul takes us through a whole list of behaviours we ought to display (Ephesians 4:1-6). Which ones are missing in our church, is there anything we should be doing about it?
3. Which gifts are personal and which are for building up the church? V.7
4. Verses 11&12 focus on key gifts which will bring unity in an obedient church. Why are they key gifts and what is the effect of a church obediently using them (c.f. verses 14-16)