Centreville Presbyterian Church

Truths About Temptation

blackcml — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:42:58 +0000

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Speaker: Reverend J. Robin Bromhead

HomeFront, Winter Retreat pics, and Devotional

sharon — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:11:49 +0000

High School Ministry Updates 2.21.12

Thank you for your prayers and participation in this past weekend’s Winter Retreat! What an amazing group of students and adults! Check out the pictures on our facebook page. We even had participants in the evening’s Torch Run at Whitetail!

High School Winter Retreat 2012

A special shout-out to our adult leaders: Cathy B, Jenn D, Tim L, Ashley and Philip W.! I am so deeply grateful for your commitment to the students. Thank you for giving of your time and your life to discipling and being witnesses of your faith in Jesus Christ.

Announcements….

HomeFront. This Sunday, February 26 (7-8:30 pm) is our next high school large group gathering back to room 206! The 2012 missional focus will challenge us to live out our faith daily. Worship, snacks, and rowdy games are included as well! All mission team members need to attend.

NOTE to Guatemala Team: Thank you for hosting HomeFront this week. Arrive at 6:30pm to open walls and set up. And, we look forward to the tasty snackss you bring to share. Plan to stay about 15 minutes late to close the walls and re-set the room. THANK YOU!!

Guatemala and Yucatan Teams. Your $800 payment is due this Friday, February 24. If you prefer paying with a check (instead of online through the CPC website), you may bring a check on Sunday, February 26. Please put your check in the white registration box hanging next to my office door.

“Art for Hope” Auction. The high school international teams host CPC’s first art auction on Saturday, March 24 (7:00 p.m.)! Join us for an elegant evening of art, hors ‘d oeuvres, and live entertainment. The event features art in various mediums and price ranges, along with silent auction, door prizes and raffles. Admission: $20 per person, $35 per couple. Tickets available from mission team members !!

(REALLY Important) Sunday Morning Life Group Snacks. We have a few more weeks on our snack schedule for the Sunday morning Life Groups. For the remainder of the year, I have created a sign-up through Volunteer Spot. Love the new technology! Here is the link to sign-up. Thank you so much for contributing to this critical piece of ministry! :-)

Sunday Morning Ministries. Join us for Life Groups (9th – 12th grades) every week at 10:00 a.m. in room 206. We begin the new season as we discuss having a missional lifestyle…including the joys and the struggles!

Do you Tweet? Follow us on twitter @CPCStudent for event updates, weather changes, retreat check-ins, and more. Or go here and scroll down to “tweets” to get live updates. If you are a facebook user, be sure to also ”like” the CPC High School facebook page for even more details!

Blessings,

Sharon Hoover
Director of Student Ministry
www.centrevillepres.com
703-830-0098 ext. 17

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

What Jesus Said: Don’t Judge

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1-2)

This might be one of the most often quoted verses in the New Testament by people who don’t often read the New Testament. We’re dropping in on the middle of Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount” this week, kicking off with a verse many of us have attempted to use like a “get out of jail free” card when we’ve been caught in sin.

“Hey! You’re not supposed to judge me for killing kittens! Jesus said so! What is wrong with you? Don’t you ever read your own Bible? Now leave me alone; I’ve got a lot of kittens to get through before supper time.” It goes something like that.

Of course, if you read on to the next verse, Jesus is not saying we should never have an opinion about what is right and what it wrong—or even that we should not lovingly correct each other. He does seem to be saying one of two things. One: It is God’s job to be the judge, not yours. If you try to do His job, you’ll receive from Him the same judgement that you try to pronounce on others.

Or, two, He might be making a wisdom statement about human nature: We all tend to feel and act judgmentally toward people who are judging us. And we tend to give more grace toward those who show us grace and mercy. Either way: If you don’t want to be judged, don’t volunteer to judge others.

Think: Why do we sometimes feel so compelled to judge people who are obviously doing something wrong? How do you decide when it is right to confront a friend about sin and when it is right not to?

Pray: Ask God to help you not to wrongfully judge others and for the wisdom to know when it is right to offer loving and helpful correction to a friend or family member who is sinning.

Do: Think about this verse in light of what you read in James 5:19-20.

Get More Daily Devotionals at PlanetWisdom.com.

2. Surf Report

The Vow [Christianity Today]
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island [Plugged In]

3. Random Randomness:
Approximately one-third of the population can’t snap their fingers!

Reception for Nicole

blackcml — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:24:17 +0000

We will be hosting a Goodbye reception for Director of Middle school Nicole Paullin on Sunday February 26 from 10am-11am in the church lobby as she moves on to her next adventure! We hope you can attend.

We are also asking for donations of finger foods: fruit, coffee cake, donuts, muffins. Please email Kim if you plan to bring a dish.

Communion Class: RSVP Deadline

gerndka — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:32:54 +0000

The Communion Workshop on March 18th is for 3rd through 5th graders and their parents. Reverend Rob Bromhead and Jenny Cudahy (Children’s Ministry Director) will lead the parents and children in learning about the sacrament of Communion.

Communion Workshop RSVP deadline: March 12

Please RSVP to Jenny Cudahy with the number of adults and children attending as well as any food allergies.

MS e-Letter 02.16.12

nicole — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:24:56 +0000

February 25 Lamb Center Breakfast (7-8:30pm)

February 29 CrossRoads (7-8:30pm)

March 7 CrossRoads (7-8:30pm)

March 21 CrossRoads (7-8:30pm)

THERE WILL BE NO NIGHT.FEST ON MARCH 28.

—-

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Sunday School Snacks. Thanks to the many parents that sign-up to bring the middle school students snacks each week. If you haven’t had the chance to do so, please go to volunteer spot now. There are still many available dates, including THIS Sunday, February 19.

Sunday Morning Ministries. All middle school students (6th – 8th grades) are invited to join us upstairs in room 206 for Sunday School. We enjoy time together to discuss putting our faith into action. After class be sure to stay for a few minutes of fellowship and YUMMY snacks!

CrossRoads. Our middle school ministry’s large group (6th- 8th graders) will regather in a couple weeks, February 29 (7-8:30 p.m.). Bring a friend and join us for an evening to go deeper in your faith amidst laughter of friends and feast of great food!

There will be NO HOUSE PARTIES this season.

Lamb Center Breakfast. If you have an interest in missions and a heart to serve, please join us on February 25 as we go to serve breakfast to the guests of the Lamb Center. If you can’t make it, no problem, perhaps you can send a casserole instead. We need the following donations: egg casseroles, hard boiled eggs, bananas, apples, oranges, small yogurts. If you would like to donate please email Pam Murdoch at snpmurdoch@aol.com to arrange pick-up/drop-off. We need a few volunteers to help serve. Thanks!

Blessings,

Nicole Paullin
Director of Middle School Ministry
www.centrevillepres.com
703-830-0098 ext. 18

–

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

When Plans Change: Need Rest?

“The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ ” (Mark 6:30-31)

How do you handle it when your plans get changed, even for good reasons? Does it stress you out? Do you feel disappointed, angry even? We’re going to learn along with Jesus’ disciples this week some big ideas about how to handle an unexpected change of plans.

Being one of Jesus’ disciples was a crazy life. They were worn out, too busy from ministry with Jesus among the huge crowds to even find time to eat. Jesus saw the problem and said, “Let’s get away; we need rest.”

I’d guess that sounded really good to them. They’d just come back from a mission away from Jesus; they probably felt like they needed some time with him that didn’t involve hordes of needy people. You might feel that way sometimes. Time alone with God is important. Rest is essential. We’re not built to just keep going — even in serving God — without stopping until we fall over.

So the plan was to get a break — but the break didn’t happen. Come back tomorrow.

Think: On a scale from 1 to 10, how busy has your life been, lately? Have you been busy doing good things — or just doing? Do you ever get too busy to eat properly? How are you at resting and taking some time to just be alone with God once in a while?

Pray: Ask God to help you to be busy in your life doing things that are worthwhile. Ask Him, too, to give you enough times of rest and being alone with Him to keep from getting too worn out.

Do: Plan some restful time alone with God in the next week or so.

Get More Daily Devotionals at PlanetWisdom.com.

2. Surf Report

The Woman in Black [Christianity Today]
Chronicle [Plugged In]

3. Random Randomness:
8 million pounds of guacamole is consumed on Super Bowl Sunday.

Interim Director of Middle School Ministry Position

gerndka — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:00:27 +0000

Resumes are now being accepted for the Interim Director of Middle School Ministry. This position is 20 hours per week until a permanent director is hired.

Please submit your resume or questions to cpcjobs2012@gmail.com. Accepting resumes through Saturday Feb. 25th.

Women’s Book Club: “Heaven is for Real”

blackcml — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:28:12 +0000

Book Club friends, Our next meeting will be on Friday, March 2nd at 7 PM at CPC. We will be reading “Heaven is For Real” by Todd Burpo for this meeting instead of “The Cat’s Table”. If you did start reading “The Cat’s Table”, please finish and give us a “review” as to whether you liked it, if you recommend we do read it, etc. It was decided that since we have only a short time until our next meeting that “Heaven is for Real” is a short, more do-able book. Please bring suggestions for future reading…… See everyone soon! Debra Payton

Chick-fil-A tonight, HS Retreat on Friday, and Art…coming soon!

sharon — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:28:38 +0000

High School Ministry Updates 2.13.12

Announcements….

Chick-fil-A Fundraier TONIGHT! Join us for dinner and friends at Chantilly’s Chick-fil-A between 5-7:00 p.m. tonight (February 13)! All proceeds go toward the high school international teams. See you at dinner! :-)

Winter Retreat 2012. Space is still available!! We return to Rhodes Grove Conference Center in Pennsylvania for our February 17-19 weekend! Discussions of faith (theme this year: The Resurrection and Lent), connecting with others, great food and lots of games will fill our hours. On Saturday we’ll go to Whitetail Ski Resort to tube, ski, snowboard, or just hang out in the lodge. Download the flier for costs and the permission slip from our “Events” sidebar. Fliers also available outside the Student Min office.

Parents of Winter Retreat Participants. Please join me in room 101 on Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 pm. I’ll returnearly from the retreat to share feedback about the discussions and weekend highlights! Students and fellow leaders will return by 3:00 p.m.

HomeFront. Sunday, February 26 (7-8:30 pm) is our next high school large group gathering back to room 206! The 2012 missional focus will challenge us to live out our faith daily. Worship, snacks, and rowdy games are included as well! All mission team members need to attend.

International Summer Mission Teams. If you are interested in serving on one of next summer’s international teams and have not registered yet, please contact me as soon as possible. The Guatemala team is full, but the Yucatan (June 30-July 7) and Zambia (July 17-31) teams have space available. Info sheets and applications are on our website.

Blessings,

Sharon Hoover
Director of Student Ministry
www.centrevillepres.com
703-830-0098 ext. 17

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

When Plans Change: Need Rest?

So the plan was to get a break — but the break didn’t happen. Come back tomorrow.

Pray: Ask God to help you to be busy in your life doing things that are worthwhile. Ask Him, too, to give you enough times of rest and being alone with Him to keep from getting too worn out.

Do: Plan some restful time alone with God in the next week or so.

Get More Daily Devotionals at PlanetWisdom.com.

2. Surf Report

The Woman in Black [Christianity Today]
Chronicle [Plugged In]

3. Random Randomness:
8 million pounds of guacamole is consumed on Super Bowl Sunday.

Christianity: Your Claim or Your Character

kent — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:15:50 +0000

Speaker: Rev. M. Michelle Fincher

Scripture: Luke 3:1-22

Sermon Notes 021212

MS e-Letter 02.08.12

nicole — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:11:33 +0000

UPDATED CALENDAR…(see ANNOUNCEMENTS for more information)

February 8 CrossRoads (7-8:30 pm)

February 15 CrossRoads (7-8:30 pm)

February 25 Lamb Center Breakfast (7-8:30pm)

February 29 CrossRoads (7-8:30pm)

—-

ANNOUNCEMENTS!

CrossRoads. Our middle school ministry’s large group (6th- 8th graders) gathers this Wednesday and next, February 8 & 15 (7-8:30 p.m.). Bring a friend and join us for an evening to go deeper in your faith amidst laughter of friends and feast of great food!

There will be NO HOUSE PARTIES this season.

Lamb Center Breakfast. If you have an interest in missions and a heart to serve, please join us at the end of February as we go to serve breakfast to the guests of the Lamb Center. If you can’t make it, no problem, perhaps you can send a casserole instead. More information coming soon!

Blessings,

Nicole Paullin
Director of Middle School Ministry
www.centrevillepres.com
703-830-0098 ext. 18

–—

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Bigger Grace: The Same Sosthenes?

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes.” (1 Corinthians 1:1)

We’re trying to wrap our minds around the huge idea of grace week. Let’s look at Paul’s pen man for his letter to the Christians in Corinth. Scholars guess this might be the same guy — with the same name — who dragged Paul in front of a Roman court in Corinth in Acts 18 trying to get him jailed or killed for converting so many people to Christianity.

That Sosthenes was the Jewish “synagogue ruler” who had his case thrown out by the Roman judge and then got beat up by an angry Gentile mob of people who hated the Jews. That’s the last we hear of him, lying beaten on the street while Paul goes back to spreading the good news about Jesus.

Then this verse quite a while later. What an amazing story if this is the same guy. It would mean that, like the synagogue leader in Corinth before him, Sosthenes also believed in Jesus, putting all of his hope in the grace and forgiveness of God instead of following the Law — and went to work with the same apostle he tried to get arrested.

God’s grace works like that, converting enemies into family members, granting the highest privileges to the worst of sinners, offering forgiveness in exchange for simple belief. Stay tuned.

Think: Do you know anyone who lived the worst kind of life — even hating God — before finally coming to faith in Christ and the promise of heaven? Does that bother you or excite you?

Pray: Ask God to help you to better understand His grace this week.

Do: Read the whole story of Paul and then Sosthenes in Acts 18:1-17.

Get More Daily Devotionals at PlanetWisdom.com.

2. Surf Report

Man on a Ledge [Christianity Today]
The Grey [Plugged In]

3. Random Randomness:
The faster a kangaroo hops, the less energy it burns!

High School News: Missional HomeFront Kicks off this Sunday

sharon — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:38:19 +0000

High School Ministry Updates 2.5.12

Announcements….

Guest Speaker in Life Groups. The next week (Sunday, Feb 12) we welcome guest speaker, Marcia Montenegro, back to Life Groups for a second week (10-10:45 am in 206). Her discussion yesterday generated good conversation and questions. If you missed last week, be sure to come this Sunday!! Through her ministry, Christian Answers for the New Age, she has impacted many lives. Marcia offers valuable insights to the truth of the gospel while shedding light into the distortions of the New Age and eastern traditions.

HomeFront. Next Sunday, February 12 (7-8:30 pm) brings the high school large group gathering back to room 206! The 2012 missional focus will challenge us to live out our faith daily. Worship, snacks, and rowdy games are included as well! All mission team members need to attend.

SAVE THE DATE: March 24 (7:00 p.m.) Art for Hope art auction to help send the international mission teams to Guatemala, Yucatan, and Zambia

Blessings,

Sharon Hoover
Director of Student Ministry
www.centrevillepres.com
703-830-0098 ext. 17

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Bigger Grace: The Same Sosthenes?

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes.” (1 Corinthians 1:1)

God’s grace works like that, converting enemies into family members, granting the highest privileges to the worst of sinners, offering forgiveness in exchange for simple belief. Stay tuned.

Think: Do you know anyone who lived the worst kind of life — even hating God — before finally coming to faith in Christ and the promise of heaven? Does that bother you or excite you?

Pray: Ask God to help you to better understand His grace this week.

Do: Read the whole story of Paul and then Sosthenes in Acts 18:1-17.

Get More Daily Devotionals at PlanetWisdom.com.

2. Surf Report

Man on a Ledge [Christianity Today]
The Grey [Plugged In]

3. Random Randomness:
The faster a kangaroo hops, the less energy it burns!

Credible Good News in an Age of Uncertainty

kent — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:42:38 +0000

Speaker: Rev. Rob Bromhead, Senior Pastor

Scripture: Luke 1: 1-4

Sermon Notes

Growth Group Questions – Mar. 25 Week

gerndka — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:18:36 +0000

ICEBREAKER

If you were forced to live in one of the remote areas below for three months with only what is necessary to survive and no communication with the outside world, which location would you choose and why?

Sahara Desert
South American Rain Forest
Antarctica
Himalayan Mountains
Sailboat in the middle of the ocean
Outer Space

Looking back over your sermon notes, which particular point or principle most challenged, confused you or caught your attention?

DIGGING DEEPER

Looking back at the “Five ‘Simple’ Things Every Disciple Needs to Know & Live By” in this week’s sermon, are there any that were significant to you?

How does this description of love (verses 27-35) challenge you?

In what ways have you experienced God’s mercy? Please be specific.

Read Luke 6: 37-42. In light of this passage, how would you recommend approaching a person who need of help or correction? How do you normally do so?

Share a story from your own life when you experienced what Jesus describes about a speck or fault that you discovered in someone else and how you dealt with that person.

How do you inspect the spiritual fruit (see Luke 6:43-45) that your life is bearing? What are some examples of the “good fruit” that Jesus is referring to here?

What is the connection between the Lordship of Jesus and obedience to him? (see Luke 6:46-49)

How reliable are Jesus’ teachings according to him? What claim does Jesus make about putting his teaching into practice in one’s life?

What are some the “flood waters”, to use Jesus’ metaphor in verse 48, that threaten to damage your life?

Growth Group Questions – Mar. 18 Week

gerndka — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:15:01 +0000

What is surprising about Jesus’ choice of Levi why?

Who would be a modern day equivalent to Levi in terms of his reputation he had in his neighborhood?

Sometimes it’s hard to hear that you’re sick, especially when we think we’re healthy. However, what do the following verses say about our spiritual condition without Christ?

Mark 7:14-23
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23

-What is the metaphor that is used of our spiritual condition in Ephesians 2:1-5?

Romans 7:23

This week we saw how Jesus is the physician for those who are sick spiritually.
List as many observations you can find in Romans 5:1-8 about what we gain
when we surrender everything to Him.

Share about the time and circumstances when you placed your faith in Jesus and experienced the peace with God mentioned in Romans 5:1.

Applying the truths of this passage to our lives.

In what ways does Levi’s response to Jesus serve as an inspiration to you? Please explain.

Are there friends in your life who you could introduce to Jesus? What are their names?

Homework assignment

Spend some time praying for those in your life who may not know Jesus. Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to build a relationship with them by extending the gift of hospitality.

Growth Group Questions – Mar. 11 Week

gerndka — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:12:34 +0000

QUICK REVIEW

Looking back at your notes from Sunday, what was meaningful or new or surprising?

DIGGING DEEPER

1. Recognizing and responding to God’s call in our lives will always involve making decisions.
Discerning God’s will and making good decision is built upon three important foundations:
Scripture, wise counsel, and the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit. Below are some verses that shed additional light on each of these components. Read each one and jot down your insights.

Scripture:

Psalm 119:9-11, 59-61, 97-105
Proverbs 2

Wise Counsel:

Proverbs 15:22
2 Chronicles 10:1-11

The Inner Promptings of the Holy Spirit:

Acts 16:6-10
Acts 20:22-23
John 16:12-14

2. Sunday’s sermon touched on the truth that having faith and following God does not mean
following blindly. Yet, faith always involves an element of the unknown: the “because you say so” from Luke 5:5. Discuss the difference between faith and blind faith. What do we learn about faith from these biblical stories? What have you learned from your own experiences?

Genesis 6:9-22
Genesis 12:1-9
Joshua 6:1-6

3. It is not uncommon to hear people talk about “finding” God’s will which sounds like it is lost or hidden. What difference does it make to know that God wants us to know his will for our lives and is actively involved in revealing that will to us? When we don’t seem to be clear about what God’s will is, what are the implications of that?

TAKING IT HOME

1. A well know adage related to God’s will states that: “If you want to know God’s plan for
tomorrow, follow His plan for today.” Take some time and ask God about His plan for you. Ask Him about the little things and the big things. Ask Him to show you where you can be molded, transformed or sharpened. Then spend some time listening. Listen while you read the Scriptures. Listen to those God may be speaking through. Pay attention to those areas where you may be called to a greater obedience. Consider writing down what you hear this week.

Growth Group Questions – Feb. 26 Week

gerndka — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:01:50 +0000

QUICK REVIEW

Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s message, was there a particular point, verse or comment that caught your attention, challenged you or raised a question?

MY STORY

1. It’s no surprise that most of us at times wish God would do certain things or be someone different than He really is. Complete the following sentence:

“In all honesty, at times I wish God would be or do…”

2. Jesus has good news for us all. Looking back at your spiritual journey, which of the four audiences mentioned in this Sunday’s sermon do you relate to the most and why?

DIGGING DEEPER

1. This Sunday we heard how the expectations of the “eligious” in the synagogue were totally misaligned on what Jesus was going to do for them – they thought their religious practices and affiliation with Jesus was going to provide special benefits and privileges. How do you see similar progression of thought and rationale in 1 Samuel 4:1-10?

In reality, what do these previous verses in 1 Samuel 2:30-35, tell you what God was really after?

Can you think of any modern day examples of how we expect things from God that in reality He has not promised us?

2. Sometimes we can misinterpret God’s promises by claiming them without realizing there’s context and conditions in which they can be claimed. Read the verses below and answer the question in each column.

Promise - Possible Misinterpretation - Fuller Context/Condition

Joshua 1:8-9 v. 7

Philippians 4:19 v. 10-12

John 15:15 v. 9-14

3. Being surprised when the God we want may be different than the God we get can definitely be a bit unsettling. What do these verses tell you about the true nature of the God we follow?

Psalm 86:5
Hebrews 12:5-6
Hebrews 12:28-29
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6
1 John 4:16

Which of these attributes are most important for you to remember and why?

Growth Group Questions – Mar. 4 Week

gerndka — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:01:36 +0000

QUICK REVIEW

Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

MY STORY

1. Looking back at your childhood, how has your view of the devil changed as you’ve grown up?

Is there anything specific that helped shape your view of the devil when you were young?

2. Was there anything surprising to you about how Satan was described in the sermon and what he is capable of doing? If so, what was it?

DIGGING DEEPER

1. Knowing our enemy is a big part of the spiritual battle we all fight. As we learn more about the devil, we’ll be better prepared to understand his schemes and be able to resist him. What do the following verses tell us about who the devil is and how he likes to operate?

John 8:44
Isaiah 14:12-15
Acts 13:9-10
1 Peter 5:8

What insight from these verses is most helpful to you in fighting the spiritual battle?

2. Since the battle we fight against the devil is “not against flesh and blood” but against spiritual forces, we need to use the right spiritual weapons in our fight. In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of a Roman soldier suited up in full armor to help us understand what it takes to overcome the schemes of Satan. Read the passage carefully; look at each piece of armor, and in your own words, describe how it protects and why it’s important.

Piece Of Armor - Protection It Provides – Why It’s Important To Our Christian Life

Can you think of a time or situation where one or more of these “pieces of armor” protected or equipped you in the midst of a tough spiritual battle or attack?

Why do you think Paul ends this passage with such a big emphasis on praying for one another?

3. We heard this Sunday that we need to be aware of the devil but not afraid of him. How could the following verses be of encouragement to you to not worry about the devil being too powerful to resist?

Romans 16:20
1 John 4:4
James 4:7

Growth Group Questions – Feb. 19 Week

gerndka — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:01:24 +0000

QUICK REVIEW

Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon, was there a particular point, verse or comment that caught your attention, challenged you or raised a question?

MY STORY

1. What’s your response to the fact that Jesus was tempted just like you are?

2. “If it feels good, it can’t be wrong” is a powerful lie the Enemy uses to tempt us. It offers deceptive shortcuts to fulfillment. Below is a short list of temptations we regularly encounter. Next to each temptation write what we consider to be a benefit of giving in to that temptation followed by what we lose.

What do we “gain” by giving in? What do we lose by giving in?
Cheating
Gossip
Over-spending
Sexual impurity
Not working through conflict
Exaggerating the truth
Harsh words
Any others you can add?

DIGGING DEEPER

1. The Enemy is an amazing strategist and deceiver when it comes to tempting us. This week we saw how the Enemy strategically tempted Jesus on multiple levels. Genesis 3:1-13 is the first story in history of the Tempter in action going after Adam and Eve. As you read this story, make a list of how the first “yielding to temptation event” resulted in a domino effect of multiple compromises.

Have you ever experienced a similar domino effect in your own life?

2. None of us want to be known as the person who’s blowing it. Realizing that we are giving in to temptation can be quite humbling and frightening to admit. What hope and incentive do the following verses give us when this occurs?

Proverbs 18:12
Isaiah 57:15
Hebrews 4:14-16

3. How does Galatians 6:1-5 show us how to help those who are asking for help to overcome temptation they have given in to?

Growth Group Questions – Feb. 12 Week

gerndka — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:00:06 +0000

QUICK REVIEW

Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon, was there a particular point, verse or comment that caught your attention, challenged you or raised a question?

2 Peter 1:3-9
Philippians 2:12-13

MY STORY

1. This week we heard about the importance of being able to hear strong and challenging words from others. How do you think our culture supports this kind of communication?

2. One of the key questions we need to ask ourselves in order to grow our character is, are we open to difficult or challenging feedback from others. What do the following verses tell us about developing our willingness to receive this kind of feedback?

Do you think people need to generally toughen up to better hear this kind of communication?

Proverbs 10:17
Proverbs 12:1

3. Character growth and change is often best seen when looking at our lives in the rearview mirror. Can you think of a time in your life when God grew your character in ways you didn’t expect? If so, explain.

Proverbs 15:31
Proverbs 28:23

DIGGING DEEPER

1. This Sunday, we heard how we all need to hear the “bad news” before we hear the “Good News.” Titus 3:3-7 puts into perspective who we are without Jesus and who we are with Jesus. As you read this passage, what parts of it do you relate to in your spiritual journey and
understanding? Are there any that seem difficult to identify with?

What has been your experience in hearing challenging words from others?

What might we do when someone is being too harsh?

Growth Group Questions – Feb. 5 Week

gerndka — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:00:15 +0000

QUICK REVIEW

Looking back at your notes from this Sunday’s sermon “Credible Good News in an Age of Uncertainty”, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

MY STORY

1. If you were to ask five of your friends who don’t go to church who Jesus is, how do
you think they would answer and what would they base their answers on?

2. How has your understanding of who Jesus is changed over your life?

What have been the biggest influences in shaping your understanding of Jesus?

DIGGING DEEPER

1. Doubt is something that plagues all of us at one time or another. This Sunday, we saw
Zechariah express his doubt even after the angel Gabriel appeared to him with the news
that he would have a son (Luke 1:18). Below are several incidences in which people in
the Bible showed their doubt. What do you learn about doubt or Jesus’ response to it
from these stories?

John 20:24-29
Mark 9:17-24
Luke 7:18-23

Have you ever felt like doubt has been a hindrance to your faith?

Do you think doubt can ever help you grow spiritually? If so, how?

2. Everyone who hears about Jesus has to make a decision about who they think He is.
The Apostle Paul came to the conclusion that Jesus is who He claimed to be, and he
was killed because of it. In the Book of Colossians, he writes a very clear description of
Jesus. As you read Colossians 1:15-20, what key points do you see Paul making?

What do you find most encouraging or helpful in this passage?

3. We heard this Sunday why we can trust the Bible. Unfortunately, many people don’t
ever read it. That’s where Christians come in. Someone once wrote, “You may be the
only Bible some people will ever read.” How do the following verses help us understand
what this means?

Matthew 5:13-16
Colossians 3:17

Can you think of any people who have done a good job of “being the Bible” to you?
What do you appreciate about how they lived?

TAKING IT HOME

1. Are there any doubts that are tripping you up or hindering your faith?

2. Can you think of anything that might be hindering your ability to be the best Bible to
others that you can be?