When Jonah saw God pour out his mercy and forgiveness on the city of Nineveh he became angry. He wanted those evil people punished. But God wants us to show mercy and forgiveness to others, just as He has shown us. Jonah 3:10-4:11
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Luke 7:1-10
Faith Unexpected
Intro:
• What is this story about?
• Describe the different ways to view the kingdom of God. (Hint: listen for the verbs.)
• What does this story persuade the reader to do?
• What do the four “movements” in the text explain about our expectations?
Transition (7:1)
• Which chapters fit into the wider unit of Luke’s narrative?
• Which OT scroll does Jesus read from in Nazareth?
• What does the scroll outline?
• Luke 4-8 narrates Jesus’ provocative claim that the kingdom of God especially benefits whom?
• Who, in our story, qualifies as the “poor”? Why?
Plot (7:2-3)
• What is the basic plot?
• What are the two-character descriptions given about the centurion?
• What is the “heightened” plot within these social dynamics?
Rising Tension (7:4-8)
• What is the “surprising interruption” in the middle of this scene?
• What did the Jewish elders focus on while misrepresenting the centurion’s message?
• What do the Jewish elders mean when they say the centurion “loves our nation”? (Hint: record the mainverb.)
• What do the Jewish elders mean when they say the centurion “built a synagogue”?
• How does this scene drip with irony?
• What are the two ways to approach Jesus? (Hint: listen for the verbs.)
Resolution (7:9-10)
• What is Luke and Jesus’ message in the resolution?
• Why does Jesus put the priority on faith?
• What does this text require of us?
Memory verse:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20b)
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Galatians 1:6-10
No Other Gospel
Summary:
One of the most wonderful, joyful truths that we learn in the Bible is that God is willing to save us by faith in Jesus ALONE, not by our good works. As we study Paul's letter to the Galatians, we'll see that this is so important for us to believe. Anything else is a false Gospel! Let's listen to Paul describe it:
Outline:
1. The danger of a false Gospel
2. God's judgment on false teachers
3. God's answer: there is only ONE Gospel
Verse: Galatians 2:16...Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ...
Discussion Questions:
1. How does Paul address the Galatians in chapter 1:6-10? How is it different from the way he speaks of the false teachers?
2. Why is Paul
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Good News for Recovering Pharisees
Galatians 1:1-5
Summary:
These days we are finally starting to get out and do things more after so long staying home because of the virus. It feels like freedom! But there is a bigger virus, and an even bigger freedom that is ours if we know Jesus. The virus is sin, and the freedom is the forgiveness God gives us by His grace alone. That is what we'll see today as we start a new study of Paul's letter to the Galatians. Let's think about what that means:
Outline:
Why do we need this letter from God?
1. Because it is Good News from God Himself
2. Because we are recovering Pharisees
3. Because we need the news of freedom
Verse: Gal 2:16 16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ...
Discussion Questions:
1. This week, read through Paul's letter to the Galatians several times. What do you think is the main point of his letter?
2. What is meant by the sentence,
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Naaman was suffering from leprosy and learned that it was best for him to humble himself and follow God's simple instructions. 2 Kings 5:1-16
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The prophet Elisha showed God's love to the widow and her sons. By trusting in God she saw Him working through Elisha to meet all her needs. 2 Kings 4:1-7
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Trusting God and Living Wisely in Troubled Times
Proverbs 21
1. Take courage, God is on the throne (21:1-2, 30-31)
2. Live wisely: Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God (21:3-4, Micah 6:8)
3. Live wisely: Be slow to speak, quick to listen (21:23, James 1:19-20)
Proverbs 21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.
Discussion questions:
1. Take a few minutes for an honest assessment of your heart. How have you been at guarding your heart and trusting God's sovereignty during these troubling days?
2. How does Proverbs 21:1-2 help reset our worldview and perspective during days of trouble?
3. How does Proverbs 21 in general call us to wise living in the face of chaos and national unrest? Where are the areas where you have struggled to live in wisdom recently?
4. How should the Gospel shape our words? How should actions be shaped when we know our own sin has been washed clean by the blood of Jesus?
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Title: Refugee Spirituality
Text: 1 Peter 2:9-12
Intro
1. What is Peter’s message in 1 Peter?
2. What does the Bible mean when it uses the word “exile”?
3. What’s the point of this text?
Coronation (v.9-10)
1. How many times is Jewish exile language used prior to our text? List the provided summary statements.
2. Is our royal identity recognized? Why or why not.
3. What is the purpose of our disguised royal identity?
4. What specific “excellency” are we to announce?
Summons (v.11-12)
1. Are the “passions of the flesh” sexual desires?
2. How are the two imperatives (“abstain” and “keep”) related?
3. What is the implied dishonorable conduct?
4. What happens if you follow this dishonorable conduct?
5. Does refusing to retaliate guarantee you won’t be attacked?
6. What is at the center of a refugee spirituality?
7. Can Christians have enemies?
Memory Verse
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
(1 Peter 2:9)
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Heaven is REAL and a very beautiful place with plenty of 'No Mores'… No More tears, No More death, No More sadness, No More crying and No More pain. Revelation 21
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Proverbs 22:1-6
Train Up a Child, Part 1
Summary: Did you know that the job of parents is to train their children in the way of wisdom? This is what Proverbs tells us. Parents are to teach and train their kids to love God and live wisely. Let's think about it!
Outline:
Training kids for a life of wisdom:
1. The means: coaching their hearts
2. The goal: train them in the way they should go
3. The hope: godliness
Verse: Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Discussion Questions:
1. Read Proverbs 22:6. How might this promise be wrongly interpreted? how do we balance it Scripturally?
2. What do you think are some of the central things parents are to teach their kids?
3. If you are a parent, where do you feel your weakness the most in your role as you shepherd your children?
4. What can you do differently this week to actively shepherd your children's hearts toward Jesus? If you do not have kids, how can you encourage and support parents around you?
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Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, 27:6,9,17
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Proverbs 31:10-31
Praise Her in the Gates
Summary: Today is Mother’s Day! Make sure you say Happy Mother’s Day to your Mom today and I hope all our moms enjoy a day where we thank them for all they do. Today as we study Proverbs we're going to look at chapter 31 and see someone called
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Proverbs 15
Words: Apples of Gold
Summary:
Have you ever said something that you wish you hadn't said to another person? Or maybe someone said something to you that hurt you? Our words are powerful, either to hurt or heal others. The Proverbs tells us about the power of our words. Let's listen to God's words today:
Outline:
The Power of our words:
1. Words of peace
2. Words of knowledge
3. Words of life
Verse:
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Discussion questions:
1. Read Proverbs 15 individually or with your family. What are the ways in which this chapter speaks about the power of our words?
2. How might your words spread strife instead of peace?
3. What do you think Solomon means when he says
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Happy Birthday Church! Jesus sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to give power to His disciples to boldly tell others the Good News of His death and resurrection for forgiveness of their sins. Acts 2:1-24
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Proverbs 6:16-19
Seven Deadly Sins
Summary:
I wonder how things have gone for you this week as you've lived together with your family at home during this time? If you're like me, some days are good, and other days I see my sin in how I speak and act. Today, as we study Proverbs, God tells that He HATES sin! And He wants us to feel the same way. Let's pray that God would help us to do that today.
Outline:
Seven deadly sins:
1. God HATES sin
2. God describes sin's darkness
3. God solves the hatred
Verse:1 Peter 2:9a (ESV)9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession...
Discussion questions:
1. Why is it so important for us to know how deeply God hates sin?
2. Which of these sins in Proverbs 6:16-19 is the biggest struggle for you? Why?
3. Would you say you are currently, actively fighting against sin, or are you giving in to its temptations? What should you be doing to kill sin in your life this week?
4. How did God ultimately deal with His hatred of sin? How will he do that finally one day? How can this help you in the war against sin?
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After rising from the dead Jesus revealed himself to two men on the road to Emmaus. He taught them what God had written in the Old Testament about His suffering, death and resurrection before vanishing. Luke 24:13-35
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Matthew 28:1-17
Worship The Risen Christ
Summary:
He is Risen! Today, even though we can't be together, we can still be glad that Jesus is risen from the dead! Today let's hear Matthew tell us about the resurrection of Jesus and learn how it should change us:
Outline:
1. Don't be afraid
2. Come and see
3. Go and tell
4. Fall down and worship
Verse: Matthew 28:5-6 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.
Discussion Questions:
1. What are the ways you might be able to make this Easter a significant time of worship, even though we can't worship in person together? How might God want you to
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Today is called
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In the dark of night Nicodemus learns from Jesus that to enter the kingdom of heaven he must be born again. John 3:1-17
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Burial Preparations
John 12:1-8
Summary:
Have you ever broken something really expensive? I broke a vase that belonged to my mom once (not a really expensive one, but still it was nice!). What would you think of someone who did that intentionally? That would seem wasteful. Today we're going to start getting ready for Easter by looking at the moment when Mary broke open a really expensive bottle of perfume and poured it on Jesus. Why would she do this? Let's find out together:
Outline:
1. Judas: a heart of stone
2. Mary: A heart of worship
3. Jesus: the One at the heart of it all
Verse: John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Discussion Questions:
1. Think about Judas' response in this scene in John 12. How might you have responded to Mary's act? What is he missing?
2. Why would Mary have done this? What would lavish devotion look like in your life?
3. How might this account in John 12 help you today as you prepare for Good Friday and Easter?
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