Week of Jan. 29 - Feb. 4, 2012

Introduction to Ephesians

 

Questions:

1. What was the most interesting thing you discovered about the book of Ephesians in the teaching?

 

2. In his teaching, Pastor Will outlined the goals of the series, “A Closer Look at the Book”.  Read through the following list and then share some of your personal goals you would like to realize from our walk through Ephesians.

 

The goal of this series is 

· To alleviate some of the intimidation we feel when reading God’s Word

· To inspire a new desire to read and understand God’s Word

· To settle once and for all that the Bible though written years ago is still relevant to our contemporary lives.

 

3. Acts Chapter Nineteen reveals a lot about what God did through Paul in Ephesus. Read through the following list and then discuss the significance you believe it had on changing the culture in Ephesus.  Which is your favorite?

 

Acts 19:1-7

Paul baptized twelve followers of John the Baptist

 

Acts 19:8-10

Reasoned and debated with people in the synagogue for three months, then daily in the hall of Tyrannus for two years.

 

Acts 19:11-12

Healing miracles were performed through Paul.  When handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched Paul were placed on sick people they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

 

Acts 19:13-16

Seven sons of a Jewish priest tried to use Paul’s name to cast out a demon.  The demon claimed to know Jesus and Paul but wouldn’t obey the seven men.

 

Acts 19:17-20

Those who practiced magic were converted and burned their sorcery books and manuals.

 

Acts 19:21-41

Paul’s reputation created a riot because Demetrius accused him of threatening to destroy Diana’s Temple.

Week of Jan. 22-28, 2012

To Give or Not to Give

 

Discussion Questions: 

 

· Read Luke 16:10  If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.

 

In your own words, explain to the group what you believe this scripture is communicating to the reader.

 

· Pastor Will said, “Taking care of small things can make a Big difference.”   Give a practical and spiritual example of that statement.

 

· Read Malachi 3:10:  Do you have a pencil story?  If you do, share it with the group. 

 

· Were you moved by the story entitled, “Why I’m Glad My church Needs Money?”  What impacted you in that story?

 

· Take a few moments to end your session in prayer.  Here are a few suggestions for your prayer time:  (I encourage each of you to pray your prayer aloud)

 

1. Maybe you want to ask God to help you fulfill your financial commitment for 2012.

 

2. Thank God for some of the things He provided for you in 2011.

 

3. Ask God to forgive you for not funding His work consistently.

 

4. Pray for the people of ONE* to continue growing in generosity.

 

5. Ask God to help you be attentive to the small things that can make a BIG difference in your life.

 

Moving Forward

What could you do this week to begin giving at a higher level? 

 

Changing Your Mind

Luke 16:10 If you are faithful in the little things, you will be faithful in large ones.

Week of Jan. 15-21, 2012

To Pray or Not to Pray

Discussion Questions:

 

· Read Luke 11:1:  Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

 

Why do you suppose the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray?

 

· Intimidation seems to be one of the biggest reasons for not praying.  In your experience, what are some other reasons that stop people from praying both publically and privately?

 

· Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 [NLT] 

 

What do you believe Paul means when he says, “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ?”

 

Share with the group how “taking every thought captive” would look for you in your life.  

 

· A stronghold is defined as a castle or a prison.  Natural strongholds are built brick by brick while spiritual strongholds are built thought by thought.  When we allow our thoughts to go unchecked they can become a prison that keeps us imprisoned.  

 

Take a moment and then share with the group one of the thoughts the enemy consistently uses to attack your mind.

 

As each person shares how they are attacked (ex. Fear, depression, failure, rejection, anger, etc.) have someone write down every person’s name with a one word description of their stated stronghold.  Take the rest of your time together to locate at least one scripture that could be used to demolish that specific stronghold in prayer for the next few weeks.

 

Example:  Pride (Matthew 23:11 [MSG] - “Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant.”) 

 

You may not be able to complete this task in one night but encourage one another to begin praying the Word of God in order to demolish the specific stronghold that was revealed.

 

Moving Forward

What would you be willing to do this week to demolish your stronghold? 

 

Changing Your Mind

2 Corinthians 10:4  [NIV] The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Week of Jan. 08-14, 2012

To Believe or Not to Believe

 

Discussion Questions: 

 

· Are you living in the Land of “Not Enough”, “Just Enough” or “More than Enough?”

What is your reason for the answer you gave?

 

· Is it difficult for you to believe God when He says, “I will not fail you?”  Why or why not?

 

· Read Ephesians 1:13 – For every Christian there was a point in time when we heard the salvation message of Jesus Christ and chose to believe and receive His gift of salvation.  Where were you when you received Christ and what do you remember most about your experience.

 

· Read Ephesians 1:18-20 – The word believe in vs. 13 refers to “having believed” while believe in vs. 19 refers to a continually believing.  Our personal Promise Land is directly tied to “continually” believing God.  

 

In your own words explain the difference between “Believing In” and “Believing” God.

 

· What would you say is the biggest Giant you face each and every day?

 

Moving Forward

What could you do this week to remind yourself that “God is Who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do? 

 

Changing Your Mind

Romans 8:37  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

Week of Jan. 01-07, 2012

To Be or Not to Be

 

Introduction:  Have you ever wondered why most people do not live to their potential.  Just that statement alone brings up some negative images of “should’ve, could’ve, would’ve.”  However, we all want to experience life at its fullest but seem to be confused about how to experience life that way.  In this series we are going to be discussing four things that need to be resolved when embarking on a journey to a New Life, New Friends and a New You.  In this lesson we will be discussing what it will require “To Be” the person God created you to be.

 

Discussion Questions: 

 

· Do you believe there is a difference in “being” and “trying to be”?  How would you explain the difference?

 

· Pastor Will made the statement that “To be who God has created me to be will require that I believe what God says about me.”  Do you think that statement is true?  Why or Why not?

 

· Read Ephesians 1:3-8: Do you struggle with what it says about you?  How would believing what God says about you in this verse impact your life in a practical way? 

 

· Read Joshua 1:7:  Why do you believe God spoke these words to Joshua?

 

· Ambrose Redmoon said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear.”  What are you afraid of when it comes to obeying God?  What is more important than that fear?

 

Moving Forward

What could you do this week to remind yourself of what God says about you? 

 

Changing Your Mind

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who give me strength.