Purpose  |  02/11/24

Study questions

1.  What external symbols or stereotypes do we have of things that we think mark people as Christians? 

2.  Read Ephesians 1:13, 4:30. What is the actual mark (evidence) of someone who has a genuine relationship with the Father? 

3.  Read Philippians 2:12-16. What kinds of things are tell-tale signs of the Spirit in us?

4.  These tell-tale signs differentiate us from those who don’t have the Spirit. Do you think these differences are positive or negative traits?

     a)  Our society need more of these things, so why do we feel embarrassed to be obviously “Christian”?

5.  Read 1 Peter 2:9 and Matthew 28:18-20. How can these purposes become part of our everyday life?

    a)  Compare the top 5 things that take up your time, with the purpose God has for you (see question 5).

6.  Read James 4:13-15. How does filtering what we do through Gods purpose for our lives impact things like: our mental health, need for control, sense of direction, fears, what we take significance from, attitude to suffering?

Holiness  |  02/18/24

Study questions

1.  Read Exodus 3:4-6.  How did a burning, talking bush and the words God chose to say, show Moses who God was and what He was like?  

     a)  Why was understanding God’s character a vital first step for Moses?

2.  Moses’ encounter with God’s holiness, made him live differently understanding he was chosen and “set apart” for God.  How have you experienced the same in your life?

3.  Read Exodus 19:4-6.  How is living a holy life in response to Gods presence being with us, different to trying to keep God’s rules? 

4.  The Israelites’ lives revolved around the Tabernacle which contained the presence of God. How can you realign your life to be centered around the Spirit, who is the very real and permanent presence of God living in you?

5.  Read Deuteronomy 32:49-52.  Moses missed out on seeing the promised land he had led the Hebrews through the Red Sea and walked in the desert for 40 years in order to see, because he didn’t take Gods holiness seriously.  Be honest: How do you react to that?  Do you feel it was “fair”?  Why/why not? 

     a)  What does your response suggest about how seriously you view God’s holiness?

6.  Read Ezekiel 36:23-28.  The only way you can reflect God’s character is when His Spirit changes you internally.  How can you embody His holiness more fully?

7.  Read Colossians 3:1-3.  How does understanding our “positional” holiness (the truth that we have the unspoiled character record of Jesus in God’s sight), change our “want to” when it comes to sin?

8.  Read Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 10:5.  Where do you feel the conflict between what you want and what God wants?

     a)  What would it look like for you to let God transform your mind about these areas?

9.  Part of being able to live holy lives is “cleaning house”.  Often we can’t do this alone.  Share with someone you trust (maybe your Life Group) the areas where you need their help to overcome your struggles.  Pray for each other and think about ways you can support and keep each other accountable.

Obedience  |  02/25/24

Study questions

1.  Read Exodus 24:7.  The Israelites were so convinced of Gods presence and power that they wanted to do whatever He said.  But that didn’t last long because they went from a place of need to a place of plenty.  Why does comfort become an idol that causes us to stop obeying God?

2.  Read Romans 1:5.  Why does a relationship with God require both faith and obedience?

     a)  How do faith and obedience work together?

3.  Read Galatians 5:13-6:10.  How does obedience keep us in step with the Spirit (v13)? 

     a)  How does obedience break spiritual strongholds (v16-18)?

     b)  How is spiritual maturity the result of choices we make in relationships and everyday life (vv16-23)?

     c)  What is our responsibility when it comes to the community aspect of obedience (6:1-10)?

4.  Obedience isn’t obedience until we don’t agree with God.  Do you agree/disagree?  Why/why not?

     a)  How have you experienced this reality in your life?

5.  Where do you know God is leading you to move beyond just a mental assent, to a place of faith where you have to fully surrender to Him?

6.  How is spiritual growth just small steps of obedience made consistently over time?

Community  |  03/03/24

Study questions

1.  How do you define and/or characterize a Christian community? 

2.  Read 2 Chronicles 7:1-4.  What did a God-worshiping community look like in OT times?   

3.  Read Genesis 11:1-9.  What was God’s purpose in the “curse” of diverse languages at the Tower of Babel?

4.  Read Acts 2:38-47. How do we (as individuals or as a church body) build a community?

     a)  How does God redeem his community (or more precisely, how does God redeem his creation)?

5.  Read Acts 2:14-41.  What are two key or most important features of the theology of Peter shared?

6.  Read Acts 2:36-41.  What does baptism symbolize/represent for someone who is part of a ‘church community’?

7.  What story can you tell of the impact of the fellowship of Christ in your community?

Servanthood  |  03/10/24

Study questions

1.  Why is serving, or taking the role of a servant, naturally so unattractive to us?

2.  Think of an occasion when you felt fulfilled and happy through an act of service.  What made it a meaningful experience?

3.  Read Malachi 3:18.  Non-Christians serve and help others too, so why is servanthood a distinctive trait in God's people? 

4.  Read Philippians 2:13 and 2 Peter 1:3.  What difference does knowing God is actively at work in us make when we're faced with an opportunity to serve?

5.  Read 2 Corinthians 9:10-12.  How can knowing God is sovereignly in control of our lives change our attitude to serving others?

6.  What changes do you need to make to ensure you are serving God?

Endurance  |  03/17/24

Study questions

1.  What do we typically think it means to endure?  

2.  Endurance is needed when there's change, when we're faced with a challenge, and when when we're in charge of something.  But, endurance is also needed when things don't change, when we're bored for lack of a challenge, and when we have to submit to someone being in charge.  Which of these situations do you find most challenging to endure, and why? 

     a). What techniques do you use when you're trying to endure?

3.  Read 1 Kings 18:21-39.  How do the actions of the prophets of Baal (verses 26-29) parallel how we often behave when we're trying to endure?

    a)  Read verse 36.  What do the simple actions of Elijah (stepping forward and praying) reveal about what it means to endure biblically?

4.  Read Matthew 7:24-27.  What does this teaching from Jesus reveal about how we can truly endure?

5.  What insight about endurance do we get from Jesus' behavior described in 1 Peter 2:21-23?

     a)  What can we learn from Isaiah 40:28-31 about living the way Jesus lived?

6.  What situation are you currently trying to endure?  How can you start trusting God in it - stepping into His presence and putting your hope in Him?

Love  |  03/24/24

Study questions

1.  When you think of a 'loving person', what characteristics do you usually think of?

2.  Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and 1 John 3:16.  What do these verses reveal a loving person is actually like?

3.  "Love is willing to lose so others can win".  What does this mean?  How does it relate to 1 John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7?

4.  Read Mark 12:32-33.  What are some typical 'burnt offerings and sacrifices' that Christians seem to think are more important than loving their neighbors?

     a)  Be honest: what things in your life do you prioritize ahead of loving others.

5.  Is it possible to be loving without doing anything to help or care for people?  What does 1 John 3:18 suggest?  

6.  Read Romans 2:4.  Why is love such a powerful, transformative thing?

7.  Read John 15:4-5, Romans 12:1-2 and Galatians 5:16-17, 22-25.  How do we become a truly loving person?