Sunday, August 18 - Raise a Hallelujah

Raise a Hallelujah

Hebrews 11:29-12:2 New Living Translation (NLT)

1. What was your favorite Bible Story from your childhood?  Why was this story your favorite?  What does the story teach you about faith?
2. If you only every hear stories that have “happy endings” from the Bible how might this affect your view of God or your concept of faith?
3. Who is in your “great cloud of witnesses”?  Do you have a Ms. Joyce story you can tell your small group or a friend?  If so share that story.
4. In my sermon I talked about leaning into the Means of Grace (prayer, reading and studying scripture, gathering in small groups, worshiping, taking communion and serving), what can you do this week to lean into these practices?

Summer Study - It's a Wrap

Summer Study 2019 – It’s a Wrap!

Congratulations!  You made it! In a few days you will get an email inviting you to take a survey.  Please take the time to complete this survey.  We read every survey and take your comments seriously.  We use the results of the survey to improve our content and delivery. For example, in this study we added links to the scripture reading for the day and selected Ruth as one of the books we studied. 

Thank you for reading along, watching our videos and being patient with what we assume must have been many grammatical errors…sorry. J  Enjoy our last Summer Study video!  

Blessings, 

Jim and Kristyne 

Summer Study - Aug 3

The Last Words 

Greetings Everyone, if you are reading this then you have made it to the end!!!  Great job! 

If you know me at all, you know there are a couple of topics that I always return to as essential for the life of the disciple. One of these topics is that of living out our Christian life in the company of a small group! I have found that is it impossible to have success in my walk when I am isolated from other believers. Today, in this last passage of Colossians we are going to focus on this topic and hopefully see how important it is for us to immerse ourselves in a small community of love if we are going to live into the potential that God has for each of us.  Have fun in your study and great job on all of your work this summer!

Read: Colossians 4:10-18

Questions to Consider:                                                  

1.     In these final comments by Paul he lists out the names of several co-workers who are serving with him. How many people does Paul give who are with him? Take time to write out their names. 

2.    As Paul names his co-workers and gives their greetings to the church in Colossi, how does he describe them? Does he give evidence that he knows each one personally and with intimacy?

3.    Can you name four to six people in your life with whom you are intimate? List their names and write down a trait in each of them that blesses you.

Activity for the Day: If you were able to come up with your list of people you are close to, call each of them and thank them for being in your life. If you could not come up with a list, pray and ask God to build a small group of people around you with whom you can live out your faith openly and honestly.

Blessings, 

Jim

Summer Study - August 2

Full of Grace

Friday!  Second to last day of the study!  I am so glad we have all almost made it to the end.  Enjoy your reading and video for the day! 

Read: Colossians 4:2-9

Questions to Consider:                                                  

1.     How often do you spend time with people who do not attend church?  When you spend time with people who do not attend church, do they know you are a church attender?  

2.    Follow up question – If they know you are a church attender why do they know that?  If they don’t know you are why do they not know that?  

Activity for the Day:  Go out of you way to be kind and friendly to people you see in the coming week.  

Blessings, 

Kristyne

Summer Study - Aug 1

At Home

Good morning church,

Paul sometimes meddles with everything! JNot only does he give instructions for leaders, teachers, and apostles, but also he gives instructions for “Christian households.” I can’t help but sometimes feel offended J. Yet…. When I read today’s passage I can see Paul’s intention is to steer to our higher calling. We are to reflect Christ at church and wherever we go: at work, at play AND at home. Paul gives advice to father, children, wives, husbands, salves (current: workers), etc. Paul calls us to do everything as unto the Lord! So, I encourage you to read this passage with new eyes, thinking and pondering of what it means for us today.

Read: Colossians 3:18-4:1

Questions to Consider:                                                  

1.     If Paul were writing in our current day: who do you think would be the ones listed as members of the household?

2.    Vs. 23 says, “Work willingly at whatever you do…” What do you do today? If you are not involved, what could you willingly do to serve? Find out what are opportunities that you can serve your community willingly.

Activity for the Day:  Identify what role you play in your family: husband, wife, mother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, etc. If you live alone, you are still: neighbor, friend, golfer, volunteer, etc. Once you have found one role, think of how you can adjust that role and living out that role as one in service to Christ. Be Specific!

Blessings, 

Loida