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Southside Church of Christ, Lexington, KY
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Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Psalm 30
1 I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. 3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit. 4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 6 When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." 7 O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8 To you, O LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy; 9 "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help." 11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
Four ways to understand the ups and downs in our lives:
1 Good occurs with the bad
2 Good outweighs the bad
3 Good originates from the bad
4 Good overcomes the bad
David uses three D's to describe his situation in life:
1 You lifted me out of the depths (verse 1)
2 When you hid your face, I was dismayed (verse 7)
3 What gain is there in my destruction (verse 9)
Understanding the character of God:
His anger is always appropriate but His favor is forever (verse 5).
Having a Sleepover with Sorrow:
Literally, weeping is personified in this psalm as one who comes to spend the night with us (verse 5).
Four ways to understand the ups and downs in our lives:
1 Good occurs with the bad
2 Good outweighs the bad
3 Good originates from the bad
4 Good overcomes the bad
David uses three D's to describe his situation in life:
1 You lifted me out of the depths (verse 1)
2 When you hid your face, I was dismayed (verse 7)
3 What gain is there in my destruction (verse 9)
Understanding the character of God:
His anger is always appropriate but His favor is forever (verse 5).
Having a Sleepover with Sorrow:
Literally, weeping is personified in this psalm as one who comes to spend the night with us (verse 5).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Ice breaker: what has been your relationship with roller coasters? Do you have any good roller coaster stories to share with the group?
2 The lesson looked at four ways for us to think about the ups and downs in our lives. The first way is that good occurs with the bad. We recognize that we live in a beautiful but broken world. David describes his life with these words: depths, dismayed, and destruction. Can you recall a situation or a season in your life when you felt this way? How does it help to recognize that good occurs with the bad?
3 The second way is that good outweighs the bad. Read again verse 5a. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime." When you think about God, which one outweighs the other in your mind, His anger or His favor? Discuss this as it pertains to the character of God. Now, when you step back and look at your lifetime, does the good outweigh the bad? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
4 The third way is that there is good that originates from bad. Qualities like perseverance, patience, endurance, toughness, strength of character, hope, empathy and compassion are all good qualities that come from bad situations. Can you think of any other good qualities like these? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
5 Read again verse 11 and 12. The final way is that good overcomes the bad. It is the good news of the gospel. The one who is good overcomes all that is bad. Jesus overcomes every sin. Jesus overcomes all evil. Jesus overcomes sorrow and suffering. Jesus even overcomes death. How does knowing Jesus change the way you deal with the ups and downs of life?
1 Ice breaker: what has been your relationship with roller coasters? Do you have any good roller coaster stories to share with the group?
2 The lesson looked at four ways for us to think about the ups and downs in our lives. The first way is that good occurs with the bad. We recognize that we live in a beautiful but broken world. David describes his life with these words: depths, dismayed, and destruction. Can you recall a situation or a season in your life when you felt this way? How does it help to recognize that good occurs with the bad?
3 The second way is that good outweighs the bad. Read again verse 5a. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime." When you think about God, which one outweighs the other in your mind, His anger or His favor? Discuss this as it pertains to the character of God. Now, when you step back and look at your lifetime, does the good outweigh the bad? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
4 The third way is that there is good that originates from bad. Qualities like perseverance, patience, endurance, toughness, strength of character, hope, empathy and compassion are all good qualities that come from bad situations. Can you think of any other good qualities like these? How does this way help you think about the ups and downs in your life?
5 Read again verse 11 and 12. The final way is that good overcomes the bad. It is the good news of the gospel. The one who is good overcomes all that is bad. Jesus overcomes every sin. Jesus overcomes all evil. Jesus overcomes sorrow and suffering. Jesus even overcomes death. How does knowing Jesus change the way you deal with the ups and downs of life?
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Sunday Jan 07, 2024
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV 84)
DAY OF PRAYER
Four Areas of Prayer for Southside based on the Great Commission:
1 Respond to the Mission of Jesus - go and make disciples
2 Participate in the Life of Jesus - baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
3 Obey the Teachings of Jesus - teach them to obey everything I have commanded you
4 Trust in the Presence of Jesus - and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Four Areas of Prayer for Southside based on the Great Commission:
1 Respond to the Mission of Jesus - go and make disciples
2 Participate in the Life of Jesus - baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
3 Obey the Teachings of Jesus - teach them to obey everything I have commanded you
4 Trust in the Presence of Jesus - and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Monday Jan 01, 2024
Exodus 2:23 - 3:10
23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
7 Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” (ESV)
FROM THE LESSON
Maximilien Robespierre and King Louis XVI
"What if the King had gotten out of the carriage?"
Main players in the early chapters of Exodus:
Israelites - "slaves with no hope"
Pharaoh - "thinks he is a god"
Moses - "a failed hero"
The Exodus is a forever reminder that God cares and is at work.
Exodus 2:25 - "God saw ... and God knew."
Our King has gotten out of the carriage. We can remember that and honor it by:
Maximilien Robespierre and King Louis XVI
"What if the King had gotten out of the carriage?"
Main players in the early chapters of Exodus:
Israelites - "slaves with no hope"
Pharaoh - "thinks he is a god"
Moses - "a failed hero"
The Exodus is a forever reminder that God cares and is at work.
Exodus 2:25 - "God saw ... and God knew."
Our King has gotten out of the carriage. We can remember that and honor it by:
- Remembering how Jesus stepped into our story.
- Sharing our stories and testimonies about what God is doing in our lives.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The sermon discussed how there are some moments where one person in the right place can totally change the course of someone's future. What is a specific moment in time that you feel made a huge difference in your or someone else's life?
If God doesn't choose to get involved in the story of Exodus, how might it have played out?
Moses seemed very surprised at God's intervention in history. Do you think we expect God's activity in our lives, or are we more often surprised by it?
What are some moments you look back on that help you remember that God is still at work today?
How does having confidence that God is active in our lives change the way we live?
The sermon discussed how there are some moments where one person in the right place can totally change the course of someone's future. What is a specific moment in time that you feel made a huge difference in your or someone else's life?
If God doesn't choose to get involved in the story of Exodus, how might it have played out?
Moses seemed very surprised at God's intervention in history. Do you think we expect God's activity in our lives, or are we more often surprised by it?
What are some moments you look back on that help you remember that God is still at work today?
How does having confidence that God is active in our lives change the way we live?
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Sunday Dec 24, 2023
Acts 17:16-34
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of Aeropagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. (NIV 84)
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Monday Dec 18, 2023
Acts 17:10-15
10 As soon as it was night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. 13 When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15 The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
John G. Fee - born in Bracken County, KY in 1816, Fee was called by God to preach the gospel of "impartial love" to his native state of Kentucky. In 1853, Cassius Clay gave him 10 acres of land in Madison County to come and pastor a church in that area. Fee would establish a church, a school, and a tiny village. His vision for the school was the co-education of the races. When Fee was asked to name the new settlement, Fee called it Berea after the Biblical town in Acts 17. His hope for the people of the new settlement was they would, like the Bereans of the New Testament, receive this message of "impartial love" with great eagerness.
Compare and contrast - one thing you pick up on when studying the writings of Luke, both his gospel and Acts, is he often uses the writing technique of compare and contrast, where he places two people or events side by side in order to make a point. It is a very effective way to write and it forces the reader to stop and consider the two very different responses. Some examples of this technique are found in Luke 1, Luke 4, Acts 4, and in Acts 17.
Humble and hungry (verse 11) - the Bereans still stand today as the Biblical model of how to receive the Word of God. They received the word with great eagerness, this takes humility. Humility is the attitude that allows you to receive a word from someone else. They also examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true, this takes hunger. Hunger is a feeling that happens daily and not just on the first day of the week.
John G. Fee - born in Bracken County, KY in 1816, Fee was called by God to preach the gospel of "impartial love" to his native state of Kentucky. In 1853, Cassius Clay gave him 10 acres of land in Madison County to come and pastor a church in that area. Fee would establish a church, a school, and a tiny village. His vision for the school was the co-education of the races. When Fee was asked to name the new settlement, Fee called it Berea after the Biblical town in Acts 17. His hope for the people of the new settlement was they would, like the Bereans of the New Testament, receive this message of "impartial love" with great eagerness.
Compare and contrast - one thing you pick up on when studying the writings of Luke, both his gospel and Acts, is he often uses the writing technique of compare and contrast, where he places two people or events side by side in order to make a point. It is a very effective way to write and it forces the reader to stop and consider the two very different responses. Some examples of this technique are found in Luke 1, Luke 4, Acts 4, and in Acts 17.
Humble and hungry (verse 11) - the Bereans still stand today as the Biblical model of how to receive the Word of God. They received the word with great eagerness, this takes humility. Humility is the attitude that allows you to receive a word from someone else. They also examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true, this takes hunger. Hunger is a feeling that happens daily and not just on the first day of the week.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Have you ever noticed Luke's use of the writing technique called compare and contrast? Some of the examples are of Zechariah and Mary's responses to the angel in Luke 1, the reactions of Nazareth and Capernaum in Luke 4, the responses of Barnabas and Ananias in Acts 4-5, and the responses of Thessalonica and Berea in Acts 17. Spend some time comparing and contrasting these different responses in Luke's writings. Discuss the effectiveness of this writing technique.
2 The Bereans were "humble and hungry" instead of "zealous and jealous" like the Thessalonians. How does the example of the Bereans serve as a model for you of how to receive the Word of God? How does it challenge and encourage you?
3 Whenever and wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, there will be opposition. This is because Jesus came into the world not just to be born a King at Christmas but to become your King at conversion. There are some who want Jesus to be their King, however most do not. How does the language of Jesus reigning and ruling on the throne of your heart change the way you live?
1 Have you ever noticed Luke's use of the writing technique called compare and contrast? Some of the examples are of Zechariah and Mary's responses to the angel in Luke 1, the reactions of Nazareth and Capernaum in Luke 4, the responses of Barnabas and Ananias in Acts 4-5, and the responses of Thessalonica and Berea in Acts 17. Spend some time comparing and contrasting these different responses in Luke's writings. Discuss the effectiveness of this writing technique.
2 The Bereans were "humble and hungry" instead of "zealous and jealous" like the Thessalonians. How does the example of the Bereans serve as a model for you of how to receive the Word of God? How does it challenge and encourage you?
3 Whenever and wherever the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, there will be opposition. This is because Jesus came into the world not just to be born a King at Christmas but to become your King at conversion. There are some who want Jesus to be their King, however most do not. How does the language of Jesus reigning and ruling on the throne of your heart change the way you live?
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
Acts 17:1-9
1 When they had passed through Amaphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where they was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women. 5 But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar's decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus. 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. (NIV 84)
FROM THE LESSON
Proving (verse 3) - this word literally means to "place beside." This explains Paul's approach in the synagogue. He places the Christ of the Jewish Scriptures beside the Jesus of history in order to prove that it is the same person. He places beside each other the prophecies of the Christ and the person of Jesus.
Another king (verse 7) - the charge made against Paul and Silas by the mob is that they are turning the world upside down by saying there is another king.
Not "just" another king similar to ones they have known, but another kind of king altogether. The world has never seen a king like Jesus.
The one who has been born king (Matthew 2:2) - Jesus is the only person who has ever been born a king. Even if someone is born into a family line of kings, the child is not born a king. Jesus came into the world as a king.
Proving (verse 3) - this word literally means to "place beside." This explains Paul's approach in the synagogue. He places the Christ of the Jewish Scriptures beside the Jesus of history in order to prove that it is the same person. He places beside each other the prophecies of the Christ and the person of Jesus.
Another king (verse 7) - the charge made against Paul and Silas by the mob is that they are turning the world upside down by saying there is another king.
Not "just" another king similar to ones they have known, but another kind of king altogether. The world has never seen a king like Jesus.
The one who has been born king (Matthew 2:2) - Jesus is the only person who has ever been born a king. Even if someone is born into a family line of kings, the child is not born a king. Jesus came into the world as a king.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1 Paul explained from the Jewish Scriptures how the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. If you were given this task which Scriptures from the Old Testament would you use to explain these important truths.
2 Jesus is "another" king. He is not "just" another king like all the other kings before him. He is another kind of king altogether. His kingdom will be unlike any other kingdom the world has ever seen. In what ways is Jesus another kind of king? How will His kingdom be unlike any other kingdom the world has seen?
3 The wise men hosted a baby shower for the one who had been born king. They gave Jesus gifts of Myrrh (symbolizing his death and burial), Incense (symbolizing his worship), and Gold (symbolizing his royalty). Discuss the significance of these gifts and how they help us to understand the kingship of Jesus.
1 Paul explained from the Jewish Scriptures how the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. If you were given this task which Scriptures from the Old Testament would you use to explain these important truths.
2 Jesus is "another" king. He is not "just" another king like all the other kings before him. He is another kind of king altogether. His kingdom will be unlike any other kingdom the world has ever seen. In what ways is Jesus another kind of king? How will His kingdom be unlike any other kingdom the world has seen?
3 The wise men hosted a baby shower for the one who had been born king. They gave Jesus gifts of Myrrh (symbolizing his death and burial), Incense (symbolizing his worship), and Gold (symbolizing his royalty). Discuss the significance of these gifts and how they help us to understand the kingship of Jesus.
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe a moment when you realized you are not in control.
Did that moment of realization draw you closer to God?
Did that moment of realization drive you away from God?
Describe a moment when you realized you are not in control.
Did that moment of realization draw you closer to God?
Did that moment of realization drive you away from God?
How do you see the issue of control come into play throughout the interaction between Jesus and Pilate in John 18-19?
"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." (John 19:11)
What do you learn about control in your context based on Jesus' statement to Pilate?
"You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." (John 19:11)
What do you learn about control in your context based on Jesus' statement to Pilate?
Describe a time when you tried to get control.
Describe a time when you tried to keep control.
Describe a time when you were glad to give up control.
Describe a time when you tried to keep control.
Describe a time when you were glad to give up control.
What encouragement do you get from Paul's clear teaching in 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 that God is the one in control of outcomes?
For this coming week, share one area of your life which you will practice giving up control.
For this coming week, share one area of your life which you will practice giving up control.
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Monday Nov 27, 2023
Job 42:1-6
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”
FROM THE LESSON
Job’s Friends: Job’s friends utilize the standard wisdom of the ancient world, leading them to the conclusion that, because Job’s suffering is so immense, he must have committed evil acts.
Job’s Friends: Job’s friends utilize the standard wisdom of the ancient world, leading them to the conclusion that, because Job’s suffering is so immense, he must have committed evil acts.
Their debate with Job, who maintains his innocence, takes place across three cycles, wherein Job states his case, and his friends respond (chapters 13-14, chapters 15-21, and chapters 22-28).
The arguments they present take the basic following forms:
The Big Assumption: Both Job and his friends are operating on the assumption that God works in the following way:
Transactional Relationships: a transactional relationship operates with the assumption that when you provide someone else with something favorable, they are obligated to respond in kind. When we view our relationships with people as transactional, we are looking for ways to control them.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Ice breaker: what are some funny questions you’ve run into. What are some hard questions you’ve pondered?
1. Ice breaker: what are some funny questions you’ve run into. What are some hard questions you’ve pondered?
2. How did you feel about the story of the father and his 9-year-old daughter? Which parts of the story did you relate to or connect with?
3. When have you found yourself viewing others through a transactional lens? What does it look like when we view God this way?
4. How can hard or challenging questions draw us nearer to God rather than distance us from him? Are there certain approaches we can take to questions that can impact that?
5. Job, although he doesn’t get the answer to his question, does get a glimpse of how vast creation is, and how amazing it is that the God who made it all would come and speak with him. What are some things that remind you that you are significant and precious to God?
Sunday Nov 19, 2023
Sunday Nov 19, 2023
Acts 16:35-40
35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." 36 The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace. 37 But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." 38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.
FROM THE LESSON
"Civis Romanus Sum" - I am a Roman citizen. In the Roman Empire, these three Latin words carried with them the weight of all the legal rights and social privileges of a Roman citizen. All anyone had to do was declare this statement and safety was said to be guaranteed to you.
But we are citizens of heaven - "Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your life after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." (Philippians 3:17-20 NLT)
Rights and privileges - as citizens of heaven, we too have been given rights and privileges. We have been given the right to become children of God and we have been given the privilege of trusting in Christ, even in our suffering.
"Civis Romanus Sum" - I am a Roman citizen. In the Roman Empire, these three Latin words carried with them the weight of all the legal rights and social privileges of a Roman citizen. All anyone had to do was declare this statement and safety was said to be guaranteed to you.
But we are citizens of heaven - "Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your life after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior." (Philippians 3:17-20 NLT)
Rights and privileges - as citizens of heaven, we too have been given rights and privileges. We have been given the right to become children of God and we have been given the privilege of trusting in Christ, even in our suffering.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Ice breaker: can you think of an example from your life when you have tried to live as a citizen of two worlds so to speak? I shared a personal example of being a fan of both Georgia football AND Kentucky basketball.
2. Prior to the lesson today, how have you thought about both being a citizen of earth AND a citizen of heaven?
3. Read again Philippians 3:17-20. What insight does Paul give in these verses about being a citizen of heaven?
4 Philippi was a Roman colony. The desire of a Roman citizen in a place like Philippi was to bring Rome to Philippi. The task was to establish a Roman community there in Philippi. How does knowing this context help shape your understanding of what it means to be a citizen of heaven?
5 We have been given the right to become children of God and we have been given the privilege of trusting in Christ? What does it mean to you to have been given these rights and privileges as a citizen of heaven?
6 Practically speaking, what does it mean for us as a church to live as citizens of heaven in this place?
1. Ice breaker: can you think of an example from your life when you have tried to live as a citizen of two worlds so to speak? I shared a personal example of being a fan of both Georgia football AND Kentucky basketball.
2. Prior to the lesson today, how have you thought about both being a citizen of earth AND a citizen of heaven?
3. Read again Philippians 3:17-20. What insight does Paul give in these verses about being a citizen of heaven?
4 Philippi was a Roman colony. The desire of a Roman citizen in a place like Philippi was to bring Rome to Philippi. The task was to establish a Roman community there in Philippi. How does knowing this context help shape your understanding of what it means to be a citizen of heaven?
5 We have been given the right to become children of God and we have been given the privilege of trusting in Christ? What does it mean to you to have been given these rights and privileges as a citizen of heaven?
6 Practically speaking, what does it mean for us as a church to live as citizens of heaven in this place?
Sunday Nov 12, 2023
Sunday Nov 12, 2023
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Describe a time when you experienced a pivotal moment regarding truth - a truth you'd been ignoring or a truth you never knew.
1. Describe a time when you experienced a pivotal moment regarding truth - a truth you'd been ignoring or a truth you never knew.
2. When have you tried to trick or trap or bribe or manipulate God? When have you sidelined God's sovereignty?
3. What stands out to you in this Matthew 22:15-46?
4. When have you had difficulty accepting God's timing or his perceived lack of action in a situation you were deeply connected to?
5. Talk about your desire, maybe even your need, to be in control. Where does God's sovereignty fit into your pursuit of control?