Monday, November 24, 2008

Psalm 33:1-22

Psalm 33:1-22
1. In what ways are you more schedule-oriented or spontaneous?

2. How does this psalm call people to praise the Lord? (33:1-3)

3. What main theme unifies this psalm? (33:1-22)

4. For what specific reasons did the psalm writer praise God? (33:4-19)

5. What character traits did the psalm writer ascribe to the Lord? (33:4-22)

6. How has the Lord demonstrated His creativity? (33:6-9)

7. How reliable are the plans of people in relation to God's plans? (33:10-11)

8. How is the Lord involved in the lives of His people? (33:13-15, 18-19)

9. What conclusion does this psalm make about self-reliance? (33:16-19)

10. What decision did the psalm writer make? (33:20-22)

11. Why do you think we so easily rely on our own strength rather than trust in the Lord?

12. What does this psalm teach us about the character of God?

13. What talents or abilities do you have?

14. In what area of life do you most need to "wait in hope for the Lord"?

15. What words of encouragement or instruction can you give to someone else concerning his or her future?

Monday, November 17, 2008

2 Chronicles 31:2-21 - Saying Thank You

2 Chronicles 31:2-21 - Saying Thank You

1. What have been the results of projects on which you have worked wholeheartedly?

2. What were the duties of the various divisions of priests and Levites as assigned by Hezekiah? (31:2)

3. How did Hezekiah make sure that the priests and Levites had time to do their jobs properly? (31:4)

4. What was the response of the people when Hezekiah called on them to bring the required portion of their wealth for the support of the priests? (31:5-7)

5. How did Hezekiah and his officials respond to the generosity of the people? (31:8)

6. What sort of distribution system was developed to get the provisions to all of the priests? (31:14-15)

7. Whose needs were provided through the administrators of the offerings? (31:16-19)

8. What qualities characterized all of Hezekiah's actions as king, especially in relation to the temple worship? (31:20-21)

9. What response on the part of the people indicated that the revival that took place during the Passover celebration was a lasting change of heart for many of the people?

10. Why is it appropriate to praise God when His people give generously?

11. What was the source of Hezekiah's guidance for these ambitious projects?

12. How can you say thank you to God for the work His people do?

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Small Group Covenant

OUR SMALL GROUP COVENANT
Because life in a small group
  • brings special responsibilities as well as privileges;
  • thrives in an environment characterised by unconditional love and care;
  • provides a unique opportunity of members to grow in spiritual maturity, relationships with one another, and service.

Believing that this is God’s will for the group, I will endeavour to:
  1. be committed to the group and to our meetings together.
  2. be open and honest.
  3. listen to others in the group.
  4. regard as confidential all that is shared in group meetings and so foster trust.
  5. encourage all members of the group in their walk with God and in developing their gifts in His service.
  6. be open to God’s leading, to listen to and to seek to obey Him.
  7. be outward looking.
  8. be compassionate towards those in need outside the group.
  9. pray for other group members regularly.
My commitment to this covenant will be for 11 months.
A review will be held in December...

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Small Group Goals

Small Group Goals
  • To grow in your relationship with God so that it becomes deeper,stronger and more exciting.
  • To experience a loving, caring, supportive and healing community of friends.
  • To experience the excitement and challenges of growing in your faith with others (getting "stretched" is much more bearable when done with others!)
  • Learn more about your spiritual gifts, and provide an opportunity to use them to serve others.
  • To learn to relate the word of God personally and practically to everyday life.
  • To reach out to other members in your group to bless, encourage and care for them.
  • With others in your group, reach our in practical ways to touch the local community and wider world with the love of God.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Romans 12:1-8 - Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1-8 - Living Sacrifices

1. What influences have significantly shaped your life?

2. What is the most reasonable response to God's great mercy? (12:1-2)

3. How is the Christian to be different from unbelieving people? (12:2)

4. What facts should keep a person from feeling superior or inferior to other Christians? (12:3-6)

5. What did Paul use the human body to illustrate? (12:4-5)

6. What are the gifts of God? (12:6-8)

7. How should each person use his or her gifts? (12:6-8)

8. What makes offering our bodies as living sacrifices an act of worship?

9. To what worldly life-styles or values do we typically conform?

10. How can a Christian renew his or her mind?

11. How can the gifts God bestows on Christians help others in the church or community?

12. What is one step you can take this week toward eliminating habits that merely conform to the world's pattern?

13. How can you put a spiritual gift to work for others this week?

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Psalm 105:1-45 Celebrate Together

Psalm 105:1-45 Celebrate Together

1. How do you feel when you look at old photo albums or record books of your past?

2. What specific instructions does this psalm give to God's people? (105:1-4)

3. What is the main idea of this passage? (105:1-45)

4. How did the Lord demonstrate His faithfulness to Israel? (105:8-41)

5. What conclusion did the psalm writer draw from his meditation on God's goodness? (105:42-45)

6. What specific instructions are given to us in this passage?

7. How should we respond to God's goodness?

8. Why should we tell others about what God has done for us?

9. How could you keep a record of God's faithfulness to you?