The Rest

A part of my last post got erased. Well anyway I would just like to share a process of devotional reading that I find helpful.

S.O.A.P

Scripture

Observation

Application

Prayer

Just start by choosing a passage or verse, or work through a book of the Bible.Read and meditate on the Word and write down observations that you make. Also ask God and write down any ways in which the verse or passage may APPLY to you or your circumstances. After waiting on God to speak, just PRAY-- Just talk to God.

Many will find this too simple, well perhaps that exactly what a relationship with Jesus is to be.

See ya

Pastor Greg

Its Been a While

Wow!! Its been a while since I have posted. I would like to use this blog to keep in contact with the church family and people who just may happen to be interested in reading what I have to say. I have been working on my devotional life, let me tell you its a struggle

The Ezra Fast
3-9-08

If possible, please come to class having Read Ezra. It’s a small book, but having read it will be beneficial for our study. Chapter 8 is where we will spend most of our time

The Book of Ezra tells the story of the Jews traveling back from captivity in Persia. King Cyrus of Persia gave them permission to return in 538 B.C. And to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. First Zerubbabel led the people back to work on the temple. The surrounding nations caused trouble, so the work went slowly, even stopping for several years the temple was finally finished in 515 B.C.
Then Ezra, a priest, attempted to lead a second group of people back to Jerusalem. He gathered them on the banks of the Ahava River, but then realized he had a Major Problem.

After reading Chapter 8, what seems to be the reason Ezra calls a fast? (verse23)


Was this a public fast or a private one? Why?

Why did the people fast?

What do you notice about the order Ezra does things? When does he start planning?

What does this tell us about fasting?

When did the church in Acts fast? (13:2)

This seems to tell us we should fast before any major __________

When you face a _______ problem that you did not initiate (This is important)

Let’s look at 2 Chronicles 20: 1-4, Ezra 8:21-23 and the fast called in Jonah How are they similar?

Compare Ezra 8:21 and Isaiah 58:3 (What is a common element?)

Ezra 8:21-23, 31 Do we ever face situations like Ezra did that might cause us to do as he did?

True or False: In Ezra 8:21-23, the course of history was changed as a result of fasting?

Fasting

This week we will start our discusion on fasting. If you have time, please read over this set of verses.

Matthew 17:19-21

Matthew 9:14-15

Zachariah 7:5-6

Isaiah 58:1-4

Psalm 69:10-16

Joel 2 :12-15

See ya Sunday

I Corinthians 15-16

How did your view of life after death change when you came to Christ or began seeking Him? What is the greatest fear about death that you still have?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11


1. What are the essential elements of the gospel?




2. What importance does the resurrection of Christ play in Paul's gospel?


Read 15:12-34

If there is no resurrection, what are the consequences for Christ, for Paul, and for us?




How will Christ's resurrection overcome the effects of Adam's sin?



How might a belief or non- belief in the Resurrection affect a person's lifestyle?



In verses 35-49, How does Paul " Make sense" of the resurrection?




What are you most looking forward to in your heavenly existence with Christ?

I Corinthians14

Speaking for Christ:

Try to recall a time when something was shared during a worship service or in a small group that truly encouraged you.

Today we will discuss" inspired speech" in the context of Chapter 13's them of love.

Read I Corinthians 14:1-25

Verse 1-5, Why did Paul prefer prophesy to tongues?


6-12, Why does Paul say that tongues do not build up the church ?


In what ways might we be guilty of meaningless of mindless worship today?


Why would prophetic speech rather than tongues cause visitors to sense God in our midst( 23-25)



Read 14:26-40

What guidelines are given for speaking in tongues?


Under what circumstances should prophets speak or remain silent?


Some worship services are so "orderly" that they put us to sleep. Others are so " free" that they seem out of control. How does this chapter promote both freedom and order in our worship?

The Most Excellent Way !

Love of Christ

January 29th, 2008

I Corinthians 13


1. What are you main impressions after reading the chapter as a whole ?




2. What is so tragic about using our gifts without love? ( 1-3)




3. Who would you define each of love's quallities ? ( 4-7)




4. In verses 8-13. Paul summarizes the supremacy of love. Compared with love, why do gifts have limited value?



5. How is love greater than faith and hope? (13)

I Corinthians 12

1-20-08


How do you respond when you are told that you have a gift or a talent vitally needed by the group to which you belong?

Read I Corinthians 12

What words or phrases do you see repeated in this chapter ?




What particular problem in the Corinthians church may have led Paul to offer the "test" in verse 3 ?



What do verse 4-6 teach about unity and diversity of spiritual gifts?




What might make some members of the church feel useless or envious of other parts of the body?



According to Paul, how can we make every part of the body feel special ? ( 21-26)



What does the word( first, second, third and then mean)?


How do we reconcile Paul's exhortation to "eagerly desire the greater gifts" (31) with his earlier emphasis that God sovereignly assigns gifts?

I Corinthians 11

1. When you enter a worship service, do you tend to think mainly of your personal relationship with God or your relationship with fellow worshipers? Which one is right or both?


Read I Corinthinians 11:1-16


1. What seems to be Paul's primary concern in this section ?




2. In verse 3. What understanding of headship should we have? "chief" or " source" ?




3. Why was it wrong for a man to pray or prophesy with his head covered? ( 4-10)



4. How easy or difficult is it to forget who you are when you enter to worship ?




5. In verse 4-10 and 13-16, what reasons does Paul give for continuing the practice of women covering their heads?


6. 11-12. " In the Lord" Why is this an important distinction ?


7. How should appropriate relationships between men and women be expressed in Christian Community ?

If time allows we will discuss Communion?

Read I Corinthians 10

Read Chapter 10:1-13

1. What experiences did all the Israelites have in common when they left Egypt and headed for the promised land?

And Why was God not pleased with them?


2. Why do you think that Paul reminded them of these events ?


3. Has there been a time in your life that you " Grumbled"- Did you become aware that you were testing God?

4. True or False: Some temptations are just to strong to resist?


Read 10:14-22

1. Why are some lifestyles incompatible with celebrating Communion?


2. What does Paul teach us concerning the sacredness of the Lord's Supper?


Read I Corinthians 10:23-33

1. According to these verses, what principles should guide our behavior as Christians?


Evaluate: " The Christian is is most free lord of all , subject to none. The Christians is a most submissive servant, subject to all." -- Martin Luther