If you missed the Sovereign Grace Ministries ministry videos, you can view them online! The South Korea Missions Update (shown October 24) can be viewed here. And the update with CJ Mahaney (shown October 31) is here. As you watch these, join me in giving thanks for God’s mercy in allowing us the privilege of advancing the Great Commission by planting Gospel-centered churches around the world!
Summary:
In Romans 8:18-30, God reveals how he uses all things to work together for good for those who love God. When we look at the context of Romans 8:28 we are able to see why we can be so confident of this. Here you will see that, as a Christian, God foreknew you, predestined you, called you, justified you, and will glorify you.
Discussion Questions:
When are you tempted to think, “God causes some things (but not all things) to work for my good”?
Which of the following truths helps you the most in trusting God with your suffering and why?
God foreknew you, predestined you, called you, justified you, and will glorify you.
How can you seek to make Romans 8:28 “the pillow you sleep on”?
As we consider how God’s Word is spreading around the world (Korea, Bolivia, etc.) and in our own region, take some time to reflect upon the following: “How is God calling me to partner with the expansion of the Gospel?”
Summary:
In Luke 12:22-34, Jesus reveals a heavenly Father who delights to give us the kingdom. God is a loving Father who does not withhold what is best for his children. He cares for what we need today, and he cares for our eternal well-being. This care for us is not rooted in how good we are, but in the reality that, in Christ, we have been adopted as God’s very own sons and daughters. If God is our Father, then why should we live as if he isn’t?
Discussion Questions:
- How does fear, worry, or anxiety manifest itself in your life? (What does it look like? How does it feel?)
- What are you currently most worried about or preoccupied with?
- In what relationships or present or future circumstances do you struggle to see God’s presence and activity?
- How does Luke 12:22-34 help you with this?
- In practical ways, how can you put off anxiety and put on seeking the kingdom?
Summary:
In Luke 12:13-21, Jesus answers a question about money. In so doing, He reveals subtle traps to which we are all vulnerable. Specifically, Jesus reveals some ways in which covetousness creeps into our thinking. Covetousness is craving what we don’t have. Covetousness describes a foolish tendency to pursue satisfaction by acquiring wealth or possessions. We are all susceptible to this… but Jesus is here to save us from covetousness. He does this by revealing its folly and pointing our eyes upward, to Himself… to real treasure.
Discussion Questions:
- There is a crucial difference between stewardship and ownership (Gene’s illustration of loaning out “his” car). Where do you confuse stewardship with ownership?
- Where do you look for life - satisfaction, comfort or security - in possessions?
- How do you presume on the future?
- What, specifically, is God calling you do in order to be wise with your possessions… to be rich toward God?
Summary:
In Luke 11:37-53, Jesus is here to save us from religious practices that war for our confidence and allegiance in Christ alone. However subtle, any adherence to outward obedience threatens to distract us from - or even replace - our confidence and allegiance to Jesus Christ, and the work He has come to accomplish in our hearts. The Pharisees had invented and promoted a complicated structure of prescribed outward obediences that had functionally replaced love for God and love for others. We are all vulnerable to doing the same thing. Jesus uses hard words against the Pharisees and Lawyers in an attempt to expose the hopelessness of earning their way to God. We do well to take His words to heart. Sometimes, hard words are good words.What outward practices do you cherish? Which of these are your personal convictions - behaviors you render to God as personal acts of worship? Are there any practices you put too much stock in? Consider these questions from the message to help you apply the Lord’s warnings:
Discussion Questions:
- What am I most passionate about?
- Do I love God’s approval or man’s?
- Do my words speak freedom or impose slavery?
- Does my life cause others to make much of me, or much of Jesus?
Summary:
When one of His disciples asks Him how to pray, Jesus gives Him specific words - which have come to be known “the Lord’s Prayer.” Each of the words contained in Jesus’ prayer are simple, yet more powerful than we can imagine, if prayed from the heart with a desire for God to “re- calibrate” the ways we think about Him, ourselves, others and the world around us.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you ever avoid praying because you don’t know what to say, or you wonder if your prayers will make a difference? How does Jesus simple instruction encourage you, motivate you, or change the way you think about prayer?
- How can you imagine your life being different if you committed to pray these simple words of Jesus for even a few minutes a day?
- What words or phrases from the Lord’s prayer stand out to you as you read them - where do you sense the Holy Spirit’s adjustment or encouragement?
Summary
In this text, we see two examples of how to work. One way leads to joy. One way leads to frantic anxiety. According to Jesus, the key to our works pleasing Him and being joyful to us is relationship. Joyful work flows from active relationship.
Discussion Questions
- Think about a typical day’s activity. Where are you prone to joy?
- Where are you prone to distraction?
- Jesus is here, in your daily activities, to seek you and save you from anxious toil. How does Jesus’ instruction bring you help?
- Practically, how might you, along with Martha, heed Jesus’ saving correction?
A new 9Marks interview featuring Carolyn McCulley!
Women, Christianity, and Feminism with Carolyn McCulley
Carolyn McCulley discusses feminism, ministering to singles, Christian social action, and what it means to be a “crush catalyst.”
Click here to listen to the Interview.
Good Morning!Ladies, please join us tonight at 6:30pm for a salad dinner and an evening of worship/fellowship. Bring a salad to share and we’ll see you tonight!Thank you!
