en To know God & make Him known thru His Son Jesus the Christ http://www.newburghchurch.org © Copyright 2000 - 2010Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=221 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=221&article_id=215 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Holy, Holy, Holy, Part I Breaking the Ice: Please read Exodus 21:1-5, Romans 6:15-22 & the lyrics to Steve Croft’s song Pierce My Ear based on these passages. What does it mean to you personally that as a Christian you are a God’s slave? Pierce my ear, O Lord, my God. Take me to Your door this day. I will serve no other god. Lord, I'm here to stay. For You have paid the price for me. With Your blood You ransomed me. I will serve You eternally. A free man I'll never be. Please Read: Leviticus 19:1-2 The Hebrew word translated as “holy” in this verse is “qadowsh” – the Greek equivalent is “hagios” together they occur over 500 times in the Old and New Testaments. In general as a noun it means “set apart.” The verb forms are often translated as sanctify, consecrate, or purify (all meaning “to make holy”). To understand the second part of verse 2 above we need to understand the first part. 1. What does the Lord mean when He says “I am holy?” Please Read: Exodus 19:1-6 2. According to this passage why does the LORD (identified by His revealed name YHWH) say that He brought the people out of Egypt? 3. What condition for this privilege does the LORD place on the Hebrews? Please Read: Exodus 19:7-15 4. What did the people have to do to make themselves holy? 5. Why were they not allowed to touch Mt. Sinai? Please Read: Exodus 20:18-21 6. What does Moses say was the purpose of allowing the people to experience the LORD’s fearful presence? Please Read: Exodus 24:4-8 7. How did the people respond? 8. What was the purpose of the blood in this passage? Please Read: Matthew 26:26-30 & Hebrews 9:12-14 9. What does the blood of Jesus do for Christians? Please Read: Revelation 7:11-14 & 22:14-17 10: How does one have his “robes washed?” Wed, 6 Jan 2010 12:09:24 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=220 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=220&article_id=213 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Equal or Identical Breaking the Ice: Please explore answers to the following question with your group: Why do you think the role of women in the church and society generates so much controversy? Please Read: Genesis 1:26-27 1. In what ways are humans made in the “image of God - Imago Dei?” 2. What in this text tells you that the “man” referred to here is representative of mankind and not just one man? 3. What does the fact that both men and women are made in the image of God have on the gender role discussion? 4. What was God’s original work for both men and women? Please Read: Genesis 2:19-22 5. How was Eve different from Adam? Please Read: Genesis 3:16, 4:7 & Song of Solomon 7:10 6. According to Genesis 3:16 what was Eve’s curse? 7. These three verses contain the only use of the Hebrew word tshuwqah (tesh-oo-kaw') which is translated as “desire.” How do the last two contribute to our understanding of the first? Please Read: I Timothy 2:8-15 & I Corinthians 14:33-35 8. How have these verses impacted the role of women in the church in the past? 9. How do these verses effect your understanding of the role of women in the church today? Please Read: Galatians 3:23-27 10. How do you reconcile these verses with the verses above? 11. What is new for women in Christ Jesus from what they experienced historically or what they experience in most societies today? For further exploration: http://www.cbeinternational.org/ http://strivetoenter.com/wim/about-2/ William J. Webb Slaves, Women & Homosexuals: 2001 Ronald W. Pierce, Rebecca Merrill Groothuis, Gordon D. Fee (eds.), Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity Without Hierarchy. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005 Tue, 1 Dec 2009 16:03:23 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=219 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=219&article_id=212 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Making God Known From the lesson of 10.25.2009 Breaking the Ice: Please share experiences you may have had using or being taught “canned” gospel presentations such as Ivan Stewart’s “Open Bible” series and how effective did you find them? Please Read: Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15&16 1. List the action verbs Jesus used in this Great Commission to the apostles. 2. How did the apostles go about “making disciples” of Jesus? 3. What was the point of baptizing disciples who were already committed to following Jesus? 4. How does our congregation carry out the command to “teach them to obey all things?” Please Read: Acts 8:1-4 5. Which people preached the word according to Luke’s account here? 6. Why is evangelism (sharing the good news about Jesus) the job of every Christian and not just that of “evangelists?” Please Read: Mark 4:1-20 7. According to Jesus’ explanation of the soils what percentage of people of those who heard the Word of God became “productive” Christians? 8. What makes the soil of someone’s heart receptive to the Word of God? Please Read: Isaiah 55:10-11; Romans 1:16; and John 6:63. 9. What do these verses tell you about the Word of God? What impact does that have on your method of sharing the gospel? Please Read: I Corinthians 3:5-9; 15:1-11 10. If you only had one study to share the gospel with someone where would you start and where would you end? Mon, 9 Nov 2009 17:40:36 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=218 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=218&article_id=211 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Know God From the lesson of 10.18.2009 Breaking the Ice: Please share with the group someone living you know a lot about but would really like to meet and why. What would be the difference for you between knowing about them and knowing them personally? Please Read: Matthew 10:29-31; Psalm 139:14-13; & Psalm 103:10-14 1. Summarize what these verses say concerning how God feels about you personally. Please Read: John 10:14-16. The Greek word for “know” in this passage is ginosko and is used more than 200 times in the NT - close to 100 times in John’s writings. 2. How did Jesus know the Father and How did Jesus say His sheep would know Him? Please Read: John 14:5-10 & Luke 10:22. 3. In what ways did the apostles know Jesus? 4. What does Jesus’ answer to Philip reveal about His relationship to God the Father? 5. According to Jesus here can you know the Father without knowing Jesus? Why or Why not? Please Read: John 17:24-26. 6. What did Jesus mean when He said He would be in His followers? Please Read: Romans 1:21. 7. What does this verse say about people in the world? Please Read: I John 5:19-20. 8. John says we have been given “understanding” that we may “know him who is true.” What is the difference, if any, between his use of understanding and knowing here? Please Read: I John 3:24 and Romans 8:26-27; 15:16 and I Corinthians 2:12-14. 9. According to the apostles John and Paul, what are some roles of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a Christian? Please Read: I John 2:3-6 & John 14:15-21. 10. According to John, how can you tell if someone really knows God? 11. In addition to the above how do you know God today? Mon, 9 Nov 2009 16:02:47 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=217 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=217&article_id=210 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Restored Unity From the lesson of 10.11.2009 Breaking the Ice: Come up with a group definition of the word “unity” and provide examples of people practicing unity in real life. Please Read: John 17:20-23 1. Why did Jesus pray for his followers to be united? 2. Compile a list of barriers which stand in the way of Christians being united. 3. Suggest ways to overcome the barriers listed above. Review Dr. Douglas Foster’s paraphrase of the 13 points for Christian unity contained in Alexander Campbell’s 1809 Declaration and Address. (attached) 4. Which of these has proven hardest to attain and why? 5. Which of these have we been most successful at? 6. What does the term “restoration” mean as it relates to the “Restoration Movement?” 7. How can restoration contribute to unity? 8. What’s the difference between restoration for the purpose of personal salvation and restoration for the purpose of unity among believers? 9. Which groups of believers do you believe churches of Christ have the most in common with and how can we build on that? 10. How should we interact with believers who disagree with us over biblical issues of salvation? From "One Church: A Bicentennial Celebration of Thomas Campbell's Declaration & Address.” 2008 By Douglas A. Foster The following propositions are by no means intended to be a creed or something to be imposed on believers—nothing could be farther from the truth. They are designed, rather, to focus our hearts and minds on the great question of what it means to be followers of Christ. Too often we seem to have forgotten what is central to our identity as Christians and as Christ’s church. It is our hope that these ideas will stimulate serious consideration of who we are and who we ought to be. 1. Christ established one church—just one. This church is made up of everyone who has faith in Christ and is trying to follow him in the ways God’s Spirit in scripture has told us, and who others can see are being transformed into his likeness by the way they act. No one else has a right to be called a Christian. 2. It is physically impossible for all Christians to be together in one place to worship and work, so there have to be local groups of Christians that reflect the culture, language, and context of each place. These groups will not all look, think or act alike, yet they are all part of Christ’s church and ought to recognize it. They must accept and embrace each other just as Christ has accepted each of us. This will happen when Christians have the mind of Christ—that is, when they are willing to give themselves for those Christ died to redeem. This is the rule of Christ. This and this alone will join them perfectly. 3. Therefore, nothing should be required to recognize, fellowship, embrace, work, worship and be in full visible unity with all Christians that is not specifically made a requirement by God through his word. Nothing should be required in the way local bodies of Christians operate that is not specifically required by Christ and his Apostles for the church. Furthermore, the chief requirements for full fellowship that God has decreed are our love for God and for people. This love is formed by our understanding of God’s love for us shown through Christ. 4. Both the Old and New Testaments are essential parts of the revelation of God’s nature and work. They cannot be separated. While it is true that the practices required in the Old Testament (sacrifices, temple worship, priesthood, etc.) are not in force for Christians and that the good news of God’s saving work is found fully in the New Testament, both testaments teach us about God’s nature and work. The Bible is not primarily a constitution that functions as a legal document to consult in legal disputes. It is, instead, the sword of the Spirit; it is a place where we encounter God’s Spirit and are transformed increasingly into the likeness of Christ. Being in scripture is essential to the visible unity of Christ’s church. 5. The Bible does not spell out in detail everything Christians are supposed to think, do or be—that is just not the nature of scripture. When there are specific actions Christians are told to take, there is almost never a set of detailed requirements for how to do it. Humans often want more detail and try to expand on the specifics, often making them requirements for accepting other Christians or groups of Christians. That is wrong. Again, Christians are those who say they are Christians and who show that they are by the way they live. No one should be allowed to require anything for recognition and fellowship that is outside of scripture and its work of transformation. 6. God gave us our ability to think and reason—that is a good thing. If, however, in the process of using our reason we come to conclusions that other Christians do not reach, and that causes us to reject them, we have been deceived by the evil one. Our pride has taken over and stopped our continued growth into the mind of Christ—a mind of complete humility and self-sacrifice. Human reason is not the ultimate standard for truth. Christians ought to be growing constantly in their understandings of the profound truths of the gospel—that’s part of our spiritual growth as communities. But requiring or even expecting others to be where you are is not conducive of the visible unity Christ so much wants. 7. Again, it is a good thing to use the intellectual abilities God has given us to plumb the depths of the marvelous truths of God. It is a good thing to think, and struggle and write about these matters. Individual Christians and Christian communities can and should draw great benefit in their spiritual growth from such efforts. Statements of belief can be very helpful in drawing our minds to the unspeakable riches and blessings we have been given and of which we can and should tell others. However, we must realize that such statements are the product of our human reasoning which, like everything else human, is not perfect. Even when we reach a mature level of doctrinal understanding, we need to remind ourselves constantly that there will always be Christians at all maturity levels—but they are still all Christians! 8. Once again, having an understanding of every Christian truth is not a requirement to be a Christian, a part of Christ’s church. No one who is trying to follow Christ ought to be forced to confess any belief beyond what they understand and know. All a person needs to know to be part of Christ’s church is that they are lost and that salvation is through Christ. When they confess that they believe in Christ and that they want to obey him fully according to his word—nothing else can be required. 9. Everyone who can make the confession of belief in Christ and commitment to obey him, and who show the reality of their commitment by the way they live, should consider each other as the precious saints of God, should love each other as sisters and brothers, children of the same family and father, temples of the same spirit, members of the same body, subjects of the same grace, objects of the same divine love, bought with the same price, and joint heirs of the same inheritance. Whoever God has joined together this way, no one should dare divide. 10. Division among Christians is a sickening evil, filled with many evils. It is anti-Christian because it destroys the visible unity of the body of Christ. It is as if Christ were cutting off parts of himself and throwing them away from the rest of his body! What a ludicrous picture! Division is anti-scriptural, since Christ himself specifically prohibited it, making it a direct violation of Christ’s will. It is anti-natural, because it makes Christians condemn, hate and oppose one another—people who are actually obligated in the strongest way to love each other as sisters and brothers, just like Christ loved them. In other words, division repudiates everything Christianity is supposed to stand for. 11. Two things are responsible for all the divisions and corruptions in Christ’s church through the centuries. One is a neglect or even fundamental misunderstanding of God’s will for us in scripture—that we have the mind of Christ and be transformed into his likeness. The other comes from the first. Assuming they are “right,” that they have gotten the “facts” perfectly, some have assumed the authority to impose their conclusions on others as terms of recognition and fellowship. 12. In reality, everything needed for the church to reach the highest state of perfection and purity on earth is first to receive as members only those who have understood their lostness and confessed their faith in Christ and commitment to follow him according to scripture; second, to keep as members only those who show those commitments in their everyday lives; and third, to see that ministers who reflect these ideals, preach only what is clearly taught in scripture. Finally, they must stick close to what scripture makes primary, seen in the example of the early church in the New Testament, without being distracted or corrupted by human tendencies toward pride and control. 13. Finally, in every body of Christians decisions must be made about precisely how to conduct its work and worship. Scripture does not dictate such details. Whatever the best way of doing things for the local context should be adopted. These procedures, however, should always be understood as expedients or conveniences for that time and place. Others who do things differently should never be denigrated or condemned for such things, and when decisions are made to do things differently in the future, such changes should never be an issue of fighting or division. The nature of these propositions is a call—a call to all followers of Christ today to be what Christ wants us to be. Christ’s church does not reflect the reality of the one body. We have not maintained the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It is easy to be complacent about our divisions because they seem to work. Yet the fractured nature of the body is a scandal—it hinders the world from believing, it dissipates the efforts of Christians to serve, and distracts believers from their own spiritual development. We are impelled to say these things. We have heard again the admonition from Isaiah 57:14—“Remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” It is the sincere intention of these propositions and of the essays that follow to bring to the attention of Christians fundamental truths and first principles that will lead us toward a permanent unity. How far that goal is reached now remains with the readers. Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:34:52 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=216 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=216&article_id=209 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Love to Forgive From the lesson of 10.4.2009 Breaking the Ice: What is the hardest part about forgiving people for you? Please Read: Matthew 11:28-30 1. In what ways is following Jesus easy for you? 2. In what ways is following Jesus harder for you? Please Read: Psalm 103:8-14 & Hebrews 10:17 3. What do these verses say about your sins before God and how do you feel about that? 4. What is meant by the phrase “forgive and forget?” 5. How is the way you forgive others similar or dissimilar to the way God forgives you? Please Read: Luke 24:45-48; II Peter 3:7-9; Matthew 3:8; and Luke 17:1-4 6. According to these verses what is the relationship between repentance and forgiveness? 7. How do you forgive someone who has not repented of what they did to you? 8. What is the difference between forgiving someone and restoring a full-relationship with them? Please Read: Romans 12:17-21 9. How does this verse relate to forgiveness? Please Read: Matthew 6:9-15 10. What are the spiritual consequences for not forgiving people? Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:30:32 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=215 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=215&article_id=208 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide What You Leave Behind From the lesson of 9.20.2009 Breaking the Ice: Please take a just a few minutes and write down the top three things you would emphasize to someone you knew you would never see again. Please Read: Acts 18:23 1. What is the purpose of this third missionary journey of Paul? 2. What does this tell you about the relationship between discipleship and evangelism? Please Read: Acts 20:16-17 3. Paul had spent nearly three years in Ephesus on this missionary journey, why doesn’t he stop back again? 4. Why do you think he asks for the elders from Ephesus to meet with him while he is at the port of Miletus? Please Read: Acts 20:18-21 5. What does Paul say the purpose of his preaching was and what themes did he stress? Please Read: Acts 20:22-24 & Philippians 3:7-11 6. What do these two passages have in common? Please Read: Acts 20:25-27 & Ezekiel 3:17-19 7. What do these two passages have in common? Please Read: Acts 20:28-35 8. How did the Holy Spirit make them overseers? 9. What is Paul most concerned about with regard to the elders of Ephesus and their flock? 10. How does Paul’s admonition to the elders at Ephesus apply to churches and elders today? Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:23:09 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=214 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=214&article_id=207 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Age of the Holy Spirit II From the lesson of 8.23.2009 Breaking the Ice: How do you explain the doctrine of the Trinity? What do you know about the doctrine called “Unitarianism” otherwise known as “Monarchianism?” Please Read: Isaiah 55:8-9 1. What does this verse tell you about your ability to totally comprehend God? Please Read the Following Scriptures in Acts: 1:1-2; 1:16; 5:3-4; 5:32; 10:19-20; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 20:23; 20:28; and 21:11. 2. Note what the Holy Spirit is doing or what is being done to the Holy Spirit in each case from the scriptures above. 3. How do these verses support the idea of the Holy Spirit as a person? Please Read: I Corinthians 6:19-20; Ephesians 1:13-14; and Titus 3:4-7. 4. What do these verses teach you about the Holy Spirit? Please Read: Romans 5:5; and Romans 8:16 & 26-27. 5. What does the Holy Spirit do for you according to these verses? Please Read Romans 8:5-11. 6. What does the Holy Spirit do for you according to this passage? 7. How does this passage support a Trinitarian view of God? Please Read Galatians 5:16-26 8. List the fruits of the spirit noted here. 9. How does a Christian “walk by the Spirit?” 10. What do you do if these fruits aren’t evident in your life? Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:26:40 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=213 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=213&article_id=206 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Age of the Holy Spirit I From the lesson of 8.23.2009 Breaking the Ice: How directly is God involved in what happens in your life? Please Read: John 3:1-8 1. What is Jesus saying about the Holy Spirit in these verses? Please Read: John 16:7-16 2. What role does Jesus say the Holy Spirit will play on earth after He is resurrected and has ascended to heaven? 3. How does the role of the Holy Spirit differ from what Jesus did while on earth and how is it the same? Please Read: Acts 1:4-9 4. What does Jesus say will happen to the apostles as they wait in Jerusalem? Please Read: Acts 10:1-48 5. What do we know about Cornelius from Luke’s description? 6. Why does the messenger say God sent him to Cornelius? 7. What do the creatures on the sheet represent in Peter’s vision? 8. According to verse 19 who sent the men from Joppa? 9. Cornelius hears the Holy Spirit’s command in a vision, how does Peter hear the Holy Spirit? 10. Why did Peter need heavenly motivation to go to Cornelius’ house? 11. What message does Peter tell the people at Cornelius’ house? 12. What happens when Peter is speaking? Please Read Acts 11:1-18 13. According to verse 16 what does Peter say happened at Cornelius’ house? 14. How are the events at Cornelius’ house linked with those in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost? 15. Why did Peter have the people in Cornelius’ house baptized in water? Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:25:02 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=212 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=212&article_id=205 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Connecting in Christ From the lesson of 8.2.2009 Breaking the Ice: Describe an organization to which you now belong or to which you have belonged in the past which had strict membership rules. Please Read: Acts 4:32-35 1. How often did people sell their possessions? 2. What things made this situation unique in church experience? 3. Should we practice this today? Why or why not? 4. What do you suppose Luke meant that they were of “one mind and one heart?” Please Read: Acts 2:42-47 5. What four things were these earliest Christians dedicated to? 6. How can dedication to a core set of teachings unite people? 7. How can spending quality time together with one another unite people? 8. How does worshipping together on a regular basis unite Christians together? 9. How does praying together unite people? 10. What do you think are the greatest barriers to unity in a congregation today and what can we do about it? Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:08:48 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=211 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=211&article_id=204 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Bleeding for Jesus 7.19.2009 Breaking the Ice: What negative consequences have you suffered in your life as a result of being a Christian? Please Read: Luke 9:18-27 1. Why did Jesus warn his followers about these things? 2. What does taking up your cross and not being ashamed of Jesus mean in your life today? Please Read: Acts 3 3. Describe this healing and how is it different from many so- called faith healings today? 4. Sum up Peter’s message to the people in one sentence. Please Read: Acts 4:1-21 5. According to Acts 4:2 the religious leaders were disturbed by what two things specifically? 6. What do the officials specifically want to know when they question Peter and John the next day? 7. Why is the name of Jesus so significant according to Peter? 8. Why did the leaders have a hard time deciding on a punishment for Peter and John? 9. What did they order Peter and John to do? Please Read: Acts 5:17-42 10. Why did the leaders have the apostles arrested a second time? 11. What is the defense Peter and the other apostles offer for continuing to tell people about Jesus? 12. What is the reaction of the leaders in verse 33? 13. Gamaliel intervenes on their behalf and their sentence is reduced to flogging. Describe what you know about flogging. 14. What effect did the arrest and flogging have on the apostles? 15. Why do you think so many Christians today voluntarily stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ? Tue, 28 Jul 2009 09:06:03 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=210 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=210&article_id=203 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Open Your Eyes 7.5.2009 Breaking the Ice: Come up with a group definition for the word “supernatural” and give some examples of what it means. Please Read 2 Kings 6:8-23 1. What did Elisha know that his servant didn’t? 2. What effect do you think it had on the servant to have his eyes opened? Please Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 3. What does Paul mean when he says that the veil is taken away when someone turns to the Lord? Please Read Acts 2:1-13 4. List the supernatural elements of what happened on the Day of Pentecost in the upper room. 5. How did the people of Jerusalem react to what the apostles were doing? Please Read Acts 2:14-24 6. What is Peter’s explanation for this supernatural event? 7. According to Peter what proved that Jesus was from God? Please Read Acts 2:25-36 8. How did God make Jesus both Lord and Christ? Please Read Acts 3:37-42 9. How did 3000 people respond to the news about Jesus? 10. Why do you think there is so much disagreement about baptism today? What can be done to clear up the confusion? Wed, 8 Jul 2009 10:15:30 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=209 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=209&article_id=202 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Amazing Grace 6-14-2009 Breaking the Ice: What is so amazing about grace according to the lyrics of John Newton’s classic hymn of that name? Please Read: Luke 7:36-49 1. Why did the woman respond the way she did to Jesus? 2. How should your response to the forgiveness of sins in Jesus be similar? 3. We speak of God’s grace as “unmerited favor.” What does unmerited mean and what does favor mean? Please Read: Romans 4 4. What does it mean to have righteousness imputed (KJV) or credited (NIV) to a person? 5. According to this chapter, what does it take for righteousness to be imputed to you? Please Read: Ephesians 2:1-10 6. What were the driving forces in your life prior to Jesus? 7. List the things these verses say that God did for you. 8. What’s the difference between a gift and a wage? 9. If your salvation is a gift of God, what can you brag about? 10. Why did God save you from your sins and grant you eternal life? Amazing Grace Lyrics John Newton (1725-1807) Stanza 6 anon. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear. And Grace, my fears relieved. How precious did that Grace appear The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace. When we've been here ten thousand years Bright shining as the sun. We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we've first begun. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see. Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:01:32 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=208 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=208&article_id=201 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 5-31-2009 Hope Floats Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all. ~ Emily Dickenson If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream. ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breaking the Ice: Besides heaven, what do you hope most for right now in your life or the lives of those you love? Please Read: Romans 15:4 & Titus 1:1-3 1. According to Titus 1 what is it Christians hope for and on what is that hope based? 2. What role does scripture play in your hope for the future? 3. How is the hope described in these verses different than the way people commonly use the term “hope” as in they hope they will win the lottery? Please Read: Romans 4:18-25 & 5:1-5 4. According to the apostle Paul, why did God consider Abraham righteous (i.e. without sin in His sight, acceptable to God)? 5. How are you made righteous before God today? 6. What does it mean to “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God?” 7. What makes the hope Christians have different than the hope other religious people have according to Romans 5? Please Read: Romans 15:13 8. What role does the Holy Spirit play in your life to give you hope? Please Read: I Peter 1:3-6 9. How is your hope as a Christian a “living” hope as Peter describes? Please Read: Hebrews 10:23, Galatians 5:5, & I Thessalonians 4:13 10. How is the way a Christian approaches death different from others in the world? Tue, 2 Jun 2009 09:41:43 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=207 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=207&article_id=200 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 5-3-2009 Are You Faithful? Breaking the Ice: List the attributes your group would ascribe to a friend who one considered “faithful.” Please Read: Psalm 117 1. In what ways does the Lord’s faithfulness endure forever and how does that impact you personally? Please Read: Revelation 2:8-11 2. What did being faithful entail for the Christians in Smyrna? 3. Do you think persecution strengthens or weakens a congregation and why? Please Read: James 2:18-20 4. If salvation is by grace only then what does James mean that faith without works is dead? Please Read: Acts 2:42 5. What kinds of activities were the earliest Christians devoted to and how does that correspond to what we do as Christians together today? Please Read: Romans 12:10 6. Give some practical examples of what being devoted to one another looks like in real life. Please Read: Romans 8:29 7. Without getting into a lengthy discussion of predestination, discuss what it means to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. Please Read: Romans 12:4-8 8. What is the best way, in your opinion, to get people to recognize and use their gifts for the good of a congregation? Please Read: Ezekiel 3:16-21 9. While this charge is specifically to Ezekiel for his prophetic ministry to the remnant of Judah in exile, what principles from this scripture if any apply to Christians today? 10. What have you found is the best way to share your faith in Jesus with others? Mon, 4 May 2009 12:48:25 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=206 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=206&article_id=199 Check out our summer of 2009 on Facebook Sun, 3 May 2009 19:22:39 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=205 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=205&article_id=198 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 4-26-2009 A Patch of Green Grass Breaking the Ice: Share with your group a word of encouragement someone gave you which inspired you to achieve something you considered significant? Please Read: Ephesians 4:29 1. In the context of this verse what kinds of things would fall under the category of “unwholesome” talk? 2. The Bible here says that the only kinds of words which should come out of your mouth directed to other people are? 3. What does “according to their need” mean and how might that differ from person to person? 4. How do you balance building people up and holding them accountable for bad behavior? Please Read: Ephesians 4:30-32 5. According to these verses what grieves the Holy Spirit of God and why do you think this is so? 7. Why is forgiveness so important to getting along with other people? 8. How do you personally deal with people who will not accept your sincere repentance and forgive you? Please Read: Psalms 19:14 9. What is the relationship between what you think in your heart and what you say to other people? 10. What have you found to work in your life to help you lift people up and not tear them down with your words? Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:50:43 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=204 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=204&article_id=197 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 4-19-2009 Parables of Jesus Series It’s Not Too Late Breaking the Ice: Share with your group one thing you are very confident will take place tomorrow. 1. Why is determining the context of a parable so important to understanding its meaning? Please Read: Luke 14:25, 15:1-3 2. Who is the audience in each of these verses? Please Read: Luke 15:4-32 3. Each of these parables share a common theme. What is it? 4. Whom does the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal Son represent? Please Read: Luke 16:1&13-15 5. The story of the rich man and Lazarus follows these verses. To whom did Jesus specifically address this teaching and what was it in reaction to? Please Read: Luke 16:19-31 6. Speculate how Jesus’ immediate audience would have responded to this teaching. 7. Whom did the rich man represent and how does this teaching support Jesus’ reason for it in context? Please Read: Ezekiel 17:1-4 8. What elements in this story are unrealistic and how does this parable differ from those of Jesus? 9. Why does it matter if the story of Lazarus and the rich man is a parable or an allegory? Please Read: Revelation 20:13-15 10. What indications are there from the story of Lazarus and the rich man itself and from Revelation that the rich man was not in his final place? Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:41:41 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=1 Thanks for visiting our website! Check out our postings, watch an archived worship service, join us for worship live on line each Sunday morning, or better yet visit us in person. Worshipping with us you'll experience a warm welcome, heartfelt congregational singing, weekly communion honoring Jesus, and a biblical message that's relevant to your life. But, following Jesus is so much more than just a once-a-week worship experience. Here we challenge you to transform your life daily as you learn His words, build real relationships with other followers, and find fulfillment in serving others in His name. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:24:12 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=122 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=122&article_id=118 www.acappella.org Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:21:06 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=188 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=188&article_id=181 See this link- http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158499~PBS_program_claims_Bible_is_historically_unreliable Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:18:32 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=143 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=143&article_id=139 Click Here Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:13:13 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=47 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=47&article_id=39 Ben Riley, one of our shepherds, has written several articles on science and its coexistence with religion. This is an ongoing series. Articles will be added as written. This is such an important series of lessons as the world of science and technology has in some circles replaced a Divine Creator as the source hope, knowledge, and faith. Author Biography 1. Physics and Christianity 2. Theory 3. Language 4. The Visible and the Invisible 5. Last Lecture - Audio New If you have questions or ideas for future topics feel free to e-mail Dr. Riley by clicking here. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:44:18 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=194 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=194&article_id=187 Senior Minister - Paul DeHart This is where you get to learn something about the guy standing in the pulpit most Sunday mornings here at the Newburgh Church of Christ. The apostle Paul said, "follow my example" but he added, "as I follow the example of Christ." (I Corinthians 1:11 - New International Version) He also said, " I decided that while I was with you I would forget about everything except Jesus Christ and his death on the cross." (I Corinthians 2:2 - New Century Version). I've been some places, had some experiences, and learned some things. And, none of that really matters does it? If you're focusing on me or any other leader in this congregation then we're blocking your view of Jesus and need to get out of the way. However, for those who are just curious: I grew up in the Northeast; served an enlistment in the Army as a German linguist; married Leann (best thing in my life next to Jesus); got a degree in English & a commission in the Air Force from Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX; helped Leann have our son Matt (next best thing in my life next to Jesus); retired from the Air Force after a career as an intelligence officer and instructor; got a degree in ministry from Southern Christian University, Montgomery, AL but like most in our fellowship have been studying the scriptures seriously since meeting Jesus; served as a minister in congregations in Randolph, NJ, & Horseheads, NY; and taught at a private Christian school in Pottstown, PA & at my alma mater Newton High School, Newton, NJ. It has been my pleasure in the Lord to serve as the senior minister at the Newburgh Church of Christ since May 2005. If you want to know more about Jesus Christ I invite you to attend one of our LIFE Groups, come to our Sunday morning bible classes & worship services, or contact me for a personal bible study at: pauld@newburghchurch.org. Secretary - Becky Pruden Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:30:26 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=196 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=196&article_id=189 One of the greatest messages of the New Testament is that every single person matters to God. We want you to know that you matter to us. Whether you are a member or a visitor we are interested in helping you know God better through His son Jesus the Christ. If you would like someone from the church to come by to follow-up with you, then please contact the church office at 812.858.0181 or email Paul DeHart. Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:20:17 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=197 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=197&article_id=190 The body here at Newburgh has been working with Baja Missions since 2004 and works with the congregation in Vicente Guererro, Baja California, Mexico. Mission teams visit two or three times a year for short-term missions. Projects include: medical, dental, construction, classes for men, women, and childern, and food/blanket distribution. We have gotten to know and love the body of believers in Vicente Guererro. Many people have gone to give and found that they get more in return than they give. The next trip is planned for July 2009. 2008 Summer Trip Blog View Larger Map Tue, 7 Apr 2009 07:00:03 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=203 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=203&article_id=196 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 4-5-2009 Parables of Jesus Series Making the Right Investments Breaking the Ice: Have each person in your group share on a scale of one to 10, one being the least, how financially secure each one feels. Please Read: Luke 12:1-12 1. How many people had gathered to hear Jesus? 2. To whom does Jesus address these verses? 3. On one hand Jesus says fear God and on the other hand he says not to be afraid. What’s the difference? Please Read: Luke 12:13-15 4. Come up with a group definition of greed or covetousness. 5. What was wrong with the man’s question about his inheritance? Please Read: Luke 12:16-21 6. What did the rich man do wrong? 7. Describe the difference between a person who lives for themselves and one who lives for the Lord. 8. How do you balance this teaching with being a good steward and saving for your own retirement? Please Read: Luke 12:22-34 9. According to Jesus what should be your attitude towards material things? 10. Why are there some faithful Christians living in poverty? Fri, 3 Apr 2009 16:10:47 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=202 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=202&article_id=195 Click Here to Find a Group Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:52:43 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=201 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=201&article_id=194 Sundays at 10:30 Central - Click Here Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:42:12 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=200 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=200&article_id=193 Children's worship is available for children two years old through 1st grade most Sunday mornings beginning about 25 minutes into our worship service. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:14:06 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=199 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=199&article_id=192 We have classes for most all ages on:Sunday mornings at 9:30Wednesday evenings at 6:30 We typically have two adult classes from which to chose. K-12 classes are grouped by grades, including a middle school and high school classes. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:03:32 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=77 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=77&article_id=72 Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:46:04 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=198 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=198&article_id=191 Are you looking for what Christians in the first century experienced as they spent time together with each other more than just once a week (Acts 2:46)? Are you willing to help and be helped by other believers on the path to heaven? Would you like an opportunity to further explore your questions about the bible? Do you want a chance to help impact your community? Answering yes to these questions indicates your readiness for a deeper commitment to Christ as part of this congregation. We promote a small group ministry here to provide a place for you to connect with other Christians and members of the surrounding communities. Our small group ministry’s mission statement is: “The small group ministry at the Newburgh church exists to: help members and seekers grow closer to God and each other through fellowship and bible study in an atmosphere of encouragement and welcome-ness. Small groups will help ensure that no one is left behind.” There are literally hundreds of books and articles written on small group ministries. Each author has a slightly different take on what small groups are all about. Sifting through this volume of information can be confusing. Additionally, most believers have had some type of small group experience with “cottage meetings,” “care groups,” “brother’s keeper’s groups,” or something similar. L.I.F.E. Groups to Grow. Our small group ministry is specifically designed to help us grow by attracting people from our communities who are not currently committed to a church and connecting them to our members in meaningful relationships. We call our groups "L.I.F.E. Groups" because they are organized to balance four purposes: Love (sharing our needs); Instruction (knowing God better through His word in the bible); Fellowship (enjoying our relationships together);and Evangelism (introducing people to Jesus Christ & starting new groups). We are continually forming new L.I.F.E. groups. If you are interested in participating in a group contact the church office via phone 812.858.0181 or email: pauld@newburghchurch.org and put LIFE Group in the subject line. Fri, 20 Mar 2009 18:30:27 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=195 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=195&article_id=188 Our purpose is to clasp the feet of Jesus and worship Him like the ladies in Matthew 28. Our goals are:1. Relevance - to meet the needs of this church. 2. Environment - a worshipful attitude. 3. Some special services. 4. People sharing - testimonies giving people role models for expressing our faith. 5. Be based in the scripture. 6. Planned spontaneity. 7. Involvement of people. . Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:50:42 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=14&article_id=7 Archived Services "Great is the Lord almighty and most worthy of praise!" Psalm 48:1. This is an exciting time for the family here at Newburgh as the Lord is blessing us! I praise God for the way in which you all allow Him to use you. I want to take this moment to especially thank you for bringing to worship a heart that is ready to meet Jesus. Each time we meet together serves only to strengthen the body and bring glory and honor to the Father for all that He has done. But as we go through the week and Monday night turns into Wednesday ball games and we've had it up to here with work where is worship? Or where is Jesus? We need to realize that worship doesn't start with the first song and end with the song of encouragement. Remember that God seeks our continual praise. John 4:24 says "Worship God in spirit and truth." Do we really think this just means when we decide to make worship official? Paul says, "Pray without ceasing." I'm convinced that God seeks to be in constant contact with His children. God's children. Just imagine your children not speaking with you for an entire day even though they inhabit your house. What kind of feeling would that produce? Would you be angry, sad or maybe just confused? Here you've done so much for them. You've provided a safe place to live, food and nourishment, clothes, you name it! What right do they have to...I think you're getting the picture. In 2nd Peter 1God promises to provide everything we need for life and godliness according to His own glory and goodness. We've definitely got reason to praise. Paul in Ephesians encourages us to be "filled with the Spirit" and the command is given to "speak to one another with psalms hymns and spiritual songs". Great! Now we know how to conduct a part of our worship time! The verse does not stop there; it continues to say, "always giving thanks to the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." We must expand our worship time to all the time. Think on Romans 12:1, and our lives as a "spiritual act of worship." It's a daily struggle and challenge to let God into all of my life. There are things I do that I wish He didn't see. Please join me in a life that attempts to give all things as praise to the Father and a life intent on building up the body of Christ. By our lips, our service, and our lives we worship the Lord God Almighty. Worship is a key, dynamic component of The Newburgh Church Family. - Tracy Hayford Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:41:38 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=123 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=123&article_id=119 We are a group of believers who love the Lord and seek only to do His will. We have no creed, but Christ. We find the Bible to be sufficient, since it is literally God-breathed. We seek to simply be the church that we find in the New Testament. We are not the only Christians, but we are Christians, only. Simple, New Testament Christianity             The Newburgh church of Christ is an independent congregation of Christians trying to follow Jesus Christ according to the New Testament.  We have no church authority beyond the Bible. Our leaders are chosen from the congregation according to the qualifications found in Scripture.  We believe that all Christians are members of the one body of Christ and that we can be united spiritually if we return to biblical teachings. Our goal is to be Christians only while recognizing that we are not the only Christians.  Our faith and worship are drawn from our understanding of the New Testament.  We meet together on Sundays to remember Jesus in the Lord's Supper, pray, sing, and hear a message from the Bible.  Our commitment to two practices of the first century church distinguishes us from some groups of believers today:  a cappella singing in worship and adult immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins as a believer's response to the gracious work of God.             We consider ourselves a part of a larger fellowship of New Testament congregations, all which grew out of the Restoration Movement in the US in the 1800's.  Their premises were "Speak where the Bible speaks; remain silent where the Bible is silent," and "In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; and in all things, charity."              The Newburgh church of Christ first met as a congregation in the early 1990s at Camp Brosend in Newburgh.  Later it met for a time at the Seventh Day Adventist facilities in Newburgh.  In the mid-1990s the congregation purchased and renovated its current facility - a former barbeque restaurant - at 5111 S. Plaza Dr. in Newburgh (two blocks east of SR261 off Robin Hill Rd.).   The auditorium seats 250.              While we look to the past in the New Testament for our guidance we work now to help people and look forward to when Jesus comes again. The congregation is dedicated to foreign mission work having sponsored missionaries all over the world.  Since 2004 the Newburgh church of Christ has been involved in mission work in Vicente Guerrero on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico.  In 2007 we sent three teams including members from our own congregation, other churches of Christ, and other churches in the Evansville area.  We conducted medical clinics, handed out food packages, taught adult and children's bible classes, and helped build a new bathroom facility for the church building.  In addition to sending mission teams to build relationships with our Mexican brothers and sisters in Christ in person we also provide annual financial support to the full-time minister for the congregation there.              Locally, in 2007 the Newburgh church of Christ gave more than $30,000 towards  and provided the bulk of the labor for a Habitat for Humanity home in Chandler, IN.  Nearly half the members of the congregation worked on the Habitat house at some time over the course of the build.             In response to the November 2005 tornado which hit Evansville and Newburgh, the congregation in conjunction with the churches of Christ Disaster Relief, Inc. of Nashville, TN donated 24 sets of brand new refrigerators, washers & dryers, and electric ranges to tornado victims.              We maintain an interactive website at www.newburghchurch.org where one can watch our services streamed live at 10:30am on Sundays or archived on line.   Our Senior Minister since 2005 is Paul DeHart and he can be reached for further information at 812.858.0181 or via email at pauld@newburghchurch.org. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:25:45 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=2&article_id=4 The Mission of the Newburgh church is: o To know God and make Him known through His Son Jesus the Christ We Value: o Biblical, relevant, and joyful worship to God o Rewarding relationships with other Christians o Challenge and support to live the Christian faith daily o Bible study and spiritual development for all ages o Healing for the hurting o Serving people in our church, community, and around the world o Sharing the good news of eternal life in Jesus Christ with everyone Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:22:44 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=193 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=193&article_id=186 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 3-18-2009 Parables of Jesus Series And They All Fall Down Breaking the Ice: Most PC’s have a version of MicroSoft Windows operating system. Apples have the Mac operating system. How would you describe the operating system of your life? What guides your decisions? Please Skim Matthew chapters 5-7 1. How many times does the word “kingdom" appear in these chapters? 2. List the topics Jesus addresses in this “Sermon on the Mount.” Please Read: Matthew 7:15-20 3. How can you recognize a false teacher? Please Read: Hebrews 13:7-8 4. How can you know enough about any teacher to tell whether or not they are from God? Please Read: Matthew 7:21-23 5. Why will some people be rejected in the end? Please Read: Matthew 7:24-27 6. Why do you think this parable is at the very end of the Sermon on the Mount? 7. Which do you think is the bigger problem today – people not knowing or not following the Bible and why? Please Read: Matthew 7:28-29 8. Why do you suppose that their teachers did not teach with authority as did Jesus? 9. Jesus said in Luke 21:33 that His words would never pass away. What did He mean by that and what implications does that have for the church today? Please Read: John 12:47-50 10. What will judge you on the Last Day and how do you feel about that? Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:11:11 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=192 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=192&article_id=185 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 3-11-2009 Parables of Jesus Series Let It Go Breaking the Ice: What indicates to you personally that you have truly forgiven someone who has wronged you? Please Read: Mark 10:23-45 1. How did Jesus expect his followers to treat one another? 2. How was this different from what most people experienced? Please Read: Matthew 18:1-4 3. What are some possible motives for someone to ask a question about who would be greater than someone else? 4. What is Jesus’ answer? Please Read: Matthew 18:21-22 5. In terms of forgiving other people, what does Jesus expect of you? Please Read: Matthew 18:23-35 6. How does this parable illustrate Jesus’ expectations above? Please Read: Matthew 5:21-24; 6:9-15; Hebrews 12:14-15; and Ephesians 4:31-32 7. What are the consequences for a Christian who won’t forgive others? Please Read: I John 1:7-9 8. What does forgiveness of sins and walking in the light have to do with fellowship if anything? Thu, 5 Mar 2009 12:24:00 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=191 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=191&article_id=184 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 3-3-2009 Parables of Jesus Series Lord Reign In Me Breaking the Ice: Discuss in your group who reigns in America and how they do that. 1. What does it mean to you to say that Jesus is Lord of your life and what do you think that term means to unbelievers? Please Read John 18:33-37 2. What does this passage tell you about the kingdom of God? Please Read Matthew 6:9-13 3. What does this passage tell you about the kingdom of God? Please Read Matthew Chapter 12 4. Suggest one title which captures the theme of this entire chapter. 5. According to Matthew 13:1-3 when did Jesus teaching the parables to follow take place? 6. How might the timing have effected His choice of themes to teach? Please Read Matthew 13:3-9 & :18-23 7. Condense the message of this parable into one sentence. Please Read Matthew 13:24-31 & :36-43 8. How does this parable relate to the events in Matthew chapter 12? Please Read Matthew 13:47-50 9. What are the similarities in this parable and that of the sower? Please Read Matthew 13:31-33 10. What is the main point of these two parables? Please Read Matthew 13:44-46 11. Both of these parables stress sacrifice for something of value. What must you sacrifice to let Jesus reign in your life? Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:40:23 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=190 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=190&article_id=183 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide 2-25-2009 Parables of Jesus Series Hitting Your Heart Breaking the Ice: Share with your group the theme of a recent movie you enjoyed. Please Read: II Samuel 12:1-10 1. Why do you think Nathan’s story was so effective in getting through to David? 2. What does the old proverb “some people can’t take a hint” mean and describe a person (no names) who fits that bill. 3. Why are stories more effective in teaching some people than others? 4. What are some limitations of teaching in stories? Please Read: Matthew 13:10-17 Parable: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin parabola, from Greek parabolē comparison, from paraballein to compare, from para- + ballein to throw. The root idea is that of comparison: a likeness between two realities is indicated or implied. 5. Why does Jesus say He taught in parables? 6. What makes it difficult for us today to figure out exactly what Jesus meant to teach with a particular parable? 7. Do the parables apply to you or just to the original audience who heard them? Please Read: Luke 13:1-9 8. To whom was Jesus speaking? 9. Summarize in one word the theme Jesus was trying to get across. 10. How did this parable illustrate Jesus’ theme? 11. What is the message of this parable to you today? Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:05:10 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=189 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=189&article_id=182 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Ready or Not. . . 11-12-2008 Breaking the Ice: Why do you think there seems to be a lot of interest in these days among Christians about Jesus’ Second Coming? Please Read: II Peter 3:1-2 1. The Apostle Peter gives what reasons for writing his second letter? 2. What things does he want his readers to remember? Please Read: II Peter 3:3-6; Genesis 6:5-8, & 17-24; John 1:3&10, Colossians 1:15-17 3. Describe a “scoffer” (NIV) or “mocker” (NAS). 4. What motivates these people according to Peter? 5. According to the text of Genesis how extensive was the flood? 6. Why does Peter reference the flood? 7. What is Jesus’ connection with the universe? Please Read: II Peter 3:7, 10, & 12; I Thessalonians 5:1-5 8. Describe the events which will happen on the Judgment Day according to the Apostles Peter and Paul. 9. How extensive will the destruction of the universe be? Please Read: II Peter 3:8&9, 11, 14; Revelation 20:11-15 10. Why hasn’t Jesus come back yet? 11. How should Jesus’ second coming and the events of judgment day affect how you live today? 12. According to Revelation what is the fate of those whose names are not in the book of life? Please Read: II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1-8 13. What do these scriptures tell about the days after Judgment Day? Thu, 6 Nov 2008 11:30:35 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=187 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=187&article_id=180 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Trust the Source 10-29-2008 Breaking the Ice: If you wanted to learn about the history of the people who have lived in your town or city where would you begin? 1. Why do you think fewer and fewer people today trust the Bible as a source of spiritual truth? Please read: II Peter 1:1-4 2. In what ways has God given you everything for life and godliness? 3. What are the “precious promises” to which Peter refers? Please read: II Peter 1:12-15; Luke 1:1-4; John 20:30-31; I John 1:1-4; I John 5:13; Jude 3-7. 4. Compare the reasons Peter, Luke, John, and Jude give for why they are writing. 5. What language was the New Testament written in? 6. Share what you know about the original documents of the writers of the New Testament – “the autographs.” 7. What are the earliest copies of the New Testament we have today? 8. How confident are you that we have a reliable idea of the original text of the New Testament documents and why? Please read: II Peter 1:16-19 9. Why does Peter say you can trust his testimony? Please read: II Peter 1:20-21; Ii Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:8-11; Galatians 1:11-12; and I Peter 1:22-25 10. What do these scriptures and others tell you about the concept of “inspiration.” Fri, 24 Oct 2008 09:47:24 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=186 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=186&article_id=179 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Give As You’re Given 10-19-2008 Breaking the Ice: Why do you think that Jesus talked about how people handle money more than any other single topic? Please Read: Deuteronomy 15:7-11 1. When Moses told the people of God not be hardhearted towards the poor among them what did he mean? 2. What do you think that being openhanded towards the poor entailed for the average child of God in Israel? Open Hearts Please Read: Proverbs 14:21; Galatians 6:2 & 10 3. What do these verses say regarding your attitude towards others who are in need especially those in your church? Please Read: II Corinthians 9 4. According to the apostle Paul what were some wrong motivations for giving? 5. What do you think it means that one should give as “he has decided in his heart to give” (NIV)? Please Read: Acts 4:32 - 5:10 6. How much were Ananias & Sapphira required to give from the sale of their property? 7. What was the problem with their giving? Open Hands Please Read: Psalm 112:5; Proverbs 11:25; Luke 6:38; I Timothy 6:17-19; and II Corinthians 9:11-13 8. What is the common thread in how people should or did give in these scriptures? Please Read: Genesis 14:17-20 and Deuteronomy 14:22-29 9. When did the tithe originate and what was its purpose under the law of Moses? 10. Is giving a tenth of all one has to the Lord a generous gift? 11. As a Christian do you feel an obligation to tithe? Why or why not? 12. If you don’t tithe, how do you determine what you will give to the Lord? Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:05:27 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=185 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=185&article_id=178 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Follow the Leader 10-15-2008 Breaking the Ice: Which has a bigger impact on the success of a sports team: the coach/es or the players and why? Please Read: I Peter 5:1-4 1. What did Peter claim qualified him to give advice to congregational leaders? 2. According to Acts 1:15-26 why was being a witness to the events of Jesus life so important? 3. How did Peter’s approach in dealing with the elders to whom he was writing differ from how some church leaders deal with their “subordinates?” 4. What are acceptable motivations for one wanting to be an elder in a congregation according to Peter? 5. What are some practical ways church leaders can avoid “lording it over” the flock? Please Read: I Peter 5:5-7 6. What reason does Peter give for people in the church to submit to one another? 7. What do you do if you fundamentally disagree with the leaders of your congregation over something really important to you? 8. How does the fact that God cares for you effect the way you handle life? Please Read: I Peter 5:8-9 9. How much power do you think the Devil has in the world today? 10. Peter links resisting the Devil with standing firm in the faith. How do you stand firm in the faith? Please Read: I Peter 5:10-11 11. What does Peter promise God will do for you after you have suffered? Thu, 9 Oct 2008 11:42:07 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=184 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=184&article_id=177 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Leave the Party 10-8-2008 Breaking the Ice: How do you answer those who say to you that they don’t want to be Christian because Christians don’t have any fun? Please Read: I Peter 4:1-2 1. Towards what does Peter tell believers to have the same mind or attitude as Jesus? 2. How are suffering and sin related in these verses? Please Read: I Thessalonians 4:1-8; Ephesians 5:8-13; and II Corinthians 5:9-10 3. How do you figure out what pleases the Lord in your life? Please Read I Peter 4:3-4 4. What do you think Peter means that you spent enough time doing those things that pagans do? 5. How does this apply to Christians who came to Jesus very early in life and weren’t ever into the paryting lifestyle? 6. Share with your group what you know about what kind of behavior is acceptable among the majority of kids at your local high schools. 7. How can you help Christian young people be faithful to Jesus in an environment like that? Please Read: I Peter 4:5-6 8. What are some possible interpretations of who “those who are now dead” are? 9. What’s the point of these two verses? Please Read: I Peter 4:7-11 10. How near do you think the end of all things is? 11. How does love cover a multitude of sins? 12. List some practical ways you can show hospitality to people you don’t know very well yet? 13. Write down the name of someone in your church you will contact this week to serve them in the Lord this week. Thu, 2 Oct 2008 11:40:33 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=183 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=183&article_id=176 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Who’s in Charge? 10-1-2008 Breaking the Ice: What do you think it takes for a president to be an effective commander-in-chief? Please Read: I Peter 3:15 in the KJV and a few more modern versions. 1. What are the differences in the translations? Please Read: I Peter 1:3 in the same translations. 2. What are the differences in this verse and how does this verse contribute to understanding the most accurate translation of I Peter 3:15? 3. The word “lord” – Greek Kurios - occurs more than 9000 times in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and over 700 times in the New Testament. What does the word “lord” itself mean? 4. How do you go about sanctifying or setting Christ apart as lord in your heart? 5. Do you believe you will go to heaven when you die? Why or why not? 6. In what manner are Christians supposed to share their faith in Jesus? Please Read: I Peter 3:18 7. According to Peter what purpose did Jesus’ death serve? 8. Why do you think it might have been important for Peter to emphasize to his audience that Jesus died in the flesh? Please Read: I Peter 3:19-20 9. Please share with your group some of the differing interpretations you are familiar with for this difficult passage. Which makes the most sense to you and why? Please Read: I Peter 3:21-22 10. What’s the connection between the flood of Noah’s day and water baptism? 11. How does baptism “save” you according to verse 21? Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:04:05 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=182 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=182&article_id=175 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Upgrade Your Operating System 9-24-2008 Breaking the Ice: What is the operating system on your computer and how does it perform for you? Please Read: I Peter 3:8 1. Peter uses a number of words only found here in the entire New Testament. Why do you think he went into such detail about how to deal with others in the family of God? 2. How can you live in harmony with someone who holds a completely different view of a bible doctrine which you consider essential to salvation? 3. Imagine explaining the term “sympathy” to a five year old. How would you illustrate it in a way he could understand? Please Read: Luke 14:7-11 4. What are some ways you can take the lowest place in dealing with someone else in your congregation? Please Read: Romans 12:14; I Corinthians 4:12-13; and James 3:9-12 5. What are some practical ways to deal with a member of your congregation who continually puts others down and sows seeds of discord while keeping in the spirit of the verses above? Please Read: I Peter 3:10-12 6. In Peter’s quote of Psalm 34:12-16 what does it take for you to have an enjoyable and good life here on earth? Please Read: James 5:9 7. Give an example of grumbling against someone in your church. Please Read: Hebrews 12:14-15; Romans 12:18; & I Timothy 5:12-15 8. What makes peace so hard that it has to be actively sought and pursued? Please Read: I Peter 3:13-14 9. Under what circumstances could you see someone suffering for doing good today? Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:45:32 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=181 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=181&article_id=174 http://www.mendingthesoulministries.org/recreadings/Clergy%20Responses%20to%20DV%20Priscilla%20Papers.pdf Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:32:37 MST http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=180 http://www.newburghchurch.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=180&article_id=173 LIFE Group/Family Discussion Guide Suffering Submission 9-17-2008 Breaking the Ice: Please have only the women only in your group answer this question. How do you feel about your church’s interpretation of the teaching about submission? The Greek word for submit (hupotasso) is used in its various forms the New Testament 40 times. It occurs 7 times in I Peter. Please Read: I Peter 2:13 & 18; 3:1- 6 & 22; 5:5 1. Who is told to submit in these verses to whom and why? Please Read: Ephesians 5:21 and James 4:1-10 2. Compare these verses with I Peter 5:5. What do they all have to say about submission? 3. How is a Christian wife’s submission to her husband different than the obligation of all Christians to submit to one another in the Lord? Please Read: Genesis 1:26-31 4. How did God feel about both men and women when He created them? Please Read: Genesis 3:16-19 5. According to this account what are the effects of the Fall on men and women? Please Read: Matthew 22:30 6. What does this verse say about men and women in heaven? Please Read: Galatians 3:28 7. What does this verse say about men and women in the kingdom of God? 8. In what ways could a misapplication of the biblical teachings on submission contribute to domestic abuse in Christian families? 9. Sadly, the research according to Dr. Steven R. Tracy (http://www.mendingthesoulministries.org ) and others indicates that Christian women who are being abused don’t feel they will get help from their church leaders or churches. Why do you think this is the case? 10. What can you do to prevent domestic violence against women or help those who are victims in your congregation? Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:43:30 MST