Rising Hope -- 1 Peter 1:3-13 -- April 6, 2018

GETTING STARTED
We’re in a new series: Rising Hope.  We will be talking about being in search of hope, how to find hope, how to have it in our lives, and what does hope mean.  We live in a culture that is moving rapidly where we see depression and suicide is on the rise. Social political debate are more cutting and divisive than ever.  What’s evident in our culture is the absence of real Hope. Our passage today tells us that we have a living Hope in Christ Jesus.

WE WANT TO:

- Look back at God’s saving work in the past

- Look forward to God’s saving work in the future

- Look into the Gospel of Jesus Christ

READ
1 Peter 1:3-13

WATCH

https://youtu.be/4UJ-aViHexo

DISCUSS

1. Have you put your hope in someone or something and they failed you?  Explain.

2. What is your understanding of God’s saving work in the Old Testament?

3. What is your understanding of the Gospel of Jesus?

4. When did Jesus become real to you?  Was there a sense of hope in life? Explain.

5. What do you want to do with the Gospel of Jesus?

6. Is there a specific person that you can share the hope of Jesus to this week?

7. What is the Holy Spirit leading you to this week?

Church of The Future -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 -- March 13, 2019

GETTING STARTED What are 5 things you are anticipating right now? This week we’re exploring Paul’s response to life after death for believers. In his reply, Paul makes three statements to the Christian community: (1) The resurrection of Jesus gives us confidence, (2) The dead and the living will come before Christ on His second coming, (3) There is hope beyond death. WE WANT TO: - Know that the bases of life are not the here and now. It is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus that gives us hope. - Look forward to Christ’s Second Coming. - Be encouraged in the midst of life because there is hope beyond death. READ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

WATCH
https://youtu.be/jSysQNUHos8

DISCUSS
 1. What is your initial reaction to this topic? 

 2. What do you think of when you hear the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus? How does it affect your life? 

 3. How would you live your life if you knew when Christ will return? 

 4. What is your understanding of the word “rapture”? 

 5. In light of the Second Coming, what steps can we take as a church to share the gospel of Christ to our community? How can your group keep each other accountable in this area? 

 6. Can you think of 3 names that you can share the gospel of Jesus with? What are practical steps that you can take towards sharing the gospel? 

 7. How can your group pray and encourage you?

Church of The Future -- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 -- March 2, 2019

GETTING STARTED

Who are some people you respect and why?

This week we're exploring Paul's response to Timothy's report about Thessalonica. In his
reply, Paul provides three tactics for the church to win the respect of those outside the
Christian community: (1) demonstrating brotherly love, (2) minding one's own business, and
(3) working hard.

WE WANT TO:

- Better understand why people in our neighborhoods, work places, and local communities
show respect to others.

- Commit to a life of brotherly love, minding our own business, and working hard.

- Invite the Holy Spirit to show us the areas we need His help.

READ

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

WATCH

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcMnzPPi2NA

DISCUSS

1. What do the terms “respect” and "contempt" mean to you? How do you define them?

2. What is Paul saying about phileo (“brotherly”) love in this passage?

3. How can our church increase in brotherly love? What can we do practically to
communicate love to one another (read John 13:34-35; Lev 19:18; 1 Pet 4:8; Rom 13:8; 1
John 3:18)?

4. What do you think it would have looked like to “lead a quiet life” in the ancient world (read
Job 3:26; 11:19; Ezek 38:11)? What do you think it would look like to “lead a quiet life”
today?

5. What steps can we take as a church to mind our own business? How can we hold each
other accountable to this in a loving manner?

6. How should we, as Christians, approach work? How does this differ from culture's
approach?

7. In what areas of your life do you feel like it would be challenging to apply Paul's advice?
Why?

8. Why do you think Paul teaches that demonstrating brotherly love, minding your own
business, and working hard will win the respect of outsiders/unbelievers? How does this
apply to winning respect today?

9. What is at least one area in your life that you would like to win the respect of unbelievers?
How can your group be praying for you in this?

Church of the Future -- 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 -- February 25, 2019

GETTING STARTED

This topic is about sanctifying our sexuality. Your small group may want to consider breaking into male and female groups. If you choose to break into male/female groups, make sure there is a leader in both equipped with these questions.

Who influenced you in the way you understood sexuality as a teenager/adult? Was this topic taboo or something you could easily talk about? Explain.

In this passage, Paul continues to encourage them to continue to walk with the Lord and grow in their sanctification. Specifically, Paul applies sanctification to their sexuality. 

WE WANT TO:

- Challenge our perspectives and that of our culture.

- Understand how sanctification should impact our sexuality.

- Pray for the Holy Spirit to aid us in walking in holiness.

READ

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

WATCH

Video on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTvAO3N-RPM&t=42s

DISCUSS

1. What does “sanctification” mean to you? How do you define it? (See three perspectives: Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14, & Romans 6:22). How are you being sanctified now? Explain.

2. How would you respond to the statement, “All sex is good as long as you don’t hurt someone”? How would you rephrase that statement?

3. What does it look like for a church to control and honor God with our bodies?  What would the world/our culture say in response?

4. What other parts of Scripture shed light on this topic (e.g., Old Testament, Jesus, other writings by Paul, 1 Cor 6:18-20.)? How do we see God responding to those who have failed to control their bodies? (See David and Bathsheba, 1 Cor 5:1-5 & 2 Cor 2:5-8, 1 Cor 6:9-11)

5. What are some steps you can take to avoid sexual immorality? How can these help you live a sanctified and sexually pleasing life to God?

6. The church in Thessalonica had to make a strong stand against the behavior and attitudes of their culture to please God with their bodies. In what ways do we need to make a stand against our culture so we can please God, rather than culture? Explain.

7. How can you apply this message/discussion to your life? How can you help each other in your small group honor and control your bodies?

8. Are there other areas in your life you need to let the Holy Spirit work in your life to bring sanctification?

9. Take time to pray for our church in our sexual holiness and sanctification.

Church of the Future -- 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 -- February 17, 2019

Small Group Questions for Sunday, Feb. 17, 2019. 
Pastor Ray will be preaching on the second of three prayers found in 1 Thessalonians. 

Enjoy the discussion with your group.

GETTING STARTED

What do you pray for most of the time? What are your top three prayer requests?

This week we're looking at three ancient but timeless prayers that Paul prayed over the Thessalonian church. These prayers are also for us and lead to a glorious future.

WE WANT TO:
- Trust the Lord and submit to His clear direction for our lives.

- Understand God's love for us so that it leads us to overflow with love for others.

- Partner with the Holy Spirit as He makes our hearts "blameless in holiness" for the day Jesus returns or calls us home.

READ

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13. 

WATCH

Watch video

DISCUSS

Paul’s biggest concern is that the church will be able to stand "blameless in holiness" before God on the last day. Is that your biggest concern for the church today? Why or why not?

What three things does Paul pray for as he remembers the Thessalonian church?

First, he prays for a clear direction in order to be reunited with them. Review 1 Thess. 3:10. What does Paul want to accomplish in this visit? 

Why do you think Paul wants to “supply what is lacking in their faith”? How can we practice something similar with our friends and loved ones?

Second, he prays for their love to overflow. Who does he pray that they will love more?

Why is it important to love others in the church and outside the church? Why are both essential things to pray for?

Third, he prays that their hearts will be strengthened until Jesus returns. What do you think he wants them to be and experience in this life?

What is one area of your life you want to invite the Holy Spirit to change/develop so you can be “blameless in holiness” when you stand before him?

How does this change the way you will pray this week? Explain.

Church for the Future -- 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10 -- February 10, 2019

Pastor Mike Gliem is preaching on 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10.

Here are the video and questions to use for your small group.

Watch video here.

 Questions for Small Group

Who what the biggest influence in your life (e.g., spiritually, professionally, etc.)? Why?

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:10

What is the difference between power and influence? From this passage, what makes someone a great influencer or minister? Why is Paul a great influencer? Explain.

How might God be leading you to be an influence in someone's life (or in the church)? Explain.

What was Paul’s Mission (e.g., what was his overall purpose with his work in the church in Thessalonica)? What is your mission in life?  Why?

What was Paul’s Method (e.g., how did he strengthen and encourage the church in the face of trials)? What is your method to strengthen the church?

What was Paul’s Motivation (e.g., what was the reason for his anxious heart and care for them)? What is your motivation to love people in the church and outside the church? Explain.

How can you follow Paul's example of deep love for the church? What must you adopt/do to love like he does?

 

What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about your love and commitment for the church? How can you increase your influence on people's lives at Ambassador? Be specific.

Church for the Future -- 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 -- February 3, 2019

Pastor Ray will be preaching on 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 this Sunday. 

Watch the video with your group.

Here's some questions to guide your discussion.

1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Watch Video

 

What are your “first world” problems?

Has the Bible ever truly come alive to you? If so, describe how and why.

Read 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16.

What is the reason for the church's growth and maturity (see 1 Thess 2:13)? 

If the Living Word of God (the Bible) is necessary for Spiritual Growth, why do we struggle with letting it grab our hearts and/or attention?  

How can God’s Word help you during times of opposition? How has it helped you before?

In verse 14, he says they became “imitators of God’s churches” in Judea. In 1 Thess 1:6 the talks about how they imitated the apostles and the Lord. How does this sharpen your understanding of imitating others for the sake of becoming like Jesus? What churches/Christians around the world inspire you? Why?

Read v. 16. Romans 12:19 says that God will avenge those who have been treated wrong by this world. Does this truth satisfy you? Do you think Christians in Iran or Egypt are satisfied that the Lord will avenge them for the wrong that was done to them and their families?  

 How can this passage help you grow in your faith? How can it help you love Jesus? Explain to the group.