Section 1
The reading for the Sunday services was the lengthy passage from Matthew 6: 19-34. This passage is very rich in its content and difficult in its application but the application provides an excellent overview of some core aspects[…]
Section 1
Given that it is the half way point of the eight week journey it is useful to reflect on the journey so far. As an exercise in group sharing, try to identify the following:
What you have learned[…]
Part 1:
One way of thinking about the Christian small group is to see it as a church within a church. It is a church because its members are the Body of Christ. Part of the process of discipleship then[…]
If you like, you can draw upon some of last week’s activities and see if people have had some new thoughts about some of last issues. You could consider the following:
Understanding and definitions of discipleship as a lifelong process[…]
October 10: Pastor Robin Stelzer
In first world countries leprosy has largely disappeared; modern medicine has allowed us to treat the illness so that the social stigma of the disease no longer exists. Yet, like many bygone issues, the language[…]
October 24: Pastor Robin Stelzer
Amongst cricketers these days there is a catchphrase: “form is temporary, class is permanent”. It is used when a batsman suffers a run of low scores and his place in the side is threatened.[…]
October 17: Pastor Matthew Thomas
When your scribe’s children were very young (they are still young), they would be collected at roughly 4.00pm from day care. My son soon became very skilled at knowing exactly when 4.00pm would occur[…]
Study for September 26: Kerry Groch
Towards the end of her message about the rich man and the beggar (Lazarus) Kerry made a remark that this is one of Jesus’ ‘disruptive parables’. It is an excellent description because of[…]
Message for September 19: Tim Kelly
Study Overview
Very few Christians these days use the phrase ‘born again’ to describe their faith. The phrase is now in the domain of other areas such as the health industry (born again trainer)[…]
Message from September 5: Robin Stelzer
Every now and again teachers in a school emerge a little surprised at some knowledge that their students lack. Your scribe recalls the time that a class confused Elton John with Bob Dylan (it[…]
Background:
The Psalms is the book in the bible which consists of a collection of 150 poems, songs and reflections of God. They were written by many people under the influence of the Holy Spirit and also contain prophecy.
Basics:
What kind of people are described here in this psalm? What are they related to? What are the consequences for each way of life? Is this psalm clear or hard to understand?
Study Time:
The Psalm says that the man who delights in the law of the Lord is blessed. How can we “delight in the law of the Lord�
Is it easy to be a person who “yields fruit†in today’s world? Why?
How can we better become like this description?
Psalm 1 says that the Lord watches over the paths of the righteous. Because of this – what do we have to look forward to?
Where else is this promise mentioned in the scriptures?
Tough Thinking:
How does Psalm 1 describe the “wicked†people and what does it say will happen to them?
Is this something to look forward to?
Does God want them to go down this path? Where in the bible does it say this?
Who in our lives, in our sphere of influence is living in this way?
What can we do to show them God’s love and plan for their lives?
Challenge:
Think of one or two people in your life that you want to try to meet the needs of and show God’s love to them this week. Think of a practical way you can do this. Share this with the someone who can hold you accountable and pray!