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Friday, April 27, 2018

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/29/18)

Sunday after church we will be having a cleanup day. Please bring a sack lunch and wear comfortable clothes to church.

Scripture for Sunday
Acts 17:1-15 (ESV)  
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apol lonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.  [2] And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ." [4] And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women. [5] But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. [6] And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, [7] and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." [8] And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. [9] And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 
[10] The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. [11] Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. [12] Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men. [13] But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds. [14] Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. [15] Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

Questions for Reflection
1.    When is a time you remember being jealous of someone else?
2.    What was Paul’s mission in the synagogue? (17:2-3)
3.    What resulted from Paul’s teaching? (17:4)
4.    Why were some Jews jealous? (17:5)
5.    How can you share your faith with others?
6.    As a missionary, would you be more effective telling others about Christ, or teaching them how to live a Christian life? Why?
7.    How can rejection, abuse, and other kinds of opposition affect a believer’s stand for Christ?
8.    How should Christian brothers and sisters support one another in their work for Christ?

Friday, April 20, 2018

Scripture & Questions for Sunday (4/22/18)

We are collecting gift cards for places like Subway, Whataburger, Starbucks, etc. for our college students as a final exam encouragement. If you would like to donate, please bring them to church on Sunday or take them to Lisa Sandlin at JNB.

Scripture for Sunday
Acts 9:1-19
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" 5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.

Questions for Reflection
1.    What was the most unusual experience that ever happened to you when you were growing up?
2.    What was Saul doing against the Lord’s disciples? (9:1-2)
3.    What was “the Way”? (9:2)
4.    In what ways do we sometimes hold back from doing what God wants?
5.    Why do we sometimes resist what God asks of us?
6.    What happens when we resist doing what God wants?
7.    If you were temporarily disabled, how might it benefit your spiritual life?
8.    What do older, more mature Christians have to offer younger, less mature Christians?
9.    How can you be a guide and help to younger Christians in your church?
10. How can you lean on another Christian to help you uncover God’s will for your life? Who is this person?

Friday, April 13, 2018

Scripture for Sunday (4/15/18)

Scripture for Sunday
John 21:1-19 (ESV)  
After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.  [2] Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.  [3] Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 
[4] Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  [5] Jesus said to them, "Children, do you have any fish?" They answered him, "No."  [6] He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.  [7] That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea.  [8] The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off. 
[9] When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.  [10] Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught."  [11] So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.  [12] Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.  [13] Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.  [14] This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. 
[15] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs."  [16] He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep."  [17] He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.  [18] Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."  [19] (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me." 

Questions for Reflection
1.    When did you ever have to restore a broken relationship?
2.    When have you taken care of another person?
3.    How did Peter feel after Jesus had asked him the same question three times? (21:17)
4.    What did Jesus predict about Peter’s future? (21:18-19)
5.    What command did Jesus give to Peter? (21:19)
6.    What concern did Peter raise? (21:20-21)
7.    Who are Jesus’ sheep?
8.    How are we to serve and care for other Christians?

Scripture for Sunday (4/8/18)

Scripture for Sunday
John 20:19-31 (ESV)  
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 
 [20] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." [22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld."
[24] Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
[26] Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."  [27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."  [28] Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"  [29] Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
[30] Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  [31] but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions for Reflection
1.    Where is it dangerous to openly follow Christ today?
2.    What hideaways did you have when you were growing up?
3.    How did the disciples respond to seeing Jesus? (20:20)
4.    When have you been afraid to follow Jesus openly?
5.    If you had been in that room with the disciples, how might you have reacted when Jesus appeared?
6.    When have you been overjoyed to see someone?